Phoenix Global Support’s Post

Retired Royal Navy Air Warfare Officer (AWO) Tom Sharpe OBE, delves into the make-up of the twelve #interceptor #missiles fired by two US Navy #ArleighBurkeClass guided missile destroyers to suppress the threat of #Iran's #Shahab3 ballistic missiles: "An Arleigh Burke destroyer has either 90 or 96 Mark 41 vertical launch cells, into which a variety of missiles can be put: various kinds of Standard Missile (SM-2s, SM-6s or SM-3s), Tomahawk cruise missiles, ASROC anti-submarine torpedo carriers and various other things. "The SM-3 is probably the interesting one here, however. Unlike all the others, it is a space weapon: it carries an Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) rather than a normal warhead. An EKV is lobbed out of the atmosphere by the launching rocket, and then, if it has been sent to the right general area of space, it can acquire a ballistic missile warhead coming towards it using its onboard telescope system. It then uses its thrusters to get exactly in the way of the warhead so that the incoming enemy weapon crashes into it and is destroyed – by its own kinetic energy, as much as that of the EKV." #AegisCombatSystem #AirDefence #BallisticMissiles #CruiseMissiles #DDGs #Defence #EasternMediterranean #IRGC #IsraelIranConflict #KineticEnergy #MiddleEast #Military #MRBM #SM3 #Space #USNavy #USSixthFleet

It's all about design envelopes or design margins in the various TPMs of a system as to the degree of flexibility which always costs $$$.

💥🙌 Raytheon has flight-tested an upgraded AMRAAM-Extended Range variant from a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces supported the variant’s maiden flight test, demonstrating its safe firing from the NASAMS launcher. It features the AIM-120 C-8’s guidance section, Nammo AS’ more robust 10-inch rocket motor, and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s 10-inch Control Actuator System, called the Norwegian Propulsion Stack. "Integrating this new technology into the AMRAAM-ER ensures the advanced capabilities of the surface-launched munition for many years to come," Raytheon Air & Space Defense Systems president Paul Ferraro said. #military #technology #militarytechnology #militarytech #innovation #defense #defence #defenseindustry #defenceindustry #raytheon #kongsberg #nammo #norway #missile #missiles #airdefense #airdefence

The #Navy and Army are working together to test this missile system. The Navy will first test launching a component based on a Sandia National Laboratories vehicle called the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) using their rocket booster. Once launched, the C-HGB can glide at speeds over 5 times the speed of sound, making it very difficult to shoot down. Here are some more details about the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (#LRHW) program, the contractors involved, and its expected performance: Contractors: Dynetics, Inc., a subsidiary of Leidos, was contracted to develop the #prototypes of the Common #Hypersonic Glide Body (#CHGB) that is the core component of the LRHW. This marks the first time a private U.S. company has built hypersonic weapons. Lockheed Martin is performing the weapon system integration for the #Army's ground-based truck-launched LRHW systems. Expected Performance: The Army's version, nicknamed "#DarkEagle", is expected to have a range of 1,725 miles (2,775 km). It will be capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 3,800 mph (6,115 kph), which is over 5 times the speed of sound. It climbs to a high atmospheric altitude where it can glide and maneuver, making it very difficult to track and intercept. This high speed and maneuverability allows it to penetrate advanced anti-air defenses. It is designed to precisely strike "high-value, time-critical" targets.

The U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Command transfers the one-of-a-kind Perimeter Acquisition Radar to the U.S. Air Force, Aug. 22, 1977. Constructed as part of the Safeguard missile defense system, the PAR phased array radar was designed to support long-range intercepts of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Originally created as an early warning radar, its role evolved under the area defense concept to provide initial target detection, discrimination and tracking for long-range Spartan intercepts. Having proven its space tracking capabilities with satellites and other space points during Safeguard testing, the PAR remained operational following the termination of the BMD system. Subsequent modifications prepared the system for new missions as the PAR Attack Characterization System and later the Space Detection and Tracking System. The PAR remains operational today as part of the Space Force. #TBT

The Navy of Singapore has selected the IAI - Israel Aerospace Industries Blue Spear missile for installation on its Formidable-class frigate fleet, which includes six ships. The Blue Spear anti-ship missiles will be installed as a replacement for the American Harpoon missiles. The Blue Spear is a 5th generation missile and has been developed in cooperation between the IAI and ST Engineering sigap from Singapore. Some years ago, Estonia selected the Blue Spear. The Blue Spear missile system is an advanced precision weapon that can operate in all weather conditions, day and night, and enables strike capabilities beyond the line of sight, against mobile and stationary targets at sea.    The missile’s maximum range is 290 km. According to IAI, Blue Spear missiles share a heritage with IAI’s Gabriel missile family system, which has been developed over many years. The Blue Spear system enables launching from several land-based platforms with flight at high sub-sonic speed. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dv8gxgAS #IAI #STEngineering #Israel #Singapore #navy #missile #BlueSpear #defence #industry #military #technology #armedforces

L3Harris Technologies’ subsidiary Aerojet Rocketdyne has successfully tested the Zeus 2 solid rocket motor. The hot-fire test took place at the company’s Camden, Arkansas site. The Zeus 2 solid rocket motor has been jointly developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. The success of this test forms another critical milestone in developing the high-performance rocket motor. Zeus 2 is intended to support hypersonic, ballistic missile defense, suborbital, and other testing for its clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). L3Harris explains that the latest test follows a similar one in 2023 for the Zeus 2’s smaller sister, the Zeus-1. That particular static-fire test saw the motor not only meet but exceed performance expectations. Nearly twice the length of its predecessor, the larger Zeus 2 also exceeded expectations for its designers. “The Zeus program is a great example of industry taking the initiative to modernize and simultaneously lower the cost of systems critical to U.S. national security,” said Ross Niebergall, President of Aerojet Rocketdyne. “We look forward to delivering these advanced large solid rocket motors and our continued partnership with Kratos to serve the needs of our defense customers.” As it stands, Aerojet Rocketdyne has a contract with Kratos to produce and deliver nine Zeus motors. These rockets are currently earmarked for inclusion in hypersonic projects like Leidos’ Expendable Hypersonic Multi-Mission called “Mayhem.” Project “Mayhem” aims to develop a hypersonic air-breathing system with a larger payload capacity than the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) for strike and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The new weapon will enhance the USAF’s capability to strike well-defended targets from a distance. #Zeus2 #Mayhem #ARRW

During the highly anticipated Eurosatory 2024 exhibition, German defense leader Rheinmetall and American defense giant Lockheed Martin will jointly unveil their latest innovation: the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS). This collaboration, initiated in 2023, combines the technological expertise of both companies to meet the increasing global demand for long-range rocket artillery solutions. Lockheed Martin, with over 50 years of rocket artillery expertise and partnerships with more than 20 countries, brings transformative technologies and precision fire solutions to the table, supporting global deterrence and 21st-century security needs. Meanwhile, Rheinmetall stands as Europe’s premier supplier of tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles, renowned for its innovative defense technologies and its commitment to global peace and security. The GMARS system features a highly adaptable 2-pod launcher capable of deploying a wide range of munitions from the MLRS Family of Munitions (MFOM). Among these are the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the Extended Range GMLRS (ER GMLRS), both known for their exceptional range and precision. Furthermore, GMARS can launch the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which boast impressive ranges of 300 km and over 400 km, respectively. Looking ahead, Rheinmetall has ambitious plans to further enhance the GMARS capabilities. Future iterations will include the ability to fire surface-launched cruise missiles with ranges exceeding 370 km and the inclusion of 122mm rockets, broadening the system’s operational versatility. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gwgD5AT7

🚀 Exciting News! SPY-7 Radar Successfully Tracks Live Space Objects Ahead of Delivery to Japan! 🌌 🔍 The U.S. and Japan, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, have achieved a groundbreaking milestone: the first live tracking demonstration of the AN/SPY-7 (V)1 solid-state radar integrated with the Aegis Weapon System. This achievement is a crucial step forward for Japan’s Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) program, dedicated to enhancing missile defense capabilities. 🛰️ During the test, conducted on March 28 at Lockheed Martin’s Production Test Center in Moorestown, New Jersey, the SPY-7 radar successfully detected and tracked an object in space. The radar then seamlessly transmitted this critical data to the combat system for further processing. 🌐 🌊 Japan plans to commission two Aegis System Equipped Vessels — one in March 2028 and another in March 2029. These cutting-edge ships will provide integrated air and missile defense capabilities, safeguarding Japan’s territorial waters and contributing to regional security. 🇯🇵🌏 🔬 The SPY-7 radar, based on the same technology as the ground-based Long Range Discrimination Radar in Alaska, strikes a balance between size and capability.

It’s TIME TO GET A GRIP AND … ADAPT & CEASE “ACQUISITION AS USUAL” …. The “traditional” aspects of U.S. Defense Acquisitions are dated, convoluted, compromising, with misaligned management, administration & contracting, producing counterproductive consequences to Policies, Programs, Processes & Procedures of the United States Government and Authorized International Governments & Agencies acquiring U.S. Defense, Dual-Purpose & Commercial technologies from U.S. Industry and Academia… Specifically, in the matter of the Boeing/Northrop-Grumman 737 AEW&C/Australian Wedgetail/Turkish Peace Eagle/South Korean Peace Eye/United Kingdom Wedgetail II Mk 1 the Research, Development, Test & Engineering (RDT&E) was accomplished beginning in 1990 as Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) Procurements, without USAF direct involvement. Added to this, since 2010, Australia, Turkey & South Korea have been successfully using their aircraft in full Full Operational Capability (with Australia setting a record “on station endurance flight of 13 hours with inflight refueling). And now the U.S. Air Force, by direction from then-Chief of Staff C.Q. Brown and facing a poor Mission Capability Rate of 40%, has launched an acquisition of the 737 AEW&C/E-7A designated platform as a “standard” U.S. Defense Procurement; dismissing the previous DCS procurements as having no relevance, are ignoring sovereign intellectual property rights of U.S. & International Industries and Governments, increasing costs with USAF-specific required for acceptance modifications to already interoperable designed & installed compatible systems and sub-systems. And, since the USAF has designated the 737 AEW&C as a U.S. designated military system all future International Procurements (including NATO or any other Alliances) will be required to be managed by USAF through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) and the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program. It will remain to be seen if the USAF will be able to meet the basic & fundamental goals of contracting their initial 26 aircraft… On Time, Within Costs And According to Spcifications. The Clock is Ticking and at this moment the U.S. Air Force is “Advancing to the Rear”…! #NATO #australia #RAAF #turkey #TUAF #korea #ROKAF #unitedkingdom #RAF #boeing #northropgrumman #boeing737 #MESA #japan #JMOD #JASDF #whitehouse #statedepartment #DDTC #departmentofdefense #DTSA #DSCA #FMS #DCS #AECA #ITAR #EAR #departmentofcommerce #BIS