War Developing and Upcoming Military Technology - Something new at least 3 times a week.

BONE_Buddy · Jul 16, 2020

Background on the Army's new ISV:

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htarm/articles/20200715.aspx

Armor: The Off-Road Revolutions

July 15, 2020: In June 2020 the U.S. Army selected the GM (General Motors) candidate for the new, lightweight, ISV (Infantry Squad Vehicle). The two other competitors were familiar with special operations vehicles, the GD (General Dynamics) Flyer 72 and a variation of an old SOCOM (Special Operations Command) favorite the Polaris DAGOR. SOCOM was already using Flyer 72 and DAGOR and the competition between these two vehicles for special operations orders worldwide led to the ISV competition. The army took advantage of a new fast-track acquisition program that allows new items to be selected (via competition from existing equipment) in less than 16 months versus the usual 36-month bureaucratic marathon that often went on much longer. Each of the three ISV competitors was given a million dollars to modify their vehicle to meet army requirements. The GM entry was seen as a long shot by outsiders who misunderstood what the GM candidate was.

The third underdog competitor from GM was one of their newest and most popular off-road vehicles, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. This vehicle was introduced in 2016 and is the culmination of two decades of vehicle modification by individual entrepreneurs and companies like GM. All this largely unnoticed work was recognized and merged by GM into their new 21st century off-road pickup trucks. Individuals and small firms that modify commercial vehicles for special uses is something that has been around for decades. Think of this as “vehicle hackers” and you have an accurate view of what is happening. The Chevrolet Bison was very much the right hack showing up at the right time. Vehicle designers in GM saw the army ISV contract and looked at the Bison and it didn’t take long (at least on the computer design software) to turn the Bison into the GM ISV. Removing the commercial shell and the Bison was the ISV, with a modified diesel engine and a few tweaks to the suspension and other mechanical components.

The ZR2 Bison is a four-wheel drive 2.52-ton vehicle built to carry five passengers and 590 kg in the cargo bed behind the four-door passenger cab. To become the ISV the Bison lost its passenger cab and cargo area along with air-conditioning doors and so on. There is no body on the ISV, it is an open configuration like a dune buggy with seats for an infantry squad (nine troops). The seats are minimalist compared to civilian vehicles and can be folded down to allow a two-man crew to transport over half a ton of cargo or prone casualties. Most Bisons have a 308 HP gasoline engine but an option is a 181 HP diesel. The ISV has a 186 HP turbo-diesel. The cross-country wheels and suspension of the Bison are largely intact. The existing Bison cross-country capability is one asset that was largely unchanged and allowed Bison to win the ISV competition.

The ISV can be carried by sling under a UH-60 helicopter or inside a larger CH-47 helicopter as well as transports like the C-130 and C-17.

A baseline Bison costs about $50,000. The ISV costs about twice that because it is in effect a custom version of the Bison sold in very small quantities, at least at first. Unlike the original Hummer, the ISV is legal for use on civilian roads if you can get insurance. That is easier in some places than in others. Like existing dune buggies, as an off-road vehicle, especially in remote areas, a civilian ISV would be an ideal vehicle for whatever civilian commercial or recreational activities are going on.

The GM ISV had 90 percent commercial parts and was basically a stripped-down Bison that now looked like a military vehicle. Because the Bison already performed well off-road and as well-engineered it was able to win over the DAGOR and FLYER 72 which were also based on commercial off-road vehicles and were already popular with special operations forces worldwide. The GM ISV was competitive and cheaper and could be produced more quickly by a major automobile manufacturer. The army wants 2,065 ISVs at a cost of about $100,000 each.

The army search for an ISV is a side effect of the U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) search, since 2012, for what they called the ULCV (Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle). Such a vehicle was meant to deal with several major problems SOCON operators had hummers, even models customized for SOCOM operations.

This led to a competition to win a contract for 1,100 vehicles to replace special SOCOM hummers. Whoever won not only for SOCOM contracts but a lot of export orders as well as a significant number of orders from police and even civilians. This competition produced two finalist vehicles; DAGOR and Flyer 72.

DAGOR is a two-ton light truck that can carry 1.4 tons or nine troops. It can be carried inside a CH-47 or slung under a UH-60 helicopter. DAGOR can also be dropped via parachute and be ready to roll within two minutes of reaching the ground. Some are calling this a “21st century jeep” but there are some important differences.

Flyer 72 is a 2.5-ton vehicle that is 72 inches (201cm) wide. It can carry 2.6 tons for a total combat weight of 5 tons. It is open, with a roll cage and no doors so that operators can quickly get out while fully equipped for combat. It can be used with up to nine seats (three front, three rear, two rear deck and one gunner). Top speed is 152 kilometers an hour and range on internal fuel is about 1,000 kilometers cross-country at 64 kilometers an hour on largely flat ground. That can be halved on rough terrain.

Basically, SOCOM wanted a hummer in terms of carrying capacity but a dune buggy in terms of maneuverability and ease of getting in and out. A major shortcoming of the hummer (for commandos) was the extra second or two is required to get in or out.

While the hummer (or HMMWV) was an improvement on earlier military vehicles it did not address the special needs of SOCOM personnel. Meanwhile, the 2.4-ton HMMWV, which replaced the 1.1 ton jeep and 3 ton M37 "3/4 ton" truck in the late 1980s is being replaced by still heavier vehicles of the same size that are designed to absorb combat damage. The World War II concept of the unarmored light vehicle for moving men and material around the battlefield has been radically changed for the regular troops, but not for SOCOM. Special operations were willing to trade protection for mobility, especially since they often traveled cross country and not through places where they were likely to encounter mines or roadside bombs.

What led to DAGOR and Flyer 72 was SOCOM long noting that civilian markets were developing (for recreational purposes) the vehicles they needed. Thus in 2009 SOCOM bought 1,625 Mule 4010 4x4 vehicles, calling them Light Tactical All-Terrain (LTAT) Vehicles, and using them for commandos and Special Forces in combat zones. Basically, a dune buggy, LTAT weighs 637 kg (1,400 pounds) but can carry 591 kg (1,330 pounds, including four passengers, plus a rear cargo area and a roof rack). The mule can also tow up to 1,200 pounds (546 kg). Top speed is 40 kilometers an hour, and the fuel tank carries 25 liters (6.2 gallons).

Special Operations troops are very fond of dune buggy type vehicles. These are also becoming more popular as civilian recreation vehicles, for cross country travel. The four-wheel drive LTAT can easily be moved by helicopter to wherever, and then let the SOCOM operators move on cross country, often at night (with the driver using night vision goggles to navigate). DAGOR and Flyer 72 take advantage of the “dune buggy” tech to deliver a larger vehicle. Each is expected to cost under $200,000 each when bought in quantity. The main reason for the price (higher than civilian models) is the need to build military vehicles to a more rugged standard.

The army ISV competition took the SOCOM vehicle concepts farther and sought a cheaper but just as rugged vehicle and that’s what the GM ISV was able to provide. While the original Bison was not a military vehicle it had undergone considerable off-road use and the basic design handled that. This was again demonstrated in the field tests of the three ISV candidates.

The FLYER 72 won the SOCOM ULCV competition while DAGOR continued to sell well to a wide variety of special-operations, police and civilian customers worldwide.

BONE_Buddy · Jul 16, 2020

LHA 7 is commisioned

U.S. Navy Commissions Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) - DefPost

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during a ceremony in Pascagoula, Mississippi on July 15.

defpost.com

U.S. Navy Commissions Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7)

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during a ceremony in Pascagoula, Mississippi on July 15.

Although the Navy canceled the traditional public commissioning ceremony due to public health and safety restrictions on large public gatherings, the Navy commissioned the USS Tripoli administratively and the ship transitioned to normal operations.

The Navy said in a statement that it is looking at a future opportunity to commemorate the special event with the USS Tripoli’s sponsor, crew and commissioning committee.

“USS Tripoli is proof of what the teamwork of all of our people – civilian, contractor and military – can accomplish together,” said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. “This ship will extend the maneuverability and lethality of our fleet to confront the many challenges of a complex world, from maintaining the sea lanes to countering instability to maintaining our edge in this era of renewed great power competition.”

Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group THREE, welcomes the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, and crew, to the amphibious force.

“Tripoli is an example of the continued investment in our Navy, to increase and maintain our edge on the battlefield,” said Sobeck. “Congratulations to Tripoli’s crew for all of your hard work, amidst these challenging times, to reach this milestone. We welcome you to the amphibious force, of combat ready ships and battle-minded crews to go to sea and support sustained combat operations.”

Tripoli’s commanding officer, Capt. Kevin Myers, highlighted Tripoli’s accomplishments over the past several months getting through initial sea trials. The hard work and dedication of the entire team during the past few years was evident in the successful execution of at-sea testing.

“Being the third ship to bear the Tripoli namesake is a profound honor and this crew stands ready to carry on the legacy of our longstanding Navy and Marine Corps amphibious community,” said Meyers. “These sailors and Marines will pave the way for those still to come. What’s remarkable is seeing the dedication, perseverance and resilience these new plank owners have shown since day one, and more recently, through uncertain times as the Navy and nation work through a pandemic. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is ready to answer the nation’s call at any time or place.”

USS Tripoli (LHA-7)
The USS Tripoli (LHA-7) is the second America-class amphibious assault ship built for the United States Navy.

The construction of LHA 7 began in July 2013, and the ship’s keel was laid in a ceremony on 20 June 2014 in Pascagoula. Tripoli was christened on 16 September 2017, with Lynne Mabus (wife of former Navy Secretary Ray Mabus) as her sponsor.

The vessel completed her builder’s trials on June 19 and acceptance trials in October last year. She was officially delivered to the Navy by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding Division on Feb. 28 this year.

{ The U.S. Navy’s newest America-class amphibious assault ship, then future USS Tripoli (LHA 7), during her builder’s trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo by Derek Fountain/HII }

LHA 7 is the third Navy ship to be named Tripoli. The name honors and commemorates the force of U.S. Marines and approximately 370 soldiers from 11 other nationalities who captured the city of Derna, Libya, during the 1805 Battle of Derna. The battle resulted in a subsequent peace treaty and the successful conclusion of the combined operations of the First Barbary War, and was later memorialized in the Marines’ Hymn with the line, “to the shores of Tripoli.” The Battle of Derna was the first recorded land battle of the United States fought overseas.

Amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the amphibious ready group or expeditionary strike group. These ships transport elements of the U.S. Marine Corps’ (USMC) Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) or Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) with a combination of aircraft and landing craft.

LHA 7 incorporates the fuel-efficient gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and electric auxiliary systems first installed on Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD

. LHA 7 is 844 feet in length, has a displacement of approximately 44,000 long tons, and will be capable of operating at speeds of over 20 knots.

The USS Tripoli is the last Flight 0 America-class LHA ship planned for construction and features an enlarged hangar deck, realignment, and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, an increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity. LHA 8 (future USS Bougainville) will be the first Flight I ship, reincorporating a well deck to enhance expeditionary warfighting capabilities while maintaining the principal aviation characteristics of the Flight 0 ships.

Optimized for aviation capability, Tripoli will enhance Marine Corps aviation with an enlarged hangar deck, greater maintenance capability, and JP-5 fuel capacity.

BONE_Buddy · Jul 16, 2020

NRO Launches First Dedicated Mission From NASA Wallops Flight Facility - DefPost

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) successfully launched its first dedicated mission from NASA Wallops Flight Facility at 09:46 a.m. EDT on July 15.

defpost.com

NRO Launches First Dedicated Mission from NASA Wallops Flight Facility

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) successfully launched its first dedicated mission from NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, at 09:46 a.m. EDT on July 15, 2020.

The NROL-129 mission launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad 0B. This was the first Minotaur mission from Wallops since 2013.

https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/1283399815607603202

And we have liftoff! Congratulations to our partners and friends @NatReconOfc and @VCSFA_MARS! More photos to come!

The NROL-129 mission carried four payloads designed, built and operated by the spy satellite agency, NRO. According to the agency, “NROL-129 supports NRO’s overall national security mission to provide intelligence data to United States’ senior policy makers, the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense”.

This mission is the NRO’s third launch of 2020. It is also the first Minotaur mission from NASA Wallops since 2013 and the second orbital launch from the MARS launch pads in 2020. Minotaur rockets have been launched from Wallops for nearly 14 years.

“NROL-129 represents a collaboration between the NRO and our industry partners to design, build, launch and operate a system of satellites that will demonstrate revolutionary capabilities of value to the nation and our allies,” said Dr. Chris Scolese, the agency’s director. “Despite facing challenges in 2020, we have found new and better ways to collaborate with our partners from a distance, relentlessly pursuing our mission and denying sanctuary to our adversaries. I want to thank all of those involved across NASA, Northrop Grumman, Virginia Space, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and of course, the NRO for pulling together to make this launch a success.”

“The NRO is committed to providing resiliency in our operations through diversified launch options, and the success of NROL-129 is the culmination of years of steadfast collaboration with our civilian, military and commercial space partners to help us achieve that commitment,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Chad Davis, director of the NRO’s Office
of Space Launch. “We have a long record of developing, delivering, launching and operating the world’s most advanced space collection systems and capabilities in support of national security, and we’re happy to add our first dedicated launch from the Virginia Space Coast to that history.”

The NRO is the Intelligence Community (IC) element and a Department of Defense (DoD) agency responsible for developing, acquiring, launching, and operating America’s intelligence satellites to meet the national security needs of the nation.

The NRO’s next launch, NROL-44, is currently scheduled for August 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

The 78-foot tall Minotaur IV launch vehicle consists of three solid-fueled motors from decommissioned Peacekeeper Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and Northrop Grumman’s commercial Orion 38 solid rocket upper stage. The rocket is capable of launching payloads of up to 4,000 pounds (or 1,800 kilograms) to low earth orbit.

The Minotaur rockets are manufactured at Northrop Grumman’s facilities in Chandler, Arizona; Vandenberg, California; and Clearfield and Magna, Utah.

Minotaur IV made its maiden flight on 22 April 2010, carrying the HTV-2a Hypersonic Test Vehicle. The first orbital launch occurred on 26 September 2010 with the SBSS satellite for the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The NROL-129 launch (L-129) was the seventh Minotaur IV flight.

The vehicle used to launch the L-129 mission was procured under the OSP-3 contract administered by the U.S. Space Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s Launch Enterprise Small Launch and Targets Division at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. Minotaur vehicles are currently available to customers under the OSP-4 contract.

“This mission marks the 27th consecutive successful launch for the company’s Minotaur product line which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year,” said Kurt Eberly, director, launch vehicles, Northrop Grumman. “Minotaur’s record of success along with its ability to responsively launch from multiple spaceports continues to be a valuable asset for our customers.”

BONE_Buddy · Jul 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/ryankakiuchan/status/1283198073229869056

ABILENE, Texas — The largest formation of C-130Js in USAF history flew over Abilene on Tuesday. The formation included 24 C-130Js from Dyess Air Force Base and 14 C-130Js from Little Rock AFB.

"The goal of the exercise is to train and emphasize full-spectrum readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy, and showcase the benefits of the new C-130 “4/12” deployment initiative implemented in 2019," said Dyess in a news release.

Video from:

Largest C-130J formation in Air Force history flies over Abilene

ktxs.com

https://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-air-force-launched-dozens-of-c-130-in-largest-elephant-walk-exercise.html

U.S. Air Force launched dozens of C-130s in largest ‘elephant walk’ exercise

On Tuesday, the U.S Air Force conducted the largest ‘elephant walk’ exercise, launching approximately 40 C-130 military transport aircraft in a row.

An ‘Elephant Walk’ is a fundamental training element when preparing for global strike missions. This exercise refers to the close formation of military aircraft before takeoff. The term originated in World War II when allied bomber operations consisted of 1,000 aircraft and their attacks were carried out in a single file, nose-to-tail fashion that resembled elephants traveling to the watering hole.

In a statement, the Air Force said the 317th and 19th Airlift Wings launched dozens of C-130s for what is set to be the largest C-130J interfly formation today.

Defense journalist Ryan Chan said on its Twitter account that the largest formation of C-130Js in U.S. Air Force history flew over Abilene on Tuesday.

Approximately 24 C-130Js from Dyess AFB and 14 C-130Js from Little Rock AFB will launch from their respective bases, combining into a large formation in the air to fly to notional airdrops at Dyess AFB, and Big Bend, Texas.

“The goal of the exercise is to train and emphasize full-spectrum readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy, and showcase the benefits of the new C-130 “4/12” deployment initiative implemented in 2019,” said Dyess AFB in a news release. “A secondary objective is demonstrating maintained readiness despite the ongoing threat of COVID-19.”

BONE_Buddy · Jul 20, 2020

Well, I am sure glad this thread was put to great use while I was away.

Just a couple things today.

U.S. Air Force F-15EXs Flying From Okinawa Could Fire Hypersonic Missiles At Targets 2,000 Miles Away

We don’t know yet where the U. S. Air Force plans to base its new F-15EX fighters. But if it deploys them to Japan and arms them with the new AGM-183 missile, the F-15s could be the most powerful strike aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region—and a threat to any Chinese attempt to invade Taiwan.

www.forbes.com

U.S. Air Force F-15EXs Flying From Okinawa Could Fire Hypersonic Missiles At Targets 2,000 Miles Away

We don’t know where the U.S. Air Force plans to base its new F-15EX Eagle fighters. But we know where the flying branch should put at least some of the upgraded F-15s.

Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. Armed with the new AGM-183 hypersonic missile, the new F-15s could be the most powerful strike aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region—and a huge threat to any Chinese attempt to invade Taiwan.

The Air Force in 2019 surprised observers when it announced it would acquire F-15EXs from Boeing BA -0.7% in order to replace 1980s-vintage F-15C/Ds. The service last bought F-15s—E-models—back in 2001.

The U.S. government in July signed a $23 billion deal that could include as many as 200 F-15EXs. The first planes should enter service in mid-2021.

The Air Force justified the F-15EX deal on the grounds that the nine existing F-15 squadrons—three in the active Air Force and six in the Air National Guard—could re-equip with the new planes in months. Transitioning to F-35 stealth fighters would take years, service officials said.

“The F-15EX is the most affordable and immediate way to refresh the capacity and update the capabilities provided by our aging F-15C/D fleets,” said Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command. “The F-15EX is ready to fight as soon as it comes off the line.”

But there was another reason. The twin-engine F-15 is big, fast and far-flying. It can carry larger weapons greater distances than the smaller, less aerodynamic F-35 can. The Air Force and Boeing expect the F-15EX, with its new mission computer, will be compatible with the AGM-183—the first of an array of Mach-5-plus missiles the Pentagon is developing.

“The F-15EX carries more weapons than any other fighter in its class, and can launch hypersonic weapons up to 22 feet long and weighing up to 7,000 pounds,” Boeing stated. Not coincidentally, the Lockheed Martin LMT -0.8%-made AGM-183 appears to be around ... 22 feet long.

The new missile began captive-carry testing aboard a B-52 bomber back in the summer of 2019. It’s unclear how fast the AGM-183 is and how far it can travel, but Pres. Donald Trump in rambling comments at the U.S. Military Academy in June referred to a hypersonic missile that can strike targets a thousand miles away.

A flight of F-15s with heavy payloads and aerial-refueling support can range around a thousand miles. With AGM-183s, the flight could hit targets 2,000 miles from base.

The area AGM-183-armed F-15EXs could hold at risk from Kadena is startling huge. Kadena Eagles could strike bases deep inside China. In the event of war, perhaps beginning with a Chinese attack on Taiwan, F-15s could hit ports, airfields and command centers across China’s industrialized eastern region.

The Air Force hasn’t announced yet whether, or when, the two F-15C squadrons currently in Okinawa will get F-15EXs. There are around 240 F-15C/Ds in Air Force service. Buying 200 F-15EXs might not allow the service to convert all nine of its Eagle squadrons.

But it’s clear that the units at Kadena should be a priority.

{ An F-15 Eagle takes off during an Aviation Training Relocation at Misawa Air Base in Japan on Dec. 15, 2015. }

{ A B-52 captive-carrying an AGM-183 }

{ The refueled range of F-15s flying from Okinawa, along with the striking range of AGM-183s they could carry }

BONE_Buddy · Jul 20, 2020

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/07/20/us-navy-takes-delivery-of-new-more-powerful-radar/

US Navy takes delivery of new, more powerful radar

{A Huntington Ingalls rendering of DDG-125, the first Flight III destroyer, which will be christened the Jack Lucas. (Courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries)}

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has taken delivery of the first AN/SPY-6 radar array for the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Jack Lucas, which was designed and built specifically to accommodate the upgraded air and missile defense radar.

The Raytheon-built system is about 30 times more sensitive than the SPY-1 arrays on the Navy’s cruisers and destroyers, but it requires much more power. That led to a significant redesign of the Flight IIA DDG.

Jack Lucas, being built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the first of the new builds. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2024, according to Navy budget documents.

The delivery of the first SPY-6 marks a significant step for the radar, which looks poised to rapidly become the fleet standard. The Navy plans to install a scaled-down version of the radar on the older Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to keep them relevant, as well as on the future frigate, FFG(X), being built by Fincantieri.

Wes Kremer, president of the Raytheon Missiles & Defense business, said in a July 15 interview with Defense News that the radar is designed to simultaneously handle multiple missions without losing fidelity on any individual mission.

“SPY-6 is an evolutionary step forward in radar capability, but it was, most importantly, designed with incredibly long range and sensitivity to support all the missions that Navy destroyers do: ballistic missile defense, surface warfare and anti-air missions simultaneously,” Kremer said. “And what’s sometimes lost in the noise is that it can do [its job] in the presence of electronic attack or jamming. That’s really the magic of that radar.”

Kremer is confident the radar has been put through its paces in the acquisition process and that the next major hurdle for the program will be Jack Lucas’ sea trials.

“These radars are being delivered under the low-rate initial production run,” he said. “For about three years now we’ve had a test radar in Hawaii and proving out the radar. We’ve also delivered an array to Navy’s [Combat Systems Engineering Development Site] in Moorsetown, New Jersey. This isn’t just a radar — it’s part of Flight III, which is not just the radar, it’s Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Baseline 10, and we are fully integrated. So we’ve already gone through all that, so really the next step is sea trials.”

The Navy wants to start backfitting the scaled-down version of SPY-6 in 2021, Capt. Jason Hall, who is the above-water sensors program manager at Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems, said in January. But beyond that, Kremer said Raytheon is looking to Japan and South Korea as potential customers for SPY-6.

The Navy’s investment in SPY-6 is not without some controversy. Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said while the Navy needs a radar like SPY-6 for ballistic missile defense, the service still must figure out how to perform passive detection to avoid giving away its location to adversaries that will be able to electronically sniff out a big, powerful radar.

{ The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Preble returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Navy is looking to backfit some of its destroyers with a scaled-back version of the Flight III's SPY-6 radar. (MCSN Jaimar Carson Bondurant/U.S. Navy) }

Kremer said he wasn’t comfortable discussing concepts of operations surrounding the issue of keeping electronically quiet with SPY-6. But he reiterated that during active electronic attack, the radar would perform.

“You have to be able [to] operate around electronic attack, and on the active side we have a lot of capability to do that,” he said. “But when you get into that other stuff, you’re really starting to talk about concepts of operations, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for a contractor to talk about CONOPS.”

The Navy is also planning to scale back construction of the Flight III destroyer. In its most recent budget submission, the Navy cut four of the planned 12 Flight IIIs over the next five years as the service tries to juggle the enormous bill for the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine.
_____________________________________________
The from everything I have heard, the SPY-6 is quite the revolution of RADAR technology. Better Anti-Ballistic Missile capability, better Counter ECM capabilities, Better Stealth Detection, and far better multi-tasking performance.

DocHoliday1977 · Jul 20, 2020

Basically armored dune buggies. Do ths have a good bass stereo system too?

Regu · Jul 20, 2020

DocHoliday1977 said:
Basically armored dune buggies.

not armoured, but the idea behind it is to have modern motorized infantry. they'll go 5-6 times faster than a normal light infantry group with no vehicles and be far less fatigued as they won't have to walk. Not to mention the vehicle can be air-carried so you can drop a squad down and give them a ride to last the last leg of the journey.

Huitzilopochtli · Jul 20, 2020

@BONE_Buddy No news on ARRW or Stormbreaker?

DocHoliday1977 · Jul 20, 2020

Dunkirk said:
not armoured, but the idea behind it is to have modern motorized infantry. they'll go 5-6 times faster than a normal light infantry group with no vehicles and be far less fatigued as they won't have to walk. Not to mention the vehicle can be air-carried so you can drop a squad down and give them a ride to last the last leg of the journey.

Well, I always thought marching the hell out of the infantry was a dumb tactic.

Regu · Jul 20, 2020

DocHoliday1977 said:
Well, I always thought marching the hell out of the infantry was a dumb tactic.

it's the low tech solution that worked for millenia, full mechanized warfare hasn't been around for a century, it is still a very new thing.

Snekposter · Jul 20, 2020

Long-distance marching hasn't been done by the US on any real scale since WW2... and even then we had them ride in motorized convoys as much as possible. As to anyone wondering about the new ship's namesake... https://www.badassoftheweek.com/lucas

Sexual Chocolate · Jul 20, 2020

Dunkirk said:
it's the low tech solution that worked for millenia, full mechanized warfare hasn't been around for a century, it is still a very new thing.

Right. Also, relying on always having access to vehicles is like relying on always having GPS - just inviting disaster. Even against unsophisticated enemies in places like Afghanistan, vehicles aren't always available, they can break down, they might not be suitable for the terrain or they might just be too damn loud.

In the Falklands War, which was the last time a major Western military had to fight against a ~peer adversary (in terms of local firepower and airpower especially) the Brits intended to transport infantry by helicopter from their beachhead in San Carlos to liberate Port Stanley.

Unfortunately the Argentines had other ideas, and a couple of Exocet missiles sank the ship carrying their rides.

At this point, the Brits had no other choice. They had to march 56 miles across boggy, rocky and hilly terrain, in freezing weather, carrying all their gear the same way infantrymen have done their job since the days of leather sandals and spears.

If they hadn't trained for ruck matches, they'd have been fucked. Because being able to walk all day at a steady pace carrying 80lbs or more on your back is painful, miserable and tedious even for fit young men, and they still need to be in good enough shape to fight when they get to where they're going.

If you don't build stamina and learn to live with your feet being turned into blisters, your balls chafing and your shoulders being stressed during training, trying to learn it when you have dozens of miles to go and other guys are actively trying to kill you is the worst time to learn.

Snekposter · Jul 21, 2020

Coincidentally, grueling marches like that are why shit like high arches (or bone spurs!) are disqualifying for major service. Anything that could render you a casualty instead of a fighting soldier while on march is a no-no.

BONE_Buddy · Jul 21, 2020

Huitzilopochtli said:
@BONE_Buddy No news on ARRW or Stormbreaker?

I will have to look, I haven't seen anything eye popping about them specifically in the last couple of weeks though.

Just Some Other Guy · Jul 21, 2020

BONE_Buddy said:
Last major article here until tomorrow.... probably.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/34804/here-is-our-first-look-at-one-of-boeings-new-f-15ex-eagle-fighter-jets-for-the-air-force
Here Is Our First Look At One Of Boeing's New F-15EX Eagle Fighter Jets For The Air Force
Air Force just awarded Boeing a contract worth nearly $23 billion related to these aircraft, which includes the purchase of the first lot.
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The Air Force has released the first picture of one of its new Boeing F-15EX Eagle fighter jets now under construction. This coincides with the service awarding the Chicago-headquartered plane maker a contract worth nearly $23 billion for work on these jets, $1.2 billion of which will go to the delivery of the first lot of eight aircraft.

The Air Force announced the deal on July 13, 2020. Additional information about the contract was also included in the Pentagon's daily contracting notice.

The full contracting announcement from the Pentagon is as follows:

Congress approved funding for a total of eight F-15EX's in the Fiscal Year 2020 defense budget. The aircraft that is seen in the picture that the Air Force has now released shows that it carries the serial number 20-0001, indicating that it is the very first aircraft that the service has purchased in this current fiscal cycle. A second example is also under construction, according to Boeing.

https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/1282798276895543302
Thank you, @USAirForce, for continuing the #F15 legacy. We look forward to building the first of many #F15EX aircraft to join your fleet.
Boeing Defense - Thank you, @USAirForce, for continuing the #F15 legacy. We look forward to bu...mp4

The Air Force has requested money to buy an additional 12 aircraft in the 2021 Fiscal Year and hopes to purchase a total of 76 F-15EXs over the five-year Future Years Defense Program. The service's full F-15EX fleet could eventually comprise 144 jets.

The Pentagon's contracting notice notably makes no specific mention about the procurement of engines for any of these aircraft. On June 30, the Air Force awarded a separate contract to General Electric for an unspecified number of F110-GE-129 engines to power at least some of the initial batch of F-15EXs, citing an "unusual and compelling urgency."

The Air Force had planned to power all of its F-15EXs with F110-GE-129s, but is now preparing to hold an open competition to select an engine type after it became apparent that Pratt & Whitney would protest any sole-source award to General Electric. Pratt & Whitney is expected to submit its F100-PW-229 engine as an alternative. You can read more about the issues surrounding the selection of the F-15EX's engines in this recent War Zone piece.
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{ An artist's conception of a pair of F-15EXs. }

“The F-15EX is the most affordable and immediate way to refresh the capacity and update the capabilities provided by our aging F-15C/D fleets,” General Mike Holmes, head of Air Combat Command, also said. “The F-15EX is ready to fight as soon as it comes off the line.”

"When delivered, we expect bases currently operating the F-15 to transition to the new EX platform in a matter of months versus years," he added.

"Pilots and mechanics currently operating the F-15 anticipate transitioning to the F-15EX in a matter of days as opposed to years," Boeing said in its press release.

The first eight F-15EX aircraft will be based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and they will initially support testing efforts. The delivery of the first two aircraft is scheduled for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2021, which begins on Jan. 1, 2021. The remaining six aircraft are scheduled to arrive in the 2023 Fiscal Year. The Air Force is using the Strategic Basing Process to determine the fielding locations for subsequent aircraft lots.

"We are capable of delivering two jets by the end of 2020 assuming a timely contract award," Prat Kumar, Boeing’s Vice President and Program Manager for F-15, had said in December. While the 2020 Fiscal Year defense budget had given the Air Force the funding that it had sought for the first F-15EXs, the subsequent Appropriations Act that Congress passed stipulated that the service could only procure two F-15EX prototypes plus long-lead items associated with the remaining six fighters until a report detailing its acquisition, test and evaluation, logistics, and post-production fielding strategies – along with cost and schedule estimates – had been submitted to the House and Senate defense committees.

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"The F-15EX is the most advanced version of the F-15 ever built, due in large part to its digital backbone," Lori Schneider, Boeing's F-15EX Program Manager said in a statement regarding the new contract award. “Its unmatched range, price, and best-in-class payload capacity make the F-15EX an attractive choice for the U.S. Air Force.”

A key difference between the F-15EXs and the older F-15C/Ds they are slated to replace lies in the former's Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture. The OMS architecture will enable the rapid insertion of the latest aircraft technologies. The F-15EX will also have fly-by-wire flight controls, a new electronic warfare system, advanced cockpit systems, and the latest mission systems and software capabilities available for legacy F-15s. You can read more about the F-15EX and its capabilities in these past War Zone pieces.

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{ US Air Forces F-15C Eagles. }

“The F-15EX’s digital backbone, open mission systems, and generous payload capacity fit well with our vision for future net-enabled warfare,” Will Roper, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics said. “Continually upgrading systems, and how they share data across the Joint Force, is critical for defeating advanced threats. F-15EX is designed to evolve from day one.”

In addition to simply being a replacement for the Air Force's existing F-15C/Ds, the F-15EX will also be able to act as a weapon truck and be able to carry the kind of large hypersonic weapons that are in development, but that will not fit inside a fifth-generation fighter weapons bay. This is something Boeing specifically highlighted in its press release regarding the new Air Force contract. "The F-15EX carries more weapons than any other fighter in its class and can launch hypersonic weapons up to 22 feet long and weighing up to 7,000 pounds," the statement said.

With the heavy emphasis on its OMS architecture, the Pentagon is also using the F-15EX as a "pathfinder" program for its "DevSecOps Initiative, aimed at developing secure, flexible and agile software," Boeing said.

All told, the F-15EXs, the first two of which Boeing is building now, promise to bring new and impressive capabilities to the Air Force in the coming years.

NOTE: There is conflicting information about whether the photo at the top of this story is actually of an F-15EX. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the same photograph in their report with the following caption: "F-15EX decals affixed to F-15QA4 jet in Building 67, Final Assembly_St. Louis, MO. Purpose of the photo is to show aircraft readiness to our USAF customer (F-15EX contract award). MSF20-0024 Series."

However, an official Boeing Tweet features this picture and also says "We’ve already begun construction of the first two #F15EX jets." In addition, the Air Force's official news item on the new contract includes this photo, but does not say one way or another whether it shows an F-15EX.

We have reached out to Boeing for clarification.

NOTE 2: Boeing has confirmed to The War Zone that this picture shows F-15EX-1, the first F-15EX for the U.S. Air Force, under construction.

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I really like the F-15. it is probably my second favorite aircraft, being trailed close behind by the B-36. No points for guessing my favorite aircraft.

F-15s are ultra sexy. F-14s follow a bit behind.

B-36 is a good bomber, but I'll always take the B-47 for sexiest. They took a strategic bomber and literally gave it a fighter cockpit lol.

Mikoyan · Jul 21, 2020

BONE_Buddy said:
The from everything I have heard, the SPY-6 is quite the revolution of RADAR technology. Better Anti-Ballistic Missile capability, better Counter ECM capabilities, Better Stealth Detection, and far better multi-tasking performance.

It's an AESA, if I remember right, which explains almost all those things. And makes for better reliability. Sort of. Kind of.

Just Some Other Guy said:
F-15s are ultra sexy. F-14s follow a bit behind.

B-36 is a good bomber, but I'll always take the B-47 for sexiest. They took a strategic bomber and literally gave it a fighter cockpit lol.

B-58 did it better.

Just Some Other Guy · Jul 21, 2020

Broadwing said:
It's an AESA, if I remember right, which explains almost all those things. And makes for better reliability. Sort of. Kind of.

B-58 did it better.

Nah. delta wings are gay.

Edit - Also, look at that cockpit.

Huitzilopochtli · Jul 21, 2020

Broadwing said:
It's an AESA, if I remember right, which explains almost all those things. And makes for better reliability. Sort of. Kind of.

That scratches the surface. It's a GaN array. Between that and AESA, it can theoretically monitor ~30k targets simultaneously, and deliver electronic warfare attacks.

The Un-Clit · Jul 21, 2020

Just Some Other Guy said:
F-15s are ultra sexy. F-14s follow a bit behind.

Disagree. Variable geometry wings mean a plane looks ultra badass at almost any angle. The F-14, B-1 and F-111 are the 2nd to 4th sexiest warplanes in the world, in that order. (The F-15 is a close 5th place tho)

#1? The SU-47 Berkut of course! What a crying shame this never went into full production.

Along with the Avro Arrow and the TSR-2, these also make the top 3 tragic governmental fuckups in aerospace matters.

Fleet Forces	3rd Fleet	4th Fleet	5th Fleet	6th Fleet	7th Fleet	Total
3	1	2	23	15	56	100

Deployed Ships Underway	Non-deployed Ships Underway	Total Ships Underway
46	33	79

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