The army conducted tests of the Avenger-mounted laser system in late September 2007 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. The laser system, also designed to destroy unexploded ordnance, was developed by Boeing.

"Boeing's investment strategy is to move some of its new directed energy weapon systems into field demonstrations, and Laser Avenger is the first one we're rolling out," said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems. "Laser Avenger provides the speed-of-light and ultra-precision capability that the warfighter needs today to safely neutralize improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance."

Executives said the Laser Avenger engaged and destroyed five IED and UXO threats in test-firings on Sept. 26-27. They said the Laser Avenger was equipped with a 1-kilowatt solid-state laser fired from an unspecified range.

"During the test, the system also took a step toward demonstrating a counter-unmanned aerial vehicle capability by destroying two small unmanned aerial vehicles that were stationary on the ground," Boeing said.

Report: Israel 'blinded' Syrian radar

After Israeli missile strike on Syria confirmed by both sides, the question remains – how did Israel's non-stealth jets infiltrate Syrian airspace undetected? US aerospace experts tell Aviation Week magazine that Israel used new US-developed technology that lets users invade and manipulate enemy communication networks
Ynet

After Syrian President Bashar Assad admitted that Israeli planes carried out a missile strike in Syria and after the media blackout on the incident was lifted in Israel, many unanswered questions still remain regarding how IAF jets managed to infiltrate Syrian security.

 

An article published this week on the aerospace magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology's website offers the theory of experts in the field on how the Israeli F15 and F16 jets – which are not stealth fighters – managed to evade detection by Syrian air defense radar.US aerospace industry and former US Air Force officials told Aviation Week's Senior Military Editor David A. Fulghum that Israel must have used "a technology like the US-developed 'Suter' airborne network attack system".

But perhaps the most intriguing family of systems being "readied for operations" is BAE Systems' Suter network exploitation programs, designed to "break into enemy networks to hear communications, see what enemy sensors are seeing and, in some circumstances, become the systems manager with the ability to manipulate enemy sensors."

"Suter finds the doors that have to be opened," an Air Force official tells Aviation Week.

L-3 Communications' Network-Centric Collaborative Targeting tool is considered Suter's "eyes and ears." With the system, three planes can pick up, within seconds, "the location (within a few hundred feet) and identity of enemy emitters -- radios, low-power cell phones and satellite phones, as well as other devices used for command and control and detonation of explosives... Plans are to have UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] or manned aircraft nearby that can deliver weapons or guide ground teams to the emitter's location within minutes."

A series of Suter programs explored the ability to pipe data streams -- embedded with specialized algorithms -- into enemy communications networks without being detected. The portals into the network are found by precisely locating antennas (as aiming points for the data streams) whether they are part of an air defense system or a hand-held communications device linked to others in an ad hoc tactical network for a small insurgent team.

However, there's the possibility that [the new gear] could interfere with [existing] U.S. [military] technology. Baghdad, where the force buildup is expected, is electronically polluted. For example, one smart system that jammed improvised explosive devices locked onto another smart system because of a lack of coordination between electronic warfare systems operated by different services and agencies. Jammers also can conflict with surveillance and communication systems... The problem is so pervasive that antennas have been put on 110-ft.-high poles to get them out of the worst interference.

TEL AVIV — Israel is expediting the drafting of requirements and specifications for a much-needed missile and rocket defense system.

Officials said the Defense Ministry and prime contractor Rafael, Israel Armament Development Authority have agreed on requirements for a system that could intercept short-range missiles and rockets. They said the two sides have also agreed that a prototype would be ready for testing in 2009.

"We have the funding, and the development would be fast-track," an official said.

Well I have held forth on this before

Officials said the Rafael system, dubbed Iron Dome, would be ready for initial deployment by the spring of 2009. They said Iron Dome was meant to track and intercept the Kassam-class missile developed by Hamas as well as the Katyusha rocket acquired by the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah.

The Iron Dome would use existing Israeli military radar to track incoming enemy missiles and rockets. The radar, developed by Israel Aircraft Industries subsidiary Elta, would determine trajectory and assess the landing point of the projectiles in a process meant to take less than one second.

Officials said Iron Dome's command and control system would be programmed to fire an interceptor to stop an enemy missile from landing in an inhabited area. They said the interceptor, estimated to cost up to $40,000, would be based on a ground-launch version of the Python-class air-to-air missile.

The Python-5 short-range missile, with a speed of Mach 4, has been successfully tested against low-flying and stealth unmanned aerial vehicles.

Officials said Iron Dome would seek to intercept the incoming rocket at the peak of its trajectory. They said this could prevent fallout of any chemical weapons warheads fired by Hamas and Hizbullah.

Considering what is going on in Sderot, and what occurred in Haifa last year, what the hell is taking so long?

 Read more >>   Options >>  

The US military brought a new weapon into the fight in Iraq, announcing the Army's first-ever use of a drone aircraft to kill enemy fighters in Iraq.

The Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, dropped a precision bomb on two suspected insurgents believed to be preparing to plant roadside bombs on September 1, the military said.

The drone was called in for the attack near Qarraya, 180 miles north-west of Baghdad, after a scout team from the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, observed the insurgents at work.

Hunter has a speed of 110 knots, a range of 125km and a maximum endurance of 12 hours.

Hunter provides real time intelligence for battlefield surveillance and target acquisition.

Hunter can be launched using a rocket assisted (RATO) system, for areas where space is limited. The air vehicle can be launched from a paved or semi-paved runway.

Oh, and....MORE .. 

CRAZY INVENTOR?

U.S. assigns priority to UAVs, automatic translators for forces in Mideast

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has pledged to intensify investments in counter-insurgency technology for soldiers deployed in the Middle East. The Joint Chiefs of Staff has recommended a program to bolster allocations for unmanned aerial vehicles, guard towers, armored combat vehicles, explosive detectors and intelligence systems for troops in Iraq. The troops would also be given automatic translators to enable communications with Arabs and other Middle East natives.

WASHINGTON — The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Weapon System touts a highly successful record, but that has not impressed potential Middle East clients.

Aegis, with eight successful intercepts, is seen as too expensive or large for U.S. allies in the Middle East. The sea-based system developed as a key element in intercepting ballistic missiles from Iran and North Korea and has been deployed by the U.S. Navy.

 

"The problem is that Aegis costs $15 million per unit and is the size of the ballistic missile," said Uzi Rubin, a leading missile defense consultant.

On April 26, Aegis conducted its eighth successful and sixth-straight intercept of a ballistic missile target by the Standard Missile-3. The launch marked the second test of the Block IA version of the SM-3 and the first test of the Block IA with a full-capability solid divert and attitude control system, or SDACS.

SDACS maneuvers the kinetic warhead to the target through multiple pulses of gas. The test, the first intercept in the exoatmosphere, demonstrated the SM-3s capability to intercept Iran's Shihab-3 and North Korea's Taepodong intermediate-range missiles.

Lands within 20 feet of intended target?

Officials said the 155-mm Excalibur shell would enhance counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and reduce collateral damage.

The shells have already reached Kuwait and shipment to Iraq is imminent.The Excalibur, produced by Raytheon, is considered the most accurate artillery shell available. The munition has a circle error of probability of less than 7 meters, or 20 feet. In contrast, an unguided 155-mm shell has a CEP of up to 300 meters. [On April 30, the U.S. Army fired artillery toward targets in southern Baghdad in a rare daytime attack. A U.S. spokesman said 18 rounds were fired from Forward Operating Base Falcon toward unidentified targets. The spokesman, Lt. Col. Chris Carver, did not identify the kind of artillery shells used.] The Army has been administering a $1.4-billion program to procure up to 30,000 Excalibur shells, guided by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) satellites. Raytheon has been contracted to produce the first 500 rounds.

U.S. sub drones will go after Iranian mines in Persian Gulf ..if and when..

Gertz 

WASHINGTON — The United States is developing an unmanned underwater vehicle to be used against Iran.

The U.S. Navy is overseeing development of a Long-Term Mine Reconnaissance System. The Navy has set a requirement for a 20-foot (6.1-meter) UUV that could be launched torpedo-style from nuclear submarines.

A depiction of how the Long-term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS) is intended to work.

Under the requirements, the UUV would be capable of maintaining surveillance on underwater targets for up to 60 hours. The UUV would be recovered through the submarine's torpedo launch.

Boeing has been developing a UUV for the navy. The company has reported success in sea tests of LMRS, originally designed to detect mines along the ocean floor.

The tests included the ability of LMRS to return to the submarine. Executives said this capability has been demonstrated.

Given how risk averse the democrats have become, the more technological means we have the better off we are...IF THEY WORK

In October, the U.S. Homeland Security Department selected Skyguard as an option to protect civil aircraft and commercial airports from the threat of man-portable missiles. Northrop has also been developing a laser for the Airborne Laser program.<.span>

I have written about Skyguard and THEL and MTHEL, and THAAD ad nauseum

However somewhere in there we all missed the facts that:
It is deployable.
It is deployed.

Each Skyguard defends a diameter of 10 km (6.25 mi)

Laser weapons are emerging as a cost-effective replacement for surface-to-air missiles for air and ground defense, industry sources said.

The sources said advancements in laser weapons could make them an alternative to kinetic interceptors as well as air defense systems. They said a range of militaries and governments have been examining new laser weapons manufactured by companies such as Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.

"Laser weapons are becoming much less expensive compared with other solutions for force protection against indirect fire threats," Northrop Grumman vice president Mike McVey said. "We estimate that accomplishments in 2006 could easily translate into high-energy laser weapons costing one-fourth the total system cost of tactical missiles."

Executives said 2006 marked a significant success for Northrop Grumman in the development and testing of high-energy lasers. They said the company achieved the most intense laser beams, the highest power levels and the longest operating times in tests over the last year.

Northrop Grumman has offered Israel the Skyguard laser for missile and rocket defense.

In July 2006, Skyguard, a ground-based laser air defense system, was introduced to protect sites and communities against rockets, missiles and mortars.

In October, the U.S. Homeland Security Department selected Skyguard as an option to protect civil aircraft and commercial airports from the threat of man-portable missiles. Northrop has also been developing a laser for the Airborne Laser program.

Northrop has also introduced Vesta, described as a compact laser weapon designed to protect fixed ground assets. Vesta is also meant for precision strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft.

VESTA???????

WASHINGTON — The United States has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle designed to protect military convoys.

Great, but it's 4 years later, guys

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract to Boeing for the Ground Situational Awareness Toolkit, or GSAT. The system, meant for use in Iraq, integrates a ScanEagle unmanned aircraft vehicle with a gunfire detection and location system.

"The integrated solution is designed to provide additional force protection for military convoys and bases against sniper fire," Boeing said in a statement on Jan. 23.

Under the project, the ScanEagle would be equipped with the ShotSpotter gunfire detection and location system. Executives said the Air Force plans to conduct a four-month utility assessment to validate ground detection and aerial location of sniper fire.

"GSAT/ScanEagle has the potential to increase our combat capability, protect the lives of our airmen and provide incredible situational awareness to our deployed security forces commanders," U.S. Air Force Col. John Decknick, commander of the 820th Security Forces Group, said.

Executives said any proven system would be deployed in Iraq. They said GSAT, a project launched in 2005, would be used to protect military convoys as well as fixed bases.

"We look forward to completing this task and deploying the system to support their efforts in Iraq," said Don Iverson, Boeing Air Force ScanEagle program manager.

Developed by Boeing, ScanEagle, which measures 1.3 meters, is a long-endurance surveillance UAV equipped with electro-optical and infrared camera payload. The UAV, with an endurance of 20 hours and launched autonomously via a pneumatic wedge catapult, could fly in a pre-programmed or operator-initiated mode.

BREAKING NEWS -- Iran Set to Try Space Launch

Iran has converted its most powerful ballistic missile into a satellite launch vehicle. The 30-ton rocket could also be a wolf in sheep's clothing for testing longer-range missile strike technologies, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine reports in its Jan. 29 issue.

The Iranian space launcher has recently been assembled and "will liftoff soon" with an Iranian satellite, according to Alaoddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

The move toward an independent space launch capacity is likely to ratchet up concern in the U.S. and Europe about Iran's strategic capabilities and intents. Orbiting its own satellite would send a powerful message throughout the Muslim world about the Shiite regime in Tehran.

U.S. agencies believe the launcher to be a derivation of the 800-1,000-mi. range Shahab 3 missile. A Shahab 3 fired from central Iran could strike anywhere in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the entire Persian Gulf region and as far west as southern Turkey.

Phalanx Fitted With Laser

When tactical missiles are fired at close range the best U.S. weapon to shoot them down may be a good old-fashioned machine gun. Except there is nothing old-fashioned about Raytheon's Mark 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System, or CIWS. An article published Friday by Defense Industry Daily spells out the formidable capabilities of the Phalanx CIWS and explains why it is already the BMD weapon of last resort of the U.S. Navy and why so many other countries are interested in having it too. Interest in the Phalanx CIWS has spiked in recent months following the massive Katyusha rocket mortar bombardment of northern Israel by Hezbollah in their brief conflict this summer. The Katyusha attacks followed an escalating series of less intense and formidable, but still potentially dangerous, attacks against Israel by relatively low-tech, very short-range Qassem missiles fired by Hamas and its allies from with in Gaza, which Israeli forces evacuated in summer 2005.

Both sets of attacks led to a revival of interest by U.S. congressional appropriators as well as by Israel in the development of laser weapon defenses against very short-range missile attacks.

The Phalanx, however, has several striking advantages over laser BMD systems against short-range missiles.

First, it is already operational and being produced and deployed in relatively large numbers.

Second, it is the outgrowth of an already-mature technology, super-powerful, ultra-high speed machine guns have been a key element of the U.S. armed forces for decades. The awesome Gatling gun was used to devastating operational effect in Vietnam.