The U.S. currently has no direct defense against hypersonic weapons and would need to rely on deterrence against any hypersonic threats. Russia and China are currently racing to develop such hypersonic weapons. At CNBC, Amanda Macias discusses how America’s current missile defense systems are built for ballistic missiles, and how the U.S. will need new systems if it wants to detect and defeat hypersonic threats. She writes: America's top nuclear commander described a grim scenario for U.S. forces facing off against a new breed of high-speed weapons that Russia and China are developing. "We … [Read more...]
DoD: U.S. in Desperate Need of a Space Based Sensor Network
A recent Missile Defense Review from the Department of Defense lays out the importance of space-based sensors to keep up with emerging threats. Russia and China have been investing heavily in the development of advanced cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons. Hypersonic weapons are capable of reaching speeds of up to five times the speed of sound, or around 1 mile per second. These weapons would fly at the “gaps and seams” of current U.S. Missile defenses, said Tom Karako, a defense analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. The WSJ points out … [Read more...]
Did the U.S. Army Just Find its New Rifle in a Colorado Garage?
Martin Grier, of FD Munitions, a garage-based company, has created what might very well be the U.S. Army’s replacement for the M-16. Grier’s “Ribbon Gun” or L4, is a futuristic rifle that can fire 4 rounds at a time using electromagnetic actuators. The gun can shoot 250 rounds per minute and 15,000 shots per battery charge. Tim Roeder of The Gazette reports the Army has ordered a military-grade prototype to study. The Army adopted its battle rifle in 1963 and has spent 55 years looking for a replacement for the M-16 and its variants. They might have found it in Martin Grier’s Colorado … [Read more...]
This Weapon Will Stop Russian Tanks Dead in Their Tracks
Saab’s new generation anti-tank weapon, built with a mission to defend European borders, will stop main battle tanks (MBTs) dead in their tracks. The Next-Gen Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW) provides game changing technology with its two firing modes. With its Direct Attack (DA) mode the NLAW is best used for attacking soft targets such as trucks, buses, and helicopters while its Over Top Attack (OTA) mode is best used for attacking tanks from above, the most vulnerable location of a MBT. The NLAW also allows the soldier to select the distance in which the missile arms itself for complex … [Read more...]
What Syria is Teaching us about Tanks
In Syria, hard lessons are being learned about some of the world’s most powerful tanks, including the Russian T-90A and the German Leopard 2A4 (used by Turkish ground forces). The T-90A and Leopard 2A4 are both equipped with advanced defense systems like Active Protection Systems (APS) and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). Given their technological advantages, why are they being destroyed so regularly on the Syrian battlefield? The answer is that even with APSs and additional armor, these tanks are susceptible to attacks from the side, beneath, and from above. They are also vulnerable to … [Read more...]
F-35 Defeats Russian Su-57 Without Firing a Single Shot
Russia has officially announced its troubled fifth generation fighter jet program would not see mass production of the Su-57. Business insider reported back in March of 2018 that the program “desperately needed an infusion of cash from international investors”. Experts alleged that the deployment of Russia’s underdeveloped and underpowered Su-57 to Syria did little in terms of a marketing ploy. The final blow came when India pulled out of an 11-year joint project in April of 2018, leaving Russia scrambling for funds with an already taxed military budget and weak economy. India has now turned … [Read more...]
U.S. Army Developing Next-Gen M249 SAW
The U.S. Army is looking for a lighter-weight next-gen squad automatic rifle (NGSAR) to replace the 30+ year old M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Textron Systems and five other unidentified gunmakers have received contracts to develop a prototype. The prototype will combine the firepower and range of a machine gun with the precision and ergonomics of a rifle. It will have improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality. The new weapon will be lightweight and fire lightweight ammunition aimed at improving soldier mobility, survivability, and accuracy. Read more from Textron’s press … [Read more...]
New Laser Weapon Will Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar Attacks
As part of the U.S. Army’s High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL TVD) Program, Raytheon is developing a 100kW class laser. The laser will help protect the U.S. Army’s family of medium tactical vehicles. The laser, expected to cost $30 per kill on average, will reduce the cost per engagement for the Army and help counter inexpensive threats that would exhaust magazines of current defense kinetic energy weapons. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is developing a 100 kW class laser weapon system preliminary design for integration onboard the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. This is … [Read more...]
Terrorists, Meet Hellfire’s Big Brother
Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) has passed its Defense Acquisition Board review, achieving what’s known as milestone C, allowing the missile to enter low rate production. The JAGM will replace several air-launched missiles including the famed AGM-114 Hellfire, providing single configuration across many platforms. The new missile will provide precision standoff-strike capability, and will be capable of hitting high-value moving targets, both armored and unarmored, in all weather conditions. JAGM combines semi-active guidance and millimeter-wave radar into a single … [Read more...]
Lockheed to Build Newest and Most Advanced F-16
Lockheed Martin has received a contract for $1.12 billion to produce 16 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft for The Kingdom of Bahrain. Block 70 is the newest and most advanced F-16, combining numerous capabilities and structural upgrades. The jet has improved radar systems, advanced weapons capabilities, and battlespace awareness. Read the press release below from Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) received a $1.12 billion contract from the U.S. government to produce 16 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Royal Bahraini Air Force. The Undefinitized Contract Action award represents the first … [Read more...]