Kratos

This company has come from nowhere to be the huge player in the UAV market.  They are doing some amazing things, and I suspect that we don’t know the half of what they are really doing.  Latest here.

Everything old is new again

This reminds me of the plan to use 747s as ACLM launchers.  Given the retirements of the 747s, I would not be surprised to see that idea revived.

The future of air combat

Is this the future of air combat?  I suspect it will be a larger and larger aspect of it.  Interested to see where we will be in 20 years, if I make it that long.

MQ-25 first tanking

The USN announced that they had conducted the first aerial tanking to refuel a manned aircraft. (an F-18).  I am still puzzled by this use of a UAV.  It would seem much more useful in a combat role.  However, it may be that the MQ-25 may eventually become multi-role and this is the way to introduce it into service and gain experience with it.

UFOs?

Or are many of these recent encounters just enemy drones and balloons?  Read and judge for yourselves.

Arma Sukhoi S-70

No, not that Arma.  But I am not to proud to admit, I need this kit in my life.

AI in the USAF

Interesting story here about using an AI to fly a U-2.  The mission wasn’t unmanned but the AI controlled the flight.  An interesting step forward, especially with the “Loyal wingman” program advancing.

MQ-25A

The MQ-25A has flown with refueling equipment for the first time. The USN hope to eventually purchase 72 of these to replace the F/A-18s in the refueling role.

Losses

As some of you may know, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been fighting an undeclared war over the last few months.  Courtesy of Jeff “Inch High” Groves is an article listing the calculated losses for each side in equipment so far.  Given the small nature of the countries involved, these are some pretty significant losses.  Also, of note to me is how drones are changing the face of warfare, especially as it applies to the vulnerability of armored forces.

MQ-25A

In the next year or so the USN plans to stand up the first unit operating the MQ-25A refueling drone. (VUQ-10)  Interesting article which confirms that the drones will have secondary use as a recon platform, and maybe more.