Peter W. Singer’s Post

Boeing's latest announcement to enhance its F-15EX fighter jet with advanced electronic warfare technologies, inspired by the E/A-18G Growler, has the potential to redefine modern conflict capabilities. The F-15EX, known as Eagle II, boasts sophisticated electronic warfare systems like the EPAWSS, offering advanced jamming and countermeasure capabilities. The integration of Growler technologies could position the F-15EX as a natural successor in electronic warfare, enhancing its versatility in various mission scenarios. The implications of this advancement are profound. The upgraded F-15EX could excel not only in air superiority but also in suppressing and destroying enemy air defenses, expanding its operational scope significantly. Despite its advancements, it's crucial to acknowledge that the F-15EX lacks a naval variant, restricting its suitability for carrier-based operations, unlike the Growler. This limitation may impact tactical applications, especially in U.S. Navy operations. Nonetheless, Boeing's initiative marks a significant stride in enhancing the F-15EX's electronic warfare capabilities, promising a new era in combat aviation. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce #pilots

We’re proud to be a part of the future of military aviation! The U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) is set to revolutionize combat aviation with its unmatched range and speed, paving the way for next-generation capabilities. With Bell Flight leading the development of this cutting-edge weapon system, our T1100/3960 carbon fiber prepreg will be crucial in constructing lightweight, high-strength airframes that meet the rigorous demands of modern military operations. “Working collaboratively with Toray on the accessibility of T1100/3960 prepregs, materials utilized for FLRAA’s primary airframe structure, instills confidence in our organization’s ability to meet our manufacturing and performance objectives.” – Vince D’Arienzo, Bell Technical Fellow of Technology and Innovation Read More: https://lnkd.in/d5ihPnsh We’re proud to contribute to the next chapter of aviation history. #AerospaceInnovation #FLRAA

No, it doesn't! Smaller carriers are not cost effective, nor are they harder to find and destroy. Also... everyone talks about a war with China to be Navy on Navy. That will not be the case. The US is in the business of fighting in an integrated combat arms approach. Our approach would be similar to what was used with Iraq (twice) and Libya. Take out the command-and-control capabilities and Air defense network. As much as possible destroy known mobile launchers for A2/AD missiles. This is where the submarine force comes really into play in the initial stages of combat. When you can launch cruise missiles within a short distance from shore, you reduce the enemy's response time to defend themselves. This is what was done with Libya when the USS Florida launched 90 missiles and a few other submarines added 25 more. That barrage destroyed Libya's integrated air defense network. That achievement allowed the fighters and tactical bombers from the US and other countries to come in and do their work with significantly lower risk. In a "toe to toe" fight we also have to consider the ability of the USAF to deliver long range fires from their B1-B, B2 and B-52 platforms. That's around 140 heavy bombers that can deliver a huge amount of guided munitions from quite a long distance, well outside the A2/AD missile footprint. As of now, and is mentioned in the article comment thread, one of the biggest problem the USN has is that by the end of the decade 616 submarine missile launch cells will be gone without replacement when all 4 SSGN's are decommissioned. That's about 50% of the current missile cells the submarine force possesses. Although the Navy is looking at replacing some of that capability with the Block V VA SSNs with the Vertical Payload Module (VPM) that adds 28 more missiles to the ship, it will still take @ 15 of those ships to replace the cells lost from the 4 SSGN's. In the short run (rest of this decade) what the Navy needs to concentrate on doing is in significantly decreasing the maintenance backlog that has @ 30% of the SSN fleet unable to deploy to do their mission.

The US Navy's "Air Wing of the Future" (#AWOTF) concept is being demonstrated and deployed in the #Pacific, with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) leading the way. Here's a summary of the key points: 1)     Composition: a)     F-35C Lightning II b)     F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet c)      E-2D Advanced Hawkeye d)     EA-18G Growler e)     MH-60R/S Seahawk 2)     New capabilities: a)      AIM-174B air-to-air missile: Adapted from the SM-6 Block IA, it offers significantly longer range than current air-to-air missiles. b)     AN/ALQ-249(V)1 electronic warfare pods: Next Generation Jammer mid-band pods for EA-18G Growlers, offering improved electronic attack capabilities. c)      AARGM-ER (AGM-88G): An advanced anti-radiation missile with improved standoff capability and multi-mode seeker. 3)     Deployment: a)      USS Carl Vinson is on its second deployment with the AWOTF concept. b)     USS Abraham Lincoln has also deployed with this concept, including F-35Cs from VMFA-314. 4)     Strategic importance: a)      The AWOTF is part of the U.S. pivot to the Indo-Pacific region. b)     It aims to enhance interoperability with allies and partners. c)      The concept is being demonstrated at the #RIMPAC2024 exercise. 5)     Future developments: a)      The Navy is working to deliver these advanced capabilities across the entire fleet. b)     New technologies and weapons are continuously being integrated to improve the air wing's effectiveness. The Air Wing of the Future represents a significant upgrade in the U.S. Navy's carrier-based air power, combining advanced aircraft with new weapons and electronic warfare systems to enhance its capabilities in potential future conflicts.

Interesting analysis of anti-submarine capability.

Canadian Commercial Corporation | Corporation commerciale canadienne has been awarded a significant contract by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to supply W.R. Davis Engineering Ltd.'s state-of-the-art infra-red (IR) suppressors for CH-47 Chinook helicopters. These IR suppressors are designed to shield the helicopters from surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) by reducing their detectability by infrared systems, enhancing mission effectiveness and aircrew safety. W.R. Davis Engineering, based in Ottawa, will provide interchangeable B-kit suppressors to Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, the supply manager for the US Army's fleet of Chinooks. This contract strengthens the collaboration between CCC and Davis, which has generated over C$60 million in U.S. military contracts to date. How do you think these advancements in IR suppressors will impact military operations globally? To read the full article, visit our blog: https://lnkd.in/g_Agzb4F #AvfoilNews #ChinookHelicopter #USDoD #InfraRedSuppressors #WRDavisEngineering #CCContract #MilitaryAviation #DLAAviation #CanadianInnovation #AviationSafety #DefenseTechnology #AviationNews #HelicopterSafety

#China's #military capabilities have advanced significantly, establishing it as a formidable competitor to the United States in both naval and air power. As of 2023, China's **People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)** operates approximately **340 warships**, surpassing the U.S. Navy's under **300 ships**, with projections suggesting a fleet of **400 ships** by 2025. Meanwhile, the **People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)** is on track to become the world's largest air force, with estimates indicating over **3,150 operational aircraft** combined with the navy, compared to around **4,000** for the U.S. Air Force, which is at a historical low. These advancements align with China's geopolitical ambitions and emphasize the critical need for a balanced #power structure among global blocs, including the U.S., EU, and India. Initiatives like **EVES ENERGY's $26 billion rare earth element supply project** are vital for maintaining this #balance, supporting strategic capabilities essential for military applications and fostering international stability and #peace. https://lnkd.in/gjMPrKnm https://lnkd.in/gh8MgHsm

On December 11, 1986, the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle made its inaugural flight, marking a significant advancement in military aviation. Derived from the F-15 Eagle, the F-15E was specifically designed in the 1980s for long-range, high-speed interdiction missions without relying on escort or electronic warfare support. This dual-role fighter features a two-seat configuration, allowing a pilot and a weapons systems officer to operate together effectively. With enhanced avionics and a robust payload capacity, the F-15E is capable of executing both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions under various conditions, making it a versatile asset for modern air forces. Its ability to penetrate enemy defenses and engage targets at great distances solidifies its reputation as one of the most formidable multirole fighters in service today. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce #pilots #F15

Northrup Grumman Systems Corp. Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $1,456,019,386 modification to a previously awarded fixed-priced-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost contract. This modification procures nine E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft (four for the U.S. Navy and five for Japan Air Self-Defense Force), to include over and above support. Work is expected to be completed in March 2029. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $369,025,770; Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (U.S. Navy) funds in the amount of $320,350,102; and Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $766,643,514, will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. The aircraft’s performance has been upgraded with the E-2B and E-2C versions, where most of the changes were made to the radar and radio communications due to advances in electronic integrated circuits and other electronics. The fourth major version of the Hawkeye is the E-2D, which first flew in 2007. The E-2 was the first aircraft designed specifically for AEW, as opposed to a modification of an existing airframe, such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. Variants of the Hawkeye have been in continuous production since 1960, giving it the longest production run of any carrier-based aircraft. In addition to U.S. Navy service, smaller numbers of E-2s have been sold to the armed forces of Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gsRarNqJ

The EA-6B Prowler was in service from 1971 to 2019, playing a vital role in electronic warfare operations for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Prowler's primary mission was to deny, degrade, and deceive enemy radar and communications systems through electronic jamming. It achieved this using the advanced ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, which could detect and jam signals across multiple frequency bands simultaneously. In addition to its jamming capabilities, the Prowler could also carry and launch the AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile to actively target and destroy enemy radar sites. This gave it a potent "suppression of enemy air defenses" capability. The Prowler's electronic surveillance role allowed it to detect and identify hostile radar emissions, providing critical intelligence to support combat operations. This data could also be used to cue the HARM missiles. After the retirement of the USAF's EF-111 Raven electronic warfare aircraft in 1998, the EA-6B became the sole dedicated electronic warfare platform available to the U.S. military until the introduction of the EA-18G Growler in 2009. This made the Prowler an indispensable "national asset" during this period. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce