RAND evaluates the capabilities of current and programmed U.S. forces to meet the demands of conflicts that could arise involving any of five potential adversaries: China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Salafist-jihadi groups worldwide. The report finds that U.S. forces today are larger than necessary to fight a single major war, are failing to keep …
China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier the 001A started preliminary trials in Dalian in the northeast of China in November. It has a similar design to the country’s first carrier the Liaoning. Chinese engineers and designers who built the ship had studied the most advanced military technology used by the Americans and Soviet and tried …
China may be considering sharing its J-20 fifth generation stealth fighter jet technologies with allies such as Pakistan. Sino-Indian ties following a stiff face-off since June on the Doklam Plateau, a border area claimed by both Beijing and New Delhi. Beijing may invest for a stake in Russia’s Su-57 program. The Russian stealth fighter program …
A technological breakthrough in naval propulsion will enable China’s second home-grown aircraft carrier to use the world’s most advanced jet launch system without having to resort to nuclear power, overcoming a huge hurdle in the vessel’s development. The development of the integrated propulsion system (IPS) would allow the vessel to be more efficient, allowing more …
The Israeli Defense Ministry released video footage showing new aircraft being tested – includinga hovering drone, whose weaponry is designed primarily as sniper fire. There are two new drone projects: the first is a kind of drone helicopter, made by Israel Aerospace Industries, that would be capable of carrying up to 180 kilograms (396 pounds) …
DARPA’s Towed Airborne Lift of Naval Systems (TALONS) research effort recently demonstrated its prototype of a low-cost, elevated sensor mast aboard a commissioned U.S. Navy vessel for the first time. The crew of USS Zephyr, a 174-foot (53-meter) Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship, evaluated the technology demonstration system over three days near Naval Station Mayport, Florida. …
China revealed new military equipment at the PLA’s (army’s) 90th birthday parade on Sunday and half was shown for the first time. All of it was indigenously made, according to the Ministry of Defense. Chengdu J-20 fighterB China’s most advanced stealth fighter into service in March, and three of the aircraft made a flyover at …
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 …
An improved J-31 stealth fighter prototype has increased test flights in April 2017. This stealth fighter could be used for Chinese aircraft carriers. China now has a refurbished Ukrainian aircraft carrier and a domestically produced aircraft carrier. Both carriers use older jump ramp technology instead powered launching systems. The twin-engine J-31 is roughly the same …