The event saw the company’s flight test team conduct functional checks of the system before its launch.

The plane will undergo additional live assessments as part of the program’s primary evaluation phase this autumn.

Boeing will also send the aircraft to another center that will finalize the hull’s livery outfitting.

“This safe and systematic Functional Check Flight is an important step for Boeing and the RAF as part of our rigorous and extensive testing and evaluation,” Boeing VP and E-7 Program Manager Stu Voboril remarked.

“Our team is committed to ensuring the E-7 delivers the safety, quality, and capabilities we’ve promised to our customer as we prepare for delivery of the UK’s first E-7 Wedgetail to the RAF.”

‘Significant Milestone’

Boeing accepted the contract to build five E-7s in 2019 to replace the British government’s decommissioned E-3 Sentry fleet, which operated for the same purpose since the 1990s.

The $1.98-billion planes are set to achieve operational capability by 2025.

“This first flight marks a significant milestone for the programme and for our team who have worked tirelessly with our partners to progress what is a hugely complex endeavour,” UK Defence Equipment & Support Director Richard Murray commented on the latest trial.

“We are moving forward and will be delivering this critical capability to the RAF.”

Local E-7 Development Centers Now Ready

The UK’s Wedgetail initiative involved the construction of hangars in Lossiemouth, Scotland, last year to support the Wedgetail’s in-country engineering works.

The site will house works for the three upcoming E-7s as well as other military aircraft once the program concludes.

London announced the inauguration of the $103-million center in September 2024. It will be managed by over 175 on-site personnel at the project’s peak, according to the government.

“We’re proud of the robust E-7 modification line we’ve stood up in the UK to deliver the RAF’s future Airborne Early Warning & Control fleet,” Boeing UK, Ireland and the Nordics President Maria Laine commented.

“We are committed to delivering this crucial capability to support the UK’s national security and contribute toward regional stability.”

Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail

The E-7 Wedgetail has a 34-meter (112-foot) fuselage and a 36-meter (118-foot) wingspan.

It is flown by two pilots, with functions run by up to 10 mission personnel. In 2022, the UK’s first E-7 platform received its main sensor suite.

The Wedgetail is powered by turbofans for a range of 6,500 kilometers (4,039 miles), a speed of  853 kilometers (530 miles) per hour, and a service ceiling of 12,500 meters (41,011 feet).

The post Boeing Completes Maiden Flight of Future British Wedgetail Early Warning Aircraft appeared first on The Defense Post.

Since its unveiling in December 2022, the company reports that the stealth bomber now undergoes up to two test flights per week, demonstrating its commitment to making the warplane operational as soon as possible.

Northrop also currently possesses three Raiders in various configurations, of which two are for ground testing and one for flight trials.

Recently, the B-21 assigned for ground testing completed a static test, verifying its structural design.

The one designated for flight trials also conducted fatigue testing that simulated real, long-term flight conditions.

“We’re really starting to strike up quite a cadence,” Northrop President of Aeronautics Systems Tom Jones said. “I think we’re well on the way to delivering a kind of asset that can be that daily flier for US warfighters out there.”

From flight test to production, our continued progress on the B-21 Raider is backed by its digital ecosystem and high-fidelity models. Learn more: https://t.co/zDE7sBzYRt pic.twitter.com/6jvICwNeBQ

— Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) September 18, 2024

Preparing for Tomorrow

The B-21 is the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft, featuring a significant leap in capability beyond fifth-generation fighter jets such as the F-35 and China’s J-31.

It is designed to defeat the most sophisticated threats in modern warfare.

The plane incorporates stealth technology to minimize its signature, making it harder for adversaries to detect and counter.

It is also capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.

The US Air Force said it plans to procure at least 100 B-21s to replace its older B-1 and B-2 bombers.

“The progress we’ve made on B-21 in the last 12 months is remarkable,” Jones stated, adding that this development “gives us additional confidence as we look ahead to delivering on B-21.”

The post Northrop Stepping Up B-21 Stealth Bomber Testing, Production appeared first on The Defense Post.

The system reportedly detected and tracked the moving targets before firing AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles to complete the intercepts.

It also demonstrated its ability to operate with the Integrated Battle Command System and the Sentinel A3 air and missile defense radar to effectively neutralize the targets.

According to Leidos Vice President Dino Pusinsky, the test underscored the company’s commitment to helping the US Army stay ahead of adversaries.

It also “marks another major step forward in evaluating the overall operational capability and lethality” of the cutting-edge weapon system.

Indirect Fire Protection Capability

In September 2021, Leidos accepted a contract to develop a ground-based weapon system as part of the US Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 program.

The weapon is envisioned as a key component of a layered solution for protecting critical civilian and military infrastructure.

Enduring Shield is designed to bridge the gap between the service’s tactical short-range air defense systems and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

In December 2023, the weapon showcased its ability to fire an experimental AIM-9X missile interceptor for the first time.

Leidos is now conducting hardware upgrades to further mature the system as part of a new contract awarded by the US Army.

“We believe this award will let us showcase the ability of the IFPC Inc. 2 system to transform warfighting capabilities as it progresses toward being declared operationally ready for our warfighters,” company senior vice president Larry Barisciano said.

The post Leidos’ Enduring Shield Intercepts Drone, Cruise Missile in Flight Test appeared first on The Defense Post.

More than 20 local drone manufacturers reportedly participated in the test, showcasing cutting-edge solutions as part of the Him-Drone-A-Thon 2 event, launched in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The trial took place at a mountain pass in Ladakh, which stands at 17,300 feet (5,250 meters), one of the highest in the world.

#AtmanirbharBharat

HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 is being organised at Wari La Pass, Ladakh on 17-18 September 2024 at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet. The event offers an exclusive platform for over 20 drone manufacturers to showcase a spectrum of drone solutions designed for… pic.twitter.com/jeD2vBZVc0

— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) September 17, 2024

According to reports, the participating drones performed surveillance, logistics, swarming, and first-person view operations, demonstrating their ability to withstand extreme conditions along India’s mountainous borders.

“Drone technology is becoming indispensable in modern warfare, and we are leveraging its potential to not only secure our borders but also position India as a global leader in this field,” an army official noted.

The Indian Army did not disclose the specific drones or manufacturers involved in the demonstration.

‘Year of Technology Absorption’

India has declared 2024 as a “Year of Technology Absorption,” streamlining the development, acquisition, and integration of emerging technologies into legacy systems.

The country seeks to employ autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology to prepare for modern warfare.

New Delhi currently faces increasing tensions with China and Pakistan, stemming from territorial disputes and geopolitical rivalries.

The Him-Drone-A-Thon 2 event provided the Indian Army with an opportunity to identify promising technological solutions, which could be procured to aid border operations.

Its collaboration with the FICCI also fostered a culture of homegrown technological advancement, part of the country’s “Make in India” initiative.

“HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 is a forward-looking initiative that reflects the army’s recognition of the immense potential for drones to enhance operational capabilities in difficult terrains,” an army spokesperson said.

The post Indian Army Tests Domestic Drones for High-Altitude Operations appeared first on The Defense Post.

The site will incorporate 142 rooms with 246 beds to house soldiers deployed in the region as well as in other remote or isolated locations.

It will be available to E-4 Senior Airman and above as well as trainees at the Test Pilot School advanced flight competency program at Edwards.

The air force noted that the design and related costs for the infrastructure will be reviewed in early 2025. The construction phase will follow to complete the facilities and accommodate occupants by 2026.

“Edwards Air Force Base is a place of firsts: our first jet took off on the lakebed just a couple miles that way,” Edwards AFB Test Wing Commander Col. Douglas Wickert remarked.

“We first broke the sound barrier here less than a month after the Air Force was created. Every generation of bombers since World War II has flown here, including the first flight of the B-2.”

“There’s a reason that we like to say we live for first in flight test and to that long list of historic firsts that have taken place here at Edwards Air Force Base, I am so thrilled that we now get to celebrate one more: the Air Force’s first commercial apartment complex.”

Under Military Housing Privatized Initiative

The effort is part of the US Department of Defense’s effort to address the housing crisis of active-duty service members.

It aligns with the Military Housing Privatized Initiative (MHPI) established in the late 1990s to improve warfighters’ quality of life across specific installations.

MHPI focuses on the shortage of affordable private housing for soldiers and improvements to housing establishments owned by the government.

Work for the MHPI at Edwards will be conducted in partnership with North Carolina-based real estate developer Mayroad LLC.

‘Something New’

According to the air force, the decision to integrate a housing solution at Edwards was also driven by the site’s “multi-billion-dollar economic impact” on Southern California in addition to the base’s remote and isolated strategic location.

The base, along with its host unit 412 Test Wing, plays a “critical role” in the flight and ground experiments for the Pentagon.

“Many Airmen at the 412 Test Wing have been impacted by the shortage of housing options on or in proximity to the base,” US Air Force Energy, Installations and Environment Assistant Secretary Dr. Ravi Chaudhary stated during the ceremony.

“That’s why we’re going to flip the script and try something new, something tailored for the men and women who serve here and to our families. I can say this, we hear you, we see you, but now it’s time to deliver for you.”

The post US Air Force Begins Construction of First Commercial Apartment Complex in California appeared first on The Defense Post.

The test, conducted at a tactical training ground in the eastern province of Prachinburi, saw the vehicle prototype perform various tasks, including slope climbing, obstacle crossing, and cargo and personnel transport.

It also demonstrated its ability to traverse rough, muddy, watery, and sandy terrains.

สถาบันเทคโนโลยีป้องกันประเทศ โดยโครงการยานเกราะล้อยางได้นำโครงการวิจัยและพัฒนาต้นแบบรถบรรทุกทางทหาร 4X4 ชนิดช่วงล่างอิสระ(Swing Semi-Axles) เข้าทดสอบและประเมินผลโครงการฯ ณ สนามฝึกทางยุทธวิธี กองพลทหารราบที่ 2 รักษาพระองค์และสนามฝึกขับและทดสอบยานพาหนะ กรมการขนส่งทหารบก จ.กาญจนบุรี pic.twitter.com/r5FAmnFMpO

— DTI Thailand (@DTIThailand) September 16, 2024

According to the DTI, the vehicle “was able to perform missions in all terrain conditions,” which enabled it to pass the test successfully.

The 4×4 truck will now await necessary certification before moving to initial production and fielding.

Features

Domestically built by DTI, the transport vehicle is based on the 815-7 heavy military truck from Czech firm Tatra.

It features a trapezoidal and hemispherical rear cargo compartment, which provides enhanced protection against improvised explosive devices.

It is also equipped with light armor to withstand small-caliber bullets.

The truck reportedly boasts an independent suspension system for improved handling and stability.

Once in service, the vehicle is expected to complement other 4×4 vehicles in the Royal Thai Army inventory, such as the German UNIMOG U1100 L/29 with a 1.25-ton capacity and the Japanese Isuzu FTS 33 H2E with a larger 2.5-ton capacity.

The post Royal Thai Army Tests Domestic 4×4 Military Truck Prototype appeared first on The Defense Post.

Located at Kirtland AFB, the site will be inducted as the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) primary evaluation center for next-generation re-entry vehicles to deliver assets between terrestrial bases and orbital missions.

Tasks in the facility will incorporate the assembly and disassembly of testbed vehicles and related components in addition to experiments.

“Our nation has historically relied on our ability to maintain credible deterrence, and REVIL is a key part of that as we move forward,” AFRL Space Vehicles Director Col. Jeremy Raley remarked during the ceremony.

“We have the nation’s brightest innovators and visionaries working at AFRL. This facility will give them the infrastructure they deserve and will allow them to collaborate with scientists and engineers that intimately understand the space vehicles mission, communicate that mission to industry and move it forward.”

The $8.7-million infrastructure project will cover 5,265 square feet (489 square meters) of area in Albuquerque, with works expected to be completed in 14 months.

The effort’s project management team will be the US Army Corps of Engineers. The laboratory’s design is led by Missouri-based architectural company Burns & McDonnell, while the construction is by New Mexico-based Perikin Enterprises LLC.

Supporting Nuclear Efforts

The Kirtland laboratory is the first of four planned hubs that will support the nation’s broader strategy to bolster nuclear deterrence capabilities.

Expansions to support this objective will include collaborations with other US defense agencies, the Department of Energy, and industry partners.

“This groundbreaking ceremony is a culmination of years of effort and our vision and nuclear posture is moving from a model of sustain to modernize,” AFRL Nuclear Mission Portfolio Lead Stephanie Eddy stated.

“We have the goal to double the nation’s capability in this science and technology work within the next five to seven years.”

Partnership With Space Force

The air force highlighted that operations in the forthcoming center will be coordinated with the US Space Force.

“This lab supports both the Air and Space Force missions,” Raley said. “While we must work on new scientific developments for re-entry vehicles, there are many other opportunities to create economic and warfighting advantages.”

“New discoveries will arise from working with other government entities and industry partners, and that’s what’s really exciting about this lab … the expansive opportunity.”

The post US Air Force Launches Space Vehicle Laboratory Construction in New Mexico appeared first on The Defense Post.

For the event, the Texas-based startup deployed its Bullfrog robotic weapon system developed for autonomous scanning and neutralization of drone threats.

A live fire demonstration was held on each day of the  two-week conference, with the gun “consistently” defeating targets on single or multi-drone engagements “in rapid succession.”

The trials concluded with the technology exhibiting its “low cost, low weight, size, and power” application for accurate and effective anti-drone attacks within seconds.

ACS’ Steven Simoni commented that the tests validated the Bullfrog’s capability, which “has been a near-impossibility until now … to autonomously shoot drones out of the sky with a solution that doesn’t cost the DoD millions of dollars to procure or arm.”

“This means that there is now a solution to address the urgent threat of low-flying, cheap drones that have changed the battlefield,” Simoni explained.

‘Significant Milestone’

The company’s co-founder and CEO also expressed gratitude for having an opportunity to participate in a Joint Warfighting Concepts-related military event just two years after ACS’ launch.

The Indiana event was attended by more than 30 representatives from Pentagon stakeholders, Congress, and primary C-UAS program offices.

“We are grateful to the Defense Department for providing the opportunity to showcase our system,” Simoni stated.

“The Bullfrog system’s successful performance during the [Technology Readiness Experimentation 2024] event marks a significant milestone on the path toward deployment, supporting our mission to accelerate the defense industry’s transition to advanced, cost-effective technologies that protect US military and allies on the battlefield.”

The Bullfrog

ACS’ Bullfrog is offered in a gun turret configuration with features to address class 1 to 3 UAS platforms.

The 400-pound (181-kilogram) weapon functions in both automatic and semi-automatic modes with a less than two percent false negative rate in fully passive detection.

Additionally, its lightweight design enables users to mount the system onto NATO-standard military vehicles.

The Bullfrog combines computer vision, artificial intelligence, and the M240 machine gun to enable precision firing using 7.62-millimeter rounds.

The post Texas Startup Demos Anti-Drone Gun appeared first on The Defense Post.

Mounted on an MQ-9B SeaGuardian drone, the radar performed long-range surveillance of multiple targets and transmitted critical data to an F/A-18 fighter jet.

The Super Hornet then used the data provided by the radar to successfully fire a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) at a decommissioned amphibious assault ship serving as a representative target.

According to RTX advanced solutions president Bryan Rosselli, the demonstration highlighted the radar’s ability to capture high fidelity targeting data that can aid a precise weapons engagement.

It also “enabled us to test and validate [SeaVue] to ensure it can provide the situational awareness required in an operational environment – allowing faster decision making and more efficient kill chains,” he said.

In 2021, SeaVue also demonstrated its ability to pair with the MQ-9B drone and carry out wide-area maritime surveillance.

‘Superior’ Capabilities

RTX describes its SeaVue as a modern, software-defined radar capable of providing all-weather surveillance.

It reportedly offers “superior” multi-mission performance for crewed and uncrewed platforms.

The radar was designed to rapidly and efficiently identify even small targets at longer ranges and higher altitudes.

It was also made with a modular and scalable architecture to allow future upgrades without changing the hardware.

Apart from combat, the SeaVue radar can aid search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement missions.

The post RTX Demos SeaVue Radar’s Long-Range Target Detection at RIMPAC appeared first on The Defense Post.

The project will evaluate data between simulation-based and real-world tests for a “comprehensive and continuous feedback loop” to further enhance AI piloting systems being developed for future unmanned applications.

The navy noted that the decision to leverage the Kratos drone was due to its lower unit cost and cost per flight hour, allowing progress at an “accelerated pace.”

The technical demonstration is scheduled in late 2025.

‘Groundwork’ for Naval Aviation

The trial is part of a contract awarded to the California-based company in March for the integration of its proprietary autonomous system “Hivemind” into the BQM-177A.

Work to complete the test will be facilitated in partnership with the navy’s Strike Planning and Execution program (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets program (PMA-208).

“This collaborative effort between PMA-281, PMA-208, and Shield AI not only expands and improves the existing spectrum of validation but also offers a scalable solution that benefits the entire naval aviation community,” PMA-281 Program Manager Capt. Jerick Black explained.

“By laying the groundwork for future advancements, this initiative ensures that the Navy remains at the forefront of technological innovation and operational excellence in naval aviation.”

Autonomy Projects With US Defense

Shield AI demonstrated its Hivemind software to operate two Kratos MQM-178 Firejet aircraft autonomously a few days before the BQM-177A test.

Simultaneously, the firm signed a $198.1-million contract to supply V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing systems to the US Coast Guard.

In August 2023, Shield AI teamed with the US Air Force to assess the swarming capability of three V-BATs in a wildfire surveillance scenario.

Two months earlier, the company revealed a collaboration with Kratos to equip and market an AI pilot with the XQ-58 Valkyrie unmanned aerial system for US and allied forces.

The post Shield AI, US Navy to Demo AI Pilot With BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target appeared first on The Defense Post.