Two of the most recent consequential developments I’ve seen out of the U.S defense industry in terms of standoff weapons have been Lockheeds CMMT and Andurils Barracuda family of cruise missiles. I’d like to quickly discuss the potential impacts I think this may have on warfare.
One of the main challenges countries face is the increasing complexity and capability of adversary IADS. Most notably in Russia and China but also elsewhere as well. While likely a fair bit behind the U.S in radar and air defense networking their air defense has come along way.

2 years ago today we watched a country bravely fight for its right to exist. It’s larger and more powerful neighbor thought it would win a quick and decisive victory. But Ukrainian resolve and bravery prevailed. They rallied the world around their cause and fought fiercely. Just as they continue to do today. We now enter the third year of the war with two years already in the books. Kyiv a city that many thought would fall within 3 days stands strong entering the third year. Ukraine has proven time and time again it shouldn’t be underestimated.

Russia will likely be majorly out produced in terms of artillery production when compared with the combined capacity at the disposal of the west / NATO. That could be directed to backfill or sent to Ukraine.

Russia produces about 1.7 rounds across all calibers + refurbishment. It’s estimated only 1.1 million of this is new production for all calibers and 600,000 is refurbishment meaning those 600k rounds are already accounted for in Russian stockpiles/storage and aren’t new production. The source saying 1.7 million total for all calibers is Smotrim. Ru

Thread🧵 :The United States + just 6 of the many European artillery ammo makers will ramp up to over 2.5 million 155mm arty rounds per year. For reference this is a single country and 6 companies. (There are dozens of other company’s making artillery ammo that can go to Ukraine)1 This ramp up will represent at least a 2.5x combined ramp up from current levels for these companies.Who are already producing substantially more than they where producing pre Russian invasion.With ramp up’s I will break down how and when they will get there staring with the U.S2

I’m starting a multi thread series on artillery shell production. This will be the first of a few threads on this subject with this thread actually focusing on production the process itself rather than capacities and updates. 1/ So the first step in the U.S for example is 20ft length’s of steel arrive at the plants direct from the manufacturer. An example is pictured below at the Scranton plant. 2/

Time for an air defense thread regarding the kinzal and the capability’s of western air defense systems with these kind of targets. Pictured below is the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal which is an air launched version of the 9K720 Iskander-M ground launched ballistic missile. This missile travels at hypersonic speeds > Mach 5 for part of its flight. However it is not a modern hypersonic in the same sense as highly maneuverable hypersonics that can evade modern air defense systems ex glide maneuvering glide vehicles or ramjet/scram jet cruise missiles.