US Defence related thread

[AZ_HighCountry]

A notable development in anti-drone tech.

U.S. military uses laser to shoot down 3 cartel drones at southern border, Pentagon says

The U.S. military this week used a laser to shoot down three drones along the U.S.-Mexico border that were allegedly operated by drug cartels, the Pentagon said.

www.cbsnews.com

This was rumored to have been done in another situation several months ago when the airspace over El Paso was closed due to an incursion over Ft. Bliss. The Army supposedly used a high energy weapon to bring down the drones. There was no confirmation by the Army.

 

[جوبا]

US Army replacing the M2A2 ammo can in use since (approx) 1942
with the new polymer based ammo cans called SixPAC ( name is based off of the 6.8m cartridge which this was designed to carry more effectively)

While the benefits of this replacement are controversial one of the claimed benefit is : manufacturing the polymer containers by injection moulding could broaden the supply base, with more than 800 potential suppliers identified in the US. Including field 3D printers
Source

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

US Army replacing the M2A2 ammo can in use since (approx) 1942 View attachment 213146
with the new polymer based ammo cans called SixPAC ( name is based off of the 6.8m cartridge which this was designed to carry more effectively)
View attachment 213147
While the benefits of this replacement are controversial one of the claimed benefit is : manufacturing the polymer containers by injection moulding could broaden the supply base, with more than 800 potential suppliers identified in the US. Including field 3D printers
Source

The M2A2 ammo can was designed to be dropped including hard drops such as out of the back of an aircraft on a pallet or from a helicopter. Will be interesting to see how this new can holds up under those conditions.

I'll be looking for new M2A2s to hit the surplus market soon. May grab another 50 or so.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Meant to post this earlier. Don't have the original link to Fox. This link though is the article as it was published on Fox:

MSN

Quite a bit of discussion in some of my other circles about this. It not just the cartels the US is worried about.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

This shouldn't be of any surprise to anyone:

Chinese Cargo Ships Clandestinely Gather Signals Intelligence: Report

It should not come as too much of a surprise that China is using its massive commercial fleet to spy around the globe as they go about their business.

www.twz.com

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Old school is on its way to becoming new school again:

U.S. Air Force Seeks Anti-Aircraft Guns To Protect Its Overseas Bases

The request for anti-drone and anti-cruise missile guns comes as the Air Force is pushing to take on more air defense responsibilities at its forward bases.

www.twz.com

DOD finally figuring out that shooting a $1M missile at a $100 toy is not very cost effective.