Tag Archives: Popular Mechanics

Posted in • • • •

Weapon Wednesday – Space Force Satellite Jammer

By comment

The U.S. Space Force has received its first “weapon,” the Counter Communications System.
CCS is designed to prevent nearby adversaries from accessing their own military satellite communications, cutting them off from their home countries.
In addition to the United States, Russia and China are working on their own satellite communications jammers. read more

Posted in • • • • •

Weapon Wednesday – The 768 Barrett MRAD

By comment

image

Barrett via Military Times
  • The U.S. Army and Marines have placed an order for 768 Barrett MRAD rifles.
  • The MRAD is a multi-caliber sniper weapon capable of serving in a wider variety of environments than previous weapons.
  • One of the most useful features of the new rifle is the ability to change barrels with a single tool. read more
Posted in • • • • • •

Weapon Wednesday – Printed Body Parts for Combat Medicine

By comment

image

U.S. Army
  • West Point pre-med students are doing research that could lead to the 3D printing of “bio bandages” and small body parts.
  • So-called “bio printers” could print things such as bone cartilage and blood vessels the same way regular 3D printers print solid objects.
  • The research is still in the early phases but could have applications for soldiers wounded in battle. read more
Posted in

Weapon Wednesday – USAF GAU-5A Compact M-4 Carbine

By comment

image

AIR FORCE
  • The GAU-5A is a modified M4 carbine designed to keep aircrews alive in emergencies.
  • The weapon was rebuilt to fit in the storage compartments of ejection seats.
  • In emergencies, the GAU-5A  can be used to ward off enemy search parties until rescue.

The U.S. Air Force developed a new assault rifle that breaks down into two pieces, allowing it to be stored in the ejection seat of modern jets. The GAU-5A carbine is designed to provide the firepower necessary for aircrew to defend themselves until rescue. read more

Posted in • • •

Weapon Wednesday – Minuteman III ICBM Test Launch

By comment

image

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Wear
  • The new U.S. Space Force saw one of its most important missions so far today as it helped test an intercontinental ballistic missile.
  • The Minuteman III missile sent a reentry vehicle over four thousand miles to land at Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific. read more
Posted in • • • • •

Weapon Wednesday – That’s a Big Laser!

By comment

180425-N-KZ419-381

U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Dawson Roth
  • USS Little Rock will receive a laser weapon during an upcoming deployment.
  • The new laser is five times more powerful than the first laser, deployed five years ago.
  • The laser is probably strong enough to seriously damage small vehicles but is dependent on atmospheric conditions. read more
Posted in • •

Weapon Wednesday – My Ship is All New

By comment

John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) christening ceremony

MCSN Cory Daut

On Saturday, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy presided over the christening ceremony for America’s newest aircraft carrier. Former first daughter Caroline Kennedy, swinging a magnum bottle of champagne, dedicated the second aircraft carrier named after her father, a former naval officer who served during World War II. read more

Posted in • •

Weapon Wednesday – Low Yield Nukes on the Horizon

By comment

USS Nebraska Successfully Tests Trident II D5 Missile

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ronald Gutridge
  • The W76-2 warhead is a new, low-yield nuclear weapon
  • The Pentagon believes other countries—especially Russia—could use low-yield nukes early in a conflict, so it needs its own.
  • The W76-2 has an explosive yield of 10 kilotons, or 10,000 tons of TNT, or less. read more
Posted in • • • •

Weapon Wednesday – New F-35 Survival Kit

By comment

Eielson Airmen prepare the F-35 for Arctic operations

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Larue Guerrisky
  • The F-35 has smaller accommodations for pilot survival gear than previous aircraft.
  • As a result, the first F-35 squadron to be based in cold weather has been working on a smaller survival kit.
  • An accident during testing revealed the kit actually works at 25 degrees lower than originally planned.

A survival kit designed to keep F-35 pilots alive in freezing conditions has proven its worth all the way down to -65 degree Fahrenheit. The new kit, designed by the airmen that will fly with it under their seats, is designed to be smaller than previous kits while protecting pilots from the elements until rescue. read more

Posted in • • • • •

Weapon Wednesday – Japan’s Lithium Ion Submarine

By comment

image

Japan Ministry of Defense
  • Submarines use batteries for quiet propulsion underwater.
  • Until recently, submarines used lead acid batteries, which were heavy and less energy efficient.
  • The adoption of lithium ion batteries is a huge improvement over the older batteries but carries some risks. read more