Mod. Notice Technological advances in weaponry

[Mofra]

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.

That will be the interestign bit - Australian range requirements are likely to be quite different to European raneg requirements. I'd imagine Canada's specs are closer to our in that regard.

It's probably going to be a 30+ year development timeframe for gen 6. F-16 prototypes were first flying in the 1970s! J-2 based from those, so that's the time indication of these projects.

 

[CD Xbow]

That will be the interestign bit - Australian range requirements are likely to be quite different to European raneg requirements. I'd imagine Canada's specs are closer to our in that regard.

It's probably going to be a 30+ year development timeframe for gen 6. F-16 prototypes were first flying in the 1970s! J-2 based from those, so that's the time indication of these projects.

Range, range and more range. One of the alleged designs had a big delta wing which could hold a large fuel load. You can always swap range for a larger payload over shorter distances. I presume the RAAF would be looking at it as a replacement for the SH in the mid 2030's. Hope I'm around to see it!

 

[Werewolf]

Vertical tail fins canted outwards, no tailplanes - reminiscent of the YF-23 (could be misdirection though):

Sandboxx News | Military News with Meaning—Where Expertise Meets the Front Lines.

Sandboxx News makes the complex approachable. Bridging the gap between academic expertise and practical boots-on-the-ground experience, we remove the mystery from conflict and highlight the importance of military service and deterrence-reinforcing technology.

www.sandboxx.us

 

[Mofra]

Vertical tail fins canted outwards, no tailplanes - reminiscent of the YF-23 (could be misdirection though):

Sandboxx News | Military News with Meaning—Where Expertise Meets the Front Lines.

Sandboxx News makes the complex approachable. Bridging the gap between academic expertise and practical boots-on-the-ground experience, we remove the mystery from conflict and highlight the importance of military service and deterrence-reinforcing technology.

www.sandboxx.us

I remember making a YF-23 model as a kid. I thought it looked way cooler than the YF-22.

IIRC there's a push towards delta wing designs as the extra wing space means increased fuel capacity so less need for external (stealth destroying) drop tanks.

China's Gen 5.5 prototype is rumoured to be a delta wing design.

 

[CD Xbow]

I remember making a YF-23 model as a kid. I thought it looked way cooler than the YF-22.

IIRC there's a push towards delta wing designs as the extra wing space means increased fuel capacity so less need for external (stealth destroying) drop tanks.

China's Gen 5.5 prototype is rumoured to be a delta wing design.

Yes, Deltas are back and as you say it's all about the volume. One of the PRC prototypes, the J-36 has a double delta while the smaller Shenyang craft has swept back lambda configuration. Both are tailless and it will interesting to see if a production aircraft ever results. If the images we have seen are representative of the F47 the USAF appear to be keeping a tail. The USAF may want to minimise risk a bit. Afterall, a fighter, named after Trump and built by Boeing, what could possibly go wrong?

 

[Mofra]

Yes, Deltas are back and as you say it's all about the volume. One of the PRC prototypes, the J-36 has a double delta while the smaller Shenyang craft has swept back lambda configuration. Both are tailless and it will interesting to see if a production aircraft ever results. If the images we have seen are representative of the F47 the USAF appear to be keeping a tail. The USAF may want to minimise risk a bit. Afterall, a fighter, named after Trump and built by Boeing, what could possibly go wrong?

The other question is whether the F-47 will be open market or restricted sale like the F-22.

Given countries are hesitant about US arms sales going forward the point may be moot. Especially if any joint Euro-Canadian project looks promising.

India have just purchased Rafale-M aircraft for their carrier. Turning their back on Russia. I suspect Europe will fill quite a few capacity gaps in coming years.

 

[CD Xbow]

The other question is whether the F-47 will be open market or restricted sale like the F-22.

Given countries are hesitant about US arms sales going forward the point may be moot. Especially if any joint Euro-Canadian project looks promising.

India have just purchased Rafale-M aircraft for their carrier. Turning their back on Russia. I suspect Europe will fill quite a few capacity gaps in coming years.

Trump has shot himself (and the MIC) in both feet. Not a good salesman at all.

 

[CD Xbow]

More about the Tempest '6th Gen' fighter here.

Tempest Future Fighter Aims For “Really Extreme Range,” Twice F-35 Payload

We're getting a clearer picture of what the Global Combat Air Program 'fighter' will be capable of, including acting as a flying computer server.

www.twz.com

Big bird, big payload, lots of range.
Bet the RAAF likes it.

 

[Mofra]

J-10 > Rafale?

https://www.reuters.com/world/pakistans-chinese-made-jet-brought-down-two-indian-fighter-aircraft-us-officials-2025-05-08/?utm_source=reddit.com

 

[CD Xbow]

J-10 > Rafale?

https://www.reuters.com/world/pakistans-chinese-made-jet-brought-down-two-indian-fighter-aircraft-us-officials-2025-05-08/?utm_source=reddit.com

Mofra you know it's about the system rather than the platform. The radars, the load out, the integration, the pilot, the conops, the situation etc. Until we get more details we can't draw many conclusions. About the only thing we can be pretty sure about is the PL15 is an effective BVR missile and the PRC can make decent kit.

The PAF is the known to be good, they have good equipment from the PRC and from the west. They have a pretty hefty AWACs capability with both SAAB and Chinese systems and they have spent significant resources on sensors, integration, command & control. The pilots have considerable real combat experience flying for others in the middle east as well as bagging a a few IAF craft in the past. The IAF on the other hand....

If they did destroy the Rafael 100kms inside India it's a pretty impressive feat. I think we see why India has shifted to predominately missile and drone attacks. Whether the IAF lost 3 planes or 5, it's a poor performance. When the details come out we will find IAF failings at a number of levels. I suspect a few things are likely - hubris, poor intelligence, air force ego, failure to perform SEADs properly etc.

Added - allegedly there were 100+ planes in combat at once, a big fight. It may be the first large air battle with masses of BVR missiles which will make it one for the history books. Ukraine and Russia have not really had a massed air battle.

"At a press conference today, Pakistani officials said that Chinese-made J-10 and JF-17 fighters, as well as U.S.-supplied F-16 Vipers, had taken part in the aerial fighting with Indian forces on the night of May 6-7. They also explicitly noted the employment of PL-15E missiles. Pakistani authorities claim 42 of their fighters tangled with 72 Indian jets, downing five of the opposing aircraft – three French-made Rafales, one Russian-made Su-30MKI Flanker, one Russian-made MiG-29 Fulcrum and a drone in the process."

From https://www.twz.com/air/parts-of-a-...n-relatively-intact-in-india-after-air-battle

 

[Mofra]

SK getting ahead of the next trend in the projection of naval power. We could learn these lessons too given our 2 x large LCH (equivalents).

F-35 dropped: South Korea turns to unmanned naval power

South Korea's Navy has accepted a new pivot away from its previously planned light aircraft carrier program, opting instead to pursue a multi-role unmanned command ship capable of deploying a wide array of military drones. The decision reflects the evolving

defence-blog.com

 

[CD Xbow]

SK getting ahead of the next trend in the projection of naval power. We could learn these lessons too given our 2 x large LCH (equivalents).

F-35 dropped: South Korea turns to unmanned naval power

South Korea's Navy has accepted a new pivot away from its previously planned light aircraft carrier program, opting instead to pursue a multi-role unmanned command ship capable of deploying a wide array of military drones. The decision reflects the evolving

defence-blog.com

Turks doing the same as are a few others.

USN has recently changed a purchase of F35B into F35C. With the small numbers of B's being produced the unit costs are getting higher, throw in drones and sovereignty issues, the B's may not look as attractive as they did a few years ago.

 

[CD Xbow]

Gliding UUV produced in WA getting tested by the RN. Not sure it the RAN has been involved. We seem to develop quite a lot of unmanned craft in all domains, unfortunately the ADF often don't seem to be involved or adopt them quickly.

Australian underwater AI drones could soon bolster UK naval surveillance

The drone was demonstrated at HM Naval Base Portsmouth over the weekend in front of the Royal Navy's fleet commander.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Mofra]

Interesting read

The Biggest News from India-Pakistan Air Battle: the Kill Chain

Pakistan's kill chain was likely a bigger factor in shooting down an Indian fighter than the jets' relative strengths, an expert said.

www.airandspaceforces.com

 

[CD Xbow]

Despite coming from the National Times, this article is interesting. It's not about a technology, but rather how the modern technologies have impacted the current conflicts. The new tech has come to favour the defender according to the author. He also talks about the differences between cumulative actions versus sequential actions in war with examples from current conflicts. The title of the article is very misleading.

Air Power in the Second Nuclear Age

Results from today’s battlegrounds strongly suggest that drones, AI, and other novel technologies favor the defender, with nuclear weaponry supplying a backstop in some cases.

nationalinterest.org

 

[Werewolf]

Despite coming from the National Times, this article is interesting. It's not about a technology, but rather how the modern technologies have impacted the current conflicts. The new tech has come to favour the defender according to the author. He also talks about the differences between cumulative actions versus sequential actions in war with examples from current conflicts. The title of the article is very misleading.

Air Power in the Second Nuclear Age

Results from today’s battlegrounds strongly suggest that drones, AI, and other novel technologies favor the defender, with nuclear weaponry supplying a backstop in some cases.

nationalinterest.org

Drones have ruined warfare (for now at least) - it was fine when they were just for surveillance, but lots of little flying bombs have opened Pandora's box. A big part of the reason why frontlines in the Russia-Ukraine war won't change much from now on.

If it was up to me, I'd prohibit killer drones under 100kg, but good luck enforcing such laws

 

[Mofra]

Drones have ruined warfare (for now at least) - it was fine when they were just for surveillance, but lots of little flying bombs have opened Pandora's box. A big part of the reason why frontlines in the Russia-Ukraine war won't change much from now on.

If it was up to me, I'd prohibit killer drones under 100kg, but good luck enforcing such laws

Prohibitions sadly don't work.
Cluster bombs in Ukraine, willy-pete used by the Israelis in Lebanon.

Rules of warfare only ever get enforced in peacetime.

 

[CD Xbow]

Prohibitions sadly don't work.
Cluster bombs in Ukraine, willy-pete used by the Israelis in Lebanon.

Rules of warfare only ever get enforced in peacetime.

But laser beams do!

Israel have deployed 'Iron Dome'. Interesting vid. I was a bit worried they were going to shoot the goats at the start.



Notice how long it takes to burn through the wing of the drone. They would make short work of the fibre optic cable of drones.

Israel's Iron Beam Laser Air Defense System Has Downed Enemy Drones

The high-power laser is the latest addition to Israel’s densely-layered air and missile defense array. The high-power laser is the latest addition to Israel’s multi-layered air defense array and has reportedly been used in combat.

www.twz.com

 

[Werewolf]

Prohibitions sadly don't work.
Cluster bombs in Ukraine, willy-pete used by the Israelis in Lebanon.

Rules of warfare only ever get enforced in peacetime.

It's hard enough to get nations to agree to rules and regulations, let alone paramilitary and terrorist groups.

Anti-personnel landmines are another scourge. I don't envy anyone who has to go to war, that's for sure!

That said, Ukraine put killer drones to good use yesterday. A brilliant operation and no one was killed*.

* Aside from Putin's imminent reprisals (internal and external)

 

[Werewolf]

Now for a less glamourous (but of crucial importance nonetheless) topic: Assault rifles!

My only experience with rifles has been with the F88/EF88 Steyr (a great weapon IMO), but have heard that it struggles to kill the bad guys - basically you need a headshot or multiple chest shots to kill someone with 5.56mm bullets.

So the US Army called for a rifle that packs a bigger punch to replace the M4/M16 assault rifle family. They get SIG Sauer to make a rifle (XM7) and light machine gun (XM250) that shoot 6.8mm bullets, but problems have come up:



Here's an article for those interested - naturally it took a junior officer to point out the design flaws:

Army infantry officer calls new XM7 'unfit for use as a modern service rifle'

The officer interviewed more than 150 soldiers as part of his research, which was presented at an annual Marine Corps exhibition in April.

taskandpurpose.com

I think SIG Sauer stuffed up. They should've gone with a bullpup design (which can be made ambidextrous) and a longer 16"-20" barrel, smaller cartridge and lower chamber pressure. The suppressor isn't worth having either.

 

[Mofra]

Ukraine's F-16 took down Russian fighter jet in "historic first": Report

An F-16 fighter jet given to Ukraine reportedly shot down a Russian Su-35 "Super Flanker" jet.

www.newsweek.com

This reads like the F-16 fired the Amraam 'blind' and had the AW&Cs guide the missile until the missile's own radar locked onto the Flanker.

If so, that's a massive escalation of air power if the F-16s don't need to lock onto air targets themselves. Makes whole border areas much more dangerous for Russian aircraft

 

[Mofra]

Now for a less glamourous (but of crucial importance nonetheless) topic: Assault rifles!

My only experience with rifles has been with the F88/EF88 Steyr (a great weapon IMO), but have heard that it struggles to kill the bad guys - basically you need a headshot or multiple chest shots to kill someone with 5.56mm bullets.

So the US Army called for a rifle that packs a bigger punch to replace the M4/M16 assault rifle family. They get SIG Sauer to make a rifle (XM7) and light machine gun (XM250) that shoot 6.8mm bullets, but problems have come up:



Here's an article for those interested - naturally it took a junior officer to point out the design flaws:

Army infantry officer calls new XM7 'unfit for use as a modern service rifle'

The officer interviewed more than 150 soldiers as part of his research, which was presented at an annual Marine Corps exhibition in April.

taskandpurpose.com

I think SIG Sauer stuffed up. They should've gone with a bullpup design (which can be made ambidextrous) and a longer 16"-20" barrel, smaller cartridge and lower chamber pressure. The suppressor isn't worth having either.

In the late 90s we were told that nobody had been shot by a Steyer and survived. Was quite possibly BS.

Incapacitating an enemy is arguably better anyway given the logistical challenge of live evacuation.

They are pretty easy to change to a left hander.

 

[CD Xbow]

​

I had to go to Bulgaria to find this one, a report on two MQ 28 being operated by 1 operator aboard e E-7A Wedgetail. That's about the depth of the detail.

RAAF, Boeing nail MQ-28 control from E-7A in game-changing test

Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing ace MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone control from E-7A Wedgetail in a historic test, showcasing next-gen air combat tech.

bulgarianmilitary.com

 

[CD Xbow]

​

I like this Drone mother ship concept. Hyundai Heavy Industries unveiled the new HCX-23 Plus, along with this more interesting drone carrier, equipped with 2 runways, one with a catapult.

HD HHI's Future Drone Carrier Concept at MADEX 2025 - Naval News

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries unveiled the new HCX-23 Plus drone carrier concept design at MADEX 2025.

www.navalnews.com

 

[CD Xbow]

​

SAAB have teamed up with General Atomics to offer the MQ9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian as an AWAC. The system’s sensors, derived from Saab’s Erieye radar family, are designed to detect and track a wide range of targets, from stealth aircraft to small drones, even in cluttered littoral environments. It drops the entry point to having a capable AWAC enormously. This one is going to sell like hot cakes, it's even carrier capable. There are very few fixed wing, carrier capable, AWACs around.

MQ-9B Airborne Early Warning Variant Could Fill Major Aerial Surveillance Gaps

The early warning MQ-9B is being pitched in carrier-based form to the Royal Navy, but could have wider appeal, including for land-based use.

www.twz.com