Don Dever’s Post

— 🇮🇷 NEW: Iran's 'Azarakhsh' short-range air defense system has been revealed Specifications and features of this defense system: - Operational range of 50 km with radar detection and 25 km with optical tracking. - The ability to carry 4 portable missiles at once. - The ability to destroy aerial targets, including helicopters and manned/unmanned aircrafts. - The ability to operate in different weather conditions.

Mikoyan MiG-31 – Mach 2.83 The Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound, the fastest active fighter jet in the world, is a supersonic interceptor renowned for its speed and long-range capabilities. Engines: Powered by two Solodiev D-30F6 afterburning turbofan engines, each producing 93 kN dry thrust and 152 kN in afterburner. Speed and Range: Capable of reaching Mach 2.83 with a cruise speed of Mach 2.35 and a range of 3000 km with additional drop tanks. Radar and Sensors: Equipped with the Zaslon S-800 PESA radar, capable of tracking 10 targets and engaging 4 simultaneously, along with an infrared search and track system. Armament: Primary armament includes Vympel R-33 AAMs and a 23mm GSh-6-23 cannon. It can also carry Kh-31 and Kh-59 anti-ship missiles and KAB-1500 bombs. Operators: Primarily used by Russia, with Kazakhstan also operating a limited number of units. The MiG-31 can carry the Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missile, enhancing its strategic capabilities. In the dynamic world of aerial combat, speed and agility are paramount. The fastest active fighter jets in 2024 showcase the pinnacle of modern aerospace engineering, combining advanced technology, powerful engines, and versatile weapon systems. These aircraft ensure that the nations operating them maintain air superiority and strategic advantage in various combat scenarios. As technology continues to evolve, these fighter jets represent the cutting edge of aerial warfare, setting the stage for future developments in military aviation.

The Pentagon lost $1 billion worth of weapons and equipment for Ukraine On January 10, 2024, a report by the inspector general of the US Department of Defense was published, which states that the department’s responsible structures do not properly monitor arms supplies to Ukraine. As a result, the Pentagon actually lost tens of thousands of combat units worth over $1 billion. As of June 2023, the United States transferred to Ukraine 10 thousand Javelin man-portable anti-tank systems, 2,500 Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems, 750 Switchblade kamikaze drones, 430 medium-range air-to-air missiles, as well as 23 thousand night vision devices. Exactly how many of these products were “lost” is not specified in the report.

Pilotless jet fighters that can fly 30 feet above the ground to their targets or straight toward a barrage of enemy missiles are being developed by the United States Air Force to help deter China. The soaring cost of existing military aircraft and advances in flying software have the Air Force pivoting toward a new generation of pilotless jets to bolster a fleet that its leaders say is the smallest and oldest since it became a separate service in 1947. The Air Force wants at least 1,000 of the mini-fighters now being developed, including hundreds within five years. They would escort and protect crewed aircraft such as the F-35 and the new B-21 bomber, carry their own weapons to attack other planes and targets on the ground and act as scouts and communications hubs in the sky. The drones, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCAs, are part of a $6 billion program. https://lnkd.in/ee67fQ_f

"So these miniature #missiles and tiny attack and reconnaissance aircraft are suddenly abundant in #warfare. ...in a wide variety of sizes, they’re #swarming over the #battlefield in Ukraine, multiplying the risks faced by valuable #targets such as #armoured vehicles, trucks, command posts, #artillery, air-defence batteries and #ammunition depots. Because they’re cheap and easy to use, little drones are weapons for terrorists, too." No good solutions defined yet. Solutions based on radar systems like the Flakpanzer #Gepard will need to find the way to avoid being detected, identified and becoming high-value targets themselves. https://lnkd.in/diZajrpy

The exact capabilities of each US military aircraft and drone system are classified information. Knowing this information could be used to plan against US defenses, so it's not publicly available. However, I can share some general information about US airpower: * The US Air Force operates a vast fleet of fighter jets, bombers, and drones. * These aircraft carry a variety of conventional weapons, including bombs, missiles, and rockets. * Modern US weaponry is known for its precision and effectiveness. * The US Air Force trains extensively for various combat scenarios, including deploying large-scale air attacks. Would you like to learn more about: * Specific types of US fighter jets or bombers (e.g., F-22 Raptor, B-52 Stratofortress) * Different types of bombs and missiles used by the US Air Force * The role of airpower in modern warfare While I can't provide specific classified details, I hope this information is helpful!

The US and EU are strengthening their military support for Ukraine, providing various air defense systems. US President Joe Biden decided to transfer another Patriot missile complex to Ukraine, the second system Washington has transferred. The system will be deployed on the front line in just a few days. Meanwhile, Estonia announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes Mistral short-range anti-aircraft missile systems and ammunition for them. The Netherlands will allocate €60M to purchase and produce drones for Ukraine. In particular, €20M will be allocated to purchasing FPV UAVs through the international drone coalition and €17.5M to purchasing marine drones, including drones made in Ukraine. In addition, the Netherlands is transferring a radar and three launchers for the Patriot system. Also, Norway has provided €240M to purchase air defense equipment and will contribute €125M to the initiative to supply Patriot missiles. The initiative will provide Ukraine with 100 Patriot interceptor missiles from Germany and its allies. https://lnkd.in/dNu2rUHb

Ukraine receives more defense support, including a Mistral air defense system and a third Patriot air defense system. Ukraine received short-range Mistral anti-aircraft missile systems and missiles for them from Estonia. The Mistral is a modern anti-aircraft missile defense system designed in France to defend against helicopters and aircraft. At the same time, Germany confirmed the arrival of the third Patriot air defense system in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Latvia has prepared its next batch of aid for Ukraine with 2,500 drones worth €4M, which will be provided gradually during July as part of the drone coalition led by Latvia. The first shipment of 300 drones will arrive in the next few days, it was confirmed in Vilnius on July 5. For this year, Latvia has allocated €20M to the drone coalition, of which more than €10M is allocated for purchasing drones from the Latvian defense industry. In April and May, 135 combat drones and EW equipment worth €1M were handed over. In addition, The Bulgarian parliament discussed the provision of €80M in aid to Ukraine before the NATO summit in Washington on June 9. https://lnkd.in/dt7sCwnX

Germany Allocates €1.2 Billion for Short-Range Air Defense Capability The German government has received approval from lawmakers to spend €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) on a new short-range air defense capability based on the Diehl Defence-made IRIS-T missile. The funding will cover the integration of short- and medium-range interceptors on the Boxer vehicle, radar, and command-and-control equipment. This initiative addresses a capability gap in protecting deployed forces against drones, missiles, and aircraft since the retirement of key air-defense platforms in the mid-2000s. The prototype of the new capability is expected to be completed by 2028. Additionally, Germany plans to purchase a cannon-based weapon, potentially Rheinmetall's Skyranger, to counter low-flying threats. #Germany #AirDefense #MilitaryTechnology #DefenseSpending

- USS Carney intercepted 14 Houthi attacks in a single day. - These types of cost exchange ratios are unsustainable and require a new approach. - Look for adversaries to try and overwhelm air defense systems with saturation attacks using low-cost platforms. - Big challenge is less expensive defensive systems that offer an adequate intercept / stand-off range. - Difficultly re-loading VLSs at sea could take key assets out of the fight to re-arm. - Potential solutions might include electronic warfare, gun-based defenses, and reusable systems. (Maybe some kind of long-range UAV that can fly out and blast enemy missiles / drones with an EMP, if this is even feasible?)