US Air Force orders prototype of blended-wing plane
Telegraph
23-08-17 11:17
The US Air Force has announced a $235m investment in start-up manufacturer JetZero to develop a blended-wing body jet. JetZero and the Air Force hope to have a full-size demonstrator plane ready to fly in 2027. Blended-wing body planes have a sleek, futuristic design with less aerodynamic drag than traditional planes. JetZero argues that new designs are needed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions as traditional planes are running out of ways to improve efficiency. The Air Force said the demonstrator could determine whether blended-wing bodies could be used in future refuelling tankers and cargo planes.
What are hypersonic missiles and how powerful are they?
The Independent
23-08-17 08:58
Russia is equipping its new nuclear submarines with hypersonic Zircon missiles, according to Alexei Rakhmanov, CEO of United Shipbuilding Corporation. The Yasen-M submarines, also known as Project 885M, will be regularly equipped with the Zircon missile system, which has a range of 560 miles and can travel at several times the speed of sound. Hypersonic missiles are considered the next generation of arms, with Kinzhal rockets already reportedly deployed by the Russian Air Force in Ukraine. The US, UK, and Australia have also announced plans to collaborate on the development of hypersonic missiles and counter-hypersonic weapons.
The US has approved the transfer of American-made F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine. The move comes after Ukraine had been pushing for the transfer since last year. However, it is expected to be months before Ukraine can use the F-16s to counter Russia's air superiority. The US and its allies had previously ruled out providing F-16s to Ukraine due to concerns about escalating tensions with Russia. The transfer will occur once Ukrainian pilots are fully trained to operate the jets.
Two US servicemen arrested after man killed at carnival in Germany
The Independent
23-08-21 17:19
Two US servicemen have been arrested after a man was fatally stabbed during an argument at a carnival in Germany. The victim was killed during the confrontation at the Säubrenner fair in the small town of Wittlich on Saturday night. The suspects, aged 25 and 26, are stationed at the US Air Force’s Spangdahlem Air Base, which is close to the town. The names of the suspects and the victim have not been released. The suspects have been handed over to US authorities for investigation.
Taiwan arms boosted as US approves US$500 million in F-16 sensors
South China Morning Post
23-08-23 22:40
The US government has approved a $500m sale of advanced sensor systems for F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan to boost the self-governing island’s ability to defend itself against threats. The deal includes F-16 infrared search-and-track systems and related equipment. The US in 2019 approved an $8bn sale of 66 F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, a deal taking the island’s F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets by 2026. In March, the Biden administration approved the sale of an estimated $619m in arms to Taiwan, including hundreds of missiles for F-16 fighter jets.
Australia: US marines killed in military aircraft crash
Deutsche Welle
23-08-27 07:54
A US military aircraft crashed on an island off the northern coast of Australia, resulting in the deaths of three US Marines. The crash occurred during a multinational military exercise involving soldiers from Australia, the US, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. There were no Australian military personnel involved in the crash. The aircraft involved was a US Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft that combines features of helicopters and turboprop planes. The US and Australia have been increasing military cooperation in recent years due to concerns about China's growing assertiveness in the region.
Australia: US military aircraft crashes during exercises
Deutsche Welle
23-08-27 06:18
A US military aircraft crashed on Melville Island off the northern coast of Australia on Sunday morning. There were no reported deaths among the more than 20 US service personnel on board, but 23 US Marines were injured, with five people taken to mainland hospitals. The aircraft, believed to be a US Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, crashed during a multinational military exercise involving soldiers from Australia, the US, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. The incident occurred during Exercise Predator's Run 2023. The US and Australia have been increasing military cooperation in recent years due to concerns about China's growing assertiveness in the region.
Ukraine drones destroyed in latest raids on Russian territory
Al Jazeera
23-08-29 05:04
Russian air defenses have shot down three Ukrainian drones flying over Russian territory, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. The drones were destroyed over the Tula and Belgorod regions, with no reports of damage or casualties. Moscow and other Russian regions have recently experienced a series of Ukrainian drone attacks, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to state that the war would be returning to Russia. Last week, Ukrainian drones led to temporary suspensions of flights at Moscow's main airports. In a separate incident, Russian jet fighters intercepted two US reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea.
US could again hold nuclear weapons on British soil, documents suggest
Telegraph
23-08-29 21:30
The US Air Force (USAF) has secured funding for a new facility at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, UK. The funding request referred to a “surety dormitory,” a term used in US military parlance to refer to nuclear weapons. From 1954 to 2008, RAF Lakenheath housed 110 US nuclear bombs. The report states that the money will be used to “house the increase in enlisted personnel as the result of the potential surety mission.” The possible return of nuclear weapons reflects growing concern among Western allies about the instability of the Russian regime and the rise of China.
Samuel Wurzelbacher, ‘Joe the Plumber’, star of the 2008 US presidential campaign – obituary
Telegraph
23-08-30 11:10
Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as "Joe the Plumber," has died at the age of 49 after battling cancer. Wurzelbacher gained fame during the 2008 US presidential election campaign when he questioned then-candidate Barack Obama about his tax plans. The encounter was caught on camera and Wurzelbacher became a media star, with politicians referencing him in speeches and rallies. However, his fame waned when it was revealed that he did not have a plumber's license and owed back taxes. Wurzelbacher later ran for Congress in 2012 but lost. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Recent reports suggest that the US Air Force has secured funding for a new facility at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, UK, to house nuclear weapons. This has led to speculation that US nuclear weapons could be returning to British soil. The need for this move may be driven by the breakdown of nuclear treaties with Russia and the threat of Russia using nuclear weapons. The return of US nuclear weapons to the UK may be necessary for national defense, but it will likely face opposition from those on the Left who reject the doctrine of mutual assured destruction and hold suspicions about America's intentions.
Letters: The West needs a credible nuclear deterrent to keep Russia at bay
Telegraph
23-09-01 00:01
The decision to base nuclear-capable US Air Force aircraft at RAF Lakenheath in the UK will not increase the level of risk to Britain, according to Group Captain Terry Holloway. He argues that the move enhances deterrence against Russia, which seeks to encourage weakness in the West. Holloway believes that the West must demonstrate strength and determination, including a clear commitment to the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation to an attack. Another reader suggests that US President Joe Biden should place nuclear weapons on Irish soil instead of British soil, given Biden's "overt hostility" towards the UK.
What is Russia’s ‘Satan II’ intercontinental nuclear missile?
The Independent
23-09-01 12:08
Russia has announced that its RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), nicknamed "Satan II," has been placed on "combat duty." The missile, capable of carrying ten or more nuclear warheads, has been developed as a successor to the original "Satan" ICBM. The missile can carry 15 light nuclear warheads at once, arranged as Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicles (MIRVs). Russia has previously used the missile as a threat to Finland and Sweden's aspirations to join NATO, as well as to the US and the UK, which Russia regards as the key organising forces behind NATO.
The Top Gun dogfight over who builds the US Navy’s next fighter jets
Telegraph
23-09-04 06:00
Three US defence contractors, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, are competing for the contract to build the US Navy's new fighter jet, the F/A-XX. The contract is to build the successor to the F/A-18, the iconic jet flown by Tom Cruise in Top Gun. The project is at an early stage with no budget yet agreed. While the F-35 is the Navy's current jet, it is seen more as an attack and strike aircraft rather than a dogfighter. The F/A-18s are based on 1970s technology. The F/A-XX is intended to be the Navy's equivalent to the Air Force's F-22, capable of asserting air supremacy. Boeing is considered the front runner for the contract due to its work on the modern Top Gun fighter. Lockheed Martin's recent experience with the F-22 makes it a strong candidate for the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance programme, although Boeing is also a contender. The F/A-XX contract is being tendered at a time when the Navy is undertaking a $110bn submarine upgrade.
The Top Gun dogfight over who builds the US Navy’s next fighter jets
Telegraph
23-09-04 06:00
Three US defence contractors, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, are competing for the contract to build the US Navy's new fighter jet, the F/A-XX. The contract is to build the successor to the F/A-18, the iconic jet flown by Tom Cruise in Top Gun. The project is at an early stage with no budget yet agreed. While the F-35 is the Navy's current jet, it is seen more as an attack and strike aircraft rather than a dogfighter. The F/A-18s are based on 1970s technology. The F/A-XX is intended to be the Navy's equivalent to the Air Force's F-22, capable of asserting air supremacy. Boeing is considered the front runner for the contract due to its work on the modern Top Gun fighter. Lockheed Martin's recent experience with the F-22 makes it a strong candidate for the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance programme, although Boeing is also a contender. The F/A-XX contract is being tendered at a time when the Navy is undertaking a $110bn submarine upgrade.
US Air Force toying with idea to build this Batman villain’s weapon
The Independent
23-09-04 12:07
Researchers funded by the US Air Force are working on a device to cool on-board electronics in spacecraft and high-altitude jets. Electronics in military craft on Earth can rely on natural cooling methods, but this is not possible in space. The researchers are using plasma as a cooling method, as it cools before heating when it strikes a surface. Scientists are currently studying variations on the design in order to improve the efficiency of the apparatus.
A war-winning missile will knock China out of Taiwan – fast
Telegraph
23-09-05 10:00
The US Air Force (USAF) is planning to arm its cargo planes with cruise missiles, expanding the number of missiles it can launch in a single day. Under the Rapid Dragon initiative, the USAF has been developing procedures and technology to enable transport planes to deploy missiles from their cargo holds. The missiles are equipped with parachutes and are fired by the crew opening the rear cargo door and pushing out the missile racks, with the parachutes deploying and slowing the missiles in mid-air. The Rapid Dragon system could enable the USAF to deploy hundreds or even thousands of missiles at once.
How to pull off the light jacket, from bombers to blousons
Telegraph
23-09-10 16:00
Light jackets have become a staple in men's and women's fashion, thanks in part to their portrayal in cinema. From Ryan Gosling in Drive to James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, light jackets have been associated with sexiness and style. Popular varieties include Harringtons, blousons, bombers, and the hybrid "shacket." These jackets are perfect for the end-of-summer months when the temperature starts to cool down. They are lightweight and can be easily layered with thin-gauge clothing. Whether you're going for a renegade motorbike ride or a family outing in a car, these jackets can add a touch of style to any outfit.
The commercial aviation industry could be moving towards pilotless aircraft. The US Air Force is developing AI-controlled unmanned combat aircraft, while Airbus is testing its Dragonfly technology in an Airbus A350-1000. The latter uses data from the aircraft's sensors to manoeuvre the aircraft independently of a human pilot and has already proven its worth in simulated events. The ultimate aim for the industry is single pilot operation (SPO) of commercial aircraft, but there are still significant technological challenges to overcome.
US Air Force releases new images of its £585m stealth nuclear bomber
The Independent
23-09-13 11:41
The US Air Force has released new images of the B-21 Raider, a stealth nuclear bomber that is expected to enter service by 2027. The aircraft, built by Northrop Grumman, will replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers and is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 Raider is described as a state-of-the-art bomber that will provide long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and protect the United States and its allies. The images were released during a keynote speech by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force at a conference in Maryland.
