Mod. Notice Technological advances in weaponry

[Werewolf]

Give us the StrikeMaster pls

Bushmaster missile launchers with a range of 250 kilometres could soon be in place across the Top End

The Albanese government has approved a tender process that will pit the StrikeMaster mobile missile launcher against the American-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), currently being used by Ukrainian forces.

www.abc.net.au

 

[CD Xbow]

Give us the StrikeMaster pls

Bushmaster missile launchers with a range of 250 kilometres could soon be in place across the Top End

The Albanese government has approved a tender process that will pit the StrikeMaster mobile missile launcher against the American-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), currently being used by Ukrainian forces.

www.abc.net.au

Yes, I hope they do acquire them in sufficient numbers. The Strikemaster with the NSM is analogous to a coastal defence battery of old, HIMARS is more traditional mobile rocket artillery, albeit equipped with modern precision guide munitions.

 

[CD Xbow]

HMAS Brisbane fires Australia's first Tomahawk. Back to the future, circa 1972! Still it's a long range missile, something we have never had before. The block V are networked, clever and can strike moving ships. Big jump in capability but crippled by the lack of platforms to launch them.

Australia has fired Tomahawk for the First Time - Naval News

The Royal Australian Navy successfully fired a Tomahawk Cruise Missile for the first time, making the country only the third nation to fire...

www.navalnews.com

 

[CD Xbow]

Back to the Strix! First flight, albeit a little one. I thought it 'transformed' with the motors/wings changing orientation between VTOL and normal flight, but it doesn't look like it does. I'm confused how it changes its flight profile form one to the other.

 

[CD Xbow]

The PRC have got the Yanks in a bit of a tizz by debuting 2 tailless 6th generation fighter prototypes in 24 hours. These are pretty big birds, more akin to a fighter bomber.

China Stuns With Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet’s Sudden Appearance (Updated)

This is the most advanced flying machine we have seen out of China, lacking any tails and packing stealth and long range. This is the most advanced flying machine we have seen out of China, lacking any tails and packing stealth and long range.

www.twz.com

 

[CD Xbow]

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The Liberty Lifter is a DARPA design for a combo seaplane and 'ground effect' craft, like the magnificent soviet era Ekranoplan. While the Ekranoplan could never fly as an aircraft, it did carry, in typical Russian fashion, a swag of big missiles. You can read about the Liberty Lifter at the link below, as well as another ground effect craft, the small, electric powered Seaglider.

Progress Update on U.S. Navy, Marines, DARPA, and USSOCOM Seaplanes - Naval News

Naval News recently sent inquiries to the US Navy, Marines, DARPA, and Special Operations Command for progress updates on their seaplanes programs

www.navalnews.com

In appearance the Liberty Lifter really can't compare to the Ekranoplan, which looks like something straight out of anime.

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[CD Xbow]

More about the two new tailless PLAAF fighters - the very large J36 from Chengdu and the smaller, but still large for a fighter, from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The J36 to me hits a sweet spot, a long range, supersonic, stealthy craft with large internal volume for 'stuff', a 21C version of a fighter bomber. It's about the size of an F111. Perhaps the RAAF should offer to buy some?

What China's Next Generation Stealth Jet Reveal Really Means

Deep analysis on China's new advanced tailless 'fighter' aircraft, what we know and what we don't, and their broader implications.

www.twz.com

 

[CD Xbow]

Article about our Ghost Bat, the MQ28. Sounds like testing is proceeding well. Boeing is producing 3 Block II aircraft, which have a few changes including a different shaped wing and military grade GPS.
https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/boeings-big-bet-on-australias-mq-28/161397.article

 

[CD Xbow]

A while ago it was reported the new 'nuclear-powered', X plane toting Type 041 submarine, had an incident in port at Wuchang. While no more details of the incident have emerged, naval experts now believe it may use a 'nuclear battery', a low pressure unit that generates heat and is used to charge batteries in diesel electric sub. A hybrid if you will. The reactor plays the role of an AIP system. The link below talks about this and issues with AIP.

Neither Fish nor Fowl: China’s Development of a Nuclear Battery AIP Submarine | Center for International Maritime Security

By Dr. Sarah Kirchberger and CAPT Christopher P. Carlson, USN (Ret) On September 27, 2024, news broke that a previously unreported new type of Chinese nuclear-powered submarine, dubbed the “Type 041,” had suffered a major mishap at its fitting out pier at the Wuchang shipyard in Wuhan, according...

cimsec.org

 

[CD Xbow]

The Boom Overture is a planned supersonic airliner. The demonstrator XB-1 just achieved it's first supersonic flight. The USAF have already expressed interest for a future Airforce One and for other urgent personal transport uses. If they can deliver them for 200m USD, then I expect air force folks would find a few more uses for it. Article at TWZ talks more about it.

Boom! The XB-1 Demonstrator Jet Has Gone Supersonic

Hitting the Mach 1 milestone is an important development and makes Boom Aerospace the first private company to fly a supersonic civil jet. Hitting the Mach 1 milestone is an important development and makes Boom Aerospace the first private company to fly a supersonic civil jet.

www.twz.com

​

There is no special trick the jet has, it's all incremental improvements of various tech over what the Concorde used. I must admit I am skeptical about any of their claims wrt costs. Note the Overture will have old school under-wing engine nacelles, something not seen in a western supersonic jet since the B-58 Hustler. Gives it a bit of a retro futuristic look

​

. Manufacturers site has more info:

Boom - Supersonic Passenger Airplanes

Making the World Dramatically More Accessible

boomsupersonic.com

if you are really into aircraft pr0n you can watch the entire XB-1 flight here:


Added - The Concorde was about a third bigger than Overture is planned to be. By a bit of synchronicity, the Overture is similar in range, speed and weight as te B-58

 

[Werewolf]

It appears radar stealth will become increasingly meaningless once IRST systems become widespread:

Has China figured out a way to crack F-35's stealth?

Chinese researchers claim to have identified a potential vulnerability in the jet during a study of simulated combat scenarios involving Taiwan, according to a report

www.firstpost.com

 

[CD Xbow]

It appears radar stealth will become increasingly meaningless once IRST systems become widespread:

Has China figured out a way to crack F-35's stealth?

Chinese researchers claim to have identified a potential vulnerability in the jet during a study of simulated combat scenarios involving Taiwan, according to a report

www.firstpost.com

Yes, the proliferation of IRST systems reduces the advantage of radar stealth significantly. There is no way to really to reduce significantly exhaust plume. The weird silver coatings the yanks were trialling on various fighters is claimed to be an attempt to reduce infrared signature. Reduction of radar signature is always a plus but it's advantages are definitely diminishing. I suspect the PRC claims are true but not to the degree they claim. Not sure how long a stratospheric balloon is going to last should conflict breakout over Taiwan.

 

[Werewolf]

The "Leopard 3" MBT with 130mm gun looks like going ahead, even though (1) the KF51 Panther prototype exists and (2) Germany & France are working on the MGCS which is supposed to enter service by mid-century.

Germany Kicks Off Work On Leopard 3 Main Battle Tank

Enhanced firepower, protection, and mobility are all requirements as Germany begins to look for a successor to its Leopard 2 tanks. Enhanced firepower, protection, and mobility are all requirements as Germany begins to look for a successor to its Leopard 2 tanks.

www.twz.com

Why has this come about? I thought the Leopard 2A7/A8 would be able to see off most challenges for another 20 years. Perhaps analysis of the T-90M armour has indicated frontal resistance to 120mm DM63 & DM73 rounds?

Anyway... the 130mm gun will obviously use automatic loading, but curious as to whether they'll go with a manned turret or put all 3 crew in the front hull (T-14, AbramsX) - I still haven't decided which arrangement is better!

As for technological advances, an improved active protection system with AI to deal with enemy missiles, drones and smart munitions is vital. Maybe one crew member will have to be dedicated to defensive countermeasures.

 

[CD Xbow]

​

An article in ASPI suggesting the Japanese Mogami frigates are a better choice for the RAN's light frigate. Double the VLS and 25% less crew are the primary reasons.

Mogami class offers strong technical advantages in Australia’s frigate competition | The Strategist

Japan’s Mogami class is clearly the best choice for Australia’s general-purpose frigate program. Compared with its very capable competitor, the Meko A-200 from Germany, the Mogami design needs a smaller crew, offers deeper magazines and ...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

 

[CD Xbow]

Defence Minister Marles has cracked it with the defence bureaucracy in their tardiness in choosing between the two options for our new light frigate, the expanded Morgami or the Meko200. You can read it here https://archive.is/hXPxA

Bureaucracy are not designed to move be quickly or to be innovative, this is contrary to their nature. Mostly they are designed to stop things happening and tend to struggle to make things happen, especially quickly. I think the Morgami class is the best choice, if the RAN can live with their combat system, which is not the SAAB combat system on our other boats.

Personally, if we pick a Jap boat, I'd like to see the RAN go all out, get one of the 'Space Battleship Yamato' class, that would certainly put the PLAN on the back foot.

 

[Mofra]

Yes, the proliferation of IRST systems reduces the advantage of radar stealth significantly. There is no way to really to reduce significantly exhaust plume. The weird silver coatings the yanks were trialling on various fighters is claimed to be an attempt to reduce infrared signature. Reduction of radar signature is always a plus but it's advantages are definitely diminishing. I suspect the PRC claims are true but not to the degree they claim. Not sure how long a stratospheric balloon is going to last should conflict breakout over Taiwan.

IIRC the YF-23 (the loser in the contest for F-22 contract) had it's twin tail shaped so that heat signature from a side profile was reduced significantly. 30 years ahead of it's time!

 

[CD Xbow]

IIRC the YF-23 (the loser in the contest for F-22 contract) had it's twin tail shaped so that heat signature from a side profile was reduced significantly. 30 years ahead of it's time!

Yes, it was a more innovative craft in a few ways. The F22 was the low risk option, that had it's share of problems and was very expensive. I think trend is away from expensive platforms to cheaper, more numerous platforms armed with long range missiles and drones. Range and volume/capacity will be more important, with the only the drones going within range of opponent weapons. Yes I know best laid plans and all that.

 

[Mofra]

Yes, it was a more innovative craft in a few ways. The F22 was the low risk option, that had it's share of problems and was very expensive. I think trend is away from expensive platforms to cheaper, more numerous platforms armed with long range missiles and drones. Range and volume/capacity will be more important, with the only the drones going within range of opponent weapons. Yes I know best laid plans and all that.

And 'upgradability'. From the outside, the F35A and F-35C look almost identical.
The platforms are vastly different in terms of capability and survivability though.

The US not selling F-22s to us may have saved us from ourselves.

 

[CD Xbow]

And 'upgradability'. From the outside, the F35A and F-35C look almost identical.
The platforms are vastly different in terms of capability and survivability though.

The US not selling F-22s to us may have saved us from ourselves.

Yes, it's a expensive beasty to maintain. I have a feeling design pattern of the long range, big twin fighter/bomber will return, some cheap stealth, powerful EW/ECM and 'something to do with drones'. It's a pattern that repeats with different tech through the generations. Time for the 21C iteration.

 

[CD Xbow]

Not mentioning drones in this one. Article published by ANI promoting the idea of buying the VTOL F35B for the Canberra class. This has been dismissed while we were cosily snuggled up to a predictable Uncle Sam, but the world has changed and the idea needs to be reassessed. I never thought it was a good use of scarce defence dollars but it may be the equation has changed.

RAAF’s Joint Strike Fighters and defence at sea | The Australian Naval Institute

navalinstitute.com.au

Of course the problems of cost remain as does the question of how much of the ADF resources it would take to support the effort. At the moment with our negligently small navy we would have trouble supporting an aircraft carrier ourselves. Sure it might be with the USN but we have to plan for scenarios where that can't happen. It happened once in my lifetime already, East Timor. With Mr Trump in the Whitehouse there are many scenarios where that's possible. At the moment the RAN would have to use just about all of it's current capabilities to support a carrier group. Minimum would be a Hobart, 2 Anzacs, 2 supply ships and a sub or 2. That's just about all of RAN surface ships and subs. The RAN couldn't carry out any other missions. I think that's the main stopper.

There are other issues, we are seeing the proliferation of sophisticated, long range antiship missiles in our region and........
......drones. Sorry, I really had to mention them. The survivability of any surface ship in combat against a peer competitor without US support is in question.

In these times a cheaper option if you want to do naval aviation is........
.....drones.
Damn, I said it again. A few countries have made significant inroads into deploying drones at sea. For ADF use long range is vital. So for all those reasons I don't think the numbers will add up and it will get legs in the short to medium term.

 

[CD Xbow]

JORN has it's first sale to the Canadians.

Canada announces C$6bn deal with Australia to develop Arctic radar missile-detection system

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney says deal on ‘over the horizon’ radar is part of effort to assert Canada’s sovereignty over Arctic as US priorities shift

www.theguardian.com

 

[CD Xbow]

Ghostbat (MQ28) is getting some teeth, air to air missile test due within 18 months.

Boeing cues up MQ-28A air-to-air missile test

Boeing Defence Australia is planning an air-to-air missile test from its MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft demonstrator, the company's first known attempt to introduce weapons to the uncrewed platform.

www.flightglobal.com

There was the top secret plasma weapon test carried out last year at Woomera, which sadly failed and vaporised the craft. I managed to obtain some video of the event.

View attachment mq28-secret-weapon.mp4

 

[CD Xbow]

More antiaircraft drones. LOAD is a small drone designed by Airbus to tackle drones in the Shahed class, which the Euros may have to defeat in large numbers should Mr Putin continue to be frisky. I think this design pattern will be a winner because it addresses a real problem facing western militaries, Shahed drones can be knocked up in numbers by third world countries like Russia.

Micro Missile-Slinging Drone-Killing Drone Concept Revealed By Airbus

The Airbus Low-Cost Air Defense or LOAD concept takes an existing target drone and adds small air-to-air missiles to bring down enemy UAVs. The Airbus Low-Cost Air Defense or LOAD concept takes an existing target drone and adds air-to-air missiles to bring down enemy UAVs.

www.twz.com

 

[Mofra]

This may signal trouble for the F-47, interesting nonetheless

Australia and Canada Poised to Join British-led Sixth-Gen Jet Fighter Program

Trump's “America First” policy has those foreign partners looking to other options when it comes to military hardware.

nationalinterest.org

 

[CD Xbow]

This may signal trouble for the F-47, interesting nonetheless

Australia and Canada Poised to Join British-led Sixth-Gen Jet Fighter Program

Trump's “America First” policy has those foreign partners looking to other options when it comes to military hardware.

nationalinterest.org

Yes, it will be interesting to see how it all pans out, especially wrt to cost and who partners up. I thinks it's at the expression of interest level at this stage. We have a need for a larger, longer range craft in the future, I just hope it's got 2 seats.