Interesting article on the integration of UAVs as wingmen/force multipliers for our manned fighter aircraft. I have little doubt that this is the wave of the future in air warfare. My question is how quickly it can be accomplished, and can any other countries develop such technology fairly quickly.
Russia, having previously announced that it was only going to buy 16 Su-57s (after India pulled out of a development deal), has now decided it will buy 76 of the fighters. Given the reported problems with the aircraft, either they have been solved, or, more likely IMHO, this is more of Russia trying to saber-rattle and impress its neighbors.
It may be related to this, where Poland has announced plans to buy F-35s.
Really good article on a seldom spoken of aspect of the F-35. The wild weasel role appears to have simply integrated into the US frontline fighter aircraft.
Looks like they are getting even cheaper.
Also, they are getting more weapons carriage capability.
Things are coming up roses all over for the F-35.
Looks like the Marines while exercising in the Philippines have loaded up the USS Wasp (LHD-1)with an unusually large contingent of F-35Bs. This isn’t really surprising. I suspect that the USN will test out multiple configurations on the LHA/LHD and even LPDs. Where a US presence is required with an air presence, but not enough to warrant a CVN, these “light carriers” with F-35Bs will be a real force multiplier. When the Loyal Wingman drones come online down the road, there will be even more of a force multiplier effect.
Fascinating stuff here. You really come away with the sense that air-to-air combat has changed dramatically in the last 15 years.
New to the USAF, that is. It appear that the USAF is going to base a new missile for use in its next generation aircraft on the current USN Anti-radar ARM. In this case there seems to be some actual cooperation between the services to make a weapon usable by both. Hopefully it will save some money as well.
How hard is defeating stealth technology? Pretty hard according to this article. While I think 5th generation technology is pretty good, I am skeptical that it can’t be defeated. Quantity has a quality all its own.
