Astrion’s Post

"17 July 1989: the first Northrop B-2A Spirit, 82-1066, took off from Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, on its first flight. The crew was Northrop Chief Test Pilot Bruce J. Hinds and Colonel Richard Couch, United States Air Force. The top secret “stealth bomber” #prototype landed at Edwards Air Force Base 1 hour, 52 minutes later. After completing the flight test program, -1066 was placed in storage until 1993, awaiting upgrade to the Block 10 operational configuration. In 2000 it was again upgraded to the Block 30 standard. It is now named Spirit of America and assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit is an advanced #technology long-range heavy bomber. It can perform both tactical or strategic missions. It features extremely low radar observabilty. The bomber features the “flying wing” concept, pioneered by the #Northrop XB-35 in 1946. In addition to its “stealthy” configuration, the B-2A is also highly aerodynamically efficient. The B-2A has a crew of two pilots. According to data released by the #USAirForce, the bomber is 69 feet (21 meters) long, with a wingspan of 172 feet (52.4 meters) and height of 17 feet (5.2 meters). Its empty weight is 160,000 pounds (72.5 tons), with a maximum takeoff weight of 336,500 pounds." (to be continued in the article...) Link to the original article: https://lnkd.in/eqetgSdt #aviation #aviationindustry #aeronautics #airforce #military #army #geopolitics #defense #defence #strategy #usa #history

Innovation can break down barriers

The B-21 Raider: A Game-Changer in Modern Warfare 🚀 The B-21 Raider, developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force, is poised to redefine strategic military aviation. Here's why this stealth bomber is a significant asset: 1. **Stealth Power**: Designed to elude sophisticated air defenses, the B-21 enhances the U.S.'s ability to operate in contested airspace. 2. **Global Reach & Payload**: With its long range, the B-21 can strike globally without refueling. Its substantial payload for both conventional and nuclear weapons amplifies the U.S.'s strike capabilities. 3. **Nuclear Deterrence**: As part of the nuclear triad, it bolsters nuclear deterrence, ensuring a credible response to threats. 4. **Versatility**: Adaptability is key; the B-21 is equipped for various missions, including precision strikes, surveillance, and electronic warfare. 5. **Advanced Technology**: Incorporating cutting-edge technology, it keeps the U.S. at the forefront of military aviation. 6. **Cost-Effective**: The B-21 balances advanced capabilities with cost-effectiveness, ensuring sustainable long-term operation. 7. **Supporting Defense Industry**: Its development fosters technological growth and sustains critical skills in the aerospace and defense sectors. The B-21 Raider represents a strategic leap in the U.S. Air Force's capabilities, enhancing global power projection, maintaining nuclear deterrence, and showcasing technological prowess in an economically feasible package. #B21Raider #MilitaryInnovation #Aerospace #Defense #StategicCapabilities

In the wake of war in Ukraine and US Army's cancellation of the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), Army leadership have doubled down on support for FLRAA as Army's planned replacement for the Blackhawk. Recognition that Army's legacy force was well suited for the land wars of the last two decades, but that to remain relevant for near peer conflict in the maritime IndoPacific, Army needed greater payload at range, and speed. Skip to 30:30 mins, Bob talks about the future of battlefield lift in the IndoPacific. 

🚀 Just Published: Explore the World of Modern Air Warfare with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II ✈️ The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is more than just a fighter jet; it's a game-changer in military aviation. Dive into the cutting-edge technology, global impact, and controversies surrounding this fifth-generation marvel. Discover why the F-35 is reshaping the future of air warfare. Read the full article on Medium 🙂 #MilitaryTech #Aviation #F35 #DefenseInnovation

Aviation History...How Time Flies The first aircraft to fly over Normandy at the beginning of the June 6, 1944, invasion was a C-47 Skytrain, a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was modified for military use, including a reinforced floor, a large cargo door, and a stronger landing gear. It’s 3 crew members were; pilot, co-pilot, and navigator. The Skytrain could carry 28 paratroopers, 14 stretchers and 3 attendants or cargo. Powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines-It’s maximum speed was 224 mph. The range of the C-47 was 1,600 miles with a ceiling of 24,000 feet .

Important in particular for future defence of Northern Scandinavia: "Smith plans to focus on three priorities over his four years as commandant: the Marines; supporting Force Design 2030 modernization efforts; and “organic mobility,” or the service’s aircraft, vehicles, and vessels".

Another great article from The War Zone on the great current and future capabilities of the #F15 EX and how they are being tested! I am super excited to be a part of this program! "Proving the F-15EX’s capabilities for future missions such as manned-unmanned teaming, as a C2 or air battle manager node, or as an easily adaptable shooter of new weapons might well earn the Eagle II critical additional roles in the future construct of the USAF."

What Might Have Been: Inflight view of a conceptual U.S. Navy Lockheed F-117N Seahawk stealth strike fighter. Not long after the controversial Navy A-12 stealth attack aircraft and A/FX programs were cancelled in 1991-92, Lockheed Skunk Works proposed a several modified variants (F-117X/N) of their successful USAF F-117A Nighthawk faceted design. Critical design compromises must be carefully considered for carrier ops compatibility. Among many upgrades, horizontal stabilizers were added, wing sweep reduced from 67.5 to 42 degrees, folding wings, enlarged weapons bays, and new engines. One issue was the impact of the new configuration on the RCS compared to the original F-117A. With funding for JAST/JSF looming and after numerous DOD reviews that considered many factors, the F-117X/N proposals were not accepted. Erik Simonsen illustration 

Texas Guard BGen (Ret) Robert T. Hastings, Jr. joins the Air Power Podcast to discuss highlights from the recent Quad-A conference in Colorado, focussing on Army aviation's future plans and safety issues. https://lnkd.in/ggGbXUQz Bob joins the program at 10:50 mins. In the wake of war in Ukraine and US Army's cancellation of the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), Army leadership have doubled down on support for FLRAA as Army's planned replacement for the Blackhawk. Recognition that Army's legacy force was well suited for the land wars of the last two decades, but that to remain relevant for near peer conflict in the maritime IndoPacific, Army needed greater payload at range, and speed. Skip to 30:30 mins, Bob talks about the future of battlefield lift in the IndoPacific. Paraphrasing: 'We tend of think of this theatre being dominated by USMC and Navy, but in WWII, US Army had some 15 Divisions spread out across the Pacific. Land needs to be dominated, which is a role for Army. But with long overwater distances and lack of runways, Army is looking to FLRAA to provide relevance. Serious planning will rely on rotorcraft with extended range rings and speed. These will be just as relevant to Europe [or over the vast continent of Australia] - offering commanders options for manoeuvre over 1000s of miles - in short time, and without being locked into constant FARPs.   FLRAA with its self-deployment capability of 1300nm - and speed around 280 kts - will be valuable in the Pacific, overcoming congested logistics in island hopping and keeping up with forces on the move. FLRAA will expand the operational footprint of contemporary land operations'.