What was a single vehicle doing there in the first place! Could this be staged? Hiding between the trees, might have got lost or not made it to its destination overnight (looks like dawn). Don't think its staged from the conversation between the 2 Ukrainian's (one asks if the NLAW has backblast and...

Finally looks like we've woken up...good news, personally I hope we get some smaller companies involved as well to put pressure on the big ones... https://www.edrmagazine.eu/mbda-moves-into-the-loitering-munitions-domain MBDA moves into the Loitering Munitions domain A few years ago, asked about a p...

So does anyone know if this "Ground Launched" Brimstone will have a man in the loop capability or if it still has the "Swarm Attack" mode the original Brimstone was first designed with? No datalink so its essentially single mode Brimstone. MMW only, no SAL either. Wouldn't be sh...

Jensy wrote: ↑05 May 2022, 09:36 I can't say I know this publication well enough to judge the accuracy of this article:

Eurasian Times is about as reliable and well researched as The National Interest or Sputnik.

Lord Jim wrote: ↑05 May 2022, 09:24 Hear on the radio that some commentator in the UK are asking for the UK to provide Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine!

Think that was originally from the Ukrainian Foreign Minister...pretty safe to ignore the request.

I assume that whatever missile that could possibly be chosen would be carried externally on the "B" model? Have to be. Apart from AMRAAM, Meteor, Paveway IV variants, Spear variants and possibly a baggage pod eventually, I can't see the UK adding more stores for internal carriage any time...

Just a quick view on F-35B aircraft availability for everyone to factor in when looking at the UK's total force. The Congressional Budget Office in the US maintains stats on US military aircraft availability using the below criteria: - CBO looks at availability—a measure of the percentage of time ai...

sunstersun wrote: ↑04 May 2022, 21:17 I was thinking of good old Flak guns, but that's very very cool.

Anduril have one as well...interesting method of dealing with a quadcopter...

https://www.anduril.com/capability/counter-uas/

So does anyone know if this "Ground Launched" Brimstone will have a man in the loop capability or if it still has the "Swarm Attack" mode the original Brimstone was first designed with? No datalink so its essentially single mode Brimstone. MMW only, no SAL either. Wouldn't be sh...

sunstersun wrote: ↑04 May 2022, 17:43 The issue with these drones is 3 fold. Hitting them is hard, finding them is hard, and hitting them economically is hard.

Have a look at Dynetics solution...re-usable as well...

I should add...Stingray integration to the P-8 should be very easy, the mission system used by P-8 is to all intents and purposes the same as Nimrod MRA.4. Seperation tests would need to be done, but as MPA don't do high manoeuvres or need seperation trials done at extreme ends of the envelope these...

Good selection of video stills from that engagement showing the launch of Martlet. Target was an Orlan 10 apparently.With a slightly longer video of the engagement part...

LRASM possibly for the F-35 and with plans for the P-8 and vertical launch from the MK41 its almost there for us :think: The plans for LRASM on F-35 and P-8 are all for post 2028. I think that for the UK that will be too close, politically and industrially, to the promise (and capability) of FCASW....

PhillyJ wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 13:49 I am now a deckhand on LCVP F8 of what was HMS Fearless, doing trips around Pompey harbour!

That sounds like an absolutely glorious job..

Useful update on Block IV progress..

Asraam Block VI (also known as CSP) has gone operational. I think it can definitely be called the most advanced WVR missile on earth (not that legacy Asraam wasn't at the top either mind...). This has a new UK-made advanced seeker, some improvements from CAMM, removal of obsolete components (see the...

Interesting that Marine Nationale has three squadrons of Rafale M’s based on a total active fleet of 41 (with 46 originally ordered). And that's why when they got 30 x Rafale onboard in 2019 it was a one off, likely never to be repeated event (it also meant that as usual they were very short on AWA...

In days gone by a fleet of 74 jets would of meant around 50 being assigned for the training and operational sqns, so that would probably cover 3 operational squadrons. Still I wonder how many will become block 4 aircraft and how many will wither… With the whole fleet way we run things we don't have...

Interesting pic that I've not seen before. General Atomics Predator/Reaper line up. It does clearly illustrate the difference in size between the platforms. 12 'o' clock - MQ-1 Predator 3 'o' clock - MQ-9 Reaper (aka Predator B) 6 'o' clock - MQ-20 Avenger (aka Predator C) - Is actually in service w...

Gareth Jennings is reporting that SeaSpray will be used by the RAF on Protector. Presumably installed as and when required. Makes me wonder what the plans are with our remaining 10 x Reaper..one of which is brand new. Can they be upgraded and re-lifed to fly in controlled airspace? Retained for over...

We need additional munitions to be integrated onto the F-35Bs as a matter of urgency. ASRAMM and Paveway IV just isn't enough to get the best out of the aircraft. Been saying this for years...I've got a list I could re-post... Some are straightforward, involving re-use of the Spear form factor (or ...

I didn't know the full capabilities of the MMP Quite a significant chunk is made in Bolton as well at the MBDA facility there. The main thing is this is a capability the British Army needs to expand and develop further and there are weapon systems out there that are a good starting point. i think r...

Lord Jim wrote: ↑27 Apr 2022, 04:33 There are obviously a number of nice to have variants but I would settle for the above four types.

Suspect EW will be another variant. The Netherlands have just announced a Boxer variant for that purpose.

Part of me feels we shouldn't be giving Lockheed Martin any more money till we start getting our weapons integrated at something better than the current speed that can only be measure with wind erosion, 2027 for Meteor or worse "no definitive date" just isn't good enough. Part of the dela...

Mentions needs 20 days training as not simple system Worth noting that some of that will include aircraft recognition, ADAD, lots of simulated firings and IFF. ADAD and IFF have not ben supplied to Ukraine, aircraft recognition on the front lines will also be rather easy...if its flying its Russian.