US military, technology, arms, tactics

The Military Issues & History Forum is a venue to discuss issues relating to the military aspects of the Indian Armed Forces, whether the past, present or future. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
Post Reply
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

Navy exploring options for recovering F-35C that fell into the South China Sea
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4 ... -china-sea
25 Jan 2022
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 09858?s=20 ---> Northrop Grumman has delivered the 51st U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye production aircraft, AA-52. This aircraft is equipped with the Delta System/Software Configuration (DSSC) Build 3, which provides an additional leap in operational effectiveness and technology for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

ldev wrote:
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
They have globally present deep water salvage capability, and in this case the systems will be based out of Japan. That said, you don't have to recover something and a well engineered demolitions job would take care of it just as well. When you deploy at the cadence and in territories very close to your adversaries which the USN exclusively does then this has to be gamed and prepared for.

They have been pushing the carrier force readiness and preparedness significantly since the 2018 strategy was enacted by Mattis. When you do that, your statistical mishap rates will also be impacted. For reference, back in the early to mid 2010's, an aircraft carrier air wing would be lucky to have been a part of a dual carrier training exercise during 1 of say every 3-4 deployments. Dual carrier operations are very challenging (its very much like a joint deployment or large force exercise forward deployed at sea with the ops tempo of what something like a RF or NE would entail) and offer a very high level of training given the ops tempo and available platforms. The Vinson which has been out mostly in the South China Sea, or the Philippines sea for the last 6 months has had 3 such dual carrier opportunities over this time.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Rakesh wrote: https://twitter.com/ReviewVayu/status/1 ... 09858?s=20 ---> Northrop Grumman has delivered the 51st U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye production aircraft, AA-52. This aircraft is equipped with the Delta System/Software Configuration (DSSC) Build 3, which provides an additional leap in operational effectiveness and technology for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
Its a remarkable franchise for Grumman having delivered more than 250 E-2's over the many decades. With a plan to install a dual band radar as an upgrade, you can expect deliveries of the Delta variant to reach close to 100 before the program is finally sunset.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

Brar, any update on the F-18's conformal fuel tanks from Northrop Grumman? If my memory serves me correct, I believe they were removed for some incompatibility (?) reason. Has that been resolved as of yet?
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

The CFT's were developed, and Boeing and NG are going to offer them for land based applications. They've done a fair bit of envelope expansion with them so only a limited amount of testing needs to be funded by the companies or by a future customer considering them. The USN on its part does not think they are logistically practical aboard a carrier given the need to remove, and apply them in that environment. They are skipping them for now on their Block 3 new builds.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Oshkosh Reveals New Hybrid-Electric Variant Of The Military's Light Tactical Vehicle

Oshkosh Defense has announced the “eJLTV,” an electric hybrid version of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) that is claimed to have a reduced acoustic and thermal signature when used in its new all-electric “silent drive” mode. The eJLTV will even offer the ability to power other devices using an “export power” mode. The Department of Defense (DOD) has not yet ordered any of the new eJLTVs, but the U.S. Army has previously expressed interest in all-electric or hybrid-electric vehicles. If such a capability could be added to the DOD's projected fleet of over 49,000 JLTVs, planned as successors to the Humvee, the vehicle could potentially set a new bar for military electric vehicles. That is if its capabilities prove as revolutionary as its manufacturer claims.

In a virtual press conference attended by The War Zone today announcing the eJLTV, Oshkosh says the hybrid vehicle concept was created by pairing existing commercial electric vehicle (EV) technologies with the modular architecture of the existing JLTV. “The modular design of the Oshkosh Defense JLTV, of which we’ve built over 15,000, can be adapted to dozens of military missions, from serving as battlefield ambulances to hosting antitank weapons,” Oshkosh Defense president John Bryant told virtual attendees. “The eJLTV is yet another example of its adaptability. In fact, this capability can be added to existing JLTVs." The new electric system can be adapted to any of the JLTV variants and while it will add some weight to the existing JLTV platform, it won't change its dimensions or overall capabilities, according to Oshkosh.

The Army and United States Marine Corps (USMC) began acquiring JLTVs in 2015 as replacements for the Humvee family. Initial estimates put the total number of planned JLTV purchases at 54,600 vehicles between the Army and USMC. However, as recently as 2020, DOD leadership has signaled that the JLTV is quickly becoming less relevant because it was designed and acquired for use in Iraq and Afghanistan where survivability against mines, IEDs, and small arms was a crucial factor. In a larger peer state conflict involving more advanced weaponry, those considerations may not be as much of an issue. The Army has since scaled back funding for new JLTVs and reduced its planned number of JLTV purchases.

One of the most significant barriers when it comes to deploying electric vehicles is the need for charging stations or other electrical infrastructure which would be hard to come by in a combat zone or forward-deployed austere environment. Oshkosh is attempting to circumvent that barrier entirely by keeping the JLTV’s existing diesel motor, which is capable of charging the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery system while in diesel mode. Oshkosh claims the vehicle’s existing motor can charge the eJLTV’s battery in just 30 minutes. While the company has no existing plans to incorporate plug-in charging capacity, executives said in today's press conference that such a capability could easily be added in the future should a customer request it.

Oshkosh claims a full charge will offer 30 minutes of electric operation, depending on how the vehicle is driven, and users can switch between diesel and “silent drive” modes on the fly. During the presentation, Bryant said that with the addition of the new silent drive system, “the enemy won’t hear our eJLTV coming,” implying that this mode is far quieter than in its standard diesel operation. The vehicles also have a capability known as “extended silent watch,” although there are no further additional details about what this might entail. Presumably, this feature is similar to the electrical storage capabilities found in other ground vehicles which allow them to keep systems powered up without the need for a loud engine to be running.

One of the more unique features of the eJLTV concept is what Oshkosh is calling “export power capacity.” The eJLTV can export up to 115 kilowatts of power, making it useful as a mobile power station that eliminates the need for towed generators or other means of providing power to forward locations. While the DOD is experimenting with a variety of new modular solar generator technologies and even miniaturized nuclear reactors, supplying forward-deployed elements with energy remains a significant logistical challenge.
Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

brar_w wrote:The CFT's were developed, and Boeing and NG are going to offer them for land based applications. They've done a fair bit of envelope expansion with them so only a limited amount of testing needs to be funded by the companies or by a future customer considering them. The USN on its part does not think they are logistically practical aboard a carrier given the need to remove, and apply them in that environment. They are skipping them for now on their Block 3 new builds.
Thanks Brar.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

Rakesh wrote:Navy exploring options for recovering F-35C that fell into the South China Sea
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4 ... -china-sea
25 Jan 2022
https://twitter.com/AlexLuck9/status/14 ... 67234?s=20 ---> Looks like we have an image of the F-35C that dropped into the sea after making a hard landing on USS Carl Vinson.

https://twitter.com/BurkhardDomke/statu ... 57313?s=20 ---> Is that an official USN image or a Chinese fanboy forum Photoshop job?

https://twitter.com/AlexLuck9/status/14 ... 37825?s=20 ---> I doubt its "official" but it sure looks very detailed and credible for a photoshop IMO.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/OedoSoldier/status/ ... 60290?s=20

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Mostly intact aircraft. My guess was that an arresting cable snapped (would explain injuries to folks on the deck) but let's wait and see what the RCA reveals. The damage to the carrier was not extensive given flight operations were resumed shortly after the incident.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

brar_w wrote:Mostly intact aircraft. My guess was that an arresting cable snapped (would explain injuries to folks on the deck) but let's wait and see what the RCA reveals. The damage to the carrier was not extensive given flight operations were resumed shortly after the incident.
That is what I read as well, that one of the arresting cables snapped.
Manish_P
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5384
Joined: 25 Mar 2010 17:34

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Manish_P »

Interesting wake pattern..
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

6th gen engine could become operational with the F-35 before end of the decade -
@TheDEWLine
So it begins.

USAF releases "sources sought" to open F-35 Adaptive Engine Replacement (FAER) program.

The market survey seeks sources that can deliver an adaptive engine to operational F-35s by FY 2028.

GE's XA100 and P&W's XA101 are the options.
Image
ldev
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2616
Joined: 06 Nov 2002 12:31

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by ldev »

US Air Force funding development of beyond line of sight Laser Communication

Non RF based and hence immune to jamming. Data transfer rates of 10GB per second!! Communication satellites are in Geo Synchronous orbit and hence difficult to target. Will enable a a fast data transfer, resilient communication and data network in the battle space linking airborne assets.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

There are a few tactical data link efforts for BLOS needs. This is one of them. SATCOM via L16 is another which has the potential to grow the number of connected platforms by an order of magnitude. The final one is specific to F-35's, where its existing tactical data-link antennas (MADL) are being used for space based BLOS communication using both commercial and military satellite LEO constellations. This will again increase the number of platforms exponentially, and be independent of the dedicated SATCOM capability and antennas on the aircraft.
hgupta
BRFite
Posts: 467
Joined: 20 Oct 2018 14:17

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by hgupta »

How do satellites point lasers at each other? How do they find each other and point the lasers accurately for the other satellites to capture the laser beam and start communicating?
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

hgupta wrote:How do satellites point lasers at each other? How do they find each other and point the lasers accurately for the other satellites to capture the laser beam and start communicating?
Depends on the application I suppose. Each would be equipped with an optical transmitter and receiver. Something like SpaceX's Starlink would probably also know the orbits all neighboring satellites would be and thus they could use that to reduce discovery times. You have to overcome discovery related challenges for any form of directional communication and directional RF links have been operational on B-2, F-22, F-35 etc for decades. With lasers you are essentially substituting this by using optical. Besides the inherent survivability advantages, there are other positives as well. For intra or inter constellation exchange of data you are looking at 20-100 times the bandwidth given space, weight, power and thermal margins available to small to mid sized satellites. Similarly, having aircraft communicate with each other using optical T/R, at altitude or having satellites communicating with each other using this can avoid the expensive ground terminals that can be targeted by the enemy, and also can be impacted by weather. Having an optical inter/intra constellation mesh network could allow you to use different ground stations which may be more survivable, be positioned in places that are less frequently impacted by weather etc.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

The F-35C's radar-absorbent skin is looking pretty rough after months at sea
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4 ... ths-at-sea
29 Jan 2022

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Unlike the B-2, and F-22, the F-35 has been designed to take on quite a lot of superficial coating damage and still meet RCS specifications. It is a lot less reliant on its topcoat for its RCS given the use of the wideband (believed to extend down to L band) fibermat material baked into the structure itself.

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

Good to know. Thanks brar.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

First F-15 EX AIM-120D live fire -

Image

Flying over the Gulf of Mexico, the Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-15EX Eagle II, successfully fired an AIM-120D missile Jan. 25.

The 40th Flight Test Squadron aircrew and aircraft fired the weapon pursuing a BQM-167 aerial target drone as part of the 53rd Wing’s Combat Archer, an air-to-air weapons system evaluation program.

During the flight, the F-15EX detected the drone using onboard sensors, acquired a weapons-quality track and launched the missile at the target. After tracking the missile’s release and flight toward the BQM-167, the shot was determined a WSEP success, at which point the missile flight was terminated.

The successful release marked the first weapon fired from the aircraft and another major milestone following more than six months of integrated developmental and operational flight testing for the shot..

The missile shot is one of many milestones for the F-15EX test team at Eglin Air Force Base. Only two months after arrival, the F-15EX deployed to Northern Edge in Alaska. The Eagle II was pushed to its limits in the multi-service exercise and a significant amount of data was collected on the aircraft’s internal performance and how it performed with and against other aircraft.

“The fact that both aircraft were able to turn around from a streamlined acceptance period and immediately deploy to a major exercise is a testament to the maturity of this platform, as well as the expertise of the combined test team as a whole,” said Myers.

Following the deployment, the F-15EX underwent developmental flight and ground testing to include survivability testing in various electromagnetic environments. This series of tests lead to the discovery of and resolution of issues identified in the F-15EX’s Suite 9 software system, leading to a more mature and stable product, according to Myers.

“For a new platform, we’ve made an incredible amount of progress in a short period of time,” said Myers. “I don’t know of any other platform that has undergone such a rapid test program and it’s been incredible to be a part of the team that’s bringing this to reality.”

After the developmental testing, it was time for some operational testing in October. The aircraft deployed to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada for another exercise focused on the air-to-air dominance mantle it will inherit from the F-15C. This exercise proved that while the platform still needs more development, it is completely capable of fulfilling its expected air dominance role, according to Myers.



LINK
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

Eagle II fires first missile during live-fire event
https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article/291 ... ire-event/
31 Jan 2022

Image
AkshaySG
BRFite
Posts: 407
Joined: 30 Jul 2020 08:51

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by AkshaySG »

A video of the F 35 C crash on USS Carl Vinson has come up... Seems to show a ramp crash before the plane skidding off and sinking

https://twitter.com/Fighterman_FFRC/sta ... Ptdyw&s=19
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Looks like he lost the glide path and was in no man’s land where he couldn’t recover or abort. Lucky to be alive and also lucky that there was no significant ramp damage on the carrier allowing it to begin air operations soon after this incident. Vinson is still on routine deployment and is currently in the philippine sea. This could have ended a lot differently with multiple casualties above and beyond the folks who had to be rushed off of the carrier for medical care. Carrier aviation is hard and this is a good reminder of the dangers.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/Saturnax1/status/14 ... N_v_5cF1rw ---> Navy Divers assigned to Naval Special Warfare Command conduct operations with the Virginia Block I Class, USS North Carolina (SSN-777) off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii on 18/07/2021.

Image

Image

Image

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

AARGM-ER Completes Second Successful Missile Live Fire


Image
Northrop Grumman Corporation announced the successful completion of the second flight test of its AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER). The U.S. Navy launched the missile from an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft on Jan. 21 at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of southern California. The missile performed an extended range profile, engaging a land-based, emitter target staged at the range on San Nicholas Island.

“This second flight test verified AARGM-ER’s ability to detect, identify, locate and engage a land-based air defense radar system from an extended range. Through the exceptional efforts of our government/industry team, we are another step closer to delivering capability to suppress the most advanced adversary air-defense systems without putting our warfighters in danger.”
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

F-22 Raptor Spotted Flying With Stealthy Underwing Pods

An F-22 Raptor belonging to Edwards Air Force Base's 411th Test and Evaluation Squadron has been flying around with stealthy enclosures hanging off its under-wing hardpoints. This is the first time we have ever seen the Raptor equipped with such a unique installation. It points to how the F-22 program seems to be rapidly evolving to maintain its potency into the 2030s, before it is expected to be replaced by the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of future air combat systems.

The beautiful images of the Raptor in question — serial number 06-0132 — were taken by aviation photographer James Reeder, who goes by @boreeder on Instagram, at the Air Force's Plant 42 facility in Palmdale, California, during the middle of the day. In other words, this F-22 was not hiding in the shadows. Photographers are a common staple at the famed airfield. Plant 42 also happens to be home to Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works advanced projects division, which originally developed the Raptor.

The aircraft was also covered in test markers that are common to the flight test environment. Multiple seams and panels appear to have been serviced or scabbed over recently, which is also a common sight for the test Raptor force.
Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/DARPA/status/149104 ... pZc2u3YRKw ---> It might look disconcerting to see a Lockheed Martin / Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter flying itself...but, don't worry, we've got this! DARPA's ALIAS technology just enabled the first ever flight of this iconic chopper…with nobody onboard.

Image
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

ALIAS equipped Black Hawk helicopter completes first uninhabited flight
https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2022-02-08
08 Feb 2022
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

A Sixth B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Is Now Being Built

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that a sixth B-21 Raider is now under construction, and that software designed to support the aircraft's fuel system has already been validated in a digital environment. The service is still expecting the rollout of the first of these new stealth bombers to happen before the end of the year, and for the type's first flight to occur shortly afterward.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Jason R. Armagost, Director of Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements at Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) provided the updates about the state of the B-21 program, among other things, while speaking at this year's Nuclear Deterrence Summit, which opened on Monday and wrapped up today. “The B-21, going into the future, is going to be our penetrating, get inside the anti-access, area of denial, dual-capable aircraft,” Armagost said, referring at the end to the aircraft's ability to carry nuclear and conventional weapons. “There are now six of those in existence."

As of September 2021, the Air Force had publicly stated that there were five B-21 in various states of production at Northrop Grumman's facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. Air Force Magazine says that Armagost subsequently confirmed that construction of the sixth bomber only began sometime "in the past few weeks."
.
.
.
As for when the B-21 might make its public debut, it's still unclear. Flight testing of the Raider, when it does begin, will take place at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The first operational examples, which the Air Force expects to start being delivered in the mid-2020s, will go to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, with units standing up after that at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.

"The rollout will probably be some time this year," Armagost said. "I’m not at liberty to give the likely date of that, but [it will be] quickly followed by first flight."
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

The Search To Replace The Air Force’s Geriatric E-3 Sentry Radar Jets Has Officially Begun (Updated).

Officials from across the service have earmarked the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail as their preferred Sentry successor.

The U.S. Air Force has officially launched the process of finding a replacement for its fleet of E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System, or AWACS, aircraft. The formal Request for Information (RFI) calls for two or more prototype aircraft to be acquired in Fiscal Year 2023 and delivered within five years. The successor to the Sentry is widely expected to be the E-7 Wedgetail, which is already in service with a number of U.S. allies, with plenty of prior discussion about buying that plane, including from Air Force officials.

The Air Force published the RFI yesterday, with the aim of identifying industry partners that can provide a replacement for the aging E-3 Sentry. As well as at least two “production representative prototype aircraft,” the service wants related ground support and training systems before deciding on a production contract. Ultimately, the Air Force could need replacements for the 31 E-3s in the inventory, 27 with Air Combat Command (ACC), and four assigned to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).
Mort Walker
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10032
Joined: 31 May 2004 11:31
Location: The rings around Uranus.

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Mort Walker »

Aside from the command & control and communications, the USAF should be looking at the radar design of the E-2D, which appears to be superior in terms of clutter rejection and detection. I find it incredulous that USAF is going to do this as a non compete contract for 33+ aircraft.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

The USAF has said that it needs interim capability as it develops more survivable AMTI capability elsewhere. As such, I seriously doubt they will buy 33 aircraft. Likely replacing 30-50% of the E-3 fleet, and use the retired a/c to extend the life of the remaining. It has seen, exercised, and performed combat operations alongside the E-7 and with the radar, mission computer, and communication suite upgrades or replacements (all demonstrated to the USAF in one shape or form) the aircraft more than meets its needs without going down a developmental program which it wants to avoid. The entire point of the interim purchase is to have something more modern, and more available as its enduring capability is developed for the long term. Go back a few pages and read the exact quotes from the CSAF on this matter.
Mort Walker wrote:Aside from the command & control and communications, the USAF should be looking at the radar design of the E-2D, which appears to be superior in terms of clutter rejection and detection. I find it incredulous that USAF is going to do this as a non compete contract for 33+ aircraft.
It isn't a non-competitive contract. They have laid out broad requirements in the RFI and will wait to see what they get back from industry. The RFP will refine this, and will be made available to all who can deliver on their timelines and with the attributes. One or more will be picked from the offers they get. Depending on the TRL/MRL/IRL of the offers they may fund 1 or more than 1 contract through the operational prototyping phase for which it wants at least 2 aircraft.
Mort Walker
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10032
Joined: 31 May 2004 11:31
Location: The rings around Uranus.

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Mort Walker »

The article speculated that it may be a non-competitive contract.

Looking at the RFI, it appears relatively vague in that it isn't asking for new capability, but interestingly it is asking about 360 degree capability. Advanced AMTI is a given even if the existing E-3G is upgraded again.
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

RFI's by their nature are vague because it is a survey for what the industry can deliver within anticipated schedule, cost and risk before a realistic set of requirements are finalized and offers solicited. Of course they would ask for 360 degree capability as that would be essential requirement. It will not be a non-competitive RFP process but clearly there is a proven solution, that is tried and tested by the USAF that will be frontrunner compared to any paper proposal that someone may propose. Not to mention that Northrop has a brand new radar that it has flight demonstrated to the USAF, Boeing has a new architecture that it has also done, and the P-8 program has developed new mission consoles that the UK have financed into the E-7 program (a complete refresh to the E-7 configuration that the Australians, Turkish, and South Koreans operate).

So it will be very difficult to compete with that offering with a product that is as mature or capable of demonstrating this in a time bound fly-off. The E-7 is the best selling AEW&C in its class globally and this has allowed them to do some serious IR&D to develop new sensors, computers, and other enhancements especially over the last 5-6 years with an eye on winning over the USAF. This is a very good case of seeing what others have to offer, and if nothing mature is avaialble picking the E-7 because of how mature, proven, and developed (and upgraded) the program is and its future demonstrated potential. You aren't going to pay others to get to a similar state of maturity and sit around as they do so. If they don't have anything that they can bring that is as capable, as mature, and as low-risk then they won't get selected. Meanwhile, Boeing and Northrop have flown several sensor, computer and architecture demonstrations for the US Air Force focusing on its ABMS and inter-service JAD-C2 committments. So the possibilities are endless in terms of accepting a baseline configuration and adding capability over time.

The reference to the number of aircraft is purely speculative as it is simply using the existing fleet size as a baseline and projecting a potential need.. No PoR for this will be developed till much later, but it is clear from the CSAF, and head of the Space Force's statements that they are investing in a long term AMTI plan and that the E-3 recap (this program) would be an interim capability that fills the gap until that survivable capability arrives over the next couple of decades. In that case they need not replace 1 for 1. Replacing about half or slightly fewer will boost the health and availability of the fleet rather dramatically. The existing E-3 will not be upgraded as per this plan. It is the platform (availability) that is the main reason they want to replace instead of upgrade further. Low ops tempo requirements can be met, but high ops tempo needs as is projected in the future will not be possible with those airframes given their state and age. The new aircraft will be pushed to expeditionary duties, and the existing fleet used for low ops tempo demands.

Northrop Grumman Flight Tests Digital Wideband AESA Sensor

BALTIMORE – June 22, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully flight demonstrated its new Terracotta sensor – a fully-digital open mission systems (OMS)-compliant wideband active electronically scanned array (AESA).

The flight test was a follow-on to successful ground and flight demonstrations of Terracotta conducted last fall. This most recent flight verified Terracotta’s ability to simultaneously perform active and passive radio frequency capabilities. Terracotta’s nearly 200 wideband digital channels can be molded cooperatively or segmented for unique purposes, including electronic warfare, airborne early warning radar, active and passive sensing, and communications.

“As a fully-digital multifunction sensor with a wide operating bandwidth, Terracotta can seamlessly provide adaptive spectrum maneuverability,” said Paul Kalafos, vice president, surveillance and electromagnetic maneuver warfare. “The sensor’s architecture is easily scaled and configured for many applications and systems across all domains. It represents a key enabling technology for joint all domain operations.”

Unlike traditional sensors, multifunction apertures consolidate multiple capabilities into a single sensor, decreasing both the number of apertures needed and the size, weight, and power requirements for the advanced capabilities. Sophisticated multifunction apertures like Terracotta can deploy several functions simultaneously.

OMS compliance offers an interface solution based on open architecture design allowing customers to rapidly add new or improved capabilities, regardless of supplier, at a reduced cost. Northrop Grumman plans to integrate a combination of OMS/Open Communication Systems sensors and software-defined radios across multiple platforms, networks and nodes to address driving mission needs and ensure multi-domain interoperability. To learn more about Northrop Grumman’s role in advancing the DOD’s Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) vision, visit the company’s website.
Rakesh
Forum Moderator
Posts: 18196
Joined: 15 Jan 2004 12:31
Location: Planet Earth
Contact:

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/USNavy/status/14915 ... HYXCJFZzzA ---> Navy partnerships ensure interoperability. A @MarineNationale Rafale F3R conducts flight operations with USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) on 07 Feb 2022. The HSTCSG is deployed to @USNavyEurope to maintain maritime stability and security and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

Image
brar_w
BRF Oldie
Posts: 10694
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by brar_w »

Yagnasri wrote:IIRC the efforts to use Hellfire in a G to G role was shot down in the US for inter services powergames. We should not make such a mistake.
HF in the US military as a program is led by the US Army. It is used on aircraft (manned, unmanned, and RW), ground and naval platforms. The size and scope of each application varies by requirements and needs not by any resistance or rivalry etc.
ldev
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2616
Joined: 06 Nov 2002 12:31

Re: US military, technology, arms, tactics

Post by ldev »

Amazing cross wind landing with a swiveling landing gear by a B-52 in the UK

Post Reply