USAF News and Discussion

[swerve]

Boeing screwed the pooch very, very badly there - at least twice. First time was cheating in the first competitive evaluation, KC-767 against A310 MRTT. Boeing could & should have won that fair & square if it hadn't cheated. Hiring a senior member of the evaluation team (whose daughter & daughter's fiance it had already hired after she sent in their CVs) while the evaluation was in progress (changing jobs after Boeing won, of course), & accepting details of the competing Airbus bid from her . . . doh! The USAF had to cancel the contract after that, & other stuff about the evaluation team (sorry, Boeing cheerleaders) became public.

Then it tried so hard to win the new competition, including lobbying to get the requirements slanted to the 767, that it seems to have committed itself to a suicidal deal, after which it looks as if the people at the top lost interest in fulfilment, neglecting to keep tabs on development.

 

[John Fedup]

One other lesson learned is you bloody well need to be careful with fixed price contracts and fully understand what might bite you in the a$$ down the road.

 

[Bob53]

Interesting article on AIM260 in the drive today With integration plans for the Collaborative Combat drones.

Classified AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missiles To Arm Future Air Force Drones

 

[Redlands18]

Interesting article on AIM260 in the drive today. Can anyone tell me…the drone in the main pic …what is it? Classified AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missiles To Arm Future Air Force Drones

I suspect they are nothing more than generic drawings of futuristic looking Drones. If you look closely, you will notice that there are actually 2 different designs. Perhaps the closer one is supposed to be a Fighter and the ones in the lower left picture are Bombers.

 

[ngatimozart]

I suspect they are nothing more than generic drawings of futuristic looking Drones. If you look closely, you will notice that there are actually 2 different designs. Perhaps the closer one is supposed to be a Fighter and the ones in the lower left picture are Bombers.

The only really effective way for UCAV to work is if they have AI onboard and controlled by it. Therein lies a problem, because the possibility exists that AI operated / controlled uncrewed weapons systems could be quite dangerous, not just to the enemy, but to everyone. We don't know enough about AI yet and if it's capable of learning to quickly, think faster than humans, and write its own code without any human input or control, then we maybe in big trouble. @hauritz has started a thread on AI which I think is a good idea. He has experience of it and I think that AI, especially in defence capabilities, is something that needs to be fully discussed. The ethics of such a development should be fully and openly discussed.

 

[John Fedup]

The tender process for the NGAD fighter for the USAF is beginning. I wonder how far off the USN’s requirement is? In any event, the first new attempt for a new fighter in over 20 years. Hopefully a less painful adventure than the JSF!

USAF Opens Bidding to Build Its 1st New Fighter in Decades

An engineering and manufacturing development contract is to be awarded in 2024 for the secretive Next Generation Air Dominance aircraft.

www.defenseone.com

 

[John Fedup]

Some further info on The NGAD. This link shows a possible contender concept from NG. With NG’s expertise in stealth via the B2 and B21, it should enable them to come up with a decent 6th Gen proposal. As the B21 is progressing well and seems to be on budget NG is on a role. This success could NG’s biggest obstacle for a win. Does the USAF want all its eggs in the NG basket? Then again, maybe NG is after the naval NGAD.

New Views Of Northrop Grumman's Totally Notional Long-Range Stealth Fighter

A series of new ads, which follow a similar one from 2021, give us new looks at Northrop Grumman's conceptual NGAD-like tactical jet.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

|"More than 1 million F-35 spare parts worth at least $85 million have gone missing over at least the last five years, according to a new Government Accountability Office report criticizing the program’s supply tracking.

Auditors said that because the government doesn’t have its own system tracking those parts, officials may not truly know how many spare parts are actually in the global spares pool, where they are, or their total value.

As a result, “the full quantity and value of these [lost] spare parts may be significantly higher” than the 1 million tally determined by the main contractor, Lockheed Martin...."|

More than 1 million spare parts, not just spare parts, but F-35 spareparts....that's really impressive.

Auditors: Over 1 million F-35 spare parts lost by DoD and Lockheed

GAO said some defense officials believe the true amount of lost spare parts may be even higher.

www.defensenews.com

It causes turbulence, but its a beautiful view....

 

[Bob53]

|"More than 1 million F-35 spare parts worth at least $85 million have gone missing over at least the last five years, according to a new Government Accountability Office report criticizing the program’s supply tracking.

Auditors said that because the government doesn’t have its own system tracking those parts, officials may not truly know how many spare parts are actually in the global spares pool, where they are, or their total value.

As a result, “the full quantity and value of these [lost] spare parts may be significantly higher” than the 1 million tally determined by the main contractor, Lockheed Martin...."|

More than 1 million spare parts, not just spare parts, but F-35 spareparts....that's really impressive.

Auditors: Over 1 million F-35 spare parts lost by DoD and Lockheed

GAO said some defense officials believe the true amount of lost spare parts may be even higher.

www.defensenews.com

It causes turbulence, but its a beautiful view....

So 1 million spare parts worth at least $85 million…in what world is the average cost of F35 parts $85 each?..what are they.…
1 million screws and rivets gone missing!

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

So 1 million spare parts worth at least $85 million…in what world is the average cost of F35 parts $85 each?..what are they.…
1 million screws and rivets gone missing!

I was thinking the same, but they are also saying "at least" and "the full quantity and value of these [lost] spare parts may be significantly higher”.
Besides that:

"Lost parts that were not reported to the JPO include 35 actuator doors worth more than $3.2 million, and 14 batteries worth more than $2.1 million, which were lost in the last three months of 2019, the report said."

And these are only 49 pieces of known missing spareparts, lost in just the last three months of 2019..

 

[ngatimozart]

it's been known for a few years that the US DOD is incapable of undertaking a proper audit, let alone complete one. It's failed all of its five audits.

"Federal law since the early 1990s requires mandatory audits for all government agencies, and since fiscal year 2013 all but the DOD have been able to satisfy that requirement." ​

Defense Department fails another audit, but makes progress

The Defense Department has failed its fifth-ever audit, unable to account for more than half of its assets, but the effort is being viewed as a “teachable moment,” according to its chief financial …

thehill.com

Here in NZ, NZDF has an audit every year and has done so since I first joined during the 1970s.

 

[ngatimozart]

Video of USAF SPEC OPS display at EAA Oshkosh this year. It's quite interesting.

Task & Purpose video on the F-15EX.

Loading of AGM-158 JASSM onto a B-1B.

 

[John Fedup]

Well some more news on Boeing’s KC-46 tanker, only 6 more fixes to be resolved. To date, the program has cost Boeing 7 billion. Interesting, the stiff boom problem prevents A-10 refuelling. Maybe this is the reason why the USAF wants to retire them . Surely a MRTT is starting to look better to some USAF personnel!

KC-46A tanker still has 6 category 1 deficiencies, but fixes are in the works: USAF official - Breaking Defense

Each KC-46A will take about two months to retrofit with a new vision system, according to the Air Force’s program lead, a fix that will address two of six remaining critical defects in Boeing’s Pegasus air refueling tanker.

breakingdefense.com

 

[FormerDirtDart]

I'm struck by how small the main fuselage of the aircraft appears to be.
I assume we are still years away from getting a handle on the actual possible bomb load.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1701661549109338606

This article provides a larger version of the frontal image

CSAF Shows Off New Images of the B-21; Raider Begins Engine Runs

Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. showed off two photos of the B-21 Raider bomber in a keynote speech Sept. 12, with a few new features appearing.

www.airandspaceforces.com

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2023/09/8018268.jpg

 

[FormerDirtDart]

Deleted by author
wrong thread...LOL

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

I'm struck by how small the main fuselage of the aircraft appears to be.
I assume we are still years away from getting a handle on the actual possible bomb load.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1701661549109338606

This article provides a larger version of the frontal image

CSAF Shows Off New Images of the B-21; Raider Begins Engine Runs

Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. showed off two photos of the B-21 Raider bomber in a keynote speech Sept. 12, with a few new features appearing.

www.airandspaceforces.com

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2023/09/8018268.jpg

Thank you for sharing the new images of the new B-21, a very interesting and fascinating design.
The first engine run took place at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, California, factory where the aircraft was built. But also in this article no further details, including whether the engine runs involved a single engine or both engines, were not given.

Northrop Grumman B-21 begins engine runs

Northrop Grumman has commenced engine runs of the B-21 Raider bomber for the first time, the US Air Force (USAF) announced on 12 September.

www.janes.com

The Air Force wants to buy 351 T-7s to replace its fleet of 504 aging T-38 Talon trainers.
Boeing plans to deliver the U.S. Air Force’s first T-7A Red Hawk this week, marking a major milestone for the trainer aircraft that has struggled with safety issues, software problems and schedule slips.

Problems with the T-7, particularly its escape system and flight control software, caused the program to fall behind schedule. The Air Force originally expected the T-7 to reach initial operational capability in 2024, but the service now expects that won’t happen before spring 2027.

Boeing to deliver first T-7 to US Air Force, outlines testing plans

The first two T-7s will head to Edwards Air Force Base in California this fall, and a third will undergo testing on extreme weather conditions elsewhere.

www.defensenews.com

 

[ngatimozart]

Some of those images remind me of a Cylon Raider in some ways. The white reminds me of the white anti flash paint that the UK RAF painted their Vulcans, Victors, and Valiants in the late 1950s. The belief then was that the white anti flash would reflect some of the thermal energy from an exploding nuclear warhead. When the Soviet air defence systems got better and managed to shoot down Gary Power's high flying U-2, the RAF had a change of plan and changed their nuclear bomber attack profiles from high altitude to low altitude with the bombers hugging the terrain.


Avro Vulcan white anti flash.


Avro Vulcan camo (XH558)


Handley Page Victor.


Vickers Valiant.

 

[John Fedup]

This article proposes the USAF obtain F-18 SHs to replace the A-10 for CAS. There are some reasonable arguments for considering this in the article. Not sure the USAF would be enthusiastic about acquiring a USN fighter however. Given the ongoing delays with block 4 F-35s, having some extra F-18s around would be useful for both services in an emergency (Pacific war in 2027-8). Boeing would welcome this obviously, especially if they fail to win either of the two NGAD projects.

A-10 Pilot's Compelling Case For Replacing Warthogs With Super Hornets

An A-10 Weapons Instructor lays out how buying F/A-18E/Fs fits the Air Force's imperatives and keeps the A-10's unique braintrust intact.

www.thedrive.com

 

[ngatimozart]

This article proposes the USAF obtain F-18 SHs to replace the A-10 for CAS. There are some reasonable arguments for considering this in the article. Not sure the USAF would be enthusiastic about acquiring a USN fighter however. Given the ongoing delays with block 4 F-35s, having some extra F-18s around would be useful for both services in an emergency (Pacific war in 2027-8). Boeing would welcome this obviously, especially if they fail to win either of the two NGAD projects.

A-10 Pilot's Compelling Case For Replacing Warthogs With Super Hornets

An A-10 Weapons Instructor lays out how buying F/A-18E/Fs fits the Air Force's imperatives and keeps the A-10's unique braintrust intact.

www.thedrive.com

"Not sure the USAF would be enthusiastic about acquiring a USN fighter however." The USAF acquired the F-4 Phantom which was originally a USN aircraft. They actually improved it by making sure that the gun was internal rather than an addon.

TBH the F-15EX would make a far better CAS capability because of its far better range / loiter time and weapons carrying capability than that of the F-18 E/F.

 

[swerve]

Some of those images remind me of a Cylon Raider in some ways. The white reminds me of the white anti flash paint that the UK RAF painted their Vulcans, Victors, and Valiants in the late 1950s. The belief then was that the white anti flash would reflect some of the thermal energy from an exploding nuclear warhead. When the Soviet air defence systems got better and managed to shoot down Gary Power's high flying U-2, the RAF had a change of plan and changed their nuclear bomber attack profiles from high altitude to low altitude with the bombers hugging the terrain.

View attachment 50804
Avro Vulcan white anti flash.

View attachment 50802
Avro Vulcan camo (XH558)

View attachment 50803
Handley Page Victor.

View attachment 50801
Vickers Valiant.

The Valiant was the technologically & aerodynamically conservative, low risk, option, able to be delivered earlier than the more advanced Victor or Vulcan.

It also turned out to be the shortest-lived, developing major fatigue problems very soon after being switched to low-level flying which led to inspection of the entire fleet & the discovery of greater than expected fatigue across the fleet, & was retired early.