US Army Expands Competition for Short-Range Laser Defense Systems

 

The U.S. Army is broadening its evaluation of 50-kilowatt platforms as it pursues the acquisition of short-range air defense laser weapons. Despite deploying the initial four prototypes to U.S. Central Command’s area of operations, the Army is considering additional platforms to enhance its capabilities, according to a Defense News report.

Currently, three Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense systems (DE M-SHORAD) are operational in Iraq, facilitating experimentation in relevant operational environments. The fourth prototype will join them after undergoing necessary adjustments, stated Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, director of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.

While the Army originally intended to conclude the DE M-SHORAD prototyping effort and transition to Program Executive Office Missiles and Space by 2023, it has extended the timeline to fiscal year 2025 for further development.

The initial prototypes feature a 50-kilowatt laser installed on a Stryker combat vehicle, with Raytheon and Kord Technologies leading integration efforts. Two additional 50-kilowatt platforms from nLight and Lockheed Martin will be evaluated next year, offering different designs and characteristics.

The Army's evaluation process is expected to span approximately two years, gathering data from existing and new systems to inform senior leadership decisions by the late 2026 or early 2027 timeframe. Rasch emphasized the importance of maintaining competition to enhance overall performance and affordability.

While progress may seem slow, Rasch underscored the significance of operationalizing the systems to understand their lethality and reliability in real-world scenarios. The Army is investing approximately $100 million annually in this endeavor, evaluating laser options ranging from 10 to 300 kilowatts to address various threats and missions.

Through an integrated test campaign, the Army aims to collect comprehensive data on power, lethality, affordability, and reliability across directed-energy weapons. This approach will inform strategic decision-making and help optimize defense strategies against emerging threats in diverse environments, Rasch concluded.

IAF Reveals Causes Behind Accidental BrahMos Missile Launch into Pakistan

 The Indian Air Force (IAF) has publicly disclosed the reasons behind the accidental firing of a BrahMos combat missile into Pakistan in March 2022. According to a response submitted to the Delhi High Court, the IAF attributed the incident to the combat connectors of the BrahMos missile remaining connected to the junction box, leading to the unintended firing.

Sharing key findings from the Court of Inquiry conducted to investigate the incident, the IAF explained that the convoy commander overseeing the movement of a road convoy failed to ensure the safe transit by not disconnecting the combat connectors of all loaded missiles on the mobile autonomous launcher before the movement commenced.

Describing the incident as having a significant impact on India-Pakistan relations, the IAF informed the court that a decision was made to invoke the "President's pleasure" clause to terminate the services of three officials involved. This decision, unprecedented in the IAF for 23 years, was deemed necessary considering the sensitive nature of the case and its potential repercussions on national security.

The IAF clarified that conducting a court martial trial for the three officers was deemed impractical, as it would divulge sensitive information to the public domain, potentially compromising security interests. Similarly, initiating action under Section 19 of the Air Force Act, 1950, was considered unsuitable, as it could expose sensitive issues detrimental to the state's security.

The Court of Inquiry concluded that the combat crew, despite being aware of the connected combat connectors, failed to intervene to prevent the unsafe act of launching the combat missile, resulting in its inadvertent firing into a neighboring nation. This incident not only posed a potential threat to airborne and ground assets but also damaged the reputation of the Indian Air Force and the nation, incurring a financial loss to the government exchequer.

National Guard's Budgetary Wishlist Aims to Restore Fighter Jets and Expand Fleet Capacity

The National Guard has submitted a nearly $2.7 billion unfunded priorities list to Congress, seeking to restore the dozen fighter jets cut from the Air Force's original fiscal 2025 request. This wishlist also includes funds to purchase additional F-15EX Eagle IIs and F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, totaling $1.35 billion, constituting over half of the National Guard's request.

The Air Force's proposed budget for 2025 entails purchasing 42 F-35As and 18 F-15EXs, reflecting a reduction of six aircraft each from the initial projections. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall cited the need to adhere to spending caps set by Congress, leading to cuts in procurement spending and an emphasis on research and development.

Contrary to the Air Force's priorities, the National Guard's wishlist emphasizes the importance of bolstering the F-35 fleet to enhance capacity in the Indo-Pacific region and facilitate pilot training. Additionally, acquiring more F-15EXs aims to complete the establishment of combat squadrons and maximize output from the defense industrial base.

The National Guard's request also includes funding for additional conformal fuel tanks for F-15EXs, C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, and resources to support pilot training and recruitment efforts.

Argentina Secures Deal to Purchase Surplus F-16 Jets from Denmark

 Argentina has finalized an agreement to acquire 24 surplus F-16 fighter jets from Denmark as part of the latter's transition to newer F-35 aircraft. The deal was sealed during a signing ceremony in Buenos Aires, where Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri and his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen inked a letter of intent.

Denmark's decision to sell its F-16 jets to Argentina follows its donation of 19 such jets to Ukraine. The transaction, described as a "possible sale," has been conducted with close coordination with the American government, which has approved the transfer of these US-produced aircraft.

Sources within the Argentine military, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Argentina will pay approximately $320 million for the acquisition. Financing for the deal will involve loans from banks and the United States. Additionally, the agreement encompasses not only the aircraft but also includes weapon systems and other equipment from US manufacturers, with Denmark providing simulators and spare parts.

The final contract is expected to be signed by the end of April in Copenhagen. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency will oversee the transfer of weapon systems, including AIM-120 missiles, through the Foreign Military Sales program. Meanwhile, Denmark's Acquisition and Logistics Organisation will manage the transfer of surplus F-16s, while Argentina's military logistics directorate will supervise the procurement process.

Negotiations for this deal began under Argentina's previous government, exploring the possibility of procuring JF-17 fighter jets manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan. However, concerns about potential implications for US military relations led to the rejection of the JF-17 acquisition, paving the way for the purchase of F-16s from Denmark.

China's Revolutionary 'Super' AD Missile Threatens US B-21s: Expert Insights

 Amidst escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, Chinese researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking surface-to-air missile (SAM) boasting an unprecedented kill range. Published in the Chinese Language Journal of Graphics, the paper claims this SAM surpasses all existing systems with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers (about 1,240 miles).

Traditional SAMs typically have much shorter ranges, making such ultra-long-range capabilities seemingly impractical. Yet, according to the paper, this new Chinese SAM has the potential to neutralize threats like bombers and early-warning aircraft, hinting at its relevance in regional conflicts, particularly against the US Air Force and its allies.

The US has recently intensified its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, prompting China to bolster its defenses. Amidst speculation of a potential Taiwan conflict by 2027, China aims to deter external interference with advanced air defense technologies.

The new SAM, designed to be mobile and affordable, challenges conventional air defense norms. Despite skepticism from some military analysts, who doubt its immediate adoption, the missile's development signifies China's rapid progress in military technology.

Moreover, the missile's integration with China's satellite network enhances its targeting capabilities, potentially rendering stealth technologies obsolete. With its strategic implications for regional stability, this SAM represents a significant advancement in China's defense capabilities.

China's Rise: Will China Overtake the US as the World's Largest Air Force? Insights from a Top Official

 A senior US military official has suggested that China's expanding military prowess may soon lead it to surpass the United States not only as the world's largest navy but also as the world's largest air force. Navy Adm. John C. Aquilino, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, made this revelation during recent testimony on Capitol Hill, highlighting China's ambitious military modernization endeavors and their potential global implications.

Aquilino's statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee emphasized the significant number of warplanes possessed by each country's military forces, indicating China's imminent challenge to US dominance in this regard.

According to the Pentagon's 2023 report on Chinese military power, the combined strength of the PLA Air Force and Navy exceeds 3,150 aircraft, showcasing China's remarkable growth in aerial capabilities. While the US Air Force currently boasts around 4,000 non-trainer, non-drone aircraft, China's substantial increase in production capacity, particularly in advanced fighters, suggests a trajectory toward surpassing the US in air force capabilities.

However, the US Air Force faces its own challenges, including maintaining size amidst evolving threats, notably from China. Current strategies prioritize reducing airpower capacity to invest in more advanced systems for the future. This approach aims to retire outdated aircraft and procure next-generation ones, enhancing overall capability.

Nevertheless, the US Air Force's reliance on uncertain funding for future developments raises concerns about its sustainability and ability to maintain numerical superiority over China. Despite China's advancements in military aviation, perceived technological gaps exist compared to advanced US aircraft.

China's strategy involves leveraging regional missile capabilities to neutralize major US military bases, potentially undermining the deployment of advanced US warplanes. This poses challenges, particularly in conflicts over Taiwan, where the presence of fifth-generation warplanes is crucial.

Ultimately, while China's ascent in military aviation is notable, the US maintains qualitative superiority, particularly in advanced weaponry and naval capabilities. However, China's strategic advancements underscore the evolving dynamics of global power and the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in US defense strategies.

US Navy Prepares for Spring Hypersonic Weapon Test as Army Observes

 The U.S. Navy is gearing up for a significant hypersonic weapon test in the coming spring, a crucial step in a joint development initiative with the U.S. Army, as disclosed by Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, director of the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.

This impending test involves the evaluation of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) by the Navy, followed by an Army test scheduled for summer, focusing on ground-based launchers. Hypersonic weapons, capable of surpassing Mach 5 and maneuvering across various altitudes, pose challenges in detection due to their high speeds.

The upcoming Navy test primarily assesses missile performance, conducted using a test stand devoid of ground support equipment, providing insights into the missile's behavior during different stages of flight. Success in these tests will inform further decisions regarding the development of tactical rounds.

Both the Army and Navy have been diligently working on hypersonic weapon projects, with the Army collaborating with Leidos’ Dynetics to build the industrial base for the hypersonic weapon glide body. Additionally, Lockheed Martin is overseeing the weapon system integration for the Army’s mobile truck-launched capability.

Despite encountering setbacks, such as test delays and technical challenges, both services remain committed to advancing hypersonic capabilities swiftly. The Army has delivered initial hypersonic weapon capabilities to designated units, albeit without the all-up rounds, marking significant progress in the program's development.

Reflecting on the challenges faced, including aborted tests and program delays, Lt. Gen. Rasch emphasized the importance of rigorous developmental testing to ensure program success. Despite the hurdles, the speed of progress in the joint Navy-Army initiative is notable, considering the complexities involved in developing and fielding hypersonic weapons.