Japan will convert two helicopter carriers into aircraft carriers by enabling them to launch F35B stealth fighters. South Korea and Japan are considering having F-35B stealth aircraft launch from the deck of amphibious assault ships. The F-35B — a fighter jet capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings — would be used on navy vessels …
Potential modernization plans of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were revealed in unprecedented detail by a former rear admiral in a university lecture, perhaps delivered within the last 2-3 years. The admiral, retired Rear Admiral Zhao Dengping, revealed key programs such as: a new medium-size nuclear attack submarine; a small nuclear auxiliary engine for …
The US government does not want new helicopter replacements to be built with closed proprietary systems. Open architecture is typically defined as the military’s push to create a universal set of standards for weapon systems that industry shares. An open architecture platform makes it easier for the military to modifications, upgrade and add on to …
The Pentagon has their annual report to Congress on the China’s military. The 2017 report is 106 pages long. The Federation of American Scientists have summarized the report. The most sensational nuclear news in the report is the conclusion that China is developing a new strategic nuclear bomber to replace the aging (but upgraded) H-6. …
The Navy accepted delivery of the first-in-class aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on May 31, following the completion of acceptance trials on May 26. The carrier had been scheduled for a March 2016 commissioning originally, but technological problems with the advanced arresting gear and other first-in-class issues slowed delivery by a year and a …
The US Air force 2018 budget request released Tuesday includes $25.4 billion for research, development, test and evaluation programs — an increase of $5 billion, or 26 percent, from the amount enacted for the current year, according to budget documents. While some of the funding would go toward top acquisition programs such as the KC-46A …
The Airlander 10 combines technology from airplanes, helicopters and airships. It is designed to fly at altitudes of 6,100 meters for up to five days when manned. It is the largest aircraft currently flying. It is 92 meters (310 feet) long. It first successfully flew in 2012 as part of the US Army’s Long Endurance …
Cascading F-35 testing delays could cost the Department of Defense (DOD) over a billion dollars more than currently budgeted to complete development of the F-35 baseline program. Because of problems with the mission systems software, known as Block 3F, program officials optimistically estimate that the program will need an additional 5 months to complete developmental …
China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier slipped into the sea for the first time on Wednesday. The carrier will have more testing and fitting of equipment before trials in the water. This is China’s second aircraft carrier. The ship is due to go into service in 2020 when it will join existing carrier, the Soviet-era …
The Navy would have to spend $102 billion annually build, operate and maintain a 355-ship fleet over the next 30 years, according to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office issued on Monday. This would be more than one-third greater than the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for today’s 275-ship fleet. In total …
The US Air Force’s new B-21 long-range strike bomber under development will feature flexible technology that will allow its capabilities to be modernized over time to stave off obsolescence, a top acquisition general testified to a Senate panel. The military will be able to upgrade the aircraft’s software systems as technology evolves or make changes …