Mil News USA, Canada & Caribbean Nations Military News & Discussion Thread

[santana]

F-47 Was Born Out Of Secret X-Planes Built By Both Boeing And Lockheed​

Each firm built a demonstrator jet, one flying in 2019 and the other in 2022, that logged hundreds of hours, resulting in major program risk reduction.

We are already getting more information about the F-47’s origins. Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin built an x-plane in their quest to win the manned tactical fighter component of the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative. As we already knew, a demonstrator first flew in 2019. Now we know another one took to the skies in 2022.

F-47 Was Born Out Of Secret X-Planes Built By Both Boeing And Lockheed

Each firm built a demonstrator jet, one flying in 2019 and the other in 2022, that logged hundreds of hours, resulting in major program risk reduction.

www.twz.com

 

[santana]

Navy F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection This Week: Report​

The Navy is reportedly set to follow the Air Force’s lead and name the company chosen to develop and build its carrier-based sixth-generation fighter.

Just days after the U.S. Air Force announced that Boeing will build its next crewed stealth combat jet, now designated the F-47, the Navy looks set to confirm the choice of its own carrier-based sixth-generation fighter. The Navy’s new combat jet is often referred to as the F/A-XX and is planned to enter service in the 2030s. So far, the program has been even more secretive than the Air Force equivalent, although, as we have explored in the past, the jet will be central not only to the Navy’s future tactical aviation plans, but also to the future of the service more generally.

According to a report today from Reuters, the Navy will announce the contract award for the F/A-XX engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase “this week,” based on information the agency has received from unnamed “people familiar with the decision.” Such an announcement would come a month after Adm. James W. Kilby took up his post as the new Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). The Reuters story in question is written by the agency’s Mike Stone, who last week disclosed the imminent announcement of the Air Force’s decision on its sixth-generation fighter.

Navy F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection This Week: Report

The Navy is reportedly set to follow the Air Force’s lead and name the company chosen to develop and build its carrier-based sixth-generation fighter. The Navy is reportedly set to follow the Air Force’s lead and name the company chosen to develop and build its carrier-based sixth-generation...

www.twz.com

 

[santana]

THE F-22 RAPTOR MAY STAY IN SERVICE THROUGH THE 2040S THANKS TO THESE UPGRADES

The F-22 Raptor cost a ridiculous amount of money as it became the first fifth-generation jet fighter – one of the reasons why Lockheed Martin and Boeing discontinued production of the F-22 in 2012. There are fewer than 200 in service today, with no more on the horizon. Still, that doesn't make the F-22 a bad plane; far from it. It's a stealthy beast with impressive capabilities that make it one of, if not the, deadliest interceptors to ever take to the sky.

The F-22 Raptor May Stay In Service Through The 2040s Thanks To These Upgrades - SlashGear

Lockheed Martin stopped making the F-22 Raptor in 2012, but they're not headed for the scrap heap. These upgrades should give them two decades' more service.

www.slashgear.com

 

[haze99]

Maryland Air National Guard

A-10s begin to leave state; Some officials disagree with decision

Wednesday marked the start of the dismantling of the Maryland Air National Guard A-10 unit.

www.wbaltv.com

 

[thelistener]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Chazman]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Excellent. Anduril is definitely a company to watch.

 

[santana]

ME-11B Official Designation Of Army’s New Intelligence Gathering Business Jets​

The sensor-packed ME-11Bs will fly faster, farther, and higher than the Army's current turboprop intel aircraft and could also launch drones.

he U.S. Army has formally given the designation ME-11B to its forthcoming High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) intelligence-gathering aircraft. The modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jets will have extensive sensors suites that include the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System-2B (ASARS-2B) and could have the ability to launch drones.

Last August, the Army awarded the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) a contract valued at just under $1 billion to modify Global 6500s into the HADES configuration, as well as provide other support and services. Work under that contract was suspended until January of this year due to an ultimately unsuccessful protest by L3Harris, which had competed for the HADES deal as part of a team with Leidos and MAG Aerospace. Bombardier separately delivered the first Global 6500 for conversion in November 2024.

full story:

ME-11B Official Designation Of Army's New Intelligence Gathering Business Jets

The sensor-packed ME-11Bs will fly faster, farther, and higher than the Army's current turboprop intel aircraft and could also launch drones.

www.twz.com

 

[haze99]

USAF

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4146325/air-force-special-operations-command-accepts-the-first-missionized-oa-1k-skyrai/

 

[Mike1976]

400 more ATACMS surplus to requirements ...

https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/lockheed-martin-to-supply-u-s-army-with-400-next-gen-prsm-missiles-as-successor-to-atacms

 

[Chazman]

USAF

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4146325/air-force-special-operations-command-accepts-the-first-missionized-oa-1k-skyrai/

Interesting how it's based on a crop duster. I was secretly hoping they'd put the OV-10 back in production.

 

[Chazman]

What???

The Taliban Hands Over Bagram Air Base to the United States

In a surprising development with significant geopolitical implications, the Afghan Taliban has reportedly handed over control of Bagram Air…

medium.com

 

[Mike1976]

What???

The Taliban Hands Over Bagram Air Base to the United States

In a surprising development with significant geopolitical implications, the Afghan Taliban has reportedly handed over control of Bagram Air…

medium.com

Perhaps the Taliban has figured out that maintaining all of Joe's presents isn't going to get done through hopes and prayers.

 

[Mike1976]

Interesting how it's based on a crop duster. I was secretly hoping they'd put the OV-10 back in production.

There's only one Skyraider ...

 

[Chazman]

There's only one Skyraider ...


View attachment 524496

Yes, indeed!

 

[santana]

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Launches Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile In New Video​

The Leidos Small Cruise Missile could give AC-130s a new lease on life and enhance the combat reach and strike efficiency of other platforms.

The Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, has completed a guided flight test from an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, the weapon’s manufacturer, Leidos, confirmed. The Black Arrow, which is intended to carry a range of different payloads and not just a kinetic warhead, arrives at a time when the Pentagon is looking at harnessing the potential of lower-cost weapons that can be readily produced at scale to meet the likely demands of future conflicts.

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Launches Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile In New Video

The Leidos Small Cruise Missile could give AC-130s a new lease on life and enhance the combat reach and strike efficiency of other platforms. The Leidos Small Cruise Missile, now named Black Arrow, is being flight-tested from the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.

www.twz.com

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies