Foxbat-B.

This is coolbert:

"The UMPK (Unified Module for Gliding and Guidance) is a Russian guidance module used to transform 'dumb' bombs into precision-guided munitions. It is designed to be used with various types of bombs, including the FAB-500 and FAB-1500."

"Russia used rare FAB-500T aviation bombs that didn’t explode"

From https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Boyko Nikolov On Jun 30, 2024

"Last week, between June 24th and 30th, the Russian Aerospace Forces [VKS or RuAF] made headlines by deploying the rare FAB-500T aviation bombs, equipped with UMPK modules, in two separate attacks on the Kharkiv region." [bombs did not detonate. UXB]

Delivery system a MiG-25RB warplane. Reconnaissance/bomber.

[ . . . . ]

"But most importantly, the FAB-500T bomb stands out because it’s usually paired with reconnaissance and attack aircraft like the MiG-25RB, capable of reaching speeds up to 3000 km/h [about 2,000 MPH]. The 'T' in FAB-500T denotes 'heat resistant'. These bombs are designed to endure the thermal stresses associated with carrier aircraft traveling at speeds up to 3000 km/h."

Foxbat noted for being able to attain very high altitude very fast. FAB-500T heat resistant as described rather impervious to heat "stresses" as generated by a very supersonic near vertical climb.       

With regard to MiG-25RB [NATO designation Foxbat-B]:

"Single-seat reconnaissance-bomber derivative of MiG-25R, fitted with improved reconnaissance systems and a Peleng automatic bombing system. The aircraft can carry a bombload of eight 500 kg. (1,100 lb) bombs."

See previous blog entry the Russian FAB series of glide bombs.

coolbert.

Three-ton.

This is coolbert:

Russian conventional bomb modified with wings and guidance system the war-winning weapon?

1. "It blows everything away." What Russia used for the first time in the Northeast Military District zone"

"Russian aviation began using three-ton FAB-3000 aerial bombs"

Glide bomb about 2700 kg.

From ria.ru  | by Andrey Kots | 06/25/2024.

"MOSCOW, June 25 - RIA Novosti, Andrey Kots. Several videos of attacks on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions with heavy three-ton FAB-3000-M54 aerial bombs have already appeared on social networks. This weapon had not been used before. Read about what this most powerful weapon is capable of in the RIA Novosti article."

2. "Russian Glide Bombs: Cheap, Deadly and Almost Unstoppable"

From https://www.wsj.com | By Wall Street Journal | June 20, 2024.

"Russia is using cheap, highly-explosive glide bombs to devastating effect in Ukraine. WSJ explains how they work and why they are so hard to counter. Illustration: Louisa Naks"

"WSJ examines military innovation and tactics emerging around the world, breaking down the tech behind the weaponry and its potential impact."

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WITHOUT QUALIFICATION OR RESERVATION THE EMBEDDED VIDEO. EXPLAINS QUITE WELL THE GLIDE BOMB AND SIGNIFICANCE ON THE UKRAINIAN BATTLEFIELD.

Further:

3. "How Ukraine can defeat Russian glide bombs"

From https://www.c4isrnet.com | By John Hoehn and William Courtney | Jun 27, 2024.

"In recent months, Russia has terrorized Ukraine’s front-line troops and nearby cities with glide bombs. They are large, free-fall bombs with pop-out wings and satellite navigation, which operate similarly to weapons equipped with the United States’ precision-guided, aerial Joint Direct Attack Munition."

"Currently, Ukraine has few counters to glide bomb strikes."

Three methods as proposed to counter the Russian glide bomb. None of these methods easy, fraught with difficulties in all cases. Devoted readers to the blog must peruse the c4isnet article in entirety and decide for themselves suggested counter-measures Russian glide bomb feasible and do-able!

Hey! Nobody ever said any of this was going to be easy!

coolbert.

Mirage.

 This is coolbert:

"DACT is a type of training that simulates combat scenarios between aircraft of different types, allowing pilots to develop skills in engaging and defeating enemy aircraft. This training is crucial for pilots to prepare for real-world combat situations, where they may encounter aircraft with different capabilities and tactics."

If you can fly a Mirage F1 into combat you can fly a Mirage 2000 into combat?

Mercenary DACT PMC pilots respond to the call? PMC = Private military contractor.

Often for going on three years now since the start of the Ukraine Conflict I have often wondered why this has not occurred?

"Mercenaries could pilot Mirage jets provided to Ukraine, says French analyst"

From TASS ] 11 June.

"If it is a Ukrainian pilot with limited flight experience, it will be their weak point," Cyril de Lattre noted

"MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Mercenaries might be the ones flying the Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets France is going to provide Kiev with, as training Ukrainian pilots will not get the job done, French aviation expert Cyril de Lattre told TASS."

"'Nothing will change if Ukrainians pilot [the fighter jets], but skilled foreign pilots on board may complicate things. <…> I absolutely do not rule out that mercenaries may pilot [Mirage fighters] as it might have been the case with F-16s,' said de Lattre, who also specializes in geopolitics and strategy."

DACT PMC combat aviation of the Red Flag/TOPGUN variety; pilots rallying to the Ukrainian cause, hired guns, mercenaries of the skies. PMC pilots perhaps the most adept and highly trained combat aviators ready-to-go in the world?

French Mirage F1 quite often the warplane of choice as flown by PMC companies.

See previous blog entries DACT PMC:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/07/f-16-dact.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/05/dact-pmc.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/01/draken.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/10/mirage-f1.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/05/aggressor-ii.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/03/air-usa.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/05/aggressor-ii.html

coolbert.

Lambasts.

This is coolbert:

The Dutch navy in action the East China Sea? The Dutch? Nothing like this has occurred since the Dutch Golden Age and the trade monopoly the Hollander had with Japan?

"China Intercepts Dutch Chopper Near Shanghai, Lambasts Netherlands for Provocation"

https://sputnikglobe.com | 8 June 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/3njmf8kb

"People’s Liberation Army fighter jets escorted a Dutch helicopter that violated Chinese airspace under the auspice of a UN mission. Beijing warned the Netherlands to avoid such incidents in the future."

"The Dutch military has created a dangerous situation in the East China Sea after using a UN mission as a cover-up, Chinese Ministry of Defense representative Zhang Xiaogang has said."

Strange that you would find a Dutch naval vessel on active mission the East China Sea? Not hard to understand if the warship helping to enforce United Nations mandated blockade of North Korea. And this is exactly the case.

UN resolution North Korea blockade:

"The United Nations has imposed several resolutions on North Korea in response to its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, as well as its human rights violations. These resolutions have resulted in a blockade-like situation/"

See further the Dutch Golden Age:

https://tinyurl.com/mpf57tjv

coolbert.

Su-57 Felon.

This is coolbert:

Once more the Russian air force the Ukraine Conflict caught with pants down. 

Embarrassment -  humiliation - mortification.

State-of-the-art Russian stealth combat warplane Su-57 Felon gone. Warplane evidently sheltered on the tarmac hit by a drone.

"Ukraine Says it Has Destroyed an Advanced Russian Stealth Fighter"

From BREITBART LONDON | 9 Jun 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/4f9uk65u

"KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukraine on Sunday said its forces hit an ultra-modern Russian warplane stationed on an air base nearly 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the front lines, after its Western allies allowed Kyiv to use their weapons for limited strikes inside Russia."

"Kyiv´s main military intelligence service shared satellite photos it said showed the aftermath of the attack. If confirmed, it would mark Ukraine’s first known successful strike on a Su-57 fighter plane, a twin-engine stealth fighter lauded as Moscow’s most advanced military aircraft."

Go see the twitter X post with images the before and after of the attack. Personally difficult for me to pick out any details. Scratch one FELON?  https://tinyurl.com/mujmt34w

FELON too expensive and time consuming. Exists but only in small numbers. The loss of even a single FELON will not be taken lightly.

coolbert.

Motorway.

This is coolbert:

Everybody making ready. Do I need to tell you what for!! 

As was previously announced has now become an accomplishment.  https://tinyurl.com/38am5hyx

"Swiss F/A-18s Practice Highway Operations During ‘Alpha One’ Exercise"

From https://theaviationist.com | June 7, 2024 Military Aviation | STEFANO D'URSO |  https://tinyurl.com/yv48pwc6

"For the first time in three decades, the Swiss Air Force operated fighter jets from a highway, and the operations were also broadcast live on TV."

"On Jun. 5, 2024, the Swiss Air Force executed the pre-announced 'Alpha One' exercise, with four F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets landing on the A1 motorway between Payerne and Avanches. This is the first time in more than 30 years, as the last time was in 1991 when Hunters and F-5s landed on the A2 motorway near Lodrino."

"The goal of the operation was to assess the ability of the Swiss combat aircraft to operate in case airfields are unavailable or a decentralization of air defense is required."

Air defense as needed by the Swiss in case of a general war in Europe. Russia versus everyone else.

Preparations if this type I think with pretty good justification not a good sign. Expedient and dispersal air strips and an ability to continue aerial war-making capability. 

See all previous blog entries the air forces of various nations practicing highway take-off and landing:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/09/dispersal.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/05/de-nial.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/09/gripen.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/09/highway.html

coolbert.

Bastion.

This is coolbert:

Came across this one quite by accident.

Shame and embarrassment allied forces Afghan.

Not aware of this one. And believe me I am attentive to such things. For some reason it all was missed.

Taliban special operations ranger/commando/sapper troops doing big time aggravation to an American USMC air field.

Sappers: "Sappers were a type of special forces unit that originated in the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and the Viet Cong (VC). They were trained to conduct guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and raids, and were known for their expertise in explosives, booby traps, and tunnel warfare."

The VC/NVA had them. And the Taliban did too!

"September 2012 raid on Camp Bastion"

Reminds me of episodes from the era of American involvement the Second Indo-China War.

"The September 2012 raid on Camp Bastion was a Taliban raid on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan's Helmand province on the night of 14 September 2012. The base hosted British, American, Danish and Tongan military personnel at the time of the attack. The Taliban fighters killed two U.S. Marines and destroyed or severely damaged eight U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers [jump jet] and a United States Air Force C-130 [transport]."

Aftermath:

"The attack was described as 'the worst loss of U.S. airpower in a single incident since the Vietnam War'; the attack caused $200 million USD in damages. Together, the six destroyed and two damaged Harriers constituted six percent of the USMC's inventory. Normal attrition of the USMC's Harrier jets is around two airframes a year. To replace the aircraft lost in the attack, the USMC deployed 14 Harriers to Afghanistan within 36 hours of the raid. [The] entire raiding force was killed or captured."

See various Internet web sites as applicable to the topic:

https://tinyurl.com/yrx5u4ys

https://tinyurl.com/2phrzxe2

https://tinyurl.com/24ef7zvs

coolbert.

Thanh Hoa.

This is coolbert:

“At long last, after seven years, 871 sorties, tremendous expenditure in lives, 11 lost aircraft, and a bewildering array of expended munitions, the Dragon’s Jaw was finally broken.” - Walter Boyne

Speaking of the aerial bombing campaign [siege] to destroy the Thanh Hoa bridge. An episode from the Second Indo-China War.

And as an article from the Internet web site isegoria.net |  https://tinyurl.com/3jar5zmf

"One modern laser-guided bomb [2,000 pounder] was as effective against a point target as thirty Vietnam-era F-4 Phantoms dropping their entire load of bombs"

From https://www.isegoria.net | May 15th, 2024 |  

Thanh Hoa bridge damaged by repeated aerial assault for a period of SEVEN YEARS of conventional bombing damaged but never destroyed. Only the use of modern precision guided munitions [PGM] was the bridge put out-of-action.

When thinking of Thanh Hoa bridge think not so much the use of PGM but rather the protracted aerial assault a microcosm of American failure the Second Indo-China War?

From my perspective consider allied and American combat actions the Second Indo-China War other examples [to include Thanh Hoa] representative of a war effort ultimately ending in USA futility:        

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ap_Bac

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ia_Drang

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanh_H%C3%B3a_Bridge

coolbert.

Alpha.

This is coolbert:

You must crawl before you can walk and you must walk before you can run! 

Sounds to me that this is DACT style combat training, practicing for aerial dog-fighting the skies over Ukraine.

"Ukrainian Pilots Currently Training On French Air Force Alpha Jet Trainers"

From https://theaviationist.com | by Parth Satam | May 21, 2024 | https://tinyurl.com/47nms72t

"Ukrainian pilots are being imparted the basics of aerial combat as part of the training in anticipation of the arrival of the F-16 in Ukraine. But it will take some time before they will be able to fly and fight in a 'Viper'." 

"The run-up to the declared arrival of F-16s in Ukraine is seeing considerable preparation. Ukrainian pilots, with different degree of background and flying experience, are at various stages of training, both in the U.S. and in Europe."

I cannot help but notice that the Dornier German version of the Alpha jet trainer has an ORGANIC on demand combat load. Can fight as ground attack warplane if called upon for such a mission.  https://tinyurl.com/3u6j356r

Handling of the Alpha jet similar to the F-16 Viper? I cannot say. "Multi-role capabilities: The F-16 Viper can perform air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and reconnaissance missions."

Good luck Ukrainian aviators!

coolbert.

Grounded.

This is coolbert:

One thing, two thing, a whole bunch of thing. F-35 delivery of the latest and greatest block Lightning warplanes DELAYED for at least a year.

"Alarming news for F-35 users: unforeseen one-year delay looms ahead"

https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Alexey Lenkov | May 20, 2024.  https://tinyurl.com/bwabh4t4

"The delivery of F-35 fighter jets is on hold and may take up to a year to resume, according to a recent Government Accountability Office [GAO] report. Lockheed Martin has about 80 F-35 jets ready for delivery since last fall. These jets have the new Tech Refresh 3 [TR-3] computer upgrade, which is still being tested. Because of this, the government hasn’t accepted any jets yet, and they remain parked. For security reasons, the number and location of these jets are not disclosed."

Parked but not parked without movement from time to time I would like to believe. Otherwise the aircraft tires going to go flat on the first landing!

Devoted readers to the blog please be aware I am not able to post hyperlinks with color code in the usual manner. Until Blogger comes up with a fix this will regrettably continue.

coolbert.

Humble.

This is coolbert:

"This is a pretty humiliating way. You need to contact those to whom you sold this, offer money that can be more than the same parties paid Russia, and promise some other things. All in order to urgently get what is needed. All this, to put it mildly, testifies to the problems of " 

The normally proud Russian humbled with loss-of-face?

"In two years of the war, the manufacturer [Irkut] Su-30 returned military equipment from abroad to almost $ USD 500 million"

From https://www.moscowtimes.ru | 05/07/2024.

All this began before the SMO of 2022. Russians surely aware something drastic was going to occur.

"Aircraft manufacturer « Irkut » in 2022 – 2023 acquired from their foreign partners previously delivered military equipment for almost half a billion dollars, found out The Moscow Times, analyzing the data of Russian customs statistics. Similar transactions began back in 2021, and over the past three years their total amount has exceeded $ 900 million."

"Irkut, which was renamed Yakovlev last summer, is part of the United Aircraft Corporation Rosteha  and produces multi-purpose fighters Su-30 and Yak-130 combat training aircraft, as well as civilian liners SSJ-100, MS-21, Tu-214, Il-96, Il-114."

We have to be 100 % clear of what is occurring here. The manufacture of new Su-30 war planes  [Flanker-C/G/H)] apparently impeded by a lack of parts. The Russian [again the normally proud Russian] having to buy aviation parts [either aircraft in whole or sub-assemblies thereof as needed] from foreign militaries to alleviate shortages for which there appears to be no reasonable remedy.

Off-hand I think of one instance where the USA had to do something similar. M-14 rifles as had been sold to the armies of foreign nations. The M-14 back into the USA inventory to be converted as an expedient squad-level DMR [Dedicated Marksmanship Rifle]. 

coolbert.

Electrons.

This is coolbert:

SR-71 stealth. To war with charged particles!

"Two giant electron guns were to be mounted on either side of the aircraft"

As seen at https://www.isegoria.net | May 7th, 2024.

"Area 51 by Annie Jacobsen The phenomenally low radar cross section on the Oxcart (proto-SR-71), Annie Jacobsen explains (in Area 51), had to be lowered even further"

Radar cross signature of the SR-71 indeed lowered:

"'Two giant electron guns were to be mounted on either side of the aircraft,' . . . the purpose of the guns would be 'to shoot out a twenty-five-foot-wide ion cloud of highly charged particles in front of the plane as it flew over denied territory.' That gaseous cloud . . . would further absorb radar waves coming up from radar tracking stations on the ground."

But according to Quora the idea had an overwhelming flaw:

"Testing on scale models of the Oxcart aircraft showed the theory would work. Testing the electron beam guns on the full scale Oxcart aircraft, the researchers soon discovered the radiation given off by the guns would kill the pilot. So more engineers worked on developing an x-ray shield the pilots could wear to protect them from the radiation. But the first test pilot to wear the shield said it was too cumbersome to allow the pilots to fly the aircraft. Project Kemper-Lacroix was abandoned."

At least to my knowledge the SR-71 reconnaissance warplane relied MORE on SPEED and flying at a HIGH-ALTITUDE for survival more than anything else.

SR-71 too as originally envisioned as a manned bomber aircraft. A role that never materialized.

coolbert.

X-62A.

This is coolbert: 

“The potential for autonomous air-to-air combat has been imaginable for decades, but the reality has remained a distant dream up until now. In 2023, the X-62A broke one of the most significant barriers in combat aviation. This is a transformational moment, all made possible by breakthrough accomplishments of the ACE team,” - Kendall.

As was promised has now been done. 

"AF [Air Force] Secretary Kendall Flies In AI-Controlled X-62 VISTA at Edwards AFB"

Bully for this Kendall. Bully for him!

Bully: "worthy, jolly, admirable" [in the archaic sense of the word]

From Aviationist | May 3, 2024 DAVID CENCIOTTI.

"Secretary of the Air Force flew aboard the X-62A VISTA to gain a firsthand experience of this unique aircraft. The X-62A VISTA integrates machine learning and specialized software to explore autonomous flight capabilities and other advanced technologies."

"On May 2, 2024, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall flew in the front seat of the X-62A VISTA. The purpose of the flight was 'to experience firsthand the unique aircraft, which incorporates machine learning and highly specialized software to test autonomous flying and other cutting-edge capabilities.'”

I am first glad the test with Kendall onboard went so well. Secondly I would strongly recommend and suggest that all parties BEWARE the SKYNET! This X-62 is not just a drone but a thinking thing with a mind of it's own, even at a relatively primitive stage perhaps to the human intellect!

See the previous blog entry the test of the X-62 as anticipated:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/04/testing-1-2-3.html

coolbert.

Undetectable!

This is coolbert:

Look-down shoot-down. The Ukraine Conflict.

AWACS for the Ukrainian? What next? AWACS = airborne early warning and control (AEW&C)

 Ukrainian ability to intercept and shoot-down low-flying stealth Russian cruise missiles very scant to non-existent. Now a dire necessity.

Thanks here to an extract from the first paragraph of a Strategy Page article.

"ARTILLERY: Russian Kh-69 For Never Cruise Missile"

Russian Kh-69 stealth cruise missiles used the Ukraine Conflict the Ukrainian having no counter.

"April 28, 2024: Russia is trying to perfect its Kh-69 stealthy cruise missile, which is an upgrade of the older Kh-59. Kh-69 was still in development throughout 2023, then in April 2024 six of these missiles, launched from a Russian fighter-bomber, were used to destroy a Ukrainian power plant. Ukrainian air defense systems did not detect the incoming Kh-69s because they were launched from Russian aircraft that were on the Russian side of the Ukrainian border and, when the missiles entered Ukraine, they were low to the ground and virtually undetectable by Ukrainian ground radar. It would take an aircraft based ground surveillance radar, like the one carried by the Americans AWACS aircraft, to spot incoming Kh-69s. Ukraine doesn’t have any AWACS but NATO has fourteen of them and the United States has 31. There are dozens of smaller AWACS-type aircraft produced by other countries, such as Sweden, based on twin-engine business jets. NATO or the United States could provide Ukraine with some AWACS but Ukraine would have to supply jet fighters to protect the AWACS against potentially aggressive and possibly effective efforts to shoot them down."

Comments:

* First obtain three or four of whatever type AWACS already up and flying and operational. Source not so relevant.

* Train the ground crews and those manning the electronic radar and associated apparatus.

* Train the flight crews. Those that actually fly the warplane.

* Provide protection from Russian air-launched air to air missile of the R-37 variety.

* A minimum of about $1 billion USD to get the entire paraphernalia/impedimenta up and going with success. Sustain also.

Needed now but only an item[s] that can be accomplished in the far-off future and not the near future I fear.

Foreign interventionism I might not think desirable. Crossing a red line and all that.

coolbert.

CHAMP.

This is coolbert:

Deployed but not used?

"Report: US deployed microwave missiles that can disable Iran's nuclear facilities"

"Mary Lou Robinson, former chief of the Air Force's High Power Microwave Division, confirmed to DailyMail.com that the missiles are 'ready to take out any military target, including nuclear facilities.'"

From https://www.israelhayom.com | By  ILH Staff | 04-20-2024.

"According to an exclusive report from DailyMail.com, the US Air Force has quietly deployed a new type of missile that can destroy the electronics of Iran's nuclear facilities using high-power microwaves, without causing any fatalities."

Kind of sounds like the neutron bomb!

"The missiles, known as the Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), were developed by Boeing's Phantom Works for the US Air Force Research Laboratory. After successful testing in 2012, around 20 of these microwave missiles became operational and were deployed to various locations around the globe in 2019."

"As DailyMail.com reports, the CHAMP missiles are air-launched cruise missiles fitted with an electromagnetic pulse cannon that generates a concentrated beam of high-power microwave energy. This energy can fry the computer chips and electronic systems of targeted facilities, rendering them inoperable."

Carried in the bomb bay of a F-35 Lightning presumably! Emits an electro-magnetic pulse that devastates all solid-state electronic components.

coolbert.

Costly.

This is coolbert:

Hey, nobody ever said any of this was going to be cheap, did they?

"News World Countering Iran's overnight attack costs Israel $1.35B: Israeli media"

https://www.anews.com.tr | Anadolu Agency & AFP WORLD | April 14, 2024.

"Countering Iran's overnight attack costs Israel $1.35B: Israeli media"

"Israeli media reported that the interception of dozens of Iranian missiles and drones by Israel overnight incurred a cost of up to 5 billion shekels ($1.35 billion). Each Arrow missile used for interception costs $3.5 million, while a Magic Wand missile costs $1 million, in addition to aircraft sorties involved in interception."

Arrow and Magic Wand strictly [?] used for the intercept of incoming enemy ballistic missiles.

Cost of intercepts drones and cruise missiles too must be taken into consideration. Israeli Iron Dome system each missile when fired an expenditure of about $ 125K USD. 

Many drones and cruise missiles also shot-down by conventional air force fighter/interceptor using either cannon fire or air-to-air- missile. A single sortie of a F-16 costing about "cost per flight hour has been estimated at $7,000 to $22,470 or $24,000". Air intercept using an AIM-9 Sidewinder the cost for the missile alone about $400K USD.

Billions for defense, but not a dime for tribute!

coolbert.

Testing 1-2-3.

This is coolbert:

“'There will be a pilot with me who will just be watching, as I will be, as the autonomous technology works,' . . . 'Hopefully neither he or I will be needed to fly the airplane.'” - Kendall.

At the controls but not at the controls controlling? Just along for the ride.

Big investment in autonomously operating and presumably AI operating loyal wingman concept to be field tested and evaluated by the boss himself. Secretary of the Air Force.

"AI-operated fighter jet will fly Air Force secretary on test run"

From https://www.c4isrnet | By Tara Copp | AP | Apr 9 [2024].

"The Air Force is betting a large part of its future air warfare on a fleet more than 1,000 autonomously operated drones, and later this spring its top civilian leader plans to climb into one of those artificial intelligence-operated warplanes and let it take him airborne."

"Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told senators on Tuesday at a hearing on the service’s 2025 budget that he will enter the cockpit of one of the F-16s that the service has converted for drone flight to see for himself how it performs in the air."

See all previous blog entries as pertinent to the topic of the loyal wingman:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/03/tethered.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/12/taxi.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/12/hunter-b.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/03/valkyrie.html

coolbert.

ASPIDES.

This is coolbert:

Intercept and destruction a Hootie Tootie drone the Red Sea. French navy stands tall. Helicopter of war the French way! 

"Helicopter From French Navy Destroyer Shoots Down Houthi UAV In Red Sea"

From https://theaviationist.com | DAVID CENCIOTTI | March 20, 2024.

"A French Navy helicopter launched from a destroyer supporting EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation in the Red Sea, shot down a Houthi UAV."

European naval contingent the Red Sea as operating independently the American sponsored Operation Prosperity Guardian.

"On Mar. 20, 2024, a Marine Nationale (French Navy) helicopter embarked on a French destroyer, shot down a Houthi UAV threatening commercial navigation in the Red Sea, the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES military operation’s official X account announced."

"No additional details about the downing have been released so far."

Once more the cost-efficient manner of intercept and destruction of a Hootie Tootie drone. Italian warship the same vicinity having previously using a rapid-fire 76 mm naval gun to do so.

Intercept possibly by a Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS565 Panther. Means of shoot-down not specified. Still no need to expend a $ million dollar ship-borne air-to air missile to destroy a $ 20,000 drone.

Bon travail mes amis. Plus de la même chose si possible. Continuez votre bon travail.

coolbert.

910th AW.

This is coolbert:

Reserve unit United States Air Force [USAF] with an unusual mission. Spray operations on-call.

"Air Force Reserve C-130J-30 Super Hercules Prepare To Take Over Aerial Spray Ops From C-130Hs"

From https://theaviationist.com | DAVID CENCIOTTI | April 2, 2024.

"The 910th AW (Airlift Wing) prepares to upgrade its C-130H Hercules fleet to new C-130J Super Hercules for aerial spray missions."

"Based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, is a pretty unique unit of the Department of Defense: the only one with aerial spray capability and dedicated aerial spray maintenance flight"

Not pretty unique. Is unique.

Spraying defoliation missions the Second-Indo China very controversial. Applications of defoliant Agent Orange [and other agents too] the more or less everlasting chemical residue as thought to be responsible for various ailments American military personnel and Vietnamese civilians even decades after the end of the war.

From a caption as accompanying one of the images the Aviationist article:

"A 910th Airlift Wing C-130H Hercules aircraft performs an aerial spray pass over the Utah Test and Training Range, March 8. The Wing launched its 2018 spray season Mar. 5-16, 2018, at the range, near Hill AFB, Utah, to eliminate Halogeton, an invasive weed species that poses a risk to Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) crews at the range. The 910th operates the Department of Defense’s (DOD) only large area fixed-wing aerial spray capability to control vegetation, disease-carrying insects, pest insects, and to disperse oil spills in large bodies of water."

Missions not confined to defoliation operations. Operations spraying seem to be of a soup to nuts nature as demanded and on-call. 910th AW active and we should all be very grateful. Yeoman work done with panache'.

coolbert.

Years-long.

This is coolbert:

Problem solved! F-35 American Lightning fighter/bomber warplane can now fly unimpeded during a time of lightning discharge!

"EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon clears F-35 to fly in lightning after years-long hold"

From Breaking Defense ^ | April 01, 2024 | Valerie Insinna and Michael Marrow

"WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has lifted lightning restrictions for the most widely used version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, allowing the Lockheed Martin jet to fly in thunderstorms for the first time since 2020, Breaking Defense has learned. The Defense Department formally lifted the restrictions on March 19 after devising a hardware and software fix for the lightning protection system used aboard the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant"

Solution achieved by a combination of hardware and software modifications! I surely hope so.

This all had to do with some sort of difficulty the OBIGGS apparatus the F-35?

Please don't ask me what OBIGGS is because I don't have a clue!

coolbert.