US Air Force to Arm C-17 Globemaster with Hypersonic Missiles: Boeing Unveils New 'Revolver' Launch System

 The US Air Force's second-largest airlifter, the C-17 Globemaster III, is set to gain significant offensive capabilities. Boeing has introduced the "Revolver" launch system, which will enable the aircraft to launch multiple hypersonic missiles from its cargo bay. This adaptation aligns with the USAF's strategy to enhance the offensive capabilities of airlifters like the C-17 and C-130J, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region where conflicts with China may arise.

The USAF's plan anticipates that cargo and tanker planes will need to provide more than logistical support in potential confrontations with powerful adversaries like Russia or China. The Revolver system is designed to integrate X-51A Waverider hypersonic cruise missiles, allowing the launch of 12 missiles using an advanced drum and electromagnetic catapult mechanism. These missiles, known for their scramjet engines, can exceed Mach 5, offering long-range precision strikes.

Originally intended for the B-52 Stratofortress, the X-51 program involved collaboration among the Air Force, DARPA, NASA, Boeing, and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. Although the X-51 was scheduled for mid-2020s service, delays have pushed back its deployment.

In 2013, the X-51A achieved a historic hypersonic flight, maintaining scramjet power for three and a half minutes at Mach 5.1. Boeing showcased the Revolver concept in a video, emphasizing its versatility and enhanced capabilities for the C-17.

The C-17, capable of transporting 102 paratroopers, 54 patients, or 85 tons of cargo, is a critical asset for global operations. With the Revolver launcher, it will also serve in missile deployment, enhancing its role in modern military logistics.

Boeing's efforts in hypersonic technology also include the DARPA Glide Breaker program, aiming to develop a hypersonic interceptor prototype. Meanwhile, China's advancements in hypersonic weaponry pose a significant challenge, with the US making substantial investments to close the gap, including a $756 million contract with Lockheed Martin for ground-based hypersonic systems.

The USAF tested a hypersonic cruise missile in the Pacific in March, demonstrating its commitment to remaining competitive. Recent exercises with the C-17 have involved loading and unloading missile cradles, illustrating its flexibility to operate from various airfields.

The Rapid Dragon project explores deploying cruise missiles from cargo planes, allowing C-17s to carry out offensive missions with minimal modifications. This approach is seen as cost-effective, providing strategic advantages by leveraging existing transport fleets.

China is wary of this capability, recognizing the difficulty in tracking cargo planes capable of launching missiles from unexpected locations. Overall, the C-17's transformation into a missile-carrying aircraft exemplifies the evolving strategies in modern warfare, with significant implications for global military dynamics.

Japan Unveils Footage of Hypersonic Missile Test for Island Defense

 

Japan has taken a significant step in bolstering its defense capabilities by successfully testing the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP). This hypersonic missile test was conducted by the Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) of Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) on March 23, 2024, in the United States. The test, which was publicly announced last week, showcased the HVGP as a “High-Speed Gliding Missile for Island Defense,” categorizing it within the boost-glide vehicle class.

The HVGP is part of Japan’s strategic effort to counter the growing hypersonic threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound and maneuvering during flight, pose a significant challenge to current missile defense systems. Japan’s HVGP is scheduled for deployment by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in the fiscal year 2026.

Development of the HVGP began in 2018, aiming for completion by 2025. However, due to escalating regional threats, mass production started early in 2023. The missile will be developed in phases, with the initial “Early Deployment Version (Block 1)” tested recently. Future versions, “Enhanced Capability Version (Block 2A)” and “Enhanced Capability Version (Block 2B),” are planned to extend the missile’s range to 2,000 km and 3,000 km, respectively, by the fiscal years 2027 and 2030.

The HVGP’s design allows it to be launched from a truck-mounted booster, with the warhead separating mid-flight to glide towards its target. This design enhances its agility and makes it difficult to intercept. The primary guidance system is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), with an inertial navigation system as a backup. Future enhancements may include radio-frequency imaging and infrared homing for engaging moving targets.

Japan has been proactively working on hypersonic standoff systems, including the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) and the HVGP, to strengthen its defense posture. Japan's defense minister, Yasukazu Hamada, has emphasized the importance of these developments in response to increasing military threats from neighboring countries. The HVGP is expected to serve as a crucial component in defending Japan’s isolated islands and maintaining regional stability.

The recent test aimed to evaluate the HVGP’s fundamental propulsion, materials, and electronic systems. Further tests are necessary to confirm the system’s full operational capabilities. The HVGP could potentially be adapted for anti-ship roles, providing a versatile defense tool against various threats. Japan's proactive steps in hypersonic missile development reflect its commitment to enhancing national security and maintaining a technological edge in the region.

Could Israel Acquire F-22 Raptors as the US Air Force Retires Them?

 

The US Air Force (USAF) plans to retire its older F-22 Raptors in 2024, deeming upgrades too costly. However, Israel, a key ally, might find value in acquiring these fifth-generation fighter jets despite upgrade expenses surpassing $2 billion. 

Unlike the widely exported F-35, the F-22 has only been operated by the US due to a 1990s Congressional ban aimed at preventing its advanced stealth technology from reaching adversaries like Russia and China.

Former President Donald Trump once considered selling the F-22 to Israel to maintain its military edge, especially after agreeing to sell F-35s to the UAE. With the USAF seeking to redirect funds from retiring Block 20 F-22s to new projects like hypersonic missile development and the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, 32 out of 185 F-22s are set for storage. Despite operational costs of $485 million annually, experts argue that transferring these aircraft to Israel would bolster US allies against threats from Iran, Russia, and China.

National security analyst Brandon J. Weichert suggests that selling F-22s to Israel could help reopen production lines, reduce costs, and sustain the jet's long-term viability. The F-22, although not designed for export, offers unparalleled capabilities, as demonstrated in exercises like Northern Edge 2006, where it achieved a 108-to-zero kill ratio against top fighter jets.

Developed under the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine stealth fighter with superior air-to-air and ground attack capabilities. Despite its high cost and certain limitations, such as a relatively short range and small weapons magazine, the F-22 remains a formidable asset. The USAF originally planned to procure 750 units but scaled down to 187 by 2009, with the last delivery in 2012.

As the USAF considers the future of its F-22 fleet, transferring some of these aircraft to Israel could ensure the US remains strategically prepared with well-armed allies, particularly amid growing global tensions.

Japan Unveils Future Destroyer with Game-Changing Electromagnetic Railgun Technology

 In October 2023, Japan achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first nation to successfully test-fire a medium-caliber maritime electromagnetic railgun from an offshore platform. Following this success, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is now considering the development of a new class of destroyers equipped with electromagnetic railguns.

The 13DDX future destroyer concept, developed by the Ministry of Defense’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), gained momentum after the successful railgun tests. In May 2024, Vice Admiral Imayoshi Shinichi, ATLA’s Director General of Naval Systems, presented the ambitious plans for the 13DDX at the Combined Naval Event 2024 in Farnborough, UK, where he discussed the future destroyer and submarine projects of the JMSDF.

According to ATLA, the 13DDX—Air Defense Destroyer will be equipped with advanced systems including Rail Guns, Active SAMs, High-Power Lasers, High-speed Maneuvering Target Detection Radar, HPM Weapons, a Fire Control Network, IPES (Downsizing Large-Capacity GEN), AI-based CDS, Autonomous Navigation, Automated Damage Control, and modular mission capabilities.

The 13DDX will also feature directed energy weapons (DEW) and a new multifunction radar optimized for detecting high-speed targets. It will incorporate elements from the JMSDF’s Asahi-class destroyers and Mogami-class frigates.

In early 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense decided to develop an electromagnetic weapon system to intercept hypersonic missiles. By 2023, ATLA successfully tested this system, marking the first maritime railgun test ever conducted. Railguns use electromagnetic energy to fire projectiles at speeds around Mach 7, targeting ships, missiles, and aircraft without the need for gunpowder or explosive propellants.

A railgun can theoretically fire a projectile the size of a bowling ball fast enough to destroy a small building over long distances. Due to their significant power requirements, railguns are typically large and not portable, though there are proposals to adapt this technology for non-weapon uses such as launching aircraft and spacecraft.

The medium-sized electromagnetic railgun prototype developed by ATLA, first seen in May 2023, can fire 40mm steel rounds weighing 320g (0.7lb). The railgun uses five megajoules (MJ) of charge energy to fire bullets at speeds around 2,230m/s (Mach 6.5). ATLA aims to eventually operate the railgun on 20 MJ of charge energy.

Japan plans to deploy the railgun both on land and at sea. Initially, the Aegis Ashore land-based system was intended to enhance ballistic missile interception capabilities, but this plan was abandoned in 2020. The development and testing of railguns come as Japan seeks to counter the threat from hypersonic weapons developed by China, North Korea, and Russia.

Admiral Shinichi emphasized the need to enhance Japan’s long-range air defense capabilities in response to the challenging security environment and growing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities of other countries.

Japan is accelerating the development of formidable firepower due to the tense geopolitical landscape in East Asia. In May 2024, Japan entered a railgun cooperation agreement with France and Germany to jointly explore and deploy this advanced technology. Meanwhile, China faced setbacks in its own electromagnetic hypersonic railgun testing.

Japan is bolstering its defense capabilities with the development of the 13DDX and its electromagnetic railgun technology, signaling a new era in naval warfare. Japan also plans to mount railguns on land-based trucks, creating a mobile defense network capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, the world will be watching Japan’s naval transformation closely.