Air & Space Forces Magazine’s Post

A fleet of unmanned aircraft systems moves into an area while Soldiers on the ground maneuver into position. Several Soldiers are armed with the latest laser weapon system, while others are tracking enemy missiles using heads-up displays on their helmets. Attack helicopters carrying rockets and missiles fly overhead, waiting with ground-based launchers for the signal. While each system in this scenario performs a different task, combined they are a powerhouse of resources to defeat the complex threats our military forces face. Coupled with advanced radar technology that determines the range, elevation, size and speed of incoming aircraft and projectiles, and laser systems that complement missile and gun system lethality and range, these capabilities will create tiered, layered defense, which is one of the key tenets of the National Defense Strategy. To support the National Defense Strategy and the Army modernization strategy, which target 2028 for a multidomain operations-ready force, we need to strike the right balance among near-, mid- and far-term technology to provide overmatch against peer adversaries and evolving air and missile threats. We accomplish this by conducting in-house research and engineering and by working with industry to leverage emerging technology that can be adapted for military use. We also collaborate with academic partners, as well as other government agencies, the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), program executive offices and Soldiers to develop and demonstrate technology to make it available as quickly as possible. This strategy is integrated into the U.S. Army Futures Command's (AFC) modernization effort, which is ensuring that Soldiers are ready and armed with the latest technology. As part of the AFC, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) supports the effort by helping to shape future concepts and by synchronizing and integrating science and technology across the future force modernization enterprise. #CounterUAS #Innovation #Invest #ATTRAP #USArmy

Few people in the world understand the threat to U.S. forces and interests posed by enemy drone swarms like Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command. "We need to continue to invest in things like high powered microwave to be able to counter a drone swarm that is coming at you." -Gen. Michael E. Kurilla. Learn more about Epirus’ revolutionary, software-defined approach to high-power microwave for unmatched counter-electronics effects: https://lnkd.in/eTv9GRap

The collaboration between Airbus Defence and Space and Helsing marks a significant step in integrating AI into military operations, potentially transforming combat scenarios. By focusing on Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), this partnership aims to enhance operational effectiveness and safety, enabling unmanned systems to undertake high-risk tasks. This initiative underscores the growing role of AI in defense, promising advancements in reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and overall mission success, reflecting a broader trend towards the digitization and automation of defense technologies. #airbus #defence #defense #ai #artificialintelligence #defensetechnology #military #mission

High Power Microwaves are the most effective solution to the swarm problem.

The investigation highlighted two main causes of the crash: the pilot’s oversight in completing the throttle adjustment according to the checklist, and a lack of situational awareness to increase the throttle control in time. #AirForce #USAF #Airman #SpaceForce #Guardian

For the teaming of manned and unmanned military aircraft the companies will work together on artificial intelligence technologies which will be used in a future Wingman system. #airbus #helsing #ai #wingmansystem #artificialintelligence #aircraft #airforce #combataircarft #defence #defensetechnology

Via NDC: Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee - How Allies adapt to drones This article reviews the role of drones in contemporary warfare and their implications for NATO's strategic planning. It analyzes whether the current proliferation and technological advancements in drone use represent a Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) or simply an evolutionary trend. The examination of drone employment is evaluated within the context of recent conflict inclusive of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. Despite the growing scope and scale as a combat multiplier, drones do not change the character of war. This paper develops an argument that drones are part of a broader evolutionary trend in military technology for three reasons: drones fail to achieve decisive effects on the battlefield, are vulnerable to basic adaption, and do not profoundly change existing military doctrine. The article recommends three policy provisions within NATO's strategic construct: the importance of integrating a wide range of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) to support Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), outpacing the evolving drone threat through modernization of air defense systems, and capitalizing on drone technology to expand the warfighting network.

Cautious Optimism: If the Operational Imperatives do help us identify and morph requirements this easily, the AF is on the right path. As a former operator, I can see flaws like "not enough range to fight Canada" from a mile away. But our cumbersome requirements process, in its inability to document everything the operator needs and then get it vetted, often misses the forest from the trees. We currently don't have a single fighter capable of making a dent in China without serious assistance because of range limitations. I am even more cautious of a command separated from operators that says it is going to take operator input, of which we have increasingly few to speak their minds and provide expertise. But chalk up a win for this save. #AirPower #usaf #ccas #dodacquisition

U.S. Army Conducts Counter-UAS Camouflage Training in Fort Carson, Colorado. As documented in ATP 3-01.81, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Techniques, passive measures such as camouflage increase soldier and equipment survivability by reducing the likelihood of detection and targeting of friendly assets and mitigating the potential effects of an air attack. https://hubs.la/Q02BkdSX0

The Nieuw Milligen radar station in the Netherlands has been equipped with a state-of-the-art Thales Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) radar, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MINDEF (NL) announced on 1 August. The GM400α installation marks a critical upgrade in the nation’s radar infrastructure. With its extended range of 515 kilometers and five times more processing power than its predecessors, the GM400α is poised to enhance the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF) surveillance and detection capabilities. The advanced detection algorithms and upgraded radar processor facilitate superior tracking and identification of potential threats, including low-flying unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and ballistic missiles. Designed with mobility in mind, the GM400α can be deployed within 30 minutes, thanks to its foldable antenna. This feature ensures that the radar can be quickly repositioned as needed, providing flexible and responsive coverage. The integration of Doppler waveforms further enhances the radar’s ability to detect low-altitude objects, a crucial capability in today’s evolving threat landscape. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dDXc7ZkQ #Netherlands #radar #airdefence #missiledefence #Thales #GroundMaster400 #GM400α #defence #industry #technology #military #armedforces