AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD) Profile picture
Jun 14 6 tweets 4 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
"Developed in under a year, Stryker #Leonidas was recently field demonstrated, successfully disabling individual drone targets & swarms of drones. Leonidas’ counter-swarm effectiveness fills a pressing short range air defense (SHORAD) capability gap for the joint force." ~ Epirus ImageImageImage
Highly efficient S-S High Power Microwave systems along with HEL's are going to be vital to defend against the scores relatively inexpensive group 1-2 UAS and loitering munitions. I wouldn't be surprised if the Stryker-Leonidas is put on contract for operational prototypes soon.
The US Army is not unaware of the potential of these systems or their need. Senior Army leaders have often said that the current Maneuver SHORAD capability being fielded will feature a 2/3 kinetic to 1/3 Directed-Energy mix. The DE side will likely be split b/w HEL & HPM systems. ImageImageImage
So where are we with progress of moving these things from demonstrations to actual production and operational usage? Current Status of HPM 👇
The 50kW HEL #DEMSHORAD Program. Small steps with the first platoon serving as proof of concept of the operational prototypes but this will be a production program starting FY24/25 👇
Biggest barrier to fielding a large number of these?

Short term: production scaling.

Mid-Long term: The current acquisition system. We field AD capability over years if not decades given how long interceptor production programs last. DE systems have most of their cost upfront

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More from @AirPowerNEW1

Jun 9
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". Image
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.
Read 4 tweets
Jun 8
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 ImageImageImage
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. ImageImage
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.
Read 4 tweets
Jun 8
Repeat after me folks: "Counter S͟m͟a͟l͟l͟ UAS is a dedicated mission"
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. Image
Read 8 tweets
Jun 3
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. ImageImage
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
Read 8 tweets
Jun 3
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 Image
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…
Read 4 tweets
May 30
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 Image
Read 22 tweets

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