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AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD) Profile picture
AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD)
@AirPowerNEW1
Old radar types never die; they just phased array! Aerospace, Defense & NatSec related content #OpenSource. Account not affiliated with government or industry
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Apr 27 • 15 tweets • 6 min read
Lockheed Martin 300 kW High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative laser. Delivered in 2023, the 300kW Laser is foundational to the initial IFPC-HEL prototypes for the Army that will be delivered in the coming month. The 300kW IFPC-HEL will be the most powerful SSLs with the US Army. Image US have a little more than 2 dozen DE (HEL & HPM) systems that have been deployed as of early 2024. There are technical & ops challenges that still need to be overcome that will take several years to work themselves out before these proliferate more broadly (100s of systems). Image
Feb 4 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
It's worth remembering that since FY19, US Army has been testing some fairly significant enhancements to PATRIOT that the systems with 🇺🇦 do not possess. The PDB-8 & PDB 8.1 (last upgs for legacy PATRIOT) are designed around envelope expansion, communication & overall system imp To advance this, last March, a US Army PDB 8.1 equipped PATRIOT Fire Unit successfully defeated a Medium Range Ballistic Missile #MRBM target (believed to be the focus of PDB 8.1) using a PAC-3 MSE. This was the 3rd operational test for the latest legacy PATRIOT configuration.
Jan 28 • 7 tweets • 4 min read
How Raytheon's NG PATRIOT sensor has evolved over time. Raytheon had initially focused on developing a #GaN AESA upg to the MPQ-65 to include newly developed rear arrays. Upon seeing formal US Army requirements for #LTAMDS, Raytheon switched to a more powerful clean sheet design.
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Image While Raytheon's decision to develop what became #GhostEye was due to the perf. requirements, Lockheed abandoned its highly innovative dual-aperture (S & X band) #ARES (📸scaled version) due to the compressed schedule choosing instead to partner with Elta on its loosing bid. Image
Jan 24 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
The U.S. Army recently completed a refurbishment effort to upgrade and extend the shelf life of nearly 1,900 #Stinger missiles that were previously deemed unserviceable, placing them back into DOD inventory. Image In the summer of 2022, the Army Acquisition Executive approved funding for PEO M&S to evaluate approximately 2,700 unserviceable Stinger missiles due to age and refurbish as many as possible to bolster the active inventory. The service managed to bring back 70% of those missiles. Image
Jan 23 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
The Navy and the DOD are boosting TLAM capacity and procurement (likely via both supplemental and budget funding) and the Navy is investing those strike missile dollars in buying larger quantities of other systems and/or developing other strike missiles and other munitions. The Navy reached out to industry to notify it on a production boost for TLAM, and the first contract to support that was awarded to Raytheon last week.
Dec 25, 2023 • 5 tweets • 3 min read
US Army & SOCOM executed a successful flight demonstration of the @anduriltech Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated Unmanned System #Altius700 on December 3, 2023 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Altius 700 has a stated range of 450+ km (when air-launched) with 2+ hrs of endurance. (US Army)

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Image The demonstration, which used a Black Hawk as the launch platform, served as a significant risk reduction event for upcoming Altius 700 test flights according to the US Army. Image
Dec 23, 2023 • 9 tweets • 3 min read
Here is some of what I would like to see before I believe we are truly committed:

🔸 4-6 PATRIOT battalions over the next 5 years

🔸4-6 SHORAD battalions over the next 5 years

🔸Assured supply of 1-2 MM 155 artillery shells/yr

🔸5 squadrons of F-16's over the next 5 years.. I realize I'm just scratching the surface with 👆. But it is going to take that level of commitment through aid, weapon transfers, loans etc to strengthen Ukraine against continued Russian aggression over the next several years. That's what its going to take.
Dec 21, 2023 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
This is a good summary. One thing to note about the Coyote Block 2+ is that its design is targeting a particular capability and not the absolute "cheapest" possible Group 2/3 defeat capability. That's reflected in its range, guidance, and other attributes. As I've tweeted previously 🧵👇, there are a dozen or more US and European OEM's who can produce something like the Coyote and be collectively cranking out tens of thousands of these a year for a fraction of its current cost. If that was the objective.

Dec 17, 2023 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
Question: Why is the US Navy not thinking of or planning to have Counter sUAS capability on its upcoming Frigate?

Answer: It is.
Add to this the fact that the Navy and the program literally asked designs to have margins for Directed Energy (High Energy Lasers) as they were rapidly maturing at the time the requirements were framed and the Navy wanted it on the class.

600kW reserved for DEW / AEW. Image
Nov 24, 2023 • 7 tweets • 4 min read
This 👇 C-sUAS focused EW and close in gun. JCO has matured and fielded several EW systems optimized for this mission and continues to invest in small and medium cal ammo and training on how to employ for force protection. Currently, the Counter small UAS equipment is fitted on dedicated C-sUAS vehicles and systems supporting forward deployed US troops and equipment. A "skinny" EW and gun package can very easily be moved out and fielded more broadly for force protection.
Nov 16, 2023 • 6 tweets • 3 min read
"#ARRW has completed multiple successful missions which are designed to systematically validate the missile’s operational end-to-end capability at hypersonic speeds – from a/c release to target impact" ~ Lockheed Martin Nov. 2023
Image "Alongside dev. & testing, the #ARRW team established a production line in parallel and conducted all production readiness reviews..This enabled all flight test hardware to be built on certified production lines, further demonstrating #ARRW is ready for LRIP" Lockheed Martin Image
Oct 9, 2023 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
US Army & the Boeing & Nammo team have set a record for longest indirect fire test of a ramjet-powered artillery projectile - firing a Ramjet 155 munition from a 58-caliber Extended Range Cannon Artillery at Yuma Proving Ground to support the US Army's #XM1155 program. #AUSA2023 Image “Our objective was to demo the ability to safely operate from #ERCA & validate performance. Both objectives were met. The team is working to deliver a superior, affordable precision strike weapon that can neutralize critical targets at long distances.”~Gil Griffin, Boeing PW Image
Aug 10, 2023 • 5 tweets • 4 min read
The additional #PATRIOT force that will be added in the coming years will not merely field additional PATRIOT FU's. These new units will be fielding Army's IAMD capability from onset. A-IAMD is a giant leap in performance over current PATRIOT & effectively a brand new system. https://t.co/OHCXIYIXZ4



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Image What does AIAMD offer that current PATRIOT does'nt? 🧵👇

🔸Multi sensors integration (C, X, S & L-band)
🔸 Ability of IBCS to fully command PATRIOT FU's even bypassing native Command & Control
🔸All PATRIOT, IFPC and future THAAD elements sharing a common Fire Control Network ..


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Jun 14, 2023 • 6 tweets • 4 min read
"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.
Jun 9, 2023 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
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
Jun 8, 2023 • 4 tweets • 3 min read
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
Jun 8, 2023 • 8 tweets • 4 min read
Repeat after me folks: "Counter S͟m͟a͟l͟l͟ UAS is a dedicated mission"
Jun 3, 2023 • 8 tweets • 6 min read
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
Jun 3, 2023 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
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
May 30, 2023 • 22 tweets • 8 min read
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
May 29, 2023 • 4 tweets • 3 min read
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. Image 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. Image