US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

SlothmanAllen said:

I had a hard time looking it up, but apparently a new Black Hawk can cost anywhere from $15-20 million depending on configuration and number of airframes ordered. You could be right that the price could be that high, but I doubt it given the limited information I was able to find.

I cannot speak to what Chinese production cost for a unmanned UH-60 / Z-20 capable aircraft would be.

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another505 said:

So this is Tyler's big piece that he hinted previously.


The obsession for vtol is weird. The guy Armor Harris claims to prevent runway destruction from PLA strikes but the problem is that the air base, supply, fuel , logistics and command are also there to be destroyed.

His idea of putting these onto non carrier ships is interesting. Yet that wouldn't help. USN will be sending a carrier fleet, and would prioritize defending the carrier, not launching short range(the 1000mile combat radius is pretty absurd claim especially with vertical launch and recovery burning your fuel) UCAV off an arleigh burke. Not to mention, Arleigh Burke is so heavy and packed already with so many years of upgrades, where do you find the space to support this? Is more than just a launcher, it requires logisticis, fuel, weapon and again, someone to control it.

The fundamental problem that USN has is that IF it survives the endless barrage of missiles to get close to use it's aircraft. The fleet should be out of SAM and unable to effectively reload them at sea or safely at port. It faces the conudrum of leaving the PLA A2/AD which means the fleet did nothing, or risk continuing on without any defenses.

In the end, it is a simple math problem, China should and probably have enough ASHM to make sure the third and seventh fleet out of SAM before it can do anything.

"Armor Harris: So, it’s been in development for about a year and a half at Shield AI. We’re actually moving towards demonstrator flights doing the vertical takeoff and landing component of the mission profile in the second half of next year. And then all-up flights in ’28, and really prioritizing, again, speed to the joint force."

So remains to be seen actually working on time, within budget, and promises fulfilled. He is from spacex falcon 9 so there are experience.

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TK3600 said:

That is assuming the SAM will 100% protect the ship while it lasts. But the reality is a fast enough missle will straight up go through the defense.

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another505 said:

Yes, that is assuming 100 percent hit rate for SAM. One getting through means a DDG/CG entire VLS inventory is out of commission, dramatically weakening the whole fleet's defence.

Yet, a lot of American's or NATO fanboys don't understand even IF "SUPERIOR QUALITY" western missile is real and every ASHM will be intercepted. It is a simple math problem that shows the carrier group can't get into range to chinese coast line without somehow attacking to disrupt Chinese launchers(ships, subs, H-6, DF-21/26 ASHBM)

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