Internationale fighter ontwikkelingen

Gestart door Lex, 19/12/2015 | 16:32 uur

Harald

Airbus greenlights Saab to put Arexis sensor suite, with 'AI platform', on German Eurofighters

Micael Johansson, Saab's CEO, said that "combining advanced hardware and AI-enabled software, our Arexis sensor suite will strengthen the German defence with future-proof electronic warfare capability for decades to come."

Airbus has agreed to a three-year contract with Saab for the Swedish manufacturer to integrate its Arexis modular electronic warfare (EW) sensor equipment on German Eurofighter EK (Electronic Combat) fighter jets.

The order comes after the German defence procurement office selected Arexis for the role in June 2023 and "marks the first phase" of delivery on the program, said Saab in a press release today. A contract value was not included.

A total of 15 Eurofighter EK jets will be fitted with the sensor suites alongside other EW "solutions" added the manufacturer. The new aircraft are set to replace German Air Force Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance) platforms when they retire in 2030.

Saab also noted that Arexis will feature an "AI platform" supplied by partner Helsing, a European AI defense start up.

In November 2023, Airbus said that an AI "solution" selected for Eurofighter EK jets, "makes it possible to analyse radar data on-board and quickly determine precise self-protection measures."

Initially developed for integration on Saab Gripen E/F fighter jets, Arexis is marketed as an "invisible wingman" and a system "featuring smart software and high-tech modular components with [a] small footprint in a proven and tested architecture."

Micael Johansson, Saab's CEO, said that "combining advanced hardware and AI-enabled software, our Arexis sensor suite will strengthen the German defence with future-proof electronic warfare capability for decades to come."

German Eurofighter EK aircraft are also set to be armed with Northrop Grumman made AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM). The combination of AARGM and Arexis will allow the planes "to detect, localise and disable anti-aircraft radars," according to Airbus.

The anti-radiation missile was developed by Northrop for the US Navy and is fielded with F/A-18C/D, FA-18E/F and EA-18G fighter jets, though the service has since prioritized production of an extended range version (AARGM-ER) based on modification of the weapon's guidance and control sections and integration of a new rocket motor.

The main mission of the missile is to detect and strike "re-locatable Integrated Air Defense (IAD) targets," according to a NAVAIR factsheet.

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/airbus-greenlights-saab-to-put-arexis-sensor-suite-with-ai-platform-on-german-eurofighters/

https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/saab-receives-order-for-arexis-sensor-suite-for-german-eurofighters

https://www.saab.com/products/arexis

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/the-electronic-warfare-suite

Sparkplug

F-35A's Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally "Effective" (De F-35B/C gun pod was wel vanaf het begin accuraat)

Accuracy and other issues have dogged the F-35A's gun, which also have been major talking points in the debate about retiring the A-10.

by Joseph Trevithick | PUBLISHED Mar 22, 2024 5:17 PM EDT

The 25mm automatic cannon nestled inside the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is now deemed to be an effective weapon. For years, a host of issues had left these stealth fighters unable to shoot straight. Problems with the 25mm cannon have also been a particularly notable talking point in the still-controversial debate over plans to supplant the venerable A-10 Warthog ground attack jet with the F-35A.

Russ Goemaere, a spokesperson for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), provided The War Zone with an update on the F-35A's gun, which is formally designated the GAU-22/A, earlier this week. In the U.S. military, the F-35A is operated exclusively by the U.S. Air Force.

"After working with the Air Force and our industry partners we can report that the gun has been improved and is effective," Goemaere said in a statement. "We continue to work with industry, the Services, and our international partners for further improvements and to maximize effectiveness and lethality at the tactical/operational level."

Each F-35A has a single GAU-22/A, which is a four-barreled Gatling cannon with a rate of fire of 3,300 rounds per minute, installed on an internal mount above the aircraft's left engine intake. To maintain the jet's stealthy characteristics, the gun's muzzle is hidden behind a flush-mounted door that opens when the weapon is fired and closes back up when it stops.



.../...

https://www.twz.com/air/f-35as-beleaguered-25mm-cannon-is-finally-effective
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Benji87

Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 23/03/2024 | 12:03 uurJe snapt het niet of ik volg je niet.... Niemand heeft het over een tweemotorige F-35.

Ten tijde van de ontwikkeling van de F-35 zouden er twee typen worden ontwikkeld... dat is door budget niet gebeurt. Een motortype is overgebleven.

Je hebt gelijk. Ik lees verkeerd  ;)

Huzaar1

#5358
Citaat van: Benji87 op 23/03/2024 | 11:42 uurTja financieel gezien is het natuurlijk wel een logische beslissing geweest natuurlijk. Als je de operationele kosten van een 2motorig toestel vergelijkt met een 1motorig toestel dan zie je wel duidelijk wat de beweegredenen waren. Motoren zijn nu eenmaal het meest onderhoudsgevoelig van een vliegtuig.

Het is jammer maar het is niet alsof de F35 nu stil staat in zijn ontwikkeling. Er komt nog wel een flinke upgrade aan van de huidige motor. De beweegredenen zouden misschien ook voldoende kunnen zijn om eens te kijken of de huidige F35A groep landen wellicht zelf deze ontwikkeling kan doorzetten. Al zie ik dat niet zo snel gebeuren.
Je snapt het niet of ik volg je niet.... Niemand heeft het over een tweemotorige F-35.

Ten tijde van de ontwikkeling van de F-35 zouden er twee typen worden ontwikkeld... dat is door budget niet gebeurt. Een motortype is overgebleven.
"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion" US secmindef - Jed Babbin"

Benji87

Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 22/03/2024 | 13:38 uurWas een budgetbeslissoing destijds om geen 2 motoren te ontwikkelen voor de JSF.

Gaan we nu idd voelen.

Tja financieel gezien is het natuurlijk wel een logische beslissing geweest natuurlijk. Als je de operationele kosten van een 2motorig toestel vergelijkt met een 1motorig toestel dan zie je wel duidelijk wat de beweegredenen waren. Motoren zijn nu eenmaal het meest onderhoudsgevoelig van een vliegtuig.

Citaat van: Harald op 22/03/2024 | 14:03 uurErg jammer, had voor de prestaties van de F35 een flinke boost kunnen geven.
Meer vermogen, lager verbruik, groter bereik.

Het is jammer maar het is niet alsof de F35 nu stil staat in zijn ontwikkeling. Er komt nog wel een flinke upgrade aan van de huidige motor. De beweegredenen zouden misschien ook voldoende kunnen zijn om eens te kijken of de huidige F35A groep landen wellicht zelf deze ontwikkeling kan doorzetten. Al zie ik dat niet zo snel gebeuren.

Parera

Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 23/03/2024 | 03:17 uurZeker knap en ik denk ook dat ze het kunnen maar.... ik denk, vooralsnog, dar zij zich zullen aansluiten bij één van de twee in ontwikkeling zijnde Europese initiatieven al zou de NAVO wereld ook een 6e generatie één pitter kunnen gebruiken.

Of ze ontwikkelen een prachtige UCAV dat zie ik ook nog gebeuren.

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 22/03/2024 | 23:26 uurKnap, dapper die zweden.

Zeker knap en ik denk ook dat ze het kunnen maar.... ik denk, vooralsnog, dar zij zich zullen aansluiten bij één van de twee in ontwikkeling zijnde Europese initiatieven al zou de NAVO wereld ook een 6e generatie één pitter kunnen gebruiken.

Zander

Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 22/03/2024 | 23:26 uurKnap, dapper die zweden.
Iemand moet het doen. En als er een land is dat het kan.....
People are sheep

Huzaar1

"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion" US secmindef - Jed Babbin"

Harald

Sweden asks Saab to study 'future fighter concepts'

As Stockholm plots its way forward, Saab CEO Micael Johansson had called for such a study in a previous interview with Breaking Defense.

The Swedish military has asked local defense giant Saab to conduct "conceptual studies for future fighter systems," the company announced today.

"This includes conceptual studies of manned and unmanned solutions in a system of system perspective, technology development and demonstrations," Saab said in a press release. The Stockholm-based firm said it would work with government agencies and industry partners on the study.

The announcement comes after Saab CEO Micael Johansson called for additional study in an interview with Breaking Defense in September.

At the time, Johansson said Saab was already part of an initial Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) study but said he hoped the agency "will now move forward with a more comprehensive study and put more money into it so we can test and simulate things."

Weeks after those comments, an official speaking at the International Fighter Conference in Madrid told the audience that Sweden planned to delay a decision on how to approach its future fighter jet needs until 2031 and in the meantime would be assessing the "risks and possibilities" of different approaches.

Three options are on the table: Either "build a system, develop a system with someone, or... acquire a system," the official said, speaking under Chatham House Rules. "It's an open question."

Saab, it appears, has been contracted to answer at least part of that question.

For a time Sweden had been party to the UK-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS) but has paused its participation. FCAS is one of several competing international initiatives to explore next-generation "system of system" concepts in which a new fighter plays a central role in a multi-part combat effort.

Sweden, however, is not in the greatest of hurries as it weighs its options; the Saab-made Gripens it flies now are expected to be able to serve for decades to come.

"We do not have an immediate need for a new fighter, which perhaps is different for other nations," Gen. Lars Helmrich, director of air and space systems at the Swedish Defence Material Administration, said at an event hosted by the Swedish Air Force Fan Club in Paris in June 2023. "We're looking to start early [for planning purposes] and be better situated for when we need to decide on the next fighter. It's a matter of pace."

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/sweden-asks-saab-to-study-future-fighter-concepts/?_ga=2.92889246.2067843798.1711093416-1958275474.1666165906

Harald

Erg jammer, had voor de prestaties van de F35 een flinke boost kunnen geven.
Meer vermogen, lager verbruik, groter bereik.

Huzaar1

Was een budgetbeslissoing destijds om geen 2 motoren te ontwikkelen voor de JSF.

Gaan we nu idd voelen.
"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion" US secmindef - Jed Babbin"

Sparkplug

Citaat van: Breaking Defense op 22/03/2024 | 13:20 uurIt's official: The F-35 will not get a new engine anytime soon

After rancorous debate, a new engine for the stealth fighter was already in doubt, but legislation released by congressional appropriators today seemingly puts the issue to rest.

With text of the fiscal year 2024 spending agreement finally released today, lawmakers have officially decided the future of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's engine.

According to explanatory text accompanying the legislation, lawmakers will provide $280 million for advanced engine development work — money that will mostly go to Pratt and GE Aerospace, which have both developed prototype powerplants through the Air Force's Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) and are competing to build an engine for the service's secretive Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.

But that $280 million is just for the engine industrial base, the text says. In fact, "[t]he agreement does not support the integration of an alternative engine on the F-35, and includes a new general provision that prohibits the use of funds to integrate an alternative engine on any F-35 aircraft."

.../...

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/its-official-the-f-35-will-not-get-a-new-engine-anytime-soon/

Jammer. Bij de F-16 zorgde de strijd tussen P&W en GE voor betere motoren. Wel met de kanttekening dat beide verschillend zijn qua grootte en dus niet uitwisselbaar. Bij de F-35 was drop-in juist gewenst.

Hopelijk heeft de P&W F135 motor nog voldoende ruimte voor doorgroeimogelijkheden.
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Harald

It's official: The F-35 will not get a new engine anytime soon

After rancorous debate, a new engine for the stealth fighter was already in doubt, but legislation released by congressional appropriators today seemingly puts the issue to rest.

With text of the fiscal year 2024 spending agreement finally released today, lawmakers have officially decided the future of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's engine.

According to explanatory text accompanying the legislation, lawmakers will provide $280 million for advanced engine development work — money that will mostly go to Pratt and GE Aerospace, which have both developed prototype powerplants through the Air Force's Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) and are competing to build an engine for the service's secretive Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.

But that $280 million is just for the engine industrial base, the text says. In fact, "[t]he agreement does not support the integration of an alternative engine on the F-35, and includes a new general provision that prohibits the use of funds to integrate an alternative engine on any F-35 aircraft."

.../...

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/its-official-the-f-35-will-not-get-a-new-engine-anytime-soon/

Harald

Boeing Receives Super Hornet Order From US Navy

The U.S. Navy awarded The Boeing Company a $1.3 billion contract March 19 for the purchase of 17 F/A-18 Super Hornets and delivery of a technical data package vital to the sustainment of the platform.

NAVAIR press release

"The technical data package was a crucial part of this negotiation; it is necessary for naval aviation's operational readiness and post-production sustainment," said Rear Adm. John Lemmon, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. "The Super Hornet remains a predominant aircraft in the carrier air wing and will continue to provide significant combat capability into the 2040s." 

The Navy received appropriated funds from Congress to purchase these Super Hornets to help mitigate the strike fighter shortfall. The award is an Undefinitized Contract Action with the intent to definitize within the next few months.

"I am very proud of our team; their mission-focused mindset, data-driven approach and persistence resulted in an agreement that will greatly benefit the sustainment of the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft well into the future," said Capt. Michael Burks, Program Manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office. "It is our job to ensure our warfighters have all the necessary resources to defend our nation and return home safely."

Delivery of the new Super Hornets is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2026, with final delivery no later than spring 2027.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/03/boeing-receives-super-hornet-order-from-us-navy/