Новости за 03.04.2024

Summary: Lockheed Martin's proposal to relocate F-16 production lines to India, in collaboration with Tata, illustrates a keen strategy to win over India's lucrative aviation contract, potentially shifting the balance of military airpower in the region. The F-21, boasting upgraded mission computers, avionics, and enhanced communication systems, represents not just a technological leap but a strategic advantage in India's quest to counterbalance Chinese influence.

Summary: Covering the strategic domain of naval power, the U.S. Navy, despite being the second-largest globally, confronts an expanding Chinese fleet, which boasts over 700 vessels. While quantity is significant, the quality of technology, training, and operational experience positions the U.S. Navy advantageously. With 238 active combat ships and more under construction or ordered, the Navy's arsenal includes 75 guided-missile destroyers, 13 guided-missile cruisers, and a formidable submarine fleet comprising 68 vessels... Читать дальше...

Summary: A groundbreaking development (that ended up being an April Fools joke...) for the Virginia-class: a story about a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive system. 

Summary: A groundbreaking development for the Virginia-class, and indeed for naval propulsion technology as a whole, is the integration of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive system. Developed under DARPA's PUMP program, the MHD drive promises to significantly enhance the stealth capabilities of the USS Montana (SSN 794), the first Virginia-class submarine to be outfitted with this technology. The MHD drive operates without the moving parts typical of conventional propulsion systems, thereby reducing... Читать дальше...

The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted—swiftly and overwhelmingly—to ban the popular social media app TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests ownership within six months. 

After long struggles, America’s nuclear industry is becoming a focal point for U.S. efforts to increase clean energy supplies—domestically and internationally—and as one among many dimensions of escalating geopolitical competition, especially with Russia, which dominates the global markets for nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel. While recent administrations and Congresses have worked intensively, often on a bipartisan basis, to support new nuclear technologies, the United States is not a global leader in nuclear energy. Читать дальше...

Summary: The U.S. Air Force is advancing its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program by integrating autonomous capabilities into older F-16 Fighting Falcons as part of the VENOM-AFT program at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. This initiative aims to explore autonomy in crewed and uncrewed aircraft, potentially revolutionizing future air combat by developing autonomous "loyal wingmen." While not intending to convert the entire fleet to autonomous fighters, these tests signify a step towards... Читать дальше...

Summary: In 2021, NASA retired the S-3 Viking, its primary research aircraft for 16 years, now displayed at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Initially developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy in the 1960s for anti-submarine warfare, the Viking, known as "War Hoover" for its distinctive sound, was a versatile aircraft carrier-based platform. It evolved through upgrades, notably in weaponry and electronics, reflecting its significant role in Cold War era missions and operations up to its... Читать дальше...

Summary: The Israel Aerospace Industries Kfir, a multifaceted fighter jet with a complex background, exemplifies the ingenuity and determination of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) amid geopolitical challenges. Initially relying on the French Mirage IIIC for air superiority missions, Israel sought an aircraft with greater versatility, leading to the development of the Mirage 5 by Dassault. However, a sudden French arms embargo forced Israel to undertake industrial espionage to secure the necessary technical specifications for the Mirage 5... Читать дальше...

Summary: The USS New Jersey (BB-62), an iconic Iowa-class battleship and the most decorated in U.S. Navy history, is currently undergoing significant restoration at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to ensure its continued role as a museum vessel. Amidst this restoration, speculative discussions have emerged about the feasibility of returning such battleships to active service as a counter to modern anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) threats, particularly from nations like China. However, this notion faces steep practical challenges. Читать дальше...

U.S. ally Australia has not built a combat aircraft in more than 50 years, but that is about to change. 

Summary: The USS North Carolina, a battleship constrained by the Washington Naval Treaty yet emboldened by the Second London Naval Treaty's escalator clause, represents a pivotal shift in naval armament and strategy leading up to and during World War II. Commissioned in 1941 as the first of the North Carolina class, it signified the U.S. Navy's return to constructing battleships equipped with superior firepower, marked by the upgrade from twelve 14-inch to nine 16-inch guns. With a length of 729 feet... Читать дальше...