New Missile Prepares for F-35 Tests

F-35C - justl.karen (flickr)

New Missile Prepares for F-35 Tests - Air Force Magazine: 

Feb. 20, 2020 | By Rachel S. Cohen


The Air Force is moving forward with its Stand-In Attack Weapon, preparing to check how it fits inside the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter this summer.

Though the service previously said the missile would fly on the B-21 as well, Air Force spokeswoman Ilka Cole said recently the F-35 is now the only USAF aircraft under consideration. Fit checks will entail wind tunnel testing and ground tests.

The weapon is based on the extended-range version of the Navy’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile in development at Northrop Grumman. Cole said missile design specifications like its range are classified.

SiAW appears to be one tool the Air Force would use to get closer to countries that keep out encroaching aircraft and to take out enemy systems that target the key assets of modern war, like GPS and other satellites. It’s designed to pursue targets that move quickly as well.

“SiAW targets include theater ballistic missile launchers, land attack and anti-ship cruise missile launchers, GPS jammers, anti-satellite systems, and integrated air defense systems,” according to Air Force budget documents.

AARGM is a supersonic missile used to destroy enemy air defenses, according to Northrop. It can “rapidly engage traditional and advanced land- and sea-based air defense threats, as well as non-radar, time-sensitive strike targets.”  The baseline version is already integrated onto the F-35.

Military testers will vet the SiAW on the F-35 in the early 2020s so it can begin regular operations by the mid-2020s. It’s expected to wield a new warhead, the design of which is slated to end in fiscal 2021.

The Air Force created the program in 2018 and requested $160.4 million for SiAW development in its 2021 budget, ramping up to $364.5 million in 2025. The request did not say how much the weapon will cost in total.


Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW)

Orbital ATK

The text of the RFI specifies that the USAF «Is looking to integrate advanced technologies in the SiAW. He SiAW it is an air-to-ground weapon designed to threaten elements located within A2 / AD environments ».

As noted by the USAF, the SiAW will take full advantage of the program AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER), developed by the US Navy and Northrop Grumman and is currently in the testing phase.

via thedrive.com

The modifications introduced in the SiAW they include the development and integration of a new warhead and a fuze capable of beating a wider set of objectives, as well as an Active Radar Guide (ARH) system and a new interface and liaison system that will allow communication between this weapon and the F-35.

El SiAW It will also have an open and modular architecture to allow the development and introduction of future improvements, so that it remains a relevant tool in the face of threats that are constantly evolving, according to the USAF.

US Navy

According to this institution, nowadays, weapons inherited from the fourth generation fighter-bomber continue to be used, which nullifies many of the advantages that the devices of later generations can offer. Source: revistaejercitos.com

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Japan reviewing deployment of missiles in East China Sea

U.S. Army Photo

Japan reviewing deployment of missiles in East China Sea - UPI.com: 

By Elizabeth Shim

Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Japan's defense ministry is considering updates to its hyper-velocity gliding projectiles, or HVGP, in response to Chinese activities near southwestern Japan.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported Tuesday Tokyo's defense ministry is mulling an upgrade to the missile capable of striking Chinese aircraft carriers.

The missile would be deployed in 2026 to defend Japan's Nansei Islands. The hyper-velocity projectile is a guided missile capable of carrying out multiple missions for different gun systems and operates under the guidance of a GPS.

The system would be ready to respond to potential invasions to the Japan-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. In a second phase of deployment in 2028, Tokyo's military would deploy even more advanced HVGPs featuring "claw-shaped payloads, enhanced speeds and firing ranges," according to the Mainichi.

Japan may be concerned about the rising presence of Chinese boats in Japanese waters and Beijing's decision to launch more aircraft carriers.

In 2019, China deployed a new aircraft carrier, the Shandong, the country's first domestically developed carrier.

The Senkaku Islands are a defense against any further enemy advance for Japan and are situated about 260 miles from Okinawa, home to a U.S. military base. Chinese state vessels have been seen in areas adjacent to the islands, according to the Mainichi.

Japan is increasing its defense budget, about $168 million for 2018 and 2019, to $227 million for fiscal 2020, at a time when Chinese aircraft carriers are restricting shore leave in response to the outbreak of the deadly new strain of coronavirus that has resulted in more than 2,600 deaths.

China's Naval News reported last week the Shandong has begun to require its crew to obtain personal permission from the carrier's captain or Political Commissar Pang Jianhong.

"That was to cut off the possible transmission outside the ship and block the virus before any infection," the Chinese navy said, according to the report.

France, Germany sign agreement to build sixth-generation fighter plane

ERIC PIERMONTGETTY IMAGES

France, Germany sign agreement to build sixth-generation fighter plane - UPI.com: 

By Ed Adamczyk

Feb. 24 (UPI) -- An agreement to advance construction of a joint advanced combat aircraft program was ceremonially signed by French and German defense ministers.

A contract for the first phase of the program to build the main aircraft of the Future Combat Air System was awarded last week. It covers the plane's propulsion system, data architecture and simulation environment, the German Defense Ministry said. Airbus, MTU, Safran and Dassault are the lead contractors.

Plans for the program include development of a Next-Generation Weapon System whose components include remote carrier vehicles known as "swarming drones" and a sixth-generation fighter plane intended to be ready by 2035 to replace current Rafales, Eurofighters and F-18 Hornet planes. The plane and drones are expected to work in tandem.

Two additional areas of work, involving the plane's sensors and stealth capabilities, remain under discussion. The cost of the first phase of the program, which is expected to take 18 months, will cost about $166 million and will be equally shared by Germany and France.

Florence Parly, the French defense minister, and her German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer ceremonially signed the agreement in Paris on Thursday.

While Spain joined the program after it was announced in 2019, and Angelo Olivares, Spain's deputy defense minister, was present at the signing, it is currently a two-nation project. Spain's contributory share remains a topic of negotiation, but it is expected to join and help pay for the project later this year.

A flying demonstrator version of the fighter plane is expected by 2026. A mockup of the plane, a shell with no internal components, was unveiled in June 2019 at the Paris Air Show.


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Hill AFB celebrates F-35's 'full warfighting capability'

An F-35A Lightning II from Hill Air Force Base’s 388th and 419th fighter wings. Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Hill AFB celebrates F-35's 'full warfighting capability' - UPI.com: 

Hill AFB, Utah, celebrated the recognition of its 388th and 419th Fighter Wings of F-35 fighter planes in reaching "Full Warfighting Capability."
By Ed Adamczyk


Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Hill AFB, Utah, celebrated the recognition its 388th and 419th Fighter Wings of F-35 fighter planes reaching "Full Warfighting Capability," the Air Force said on Monday.

The base is the first to receive the designation, and comes four and one-half years after it received its first combat-ready F-35. Approximately two planes per month have arrived at the based since.

The designation, officially reached in January, indicates that the F-35 fleet of 78 planes also has a full roster of trained pilots, maintenance personnel and support equipment. It is a step below Full Operational Capability, but is a significant milestone for an aircraft which has displayed numerous delays, cost overruns and problems in its readiness.

"Every training opportunity, exercise, and deployment we've completed over the past four years has been a key stepping stone in reaching full warfighting capability," said Col. Steven Behmer, 388th Fighter Wing commander, in January. "This is just the beginning of sustained F-35A combat operations and we will remain focused on staying ready to deploy whenever, wherever we're needed."

Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, and Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, commander of Air Force Reserve Command and chief of the Air Force Reserve, participated in the commemorative ceremony on Feb. 20.

"People said you wouldn't make it," Holmes told the gathered airmen. "People said you couldn't get it done in the time frame we set out. People said there were too many problems yet to be worked out with the airplane, and yet, pretty much on schedule, here we are. We couldn't be more proud of you and all that you've accomplished."

Scobee also offered his appreciation.

"This is an awesome day and it's an awesome accomplishment," he said. "It takes a full-functioning team to be able to accomplish something like this, and that's what has happened in these two wings. The F-35 gives the Air Force and its allies the power to dominate the multi-domain, full spectrum of warfare that we'll have to be able to do anytime, anywhere."

In 2019, Hill AFB F-35s began support of combat operations with deployments to the Middle East.


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Sources: A prototype hypersonic missile designed for the Su-57

Tom Demerly

Sources: A prototype hypersonic missile designed for the Su-57 - Army and defense industry - TASS: 

Translated by google


The rocket has not yet been tested with the carrier aircraft. Her characteristics are not disclosed

MOSCOW, February 23. / TASS /. A small-sized inboard fuselage hypersonic missile was developed for the Russian fifth-generation fighter Su-57, a prototype of ammunition was created. This was reported on Sunday by TASS sources in the military-industrial complex.

"The enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex have created a prototype of a small-sized air-to-surface hypersonic missile for intra-fuselable deployment on the Su-57 fighter," said one of the agency’s interlocutors.

Another source confirmed the creation of the prototype and clarified that "the rocket has not yet been tested with the carrier aircraft." The interlocutors did not disclose the characteristics of the latest ammunition.

TASS does not have official confirmation of the information provided by the sources.

In December 2018, another source in the defense industry told TASS that, within the framework of the state armament program for 2018-2027, the Su-57 is planned to be equipped with a missile with characteristics similar to hypersonic missiles of the Dagger airline complex, but with an inside fuselage.

Hypersound

As previously noted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia today is the only one in the world that has hypersonic weapons. In particular, according to the Ministry of Defense, the squadron of MiG-31K fighters with hypersonic missiles (the Dagger aviation complex) is on pilot combat duty in the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Vanguard strategic missile complex with winged gliding hypersonic unit has entered combat alert, a complex is being created Sea-based hypersonic cruise missile Zircon.

At present, the main criterion that makes it possible to attribute missiles or aircraft to hypersonic ones is their ability to perform a long controlled flight in the atmosphere at a speed of five or more speeds of sound.

The fifth generation fighter Su-57 is designed to destroy all types of air, ground and surface targets. The aircraft has a supersonic cruising flight speed, intra-body armament, radio-absorbing coating (stealth technology), as well as the latest complex of on-board equipment.


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Azerbaijan to buy M-346 Master jet

Wikimedia Commons

Azerbaijan to buy M-346 Master jet | Jane's 360

Gareth Jennings, London - Jane's Defence Weekly

23 February 2020

Azerbaijan is to buy an undisclosed number of Leonardo M-346 Master trainer and light attack aircraft, the country's president announced on 20 February.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov and Leonardo Executive Director Alessandro Profumo exchanged a 'declaration by agreement' between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Leonardo for the acquisition of "an integration system for M-346 aircraft", the website for the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, announced.

No details pertaining to a contract value or delivery timelines were disclosed.

In May 2017 Leonardo showcased its Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master trainer aircraft to top Azeri military officials. While the number of aircraft was also not revealed, in July 2019 Leonardo chief executive Alessandro Profumo said that his company had signed a deal for six M-346FA light attack aircraft with a major "international customer".

No customer for that deal has yet been formally disclosed, and the Azerbaijan Air Force (AzAF) and Air Defence Force is known to have a pressing requirement to augment and replace its Soviet-era MiG-29 'Fulcrum', Sukhoi Su-25 'Frogfoot', and Aero Vodochody L-39 jets. If the earlier announced deal was for Azerbaijan, then it was likely an initial order given the numbers involved. A follow-on order to cover about 50 MiG-29s, Su-25s, and L-39s in service with the AzAF would likely be placed.

The M-346 is an advanced jet trainer that comes fitted with nine hardpoints (four under each wing and one on the centreline for an optional cannon pod), the M-346 can carry a range of 'dumb' and 'smart' munitions, such as Mk 82/83/84 unguided bombs and GBU-12/16 and Opher Mk 82 guided bombs.

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Raytheon nabs $121.5M to work on Zumwalt-class destroyers

SBGrad (flickr)

Raytheon nabs $121.5M to work on Zumwalt-class destroyers - UPI.com: 

By Christen McCurdy

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Raytheon has received a $121.5 million deal for integrated logistics support and engineering services support for the Navy's guided missile destroyer, or DDG, 1000 ship class, also known as the Zumwalt destroyer, the Pentagon announced.

The deal modifies an earlier contract for support of the Zumwalt-class destroyer program.

The first in class USS Zumwalt was commissioned in 2013.

The vessel, of which three were built, is described by the Navy as a "multi-mission surface combatant designed to fulfill volume firepower and precision strike requirements."

The bulk of work on this contract will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I., and Tewksbury, Mass., with other work taking place at a variety of worksites in the United States.

Work on this contract is expected to be completed by January 2021.


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