US Defence related thread

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Unlike some of the posters in this thread, this General knows what he's talking about. And, he's not crying wolf to get more money:

China does not seek wars with the US, nor to replace it as hegemon. China also doesn't need to constantly look for new enemies so as to satisfy a gargantuan military budget.
 

Despite the race to induct fifth generation fighters USA is still betting on the fifty year highly upgraded Eagles to fight future wars

I noticed Israel and others like South Korea or Japan intend to keep these kings of the fourth generation era crucial part of future war fighting fleet alongside their fifth generation fighters

Huge payload
Range
Combat proven

But most importantly three times the sorte rate of fifth generation fighters at half thf flight time Cost per hour
 

I always smile and think how completely logical of thought and understanding of warfare costs sortie rates and mixed force structure some posters are when they claim posts like

We will have all fifth generation fleet of J35 kaan etcetc in 10 years of 15 years blah blah..

Folkes every air force in the world bar none will still be operating both twin engines and single engine fighters part of fleets even in 2045/2050

Their lower cost and efficiency of sorties and weapons load simply make them. Indespensible

USA will have even loaded fleet
Upgraded F15 ex
Upgraded F16s block 70
F35 fifth generation
Of 100 each type in 2040
 
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US military to purchase nearly 50,000 offensive strike weapons from 2027-2031
 

Despite the race to induct fifth generation fighters USA is still betting on the fifty year highly upgraded Eagles to fight future wars

I noticed Israel and others like South Korea or Japan intend to keep these kings of the fourth generation era crucial part of future war fighting fleet alongside their fifth generation fighters

Huge payload
Range
Combat proven

But most importantly three times the sorte rate of fifth generation fighters at half thf flight time Cost per hour
Look how long Japan and South Korea flew the F-4 Phantom. Tough. Reliable. Dependable.
 
F15 have very large radar cross section it's very old platform
But
It has the best Ew suites and Aesa radars on the planet giving it situations awareness tracking enhance engagement ranges at 300km plus to remain crucial to USA combat doctrines

F15 combined with F35 is the preferred combat force mix of Japan Israel and South Korea

For USA is ridiculous combinations including stealth bombers raptors and super hornets
 
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A U.S. Army Green Beret assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) remotely launches an unmanned surface vessel from a dock in preparation for Maritime Strike-North as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 in Batanes, Philippines, April 23, 2026. US Marine Corps photo


MANILA, Philippines — American special forces used unmanned surface vessels equipped with explosive charges against a maritime target in the Luzon Strait.

U.S. Army Green Berets with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) controlled the explosive-laden drone and other unmanned maritime systems from Batan Island, one of several territories that make up the Batanes archipelago near Taiwan. These islands have seen increased U.S.-Philippine military exercises in response to Manila’s concerns over a conflict spillover and refugee repatriation during a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. From its northernmost point, the Batanes archipelago is located within 88 miles of Taiwan.

H I Sutton, an open-source naval analyst, identified the drones used were derived or sourced from the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Magura class of USVs. These drones have gained notoriety for their attacks against larger Russian warships in the Black Sea over the last few years. Alongside Ukrainian missile strikes and additional unmanned efforts, the Magura has played a crucial role in constraining Russia’s larger fleet. The U.S. Indo-Pacific command wants to replicate these types of operations within its hellscape concept in the event of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, USNI News has reported.

Army-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles from Laoag International Airport on Luzon and U.S. Navy Combatant Craft Mediums were also used during the sinking exercise of MV Manfil, a decommissioned commercial vessel. American special forces also coordinated strikes from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol boat BRP Cabra (MRRV 4409). According to the PCG and additional media from the 1st Special Forces Group, strikes against Manfil also included the use of guided-missiles, rockets and gunships.

The deployment of U.S. kamikaze drones to the Luzon Strait marks the latest debut of new American capabilities to the Philippines. This trend has extended across the services in recent years, which have used deployments to the Southeast Asian archipelago to test and demonstrate advanced missile systems, logistical techniques and formations designed to defeat Chinese naval and area denial forces.

During this year’s Balikatan iteration, U.S. Marine Corps, Army and Air Force units are coordinating their sensing, long-range strike and transportation capabilities to simulate the defense of Manila’s northernmost island chain.

While these low-range unmanned aerial and maritime systems may be ineffective in the open waters of the Indo-Pacific, the littoral nature of the Batanes Island Group could allow U.S. and Philippine forces to deploy drones in a similar nature to the methods used by Ukraine in the Black Sea and Houthis in the Red Sea. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command leadership previously envisioned the use of these unmanned systems in a “hellscape” concept, a plan that relies on the mass deployment of attack drones to disrupt and defeat attacks from larger Chinese naval forces.
 
The US Army seeks to deploy the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile for the first time in the Middle East for use against Iran

1777857005281.png

The weapon, known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon or Dark Eagle, has a range of about 1,725 miles and is designed to carry out long-range precision conventional strikes against time-sensitive and heavily fortified targets, according to the US Library of Congress.

The cost of one missile is about 15 million dollars, with the United States possessing a limited number of missiles not exceeding eight, according to the same source, while the cost of each battery reaches about 2.7 billion dollars.

1777857214433.png

It is noteworthy that the US Army recently awarded a production contract worth $2.7 billion for the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile, also known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon), and the contract includes development and production work together.

This weapon will be deployed within the US Army's Multidisciplinary Task Force (MDTF) formations, as well as within the US Navy's Conventional Immediate Strike Program (Conventional Prompt Strike). As part of the MDTF, the missile will operate alongside the Typhoon medium-range launch pad, which is capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 missiles.

Technically, Dark Eagle is a joint development project between the US Army and Navy. The Navy led the development of the "Common Hypersonic Glide Body" (Common Hypersonic Glide Body) in collaboration with Dynetics (a subsidiary of Leidos) and based on a design from Sandia National Laboratory. Lockheed Martin manufactures the booster and launch pad, and connects all components of the missile system together.

Contrary to previous reports that indicated the missile's range was 2,775 kilometers, its true range is 3,500 kilometers. In this context, Lieutenant General Francisco Lozano, Director of the Hypersonic Weapons, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition Programs, stated, "I can target mainland China from Guam", confirming the range number at the same time.

The missile is based on a hypersonic glide vehicle launched by a two-stage booster to the peak point. After the sliding object is released, it begins to slide back towards the ground at hypersonic speeds of at least 6,115 km/h. For comparison, the average speed of the Tomahawk missile is about 885 km/h. The missile can cover its maximum range in 20 minutes, with an average speed of 175 kilometers per minute, but any changes in trajectory may negatively affect this speed and perhaps the range.

The glide vehicle carries a kinetic energy warhead and a small explosive charge of about 14 kg, designed to fire projectiles. Once released, these projectiles can have an effect within an area roughly the size of a football field.

1777857809896.png

Dark Eagle travels at speeds greater than Mach 5, placing it in the hypersonic category. It uses a glide body that separates from the booster rocket and moves at high altitude with the ability to change direction. This makes it extremely difficult for traditional air defence systems to detect and intercept.
 
It should also be noted that Dark Eagle deployment has to be approved at a higher level. Theater commanders cannot order it on their own.
 
The US Army seeks to deploy the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile for the first time in the Middle East for use against Iran

View attachment 195552

The weapon, known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon or Dark Eagle, has a range of about 1,725 miles and is designed to carry out long-range precision conventional strikes against time-sensitive and heavily fortified targets, according to the US Library of Congress.

The cost of one missile is about 15 million dollars, with the United States possessing a limited number of missiles not exceeding eight, according to the same source, while the cost of each battery reaches about 2.7 billion dollars.

View attachment 195553

It is noteworthy that the US Army recently awarded a production contract worth $2.7 billion for the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile, also known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon), and the contract includes development and production work together.

This weapon will be deployed within the US Army's Multidisciplinary Task Force (MDTF) formations, as well as within the US Navy's Conventional Immediate Strike Program (Conventional Prompt Strike). As part of the MDTF, the missile will operate alongside the Typhoon medium-range launch pad, which is capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 missiles.

Technically, Dark Eagle is a joint development project between the US Army and Navy. The Navy led the development of the "Common Hypersonic Glide Body" (Common Hypersonic Glide Body) in collaboration with Dynetics (a subsidiary of Leidos) and based on a design from Sandia National Laboratory. Lockheed Martin manufactures the booster and launch pad, and connects all components of the missile system together.

Contrary to previous reports that indicated the missile's range was 2,775 kilometers, its true range is 3,500 kilometers. In this context, Lieutenant General Francisco Lozano, Director of the Hypersonic Weapons, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition Programs, stated, "I can target mainland China from Guam", confirming the range number at the same time.

The missile is based on a hypersonic glide vehicle launched by a two-stage booster to the peak point. After the sliding object is released, it begins to slide back towards the ground at hypersonic speeds of at least 6,115 km/h. For comparison, the average speed of the Tomahawk missile is about 885 km/h. The missile can cover its maximum range in 20 minutes, with an average speed of 175 kilometers per minute, but any changes in trajectory may negatively affect this speed and perhaps the range.

The glide vehicle carries a kinetic energy warhead and a small explosive charge of about 14 kg, designed to fire projectiles. Once released, these projectiles can have an effect within an area roughly the size of a football field.

View attachment 195554

Dark Eagle travels at speeds greater than Mach 5, placing it in the hypersonic category. It uses a glide body that separates from the booster rocket and moves at high altitude with the ability to change direction. This makes it extremely difficult for traditional air defence systems to detect and intercept.
That's a mighty weapon and I hope it's never used.
 
It should also be noted that Dark Eagle deployment has to be approved at a higher level. Theater commanders cannot order it on their own.

Odd deployment given that at most the USA has 2 dozen missiles as of now ( according to Scott Rittler, not sure how true that is ).

The USA may want to test it under combat conditions.
 

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