Current Events in the Americas

From Flight Global [excerpt] CV32: We have an election looming here in Canada in less than a week, and the planned purchase of 65x F-35A is one of the more controversial issues dogging the campaign. And while I am Conservative to my very bone marrow, I will say that the Conservatives are wrong on this issue in that: (1) the requirement was written for the F-35, rather than a requirement being written and then candidates sought to meet it; (2) that the only 'competition' was undertaken in the USA, between LM and Boeing over who would build JSF, and had nothing to do with what platform would replace the CF-18; (3) the F-35 is not the only aircraft that mi…

Navy To Begin Arming Subs With Ship-Killer Missile (Breaking Defense)

Important article, I think: https://m.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2018-05/how-we-lost-great-pacific-war

Team the P-8 and Sea Hunter for ASW (Proceedings, September 2018)

APG-83 SABR AESA radar very probably for USMC F/A-18C/D: https://www.naval-technology.com/news/northrop-installs-production-apg-83-radar-usmcs-f-18c-hornet/

USS Michale Monsoor DDG-1001 needs both damaged main gas turbines replacement https://news.usni.org/2018/07/11/second-zumwalt-destroyer-needs-new-engine-turbine-blades-damaged-sea-trials Quote: " Galinis said part of the reason it has taken so long to replace the engine is that, with the MT30 being so large, a special rail system is needed to remove the engine and put in a new one. That system hadn’t yet been designed when the Navy realized it needed one, so engineers had to finish the design and then install the system. “So that’s what’s taken us a little bit,” the rear admiral said." Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine is also employed by CVF Queen Elizabeth-class, LC…

Of interest for everyone of us (see photo): https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2018-07/be-predictably-unpredictable

Comments on future carrier operations with drone tankers: https://www.themaven.net/warriormaven/sea/navy-to-pick-first-ever-carrier-launched-drone-later-this-year-v3X6RkePYkuPMMd6lUvKOg

Mattis proposed revolution on surprise carrier battle groups deployments: https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/05/02/is-secretary-of-defense-mattis-planning-radical-changes-to-how-the-navy-deploys/

The Navy’s stealth destroyers to get new weapons and a new mission: killing ships (DefenseNews)

Great article with interesting links: http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/18318/shock-trials-or-no-the-navys-newest-supercarrier-is-still-an-unreliable-debacle

2018 Nuclear Posture Review (pdf)

From Defense Aerospace BAE Systems Delivers First Piece of Production Hardware for U.S. Navy's Advanced Gun System (Source: BAE Systems; issued May 25, 2010) ARLINGTON, Va. --- BAE Systems, along with partner General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, delivered to the U.S. Navy the first automated magazine for the 155-mm Advanced Gun System (AGS) being developed for the DDG 1000 (Zumwalt) Destroyer Program. The magazine is the first major production component to be delivered under the AGS program. It is one of a total of four magazines that will be built under a Navy contract to produce four AGS weapon systems for the Navy’s first two Zumwalt class des…

British Ministry of Defence say discussions at advanced stage

Disclosed new Gray Wolf swarm missile: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5216007/Lockheed-Martin-reveals-Gray-Wolf-networked-cruise-missile.html

The Navy’s Much-Hyped Electromagnetic Railgun May End Up Dead In The Water (Task & Purpose)

Argentine navy loses contact with submarine (CNN) TR1700 class ARA San Juan (S-42)

Army Expected to Sell Off Thousands of Surplus 1911 Pistols (Kit Up!) A great opportunity for some of you to grab a piece of history.

Report on USS McCain and USS Fitzgerald collisions (Dept of the Navy, pdf)

Interesting article on future B-21 Raider probable high altitude capabilities: http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/14919/the-b-21s-three-decade-old-shape-hints-at-new-high-altitude-capabilities