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In the race to field the first sixth-generation fighter, the U.S. Navy is pressing ahead as the Air Force pauses its program amid concern that it’s too expensive and might not be the best answer to emerging threats. The Navy expects to award a contract for its next-generation, carrier-based fighter and expects the long-range attack jet to enter service in the 2030s, its top officer said Oct. 2. “We expect that sixth-generation platform to be able to have advanced sensors, advanced lethality, advanced range, and being able to integrate with manned and unmanned capabilities together,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti. “That’s one of the things, as we learn from the Air Force and the work they’re doing, to integrate that with what we know that we need to be able to do.” The Navy will soon decide between competitors Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. “We have three companies that have provided proposals for that and we’re actually in source selection right now,” Franchetti told reporters at a Defense Writers Group event. Franchetti’s commitment to the program, referred to as F/A-XX for now, comes as the Air Force is reevaluating its future combat jet, the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft, with a rapid analysis over the course of the next three months. Air Force leaders have indicated they would prefer a less-costly option. But making NGAD less expensive would likely mean sacrificing range and payload, which could mean opting for a single engine rather than two. Shorter range is also only possible if the Air Force also fields a stealthy Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS), the Air Force’s hoped-for future tanker concept. The Navy’s F/A-XX is meant to replace its F/A-18 Super Hornet multi-role fighters and E/A-18 Growler electronic warfare attack aircraft. It is planned to deliver greater range and possess more sensing and electronic warfare capabilities than the service’s F-35C fifth-generation fighters. The Navy is not without budget challenges of its own, however. Earlier this year it delayed roughly $1 billion in investments for F/A-XX to focus on near-term readiness—and Congress may cut the F/A-XX budget even more. But Franchetti’s comments indicate a new crewed fighter is still a Navy priority at the very moment when the outlook for the Air Force’s next-generation fighter appears to be in limbo. #Navy #NGAS #NGAD A Northrop Grumman sixth-generation fighter concept in action. (Northrop Grumman)

DARPA: tanks of the future will rely on technology instead of armor Typically, the main means of protecting tanks and other ground military equipment is multi-layer armor, but in the end such equipment turns out to be relatively slow in real combat conditions, and therefore not effective enough. Since the world is constantly developing new types of weapons designed to easily make holes even in the multi-layered armor of tanks, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) wants to find a suitable way to develop new, faster and more mobile military combat vehicles whose safety will not rely on the actual armor of these vehicles. Instead, through DARPA's Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) competition, the agency wants to find ideas for how to create a combat vehicle that relies on technology for defense. The main task and question of the competition is how to create a high-tech combat vehicle that can not rely on its armor, but rather be able to avoid a direct blow from the enemy. Among the terms of reference for the development of ideas also include reducing the number of tank crew members by at least half, as well as the creation of military equipment that, being at least twice as fast as the existing one, will be able to avoid direct collisions with the enemy. The new equipment must be ready to work in a variety of environmental conditions, which would increase the chances of avoiding detection by the enemy. The Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) competition will take place over the next 24 months, after which DARPA will select the most suitable version of the future tank in every sense, award an award to the winner, and perhaps even enter into a contract with him. If you've read the article this far please like and subscribe - it really helps the channel. Open the link to find thousands of interesting articles: https://lnkd.in/dYdAdmgE #nikolaysgeneticslessons

For every hour of flight time how many hours do you reckon a jet fighter needs doing maintenance? 🛩   The answer's longer than what you think: #F14s (the star of the original #TopGun) were the most expensive aircraft to operate in the Navy inventory. Requiring 40-60 maintenance hours per a flight. The #F18Superhornet used in #TopGun2 requires just 10-15 hours for each flight hour.   Weve all seen what happens when companies get it short cut. In 2024 the FAA Grounded 171 Boeing planes due to safety concerns leading to: 💲 $20 Billion in fines 📉 1,200 Cancelled orders leading to 💲$60 Billion in losses   Just like #Maverick in Top Gun, many companies are looking to push the boundaries of what is possible and are investing in better technology to improve maintenance. One such technology, Industry Analyst, Henry Kirkman has been writing about recently is #PrediciveAnalytics. Access the full blog in the comments. #Ifeeltheneedforspeeeeeed

Are you in need of an air weapon scoring system? Our Air Weapon Scoring System (AWSS) is designed for determination and instant feedback of the impact point of bombs, rockets, and strafing runs conducted by military aircraft. The system’s design makes it easy to use and maneuver via trailer mounted equipment and man portable units. All the equipment is deployed using the minimum of personnel.  The entire system accurately computes the real-world position of the impact and displays it to the operator, logging the point of impact and flight characteristics whilst storing the displayed data. All data is then retained for review later. A short clip of the impact video on the bomb court is also logged for future analysis of pilot skills or of the accuracy of the weapon platform/munitions. Benefits include: • Accurate impact point detection • Secure wireless transmission of data • Enables pilot to interactively train for ground attack • Utilizes real earth coordinates of impact point • Automatic scoring with manual override Learn more about our AWSS at https://lnkd.in/g7ieP7h5 For general inquiries please contact info@sydortechnologies.com #AirWeaponScoringSystem #WeaponScoringSystem #AerialWeaponScoringSystem #AWSS #PilotTraining

Known by its military designation as the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, the HMMWV is a lightweight, highly mobile, diesel-powered, four-wheel-drive tactical vehicle that uses a common chassis to carry a wide variety of military hardware ranging from machine guns to tube-launched, optically tracked, wire command-guided (TOW) anti-tank missile launchers. It must perform in a wide variety of terrain, from deserts to jungles, for long periods of time, with minimal maintenance. It has to carry its cargo and occupants in safety while dodging instruments of war — bullets, bombs and mines. Its 15 configurations (cargo/troop carriers, weapons carriers, ambulances and shelter carriers) share a common engine, chassis and transmission, with 44 interchangeable parts that are used in more than one position. That means fewer training hours are necessary for the mechanics who will maintain it. Its simplified supply, maintenance and logistics system — essentially one set of common parts for 15 configurations — means lower life-cycle costs which saves tax dollars.

Marines Tap Mack Defense for Next-Gen Medium Tactical Truck: … Medium Tactical Truck (MTT) fleet. A subsidiary of Mack Trucks, this … business—upgrading the workhorse trucks that keep the Corps … it’s nothing – these trucks are basically amphibious (just … be, that is). These trucks are rocking hybrid-electric powertrains … #truck #trucks #cars

Anything that is three years away is effectively never. In the meantime, we should continue to work on developing unmanned vessels that can extend destroyer magazines in both depth and range. When the USV is empty, simply replace it with one that is fully loaded. In this century, it doesn’t matter how many missiles a warship can carry as much as it matters how many it can control. https://lnkd.in/eaTqnwCY

#MatGroupNews 💪 On January 15, the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) Project began Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Durability (RAMD) testing on the Kongsberg Protector RS4 Remote Weapon System (RWS) at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick. Over the three weeks that follow, the RWS will be tested to demonstrate that it meets maintainability and reliability requirements. The RWS will be equipped with a C6A1 7.62mm machine gun that will be tested while stationary and while on the move against targets of varying distances and angles, simulating battle conditions. Each RWS will fire 100,000 rounds to assess the system’s overall durability. The RAMD testing process is important as it evaluates whether vehicle design and system integration meet the expected mission profile under various operational scenarios and environmental conditions.  Deliveries of the ACSV fleet to the Canadian Army have commenced and once all vehicles are delivered, it will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to provide services such as mobile repair, vehicle recovery, engineer support, command and control, and transport for its people and material. It will have eight vehicle variants that are designed from a common platform, including: command post; mobile repair team; maintenance and recovery vehicle; ambulance; electronic warfare; engineer vehicle; troop cargo vehicle; and, fitter cargo vehicle. #WellEquipped

Known by its military designation as the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, the HMMWV is a lightweight, highly mobile, diesel-powered, four-wheel-drive tactical vehicle that uses a common chassis to carry a wide variety of military hardware ranging from machine guns to tube-launched, optically tracked, wire command-guided (TOW) anti-tank missile launchers. It must perform in a wide variety of terrain, from deserts to jungles, for long periods of time, with minimal maintenance. It has to carry its cargo and occupants in safety while dodging instruments of war — bullets, bombs and mines. Its 15 configurations (cargo/troop carriers, weapons carriers, ambulances and shelter carriers) share a common engine, chassis and transmission, with 44 interchangeable parts that are used in more than one position. That means fewer training hours are necessary for the mechanics who will maintain it. Its simplified supply, maintenance and logistics system — essentially one set of common parts for 15 configurations — means lower life-cycle costs which saves tax dollars.

On 7 October 1970 , between San Francisco and Hawaii on blue water ops aboard USS Enterprise, an incident occurred during taxiing for launch. The pilot of an RA-5C Vigilante lost nose wheel steering and normal brakes, resulting in a collision with a KA-6D Intruder tanker on the No. 4 catapult. Both aircraft sustained Delta class damage in the mishap. During the taxiing process, the RA-5C went off the deck's edge, striking the rudder and vertical stabilizer of the KA-6 tanker. Deck personnel swiftly secured the Vigilante with chains and chocks, while the KA-6D was taxied clear. A fire caused by venting fuel was promptly extinguished by the deck crews using foam. Despite the intense situation, there were no injuries reported. Following the incident, a delayed recovery operation successfully brought 12 to 14 airborne aircraft back aboard the USS Enterprise. The Vigilante was defueled and lifted back onto the deck for further assessment and maintenance. In the aftermath, minor damages were observed, including bent port life raft baskets, scupper and fresh water washdown pipes, as well as sections of railing. Notably, all life rafts remained undamaged, showcasing the effective response and management of the situation by the deck personnel. #military #defense #defence #aerospace #aviation #aircraft #aircrafts #airplane #airplanes #aviationlovers #militaryaviation #militaryaircraft #fighterjet #engineering #technology #militarytechnology #defensetechnology #defenseinnovation #defenseindustry #airforce #pilots #safety #aviationsafety