US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

A classified Pentagon maritime drone program is about to get its moment in the sun
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I was shaking my head after
"The paradigm shift is moving the fleet away from platforms like the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers ..."

bunch of ... visionaries, LOL
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
In testimony, Shanahan underlines it’s ‘China, China, China’
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I quit reading when 'transgender part' began, won't go back
Part I think you missed because of that but is critical here is.
“Telling people we need to reprioritize away from counter-terrorism operations and focus on Russia and China — Mattis, as a voice, was uniquely postured to explain that and I think he did," the official said. "The oversight committees are now on board. But the next click down is, what does that mean, and that’s where Shanahan spent the last 18 months and that’s where he will continue to drive if he becomes secretary of defense.”
That means shifts drones to fighters Mraps to tanks and IFV. From LCS to Frigates from Virginia class Boats meant to lurk in the Latorals to the SSN X from COIN to Bombers
 
Yesterday at 8:56 PM
A classified Pentagon maritime drone program is about to get its moment in the sun
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I was shaking my head after
"The paradigm shift is moving the fleet away from platforms like the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers ..."

bunch of ... visionaries, LOL
related (no, didn't confuse links):
Navy to Begin Large Surface Combatant Buys in 2025; Delayed From Original 2023 Start
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Why would it be important to me? I commented on that months ago. Supposedly the 1.1 billion is for “Infrastructure that is a one off buy for the program” after all 1.1 billion for 8 aircraft unless they are B2 would be a huge rip off.
now
Dunford: New F-15 Buy for Air Force Fills F-35 Capacity and Capability Shortfall
3/14/2019
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The Pentagon’s decision to add new F-15EXs to its budget request for the Air Force, a move not requested by the service itself, was based on a lack of capability and capacity of the current fleet and the presumptive cheaper cost of the Eagles, the military’s top uniformed officer told lawmakers on Thursday.

The Pentagon’s fiscal 2020 budget request includes about $1 billion for eight F-15EX “advanced Eagles,” a decision that stemmed from former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford told the Senate Armed Services Committee the “framework” of the decision came from a study of the future needs of the military’s tactical aircraft fleet, which showed the Air Force had a shortage in its number of aircraft and the amount of ordnance those aircraft could carry.

"Then they had the F-15C, which was aging out in the 2027-2028 period," he said "So, within the next five or 10 years the best solution was to go to the F-15, called the EX, platform to backfill the F-15. Eventually we’ll get to an all F-35 program, but from both a cost perspective and a capability perspective, this particular mix of aircraft for the near term was determined to be the right mix of aircraft.”

The F-15EX initially would only be “slightly” cheaper to buy than a new F-35, it will be more than 50 percent cheaper than the Joint Strike Fighter to operate over its life. Additionally, it has “twice as many hours” in terms of how long it lasts.

The Air Force’s five-year Future Years Defense Plan calls for buying 80 of the F-15EXs, though the ultimate buy could be as many as 144. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said before the budget was released the F-15s were inserted into the budget by entities outside the Air Force, and the service instead preferred to buy more F-35s.

“The primary aircraft of the future for the Air Force is the F-35, and they’re not walking back off that program,” Dunford said.
 

anzha

Senior Member
Registered Member
NGAD funding. I previously described the funding curves for the NGAD program, often called the next gen fighter program or 6th gen fighter. It appeared NGAD was headed on a funding curve that mimicked the B-21. If that was the case, the NGAD aircraft would come out with an IOC between 2028 and 2030. However! The USAF budget request for the projected costs for FY20 were $1.35B. Instead, the ask for the FY20 is only $1B:

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(page 27, section 3).

That would indicate the NGAD is being pushed back by a year at least. Given the funding profiles in other new-ish programs. Jane's reports NGAD is being rethought (article partially behind paywall):

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There are two bits to consider. The first is the next gen jet engine (and probably what will be used on the NGAD aircraft) is being funded separately to the tune of $870M:

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If that's considered part of the next gen fighter (a bit dubious, tbh) then the NGAD is humming along nicely. IIRC, the F-22 and F-35 funded their own engines. This is assuming the NGAD is actually going to use the AETP engine, of course.

Sadly, the shutdown seems to have wrecked havoc on the budget process, including merely getting the budget dox up where they are normally with the DTIC hasn't happened. So, it's hard to know what the USAF is thinking will be happening next with the NGAD: they put the next five years projected budget for each project in the budget ask. it's not set in stone, but is advisory for Congress. It also tells us layfolk what the USAF is thinking, generally, and helps with our projections as to when to expect.

Personally, I think we are seeing at least a one year delay.

However, there is a caveat: the B-21 program informed Congress one year they didn't need a few hundred million that year for the program. The projected IOC date of B-21 hasn't slid right though. The NGAD and B-21 programs are being managed by the Rapid Capabilities Office. It's possible the NGAD crew within the RCO has come to the conclusion some tech was trimmed from the program or didn't need as much development. Which case, this isn't a delay, but rather some risk was reduced by trimming some questionable tech.

Even so, I STILL I think we are seeing at least a one year delay.

YMMV.
 

Brumby

Major
now
Dunford: New F-15 Buy for Air Force Fills F-35 Capacity and Capability Shortfall
3/14/2019
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Basically the rationale for the F-15X purchase is summed up in two words; capacity and cost.

The rest of the fight is politics between Boeing and LM and their respective supporters in Congress.

Btw, this should be moved to the F-15 thread.
 
Basically the rationale for the F-15X purchase is summed up in two words; capacity and cost.
I think it's basically happening due to egregious delays, cost overruns in the F-35 program, its sustainment


The rest of the fight is politics between Boeing and LM and their respective supporters in Congress.
kinda yes: Feb 10, 2019
problem of the LockMart lobbying which was not only unable to impose the F-35C on the USN
Apr 6, 2018
, but, to my surprise, the LockMart lobbying unable to stuff the USAF with the F-35A
Monday at 8:35 PM


Btw, this should be moved to the F-15 thread.
no, to the F-35 thread LOL
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
I think it's basically happening due to egregious delays, cost
I think you've got F35 Derangement syndrome.
This isn't F35 this is F15. Had the issue been F35 we would be talking about F16X not F15X. Two years ago they were talking about retiring F15C and D for F16s now that are they aiming for? Retiring F15C and D for F15CX and DX.
 
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