Air Defense Systems have already begun to think through, and integrate small, short range and highly mobile Directed Energy effectors for protecting the high value elements. See👇, where Raytheon's #HELWS is protecting a Sentinel radar via direct integration with NASAMS C2.
Even the small, relatively low-cost 10/15 kW class HELWS have a 3-4 km stand-off range against the relevant Group 1 and 2 UAS threat set. In addition to decoying, and deception they will be a great value add in adding survivability back into mobile air-defense systems.
"During the live-fire exercise, the HELWS received cues from the NASAMS FDC and used automated target cueing and a full spectrum of electro-optical/infrared sensors to track, identify and quickly take down drones at tactically relevant distances. HELWS took down 9 G-1 & 2 drones"
This also holds true for fixed and semi-fixed site defense where you don't have the ability to be constantly moving. We've already seen the 10kW HELWS forward deployed by the USAF to provide Group 1/2 defense and counter ISR capability at forward operating bases.
We often fixate on high power (50-300kW) HELWS that generally tend to support SHORAD, CRAM & CMD needs. As important as they are, the value of smaller, highly mobile/deployable cheaper & more numerous, 10-20kW class systems aimed at Counter G1/2 & LM mission cannot be overstated
HELWS utilizes modular Lithium ion based battery pack that can be scaled given platform volume and payload availability. Throwing a 15kW HELWS module on something like a JLTV would be quite a handy and easy to mass produce package for force protection and other similar roles.
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By 2030, they better hope to field C-130 deployable hypersonic strike capability utilizing in-service palletized systems. I wonder if we have anything that we've invested in that might get us there? But no, we will get more "innovation theater".
For the record, I have the same position on the Army's Mid Range Capability. The innovation theater that is the RCCTO is essentially fielding a limited land based Tomahawk force. How limited? Something like six to ten months of JASSM production worth.
The US Army continues to make progress in the EMD phase of its Sentinel A4 #AESA radar program. In addition to funding development and operational testing, the Army has requested $162 Million in its FY-2024 budget request to procure 12 AN/MPQ-64A4 Sentinel X-band radars. #GaN
The AN/MPQ-64A4 will be organic to both Army IAMD, and its Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 force. As a short-medium range sensor, it will help provide Situational Awareness, NCTR and Fire Quality tracks against FW/RW aircraft, Cruise Missiles, and the RAM threat.
The 12 AN/MPQ-64A4's requested in FY-2024 would be from the third LRIP batch for the Sentinel radar #AESA upgrade program. At its peak, the US Army expects to field 44 Sentinel A4's a year - a cadence of about 4 radar upgrades a month.
US Army has requested $800+ MM in FY24 for the Lower Tier Air & Missile Sensor #LTAMDS (AN/MPQ-65A replacement). This funding will support further development, testing & acquisition of 5 radars - 3 EOC radars for Pacific Deterrence initiative & +2 radars to support IOT&E. #GaN.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Lower Tier Air & Missile Defense sensor has begun verification testing at WSMR. The first sensor has been undergoing testing & EOC integration activities at #WSMR for quite some time. #LTAMDS will transition to developmental testing in late FY23. #GaN
This might seem ridiculous at first pass, but these are the insanely large number of high end systems you would need when you don’t have the air power required to establish Air Superiority.
"The only thing more expensive than a first-rate Air Force, is a second-rate Air Force" ~ Gen. Mark Kelly @ACC_Commander
General Kelly has been an exemplary leader of Air Combat Command and a very passionate advocate for building capacity. As he prepares to hand over the keys to the ACC, he spoke his mind on Air Power and the war in Ukraine. Well worth a listen. 👇 defaeroreport.com/2023/06/01/def…
Ditching the F35 would allow the US to invest in 17,937,000 AI-enable small and nano drones. Combined with swarming a few hundred could neutralize an entire J-20 squadron This won't happen because the DOD lacks insight into future technology & grand strategy. A short 🧵👇1/39
Did you know, DJI produces more UAV's then the rest of the world combined? 3.75 times more to be exact. Millions of those can swarm and deny the F-35 the ability to take-off / land. No problem for this 👇. 2/39
Sure these drones may only have a 2-3 lb warhead. But we can launch 30-50 at a single target. Sure they may only have a 2 hour endurance but that's easily solvable. The J-20 has absolutely no counter for this. It's amazing how much the DOD has dropped the ball on this. 3/39
Over the coming months, Epirus will deliver several #Leonidas Counter UAS systems to support the US Army's IFPC-High-Power Microwave effort. These systems will equip the 1st IFPC-HPM platoon & inform production transition. Leonidas is the world's first solid-state HPM system.
The operational prototypes that will be delivered to the Army will be the fourth gen of the Leonidas system that has been in-development at Epirus for over 3 yrs. Epirus self funded product development, product improvements, customer demonstrations & production facilitization.
One of the hallmarks of this effort has been to demo product capability, readiness, and producibility ahead of actual customer interest in creating an acquisition pathway. This strategy continues with Stryker-Leonidas which is designed to support Army's DE Maneuver SHORAD needs.