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    US Air Force: Discussion and News

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    diabetus


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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  diabetus Tue Feb 07, 2023 9:09 am

    Sujoy wrote:So the various SAM systems like Patriot that NATO is sending to Ukraine are not even good enough to shoot down a balloon over water. A fighter jet had to be send to do the job.

    The US generally doesn't use SAMs for domestic air defense, they rely on aircraft for that. Outside of some places like Washington, DC, there are no active SAM sites.

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    Sujoy
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  Sujoy Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:22 pm

    GarryB wrote:Balloons drift very slowly and are difficult targets to detect and track for radar, which is why the US and the west used them to send spy platforms across the Soviet Union before they could use satellites.
    High-altitude balloons, despite being massive can have a surprisingly low signature, which creates guidance problems for missiles. If something is moving very slowly, the radar will either not detect it or dynamically filter out the target, depending on its mode and capabilities. Radar fuze systems will probably be more problematic than laser types under these conditions.
    Arkanghelsk
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  Arkanghelsk Wed Feb 08, 2023 2:31 am

    It should have been intercepted over Aleutian islands

    But the balloon changed direction - surprising NORAD

    FAA issued multiple NOTAMS so they did see it

    But it seems NORAD did not expect overflight over US territory

    This balloon was 200 feet tall, and carried a 1 ton payload

    Zircon would devastate the continental US and Russian and Chinese, hell even Koreans and Iran can conclude there are gaps in the GBI defense system

    This thing flew over unpopulated areas of the US , and they could only intercept over south east Atlantic?

    There were communication issues between intelligence and the command

    Meaning any decapitation of US leadership would cause havoc in their response

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    GarryB
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  GarryB Wed Feb 08, 2023 9:59 am

    They noticed this balloon, but missed four previous ones.

    Problems with slow targets is mainly to do with low flying targets.

    To remove the enormous reflection of the ground or water things that are not moving are removed from the display.

    Very slow moving targets are also removed to eliminate cars and birds from the display.

    High altitude radar following targets above 14km can be set to show everything... No ground reflections and no birds.

    Their newer missiles made high altitude planes unnecessary, along with the shift to satellites so balloons would be a rather rare problem.

    A MiG-31 has a 23mm cannon and can easily fly to such altitudes... I would guess they keep the sensitive ammo just in case.
    Mir
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  Mir Thu Feb 09, 2023 10:38 am

    Sujoy wrote:High-altitude balloons, despite being massive can have a surprisingly low signature, which creates guidance problems for missiles. If something is moving very slowly, the radar will either not detect it or dynamically filter out the target, depending on its mode and capabilities. Radar fuze systems will probably be more problematic than laser types under these conditions.

    During the 50's - long before the M-17 project - the Soviets looked into developing the Yak-25RV high altitude reconnaissance plane into a balloon interceptor. The aircraft was known as the Yak-25PA but the program was abandoned due to the lack of a suitable engine to power the larger and heavier aircraft.

    In the seventies Objekt 34 Chaika was developed in total secrecy. It was supposed to carry two air-to-air missiles and the GSh-23 twin barrel canon, but the US abandoned their spy balloon programs in favour of spy satellites and the A-12(SR-71). The Object 34 prototype crashed when it had to lift off during a taxi run and was destroyed in the accident.

    The Object 34 design was then developed into the M-17 Stratosfera high altitude reconnaissance aircraft but it retained the dorsal canon to shoot down any "weather balloons" over Soviet territory. The balloon interceptor idea was finally abandoned in the late 80's and the M-17 was in turn developed into the twin engine M-17RN - later known as the M-55 Geophysica. A small number of these magnificent aircraft are still operating as high altitude research laboratories.

    These US spy balloons were launched from several friendly countries to spy on Chinese and especially Soviet territory. They traveled at altitudes between 20-25 kilometers and had altimeters installed to keep it from loosing altitude. The balloon exterior was very thin and notoriously difficult for radars to spot. The spy equipment was also painted blue to make it hard for interceptor pilots to spot causing a number of accidents. Apparently 1956 was a particular busy year with over 500 balloons launched!

    The An-2 balloon interceptor version that GarryB mentioned was apparently known as the An-3 (first use of the designation) but to be honest I can't see how this plane could have ever reached altitudes anywhere near the stratosphere armed with a canon and a spotlight! Laughing

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    Hole
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  Hole Mon Feb 13, 2023 12:38 pm

    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Fo0xzn10
    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Fo179c10

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    George1
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  George1 Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:57 pm

    US Air Force to buy JSM cruise missiles for F-35 jets

    https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/march/8938-us-air-force-to-buy-jsm-cruise-missiles-to-arm-f-35-lightning-ii-fighters.html
    JohninMK
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  JohninMK Thu Aug 17, 2023 10:46 am

    OSINTdefender
    @sentdefender
    .
    11h
    The U.S. Department of the Air Force has announced that Commercial Aerospace Startup, JetZero has been Awarded a $235 Million Contract for producing a Blended-Wing Body Demonstrator which will be roughly the size of a 200-250 Passenger Jumbo-Jet and will be used in the Research of Fuel Efficiency for Large-Scale Military Aircraft such as Tankers and Bombers, with it promising to reduce Fuel Consumption by up to 50%.

    The Aircraft will be produced in conjunction with Northrop Grumman and Scale Composites with a Prototype expected to take flight in 2027.

    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 F3rqbokWAAACxXH?format=jpg&name=small

    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 F3rqbokWYAAXEeT?format=jpg&name=small
    Tsavo Lion
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  Tsavo Lion Fri Sep 08, 2023 9:59 pm

    https://www.eurasiantimes.com/b-52-b-21-stealth-bomber-launched-drone-that-can-fire-air-air/
    GarryB
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    Post  GarryB Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:35 am

    The An-2 balloon interceptor version that GarryB mentioned was apparently known as the An-3 (first use of the designation) but to be honest I can't see how this plane could have ever reached altitudes anywhere near the stratosphere armed with a canon and a spotlight!

    Not all the balloons flew high.

    Actually an updated improved An-3 with a 23mm gun turret with airburst shells would be rather interesting for use against both drones and balloons....
    Mir
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  Mir Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:55 am

    GarryB wrote:

    Not all the balloons flew high.

    Actually an updated improved An-3 with a 23mm gun turret with airburst shells would be rather interesting for use against both drones and balloons....

    Mir wrote:US spy balloons were launched from several friendly countries to spy on Chinese and especially Soviet territory. They traveled at altitudes between 20-25 kilometers and had altimeters installed to keep it from loosing altitude.

    Nice detail about the US spy balloons and how they were used.
    https://thespacereview.com/article/4568/1

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    George1
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  George1 Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:45 pm

    US Air Force receives first new Compass Call electronic warfare plane

    https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/09/12/us-air-force-receives-first-new-compass-call-electronic-warfare-plane/
    George1
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  George1 Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:45 pm

    Boeing plans to deliver the U.S. Air Force’s first T-7A Red Hawk on Tuesday

    https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/09/12/boeing-to-deliver-first-t-7-to-us-air-force-outlines-testing-plans/
    Tsavo Lion
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty F-15QA display

    Post  Tsavo Lion Thu Nov 16, 2023 6:49 am

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-air-force-training-down-155407160.html

    https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-15qa-flies-demo-unlike-any-weve-seen-from-an-eagle-before
    JohninMK
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    Post  JohninMK Thu Dec 21, 2023 9:22 pm

    latti71
    @djuric_zlatko
    ⚡🇺🇸 In the first time, or at least, a very, very, very, long time, from the Suez to the shores of Hawaii, not a single US Military flight is registered on public flight radars - it seems that all flights have turned off their transponders.

    Which is unnatural to say the least, at least several flights would be registered and be flying at any given time

    Calm before the storm?

    @themediterraneanman
    Odin of Ossetia
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    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 Empty Re: US Air Force: Discussion and News

    Post  Odin of Ossetia Fri Feb 09, 2024 9:49 pm





    U.S. Air Force to Allow Some Retired Personnel to Re-Enlist for Service.


    https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3668722/retired-officers-enlisted-members-can-rejoin-active-duty-to-offset-personnel-sh/



    This new re-enlistment program is limited and selective, but is shows that the USAF is facing some more serious personnel shortages.




    yes sir
    Odin of Ossetia
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    Post  Odin of Ossetia Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:45 am




    On How the U.S. Air Force Obtained, Tested, and Evaluated Soviet Military Planes During the Cold War.


    https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-inside-story-of-flying-against-the-air-force-s-secret-soviet-fighter-jets?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us





    Last edited by Odin of Ossetia on Sun Apr 21, 2024 1:03 am; edited 1 time in total
    Atmosphere
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    Post  Atmosphere Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:26 pm

    Early JSF avionics analysis
    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 W37_ht10
    US Air Force: Discussion and News - Page 22 W37_ht11

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    George1
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    Post  George1 Sat Aug 10, 2024 11:07 am

    Boeing Delivers First MH-139A Production Aircraft to U.S. Air Force

    https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131476

    George1
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    Post  George1 Sat Aug 10, 2024 11:35 am

    US Air Force Orders E-7A Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Prototype to Be Delivered in 2029

    https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3868384/

    Sponsored content


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    Post  Sponsored content


      Current date/time is Tue Oct 08, 2024 8:04 pm