Look at it another way: Northrop Grumann already had a fully functional design that was easily modified for presumably very cheap. Other contenders have to start from essentially the ground up. It also gives the Navy the option of realizing "Hey we have this stealthy tanker onboard, let's just slap some sensors on it so we can use it for more roles" rather than having to go all in on a new project. I think it's a great idea for saving money.
Look at it another way: Northrop Grumann already had a fully functional design that was easily modified for presumably very cheap. Other contenders have to start from essentially the ground up. It also gives the Navy the option of realizing "Hey we have this stealthy tanker onboard, let's just slap some sensors on it so we can use it for more roles" rather than having to go all in on a new project. I think it's a great idea for saving money.
It really depends on how much you want to pay for that stealthy tanker that might someday be a strike or ISR platform, too. In this case we'll wind up paying for a product that jumped from a high capability requirement (with a corresponding price tag) to one much less so.
Of course, this might turn out to be window dressing for the Navy getting the stealthy UCAVs they originally wanted in the guise of unmanned tankers to squeak through Congress, too.
Look at it another way: Northrop Grumann already had a fully functional design that was easily modified for presumably very cheap. Other contenders have to start from essentially the ground up. It also gives the Navy the option of realizing "Hey we have this stealthy tanker onboard, let's just slap some sensors on it so we can use it for more roles" rather than having to go all in on a new project. I think it's a great idea for saving money.
It really depends on how much you want to pay for that stealthy tanker that might someday be a strike or ISR platform, too. In this case we'll wind up paying for a product that jumped from a high capability requirement (with a corresponding price tag) to one much less so.
Of course, this might turn out to be window dressing for the Navy getting the stealthy UCAVs they originally wanted in the guise of unmanned tankers to squeak through Congress, too.
I agree this seems a little funny using these for tankers, I have to believe they may have some AEW capabilities if not they probably will.
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I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way. -John Paul Jones
I was created a new thread about AI gaming, and actually it's only just a little part of a whole story.
AI and North Korea are both presented on CMANO, and this guy said about them both recently. He concluded the futuristic robot overlord is more dangerous than the idiotic nuke-player. Should we be worried if the super powerful AI is invented for military simulation, and for the real military as well?
ORIGINAL: CrazyIvan101 When is this from? They using them for new UCLASS trials or something?
The photo surfaced 2 days ago, so it's recent. If you didn't follow the Pentagon in all it's wisdom changed the focus from Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program into Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS). That's first photo of the result. The flights were scheduled for 2017. There are 4 competing designs with the winner to be chosen in 2018.
I called it joke of the day for the simple reason that it looks like this: You invest tons of money to design UCLASS that is stealth (ISR+strike), but then the Pentagon say nah, let's focus on CBARS instead. So you end up with expensive stealth UAV that isn't even stealth with those drop tanks and use it as tanker. Because ... why not :)
But then again. Why not? If they field both class, at least it simplify the supply, maintanence chain using a common platform. rather than developing a 3rd platform. It's also just a proof of concept. Since they have already developed conformal stealth tanks for the F-22. I don't see a reason why they cannot do the same here once the concept is proven.
< Message edited by Wiz33 -- 8/15/2017 3:51:21 PM >
French Signals intelligence Vessel Dupuy de Lôme Spotted in Japan
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The French Navy Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) vessel Dupuy de Lôme (A 759) was spotted last week in Yokosuka naval base, HQ of the JMSDF Self Defense Fleet and of the US Navy's 7th fleet. Based on pictures from a different spotter, the vessel was still in Yokosuka on August 12th.
Navy Recognition contacted the French Military Central Command (EMA - État-major des armées) to ask if the presence of this SIGINT vessel is linked to recent events in North Korea. Here is the press service's answer: To answer your question, the presence of this French vessel in this zone is not related to recent events. The French armed forces regularly deploy units in all theaters of interest, particularly in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Regular deployments in strategically important areas allow us to maintain our knowledge of the area and respect the freedom of navigation. As the vessels of other oceanic navies, French ships, during this deployment, navigate and conduct cooperation that develop their knowledge of the Indo-Pacific zone in particular. This deployment thus maintains our autonomous capacity of appreciation under the "knowledge and anticipation" strategic function.
It has to be noted that the Dupuy de Lôme already visited Yokosuka in 2012, during North Korean ballistic missile tests.
The Dupuy de Lôme is designed for the collection of signals, communications and electronic emission beyond enemy lines. It is fitted with an impressive array of sensors, most of them developed by Thales. The vessel has an endurance of 70 days at sea and is available 350 days a year for the French Direction du renseignement militaire (DRM) (English:Directorate of Military Intelligence). DRM is an intelligence agency that has the task of collecting and centralizing military intelligence information for the French Armed Forces. Created in 1992, its role is similar to that of the DIA (United States), the DI (United Kingdom) or the GRU (Russian Federation).
It may be unrelated but our colleagues from Air Recognition also pointed to us that a French Air Force C-130H belonging to the GAM 56 unit was spotted landing the same week in Seoul, South Korea. GAM 56 (Groupe Aérien Mixte 00.056 "Vaucluse") is in charge of supporting France's external intelligence agency (French: Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure, DGSE).
Still remember this rumor from 2016? About that H-6 variant that will be used for carrying ballistic missiles, like ASBM?
Looks like the IFR-capable H-6 platform (dubbed H-6N) is real and made its maiden flight recently. The same platform would also serve as base for the H-6KH naval bomber (replacing the H-6G as premiere YJ-12 AShM carrier).
I think this term is actually flattering Navyreco (and Henri K. but he is yet to be known if he is involved with French military), and I don't doubt the craving efforts for military intelligence without US involvement.
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The United States and China have signed an agreement that will improve communication between their militaries and reduce the chances of miscalculations.
This entire concept of launching a DF-21 from an H-6 makes no sense to me. The last time I looked, a fully staged DF-21 weighs 37k lbs. That would chew up about half the fuel capacity of an H-6.
That's on top of all the issues you would have with the structure of the DF-21 from firing its first stage horizontally. The amount of re-engineering would have to happen would make easier to develop a new cruise missile.
I think the US experimented with rolling out a missile from the back of a cargo plane in the 70's, but it went no where. It was found the engineering challenges were just too great. I think the last design had a parachute open to bring the missile vertical, but it still had issues.
Japan's ATLA Selected MHI & Mitsui to build 30DX Surface Combatant for JMSDF
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Japan's Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced on August 9th the launch of a new surface vessel programme called 30DX for the JMSDF. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) was selected as prime contractor while Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (Mitsui) was selected as subcontractor. ATLA is a branch of Japan's MoD created in 2015 to "ensure technological superiority and respond to operational needs smoothly and quickly".
Before the beginning of PLA 90th anniversary parade, one J-15 (#104) caught a bird into the left engine during the take off, the pilot has successfully force-landed it with no injury. No ordinance is jettisoned (despite they are dummies for parade):
The deal is being finalized for the creation of the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST). An unspecified number of missiles will be given the upgrade which includes new sensors and a new warhead, and the ability to operate in a "GPS denied Environment"
During the Norinco's Armor & Anti-armor Day, China has showed lots of new land vehicles and weapon demonstrations. Also included the GL-5 ADS test, and HJ-11, HJ-10, HJ-12 AT missiles against Type-59 are on camera:
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DARPA’s Towed Airborne Lift of Naval Systems (TALONS) has been tested on a commissioned U.S. Navy vessel for the first time. The prototype of a low-cost, elevated sensor mast improves a ship’s communication range and ability to detect, track, and classify contacts of interest.
CNS Xiamen (unknown number) has joined East Sea Fleet. It's also a starring 052D destroyer from the movie Wolf Warrior 2 that becomes the blockbuster and went into Top 100 club:
Damen Lays Keel of SIGMA 10514 Long Range Patrol Vessel for Mexican Navy
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On Thursday 17th August, the Secretary of the Mexican Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz, took part in a symbolic coin ceremony at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) at Vlissingen in the Netherlands. He was accompanied by the Secretary of National Defense, General Salvador Cienfuegos. The Coin Ceremony is an event which takes place at the keel laying, in the early stages of a ship's construction. In it, the shipbuilders place one or two coins under the keelblock of the new ship to bless the ship and as a symbol of good fortune. On this occasion, the vessel is a Damen Sigma 10514 Long Range Patrol Vessel. ... An image of the Sigma 10514 in Mexican Navy configuration has been released. Compared to the Indonesian Frigate, the Mexican vessel is fitted with a BAE Systems Bofors 57Mk3 57mm main gun (in place of a 76mm), a 12.7mm remote weapon system right behind it (in place of a Rheinmetall 27MLG CIWS). Similar to the PKR, the Mexican Navy opted for the Smart Mk2 radar by Thales. It appears that the Mexican "Long Range Patrol Vessel" will not be fitted with VLS cells but a Raytheon RAM launcher will be fitted on top of the helicopter hangar.
Video: FTI Frigate Hydrodynamic Test by DGA Techniques Hydrodynamiques
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A scale model of the FTI (frégate de taille intermédiaire or mid-size frigate) is currently being tested at the French defense procurement agency DGA "Techniques Hydrodynamiques" site, an hydrodynamic test facility in Normandy.