Incomparably better. The airframe's been designed to be better than the F-22.
But it's not gonna be better than upcoming jets like FCAS, NGAD etc.
High Energy Laser Weapon Completes Beam Quality and Power Testing
<a href="https://community.element14.com/resized-image/__size/620x350/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-45/0876.contentimage_5F00_55123.jpg"></a>Artist’s rendition of the Tactical Laser Weapon Module deployed on a drone aircraft.Perhaps it was apropos that around the...
community.element14.com
Perhaps it was apropos that around the same time trailers for the upcoming Star Wars movie “The Force Awakens” were circulating on the blogosphere General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced that a U.S. Government appointed independent measurement team had completed beam quality and power measurements of its Gen 3 High Energy Laser System (HEL).
The new laser represents the third generation of technology originally developed under the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS, Gen 1) program. The Gen 3 Laser employs a number of upgrades resulting in improved beam quality, increased electrical to optical efficiency, and reduced size and weight. The recently certified Gen 3 laser assembly is very compact at only 1.3 x 0.4 x 0.5 meters. The system is powered by a compact Lithium-ion battery supply designed to demonstrate a deployable architecture for tactical platforms.
The laser’s run time is said to be limited only by the magazine depth of the battery system. During testing, beam quality was reported to be constant throughout the entire run, which was more than 30 seconds. These measurements confirm that the beam quality of this new generation of electrically-pumped lasers can be maintained above the 50 kilowatt level.
The Gen 3 HEL tested is expected to be used on the Tactical Laser Weapon Module (TLWM) currently under development. Featuring a flexible, deployable architecture, the TLWM is designed for use on land, sea, and airborne platforms and will be available in four versions at the 50, 75, 150, and 300 kilowatt laser output levels. GA-ASI expects deployment of the TLMW on the Predator C Avenger by 2018. The U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) also has asked industry to provide a 150-kw laser weapon suitable for installation on future DDG-51-class destroyers.
US Navy, Air Force running ‘capstone test’ of new high-power microwave missile
The High-Powered Joint Electromagnetic Non-Kinetic Strike Weapon (HiJENKS) uses microwave technology to disable an adversary’s electronic systems.
Air Force selects future aircrew helmet
The helmet prototype was chosen after Air Combat Command initiated the search for a next-generation helmet to address issues with long-term neck and back injuries, optimize aircraft technology,
www.af.mil
These Photos From The B-1B’s Latest Guam Deployment Are Just Ridiculous
The Air Force has been pumping out stunning imagery of the B-1B swing-wing bomber during its Bomber Task Force mission in the Pacific.
www.thedrive.com
Air Force completes another successful hypersonic test
12th flight for the program and third release demonstration.
www.eglin.af.mil
The New B-21 Stealth Bomber to Be Revealed Later This Year, Senator Says
The public has seen only artist renderings of the next-generation stealth bomber, but a spokesman said an image of the B-21 itself should be coming soon.
Global Hawk Retirement Points Again To RQ-180 Waiting In The Wings
The Air Force wants to have retired all of its remaining RQ-4 drones by the end of 2027 to make room for more 'survivable' capabilities.
www.thedrive.com
"E-3 cannot see stealthy aircraft like J-20 out to long ranges where it can be useful, that's why I need that E-7"
@randomradio
@randomradio
Sensors advantage is just a bonus. Had the E-3 continued to be reliable, they wouldn't have made plans to replace it, which is what he starts out with. It's obvious a new platform will come with better hardware that can see more, but my point has always been a big lumbering crewed AWACS will be easily killed anyway, so the sensor doesn't matter.
E-3 has passive as well as active capabilities, that also appears to be the opinion of some random Chinese guy. The US has had stealth technology for longer than anyone else, so they're probably experts in knowing how to detect it.
airtractor.com
L3Harris and Air Tractor Sky Warden Team Selected for USSOCOM Armed Overwatch Contract
Highlights: MELBOURNE, Fla. — U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has selected L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) and Air Tractor Inc.’s AT-802U Sky Warden™ system for its Armed...
airtractor.com
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For all the mockery the j-20 gets its RCS is somewhere near 0.01-0.1 sqm RCS at worst. That is good enough for the j-20 to get close enough to fire it's pl-15 on a superhornet or E-3. The question is whether the Americans can reliably detect the j-20 without using radars like the Rafale does.E-3 has passive as well as active capabilities, that also appears to be the opinion of some random Chinese guy. The US has had stealth technology for longer than anyone else, so they're probably experts in knowing how to detect it.
L3Harris and Air Tractor Sky Warden Team Selected for USSOCOM Armed Overwatch Contract
Highlights: MELBOURNE, Fla. — U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has selected L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) and Air Tractor Inc.’s AT-802U Sky Warden™ system for its Armed...