US Navy Announces Successful Test of Electromagnetic Catapult EMALS on CVN 78 Ford class
The US Navy conducted the first-ever, shipboard, full-speed catapult shots using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) aboard the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Naval Sea Systems Command announced May 15.
US Navy Declares Initial Operational Capability for New Rolling Airframe Missile RAM Block 2
The U.S. Navy successfully achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Block 2 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) May 15. RAM is a highly successful, 39-year U.S. cooperative program with the German government that has yielded the U.S. taxpayer more than $800 million in cost avoidance and has delivered arguably one of the most capable anti-ship cruise missile defense systems in the world. The new RAM Block 2 missile is designed to counter advanced anti-ship cruise missile threats that U.S. and Allied Navies face today.
A bit Scary how quick and silent it is compared to the drama of the old steam cats
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 18 May 2015, 10:43
by ArmChairCivvy
Today's DID informs:
""The Air Force is reportedly set to award a contract for the next-generation Long Range Strike Bomber "within one to two months". The competition between Northrop Grumman and a Lockheed Martin/Boeing team will lead to a program valued at between $44 and $55 billion, with this equating to between 80 and 100 bombers"
U.S. Navy Awards General Dynamics $6.5 Million for Virginia Payload Module Development
The VPM will comprise four large-diameter payload tubes in a new hull section to be inserted in Virginia-class submarines. The section will extended the hull by 70 to 80 feet and boost strike capacity by 230 percent while increasing the cost by less than 15 percent.
MV-22B Osprey Used To Support USMC F-35B Aircraft On Board USS Wasp At Sea
As U.S. Marines and sailors have been working together to conduct an assessment of F-35B Lightning II integration into amphibious operations over the past two weeks, they are learning to overcome the challenges inherent in maintaining and resupplying one of the world's most advanced pieces of military technology while out at sea.
HII Awarded Contract for Detail Design & Construction of Aircraft Carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)
Huntington Ingalls Industries received a $3.35 billion contract award for the detail design and construction of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second ship in the Gerald R. Ford class of carriers. The work will be performed at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division. The company also received a $941 million modification to an existing construction preparation contract to continue material procurement and manufacturing in support of the ship.
First Flight Test of Next Gen Standard Missile-3 Block IIA SM-3 Anti-Ballistic Missile Complete
The U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted the first flight test of the Raytheon Company Standard Missile-3 Block IIA. The interceptor's bigger rocket motors and more capable kill vehicle will engage threats sooner and protect larger regions from short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.
Store separation testing of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was recently conducted in the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel (16T) at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC).
http://www.asdnews.com/news-61964/Gener ... Ground.htm
As part of the overall railgun development effort, General Atomics is testing rounds with on-board electronics to prove they can survive the environment of a railgun being fired.
“This is a significant milestone in the technology development toward a railgun weapon system and marks the first time flight dynamics data have been successfully measured and down-linked from an aerodynamic projectile fired from our railgun on an open test range,” stated Nick Bucci, Vice President Missile Defense Systems, GA Electromagnetic Systems Group.
This refutes a popular claim by railgun critics, that the electromagnetic field would fry any "smart round" and thus limit the gun's utility to area barrages, and it paves the way for testing of fully guided rounds.
The $2.5 billion John Warner (SSN-785) completed sea trials in mid-June and delivered three months ahead of schedule following a consistent trend of early deliveries and reduced cost for the Virginia-class.
The 7,800-ton Warner — named for Secretary of the Navy and U.S. Senator John Warner — is scheduled to commission in August.
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 27 Jun 2015, 11:38
by seaspear
Is there much information on the M1A3 being introduced in 2017, the newly upgraded Abrams is described as having a diesel engine and redesigned tracks for better mobility, there is no information if a f35b type situational awareness type helmet will be introduced but I have been told this has been regarded as too expensive .
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 28 Jun 2015, 21:18
by GastonGlocker
seaspear wrote:Is there much information on the M1A3 being introduced in 2017, the newly upgraded Abrams is described as having a diesel engine and redesigned tracks for better mobility, there is no information if a f35b type situational awareness type helmet will be introduced but I have been told this has been regarded as too expensive .
To your question on the situational awareness helmet, I have heard of it being tested but not sure on latest status. This may be of interest as far as an upgrade:
This vid discusses myths of American armor:
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 28 Jun 2015, 22:19
by arfah
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Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 28 Jun 2015, 23:25
by RetroSicotte
Second video is a bit harsh on the Firefly though, given those tests were conducted with substandard ammunition and were even noted as so in the very report he cites. Firefly with proper ammo had no real accuracy problems, certainly not to the extent he talks about.
"The Chieftain" is well known for having something of an anti-British bias, though. He knows a ton and he's an entertaining watch, but you always have to keep that in mind. Remember he's the man who tried to prove that the Pershing was superior to the Centurion.
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 29 Jun 2015, 02:20
by GastonGlocker
RetroSicotte wrote:Second video is a bit harsh on the Firefly though, given those tests were conducted with substandard ammunition and were even noted as so in the very report he cites. Firefly with proper ammo had no real accuracy problems, certainly not to the extent he talks about.
"The Chieftain" is well known for having something of an anti-British bias, though. He knows a ton and he's an entertaining watch, but you always have to keep that in mind. Remember he's the man who tried to prove that the Pershing was superior to the Centurion.
Good points. The Pershing was likely not needed in hindsight and didn't have a really stellar service life.
A recent book I read on Armor in Korea mentioned the quality of the British Centurion in Korea, which I assume was created from lessons learned in WW2. The book mentioned Centurion's dug in and used for direct fire on opposing mountain ranges when infantry would appear. It mentioned the extreme accuracy of the Centurion gun and of course the heater for tea.
It took us awhile to catch up in our armor realm, though we have been in a lull again recently. Maybe we are the pinnacle of size and the future is the 40 ton vs 70 ton range with full battlespace awareness?
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 29 Jun 2015, 02:28
by GastonGlocker
arfah wrote:I enjoyed the 2nd vid.
Cheers
My grandfather used to tell me when I was knee high how popular the Sherman was.
Particularly in North Africa.
Cheers mate!
Good to see. I need to re-read some books to get some perspective on the Sherman again. I recall variants being used by the IDF in the 60's and maybe even 70's? So, I think it was a sound, solid design from a chassis, powerpack perspective.
I thought the stats on battlefield losses interesting, to include the CAS figures of claimed vs actual kills.
I did see a vid on the first Tiger to be captured by the British. It was when the turret got jammed by a lucky shot and the crew abandoned it in North Africa. I believe it is in one of your museums?
BTW, you may enjoy these:
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 29 Jun 2015, 07:03
by arfah
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Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 29 Jun 2015, 08:19
by ArmChairCivvy
I'll chip in while GG is dipping into his library.
Sherman was basically an infantry support tank; solid and field-repairable. This role was reflected in the gun it had. Basically the upgunning alternative was available early on, but it was deemed necessary (one of the factors being the timing for Overloard and landwar proper due to commence on western Europeaan soil) to press on with the mass production rather than divert resources to testing, retooling, training....
Hence the Firefly was available in limited quantities only immediately after the Normandy landings. Wiki informs us on that aspect:
"Major George Brighty championed the already-rejected idea of mounting the 17-pounder in the existing Sherman. With the help of Lieutenant Colonel Witheridge and despite official disapproval, he managed to get the concept accepted. This proved fortunate, as both the Challenger and Cromwell tank designs experienced difficulties and delays.
After the problem of getting the gun to fit in the Sherman's turret was solved, the Firefly was put into production in early 1944, in time to equip Field Marshal Montgomery's 21st Army Group for the Normandy landings. It soon became highly valued as the only Allied tank capable of defeating the Panther and Tiger tanks it faced in Normandy at long range"
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 29 Jun 2015, 08:23
by ArmChairCivvy
Ahh, forgot to mention the institutional aspect that contributed to the delay of upgunning on the other side of the pond: The properly armed tank destroyers belonged to a different fighting arm from the Shermans, i.e. to artillery.
Re: USA Armed Forces
Posted: 29 Jun 2015, 15:08
by GastonGlocker
Book I have…seems now to contain generalizations based on feedback:
The US Navy is looking at 3D printing materials in order to print ship components. This would lower the cost of production, but more importantly allow needed replacement ship and aircraft parts to be printed while on deployment at sea.
