Retour aux nouvelles

12 février 2020 | International, Aérospatial

Ready, Fire, Aim: PACAF Chief Emphasizes Hypersonics

Steve Trimble

As the U.S. Defense Department accelerates hypersonic weapons fielding, the air force's top commander in the Pacific region emphasizes that the missile isn't the only technology required to realize an operational capability to strike targets at speeds faster than Mach 5.

The air force plans to achieve an early operational capability in fiscal 2022 with the Lockheed Martin AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, a maneuvering boost glide missile fired from the wing of an aircraft, such as a Boeing B-52.

Such weapons are capable of hitting targets at ranges over 1,000 km within 10 min., but similarly new advances in intelligence-gathering and command and control infrastructure are required in order to make full use of them, said Gen. Charles Brown, commander of Pacific Air Forces.

“In the time of flight, eight to 10 minutes, I've got to have pretty good intel that the target is still going to be there, particularly if it's a mobile target,” Brown said. “Those are things I'm thinking about. It's nice to have this weapon, but I've got to have the whole thing.”

The Defense Department also is working on other long-range-missile technologies. In August, Russia and the U.S. governments withdrew from the 32-year-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, allowing both countries to follow China's lead in fielding ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of between 500 km and 5,000 km. Since August, the DOD has demonstrated a rudimentary ground-launched cruise missile and ballistic missile in flight, but a fielding decision is still pending a policy decision by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

Brown could offer no update on the status of the policy decision.

“That may be a logical conclusion, but I'd refer you to OSD on where their approach is and where the department might land as far as where we're going in the future,” Brown said.

https://aviationweek.com/shownews/singapore-airshow/ready-fire-aim-pacaf-chief-emphasizes-hypersonics

Sur le même sujet

  • Barrett announces new US partnership and US Government contract

    25 mars 2020 | International, C4ISR

    Barrett announces new US partnership and US Government contract

    Perth, Western Australia – Monday March 23, 2020 – Barrett Communications is pleased to announce its partnership with US company Royal Communications International, Inc. and the award of a follow-on FMS contract with the US Mission in Central Asia. Royal Communications have provided sales and support for HF radio communications solutions for over 30 years and is ideally positioned within the US to team with Barrett in delivering sales, training, installation, technical and warranty support for the full range of Barrett HF solutions. Barrett Communications USA Corp. General Manager, John Eschenfelder said, “Our US investment strategy is two-fold, our partnership with Royal Communications and our US manufacturing facility provides us a truly ‘Made in USA' product, bringing us closer to our US customer base and enhancing our ability to deliver the next level in product and customer service in the USA.” The latest phase of the US-funded Counter Narcotics Global Threats program has been delivered by Barrett Communications. The delivered PRC-2090 HF manpack and vehicle systems will enhance and expand the strategic communications and force tracking capabilities to the mission, strengthening border security and preventing illegal trafficking. Mr. Andrew Burt, Barrett Communications CEO, commented “We live in unprecedented times and conditions are changing rapidly. Barrett Communications are committed to ensuring the supply of our products and solutions, and as a global company we are investing in our manufacturing and support capability globally to ensure our customers continue to receive the personalized service they are accustomed to.” View source version on Barrett Communications: https://www.barrettcommunications.com.au/news/barrett-announces-new-us-partnership-and-us-government-contract/

  • Pentera's 2024 Report Reveals Hundreds of Security Events per Week, Highlighting the Criticality of Continuous Validation

    22 avril 2024 | International, Sécurité

    Pentera's 2024 Report Reveals Hundreds of Security Events per Week, Highlighting the Criticality of Continuous Validation

    With enterprises using 53 different security solutions, why are breaches still a frequent reality? Unpack the paradox in our latest report.

  • Poland To Acquire Three MQ-9B SkyGuardians From GA-ASI

    22 décembre 2024 | International, Aérospatial

    Poland To Acquire Three MQ-9B SkyGuardians From GA-ASI

    The MQ-9B is the newest model of RPA produced by GA-ASI, and will serve as the foundational intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform for Poland

Toutes les nouvelles