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Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New Details On F/A-18 Super Hornet's Troubled IRST Pod
More details have emerged about the problems the U.S. Navy is facing with its ill-starred podded Infrared Search And Track system, or IRST, an important capability planned for its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters. The latest issues to be highlighted come after TWZ previously reported on delays caused by production quality problems with the system and a Pentagon assessment of 'significant reliability problems during operational testing,' which emerged earlier this year. The latest status update on the ASG-34A(V)1 IRST pod is provided in the Weapon Systems Annual Assessment that was published today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The centerline-mounted IRST pod is intended to provide the F/A-18E/F with a long-wave infrared sensor — the Lockheed Martin-developed IRST21 — that can search, detect, and track airborne targets. Very importantly, it is an ideal tool for detecting stealthy targets, which are proliferating. The IRST sensor assembly is installed in the front portion of a redesigned FPU-13/A centerline fuel tank. According to the GAO, each pod costs $16.6 million. For the full background on the pod, you can read our interview with the Super Hornet program manager responsible for it, back in 2020, here. The GAO report notes that, although the IRST pod achieved initial capability on schedule in November 2024, including delivery of the first lot of low-rate initial production pods, a full-rate production decision has been delayed. At one point, a determination on full-rate production was planned for January 2025, but this was missed 'due to delays incurred during flight testing.' As a result, the program has now breached its baseline schedule for the second time in three years. 'IRST officials told us that operational tests were delayed by two months due to software defects that caused IRST pods to falsely report overheating,' the GAO notes. Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) officials told the GAO that the problem 'was relatively easy to fix and would likely have been addressed during developmental testing had the program allocated more time for that testing.' Thanks to those operational testing delays, the publication of the DOT&E report that informs the full-rate decision production slipped until March 2025. A corresponding decision is now expected sometime this month. Until then, the program is somewhat in limbo, although it has achieved some good results, notably demonstrating 'capability at tactically significant ranges during operational testing.' This has been tempered, however, by how often the pods failed during that same testing. DOT&E officials told the GAO that the pods were 'extremely unreliable.' While we previously knew of issues with reliability, today's report confirms just how bad these are. Although 'the program improved pod reliability as it made software updates, [it] only managed to achieve 14 hours mean time between operational mission failures — short of the 40 hours required.' Not surprisingly, the DOT&E determined that deploying the IRST pods without improving their reliability would transfer risk to the Navy's fleet. Of course, this is bad news for the Navy, and for the F/A-18E/F community specifically, with IRST sensors — which can detect and track objects from a distance and in environments where radar may be ineffective — is increasingly seen as a vital air combat tool. Seemingly ever since it was first flown on a Super Hornet in late 2019, the IRST pod has faced issues. A previous GAO report, in 2023, noted that 'between 20 and 30 percent of the manufactured components [in the IRST pod] failed to meet performance specifications due to microelectronics issues.' These problems persisted more than four years after limited manufacturing had begun and served to delay the launch of developmental and operational testing. The same 2023 report also described how 'staffing challenges' at a critical software development contractor were leading to holdups in the program. Then came a DOT&E report, which looked at the results of tests involving Infrared Optimized Configuration (IROC) pods, described as 'operationally equivalent' but designated for flight test. IROC pods were used for operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) between April and September 2024. This report noted that 'operational test events were adversely affected by IRST Block II system reliability failures' and concluded that the pod 'demonstrated significant reliability problems.' 'Throughout the test period, IRST Block II suffered from hardware and software deficiencies, which required the aircrew to restart the pod multiple times,' the DOT&E report said. 'Troubleshooting and repair often exceeded the abilities of Navy maintenance crews and required assistance from Lockheed Martin.' In the meantime, however, earlier iterations of the pod have already been deployed on operations, carried by Super Hornets in the Middle East, with photos emerging of this appearing in late 2020. As the Navy awaits the decision on whether or not to pursue full-rate production, there's no doubt about the utility of an IRST pod — provided that it works. The specific advantages of the IRST pod are something we have discussed before, including with the Super Hornet program manager: 'Very importantly, the IRST pod provides an entirely passive capability, relying exclusively on the infrared spectrum to detect and track airborne targets, including those at far beyond visual range. With no radio-frequency emissions, the target won't be alerted to the fact that they've been detected and are being tracked. At the same time, the IRST does not give away the location and presence of the host platform. This kind of sensor also provides a vital companion to the Super Hornet's AN/APG-79 radar, functions of which may well be compromised in a heavy electronic attack or radar-denied environment.' Meanwhile, similar kinds of sensors have been found on fighters operated by potential adversaries for decades. China and Russia operate tactical fighters such as the Su-35 and Su-30 Flanker series that incorporate IRST sensors as standard. In Western Europe, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen E, for example, also offer them. Closer to home, the U.S. Air Force has already put equivalent sensors on its F-15Cs and F-16Cs, making the delays to the Navy's program all the more puzzling. On the other hand, we don't know exactly how reliable the Air Force's IRST pods are, and we do know that there are substantial differences between the Air Force and Navy versions, although they both use IRST21 as a base the fact that a functioning IRST capability can be integrated on even older platforms without too much difficulty is also evidenced in the contractor-operated adversary community, which is increasingly flying fast jets with IRST sensors to better replicate potential threat aircraft. On the other hand, it should be recalled that not all IRST sensors offer the same level of capabilities, with significant differences also in terms of depth of integration and fusion between different types and aircraft, especially over time. This applies especially to the higher-end IRST pod for the Super Hornet and some of the cheaper off-the-shelf options that are now available. Threat aircraft with IRST capabilities continue to proliferate, but so do the kinds of threat platforms for which a sensor of this kind would be most useful to counter. China, especially, is making rapid developments in stealth technology and advanced electronic warfare, two areas that make the introduction of an IRST sensor all the more compelling. These kinds of infrared sensors are immune to radar-evading stealth technology and are not affected by electromagnetic jamming and other electronic attacks. For Navy Super Hornets, a fully functional ISRT pod would help to detect and target advanced Chinese platforms in a future conflict in the Pacific theater. At the same time, these pods can significantly boost the flight crew's situational air-to-air 'picture' in conjunction with more traditional sensors. As noted previously, there has been some good news with the latest iteration of the IRST pod, specifically the fact that it has, in a test environment, demonstrated that it can detect targets at long ranges. Furthermore, it can translate this data into stable system tracks that would be suitable for weapons employment. With its clear potential, it's certainly alarming for the Navy that it is still being kept waiting for the vital capabilities promised by the IRST pod. Contact the author: thomas@
India.com
23-05-2025
- India.com
World's largest aircraft carrier, built by US, loaded with most advanced systems, it is worth Rs..., China is...
(AI representation) New Delhi: The role of the Navy has become extremely important in modern warfare. With the help of floating aircraft carriers, countries like the United States possess the power to wreak havoc even on other continents. Today we will tell you about the world's largest aircraft carrier. This ship is a fortress floating in the sea. USS Enterprise (CVN-80) The world's largest naval fleet belongs to the United States. The USS Enterprise (CVN-80), the third aircraft carrier of America's Gerald R. Ford class, is a naval fleet against which any power in the world finds it difficult to compete. This aircraft carrier can accommodate 90 fighter jets simultaneously. Weight 100,000 tons The weight of the USS Enterprise is 100,000 tons. On this world's largest warship, dangerous weapons such as F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (multirole fighter), F-35C Lightning II (stealth fighter), electronic warfare aircraft, Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye radar, Seahawk helicopters, and drones can be deployed. Not yet commissioned About 4,500 personnel will be stationed on it. It has not yet been commissioned into the United States Navy. The USS Enterprise (CVN-80) will replace the long-serving USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Huge construction cost The construction cost of the USS Enterprise is 12-13 billion dollars. It will be the largest and most modern aircraft carrier in the world. It is equipped with modern weapons for attacking and defending against enemy attacks. The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile has been deployed on it. Anti-ship missiles Air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles are deployed on the USS Enterprise (CVN-80). Additionally, it is also fitted with systems that specialize in electronic warfare and anti-ship missiles. There are plans to deploy laser weapons on this warship in the future. Powered by reactor-generated electricity The USS Enterprise is powered by electricity generated from a nuclear reactor. Even if its reactor stops producing energy, this aircraft carrier can operate for up to 90 days. Construction started in 2018 The construction of this CVN-80, recognized as the world's largest aircraft carrier, started in 2018. It is believed that the U.S. built this aircraft carrier to control China's growing power in the seas.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fate Of Navy's F/A-XX Future Fighter Is In Limbo
The future of the U.S. Navy's F/A-XX sixth-generation stealth fighter program is still being reviewed by the Pentagon, White House, and Congress, a U.S. official told TWZ on Wednesday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing negotiations, responded to our questions about a published report that a contract award, potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars, could be delayed by as much as three years. 'Nothing is being delayed,' the official stated. 'A decision hasn't been made yet. That decision is still being determined by [the Pentagon] and service leaders, with conversations among Congress as well. It's a big program. Obviously these things don't get settled on by one individual. Leaders are making a decision on whether to invest. It's all part of the process.' The Navy has previously said its goal is for the first F/A-XX aircraft, intended to replace F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic attack jets, to enter service in the 2030s. The F/A-XX 'is expected to feature superior range, speed, and sensor capabilities, with an emphasis on integrating manned and unmanned systems,' a 2025 Naval Aviation Playbook put out by the office of the Commander of Naval Air Forces, currently Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, in March. 'This includes collaboration with autonomous drones serving as force multipliers and electronic warfare assets.' 'The Navy remains committed to the F/A-XX program, recognizing its importance in future force structure and design,' the document adds. 'Efforts are underway to balance near-term investments with the development of this next-generation platform.' However, a funding dispute pitting the sea service and some members of Congress against the White House has threatened to derail that timeline and cancel the program as currently defined, Reuters reported Wednesday morning. 'While the Navy wants to move forward with awarding a contract, some Pentagon officials are seeking to delay the program by up to three years,' Reuters wrote, citing three sources with knowledge of the program. Those sources said that 'concerns about engineering and production capacity' were at issue. The report did not elaborate further. On March 25, Reuters had reported that the Navy was going to announce the contract award for the F/A-XX engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase 'this week' based on information the wire service received from unnamed 'people familiar with the decision.' The award remains pending. Originally, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman were all in the running to develop the F/A-XX. However, Lockheed Martin was reportedly eliminated from the competition in March, because its proposal 'did not satisfy the service's criteria,' according to Breaking Defense, whose story cited an unnamed source with knowledge of the program. Delaying the award of a contract by three years 'would effectively cancel the program as it is currently defined,' Reuters explained, 'because contracts and pricing would expire during that time making a new competition almost inevitable.' TWZ cannot independently verify that claim, and the official we spoke with declined to offer specifics about the ongoing negotiations. As further proof that F/A-XX is in danger, Reuters noted that 'Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's cost assessment office plans to slash funding for the next-generation jet's development by shifting the $454 million that Congress provided for the F/A-XX in the fiscal year 2025 budget to other programs.' The Pentagon 'is separately preparing to ask Congress not to provide $500 million for the program which it had included in a pending reconciliation bill to help to accelerate the new jet's development,' the three sources told the wire service. The official we spoke with said no funding decisions about the F/A-XX have yet been made, adding that there is 'no sense of when' that might happen. 'It's not like there's a hard deadline,' the official posited. 'This is all in the context of budget decisions. We are discussing the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and beyond. Discussions are ongoing about where to invest defense dollars. The Pentagon declined to comment. We also reached out to the White House, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing for confirmation and more details, and we will update this story with any pertinent information provided. News of a potential delay in the program comes after the Navy revealed last month that the F/A-XX would offer just a 25 percent increase in range over the existing tactical combat jets in its carrier air wings. As we noted at the time, 'the disclosure was surprising, given that the service consistently makes it clear that extending the reach of its carrier strike groups is a critical priority as the range of expected threats also continues to grow.' In April, Navy Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, director of the Air Warfare Division (N98) within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, also said his service was 'definitely in the follow' behind the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps in work on the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) type drones expected to operate together with the F/A-XX. Delays in both efforts could be aligned. The debate now over the future of F/A-XX is happening as the U.S. Air Force is moving ahead with the development of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) crewed tactical fighter, now dubbed the F-47. In March, Boeing was awarded a contract to build at least 185 of those jets. 'The F-47 will fly during this administration,' an Air Force official told TWZ on Tuesday, after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin posted a slide on X offering new details about that program. Among other information, Allvin shared that the F-47 will have a combat radius in excess of 1,000 nautical miles, a significant improvement over the existing fleet of fighters, but also not as large as some may have expected. You can read more about it in our story here. As internal deliberations rage over the future of the F/A-XX program, which is being designed in large measure to be able to fight in the Pacific, China has already been flight testing its two next-generation fighter-like aircraft. One is commonly — but unofficially — called the J-36, and the other the J-XDS, also referred to as the J-50. TWZ has previously published a highly detailed analysis of both the J-36 and J-XDS/J-50, which readers can find here. Overall, the Navy's F/A-XX program has been even more secretive than the Air Force equivalent. However, as we have explored in the past, the jet will be central not only to the Navy's future tactical aviation plans, but also to the future of the service more generally. Similarly, major changes to the F/A-XX program now would have larger ramifications for the Navy's aviation plans, including likely compelling the service to rely longer than expected on its aging fleets of Super Hornets and Growlers. More resources could also be pushed toward the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter as a result. A major delay or cancellation of the Navy's NGAD crewed tactical fighter program would be a huge setback for the sea service. Contact the author: howard@
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing or Northrop? Pentagon Nears Decision on Stealth Jet Deal Worth Hundreds of Billions
The U.S. Navy is about to make one of its biggest defense calls in yearsand investors should be paying close attention. The F/A-XX program, designed to replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet, is entering a critical phase. While the initial contract is worth single-digit billions, the long-term value of this next-gen stealth fighter program is expected to stretch into the hundreds of billions. The aircraft will feature advanced stealth, extended range, and seamless coordination with uncrewed combat systemsmarking a major step in the U.S. pivot toward countering China in the Indo-Pacific. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with BA. Sources say Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) are now the two remaining contenders, with Lockheed Martin reportedly out after struggling to meet radar and carrier landing benchmarks. Boeing, despite recent turbulence from labor strikes and technical hiccups, just landed the Air Force's F-47 contract and already leads the MQ-25 drone program. Analysts note that managing both programs could unlock economies of scale if Boeing can share tech and streamline procurementpotentially giving it a cost advantage over its rivals. Northrop Grumman isn't going quietly, though. With its deep stealth expertisethink B-2 and B-21Northrop remains a serious force in the race. The Navy hasn't commented yet, but an announcement could drop any day. The winner of this contract won't just take home billionsit'll also gain a strategic foothold in the future of naval air combat. For investors, that could mean long-term upside in whichever name gets the nod. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing, Northrop Grumman await US Navy next-generation fighter contract this week, sources say
By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy is expected to announce this week who will build its next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter - a program worth hundreds of billions over its lifetime and a key part of plans to confront China, people familiar with the decision said. The F/A-XX program is one of several advanced capabilities the U.S. military is developing to counter China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. The contract would be worth single-digit billions of dollars in the short term, and potentially hundreds of billions over the decades it is expected to run. The Navy will choose one winner for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase - a significant milestone for the F/A-XX, which is meant to replace the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet. The new jet is expected to feature advanced stealth capabilities, improved range and endurance, and the ability to integrate with both uncrewed combat aircraft and the Navy's carrier-based air defense systems. The U.S. Navy did not respond to a request for comment. The new Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, was confirmed on Monday. The competition has been intense, with Boeing Co, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman Corp submitting detailed proposals and prototypes for evaluation. Boeing, hit hard by a recent labor strike, engineering layoffs, problems with its Starliner capsule and the troubled KC-46 tanker program, got a recent shot in the arm when it won the Air Force's F-47 contract. It also produces the MQ-25 carrier-based uncrewed refueling aircraft. Taking on two fighter jet programs may offer economies of scale if the company can make larger purchases of raw materials and share technology between the aircraft. Northrop Grumman has a strong track record of producing innovative aircraft, including the B-2 and B-21 stealth bombers. Lockheed Martin was initially seen as a strong contender, but the company struggled to meet the Navy's specific requirements, including the need for a more advanced radar system and improved carrier landing capabilities. Reuters reported on March 4 that Lockheed had been eliminated from the competition, but the Navy has not made a formal announcement. The first production jets are expected to enter service in the 2030s, while F/A-18s are expected to remain in service into the 2040s. Sign in to access your portfolio
