US military's top secret X-37B shuttle 'disappears' for two weeks, changes orbit. By Peter Farquhar, Technology Editor | August 25, 2010 AMATEUR astronomers are enjoying a cat-and-mouse game with the US military in keeping track of its secret space plane, the X-37B. The X-37B was launched in April amid much publicity, but scant detail about its true use. Built by Boeing's Phantom Works division, the X-37B program was originally headed by NASA. It was later turned over to the Pentagon's research and development arm and then to a secretive Air Force unit. Only a very few in the US military … [Read more...]
New Raytheon Laser Weapon System Knocks Drone Out of the Sky
At the Farnborough air show a new laser weapons system was announced that can knock drones out of the sky. The Raytheon Laser Weapons System easily dispatched four drones in tests off the coast of California. The implications are enormous, as drones are an ever increasing part of world militaries. It would be interesting to know if the same laser system can be used against ship-killer missiles to protect America's aircraft carriers from their biggest threat. Here's a Youtube video of one of the drone tests. … [Read more...]
FIM-92 Stinger low-altitude surface-to-air missile system
The Stinger missile, a full-dimensional protection weapon, is the Army's system for short-range air defense that provides the ground maneuver commander force protection against low-altitude airborne targets such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. The Stinger is launched from a number of platforms: Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle, Bradley Linebacker, Avenger (HMMWV), and helicopters as well as Man Portable Air Defense (MANPADS). httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w1Hk7XcJtY&feature=related The Stinger is a man-portable, shoulder-fired … [Read more...]
AC-130U Gunship
Under a contract awarded in 1987, Boeing manufactures and supports the AC-130U Gunship aircraft for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command. The AC-130U represents a major advancement over previous generation gunships. Existing C-130 airframes receive the latest sensor technologies and fire control systems that, together, substantially increase the gunship's combat effectiveness. The AC-130U features increased weapon stand-off range, improved first-shot accuracy, and a state-of-the-art suite of electronic and infrared countermeasures that greatly enhance the AC-130U's survivability … [Read more...]
BLU-82 Commando Vault “Daisy Cutter”
The BLU-82B/C-130 weapon system, nicknamed Commando Vault, is the high altitude delivery of a 15,000 pound bomb from a C-130. This system depends upon the accurate positioning of the aircraft by either a fixed ground radar or onboard navigation equipment. The ground radar controller or aircrew navigator as applicable, is responsible for positioning the aircraft prior to final countdown and release. Primary aircrew considerations include accurate ballistic and wind computations provided by the navigator, and precision instrument flying with strict adherence to controller instructions. The … [Read more...]
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