Category Archives: Military

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Weapon Wednesday – Fire the “Laser”

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pacific ocean may 16, 2020 the amphibious transport dock ship uss portland lpd 27 conducts a solid state laser technology maturation laser weapon system demonstrator lwsd mk 2 mod 0 test lwsd is a high energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the office of naval research and installed on portland for an at sea demonstration lwsd's operational employment on a pacific fleet ship is the first system level implementation of a high energy class solid state laser us navy photo

U.S. NAVY

The U.S. Navy released a video of its newest, most powerful laser in action, destroying a target drone in mid-flight. The MK 2 MOD 0, also known as the Solid State Laser—Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD), is mounted on the amphibious ship USS Portland. The LWSD is likely the most powerful and destructive laser to go to sea. read more

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Weapon Wednesday – Drones Launched from Helicopters

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altius drone army

U.S. Army
  • In a test at Yuma Proving Ground, the U.S. Army launched a drone from a Blackhawk helicopter.
  • The test validated the ability to launch drones from helicopters, a tricky proposition due to the downwash created by the helo’s rotors.
  • In the near future the Army will field helicopters armed with ALEs, drones equipped with both video cameras and explosive warheads.

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Memorial Day Remembrance

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Memorial Day is a very important time to show solemn respect to all those Americans who died in wars, across the globe and in our own fields and forests. Pay special honor to their families who sacrificed so much – so we may live in freedom. Because of these heroes, we enjoy the blessings of liberty, protected from ruthless tyrants who still roam the earth, desperately seeking to enslave humanity.

But don’t forget to celebrate. Celebrate and raise a glass to the men and women who volunteered to fight on our behalf and made the ultimate sacrifice.

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Weapon Wednesday – U.S. Military Project Blackjack

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darpa

DARPA
  • The Pentagon wants mesh networks of small satellites capable of replacing its larger, more expensive satellites.
  • Project Blackjack’s satellites would replace one satellite with many, making for a more resilient system in wartime.
  • The first test satellites will launch in 2021. read more
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Happy Armed Forces Day

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Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May.  Thanks to President Harry S. Truman, it’s a day to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces. President Truman led the effort to establish a holiday in order for citizens to unite and to honor our military heroes for their patriotic service in support of the United States of America.

Armed Forces Day is a joint celebration of all six branches of the U.S. military: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and yes, even the newly created Space Force. It differs from Veterans Day and Memorial Day in that it also pays tribute to all those in current active duty, but also includes the men and women who have served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard, including the National Guard and Reserve components. read more

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Weapon Wednesday – Replacing the UH-60 Black Hawk

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Defiant Vs. Valor: Inside the Head-to-Head Helo Battle To Replace the Black Hawk

The UH-60 Black Hawk is a helicopter legend, and the battle to replace it is heating up.

In 2022 the Army will choose a new aircraft to replace its Reagan-era UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Two contenders from Sikorsky-Boeing and Bell will battle it out to become the winner of the Service’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program and the Army’s next combat helo when it deploys in 2030.

But “helicopter” isn’t even the right word to describe these two aerial beasts.

black hawk

The Black Hawk helicopter.

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Weapon Wednesday – Navy’s First Submerged Circumnavigation

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BETTMANNGETTY IMAGES
  • For much of their history submarines have spent most of their time on the surface, only submerging to make attacks.
  • But the arrival of nuclear power allowed a submarine to stay underwater indefinitely.
  • Operation Sandblast demonstrated to the world that submarines could now spend an entire patrol underwater. read more
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Weapon Wednesday – The A-10 Will Keep Flying

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Shah MaraiGetty Images
  • The A-10 Warthog, which first entered service in the late 1970s, will keep flying in Air Force service until 2040—or later.
  • The A-10 will only be restricted to combat against enemies with little or no air defenses, ending the jet’s career as a tank killer.

The U.S. Air Force has decided to keep the A-10 “Warthog” close air support jet in service until 2040. The jet, designed to dominate Cold War battlefields, will still be flying 50 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. That’s the good news. The bad news? The service is downgrading the jet’s mission, from one flying over tank columns on the ground to bombing bandits and insurgents in lightly defended airspace. read more

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Weapon Wednesday – Humvee Replacement for Marine Air Defense

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OSHKOSH DEFENSE
  • The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is the Pentagon’s replacement for the Humvee.
  • The Marine Corps wants an air defense version that can shoot down drones, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft.
  • The vehicle could carry lasers, rockets, missiles, jammers and other weapons, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. read more