US military, technology, arms, tactics

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brar_w
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Following the Carl Vinson's August 2021 deployment with the first US Navy F-35C squadron on board, the USMC has now also deployed its first F-35C squadron on a CVN deployment. This makes it two CVNs in the Pacific with F-35C squadrons currently as the Vinson is not expected to end her deployment until late March - Early April timeframe.

Also note the work-up and training required to introduce a new type and send it for its first 6-8 month deployment. The squadron prepared for two years and had multiple shorter deployments at sea leading up its first deployment. This cadence (18-24 months of training before a new F-35C squadron deploys) is unlikely to materially change as new squadrons begin transitioning to the F-35C.

FIRST USMC F-35C SQUADRON DEPLOYS

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing has marked a key milestone for Marine Corps history as they departed San Diego Bay with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as the first Marine squadron to deploy the F-35C on an aircraft carrier.

“The Black Knight’s deployment of F-35C Lightning II aboard USS Abraham Lincoln is the newest chapter in the Marine Corps’ long history of naval integration,” said Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, 3rd MAW commanding general. The upcoming deployment represents years of hard work and innovation by the Marines and Sailors of VMFA-314, MAG-11, and 3rd MAW. It also reinforces our commitment to fielding the most lethal and ready Navy-Marine Corps force as we project warfighting capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region, or globally wherever our nation calls.”

3rd MAW has recently demonstrated the F-35’s strike capabilities by utilizing its F-35 squadrons in long-range aerial strike exercises. During Exercise Summer Fury 21, a 3rd MAW squadron flew the F-35 from Miramar to Washington State, a distance of more than one thousand miles, to deliver long-range precision fires on a designated target. Significant technological developments of aircraft and aggressive military training such as this have contributed to the Marine Corps’ ability to uphold free and open international order by deterring potential adversarial aggression.

“Our ability to operate the F-35C in the Pacific greatly increases the Marine Corps’ naval expeditionary force capabilities by providing us the capacity to employ the most advanced electronic warfare capabilities on any aircraft today in support of fleet operations,” said Lt. Col. Brendan M. Walsh, VMFA-314 commanding officer. “In addition, having this asset available greatly increases the Marine Corps’ ability to provide security to our allied nations and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

This deployment comes as a culminating effort as VMFA-314 completed its workups last year with Carrier Air Wing Nine on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, concluding with VMFA-314 completing their final integrated training cycle along other elements of Carrier Strike Group Three in December as the Marine Corps continues to develop its 5th Generation strike fighter capabilities.

VMFA-314 was the first Marine Corps squadron to transition to the F-35C variant of the joint strike fighter after retiring its legacy F/A-18A/C aircraft and receiving its first F-35C on 21 January 2020. Now as the Marine Corps continues to develop as a modernized naval force, deploying squadrons, such as VMFA-314, to key strategic maritime locations enables the Marine Corps the capability to deter adversarial aggression, and, if required, decisively win in conflict.
Vayutuvan
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

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U.S. Navy, Boeing Complete First Carrier Tests for MQ-25
The U.S. Navy and Boeing have successfully maneuvered the Boeing-owned T1 test asset on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier for the first time – an early step forward in ensuring the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueler will seamlessly integrate into carrier operations.

During an underway demonstration aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Navy flight deck directors – known as “yellow shirts” – used standard hand signals to direct T1 just like any other carrier-based aircraft. Instead of a pilot receiving the commands, however, it was a Boeing MQ-25 Deck Handling Operator (DHO) right beside the “yellow shirt” who commanded the aircraft using a new handheld deck control device.

The demonstration was intended to ensure the design of the MQ-25 will successfully integrate into the carrier environment and to evaluate the functionality, capability and handling qualities of the deck handling system both in day and night conditions. Maneuvers included taxiing on the deck, connecting to the catapult, clearing the landing area and parking on the deck.

“The Navy has a rigorous, well-established process for moving aircraft on the carrier. Our goal was to ensure the MQ-25 fits into the process without changing it,” said Jim Young, MQ-25 chief engineer. “From the design of the aircraft to the design of the system moving it, our team has worked hard to make the MQ-25 carrier suitable in every way.”

DHO’s trained in Boeing’s deck handling simulation lab in St. Louis, where they practiced entering commands from simulated “yellow shirts” into the real handheld device. A simulated MQ-25, running the aircraft’s real operational flight code and interfaces, would move accordingly ...
brar_w
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

^^ Pretty cool to watch the air-wing transform gradually into something completely different from the previous decades all SH (most part) set up. F-35C and CMV-22 were introduced (deployed) in 2021, Block III SH's will come in another year or two, then the MQ-25 in another year after that and following that likely additional unmanned capability. There is also the Navy's next gen fighter program that likely is investing a lot on the classified for a 2030s platform replacement for the Super Hornet. Once you factor in new mission systems, carrier upgrades (JPALS, radars etc) and weapons the CVNs will be introducing new capability (previously not available to them) every 18 or so months and sustaining that upgrade pace that through 2030 at least.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Guddu »

Vayutuvan
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Vayutuvan »

brar_w wrote: ... CVNs will be introducing new capability (previously not available to them) every 18 or so months and sustaining that upgrade pace that through 2030 at least.
What are your views on China putting an infrared seeker on its Hypersonic missiles? That seems to be a technology the US was trying to develop for a while now.
brar_w
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Vayutuvan wrote:
What are your views on China putting an infrared seeker on its Hypersonic missiles? That seems to be a technology the US was trying to develop for a while now.

The US has fielded IR sensors that operate in the hypersonic regime (Mach 8+) and at relevant altitudes, and others that have demonstrated this capability at the experimentation level against similar high speed, and thermal stresses. They have deployed or developed for potential use integrated window assemblies that can handle roughly 1000 degree C (it may be beyond but they haven't needed that yet for any application). That said, I don't know of any current US hypersonic program that is looking to add a IR seeker on a hypersonic weapon presently. For a glider, given requirements and other considerations, I fail to see how a IIR seeker is superior to a RF seeker. IIR sensors that can operate in the hypersonic regime are likely better suited for air-breathing high speed (Mach 5-7) cruise missile applications though, which is an area of active research where fairly mature IIR seeker concepts have already been developed, prototyped or otherwise de-risked for potential future use.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Vayutuvan »

^Thanks. I was watching Fox News and thus came up. Fox reported with such a bated breath that I thought we missed that news here on BRF.
brar_w
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Prem Kumar wrote:Pin point accuracy, sea-skimming, S-maneuver etc make it a deadly missile. He's unequivocal in stating that no air-defense system in the world today, including S-400 (& presumably the Aegis as well), can defend against the Brahmos.
Can't say anything about Brahmos (not a threat system), but the Oniks is a threat missile to the US Navy surface fleet, as are the Chinese supersonic missiles. To that end, the US Navy has multiple unclassified supersonic target programs, including a supersonic sea skimming (Mach 2.8 - Mach 3 at sea skimming mode , and close to Mach 4 in high altitude diving mode) which it has used in the development of its interceptors and has even incorporated into its carrier work ups and training of operational CSGs. Much like the threat Russian and Chinese sea-skimmers, the SSST is capable of executing terminal maneuvers. The Standard Missile series, the ESSM series, and even the latest Block 2 RAM has been successfully tested against this threat.

The USN is one of the, if not the only Navy in the world, that maintains a full scale manned/unmanned Self-Defense Test Ship for its premier combat system and maintains multiple lines of supersonic threat targets for both weapon testing, as well as testing for the crew ahead of vital deployments. Both East Coast and West Coast carrier strike groups routinely confront SSSTs as part of their operational training ahead of deployments with an average of 2-4 MSLEX's occurring each year. French Aster and Japanese interceptors have also successfully engaged USN supplied SSSTs. While the Oniks is a formidable threat, they have replicated large parts of that threat (with real world systems + simulated testing and training) and are well equipped to manage it FWIW and are now moving towards developing much faster and capable high altitude and even sea skimming targets (there is an offshoot of a hypersonic program that is supporting this work).


viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4752&p=2063115&hili ... e#p2063115
brar_w
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

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What will the US Space Force be able to do with its new GPS III variant?

The U.S. Space Force has yet to launch all of the GPS III satellites at its disposal, but work on new, more powerful versions is already underway. New GPS III Follow-on satellites — or GPS IIIF for short — will continue to improve the constellation’s accuracy and protection against jamming.

GPS III satellites are already a substantial upgrade to the current constellation, providing three times greater accuracy and eight times better anti-jamming capability than their predecessors. In addition to introducing a new civil signal that is compatible with other navigation satellite systems, the five GPS III satellites on orbit completed the space component of M-code — an even more secure and accurate signal for military use.

The Space Force has launched five of the planned GPS III satellites, and three more have been declared “available for launch” but are waiting in storage with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. The remaining two are undergoing testing.

The Space Force has a contract with Lockheed for up to 22 GPS IIIF satellites. The service already exercised contract options for seven GPS IIIF satellites, with the most recent award taking place in October 2021, when Space Systems Command issued $737 million to the company for three more satellites.


GPS IIIF satellites will be more advanced than their predecessors. Most notably, the new space systems will prove a new Regional Military Protection capability, a steerable M-code signal that can concentrate the effect in a specified region. RMP can provide up to 60 times greater anti-jamming measures, helping ensure soldiers can access critical position, navigation and timing data in contested environments.


Other new features include a laser retroreflector array to increase accuracy; an upgraded nuclear detection detonation system payload; and a search and rescue payload.

Starting with the third GPS IIIF space vehicle, the satellites will be built with Lockheed’s LM2100 Combat Bus, specifically designed for military use. The company claims its new bus, which will also be used for the Space Force’s next missile warning satellites, will have greater resiliency and cyber protections, more power, and better propulsion.

And thanks to a new port on the LM2100 bus, it will be possible to upgrade GPS IIIF satellites on orbit. The company’s Augmentation System Port Interface essentially works as a USB port for the satellite, allowing the Space Force to launch new payloads into space that can be plugged into the system.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by ldev »

brar_w,

Is the APG-79 v(4), which I understand is being retrofitted on the legacy Hornet fleets of the USMC and the RCAF, different in any respect from the APG-79 fitted as original equipment on new build Superhornets? And will either require any enhancement to utilize the AIM-260 JATM to it's full range? The AIM-260 is being integrated on the F/A-18 e/f, correct?
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

The APG-79V (4) is highly common with the SH's APG-79 with a couple of exceptions:
1) It has a smaller antenna sized to fit the classic Hornet
2) It utilizes Raytheon's second gen. X band GaN T/R modules
3) It has a few back end changes to fit into the existing interface, and thermal profile of the Hornet. The USMC required a swapable radar without a need to send the aircraft to a depot for an extensive mod. Back when they tested the prototype radar, they were able to retrofit an aircraft inside a couple of hours so the radar has been designed to require no interface or mission system hardware mods to the aircraft (besides a software upgrade).

The legacy Hornet fleet is going to be retired eventually and will never see the AIM-260 given their missions and roles (mostly CAS though some air-air as well). The F/A-18 E/F is the threshold platform for the JATM..The APG-79 has and continues to go through a continuous product improvement cycle and that will continue right through block III jets and beyond so it should be more than capable of utilizing the JATM.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by ldev »

Thanks brar_w, you are the fountain of wisdom on all things US military :)

The APG-79 v(4) retrofit will at least enable the USMC and RCAF Hornets to fully utilize the AIM-120D!! And yes, you are correct, they will eventually transition to the F-35, the USMC certainly, the RCAF most probably. I doubt the Gripen has a chance in that competition!!
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

RCAF will become a F-35 user eventually. The Trudeau govt has renewed Canada's partnership in the program twice already despite publicly opposing the F-35 buy that was the policy of the previous government. They will eventually buy them possibly later this year given that they've already secured more than half a billion dollars in industrial work even before a single aircraft was ordered.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by ldev »

brar_w wrote:RCAF will become a F-35 user eventually. The Trudeau has renewed Canada's partnership in the program twice already despite publicly opposing the F-35 buy that was the policy of the previous government. They will eventually buy them possibly later this year given that they've already secured more than half a billion dollars in industrial work even before a single aircraft was ordered.
Also, waiting appears to have paid off for Canada. The F-35 price has decreased from the time the partnership was first entered into. Canada's fighter replacement number has increased from 65 then to 88 now which will be the number of Block 4 F-35s I would presume it will buy. The surprise was the F/A-18 E/F being knocked out before the Gripen!!
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

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Army to test cannon with 1,180-mile range in FY-24

The US Army plans to shoot artillery rounds 1,180 miles over the Pacific Ocean in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to test a next-generation cannon, according to a recently filed environmental notice.

The service will test-fire 77 non-explosive projectiles from the Extended Range Cannon Artillery II at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, over those two years, mostly in FY-24, according to the notice. The base lies on the Pacific coast, and the cannon will fire into the ocean.

“The proposed activities would include testing ERCA II by firing non-explosive projectiles over the Pacific Ocean at distances ranging from the shoreline to approximately 1,180 mi (1,900 km) from the shoreline of [Vandenberg Space Force Base] onto and beyond the” Point Mugu Sea Range, CA, the notice stated.

None of the Army’s currently fielded surface-to-surface artillery or missiles can reach close to 1,000 miles. The ERCA, a new long-range self-propelled howitzer that will be fielded in an experiment next year, can fire about 43 miles.

The environmental notice did not say whether the ERCA II, which will be tested at Vandenberg, shares parts with the current ERCA.

“Major components of the artillery system include the cannon, gun mount, artillery projectile, and propelling charges,” the notice stated.

Test-fires would begin in the first quarter of FY-24, and the final test-fire would take place in the third quarter of FY-25, according to the notice. Three different projectiles would be tested, and the longest-range projectile would not be fired until the third quarter of FY-24.

Long-range fires has emerged as the Army’s top modernization priority, and the service plans to field a pair of missiles in FY-23 that reach 1,000 miles or more: the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Mid-Range Capability.

There have been Army plans in recent years to develop a cannon that could reach 1,000 miles or more, which has previously been called the Strategic Long-Range Cannon. Brig. Gen. John Rafferty, director of the long-range precision fires cross-functional team, predicted in 2019 that the technology could be demonstrated in calendar year 2023.

A cannon with that range would be cheaper to operate than comparable missiles, Rafferty told Inside Defense in an August 2021 interview.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

ldev wrote:[The surprise was the F/A-18 E/F being knocked out before the Gripen!!
Wasn't a surprise at all to be honest. Canada doesn't want to be the last F-18E/F buyer and Boeing would have serious issues given its past litigations and lobbying against bombardier. TBH, if you have 5GFA available (not to mention are actually partnered on its development and have industrial work to compete for), at same or lower price you will be foolish to buy a soon to be out of production 4.5 gen fighter. Even the Swiss, a neutral nation with little or non-existent offensive need chose to replace its Hornets with the F-35 and not the Super Hornet.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by arvin »

brar_w wrote:Army to test cannon with 1,180-mile range in FY-24

The US Army plans to shoot artillery rounds 1,180 miles over the Pacific Ocean in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to test a next-generation cannon, according to a recently filed environmental notice.

A cannon with that range would be cheaper to operate than comparable missiles, Rafferty told Inside Defense in an August 2021 interview.
That they are aiming for such a big leap in range is admirable considering the maximum they can fire now is 70 km.
Elsewhere some army guys are asking for changing electric drives to hydraulic drives. :roll:
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

The strategic long range cannon is not a standard 155 mm gun but something probably significantly larger (though still mobile, and expeditionary based on information shared so far). It has been said previously that the gun's footprint will be less than that of a 1000 mile missile battery but a lot larger than that of your typically employed field artillery unit.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

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AH-64 Apache propulsion upgrades moving along -

Boeing contract furthers push for new Apache engine

The Army has completed a critical design review of the new engine, and Boeing’s contract is for Phase II of the integration project, which involves “hardware/software A-Kit prototyping/production along with engineering and test activities,” David Hylton, a spokesman for the Army’s Aviation Program Executive Office, said in a statement.

The Army says the new engine will significantly improve Apache performance. The upgraded helicopters will be able to fly faster, farther and for longer, while also saving fuel, allowing the helicopter to “realize some fantastic capability,” said Lt. Col. Matt Peterson, product manager for the Apache Helicopter Development and Modernization Product Office.

“A new engine with the capability of the T901 will give us enhanced range, endurance and capability, meaning we can go further and reach further to get the bad guys than ever before,” Peterson said in an interview.

“As the result of a successful Phase I design, which ended in a successful critical design review, they were awarded a Phase II that enables them to conduct that integration test qualification,” Peterson said.

In a statement, Boeing spokeswoman Marcia Costley said the company “will provide engineering design activities and flight qualification” for the integration of the engine.

The service obligated $18 million in FY-21 and FY-22 research, development, test and evaluation funding at the time of the award, according to the Army’s announcement of the contract. Boeing will work on the project in Mesa, AZ with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2026, the announcement said.

Peterson, himself a longtime Apache pilot, said the Army will continue building confidence as it tests the new engine’s capabilities.

“As we enter into what we consider Phase II, I would consider the major milestone we’re marching toward is the successful first flight of the engine,” he said.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

KC-46’s new vision system in limbo as panoramic issues come into view
https://breakingdefense.com/2022/01/kc- ... into-view/
10 Jan 2022
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Multi Ship IRST capability tested on Avenger drones.

Two GA-ASI Avengers Equipped with Lockheed Martin Legion Pods Autonomously Send Fused Air Threat Data to Command Center

On November 18, 2021, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) used two company-owned Avenger® Unmanned Aircraft Systems, each equipped with a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod®, to send long-range air threat data captured passively and fused by an advanced sensor algorithm to a Command Center.

“This first-time, industry-funded flight test demonstrates the maturing capabilities of UAS platforms and sensors to deliver fused sensor data,” said GA-ASI Senior Director of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood. “Avenger with Legion Pod demonstrates how collaborative autonomous platforms with advanced sensing can deliver persistent, shared air domain awareness.”

In the two-hour flight, the Avengers flew over the high desert of southern California. During the flight, Legion Pod’s IRST21® infrared search and track system detected multiple fast-moving aircraft operating in the area. On-pod Lockheed Martin fusion software blended the sensor data from both pods in real time and the Avengers streamed it to the ground station.

This is the first time IRST systems on multiple autonomous aircraft have delivered merged air threat data to users on the ground,” said Scott Roberson, director of Sensors and Global Sustainment Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin. “It’s a big step in developing a common operating picture that boosts situational awareness across domains in joint operations.”

This fusion technology was previously tested in F-15-equipped Legion Pods and datalinks at the Northern Edge operational exercise earlier this year. Legion Pod is a proven long-range passive IRST sensor on multiple platforms including two types of Avenger UAVs. Since Legion Pod is in production, it could fly real-world missions as soon as U.S. Government customers would like if there was an urgent need.

The fusion engine’s ability to take in multiple sensor sources makes it a central node that connects Legion Pods on manned and unmanned platforms. Lockheed Martin has plans to test the Legion Pod with datalink capability among F-16s as well as F-15-to-F-16 sensor fusion. The sensor’s open design readily supports Joint All Domain Operations requirements for alternative datalink architectures.

The Open Mission System (OMS) architecture of the Legion Pod sensor allows for rapid integration, making the technology transportable among aircraft platforms and reducing the timeline and complexity to integrate on new platforms.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by ldev »

brar_w wrote: To that end, the US Navy has multiple unclassified supersonic target programs, including a supersonic sea skimming (Mach 2.8 - Mach 3 at sea skimming mode , and close to Mach 4 in high altitude diving mode) which it has used in the development of its interceptors and has even incorporated into its carrier work ups and training of operational CSGs. Much like the threat Russian and Chinese sea-skimmers, the SSST is capable of executing terminal maneuvers. The Standard Missile series, the ESSM series, and even the latest Block 2 RAM has been successfully tested against this threat.
Your quote reminded me of this article from the War Zone which describes how the US Navy actually worked with the Russian manufacturer of the KH-31 anti ship missile and the KH-31P anti radiation missile to produce replicas which were used by the US Navy to develop I presume the Aegis combat system and the SM missile series:

Navy Needed Targets To Mimic Supersonic Anti-Ship Missiles So They Bought Real Ones From Russia

In US Navy tests the KH-31 anti ship missile replica had a range of 37 km when launched from 1000 feet and 57 km when launched from 5000 feet.

Image

While the KH-31P replica managed a range of 85 km given it's high altitude launch.

Image
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Those were retired long ago. The GQM-163A has been in production for about 17 years now, and was the world's first operational variable fuel ducted rocket (throttle-able solid ramjet) years before the MBDA Meteor flew or became operational. In both cases (KH-31 and GQM-163) range requirements determine missile size and fly-out range. With the latter there are both east coast and west coast training range requirements that defined the upper limit of missile range.

Here's a good visual depiction of the initial capability fielded. They've since upgraded the missile twice and added more capability (speed, envelope, scoring sub-systems, and other capability).

Image

Image
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U.S. Military Space Plane Wings Past 600 Days in Earth Orbit
The U.S. Air Force’s robotic space drone, the X-37B, has flown more than 600 days circuiting the Earth.

This craft is labeled Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-6), also called USSF-7 for the U.S. Space Force, and was launched on May 17, 2020 by an Atlas-V 501 booster...
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

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https://mobile.twitter.com/CaitlinDoorn ... 9704183813. ----->
Navy aims to field hypersonic weapons first on Zumwalt-class ships in 2025, says Chief of Naval Operations Adm. mike Gilday. The service is working on productions with the Army, which is expected to field the U.S. military’s first hypersonics in 2023.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Pratyush »

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4 ... -destroyer

The USN has released the document describing the capability required for the next gen destroyer.

https://news.usni.org/2022/01/12/navy-u ... les-lasers
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

New notional art for the DDG-51 replacement for the USN. They've sized it to be able to incorporate a 18 ft. (vs 14 ft on the latest flight 3 DDG51s) SPY-6 array. That would mean 8,200+ T/R modules per face for the S-band SPY-6, with a higher mounted X-band radar for short ranged sea skimming threats, much like the current destroyers. You can see additional slides in the link below. If they are aiming for a similar 96-cell VLS set up to the current Burke then there will be a 2 x 32 launch cells in the mid section. Also note that the one 32 cell system can be replaced with a 12-LRHW setup depending on the role of the variant.

US Navy Unveils Next-Generation DDG(X) Warship Concept with Hypersonic Missiles, Lasers


Image
The Navy wants its next warship to fire hypersonic missiles and lasers that would be ten times more powerful than the service’s existing laser weapons, according to the most detailed outlook to date of the DDG(X) next generation warship issued by the service.

The warship, the largest the Navy’s attempted in more than 20 years, is designed to provide the service with the power to drive a new generation of directed energy weapons and high-power sensors that will follow the Navy’s current fleet of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. The warship is estimated to start construction in 2028, the Navy told USNI News last year.

“Capabilities that we’re going to need for the 21st century to continue combating the threat are increased missile capability sensor growth, directed energy weapons, which actually require a lot of power, increased survivability and increased power availability,” deputy program manager Katherine Connelly said at a Wednesday briefing at the Surface Navy Association symposium.

The Navy is developing the DDG(X) using the combat system developed from the Flight III Arleigh Burkes that incorporated the new SPY-6 air search radar and the Baseline 10 Aegis combat system.

“In order to understand DDG(X) and the need for it, you really need to talk about the large surface combatant as a whole,” Connelly said.
“Flight III is going to be in the fleet through the [2060s]. So, the threat is going to continue to evolve. And there will be new threats out there. We on the Navy side will continue to evolve our combat and other capabilities to deter the threat. And we will need a platform that can accommodate those new technologies.”

The ship will trade the traditional gas-turbine propulsion system for one like the Integrated Power System found on the Zumwalt class of guided missile destroyers.

On the three Zumwalt-class DDGs, the ship’s gas turbines drive a ship-wide electrical grid that generates more than 75 megawatts of power – enough to light a small town. The technology will be key for the DDG(X) to generate the power for directed energy and new sensors.

Notionally, the new ship could power up to 600-kilowatt lasers that would be powerful enough to interdict hostile guided missiles.

Initially, the ship would feature a 32-cell Mk-41 Vertical Launch System forward of the superstructure that could be swapped for 12 larger missile cells capable of fielding the Pentagon’s emerging hypersonic weapons being developed for the Navy, Army and the Air Force.

The current DDG-51s field 96 MK-41 VLS cells and USNI News understands that Navy requirements keep the VLS cells for DDG(X) about the same.

The SPY-6 air search radar could expand from a 14-foot aperture to an 18-foot aperture that would increase the sensitivity of the sensor. The Navy is also planning for a modular payload space for different future missions.

The Navy is also calling for a ship that can travel 50 percent farther and spend 120 times longer time on station. The plan also calls for a 25 percent reduction in fuel usage compared to the DDG-51 and reduced requirement for the Navy combat logistics fleet. DDG(X) aims to have improved seakeeping and improved Arctic operations. Arleigh Burke destroyers were designed to operate primarily in the tropics.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

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https://twitter.com/jamie_aviacom/statu ... 6725420035 ----->
Switched to guns to shoot this 'Panther' making its own clouds. #panthers #strikeeagle #lowfly #aviationphotography #LakeDistrict

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EXCLUSIVE U.S. bill would block defense contractors from using Chinese rare earths
Jan 14 (Reuters) - A bipartisan piece of legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate on Friday would force defense contractors to stop buying rare earths from China by 2026 and use the Pentagon to create a permanent stockpile of the strategic minerals.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is the latest in a string of U.S. legislation seeking to thwart China's near control over the sector.

.................
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Stratolaunch plane flies again as company prepares for hypersonic tests

Stratolaunch flew its giant aircraft Jan. 16 for just the third time as company executives promise a higher rate of flight activities this year, including the first flight of a hypersonic test vehicle.

The plane, known as Roc, took off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California at 11:47 a.m. Eastern. The plane returned to the airport four hours and 23 minutes later after a flight that took the plane to a peak altitude of more than 7,160 meters and top speed of 330 kilometers per hour.

The flight met all of the company’s objectives, including testing the retraction and extension of the landing gear on the left fuselage. The successful flight “meant we were one step closer to hypersonic flight,” Zachary Krevor, president and chief operating officer of Stratolaunch, said in a call with reporters after the flight.

The flight took place nearly nine months after the previous Roc test flight. That, in turn, took place two years after the inaugural flight of the plane, originally developed to serve as a platform for an air-launch system. After that first flight, the company changed ownership and shifted direction to focus on hypersonic flight testing.

Under that new direction, Stratolaunch will use Roc as a platform for launching a series of hypersonic vehicles called Talon. A prototype vehicle, called TA-0, will be flown for a drop test over the Pacific Ocean. That will be followed by the first powered vehicle, TA-1, as soon as the end of the year.

That schedule will require Stratolaunch to accelerate the pace of aircraft testing. “You’ll see us flying more frequently,” Daniel Millman, chief technology officer of Stratolaunch, said on the call. “Before the end of the year, we plan to and hope to launch our first hypersonic test vehicle.”

The next flight will test retracting the entire landing gear of the plane. “That’s when we can really begin envelope expansion in earnest,” Millman said. On the following flight, the company will install the pylon on the central wing segment to which Talon vehicles will be attached.
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The Defiant doing some last bit of demonstration flights before the end of the program -

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(Top Aces employs the world’s largest privately-held operational fleet of fighter aircraft to provide advanced adversary and JTAC services.)

https://twitter.com/topaces/status/1483890082461401090 ---->
Yesterday our #F16 AAF completed its 1st flight of what will be a robust operational test activity! Equipped with Top Aces’ proprietary Advanced Aggressor Mission System, our F-16 AAF replicates the most advanced capabilities of air combat opponents. (Camera Kyler Noe)
#tech #redair

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This is a game changing integration capability demonstrated last year at US Army's bi-annual experimentation and demonstration joint event -

Army’s IBCS passed F-35 sensor data to artillery system at Project Convergence 21
The US Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) remotely tracked and engaged targets at the Army’s Project Convergence last year, according to contractor Northrop Grumman, even using an F-35 as a spotter for artillery strikes.

IBCS, made by the defense company, is the Army’s future air and missile defense backbone, designed to connect disparate radars, combine their targeting data and pass that information to the correct launcher. The program has been under development since 2009 and the Army recently awarded the defense giant a $1.4 billion contract for low-rate and full-rate production.

At Project Convergence, the Army’s annual sensor-to-shooter event in the Yuma, Ariz. desert, IBCS participated in a “series of complex network and communications exercises,” including precision strike and an integrated air and missile defense mission, according to the company.

In one case the IBCS platform fused data from an F-35 sensor to identify and track a ground target, and provided that data to the Army Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), which fired on it. That data-fusing capability is central to the Pentagon’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) concept, the future American way of war in which streams of data are passed across the disparate warfighting systems to inform battlefield decisions.

“Project Convergence provided us another opportunity to demonstrate our architecture’s ability to deliver joint connectivity across the services,” Christine Harbison, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness at Northrop Grumman, said in a release Wednesday. “That open architecture allows utilization of satellite communications to conduct remote engagements of target missiles, demonstrating our ability to connect the battlespace for all-domain operations.”

Other Northrop Grumman products tested at Project Convergence include the Joint Tactical Ground Station and the Marine Corps AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar.

The Army also launched several surrogate tactical ballistic missile surrogates, which the Northrop Grumman platforms tracked through a mix of ground, airborne and space-based sensors that sent tracking data to an engagement operations center at Fort Bliss, Texas. Operators then fired on the incoming missiles.

Project Convergence 2021 included seven scenarios that simulated the phased of multidomain operations and tested joint interoperability. The event raised questions about how to do joint long-range fires and ensure the combined force has a common operational picture of the battlefield — an ongoing, technically complex challenge.

IBCS will be central to the JADC2-enabled battlefield. Under the contract awarded late last year, Northrop Grumman will produce 160 systems over the next five years.
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brar_w wrote:Appears to be an operational aircraft and not an Operational test equipped F-22 -
F-22 Raptor Covered In Mirror-Like Coating Photographed Flying Out Of Nellis AFB
Could be that the US Navy is experimenting with something similar. A few folks have captured these F-35C's in the wild. Images via photographer Edward Lawson and THIS IG account.

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Chris Cavas
@CavasShips
·
11hFive Flattops: Deployed US #carriers CARL VINSON CVN70 & ABRAHAM LINCOLN CVN72, as expected, joined up 22 Jan for a power demonstration in the Philippine Sea, with assault ships ESSEX LHD2 & AMERICA LHA6 and Japan's HYUGA DDH181 also taking part LINK
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brar_w wrote:
brar_w wrote:Appears to be an operational aircraft and not an Operational test equipped F-22 -
F-22 Raptor Covered In Mirror-Like Coating Photographed Flying Out Of Nellis AFB
Could be that the US Navy is experimenting with something similar. A few folks have captured these F-35C's in the wild. Images via photographer Edward Lawson and THIS IG account.
Here's an article from TWZ covering the same. Both F-35 and F-117 have been spotted with these coatings which are somewhat similar to the ones F-22's have been recently seen with -

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4 ... -like-skin

F-22:

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F-35:

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F117:

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From the description and the injuries to folks looks like an arresting cable snap or something similar.

F-35C Accident Aboard Carrier In South China Sea Forces Pilot To Eject, Injures Seven Sailors (Updated)

An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, had a landing mishap on deck while USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea, Jan. 24, 2022. The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered via U.S. military helicopter. The pilot is in stable condition. There were seven total Sailors injured; three Sailors required MEDEVAC to a medical treatment facility in Manila, Philippines, and four were treated by on-board medical personnel. All three MEDEVACs are assessed as stable. Of the four Sailors treated by on-board medical, three have been released. Additional details and the cause of the inflight mishap is under investigation.
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Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

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I am sure they will try and salvage it asap. Don't know how deep the water is at that location but the F-35 in the Mediterranean Sea was recovered from a depth of 4000 feet+ and I was astonished to discover that the USN also recovered a MH-60 helicopter from a far greater depth in the Pacific Ocean.
In a record-breaking salvage operation, the Navy recovered an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter that was located 19,075 feet deep in the Pacific ocean.
NAVY SALVAGE OPERATION RECOVERS SEAHAWK FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN
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