US military, technology, arms, tactics

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 22 Aug 2023 18:45

VIDEO: https://twitter.com/thenewarea51/status ... 55280?s=20 ---> Whoops! F-18 loses a centerline tank.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 28 Aug 2023 13:47

The Air Force wants $5.8 billion to build nearly 2,000 AI-powered Valkyrie aircraft as part of its 'next generation of air dominance' initiative
https://www.businessinsider.in/internat ... 115399.cms
28 August 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Aug 2023 18:55

A.I. Brings the Robot Wingman to Aerial Combat
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/27/us/p ... e_20230828
27 August 2023

An Air Force program shows how the Pentagon is starting to embrace the potential of a rapidly emerging technology, with far-reaching implications for war-fighting tactics, military culture and the defense industry.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 29 Aug 2023 19:00

U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX in Design Maturation, Competing Companies Announced
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/ ... -companies
27 August 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 05 Sep 2023 23:22

Guam’s Airspace Set To Be Most Defended On Earth In New Plans
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/g ... -new-plans
11 August 2023

hgupta · Post by **hgupta** » 06 Sep 2023 08:57

Rakesh wrote: ↑05 Sep 2023 23:22 Guam’s Airspace Set To Be Most Defended On Earth In New Plans
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/g ... -new-plans
11 August 2023

Won't stop hypersonic missiles coming their way.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Sep 2023 18:50

A war-winning swarm missile will knock China out of Taiwan – fast
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/0 ... le-system/
05 Sept 2023

Rapid Dragon is a military gamechanger that provides the US Air Force with a crucial edge in the Pacific.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Sep 2023 18:50

Raytheon to max out AMRAAM production for ‘foreseeable future,’ exec says
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/ray ... exec-says/
06 Sept 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Sep 2023 18:51

US Army scraps Abrams tank upgrade, unveils new modernization plan
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/0 ... tion-plan/
06 Sept 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 07 Sep 2023 18:51

B-21 Raider Could Use Collaborative Drones Meant For Fighters
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b ... r-fighters
06 Sept 2023

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 13 Sep 2023 17:26

B-21 Raider Seen Like Never Before In New Images
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b ... new-images
12 Sept 2023

We have just been given our first side view of Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider stealth bomber, an aircraft that remains cloaked in secrecy.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 13 Sep 2023 22:35

B-21 ‘Family Of Systems’ Details Emerge, Engine Test Runs Start
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b ... runs-start
12 Sept 2023

Since its inception, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program has always been about much more than just the bomber itself.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 19 Sep 2023 01:04

Watch This Special Report On U.S. 'The Missing Jet'

US Loses $80 Million F-35 Fighter Jet

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 22 Sep 2023 18:53

Special Ops MH-60 Seen Absolutely Crammed With Modifications
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/n ... ifications
21 Sept 2023

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 23 Sep 2023 09:23

Cyrano · Post by **Cyrano** » 23 Sep 2023 22:29

'Not sure where the plane is': F-35 pilot's bizarre 911 call after ejection
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/wor ... 891902.cms
23 Sept 2023

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 29 Sep 2023 12:24

Oh dear lord...

Pop Out Seating Kit For Bell 360 Invictus Helicopter Patented

Since Bell first unveiled its 360 Invictus helicopter back in 2019, the company has presented it as a modern armed scout platform. Earlier this month, another division of Bell's parent company, Textron, was awarded a patent that shows how the helicopter could also be used to transport small numbers of personnel, including wounded individuals, using a modular system tucked into its internal weapons bay.

BTW How many LCH Prachands have been ordered..... need to get them all in quick before someone asks for this feature to be integrated

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 30 Sep 2023 05:59

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 09 Oct 2023 06:00

"Nobody fights conventionally except for us anymore, yet we're sinking a big bulk, perhaps the majority of our defense dollars, into preparing for another conventional war, which is the very definition of insanity," declares national security stratgist and former paratrooper Sean McFate. The U.S. needs to recognize that we're living in an age of "durable disorder"--neither outright war nor peace--and the old rules no longer apply.

May 19, 2019:

Mercenaries
11:55 or failing by any metric many state registry gaemes in states rather than
12:00 actual states armed conflicts persist they don't resolve today we are seeing
12:06 the return of mercenaries for the first time in 150 years they went underground
12:11 but now they're coming back and now that you have mercenaries and these are not just the lone guys in the Congolese
12:18 jungles with a Kalashnikov these are high-end Special Operations units these are showing up with attack helicopters
12:26 now the of mercenaries anybody's rich enough can wage war for whatever reason they want no matter how petty the
12:33 super-rich can become a superpower for good or for bad I mean a good example might be if there's another Isis you
12:40 know outbreak in northern Iraq and they start crucifying Christian man and selling Christian woman off to sexual
12:47 slave markets and the international community doesn't do anything like it really didn't do before can you imagine
12:53 a mega church with a 90 million dollar annual budget hiring mercenaries to go
12:58 out there and protect Christians yes one can and we can talk about something I
13:04 was involved in something similar to that ten years ago so this is you know
13:11 those who under who grasp the changing global environment of durable disorder can exploit it and do and those who do

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 13 Oct 2023 06:00

The US is moving quickly to boost Israel’s military. A look at what assistance it’s providing.
Link

List so far:
- Special Ops forces to support planning.
- 1 carrier task force already there. 2nd going soon.
- Ammo and Iron Dome replenishments.
- JDAM kits.
- A-10, F-15 and F-16 to ME bases.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 19 Oct 2023 20:50

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 01 Nov 2023 09:50

For 250 years, US troops could tow their cannons around the battlefield. The war in Ukraine shows they won't have that luxury in the future
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine ... re-2023-10[/url]
31 Oct 2023

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 01 Nov 2023 12:34

Pratyush wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023 09:50 For 250 years, US troops could tow their cannons around the battlefield. The war in Ukraine shows they won't have that luxury in the future
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine ... re-2023-10[/url]
31 Oct 2023

The article seems to indicate the thinking/push is more and more towards Rocket artillery - longer standoff range, precision fires

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 01 Nov 2023 14:30

The US arty precision guided arty capacity can be summed up in the following categories.

Past programs.

1) Fiber optic guided missiles with beyond line of sight ranges.

2) Non fiber optic guided missiles with beyond the line of sight ranges.

3) lazer guide projectiles.

Currently fielded capacities.

1) GPS Guided Shell.

2) PGK for 155 rounds.

Development programs

1) Ramjet shells.

2) Extended range PGK, capable of performing in high jamming conditions.

3) Gliding projectile.

4) Subcaliber rounds.

Potentially, they can return to Fiber Guided missiles, and non line of sight missiles.

As you can see the US Army is quite invested in longer ranged fires. With no shortage of potential options.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 01 Nov 2023 15:45

Pratyush wrote: ↑01 Nov 2023 14:30 ...

Potentially, they can return to Fiber Guided missiles, and non line of sight missiles.

As you can see the US Army is quite invested in longer ranged fires. With no shortage of potential options.

That's the thing, Pratyush ji. They can return, and at times do return to programs based on the evolving threats. There is no one-solution-fits-all silver bullet. Their experienced and well funded MIC gives them that flexibility.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 01 Nov 2023 18:59

FYI.

No mention of distance!!!

Boeing, Nammo Ramjet 155 Test Sets Distance Record

Oct 9, 2023.

- U.S. Army conducted a record-breaking indirect fire test of the Boeing-Nammo Ramjet 155 projectile
- Test advances development of Army’s top modernization priority of Long Range Precision Fires

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 02 Nov 2023 21:09

This Buoy Helps Ballistic Missile Submarines Get Nuclear Strike Orders
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/t ... ike-orders
01 Nov 2023

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 11 Nov 2023 10:42

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/b ... we-learned

PUBLISHED NOV 10, 2023 6:43 PM EST

Our analysis of seeing the first B-21 Raider, nicknamed Cerberus, in the sky and from many new angles for the very first time.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 15 Nov 2023 06:42

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 22 Nov 2023 01:33

Skunk Works Teases Tailless NGAD Fighter Design In New Ad
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/s ... -in-new-ad
20 Nov 2023

Lockheed is celebrating 80 years of Skunk Works with some new hints of what they are working on, SR-72 and NGAD ‘fighter’ included.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 23 Nov 2023 05:00

MQ-25 Stingray Tanker Delays, Risks Come Into View
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/m ... -into-view
21 Nov 2023

rajsunder · Post by **rajsunder** » 23 Nov 2023 14:34

Manish_P wrote: ↑29 Sep 2023 12:24 Oh dear lord...

Pop Out Seating Kit For Bell 360 Invictus Helicopter Patented

Since Bell first unveiled its 360 Invictus helicopter back in 2019, the company has presented it as a modern armed scout platform. Earlier this month, another division of Bell's parent company, Textron, was awarded a patent that shows how the helicopter could also be used to transport small numbers of personnel, including wounded individuals, using a modular system tucked into its internal weapons bay.
BTW How many LCH Prachands have been ordered..... need to get them all in quick before someone asks for this feature to be integrated

Why not make an Attack heli like Miig-35 HIND, which has space underneath the pilots to carry 8 troops.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 23 Nov 2023 19:06

rajsunder wrote: ↑23 Nov 2023 14:34 Why not make an Attack heli like Miig-35 HIND, which has space underneath the pilots to carry 8 troops.

'Underneath'? I assume you mean behind..

Alternately maybe it is easier (and safer) to arm the blackhawks/the super stallions with cannons and missiles, compromising a bit on the troop carrying capacity

Eg- https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/pr ... opter.html

But do they have such a need?

rajsunder · Post by **rajsunder** » 24 Nov 2023 05:19

Manish_P wrote: ↑23 Nov 2023 19:06
rajsunder wrote: ↑23 Nov 2023 14:34 Why not make an Attack heli like Miig-35 HIND, which has space underneath the pilots to carry 8 troops.
'Underneath'? I assume you mean behind..

Alternately maybe it is easier (and safer) to arm the blackhawks/the super stallions with cannons and missiles, compromising a bit on the troop carrying capacity

Eg- https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/pr ... opter.html

But do they have such a need?

Yes, if you look at it from one perspective, you would see that the pilots are seated at a higher position than the soldiers.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Nov 2023 06:42

As an FYI.

The cheek protrusions on an AH-64 Apache have been used for "medevac" (based on my interaction with US Armed Forces personnel).

Image Source: https://aviationweek.com/sites/default/ ... k=aQpTwgau

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 24 Nov 2023 07:55

https://x.com/Defencematrix1/status/172 ... 13850?s=20 ---> F-15E carrying the AIM-120D3 missile. This was from a test by a 53rd Wing F-15E Strike Eagle executing the first-ever guided launch of the AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile in June 30, 2022 successfully engaging a QF-16 full-scale aerial target.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 24 Nov 2023 07:56

https://x.com/Defencematrix1/status/172 ... 62108?s=20 ---> In a recent test, an F-35 fired the new AIM-120D3 for the first time.

The Air Force conceived of the Amraam in the late-1970s, but the first AIM-120A became operational in September 1991. A decade later, the Air Force launched the first hardware refresh program for the AIM-120C7 missile. The original circuit boards in the Amraam were rectangular and installed longitudinally into the front half of the missile body. The refresh replaced these boards with hockey puck-style, circular circuit boards. By stacking the “pucks” in a row, the Air Force created empty space in the guidance section of the missile.

Beginning in 2007, the new AIM-120D development program exploited this extra space to extend the range of the missile. The additional performance did not come from a change to the propulsion system. Instead, the Air Force improved the navigational accuracy of the missile by installing a GPS system to augment the inertial navigation system. In combination with a new two-way datalink installed on the rear of the AIM-120D, the missile could guide itself more accurately during the fly-out stage, thus requiring fewer energy-bleeding corrections in the terminal phase.

A decade later, the Air Force decided it was time for another technical refresh. The Form, Fit and Functional Replacement (F3R) program was launched to replace 15 of the 30 circuit cards in the missile’s guidance system with modern hardware. The new cards use less energy, allowing the battery that powers the guidance system and seeker to function longer, Ferraro says. Now that the battery lasts longer, Raytheon can extend the time-of-flight of the missile.

- Steve Trimble (Aviation Week Network)

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Nov 2023 22:34

Early Ford carrier maintenance costs lower than planned, Navy says
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/ ... navy-says/
28 Nov 2023

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 01 Dec 2023 05:09

Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB)

✦ USS Puller is designed to address the logistics of a conflict in the Pacific Ocean. 00:03
✦ The US Navy's answer to establishing logistical and command hubs in the middle of the ocean is the ESB. 01:49
✦ ESBs are unique warships designed for logistics and versatility instead of combat or supply roles. 03:39
✦ The ship's ample space allows for the operation of swarms of UAVs and extensive command and control capabilities. 05:17
✦ ESB ships serve as crucial logistical nodes in the Pacific. 06:54
✦ The expeditionary sea base serves as a vital logistical hub for resupplying troops and providing maintenance capabilities. 08:27
✦ Helicopters and tilt rotor airborne transportation of supplies will be paramount in future conflicts in the Pacific Ocean. 10:07
✦ ESB ships have the potential to become important platforms for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and command and control operations. 11:55

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Dec 2023 04:34

F-35C with mirror-like coating photographed aboard carrier
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f ... rd-carrier
02 Dec 2023