CV32

The big day is here ... but I guess, more important, is what happens next ... From Aviation Week Aerospace, Defense See Tight Electoral Races Nov 4, 2008 John M. Doyle There's more at stake in the Nov. 4 U.S. elections than control of the White House, with a number of top congressional leaders fighting to keep their seats while Democrats seek a veto-proof majority in the Senate and even wider control in the House of Representatives. Some previously safe seats, such as that of Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), have lately come into play. Chambliss, a member of the Armed Services Committee who has been a champion of Lockheed Martin's F-22 stealth fighter - manufactured in Marietta - is battling Democrat Jim Martin, a former state representative. An increase in newly registered black voters, energized by the presidential candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), is seen as a major reason for Martin's surge. Another recently competitive race pits the chair of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), against William Russell ®, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who moved to the district to challenge Murtha. A Vietnam veteran and retired Marine Corps colonel himself, Murtha has held the seat since 1974. With a reputation for bringing home pork barrel appropriations to his district, Murtha was expected to cruise to victory until Republicans pounced on remarks he made that the southwest Pennsylvania region he represents is "racist" and "really redneck." The National Republican Party has poured $400,000 into anti-Murtha TV ads, forcing Murtha to raise money and seek the support of national figures such as former President Bill Clinton (Aerospace DAILY, Nov. 3). If Murtha loses, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), the next ranking Democrat and a strong Boeing supporter, could replace him. In another high-profile race, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), recently convicted of failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts and services from an oil company executive, is battling the Democratic mayor of Anchorage, Nick Begich. Stevens, 84, says he intends to serve if re-elected although presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, have said he should step down. Once one of the most powerful men in the Senate, Stevens sits on the Commerce Committee, which regulates air transportation and space, as well as the Homeland Security Committee and the defense appropriations subcommittee. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Nov. 1 that "a convicted felon is not going to be able to serve in the U.S. Senate," and that Stevens will face an Ethics Committee investigation. Two other Republicans on the Armed Services Committee face tough re-election challenges - Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.). Collins also is senior Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, where fellow Republicans Sens. John Sununu (R-N.H.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) are battling to keep their seats. On the House side, three senior Republicans on the Armed Services Committee are retiring: Reps. Duncan Hunter (Calif.); Jim Saxton (N.J.) and Terry Everett (Ala.). Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), an appropriator who represents Florida's space coast, is also leaving. On the Senate side, former Armed Services Chairman John Warner (R-Va.), an advocate of the Joint Strike Fighter's alternate engine plan, is retiring. So is Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), who sits on the Appropriations and Homeland Security committees, where he supported funding for the Los Alamos and Sandia national labs in his home state.

From Defense Aerospace Boeing Rolls Out First F-15SG to Singapore (Source: Boeing; issued November 3, 2008) Boeing has rolled out the first of 24 F-15SG fighters ordered by Singapore. Deliveries are scheduled for mid-2009 to 2012. (Boeing Co. photo) ST. LOUIS --- The Boeing Company today rolled out the first F-15SG jet fighter to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The F-15SG is a variant of the highly capable, combat-proven F-15E. "The rollout of F-15SG1, on schedule, demonstrates that we're off to a great start as the RSAF builds to a procurement of 24 F-15SG aircraft," said Mark Bass, Boeing F-15 Program vice president. "The F-15SG has significant capabilities that will allow the RSAF to expand into new missions with new capabilities and to operate in the sophisticated Singapore defense environment for decades to come." The capabilities of the F-15SG are a blend of speed, power and agility -- a combination that makes the aircraft the ultimate multirole fighter, versatile in all missions. "The F-15SG for Singapore moves the RSAF into the next generation of fighter aircraft capability," said Dan Korte, Boeing vice president and general manager for Global Strike Systems. "We are proud that the F-15 Eagle's proven legacy and Boeing's expertise in multirole fighter aircraft continue in the capable hands of the RSAF." The F-15SG's integrated sensor suite, which includes an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a third-generation SNIPER targeting pod, will provide the RSAF with long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. F-15SG1 successfully completed its first flight from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis on Sept. 16. The aircraft now will undergo a one-year flight test program to confirm aircraft performance. Flight testing will take place at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and in Palmdale, Calif. F-15SG production deliveries will begin in the second quarter of 2009. The final aircraft in this procurement will be delivered to the RSAF in 2012. More than 1,500 F-15 aircraft have been delivered and are in service with the U.S. Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Israeli Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide. (ends) RSAF Rolls Out First F-15SG Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence; issued November 4, 2008) The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) rolled out its first F-15SG multi-role fighter aircraft at a ceremony on 3 Nov at St. Louis, Missouri, United States. The F-15SG roll-out marks yet another significant milestone in the transformation of the RSAF into a 3rd Generation Air Force. Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and a sophisticated integrated sensor suite, the F-15SG is the most advanced variant of the F-15 aircraft built to date. With its ability to carry a large payload of weapons and fuel to give it increased firepower and combat endurance, the F-15SG will provide the 3rd Generation SAF with enhanced air defence and air superiority capabilities. The RSAF has acquired a total of 24 F-15SG aircraft. The first batch of F-15SG aircraft will be delivered to the RSAF's detachment at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, United States, next year. Chief of Air Force, Major-General Ng Chee Khern, officiated at the F-15SG roll-out ceremony, which was attended by Singapore and US representatives of the respective air forces and defence establishments.

Crashdown, the USN is looking at the feasibility of a supersonic successor to the Harpoon (programs like the GQM-163 Coyote help), so you may eventually see the 'Son of Regulus' in some shape or form.

From Flight International DATE: 03/11/08 SOURCE: Flight International Italian navy recapitalises By Luca Peruzzi To cope with new challenges from conventional and asymmetrical threats and provide a more flexible and capable organic capability, the Italian fleet air arm is involved in a recapitalisation programme that will see legacy rotary- and fixed-wing assets replaced with new-generation platforms including Agusta­Westland AW101 and NH Industries NH90 helicopters, and in the mid-term, Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs. Meanwhile, navy fleet power projection capabilities are being significantly enhanced with the delivery in 2008 and entry into service next year of the Cavour aircraft carrier. Although there was a 20% reduction in flying hours from 2004 to 2007, shrewd employment of available resources and accurate risk management has allowed the fleet air arm to continue to satisfy operational tasks, including advance training, in addition to international, NATO and European Union operational missions such as its deployment of helicopters in Afghanistan or on board vessels in the waters around the Horn of Africa. Featuring one of the lowest ratios of personnel to aircraft (7:1) in the NATO naval aviation community, Italy's fleet air arm has an inventory of around 90 rotary- and fixed-wing assets, with 200 pilots distributed between three air stations and six flying squadrons, including one with STOVL fighters. Introduced progressively into service since 2001, the AW101 fleet stands at 20 helicopters, with eight in anti-submarine/anti-surface (ASW/ASuW) configuration, four in helicopter early warning (HEW) configuration and eight configured asamphibious support helicopters (ASH). Two additional AW101 ASW/ASuWs are to be received in 2009, with a requirement for two more. These will replace the Sikorsky SH-3D, which will be retired by next year, with the AW101 ASW/ASuW helicopters to be relocated from Luni in northern Italy to Catania in Sicily. The type will also later replace six combat search and rescue-configured SH-3Ds, equipped with machine guns and ballistic protection for amphibious operations. "The entry into service of the AW101, equipped with HELRAS low-frequency active dipping sonar, has revolutionised ASW tactics and procedures, allowing one helicopter to cover maritime areas of dimensions inconceivable until a few years ago," says Rear Adm Paolo Treu, head of the Italian fleet air arm.The navy is investing heavily in the development of tactics and procedures for bi-static and multi-static use of the HELRAS sonar. In adverse sea conditions, the HELRAS-equipped AW101s achieved interesting results in an ASW-oriented Spontex exercise, which is held biannually in the Biscaglia Gulf, successfully challenging other Thales Underwater Systems Flash-mounted ASW helicopters. Integration activities with the MBDA Marte Mk2/S anti-ship missile system were conducted in 2008, and the entire fleet retrofit will be completed by September 2009. The air arm has completed the final evaluation phase of Selex Galileo HEW-784 radar mounted on the AW101 HEW. Integration of inverse synthetic aperture radar with the HEW-784 is to start shortlyfor completion in 2012. The eight AW101 ASH variants have already logged around 1,800 flying hours (including 1,000 during NATO and national exercises) supporting both conventional and special forces. Each capable of carrying up to 25 soldiers, 11 litters or a light vehicle, the four aircraft in the second batch will be equipped with a more sophisticated mission suite, including digital maps, Selex new-generation identification friend-or-foe satellite communications radios, FLIR Systems Star Safire II electro-optical/infrared, a pilot-downed positioning system, and a defensive aid subsystem with Elettronica radar warning receivers, an EADS/Selex missile warning system, a Selex laser warning system, and a chaffs/flares intelligent dispenser suite. An ASH gunship configuration is being finalised. The 30 or so ASW/ASuW and six heli-assault dedicated Agusta/Bell AB212s, will progressively be replaced by the NH90, to be acquired in 46 platforms for ASW/AsuW missions and 10 in a TTH navalised version for amphibious and special forces support duties. "We expect to receive the first ASW/ASuW fully equipped helicopter, including final operational mission suite, by 2011. To compensate for programme delivery delays, a number of AB212s will undergo a life-extension programme that will keep them in service until 2016, when the NH90 phase-in and operational certification will be completed," Treu says. The new NH90 in the ASW/ASuW and ASH versions will represent a major technological leap forward from the legacy AB212s, employing a fly-by-wire flight control system and an integrated mission system including a surface search radar, electronic support measures and an AW101 HELRAS dipping sonar equipped with a Selex Galileo-provided common acoustics processor used also for embarked acoustic buoys. In addition to the three Piaggio P180 Maritime aircraft for surveillance and transport duties, the fixed-wing fleet is composed of 15 Boeing/Alenia Aeronautica AV-8B Harrier II Plus and two TAV-8B operational conversion aircraft. Based at Grottaglie air station near Taranto, the aircraft have air-to-air AMRAAM and Sidewinder missiles and can carry a range of air-to-ground armaments, including non-guided or guided laser munitions, thanks to a Rafael/Northrop Grumman Litening II targeting pod. The fleet air arm will also receive 227kg (500lb) JDAM munitions. "These aircraft will be progressively replaced by 22 Joint Strike Fighters in the STOVL version," says Treu."The delivery schedule will begin in 2014 and will see two to three aircraft a year until 2020. One of the programme objectives is interoperability with other partners, maintaining the well-structured connection with the US Marine Corps." The F-35Bs will be carried on the new 27,500t Cavour aircraft carrier built by Fincantieri and fitted out with a combat system mostly provided by Finmeccanica companies. The carrier is equipped with a 6,800m2 (73,200ft2) flight deck, two 30t aircraft elevators anda 12° ski-jump ramp to port for STOVL aircraft operations. It has landing slots for six AW101-type helicopters, plus eight parking slots (four on each side of the island structure). The Cavour's hangar, meanwhile, has room for 12 AW101-type helicopters or eight AV-8B Harrier II Plus or F-35B Lightning IIs. The Italian navy's future flagship will be able to carry a combined air group of 20 current and future fleet air arm aircraft and helicopters and accommodate 1,205 personnel. In addition to an extensive command and control suite, the ship's combat management system also includes a comprehensive sensors, electronics and weapon system package, including RF and IR surveillance sensors, electronic support measures and a multifunction Selex Sistemi Integrati Empar radar for 3D detection, multiple target tracking and missile guidance for 48 vertically launched Eurosam SAAM-IT surface-to-air missile system, plus Oto Melara self-defence guns.

From Air Force Times Japan fires AF head for World War II essay By Shino Yuasa - The Associated Press Posted : Friday Oct 31, 2008 14:46:14 EDT TOKYO — Japan’s defense minister dismissed his air force chief on Friday for writing an essay that claimed the country was not an “aggressor” in World War II and was trapped into getting involved in the conflict by the United States. Toshio Tamogami’s essay will likely upset relations with China and South Korea, who remain bitter about Japan’s wartime occupation and say Tokyo has failed to properly atone for its invasion of the Korean peninsula, Taiwan and parts of China. “His views are different from the government’s. It is not desirable for him to stay in the job,” Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters soon after the essay was made public Friday. Tamogami was not available for comment late Friday and a defense ministry spokesman said the former air force chief had not released a statement. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department policy. In the essay, titled “Was Japan an Aggressor Nation?” Tamogami said it was “certainly a false accusation” to say Japan was “an aggressor nation” during World War II. “The current Chinese government obstinately insists that there was a ‘Japanese invasion,’ but Japan obtained its interests in the Chinese mainland legally under international law through the Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and so on, and it placed its troops there based on treaties in order to protect those interests,” he wrote. He also claimed life under Japanese occupation was “very moderate” and cited a rise in the population on the Korean peninsula during Japan’s 1910-1945 occupation as “proof that Korea under Japanese rule was also prosperous and safe.” Tamogami also claimed that Japan was tricked into attacking Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Japan was “snared in a trap that was very carefully laid by the United States in order to draw Japan into a war,” he wrote. “Roosevelt had become president on his public pledge not to go to war, so in order to start a war between the United States and Japan, it had to appear that Japan took the first shot. Japan was caught in Roosevelt’s trap and carried out the attack on Pearl Harbor,” he wrote. Tamogami ended his essay saying Japan should reclaim its glorious history and warning that a country that denies its own history is destined to fall. Japan renounced its right to wage war in its 1947 U.S.-drafted constitution, and Tokyo has repeatedly expressed remorse to its neighbors for its colonial rule and wartime aggression, including in a 1995 statement by then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama to mark the 50th anniversary of the war’s end. But Japan has struggled to convince Asian critics — and victims — of its contrition because of a strong nationalist presence in the Japanese government. Last year, a group of nationalist lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party angered China by saying the generally accepted death toll in the “Rape of Nanking” massacre was grossly inflated. Tamogami’s essay won a writing competition organized by a hotel and condominium developer, Apa Group, which published the prize-winning article on Friday.

Welcome, Klaus.

From Flight International DATE: 31/10/08 SOURCE: Flight International India rejects Russian aircraft carrier price demand By Radhakrishna Rao India's finance ministry has for the second time rejected a proposal from the nation's defence ministry to approve an additional $1.2 billion in funds to complete a retrofit project to the decommissioned Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. Moscow had originally agreed to deliver the modernised vessel for $1.5 billion, but demanded the additional payment after citing factors including an underestimation of the level of work required at its Sevmash shipbuilding yard. India, which has already paid Russia two-thirds of the original programme cost, has made no further payments since January 2007, and the 44,500t carrier's expected delivery date has slipped from 2009 until at least 2012. The finance ministry's latest decision also stemmed from a request to allocate $60 million to perform sea trials of the refurbished vessel during 2011. The Indian navy has ordered 12 RSK MiG-29K fighters and four MiG-29KUB trainers to operate from the ex-Russian navy ship.

Ah, the nuclear powered cruise missile. New meaning to the term "weapon of mass destruction".

From Defense Aerospace AARGM Enters Production (Source: US Naval Air Systems Command; issued October 30, 2008) NAVAIR’s newest advanced weapon for destruction of enemy air defenses, AGM-88E, was recently approved to go into low rate production, and the NAWCWD Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) Technical Project Office (TPO) played a major role in achieving that milestone. On Sept. 30, NAVAIR’s Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-242) received Navy approval for its AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) to enter low rate initial production (LRIP). “The work and knowledge at China Lake was vital to the success of reaching this milestone,” said Stephen Farmer, ARM TPO lead. “We’ve worked closely with PMA-242 and the contractor providing hands-on development and test execution of this weapon system.” China Lake has been involved with AARGM since it began as a Small Business Innovative Research program in the mid-90s. ARRGM was approved to enter System Development and Demonstration in 2003. VX-9, with assistance from the ARM TPO, conducted two successful AARGM firings in August at China Lake as part of the Operational Assessment, which was a major contributor to the production decision. The LRIP decision, known as Milestone C, initiated production of a highly lethal “destruction of enemy air defenses” capability for naval aviation forces. The AARGM missile, produced by Alliant Techsystems (ATK), is an upgrade to the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), AGM-88B, currently in the fleet. “This missile provides a game-changing capability that allows first strike forces to transform from a suppression role to a role of direct destruction of enemy air defenses,” said Cmdr. Pat Smith, deputy program manager of the ARM IPT in PMA-242. “We are not just temporarily silencing the enemy; we are removing them from the fight.” AARGM is a stand-off, air-to-ground weapon upgrading the existing HARM weapon system with a new guidance section, and a modified control section that enhances overland and maritime strike capability for targeting enemy air defenses while minimizing collateral damage. This advancement in capability is the result of a team effort between the U.S. Navy, ATK and the Italian Air Force, which will integrate AARGM onto the Tornado aircraft. “So many people have supported this program over the years,” Farmer said. “I applaud the hard work of all those who helped keep this program on schedule and on budget. Besides the long hours put in by folks inside the ARM TPO, we couldn’t have done it without the help from a wide range of China Lake activities like the intel folks, mission planning, the north range, ECHO Range, the Advanced Weapons Lab, VX-31 and VX-9, just to name a few.” The next big step for AARGM is Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) scheduled to start next year. Four more firings will be conducted at China Lake prior to an Operational Test Readiness Review that will decide if the weapon system is ready to be handed over to VX-9 for OPEVAL. Eleven firings and numerous captive carry tests are tentatively scheduled for OPEVAL that will determine if AARGM is operationally effective and suitable. Following successful OPEVAL and a favorable full rate production decision, AARGM is expected to be out in the fleet in 2010. “I’m really anxious for the warfighter to get this weapon because I think it’s the system that’s truly needed in the fleet,” Farmer said. “We’re putting metal on metal, and it’s exciting to be part of that.”

Bumping wish No.24 - Armor penetration for bombs (as exists for missiles) - as I was reminded of it by the (excellent) upward change to non-nuclear DP values. One of the more challenging tasks for a HCE DB is to model penetrating bombs (i.e. bunker busters) because: 1. There is no field for 'Armor Penetration' in the PE 2. Harpoon 4.1/High Tide annex values for bunker busters tend to have lower DP values than their general purpose bomb equivalents, due to the thicker bomb case and smaller explosive charge. Would this really be a difficult thing to implement? (Forgive me if we've discussed this before, Tony, but I cannot recall it).

Woohoo, time to revist the MOAB, MOP, Daisy Cutter, etc.

From DefenseNews DDG 1001 Named for MoH Recipient Monsoor By christopher p. cavas and philip ewing Published: 29 Oct 18:06 EDT (22:06 GMT) One of the Navy's largest new surface warships will bear the name of a Navy SEAL who received the nation's highest award for valor. "DDG 1001, the second ship in our newest class of destroyers, will be named after Michael Monsoor," Navy Secretary Donald Winter said remarks prepared for an address to be given Oct. 29 in New York. "Michael Monsoor's name will now be linked with one of our nation's most visible examples of military power - a U.S. Navy warship," Winter said in the address prepared for a Navy SEAL Warrior Fund dinner. The Michael Monsoor will be the second DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class advanced destroyer. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is expected to begin construction of the ship next year at its Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., with delivery projected to take place in 2014. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor is one of two sailors awarded the Medal of Honor since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began. The first, Lt. Michael Murphy, is the namesake of DDG 112, now under construction at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, and is expected to be delivered in 2011. Monsoor was one of about 32s SEALs fighting with U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Iraqi troops to take the insurgent-controlled city of Ramadi in September 2006, Dick Couch, author of "The Sheriff of Ramadi," told Navy Times earlier this year. Rather than make a traditional invasion sweep through the dangerous capital of Anbar province, as U.S. forces had done in the battle of Fallujah, regular and special operations troops advanced piecemeal through neighborhoods in the city, cleared out enemies and held the territory in an "ink-blot strategy," Couch said. Monsoor and his SEAL teammates provided reconnaissance and cover for other troops as they fought in the city, and often bore the brunt of intense enemy attacks, Couch said. On Sept. 29, the day he died, Monsoor was stationed with his machine gun on a rooftop between two SEAL snipers providing cover for an Army unit working in a rail yard. The two men were lying prone, aiming their rifles through holes blasted in the wall, when a grenade sailed onto the rooftop and bounced off Monsoor's chest. According to the official Navy biography, there was no way either of the teammates could have escaped. "He had a clear chance to escape, but in his mind, it was not a choice at all," President Bush said in April when presenting the medal to Monsoor's family. Monsoor dove on the grenade and smothered its explosion, saving the lives of the two SEALs. Monsoor is the first SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq. Murphy was posthumously given the award last year after he was killed in Afghanistan making a last radio call to save his four-man squad after an ambush. Monsoor is the fifth service member to receive the Medal of Honor for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Monsoor's other decorations included the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with combat "V" and the Purple Heart. Sally Monsoor, Michael's mother, was expected to attend the New York dinner.

Related to me only, not Harpoon. No intention there to inflict emotional shock. Oh, the horror ...

Moving any distance from shore, I'd agree. Bottomed out, close to shore, I wouldn't bet on it.

I'd be interested in hearing how easy (or difficult) it really is to tail an SSK. Granted, most Chinese SSKs have to date been of the noisier variety (as far as SSKs go), but that is changing. SSKs don't move very fast, and when they're quiet, they can be as quiet as the grave. Even SSNs make some noise (pump noises and all that) when making steerage.

The Journal of Electronic Defense (JED), followed by its successor eDefense (now defunct?), was an excellent open source for the technical side of radar, stealth and the EM spectrum generally, with plenty of formulas and such. I saved much of the material for later reference, thankfully.

Nice job, SHUK. Both Hackett novels have been in the personal library for some time, and are well worn.

Perhaps, possibly even likely in a shooting war, but I'd keep in mind that most recently it was the Chinese who were taking periscope pics of the Kitty Hawk.

From Jane's China considers next-generation Su-33s for aircraft carrier programme By Reuben F Johnson 28 October 2008 China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is close to reaching a decision on the procurement of aircraft for its aircraft carrier programme, Russian industry sources have told Jane's. Negotiations between the PLAN and the Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aviation Production Association (KnAAPO) in Russia have been held intermittently for several years, with the Chinese military said to be unsure whether to purchase a version of the Sukhoi Su-33 carrier-capable fighter or develop its own carrier aircraft based on the Chengdu J-10. Russian sources have now told Jane's that under the current proposal the Russian in-service Su-33 would be put back into production and the PLAN would acquire 14 of this type to be used for the training phase of the programme. This option will see a carrier aircraft delivered to the PLAN in the shortest possible timeframe. The development of a new-configuration aircraft to be used in actual carrier operations would take place in parallel with this training programme. "The next step will be to modernise the Su-33, which was first designed in the late 1980s, with a new set of state-of-the-art onboard systems," a KnAAPO representative told Jane's on the eve of the biennial Air Show China in late October. "What this new aeroplane is most likely to be is a combination Su-33 airframe with a radar, avionics and cockpit instrumentation that is a 'developed' configuration based on the Su-30MK2, and this will be the PLAN's operational version."

Submarines, fighter interceptors, assault craft, paratroopers ... pfft. China has (according to some sources) as many as 1,400+ short range ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan. The island would likely experience a rather brutal 'storm' of these SRBMs from the word 'go', softening it up for the actual invasion.

You're thinking of something along the lines of FastHawk or RATTLRS. http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/rattlrs.html

New fancy name appears to be Centurion. Centurion datasheet Video

Maybe you're thinking Regulus II? Regulus I, max range 575 nm, speed 518 kt (or thereabouts).

There are apparently around a half dozen of these C-RAM systems deployed in Iraq.

From DefenseNews U.S. Navy Drafting 'Naval Operational Concept' By christopher p. cavas Published: 21 Oct 19:34 EDT (23:34 GMT) Deploying U.S. naval forces must be more flexible, able to split up and re-form in different combinations as situations require. The fleet still needs 11 aircraft carriers to meet its missions but more amphibious ships are required to support new missions. The number of formal and informal maritime partnerships will continue to grow. Even when mine-hunting Littoral Combat Ships come into service, a gap will remain in the Navy's ability to combat the undersea threat. Ballistic missile defense is increasingly seen as a basic naval capability. Those are some of the issues addressed in a working draft of the Naval Operations Concept (NOC) 2008, another in a series of documents meant to describe how, when and where U.S. naval forces will prevent conflict and prevail in war. Draft copies dating from late September were obtained by Defense News, along with a less-mature annex dubbed the "Force Structure Data Sheet." A Navy official declined to comment on specific items in the document. "It's now in draft form and still being reviewed by senior authorities," Cmdr. Cappy Surette, a Navy spokesman at the Pentagon, said Oct. 20. The NOC, explained Surette, is part of "a family of documents - the Maritime Cooperative Strategy - describing how we will utilize seapower" and intended to "operationalize the Maritime Strategy" completed a year ago by the Navy. Like the Maritime Strategy, the NOC combines the seapower strategies of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard into one maritime strategic view. "NOC 08 is not designed for a cursory reading," reads the draft NOC's preface. "It is a publication intended for serious study by professionals who must ponder and creatively apply these ideas." The document, reads its introduction, is to serve as a precursor to develop both tactics and doctrine. Much of the draft NOC restates current policy as explained in the Maritime Strategy, but certain passages could indicate areas of emphasis for future decisions and operations. The Navy has declined to say when the NOC will be completed and made public. "It's expected to be ready for release in the next few months," said Surette. "When it's ready it will be released and given a wide distribution." Among the highlights of the draft document, broken down by chapters: Forward Presence ■ Deployed carrier and expeditionary strike groups will "periodically" be formed into expeditionary strike forces. ■ Global Fleet Stations will be established in southwest and southeast Asia, Central America, the Caribbean Basin and in Africa. ■ Increasingly, naval forces will be deployed "for specific exercises and operations of limited duration" ■ Deployed forces will "re-aggregate" into adaptive force packages "and eliminate geographical and service seams based on mission requirements. ■ Cooperative engagement and maritime security operations will most likely occur in and around Africa, the Mediterranean and Black Seas, Arabian Gulf, Southeast Asia, Central America and the Caribbean Basin. Forward presence for deterrence purposes will occur predominantly in the western Pacific and Southwest Asia. ■ Naval forces will be positioned for increased roles in combating terrorism. ■ A "persistent naval presence" will be re-established in the Mediterranean region. No description of this presence was given, but the document notes it would "provide immediate crisis response there and in the surrounding littorals" and rapidly reinforce naval forces in the Indian Ocean and the west coast of Africa. Likely tasks include maritime security, noncombatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and maritime ballistic missile defense. Maritime Security The draft NOC restates the U.S. commitment to Global Maritime Partnerships, the concepts of Maritime Operational Threat Response and the National Fleet, and U.S. participation in the International Maritime Organization. "We will increase our participation in a wider range of formal and informal global maritime partnerships, continue to conduct combined training with our partners and expeditiously transfer maritime domain information," it says. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response ■ Resources and training programs will be revised "to reflect the ascendance of humanitarian assistance and disaster response activities." ■ Critical relief supplies will be staged at key forward locations around the world to reduce response times. Some supplies will be loaded onto select ships, possibly as Landing Force Operational Reserve Material. Sea Control ■ Challenges include the potential emergence of a blue-water peer competitor (no specific country is named); the danger of mines; the potential anti-access capability of non-state actors such as Hezbollah; and technological threats that target command, control, computer, intelligence and satellite systems. ■ The Draft NOC declares that "few threats exist in the current security environment that can effectively challenge the transit of our naval forces through blue water," but "next generation threats will attempt to deny our ability to carry out blue water transit." Future weapon and sensor technology must outpace and overmatch potential blue water peer competitors. ■ Assured Access challenges include Iranian use of small boats to threaten U.S. warships. The document considered the Iranian use of such craft in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year as an example of an attempts to test U.S. Navy tactics, technology and rules of engagement. Needed Warfare Advantages ■ Warfare systems overmatch in all key warfare areas including air and missile defense, mine warfare and anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. ■ Redundant communications, navigation, intelligence, reconnaissance and targeting systems to overcome degradations to satellite or computer networks. ■ More ships and aircraft. Power Projection "We will look for innovative ways to increase the lethality and diversity of power projection capabilities," the document says. "Potential options might include modifying surface combatants and amphibious ships. For example, the addition of offensive missiles, aircraft or unmanned vehicles to amphibious ships would expand capability and capacity to conduct strike missions. Similarly, the addition of Marines, assault support aircraft and landing craft to surface combatants would broaden our ability for direct action, raids, non-combatant evacuations, personnel recovery, reconnaissance, and advance force operations to conduct certain amphibious missions. The recent conversion of ballistic missile submarines into guided missile boats capable of supporting naval special warfare operations is an example of this approach, as is the establishment of a Marine component within U.S. Special Operations Command." Exploration of these options, it says, "may ultimately result in design and procurement of multi-faceted platforms capable of conducting air and/or missile strikes, amphibious operations, and sea-based support and sustainment of joint forces." Deterrence The draft NOC restates the value of the current fleet of ballistic submarines, but also advocates for a conventional global strike weapon and foresees an expansion of ballistic missile defense missions: ■ "Development of a sea-based conventional missile capable of prompt global strike is an example of an enhancement with applicability against the range of current and potential adversaries;" ■ "Our naval forces have developed a defensive capability that neutralizes ballistic missiles before they enter friendly airspace or become point defense challenges," reads the document. This "capability will be employed in the Pacific, Middle East and European theaters. When expanded to more units, this can shift from a regional capability to a globally-deployable capability that can be surged as threats ebb and flow." Force Structure The Force Structure Data Sheet appears to link numbers of certain ship types with requirements as stated in the draft NOC, but contains a number of areas where information is incomplete. Among its highlights: ■ Aircraft carriers. "The unconstrained requirement for aircraft carriers is 11," the document reads, but also asks for a description of the risk of less than 11 flattops and an assessment of the potential for that happening. ■ The ideal Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) to transport a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is four ships: a big-deck assault ship (LHA or LHD), a dock landing ship (LSD) and two amphibious transport dock ships (LPD) - one with enhanced command and control capabilities. This is an expansion of the 3-ship formation that has been used over the past decade. The four-ship ARG would "support split operations by a two-section ARG/MEU" and "provide the ability to more widely disperse the platforms that carry the Marines and the ability to embark more capability on the smaller, dispersed entities." To meet this need, the amphibious ship requirement would need to be raised from the current 32 ships to 36. The use of amphibious ships to support special operations forces and mine countermeasures forces also pushes the requirement to 36 ships, the document said. ■ The value of using amphibious ships to support the five Global Fleet Stations locations further pushes the number of "gators;" assuming that at any time two ships would be deployed on GFS missions and ten percent of the force would be in maintenance, a fleet of 42 amphibs is needed. ■ The document raises the number of attack submarines in service from 48 to 50. ■ The draft NOC asks what systems and capabilities might be added to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), including Marine capabilities. ■ The document also asks for numbers to filled in for cruisers, destroyers, frigates, Coast Guard cutters, patrol boats and icebreakers.