Russian Fighter Aircraft Can Easily Defeats The New US F-35's

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, described by US media as “a pure gold plane” for its exorbitant price tag, would find itself helpless in a dogfight with Russia’s fourth-generation Su-27 and MiG-29 jets, Pierre Sprey said.

“The Su-27 and even the MiG-29 have bigger wing space, more powerful engines and carry more air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons… That’s why the F-35 will be totally helpless against both because when you confront a plane, which is more maneuverable, accelerates faster and is better armed then you are in trouble,” he added.

Few people are as qualified to speak about fighter aircraft as Pierre Sprey. He is the co-designer of the F-16 Falcon jet and the A-10 Warthog tank buster, two of the most successful aircraft in the US Air Force.

“The F-35 is so bad it is absolutely hopeless when pitted against modern aircraft. In fact, it would be ripped to shreds even by the antiquated MiG-21,” Sprey told RT, commenting on a recent expert report, which dismissed the F-35 project as a total failure.

 According to a report released by the National Security Network, the DOD plans to purchase and operate nearly 2, 500 aircrafts costing US around $1.4 trillion.

In light of that, analyst Bill French wrote a report titled “Thunder without lightning: high cost and limited benefit development program of F-35,” reviewing the new aircraft.

The document states that according to the technical parameters the F-35 is “losing to the fourth-generation fighter MiG-29 and Su-27, developed by the Russian Air Force and used around the world.”

The Soviet MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter aircraft are superior in technical performance than the new US fighter aircraft F-35. The conclusion was reached by the American analyst Bill French, working for a non-profit organization National Security Network.“The F-35 is significantly inferior to the Russian Su-27 and MiG-29 in regard to wing loading (exception — F35C), acceleration and thrust-weight ratio (the ratio of thrust to weight of the aircraft),” said the analyst.

Besides, all of the F-35s have significantly lower maximum speed as compared to the Soviet Union aircrafts. Mr. French also deliberated that in a simulation of air combat, the results draw even “grimmer picture.”

According to him, in 2009 the analysts of US Air Force Intelligence and the Lockheed Martin Company, which developed the new American fighter, noted that despite the superiority of the F-35 in regard to stealth technology and avionics, if compared to the Su-27 and MiG —29 the loss ratio is to be expected 3: 1. That is, for each destroyed Su-27 or MiG-29 there would be three F-35 destroyed. Also, in a real educational dogfight, a veteran in a US Air Force F-16 easily won over the F-35.

The latter clearly did not have enough maneuverability — the aircraft never managed to take a position for launching missiles or firing a gun, while the F-16 managed to catch opponent in sight at least 10 times.

Earlier the problems associated with the F-35 were also noticed in Australia. News.com.au compared the F- 35 to the latest fifth-generation T-50 fighter. The portal noted, judging by the videos, the Russian aircraft significantly exceeds US maneuverability.

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Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

The Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) is the targeting system of choice for both the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard and recently became an even more valuable bit of kit when it successfully demonstrated its compatibility with the launch of a Maverick missile from an adjacent A-10C wing pylon. Combat proven on the F-15E and F-16, Sniper’s advanced targeting technology and features are changing the way the armed forces operate in theatre by providing new capabilities in non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The Sniper is understandably very sensitive – in order to do its job, it contains a high-resolution, mid wave 3rd generation forward looking infrared (FLIR), a dual-mode laser and a CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker and a laser marker. The advanced image processing algorithms, combined with rock steady stabilization techniques, provide cutting-edge performance but there are obvious issues in firing the rockets it does the precision strike mission targeting for when they are just a few inches away. The ability to fire missiles so close to the Sniper ATP uniquely qualifies Sniper for this weapon configuration, doubling the previous A-10C Maverick loadout capabilities.

The Sniper is an electro-optical and infrared imaging targeting system that comes encased in a lightweight pod compatible with the latest precision-guided weapons. The pod is affixed to the bottom of aircraft for detecting moving and fixed targets during air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control's Sniper XR (eXtended Range) is the US Air Force's AN/AAQ-X Advanced Targeting Pod. Incorporating a 3rd generation targeting FLIR, Sniper XR's common aperture and exceptional stabilization result in superior image quality. Flown supersonically in USAF flight evaluations at Edwards AFB, Sniper XR allows pilots to identify tactical targets at greatly improved standoff ranges over current targeting systems. The modular, two-level maintenance design ensures the lowest life cycle costs.

The ATP pod should have a geopointing capability 10 times more accurate than the LANTIRN with triple the recognition range and twice the resolution. The ATP can acquire targets at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, versus the 25,000 feet typical of the LANTIRN pod. Substantial advances in the reliability and maintainability should also occur. The ATP features both laser target designation, and the ability to generate ground target position data that can provide an input to Global Positioning System guided munitions, such as JDAM.

Sniper XR is designed for current and future fighter aircraft. Incorporating a high-resolution, mid-wave 3rd generation FLIR, a dual-mode laser and a CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker and a laser marker, Sniper vastly improves target detection/identification. The advanced image processing algorithms, combined with rock-steady stabilization techniques, deliver three times the performance of the best systems in service today. Fully compatible with the latest standoff weaponry, Sniper provides automatic tracking and laser designation of tactical size targets via real-time imagery presented on cockpit displays. Likewise, the supersonic, low-observable design results in a substantial reduction in drag and weight.

Fully capable of being embedded or podded, Sniper technology is incorporated into Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) design. The JSF Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is highly common with Sniper.

The Advanced Targeting Pod Program is an acquisition program to put targeting pods on the US F-16CJ Block 50 aircraft and also serve as a possible replacement for the LANTIRN target pods on F-15Es and F-16 Block 40 aircraft if approved and funding becomes available. The HTS R7 / TGP combination provides potential to find, pinpoint, and destroy mobile SAMs, giving the F-16CJs a true multi-role capability to support EAF operations. The program objective was to provide a Precision Attack Targeting System for the USAF F-16CJ, ANG F-16, and F-15E aircraft, (with an A-10 MSIP & F-16 Block 40 M4 objective). For the F-15E portion, offerors were required to identify the tasks and activities necessary to qualify the pod on the F-15E. The A-10 was the other objective aircraft, though initially an initiative had not been undertaken to include ATP on the A-10. ATP would enhance and maintain the USAF strike mission lethality with an advanced targeting pod system enabling Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (DEAD) missions.

The overall purpose of the Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) Program is to Competitively Acquire a Best Estimated Quantity (BEQ) of 168 targeting pods, support equipment, interim contractor support, contractor logistics support, retrofit kits and data over a seven year period. The initial acquisition supported USAF F-16 Block 50/52 and ANG F-16 Block 25/30/32 aircraft. This acquisition was required for ACC and the ANG to accomplish the Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) mission (as directed by CSAF Direction.) Although categorized as an ACAT Level III program, a potential existed that the program could proceed to ACAT Level II -- for the ORD also stated an objective requirement to replace the LANTIRN targeting pod on the F-15E and F-16 Block 40 aircraft.

The Terminator ATP, proposed by Raytheon for use on the U.S. Air Force F-16, contains third generation mid-wave infrared targeting and navigation FLIRs, an electro-optical sensor, a laser rangefinder and target designator, and a laser spot tracker. The ATP prototype was flight tested on F-16 and F-15E aircraft with impressive results: verified superior long-range standoff FLIR target detection, recognition, identification, and tracking. The proven accuracy of its long-range laser-to-FLIR continuous auto-boresight alignment ensures first-pass kill and a higher probability of catastrophic kill. The Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28 LITENING was also competing for the SAF Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) program.

The award of a single contract was anticipated 15 July 2001. The contract would be structured to provide for seven years of ATP requirements. The contract type anticipated was Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity, with a Best Estimated Quantity of 168 pods. Total potential quantity was approximately 505 pods. The planned requirements included the advanced targeting pod, required support equipment, pod refurbishment and retrofit kits, aircraft pylons, interim contractor support, contractor logistics support, test support and shipping containers. The ATP would be acquired as a Non Developmental Item (NDI). The requirements also included an availability warranty. The ATP would be acquired through the use of full and open competition.

Delivery Order 1 was intended to cover FY 01 activities. These activities included preparation time for the F-16 Block 30 SIL test; but, SIL testing wasn't scheduled to begin until October 2001 - FY 02. The government intended to place CLIN 0008 on contract with the following year's (FY02) delivery order. This next delivery order covered the period of intense QT&E and QOT&E activity; so, ICS was needed on this particular delivery order to support the testing activities.

The February 2001 Final Report of the Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Force on Options for Acquisition of the Advanced Targeting Pod and Advanced Targeting FLIR Pod (ATP/ATFLIR) recommended that the Department continues with both the Navy's ATFLIR program and the Air Force ATP program as then planned since it offered the most expeditious and cost-effective option to fielding a much needed capability. A redesign of the Navy version to accommodate Air Force needs for an in-pod cooling system may result in a pod that is too large for F-18 carrier operations.

On 20 August 2001 the US Air Force announced Lockheed Martin's Sniper XR (eXtended Range) system as the winner of its Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) competition. This 7-year contract with potential value in excess of $843 million marked the first deployment of 3rd generation targeting pods for the U.S. Air Force. The contract provided for up to 522 pods and associated equipment, spares, and support of the F-16 aircraft for both the Air Force and Air National Guard. Sniper XR pods will initially equip the U.S. Air Force's F-16CJ Block 50 aircraft and the Air National Guard's F-16 Block 30 aircraft. Follow-on acquisitions were destined for the F-16 Block 40 and F-15E fleets, as well as many interested international customers, bringing product potential to several billion dollars. The scheduled contract delivery date was January 2003.

Sniper pods provide improved long-range target detection/identification and continuous stabilized surveillance for all missions, including close air support of ground forces. The Sniper pod enables aircrews to detect and identify weapon caches and individuals carrying armaments, all outside jet noise ranges. Superior imagery, a video datalink and J-series-weapons-quality coordinates provided by the Sniper pod enable rapid target decisions and keep aircrews out of threat ranges.

High resolution imagery for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (NTISR) enables the Sniper pod to play a major role in Air Force operations in theater, providing top cover for ground forces, as well as increasing the safety of civilian populations.

The Sniper pod is combat proven on U.S. Air Force and international F-15E, F-16 (all blocks), B-1, A-10C, Harrier GR7/9 and CF-18 aircraft. Lockheed Martin is also in the final stages of integrating the Sniper pod on the B-52. The pod's plug-and-play capability facilitates moving the pod across platforms without changing software.

Sniper pods include a high definition mid-wave forward looking infrared (FLIR), dual-mode laser, HDTV, laser spot tracker, laser marker, video data link, and a digital data recorder. Advanced image processing algorithms, combined with rock steady stabilization techniques, provide cutting-edge performance. The pod features automatic tracking and laser designation of tactical size targets via real-time imagery presented on cockpit displays. The Sniper pod is fully compatible with the latest J-series munitions for precision weapons delivery against multiple moving and fixed targets.

Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE) design upgrades include enhanced sensors, advanced processors, and automated NTISR modes.

The Sniper pod's architecture and modular design permits true two-level maintenance, eliminating costly intermediate-level support. Automated built-in test permits flightline maintainers to isolate and replace an LRU in under 20 minutes. Spares are ordered through a user-friendly website offering in-transit visibility to parts shipment. The Sniper pod's modular design also offers an affordable road map for modernizing and enhancing precision targeting capabilities for U.S. Air Force and coalition partner aircraft.

Sniper was competitively selected to be the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Targeting Pod in August 2001. The contract provided for pods and associated equipment, spares, and support of the F-16 and F-15E aircraft for the total force, active-duty Air Force and Air National Guard. The Sniper pod first deployed overseas on F-15E aircraft in January 2005.

The Sniper pod was originally required for use on U.S. Air Force F-16, F-15E, and A-10 aircraft. It deployed on the F-16 in 2006, on the B-1 in 2008 in response to an urgent operational need, and on the A-10C in 2010. It has also been integrated on the B-52.

On Sept. 30, 2010, Lockheed Martin received the 60-percent majority contract to continue providing Sniper pods in support of the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement program.

The Sniper Performance Based Logistics (PBL) program provides critical sustainment support to the United States Air Force (USAF) and Air National Guard (ANG) for its fleet of 358 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods [as of 2014] operating on the A-10, F-15E, F-l6 Block 30-50, B-1, and B-52 aircraft at combat, operational, and training locations around the world. The Sniper PBL program is built on a governrnent-industry partnership managing and staffing the organic depot at Robins Air Force Base. The team includes personnel from Common Avionics within the Agile Combat Support Directorate, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC), and Lockheed Martin (LM).

Lockheed Martin won a sole-source contract worth nearly half a billion dollars to supply the US Air Force with precision weapons targeting pods, according to a statement issued 27 March 2015 by the US Department of Defense (DoD). “Lockheed Martin … has been awarded a $485,000,000 firm fixed price with minimal cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Contractor [Lockheed] will provide multiple Sniper advanced targeting pods,” the statement said.

The building of the Sniper pods will be performed at a Lockheed Martin facility in Orlando, Florida. Development is expected to be completed by March, 2018. Lockheed also won an $8.9 million contract to provide ten Sniper targeting pods to the Royal Jordanian Air Force by the end of 2016, according to the DoD.

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Rockwell Collins F-35 Gen III Helmet Mounted Display System

Developed and built by the Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems LLC joint venture that includes Elbit Systems of America (formerly known as Vision Systems International LLC), the Gen 3 helmet features an improved night-vision camera, improved liquid-crystal displays, automated alignment, and software improvements is to be introduced to the fleet in low-rate initial production Lot 7 in 2016.

The HMDS, which was handed over during a ceremony at the company's Cedar Rapids headquarters in Iowa, is designed to display to the pilot the F-35's more advanced sensor fusion capabilities. As noted by the company, the Gen 3 HMDS provides the information via the helmet's visor, with the pilot able to 'see through' the airframe by means of the Distributed Aperture System (DAS) that streams real-time imagery from six infrared (IR) cameras mounted around the aircraft to the helmet.

The first Generation 3 (Gen 3 / III) helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has been delivered to the Joint Program Office (JPO).

Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems LLC also developed the Gen 1 (I) helmet, which was used primarily for flight safety tests, and has delivered 200 of the Gen 2 (II) helmet that JSF pilots currently use. The Gen 2 helmet was used by the US Marine Corps (USMC) to declare initial operational capability (IOC) for the F-35B at the end of July.

This Gen 2 helmet, while still capable of conducting night-flying operations including ship landings and aerial refuelling, suffers from problems with visual acuity of the secondary night-vision camera. In light of these problems, BAE Systems was contracted to build an alternative HMDS, though this was cancelled in 2010 when the USMC decided that IOC could still be declared with the (then) current Gen 2 helmet (the cancelled BAE Systems helmet was later fed into the company's Striker II system). 

Though not ideal, the Gen 2 helmet is said to be preferable to conventional night-vision goggles (NVGs) when landing on a ship, according to the test pilots that have used it. As well as providing additional capabilities, the latest Gen 3 helmet corrects the visual acuity problems of the Gen 2 system.

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Irbis-E Flanker Family Radar

The Irbis multifunctional radar employs a 900mm passive phased array antenna mounted on a hydraulic actuator. With electronically steering, it can scan sectors of 60 degrees in both azimuth and elevation. Using the hydraulic actuator (mechanical steering), the azimuth coverage boosts to 120 degrees. It can detect and track up to 30 airborne targets with a Radar Cross Section (RCS) of three square meters at ranges of 400 kilometers using track-while-scan mode while engaging two targets with semi-active radar homing missiles or up to eight targets with active radar homing missiles. In the air-to-surface mode the Irbis provides clues allowing to attack two surface targets with precision-guided weapons while tracking up to four targets on the ground and scanning the horizon searching for airborne threats that can be engaged using active radar homing missiles.

Irbis-E is an advanced multi-mode, hybrid passive electronically scanned array radar system developed by Tikhomirov NIIP for the Su-35BM multi-purpose fighter aircraft. NIIP developed the new radar based on the Bars radar system provided to Su-30MKI/MKM/MKA aircraft.

Tikhomirov NIIP has provided the ability to spot super-low-observable targets with RCS = 0.01 square meters at ranges out to 90 kilometers. This capability might allow Su-35 aircraft to engage cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles as well as fifth generation stealth fighter aircrafts such as the F/A-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. NIIP and GRPZ will take care of the Irbis production with the first radar system slated for installation on the Su-35 in August 2007.

Design

Irbis-E development started in 2004 and the first radar prototype entered flight tests on board an Su-30M2 aircraft acting as a test bed in early 2007. The resulting radar system provides air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground (ground mapping, Doppler beam sharpening and Synthetic Aperture Radar modes) modes with improved performance in intense clutter (radar) environments compared to its predecessor, the Bars system. In addition, Irbis has been designed to detect low and super-low observable/stealth airborne threats.

This is an X band multi-role radar with a passive phased antenna array (PAA) mounted on a two-step hydraulic drive unit (in azimuth and roll). The antenna device scans by an electronically controlled beam in azimuth and angle of elevation in sectors not smaller than 60°. The two-step electro-hydraulic drive unit additionally turns the antenna by mechanic means to 60° in azimuth and 120° in roll. Thus, in using the electronic control and mechanical additional turn of the antenna, the maximum deflection angle of the beam grows to 120°.

The Irbis-E is a direct evolution of the BARS design, but significantly more powerful. While the hybrid phased array antenna is retained, the noise figure is slightly worse at 3.5 dB, but the receiver has four rather than three discrete channels. The biggest change is in the EGSP-27 transmitter, where the single 7-kilowatt peak power rated Chelnok TWT is replaced with a pair of 10-kilowatt peak power rated Chelnok tubes, ganged to provide a total peak power rating of 20 kilowatts. The radar is cited at an average power rating of 5 kilowatts, with 2 kilowatts CW rating for illumination. NIIP claim twice the bandwidth and improved frequency agility over the BARS, and better ECCM capability. The Irbis-E has new Solo-35.01 digital signal processor hardware and Solo-35.02 data processor, but retains receiver hardware, the master oscillator and exciter of the BARS. A prototype has been in flight test since late 2005.

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Sharp Sword (Li-Jian or Lijian), The New Chinese Stealth UCAV

China has been testing a number of stealth aircraft over the last few years. The Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang "Falcon Hawk" J-31 have both undergone flight tests, with the expectation that they'll become operational towards the end of the decade.

However, China is pushing hard to match the United States' drone capabilities. Other countries experimenting with unmanned aerial vehicles include Britain, France, and Israel.

Sharp Sword (Li-Jian or Lijian), jointly developed by SYADI, SAU and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), is one of the two models of the AVIC 601-S progressed further than proof of concept design by evolving into larger size (the other being Dark Sword). The Sharp Sword is jet-powered and has a wingspan of 14 meters. It’s not yet known the precise mission Sharp Sword is assigned, but possible missions would including reconnaissance and eventually combat missions.

“The successful flight shows the nation has again narrowed the air-power disparity between itself and Western nations,” state-run newspaper China Daily said in a statement on Friday.

Defense analysts have speculated that the drone is a reverse-engineered copy of Russia’s Mikoyan Skat unmanned aerial vehicle. Not much else is known about the capabilities of the jet-powered drone.

In May, a video of the Sharp Sword taxiing down the runway spread across the internet. Chinese officials said then that they were close to being ready to executive the drones’ first test flight.

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Divine Eagle, Chinese Super Drone

The Shen Diao, or Divine Eagle, remotely piloted aircraft is being developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and appears from Chinese Internet photos made public recently to be larger than the U.S Air Force’s Global Hawk long-range surveillance drone.

In late June 2015, new photos emerged of the Divine Eagle prototype, allowing a clearer look at its details. The Divine Eagle has a single engine nestled between its tailfins, with a diameter of over 1 meter. This makes the engine likely to be a medium non-afterburning turbofan producing 3 to 5 tons of thrust, which in turn is usually enough to power a UAV of 12-18 tons in maximum takeoff weight. In comparison, the largest American UAV in open service, the RQ-4 Global Hawk, uses a F-137-RR-100 turbofan engine with 3.4 tons of thrust. The Divine Eagle has a five wheel landing gear layout. The double bodied layout was chosen in order to provide the surface area for carrying large radars, while minimizing internal volume and weight.

Rep. J. Randy Forbes, (R., Va.) a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said Chinese support for systems such as the Shen Diao drone is part of a long-range, well-funded military buildup.

“This particular UAV appears to advance targeting capabilities that China would use in an anti-access, area denial campaign,” Forbes said, using the term for unmanned aerial vehicle.

“While the Chinese military modernization continues to march forward, this administration threatens to veto the defense authorization bill due to the fact that it does not fully fund the IRS and EPA,” Forbes added.

Rick Fisher, a China military affairs analyst with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, said ultimately Beijing could develop such twin-fuselage UAVs to carry large missiles for satellite launching, anti-satellite and anti-ship missions.

“China’s construction of large long-range Global Hawk-sized unmanned aircraft will greatly assist its goal of consolidating control over the western Pacific,” said Fisher.

“These large UAVs will act as persistent satellites able to target missiles and other tactical platforms well beyond the first island chain,” he added.

China’s defense strategy, outlined in a document made public this week, calls for increasing the range of its military forces further from coasts through what the Chinese call two island chains, stretching from northeast Asia through the South China Sea.

A Pentagon spokesman did not return emails seeking comment. Former Pentagon official Mark Stokes said the PLA is investing heavily in research, development, and acquisition of advanced airborne sensor platforms.

“A high altitude, long endurance UAV appears to be a high priority,” Stokes said, noting that two competing designs are probably in play.

“The deployment of high-altitude, long endurance UAVs equipped with advanced sensors would enhance the PLA’s ability to strike U.S. bases and naval assets in the region, as well as those of its allies and partners,” said Stokes, now with the Project 2049 Institute, a think tank.

U.S. intelligence agencies have been closely monitoring Chinese drone developments. China is currently deploying drones for reconnaissance and ocean surveillance over disputed maritime territories, including near Japan’s Senkaku Islands, which China is claiming as its territory.

China also recently tested armed combat drones during military exercises. Current Chinese military writings have outlined plans for using long-range drones for integrated air and sea warfare.

The Shenyang company is also building China’s first unmanned combat aircraft, a design that appears similar to the U.S. X-47B unmanned combat jet. China plans to deploy its combat drone on aircraft carriers.

The aircraft is part of China’s so-called anti-access strategy that includes development of aircraft, missiles, anti-satellite weapons and other systems designed to keep enemy forces from operating close to Chinese borders.

China’s development of the new long-range drone began with talks with Russian aircraft technicians at the Sukhoi Aircraft Corporation during the early 2000s.

The discussions focused on China’s interest in purchasing the Sukhoi S-62 twin-fuselage high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle.

At the time, the Russians apparently did not have the resources to develop the S-62. However, China, known for its economic and military espionage and technology acquisition prowess, was able to obtain key insights into the aircraft’s design without funding co-development with Moscow.

“Shen Diao’s development has been rumored on Chinese web pages since 2012 and hinted at for much longer by other Chinese sources,” Fisher said.

“The twin fuselage configuration allows the UAV to carry more fuel for endurance, without having to master very advanced new materials for a much stronger wing. It also provides more area for radar arrays,” he added.

Fisher said China’s development of the new drone means the U.S. military should develop long-range range strike systems, including intermediate-range missiles.

Such missiles are currently banned under the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia, which Moscow is violating. The Russians have developed and tested new missiles that violate the accord and so far are refusing to come back into compliance with the treaty.

Congress is pressuring the Obama administration through current defense authorization bills for a response to the INF violation. Among the options being considered are additional missile defenses and new intermediate nuclear strike weapons.

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Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System

Air worthiness of the X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator was developed at an estimated cost of $813m. The aircraft performed a successful initial test flight at Patuxent River, Maryland, in July 2012. The X-47B is expected to enter active naval service by 2019.

The X-47B is an unmanned combat air system carrier (UCAS) being developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy (USN). The strike fighter size unmanned aircraft is currently in its demonstration phase. The unmanned aircraft was first developed as part of the X-47 programme.

Development History of the UCAS-D

The X-47B UCAS was developed by the US Navy as part of the unmanned combat air system carrier demonstration (UCAS-D) programme. The programme aims to develop and demonstrate which fighter sized tailless unmanned aircraft can be deployed from US Navy aircraft carriers.

The X-47B is a variant of Pegasus X-47A which was developed as a joint USAF and USN programme, called J-UCAS, in 2001. The programme was funded by the DARPA with Northrop Grumman as the main contractor. In February 2006, however, the Joint-UCAS development programme was cancelled for separate UAV development programmes by both the defence forces. Development of the X-47B, which had started in June 2005, was temporarily halted following the cancellation.

The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) contracted Northrop Grumman for the construction and demonstration of two X-47B aircraft under the unmanned combat air system demonstrator (UCAS-D) programme, in August 2007. The UCAS-D programme also aims to pave the way for developing potential future carrier-compatible, unmanned systems with little risk.

Companies collaborating on the UCAS-D programme include Rockwell Collins, Goodrich, Lockheed Martin, Parker Aerospace, Honeywell, GKN Aerospace, General Electric (GE), Wind River, Dell, Hamilton Sundstrand, Pratt & Whitney, Eaton and Moog.

Design and features of the X-47B

The tailless unmanned aircraft is 38.2ft long and has a wingspan of 62.1ft. The shape of the aircraft is designed for stealth or low observable relevant requirements. The weapons bay can carry 4,500lb of weapons.

Operations of the computer-controlled X-47B UCAS are smart and its flight control system is autonomous. The navigation of the UCAS is controlled by hybrid global positioning system (GPS) vision-based system. The flight path is preprogrammed and its operations are monitored by a mission operator.

The UCAS is equipped with electro optics (EO), infrared (IR), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), inverse SAR, ground moving target indicator (GMTI), electronic support measures (ESM) and maritime moving target indicator (MMTI) sensors.

The UCAS-D will feature both probe-and-drogue of the US Navy and boom-receptacle mechanisms of the USAF for autonomous air refuelling.

X-47B engine and Performance Details

The X-47B is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U engine and exhaust system. The aircraft has a high subsonic speed of about 0.45M and range of about 2,100nm. The UCAS can fly to a maximum altitude of 40,000ft.

Testing of the X-47B Demonstration Aircraft

Two autonomous jet-powered X-47B aircraft were built under the UCAS-D programme. The two demonstration vehicles have similar design and hardware features, however, only one is equipped to test aerial refuelling tasks. They can accommodate various kinds of sensors for reconnaissance, intelligence and surveillance and have space for weapon systems. Payload is not installed on the demonstration units.

The first X-47B, including structural proof testing, was completed by October 2009. Named air vehicle 1 (AV-1), the aircraft was transferred to Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) for flight testing in July 2010. The second aircraft, named AV-2, arrived at the base for testing in March 2011.

The first flight test of the UCAS-D was conducted in February 2011. The first catapult launch of X-47B was conducted at an onshore catapult facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in November 2012. The first at-sea test phase involving a series of deck handling trials aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was completed in December 2012.

The aircraft will also be tested for launching, operating and recovering capabilities in a navy carrier operable area of 50nm. The carrier launch, recovery, and deck handling tests are scheduled for 2013, the aerial refuelling demonstrations in 2014.

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Drone Can Hack Into Your Mobile Device

Drones are ideal for this kind of operation, because they are very good at loitering over an area for a long time, and sending back lots of captured data in real time. But there’s an easy solution for anyone wanting to hide on the ground: avoid logging in to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks when a drone is overhead.

According to emails posted by Wikileaks, aviation giant Boeing was in talks with Italian offensive cyberwar contractor Hacking Team to make a drone that could hack into computers from the sky.

The scheme proposed the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) to deliver Hacking Team's Remote Control System Galileo spyware via Wi-Fi networks from above. Boeing subsidiary Insitu and representatives of Hacking Team enthusiastically discussed the deal after meeting up at the International Defense Exposition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi back in February.

Putting the plan together would involve developing a ruggedized and miniaturized Tactical Network Injector (TNI), Hacker News reports. This mini-TNI would be used to introduce malicious traffic into insecure Wi-Fi networks while perched on a drone and subject to jolts and low temperatures. Malicious traffic injection would only work in this scenario in cases where a target is surfing in an insecure, open Wi-Fi hotspot (coffee shop, transport hub, etc.) without using protective VPN technology.

Insitu, developer of the small ScanEagle surveillance drone and other aerospace kit for military and law enforcement applications, outlined the basic premise of the development plan in one leaked email exchange.

Hacking Team responded to the suggestion with enthusiasm, but the plan itself doesn't appear to have progressed much beyond the planning stages before Hacking Team's email spool was leaked by hackers following a high-profile breach earlier this month. It's unclear who the ultimate customers of the aerial malware delivery system might have been. The email exchanges outlining the plan were first reported by Glenn Greenwald's The Intercept here.

The idea of combining spyware and drones may not in itself be new. The alleged leader of Mexico's infamous Los Zetas gang was captured two years ago using a combination of commercial computer spyware, GPS mobile tracking, and aerial drones. The operation to capture Miguel Treviño Morales – also known as "Z-40" – may have involved spyware for law enforcement from Hacking Team rival Gamma International, as The Register noted at the time.

The Mexican government was a customer of Gamma's FinFisher software, according to local reports. The exact role of spyware in the arrest – much less whether it was delivered by a drone – remains unclear, partially because Gamma International declined our invitation to explain how its technology has helped in the arrest of an alleged Mexican cartel leader without bloodshed.

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Chinese Laser or Directed Energy Weapons Development Programs

A collaboration between the Academy and Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corporation, the Low Altitude Guard I is a 10 kilowatt laser meant to zap low flying drones up to 2 kilometers away. The Low Altitude Guard I's electro-optical turret can see out to 5 kilometers. Promotional literature brags about its automated fire control-- it's able to identify and track rogue drones so that the operator only needs to press a firing button. The Low Altitude Guard's small size allows for stealthy placement on high-rise buildings and around critical infrastructure like airports and dams. Lasers are also a cheaper and safer lethal air defense option, especially in urban areas, compared to cannons and missiles.

Lasers and other directed energy weapons are all the rage in D.C., with a U.S. general recently declaring at a conference dedicated to the topic that "Directed energy brings the dawn of an entirely new era in defense." Indeed, the U.S. Navy has already tested lasers on warships deployed in the Persian Gulf and plans to arm other systems like aerial gunships with the weapons in the years ahead. Lasers are also a crucial part of long-term plans to defeat the threat of higher numbers of Chinese anti-ship missiles.

But just like in other areas of technology, China does not plan on being easily "offset." The Chinese Academy of Physics Engineering is already hawking a combat-ready laser turret, showcased at the Beijing Weapons Expo.

More interestingly, the Academy plans to develop a more powerful, truck-mounted version, the Low Altitude Guard II. A more powerful laser turret would be able to extend defenses against drones, aircraft, missiles and artillery shells out to several kilometers, roughly the capabilities of modern autocannons. Just as with U.S. military plans, don't be surprised to see future Chinese aircraft and warships armed with their own missile killing lasers.

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BAE System Taranis Stealth UAV

Taranis is notable mostly for its stealth capabilities, which are analogous to those of a conventional stealth plane in terms of design. Its body is angled so as to present only deflecting angles to the ground, minimizing any reflections that might bounce back to be read by the interrogating radar machine. Taranis’ overall mission is to carry out high-speed, high-precision strikes over long distances without detection — this is quite possibly the first real sign of the riskless future of warfare which so many futurists warn. If neither pilot nor plane are ever likely to be in danger, launching a mission could become a much easier decision to make.

Though it might not look like much against the abstract backdrop of the sky, Taranis is no tiny remote-controlled plane. With a 10-meter wingspan, the aircraft is larger than you might expect for an unmanned vehicle; the logistics of both stealth and long-range flight push the design toward a large, mostly flat-ish belly and wings. While the building material is not currently known (and won’t be for many years) it likely incorporates specially light- and radar-deadening materials to weigh in, as it does, at just eight tonnes. With a budget of more than $300 million and more than a million man-hours invested, Taranis is a major part of the UK’s overall strategy for evolving its military in the coming decade. The country has already identified drones as one of the drivers of its next-generation fighting forces, and stealth drones are a necessary component of that push.

This news comes just months after the public learned of probable test flights for the USA’s latest undetectable UAV, the RQ-180 over the military’s (in)famous Area 51 test site. Its predecessor, the RQ-170 Sentinel, is thought to have participated in operations over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, among others. In fact, the Chinese military, which has lagged far behind in its development of drone technology, has been testing a stealth drone of its own, named Sharp Sword by the media. In a statement, Chinese government officials claimed that the (possible) introduction of a working stealth drone “has again narrowed the air-power disparity between [China] and Western nations.” And they’re probably right.

In the future, technological advancement in military technology will be less about scaling up technologies (Lockheed’s proposed Mach 6 follow up to the SR-71 notwithstanding) and more about streamlining. Bombs don’t need to get any bigger, nor (most) planes much faster, nor most satellites more accurate. Rather, militaries need to be able to deliver the same bombs with fewer risks to both life and equipment. They need to be able to perform the same strikes while leaving no evidence of their connection to the event — and in a post-Snowden world, that could very well mean cutting the pilot out, too.

Actually, autonomy was a big part of the pitch for Taranis in the first place, but somewhere along the line the autonomy became unpopular. Now, the system has the “technical capability” of flying without a remote pilot, but will apparently not be used that way. It’s easy to get cynical about the truth of such statements, but the fact is that even the US government is approaching military autonomy with difficulty and great care; it’s not unreasonable to think that Taranis might simply struggle with getting autonomy to work. However, the language used implies that this was a policy-based decision — perhaps someone decided it would be best to let the USA deal with any bad press associated with the first autonomous military robot.

Regardless, the functionality is reportedly moot, today. Whatever the reason, remotely controlled Taranis vehicles will be taking to the skies on Britain’s behalf soon enough. Given how long it’s taken to find out about just a test flight, and the impressive claims made for its stealth abilities, it’s entirely possible that it already has.

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Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program

The new long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will soon be made in Russia. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov recently announced that this new drone will be able to conduct reconnaissance missions and also be capable of attacking targets. “We are finalizing research and development work related to the drones that will solve an array of tactical, operational and strategic tasks,” the deputy defense minister elaborates.

He further notes that this new combat drone, developed by several Russian aviation firms, including Sukhoi and Tranzas, will be used by the Russian Defense Ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB). However, Borisov refused to provide the public with technical characteristics of this latest addition to Russia’s burgeoning UAV program.

In 2012, Vladimir Putin announced that “unpiloted aircraft are being used more and more actively in armed conflicts; and I must say, they are being used effectively.” He added, “We need the full line, including automated strike aircraft, reconnaissance drones and other systems… It is imperative to involve best engineering and science bureaus and centers in this effort.” Russia has allocated around $12 billion through 2020 for its UAV development program, which appears to be gaining momentum as of late (e.g., the Altius 001 UAV). In November 2014, Russia also announced that it will build a drone base for military reconnaissance just 420 miles off mainland Alaska.

On January 23, Russia Today broadcasted that the Russian United Instrument Corporation (UIC) (a branch of Rostec Corporation) has constructed two prototypes of the “Chirok” drone, a hybrid amphibious UAV for civilian and military use, and is prepping them for test flights. The article notes that this new drone may first appear in public at the MAKS-2015 air show at Zhukovsky Airfield near Moscow on August 25-30.

Russia Today notes the Chirok’s “outstanding stealth capability” and states that the drone has “enough inner space to fit the weapons, such as small-size guided missiles or high precision bombs, internally, so that they won’t interfere with aerodynamics and stealth characteristics.” The operable range is 2,500 km, and the maximum cruising altitude is reported to be 6,000 meters. The drone also needs no runway for take-off.

However, a 2014 Jamestown Foundation report underlines that statements by domestic Russian arms suppliers “fly in the face of a recent report released by the Russian Foundation of Prospective Research (RFPR) which asserted that UAVs represent an ‘area of technology where [the Russian defense industry has] insufficient competencies.’ The RFPR further noted that optics and electronics systems for light aircraft were an area of ‘low competency.’”

The report further explains, “The development of these advanced UAV systems, in fact, represents a considerable technological challenge for the Russian defense industry, and there are serious questions about whether it can be accomplished without Western cooperation and technological know-how.”

Overall, Russia’s UAV program still lags behind Western efforts in this field and it will take a few more years for Moscow to catch up. “Russia and China’s capabilities are quickly developing. By the end of the decade, if certainly not before, we have intel that shows they’ll have the potential to develop the capability to produce a predator drone on par with American standards,

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High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Northrop Grumman RQ-4A/B Global Hawk

The Global Hawk air vehicles are built at the Northrop Grumman (formerly Teledyne Ryan) aeronautical facility in San Diego.

Northrop Grumman Corporation, Ryan Aeronautical Centre is the prime contractor and the principal suppliers include Raytheon Systems (sensors), Rolls-Royce North America (turbofan engine), Boeing North American (carbon fibre wing) and L3 Communications (communications system). The programme is funded by the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office (DARO) and managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the US Air Force.

RQ-4A Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial reconnaissance system which provides military field commanders with high resolution, near real-time imagery of large geographic areas.

Development

In March 2001, the US Department of Defense awarded Northrop Grumman a contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the programme which concluded in February 2003 with the final delivery of the seventh pre-production (block 0) vehicle.

In June 2001 a contract was placed to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) for two production air vehicles and the mission control element of the system's ground station, to be completed by December 2003.

The first production vehicle (block 10) rolled out in August 2003. A further LRIP contract for four vehicles was placed in February 2003 and a third in October 2004 for two vehicles. Block 10 deliveries were completed in June 2006.

The US Navy had two RQ-4A air vehicles delivered in 2005. In April 2008, the USN selected the RQ-4N marinised variant of the Global Hawk RQ-4B Block 20 for the broad-area maritime surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) requirement.

The system design and development (SDD) contract awarded to Northrop Grumman requires the delivery of two UAVs with mission payloads and communication suites, one forward operating base mission control system, one systems integration laboratory and one main operating base mission control system.

The RQ-4N will have a Northrop Grumman active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, Raytheon electro-optic / infrared sensors, L-3 communications suite and Sierra Nevada Corp. Merlin electronic support measures (ESM). The RQ-4N is planned for service entry in 2014.

RQ-4B Next Generation Reconnaissance Drone

Northrop Grumman is developing the next-generation, RQ-4B, which has a 50% payload increase, larger wingspan (130.9ft) and longer fuselage (47.6ft), and new generator to provide 150% more electrical output. Three RQ-4B air vehicles (block 20) were initially ordered plus a further five ordered in November 2005. Block 20 aircraft also have an upgraded sensor suite.

The first block 20 Global Hawk completed a maiden flight in April 2007 and the first was delivered in June 2008. 26 block 30 with a signals intelligence (SIGINT) payload will be ordered and 15 block 40 with the multi-platform radar technology insertion programme (MP-RTIP) radar, to enter service from 2011. The US Air Force plans a total of 54 air vehicles.

The block 40 Global Hawk, with the multi-platform radar technology insertion programme (MP-RTIP), has been selected by Nato for the alliance ground surveillance (AGS) programme. The original proposal had manned and unmanned elements but the Alliance decided to go ahead with a UAV-only programme in September 2007. Northrop Grumman will be the prime contractor.

The Australian Defence Force has plans to purchase a squadron of Global Hawks to replace a number of P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

Global Hawk's Record-breaking Flights

In April 2001, Global Hawk made aviation history when it completed the first non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean by an unmanned, powered aircraft, flying from Edwards AFB, California, to the Royal Australian Air Force Base, Edinburgh, South Australia.

Global Hawk successfully participated in a series of exercises with the RAAF, the Royal Australian Navy and the US Navy. Guinness World Records has recognised the flight as the longest (13,840km) by a full-scale unmanned aircraft.

In August 2003, Global Hawk became the first UAV to receive authorisation from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly in national airspace.

Unmanned Reconnaissance Capability

Global Hawk can carry out reconnaissance missions in all types of operations. The 14,000nm range and 42-hour endurance of the air vehicle, combined with satellite and line-of-sight communication links to ground forces, permits worldwide operation of the system.

High-resolution sensors, including visible and infrared electro-optical systems and synthetic aperture radar, will conduct surveillance over an area of 40,000nm² to an altitude of 65,000ft in 24 hours.

Six Global Hawk demonstrator vehicles have been deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan since 2002 and Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2003, completing over 4,300 combat hours.

Two ex-USAF Global Hawk demonstrators were transferred to NASA's Dryden Research Center at Edwards AFB, California in January 2008, for use as airborne science research platforms.

Flight and Navigation Control

The vehicle's flight control, vehicle management software and navigation functions are managed by two integrated mission management computers (IMMC) developed by Vista Controls Corporation, California. The IMMC integrates data from the navigation system and uses Kalman filtering algorithms.

The prime navigation and control system consists of two KN-4072 INS/GPS (inertial navigation system / global positioning system) systems supplied by Kearfott Guidance & Navigation Corporation of Wayne, New Jersey.

The KN-4072 includes a monolithic ring laser gyro (MRLG) which operates in conjunction with an embedded differential ready C/A code GPS receiver for enhanced navigation performance and faster satellite acquisition. A Northrop Grumman (Litton) navigation system is installed on the IR/TV/SAR payload.

Sensors

Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems supplies the Global Hawk integrated sensor suite (ISS) which includes the synthetic aperture radar and the electro-optical and third-generation infrared sensor system.

A 10in reflecting telescope provides common optics for infrared and electro-optical sensors. The electro-optical / infrared sensor operates in the 0.4 to 0.8 micron visible waveband and the 3.6 to 5-micron infrared band. In spot collection mode the coverage is 1,900 spots a day with spot size 2km² to a geological accuracy of 20m circular error of probability. In wide area search mode, the swath is 10km wide and the coverage is 40,000nm² a day.

The synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) operates at X-band with a 600MHz bandwidth, and 3.5kW peak power. The system can obtain images with 3ft resolution in its wide area search mode and 1ft resolution in its spot mode.

Raytheon is contracted to supply one enhanced integrated sensor suite (EISS) which is said to improve the range of both SAR and infrared system by 50%.

The Raytheon ground station receives the high-quality imagery obtained by the air vehicle sensor suite. The ground system forwards the imagery to military commanders and users in the field.

Northrop Grumman is prime contractor, with Raytheon as major subcontractor, for the USAF multi-platform radar technology insertion program (MP-RTIP). MP-RTIP is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that can be scaled in size for different platforms.

Three MP-RTIP systems are being built for Global Hawk and three for the E-10A multi-sensor command and control aircraft (MC2A).

In January 2006, a Global Hawk made its first flight carrying Northrop Grumman's high-band system production configuration unit (HBS PCU), part of the USAF's airborne signals intelligence payload. Northrop Grumman is also looking at other payloads including hyperspectral sensors for chemical and biological agent detection.

In November 2003, Global Hawk completed a series of flight tests in the USA and Germany carrying an EADS electronic intelligence (ELINT) payload. The 'Euro Hawk' is being offered to the German Air Force as a replacement SIGINT platform.

In February 2007, the German Air Force awarded a contract to Eurohawk GmbH (a joint venture company formed by Northrop Grumman and EADS) for the development of Euro Hawk.

Communications

Global Hawk has wide band satellite data links and line of sight data links developed by L3 Communications. The 'bulge' at the top front surface of the fuselage which gives Global Hawk its distinctive appearance, houses the 48in Ku-band wideband satellite communications antenna. Data is transferred by Ku-band satellite communications, X-band line-of-sight links and both Satcom and line of sight links at UHF-band.

Survivability

For increased survivability the mission is planned for threat avoidance using available theatre assets such as AWACS, combat air patrol and JSTARS. The aircraft flies high at a loiter altitude 65,000ft which minimises exposure to surface-to-air missiles. The aircraft's modular self-defence system includes an AN/ALR 89 radar warning receiver, an on-board jamming system and an ALE 50 towed decoy system.

Air Vehicle Construction

The wings and tail of the aircraft are of graphite composite construction. The V-configuration of the tail, built by Aurora Flight Sciences, provides a low radar and infrared signature. The wings, constructed by Vought Aircraft Industries, have a span of 116.2ft, with hard points for external pods up to 1,000lb each. Vought and ATK are fabricating an enhanced wing, one of a number of system improvements to enable Global Hawk to carry an increased payload.

The aluminium fuselage contains pressurised payload and avionics compartments. Honeywell Aerospace, Torrance, California, supplied the environmental control systems.

The landing gear is supplied by Heroux Inc. of Quebec, Canada. The nose gear which is a derivative of the F-5 design is height adjustable to suit the runway characteristics. The landing gear automatically retracts at an altitude of 4,000ft.

Global Hawk is equipped with an AE 3007H turbofan engine supplied by Rolls-Royce North America. The engine is mounted on the top surface of the rear fuselage section with the engine exhaust between the V-shaped tail wings. Smiths Aerospace is providing a new electric generator system to more than double electrical power.

Mission Planning

Mission planning for the Global Hawk was developed by GDE Systems Inc (now BAE Systems, Electronics & Integrated Solutions). The Raytheon Intelligence & Information Systems mission control ground station includes a shelter measuring 8ft×8ft×24ft housing the communications, command and control, mission planning and image processing computers with four workstations for the mission control staff and officers. The mission control centre has data up- and down-links to the Global Hawk vehicle directly and via the Ku satellite and the UHF satellite systems.

The Raytheon launch and recovery ground station is housed in an 8ft x 8ft x 10ft shelter equipped with two workstations and the launch and recovery mission computers. The launch and recovery station has up- and down- data communications links to the Global Hawk vehicle and to the UHF communications satellite.

Transportability

The complete mission control element (MCE) and the launch and recovery element (LRE) is transportable in a single load on the C-5B transporter aircraft and in less than two loads on the C-17 transporter.

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