US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

[Hyperwarp]

Finally! Something that should have happened long time ago:

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[Jeff Head]

Hyper...here in the US MIlitary News" thread please give a little more meat to a post like this. At least some explanation.

I and others may know exactly what you are talking about with the AIM-9X and the F-22...but many will not.

For example, a link and quote from the article from Edwards AFB explaining this would be helpful for other forum members.

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5/6/2015 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 411th Flight Test Squadron and F-22 Combined Test Force successfully test fired two guided AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles this year as part of the latest phase in getting the Raptor closer to using the missile operationally.

The AIM-9X is an advanced infrared missile and the newest of the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles carried on a wide range of fighter jets.

The first guided launch of the AIM-9X from an F-22 Raptor was Feb. 26 by Maj. Christopher Guarente, 411th FLTS assistant director of operations and F-22 test pilot. The missile successfully shot down a BQM-34 drone.

The second guided firing was conducted April 29 by Maj. Patrick Killingsworth targeting a BQM-74 drone. Both shots were taken over the nearby China Lake test range.

"The second shot was done in a much more stressing flight regime; doing things that only the Raptor can do while employing the AIM-9X," said Jeremy Cookson, F-22 Weapons Integration lead engineer.

These two guided test shots mark the beginning of the integration phase of the F-22 CTF's AIM-9X program. The CTF completed the carriage phase and the separations phase is ongoing with 17 successful releases. These phases ensure the F-22 can carry and shoot the missile through the extremes of the flight envelope.

"Once you can fly the AIM-9X, once you can have it safely come off the aircraft, then it's time to make sure it can hit its target. We are currently integrating the electronics; having the missile talk to the aircraft and the aircraft telling the missile where to go," Cookson said.

The AIM-9X has a digital guidance system and infrared signal processing that results in enhanced acquisition ranges, greatly improved infrared counter-countermeasures capability, and extremely high off-boresight (the angle off of the nose of the aircraft) engagement zones for unprecedented first shot, first kill air-to-air performance.

The AIM-9X has the same warhead and a slightly modified rocket motor as previous versions of the missile. Changes also include fixed forward fins and smaller rear control fins.

"The 9X will give the pilot the capability to launch this missile from any condition he can find himself in," said Guarente. "The aircraft will be able to employ the 9X at high angles of attack and high look angles, which will allow the pilot freedom to maneuver as necessary to achieve the first shot and kill without being limited by the missile's launch capability. We are expecting that the 9X will be cleared for launch in flight conditions no other aircraft can even achieve, bringing the full-maneuvering capabilities of the F-22 to bear."

According to the Air Force, the F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. With its stealth, advanced flight controls, thrust vectoring and high thrust-to-weight ratio and integrated avionics, the Raptor has the capability to outmaneuver all current and projected aircraft along with being able to kill enemies without being detected.

Currently, operational F-22s carry the AIM-9M. The AIM-9X will make the F-22 even more lethal.

"The 9X will bring an increased capability in all aspects as compared to the 9M," said Guarente. "The 9X is a longer range, more maneuverable missile and can be launched from a much, much larger flight envelope than the 9M. This will finally give the F-22 a missile that can be employed at the extreme flight conditions that the F-22 is capable of operating and often does operate."

The F-22 CTF has helped develop the modified launch rail as well as the basic software for integration of the AIM-9X into the aircraft avionic system.

"The AIM-9X will be fielded with the next aircraft software drop and requires hardware modifications to the launch rail. Further capability enhancements are expected in the follow-on software drop," added Guarente.

Cookson said fielding the AIM-9X on the F-22 has been a process, beginning around 2008 when the Air Force decided to have the Raptor carry the advanced missile. Through the hard work of the F-22 CTF, getting the AIM-9X out to the warfighter is closer to reality.

"There have been a lot of findings and challenges along the way and the whole team has done a phenomenal job getting us to where we are today. AIM-9X is long overdue on the F-22, but it is going to be a tremendous capability for the Air Force and that's due to the hard work this team's doing."

 

[FORBIN]

US Navy Cyclone class Patrol boats operating in the Pesian Gulf. Along with the destroyers, these vessels will be tasked with watching over commerical vessels in the gulf.

View attachment 13737
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U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (March 17, 2014) The Cyclone-class coastal patrol ship USS Hurricane (PC 3) leads other coastal patrol ships assigned to Patrol Coastal Squadron 1 (PCRON 1) in formation during a exercise supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

These ships are heavily aremd to combat small craft and speed boats (among other things) with:

2 × MK 38 25 mm autocannon
5 × .50 caliber machine guns
2 × MK 19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers
2 × M240B machine guns
6 × FIM-92 Stinger SAMs
2 × 4 MK-60 BGM-176B Griffin B missile launchers

Nice five together ! 13 in service, 10 with 5th Fleet, Patrol Coastal Squadron One
homeported to Manama, Bahrain and 3 to Mayport, 2nd Fleet.

 

[Jeff Head]

This is the guy from Al Queda who claimed responsibility for the attack on the Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France:

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A US air strike in

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has killed the senior Al-Qaeda official who appeared in a video claiming the deadly January attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi, who was killed in the April strike along with his eldest son and other fighters in the port city of Mukalla, also appeared in Al-Qaeda videos claiming the holding and death of US hostage Luke Somers, SITE Intelligence Group said.

The announcement of his death came in a video posted on Thursday on Twitter by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula - which Washington considers the international terror network's deadliest branch.

The air raid appears to have been carried out overnight on April 21-22, when witnesses in Mukalla said an apparent US drone strike on a vehicle parked near the presidential palace in the city killed six suspected Al-Qaeda militants.

Ansi appeared in the video released on January 14 in which AQAP claimed it had carried out the attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris to avenge its publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Citing an AQAP video issued in November, SITE said the Taez-born Ansi had pursued jihad in Bosnia in 1995 before travelling to Afghanistan via Yemen and Kashmir to train in Al-Qaeda camps.

It was in Afghanistan that the terror network's now slain leader Osama bin Laden "tasked him with administrative affairs, before he entered the military field," according to SITE.

"He was jailed in Yemen and released after six months, and in 2011... joined AQAP," said the US-based group that monitors jihadist websites.

The United States is the only country that operates drones over war-torn Yemen.

In Washington, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter declined to confirm that Ansi had been the victim of a US strike.

"I cannot give you a specific answer on a particular strike," Carter said. "I will say that on the general question of AQAP, we will continue to apply pressure."

Good...they can run, but they can't hide.

 

[Hyperwarp]

Hyper...here in the US MIlitary News" thread please give a little more meat to a post like this. At least some explanation.

I and others may know exactly what you are talking about with the AIM-9X and the F-22...but many will not.

For example, a link and quote from the article from Edwards AFB explaining this would be helpful for other forum members.

Major facepalm.....that was stupid of me. I completely forgot to put the F-22 going through AIM-9X Block 2 integration bit in the description.

 

[Jeff Head]

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The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $3 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested a possible sale of the following:

17 x V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft,
40 x AE1107C Rolls Royce Engines,
40 x AN/AAQ-27 Forward Looking InfraRed Radars,
40 x AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems,
40 x AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receivers,
40 x AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems,
40 x AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe Systems,
40 x AN/APN-194 Radar Altimeters,
40 x AN/ARN-147 VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR) Instrument Landing System (ILS)
40 x 629F-23 Multi-Band Radios (Non-COMSEC),
40 x AN/ASN-163 Miniature Airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers (MAGR),
40 x AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation Systems, 80 Night Vision Goggles,
- Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) with unique planning components,
- Publications and technical documentation,
- Aircraft spares and repair parts, R
- Repair and return, aircraft ferry services,
- Tanker support,
- Support and test equipment,
- Personnel training and training equipment,
- Software,
- U.S. Government and contractor engineering,
- Logistics and technical support services,
- Other elements of technical and program support.

The estimated cost is $3 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States. Japan is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with U.S. objectives and the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

Japan is modernizing its transport fleet to better support its defense and special mission needs. The proposed sale of V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft will greatly enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations. This sale will promote burden sharing with our ally and interoperability with U.S. forces. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this weapon system will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter and Boeing Rotorcraft Systems via a joint venture arrangement with initial assembly of aircraft fuselage occurring in Ridley Park, PA and final aircraft assembly occurring in Amarillo, TX. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require travel of United States Government or contractor representatives to GOJ on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight.

The details of this lets people know why sometimes a few aircraft can cost so much on the bottom line. All of the additional parts, sensors, systems, software, services, etc. can add up.

But the JMSDF is intent on outfitting these aircraft with the best systems, the best training, the best documentation, software, and services available.

 

[Jura The idiot]

found a moment ago (cool vid dated May 5 of A-10):

is F-35 going to perform all this??

 

[asif iqbal]

V-22 and F35B would fit fine with current flat deck of JMSDF

 

[navyreco]

Put a decent surveillance radar and or EO/IR payload under the kite and you got a low cost solution to greatly improve surface vessels watch capabilities.

DARPA SideArm and TALONS Concepts Show Potential for New UAS Capabilities at Sea

Tern, a joint program between DARPA and the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR), seeks to give forward-deployed small ships the unprecedented capacity to serve as mobile launch and recovery platforms for medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

These systems would provide long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and other capabilities over greater distances and time periods than helicopters and would require far less dedicated infrastructure resources than conventional fixed-wing manned and unmanned aircraft. As part of its individual investment in Tern, DARPA has launched two successful technology demonstration efforts that grew from Phase 1 research and are separately approaching potential transition to the Services:

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[Jeff Head]

Put a decent surveillance radar and or EO/IR payload under the kite and you got a low cost solution to greatly improve surface vessels watch capabilities.

DARPA SideArm and TALONS Concepts Show Potential for New UAS Capabilities at Sea

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you imagine something like this configured for AEW&C? I bet it could be done and would provide very decent coverage of any LHA/D, LPD, DDH, etc.