US military, technology, arms, tactics

[Shameek]

^^ Reading through some material it seems like there was a break in communication or mistake made on USS Gettysburg. It is part of the same carrier group that these F-18s were trying to land on and there should have been multiple layers of protocols followed as the planes approached the carrier into its 'air cover bubble'. Firing missiles is usually the last resort.

[Rakesh]

How China’s new next-gen fighters could impact America’s plans for NGAD
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/how ... -for-ngad/
07 Jan 2025

"Beijing won't want to waste an opportunity to humiliate the US by operationally deploying a sixth-gen platform before the US," said analyst Malcom Davis. "Look for the J-36 in particular to enter service before the end of this decade."

[Rakesh]

Kendall: Reveal of New Chinese Aircraft ‘Hasn’t Really Changed’ USAF Plans
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/kenda ... ns/?src=dr
07 Jan 2025

[Rakesh]

Bharat Dynamics Limited to Co-Produce Ultra Maritime Sonobuoys
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... sonobuoys/
08 Jan 2025

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announces first-of-its-kind partnership between Ultra Maritime and Bharat Dynamics Limited on the co-production of U.S. sonobuoys.

[Rakesh]

F-15E, F-15EX to get maritime strike LRASM
https://aviationweek.com/defense/missil ... rike-lrasm
08 Jan 2025

[Rakesh]

White House: Next Two Aircraft Carriers Named for Bill Clinton, George W. Bush
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/13/white- ... rge-w-bush
13 Jan 2025

[Manish_P]

White House: Next Two Aircraft Carriers Named for Bill Clinton, George W. Bush
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/13/white- ... rge-w-bush
13 Jan 2025

The sub underneath can be the USN Lewinsky

[Kanoji]

The sub underneath can be the USN Lewinsky

[Chinmay]

White House: Next Two Aircraft Carriers Named for Bill Clinton, George W. Bush
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/13/white- ... rge-w-bush
13 Jan 2025

The sub underneath can be the USN Lewinsky

[Vayutuvan]

I don't like mocking Ms. Lewinsky. The whole blame should be apportioned to Kilton saheb only. She was starstruck but whatever happened to that fellow's moral compass? He used his power to make Ms. L the villainess in this whole affair. DNC went along with it.

[Rakesh]

Nulka Combat Use Shows Warships Need Longer-Lasting Electronic Warfare-Enabled Decoys
https://www.twz.com/news-features/nulka ... led-decoys
20 Jan 2025

The Navy wants ships to be able to launch decoys that are capable of luring away missiles for tens of minutes to help defend against incoming barrages.

[Rakesh]

F/A-18’s Infrared Search And Track System Has “Significant Reliability Problems”
https://www.twz.com/air/f-a-18s-infrare ... y-problems
02 Feb 2025

The Navy has again run into problems bringing its critical podded infrared search and track system into full operational service.

[Rakesh]

F-15EX Nails Pentagon Test Campaign, Survivability Concerns Remain
https://www.twz.com/air/f-15ex-nails-pe ... rns-remain
06 Feb 2025

The F-15EX has so far impressed in simulated combat, even against fifth-generation threats, although new enemy long-range missiles could prove a challenge.

[chetak]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3ROUK1qvBs


Harrowing Audio from A-10 Warthog Close Air Support in Afghanistan

May 28, 2023

Comms and video from inside an A-10 Warthog during the war in Afghanistan.

The video and audio give us a glimpse from a pilot's perspective of close-air support to a ground element from the A-10.

During the video, we can hear the team requesting fire, marking the target area with smoke. Multiple Warthogs deliver good guns and there's a very clear change in tone (relief) from the ground element

[Manish_P]

Now waiting to hear about SDRE Indians operating the merchant ship being responsible for colliding with US sovereign territory

[drnayar]

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the critical importance of air defense systems. Among the aid from Western allies, the U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system is touted as the most advanced, intercepting threats from drones to ballistic missiles. However, recent reports and footage show that Russian forces have managed to track and destroy these systems. Discover why the Patriot system is vulnerable

[Rakesh]

Air Force triples funding for prototype sixth-gen fighter engine
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/01 ... er-engine/
28 Jan 2025

The Air Force has expanded funding for a cutting-edge adaptive engine that would power the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, while the future of NGAD itself remains under consideration.

[Rakesh]

Axing Next Generation Fighter Would Leave Air Force Worse Off: Force Design Boss
https://www.twz.com/air/axing-next-gene ... esign-boss
26 Feb 2025

[Rakesh]

This Is What The Classified AIM-260 Missile Actually Looks Like, Air Force Confirms
https://www.twz.com/air/this-is-what-th ... e-confirms
26 Feb 2025

The Pentagon has been very tight-lipped about the AIM-260, a missile with far greater range than the AIM-120 while maintaining the same size.

[Rakesh]

Cracks in KC-46 Tankers Halt All Deliveries
https://www.twz.com/air/cracks-in-kc-46 ... deliveries
01 March 2025

The USAF is inspecting its fleet of 89 KC-46s to see if the problem is systemic while Boeing works to figure out a fix.

https://x.com/Combat_learjet/status/1895861812345831514 ---> This has been a complete mess from the start.

[Rakesh]

EXCLUSIVE: Lockheed out of Navy’s F/A-XX future fighter competition
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/exc ... r-program/
04 Mar 2025

[Manish_P]

Cracks in KC-46 Tankers Halt All Deliveries
https://www.twz.com/air/cracks-in-kc-46 ... deliveries
...

https://x.com/Combat_learjet/status/1895861812345831514 ---> This has been a complete mess from the start.
...

King Khan ho to saath khoon maaf !!

[Manish_P]

EXCLUSIVE: Lockheed out of Navy’s F/A-XX future fighter competition
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/exc ... r-program/
04 Mar 2025

The US MoD always finds a way to keep all big military companies in business and not become sole monopolies..

[srai]

F-35 “kill-switch”



IAF will still want it

[Manish_P]

F-35 “kill-switch”
...
IAF will still want it

Seriously though this will be a problem with all future imports as they catch up with the current US tech (intelligent, networked centric software).

We really have no option but to build and operate our own weapons

[srai]

China far outpacing US in military, commercial ship numbers

…

Shrinking fleet

Despite the U.S. Navy’s goal of increasing the size of its fleet, in recent years the number of ships has been shrinking. Last year’s budget funded just six new Navy ships, while decommissioning 15 from the fleet, for a net loss of nine. The fiscal 2025 budget plan funds six new ships while decommissioning 19, for a net loss of 13.

The lifeblood for maritime industry titans like British-based BAE, U.S.-based Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and Fairbanks Morse Defense runs almost exclusively through the U.S. military. Industry leaders say they have the space to build and repair more ships but that Navy contracts have been scarce.

"We’re operating at about half-capacity," said Brad Moyer, vice president of BAE Systems Ship Repair. Although the company is one of the largest for ship repair in the United States, when VOA toured BAE’s Norfolk yard in Virginia in November, most of the docking spaces for ships were empty.

Shipbuilding demand has fluctuated wildly based on Navy budgeting strategies, creating an industry atmosphere of feast or famine that is shrinking the supply chain.

"There's thousands and thousands of suppliers that have gone out of business, and it's a real risk," George Whittier, the CEO of Fairbanks Morse Defense, told VOA. The company is the largest engine manufacturer in North and South America and the sole U.S. company supplying the biggest engines used in the military’s amphibious warfare ships. Each engine is about the size of a small school bus.

"We should have two engine suppliers. But the reality is, if the Navy is only going to build six ships a year, it's a struggle to keep one engine supplier in business, let alone two. We're going to have to grow our way out of this, and that’s the only way we're going to do it," Whittier said.
…

"We went from 10,000 ships during World War II to 85 today. So, in case of an emergency, in case of a conflict with a near peer adversary, we're quite limited to getting all those supplies and equipment and troops across the ocean," he said.

The United States builds about five commercial ships each year. China builds more than 1,000.

"They have one shipyard, just one shipyard, that's bigger than all of our shipyards put together," the senator told VOA.
…

[Manish_P]

The Pentagon says so.. then it must be true. Bring on the MRFA

[srai]

^^^

They can claim it to be truthful if they have a different internal name for it … increasingly that is how the world works. Half truths, sound bites, conspiracies and “fake” news by all involved.

[Manish_P]

^^^

They can claim it to be truthful if they have a different internal name for it … increasingly that is how the world works. Half truths, sound bites, conspiracies and “fake” news by all involved.

There are many 'kill switches'.

Going through the comments gives a good idea about some of them...

[DeepakSharma]

The US officially kicks off the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter (F-47 NGAD) program. US's 6th gen fighter program. A USD 20 billion contract was awarded to Boeing today. Apparently, its been flying for about 5 years now. No surprises there:)

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/ ... 5zzkchkcm8

[VinodTK]

Boeing bags F-47 contract, Donald Trump touts it as ‘most lethal’ next-gen jet

Donald Trump called “47” in the jet's name “a beautiful number,” hinting at his position as the 47th president during the White House announcement.

Boeing Co. has secured a contract to design and manufacture the F-47, the US’ next-generation fighter jet, touted as the most advanced and lethal aircraft ever built.
President Donald Trump, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listen during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP)
President Donald Trump, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listen during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP)

The company outpaced rival Lockheed Martin Corp. for the multibillion-dollar programme.
Announcing the decision at the White House on Friday, President Donald Trump said the new sixth-generation jet “will ensure that the USA continues to dominate the skies.”
“The F-47 will be the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built,” Donald Trump added.

The contract marks the end of a two-year competition between the defence giants for the full-scale development phase of the next generation air dominance (NGAD) manned fighter.
The F-47, designed to replace the F-22 Raptor, is expected to operate alongside drones being developed under a separate programme.
Though details of the project remain limited, budget figures released last year indicate the US Air Force plans to allocate up to $20 billion for NGAD research and development through 2029.

A key factor driving the F-47’s development is the need to counter China’s evolving air defence and electronic warfare capabilities, which have advanced since the F-22 entered service in 2005.
A January report by the Congressional Research Service also said that the Raptor’s fuel and payload limitations could hinder its effectiveness in a potential Pacific conflict.
“This is the right decision to avoid costly delays and move forward with our next generation fighter,” senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona and a member of the Armed Services Committee, said in a statement.

“It will allow us to maintain our competitive edge over the Chinese military and deter our adversaries, in large part due to the cutting-edge combination of manned and unmanned systems,” Kelly said.

[Manish_P]

I miss Brar_w insightful posts on US mil products and projects

[Rakesh]

F-16 Is Getting Massive Anti-Ship Missile Upgrade
https://www.twz.com/air/f-16-is-getting ... le-upgrade
18 March 2025

F-16s will get stealthy AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles, giving them the ability to attack highly defended ships over great distances.

[Rakesh]

F-47 Was Born Out Of Secret X-Planes Built By Both Boeing And Lockheed
https://www.twz.com/air/f-47-was-born-o ... d-lockheed
23 March 2025

Each firm built a demonstrator jet, one flying in 2019 and the other in 2022, that logged hundreds of hours, resulting in major program risk reduction.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Defencematrix1/status/1903705694022377557 ---> We are talking about 6th Gen fighter Aircraft & Bombers but what about next-gen Tankers and Cargo aircraft for the Military? Yes, U.S. is already on those projects and one of them is JetZero:

https://www.thedefencematrix.in/jetzero ... laboration
https://thedefencematrix.in/jetzeros-bl ... laboration
23 March 2025

[Nikhil_Naya]

Interesting Piece on the New 'Light Tank' that the US is going to deploy. - from a weight perspective it is more a Medium (T72 size) than a light (Zorawar). Interesting that they are going with a front engine layout (ala Merkava), which also adds to the defence in the frontal arc.

Overall seems to be an interesting layout - 4 person crew, 800 hp Diesel (so its not just a downsized M1Abrams), 105 mm main gun (vs a 120 for a medium tank like the T-72). It seems to be designed for infantry support - but the speed and size does not line with that (top speed of 40 mph!).

[Rakesh]

I miss Brar_w insightful posts on US mil products and projects

Bro had a thin skin (i.e. Ukraine conflict) and dude would go off on tangents and soliloquies to a simple question.

Info overload with that guy. He left on his own accord and was not banned. His account is still active.

[Rakesh]

Super Hornets Are Now Carrying Stormbreaker Glide Bombs On Combat Missions
https://www.twz.com/air/super-hornets-a ... t-missions
24 March 2025

Imagery shows Navy F/A-18E/Fs equipped with GBU-53/B Stormbreakers being launched on missions against Houthi militants in Yemen.

[Manish_P]

I miss Brar_w insightful posts on US mil products and projects

Bro had a thin skin (i.e. Ukraine conflict) and dude would go off on tangents and soliloquies to a simple question.

Info overload with that guy. He left on his own accord and was not banned. His account is still active.

Understood.

I thought he left way before the Ukraine war.

I did learn a lot from his detailed posts about the F-35.

I think he had left earlier once but had returned after a few months.Now that the F-47 is nearly here......

[Rakesh]

F-15 Eagles Win Big In Supersized Defense Spending Bill
https://www.twz.com/air/f-15-eagles-win ... nding-bill
28 April 2025

Lawmakers want to accelerate F-15EX production and prevent F-15E Strike Eagle retirements as part of a massive $150B increase in defense spending.