Agreed. The tech seems to trend towards bundling power modules, scaling up the power to achieve the desired effect in lieu of a monolithic approach.
USAF News and Discussion
- Thread starter RobWilliams
- Start date
its very much in line with the broader philosophy of distributed power, distributed energy management across a while pile of areas.
the risk mitigation is improved
One notes the momentum and expectations are growing and progress is being achieved in many fronts as previous investments are starting to pay off. Here's more detail on progress achieved in allowing airborne lasers to deal with turbulence.
404 · Lockheed Martin
Turbulence-taming Turret: Lockheed Martin Prototype Expands Laser Performance at Jet Speeds
Turbulence-taming Turret: Lockheed Martin Prototype Expands Laser Performance at Jet Speeds
Nearly 60 Flight Tests Completed
A prototype turret developed by Lockheed Martin for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Air Force Research Laboratory controls and compensates for air flow, paving the way for laser weapon systems on tactical aircraft. Here, a green low-power laser beam passes through the turret on a research aircraft. (Photo: Air Force Research Laboratory.)
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 15, 2015 – Because enemy aircraft and missiles can come from anywhere, a laser weapon system on a military aircraft will need to be able to fire in any direction. However, the laws of physics say that a laser only can engage targets in front of an aircraft that is travelling close to the speed of sound – unless atmospheric turbulence can be counteracted. That’s exactly what Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has done in developing a prototype laser turret for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), paving the way for laser weapon systems on tactical aircraft.
More..
404 · Lockheed Martin
Turbulence-taming Turret: Lockheed Martin Prototype Expands Laser Performance at Jet Speeds
Turbulence-taming Turret: Lockheed Martin Prototype Expands Laser Performance at Jet Speeds
Nearly 60 Flight Tests Completed
A prototype turret developed by Lockheed Martin for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Air Force Research Laboratory controls and compensates for air flow, paving the way for laser weapon systems on tactical aircraft. Here, a green low-power laser beam passes through the turret on a research aircraft. (Photo: Air Force Research Laboratory.)
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 15, 2015 – Because enemy aircraft and missiles can come from anywhere, a laser weapon system on a military aircraft will need to be able to fire in any direction. However, the laws of physics say that a laser only can engage targets in front of an aircraft that is travelling close to the speed of sound – unless atmospheric turbulence can be counteracted. That’s exactly what Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has done in developing a prototype laser turret for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), paving the way for laser weapon systems on tactical aircraft.
More..
a sight to see:
http://theaviationist.com/2015/11/07/f-22-15-ship-formation-tyndall-afb/
the most I've seen at once is 6 of them.... lucky photographer
http://theaviationist.com/2015/11/07/f-22-15-ship-formation-tyndall-afb/
the most I've seen at once is 6 of them.... lucky photographer
Upgrades approved for Legacy USAF F15 C/D models
AESA and other upgrades approved for the first 46 legacy aircraft
Boeing to upgrade radar systems on 46 Air Force F-15C/D jet fighters and F-15E fighter-bombers
Good news IMO
AESA and other upgrades approved for the first 46 legacy aircraft
Boeing to upgrade radar systems on 46 Air Force F-15C/D jet fighters and F-15E fighter-bombers
Good news IMO
Uogrades will be maxes stateside, not to OCONUS deployed systems
The first 46? I thought this began a while ago - & I'm not including the single squadron in Alaska almost 15 years ago, as that was a one-off with a first generation AESA fighter radar, but there have been reports of orders for & deliveries of APG-63(v)3 & APG-82 radars to the USAF & USANG for F-15C & E for a few years.
USAF looking at additional F15/16 purchase
Interesting news I thought
LONDON — The U.S. Air Force may solicit bids for 72 new Boeing F-15s, Lockheed Martin F-16s or even Boeing F/A-18E/Fs as budget issues put planned production rates for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter out of reach, according to senior service and industry officials at the Defense IQ International Fighter Conference here.
Question is, what model? Maybe the F15SE the IAF has suggested purchasing 24 of?
Rest of article is here
US Air Force Considers New Boeing F-15s or Lockheed Martin F-16s | Defense content from Aviation Week
Interesting news I thought
LONDON — The U.S. Air Force may solicit bids for 72 new Boeing F-15s, Lockheed Martin F-16s or even Boeing F/A-18E/Fs as budget issues put planned production rates for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter out of reach, according to senior service and industry officials at the Defense IQ International Fighter Conference here.
Question is, what model? Maybe the F15SE the IAF has suggested purchasing 24 of?
Rest of article is here
US Air Force Considers New Boeing F-15s or Lockheed Martin F-16s | Defense content from Aviation Week
The USAF is delaying the retirement of the A10 Warthog because of its capabilities being in demand for the air campaign against Daesh. Commanders have been asking for the aircraft. The Washington Post article states only for the duration of the air war against Daesh however the Air Force Times (behind pay wall) states that the retirement delay is indefinite.
Northrop Grumman teases Aisha Ad on 6th gen Fither
More hype regarding 6th gen fighters from Northrop Grumman.
Interesting design building On their flying wing
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...be-unveiled-to-america-during-the-super-bowl/
More hype regarding 6th gen fighters from Northrop Grumman.
Interesting design building On their flying wing
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...be-unveiled-to-america-during-the-super-bowl/
Looks like the Air Force is going to designate its new bomber as the B-21. Perhaps because it's the first bomber designed in the 21st century? Or maybe it had something to do with there only being 21 B-2's ever built. I've heard some interesting suggestions for possible names for the aircraft.
The name I liked was the Black Widow, in honor of Jack Northrup's P-61 Black Widow and because the YF-23 was never built and it was called the Black Widow.
SecAF Unveils B-21 Bomber; Replies To McCain’s Contract Threat « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary
I'll be very surprised though if they can actually have bombers on Air Force runways by the mid 2020's.
The name I liked was the Black Widow, in honor of Jack Northrup's P-61 Black Widow and because the YF-23 was never built and it was called the Black Widow.
SecAF Unveils B-21 Bomber; Replies To McCain’s Contract Threat « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary
I'll be very surprised though if they can actually have bombers on Air Force runways by the mid 2020's.
the concerned
Active Member
I was wondering since the f-22 came into service how much money has been spent on upgrading the f-15c's. Also how many f-15e's could have been bought with that money.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Apparently a House sub-committee has requested that the USAF do a cost assessment of re-starting F-22 production. Likely the most important cost factor would be the affect on F-35 cost should new F-22 production reduce the USAF's build number. The Secretary of the Air Force will likely report back with a "no" in Jan2017.
Congress Looks Into Restarting the F-22 Raptor
Congress Looks Into Restarting the F-22 Raptor
that is just plain dumb - any F-22 would need to be a complete rebuild as the techsets involved are now superceded by significant JSF systems
you just can't restart the F-22 line and start popping out new planes like salmons in season.....
geez you have to wonder how smart some of these congressmen are....
Agreed, I saw the same news brief. Too bad they didn't understand the importance before the cut the build at 187
House Legislation Orders F-22 Restart Study
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
More importantly, will they understand that they can't repeat this with the F-35. I do not believe the USAF will get anywhere near the 1700+ F-35As requested and that will result in big cost increases for all other users.