Lockheed Martin Announces Successful ER GMLRS Test | Royal Navy To Receive New Vessels | China Offers HQ-17AE To Foreign Countries

Americas

According to Lockheed Martin, the US Army’s new extended-range version of its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) had a successful 80-kilometer flight demonstration at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on March 4. Lockheed Martin is the manufacturer of the GMLRS munition and has worked with the Army to double the rocket’s reach through extended-range capability development. The 80-kilometer shot fired from the Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System met the test objectives, Lockheed said in its news release. The release added that the demo “confirmed the missile’s flight trajectory performance, range and validated interfaces with the HIMARS launcher and system software performance.”

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics won a $7.8 million deal for the LongShot, Phase 1. The contract provides for the research, development and demonstration of the LongShot unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The LongShot program is developing an air-launched unmanned air vehicle (UAV) with the ability to employ multiple air-to-air weapons. The objective is to develop a novel UAV that can significantly extend engagement ranges, increase mission effectiveness, and reduce the risk to manned aircraft. Work will take place in California and Florida. Estimated completion will be in February 2022.

Middle East & Africa

According to Israel Defense, the Israeli Air Force Training Department, in cooperation with the 133rd Squadron, which is named “Knights of the Twin Tail” developed a new method of air combat training during the last two years. This was the topic of a day of study that was attended by the commanders of all the combat squadrons and the regional control units, and led by the commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin. The head of the Training Department, identified only as “Col. L.”, was quoted as saying “The countries around us are arming themselves with very advanced fighter planes. In an operational scenario, when the surroundings are full of planes and electronic warfare systems, it is possible that missiles will miss (their targets), and planes will reach outside radar range, and then the pilots may find themselves in a tight battle with enemy planes at close range in which they see them with their eyes.” Next month the entire combat array will train according to the new training portfolio that was composed by the Training Department. The head of the Training Department was quoted by Israel Defense: “We are currently considering the advanced and sophisticated weapon and electronic warfare systems that we have, and also those of our enemies. The training takes the air crews a step forward, training them in operating the advanced weapon and in its readiness for the weapon systems of the enemy.”

Europe

The Sunday Times has reported that the Royal Navy is to receive new vessels as part of the defense review. “The Royal Navy gets new frigates, supply ships and underwater surveillance vessels.” The new frigates are likely to be the Type 32s. The Type 32 was first announced by Boris Johnson in November 2020 as part of a defense investment pledge ahead of the Integrated Review. The review’s first conclusions are reportedly related to the restoration of the United Kingdom as “the foremost naval power in Europe” through the construction of new ships.

All branches of the UK Armed Forces are on average six percent below the target strength set out in the 2015 Strategic Defense and Security Review. A House of Commons library research briefing published on March 8, titled “UK Defence Personnel Statistics“ provides details on how UK military service personnel statistics are measured and discusses current and historic strength levels.

Asia-Pacific

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) told Global Times that its HQ-17AE mobile air defense missile system is now being offered to foreign countries. The HQ-17 is China’s copy of the Russian Tor system. The HQ-17A is a wheeled chassis variant that first appeared in public back in 2019. The HQ-17AE is the export variant. The system is capable of firing on the move with the vehicle traveling at a maximum speed of 25 kph. It carries a total of 8 missiles and can engage up to 4 targets at the same time.

Today’s Video

Watch: DARPA to Develop Air Launched UAV with Multiple Air-to-Air Weapons Capabilities

Longshot: A Swooping HAAWC for Torpedoes

American maritime patrol aircraft currently carry torpedoes as part of their armament, which serve as key weapons against enemy submarines. As any high-diver of cliff-jumper knows first hand, however, water can feel surprisingly solid after a long fall. Torpedoes still have to be released from low altitude, typically 100 feet or less above the waves. Two recent developments, however, are making this approach less practical for the US military. One is tests of sub-launched anti-air missile systems, using modified short-range air-air missiles that do not require radar guidance. The other is its selection of the 737-based P-8A Poseidon as its next maritime patrol and surface surveillance aircraft. The P-8A can perform low swoops if necessary, but its airframe is really optimized for cruising at altitude.

As these trends developed, someone in the US military asked the logical next question: