USAF Light Attack Aircraft

Another article on the USAF search for a light attack aircraft, a variant of either a Pilatus or a Tucano.

F-35 update

The per unit cost of the F-35 continues to fall as more are purchased.  Latest here.

Well, this is interesting

A talk by the USAF Chief of Staff talking about having the F-22 and F-35 communicate and share information with the X-37B.  Of course, as the article notes, this raises the ever-present question of exactly what the X-37B does and what sort of sensors it has that could share useful information with the fighters.  Something fascinating is going on with thee X-37B.  I just hope that one day we know what it is.

Frikkin’ laser beams

An article on how the Navy and Air Force are working hard toward increasingly powerful lasers.  The USN in particular needs a power level breakthrough in lasers.  I suspect that one is coming, and fairly soon.  The question will be can we keep the Chinese from stealing it once we develop the technology.

Making the world a better place

By removing one terrorist at a time.  Glad these guys are on the case.

X-37B

Its back.  Regular readers know I am very interested in the X-37B.  Like many people I don’t buy that it is just being used for research.  When will the next one launch? (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

 

More here.

Corporate Aggressors

The USAF and USN have contracted out the aggressor role  for their air combat training.  Seven different companies have been given contracts for the work.  They have a wide variety of aircraft.  Some great modeling subjects for the future.

 

Still playing with nukes

The USAF is still testing an developing aircraft dropped nuclear weapons.  Story here.  While an air dropped nuke may seem anachronistic in this day and age, it is worth keeping more options available.  The more options we have, the less chance we end up having to use one of them.

X-61A

I had never heard of this program before now.  Interesting technology, though sometimes I think that the defense industry does some things just to prove it can rather than being a real increase in capability.

New USAF fighters?

An interesting article about a possible change in approach to fighter development in the US.  Given our current procurement mess, I would like to see some sort of change.