CENTCOM:B-1B Lancers Participated in Retaliatory Raids - plus what radio experts revealed about their mission

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic bombers participated in retaliatory raids against Iranian Republican Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and afiiliated miltia groups in Iraq and Syria.Both Iraq and Syria denounced the raids which they said amounted to aggression.Beginning on 2 February 2024,radio experts ascertained that B-1Bs were on the move.The bombers are out of Dyess Air Force Base,Texas.The Lancer bombers communicate via a UHF satellite,and one is able to piece the puzzle together based on snippets of information from these communications only an expert can put together.* The experts ascertained that the 2-3 B-1Bs were refueled over Nova Scotia,Canada by KC-135 Stratotankers.They then proceeded across the Atlantic Ocean until they reached Spain,where the were again refueled by KC-135s out of the UK.Air Force Global Strike Command deploys B-1Bs as needed.For this mission,the bombers were to fire precision cruisse missiles at seven sites and across 85 targets in Iraq and Syria.They typically carry up to 24 Northrop Grumman AGM-158B JASSEM-ER subsonic cruise missiles.Their targets included command centres;drone and rocket arsenals;and thier production facilities.Thermal images of the target guide these missiles with an acccuracy of less than 9.8 ft. from the targets.The warheads can strike on impact,be set for delayed impact or set to splinter into fragments.Dozens of militants were reportedly killed in the raids.*The Department of Defense will continue to strike militants at a time and place of their choosing.* The original builder of the B-1B,Rockwell,became part of Rockwell Collins,which again morphed into Collins Aerospace,now a subsidiary of Raytheon Corporation.*Northrop Grumman (NOC),Raytheon Corporation (RTX)

NATO. US Marines during joint combat training in Latvia.

Raytheon Technologies produces the TOW anti-tank missile.Raytheon Technologies (RTX)

F-22 Raptor Brings Down China's Spy Balloon

Four Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fifth generation fighters were scrambled at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia Saturday.They were needed to bring down the Chinese military balloon that attempted to gather intelligence over US territory in a blatant violation of US sovereignty and international law.The balloon was loaded with tons of surveillance equipment directed at sensitive military bases with an apparent emphasis on strategic systems such as the Minuteman III ICBM and B-2 Spirit bombers.* The Raptors arrived on scene off the South Carolina coast and loitered while they awaited the balloon's arrival.The balloon had first violated Canada's sovereignty before heading south into Montana and surveilling Malmstrom Air Force Base and its missile fields.It had traveled from China to the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands of Alaska before violating Canadian air space,all the while tracked by NORAD.Eventually it wandered east over to Whiteman Air Force Base,Missouri,home of the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber.NORTHCOM,out of Peterson Air Force Base,Colorado,provides protection for the US mainland and took charge of the hostile incident.Two air refueling tankers flew a pattern off South Carolina,standing by to refuel aircraft as needed.* On Wednesday,US President Joseph R. Biden ordered the Pentagon to shoot down the balloon in the safest way as soon as possible.The Pentagon chose the sea option.* Climbing to an altitude of 58,000 ft.,one of the F-22s fired a Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking missile at the balloon at short range.It punctured the balloon with a thud,rendering it limp as it plunged for about five minutes to the coastal waters below within the 12-mile territorial zone of the United States.Whatever lands within the zone is legally under US Government control.The balloon ended up at a depth of merely 47 feet,easily retrievable by even novice divers.The US Navy and Coast Guard secured the scene by establishing a perimeter.A salvage vessel made its way to the wreckage of the ill-fated Chinese contraption.Electronic warfare measures had been applied to its technology by US Forces as it was blown along,ensuring that it couldn't achieve its unlawful mission unhindered.The debris field had been ascertained by NORTHCOM and NASA in advance.* Analysis:So China ended up with its surveillance technology in the hands of the US Intelligence Community,embarrassed by this bizarre mission of the People's Liberation Army.For its part,Canada expressed its appreciation for the US downing of the balloon.* Lockheed Martin (LMT),Raytheon Technologies (RTX)

Game-Changer:B-21 Raider To Break New Ground in Deep Strike

The US Air Force intends to develop a sixth generation,long-range fighter jet to escort the new B-21 Raider strategic nuclear-capable bomber deep into enemy territory.The fighter is called "Penetrating Counter-Air" and is to assist the B-21 in supression of enemy air defences.* The B-21,which has a flying wing design similar to the B-2 Spirit bomber,is a subsonic aircraft,that is,flying slower than the speed of sound (Mach 1 is the point that is just beyond the speed of sound).The speed of sound varies depending on air temperature and other atmospheric conditions.The Raider is subsonic because of its large payload capacity of a mix of nuclear and conventional ordnance.It can deliver both the B61-12 tactical nuclear weapon as well as the Long Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile.With its advanced stealth design features and NextGen radar-absorbent coatings,lead contractor Northrop Grumman considers it the most advanced military aircraft ever built.So it will be capable of penetrating the toughest defences to deliver precision strikes in Anti-Access/Area Denial zones.* Six B-21s are currently in various stages of production in Palmdale,California.One of them is scheduled for unveiling to an invited audience in early December 2022,with first flight in early 2023.The Air Force Global Strike Command plans to acquire at least 100 B-21s,though the number may eventually reach about 200.Initial Operating Capability should come in the mid-2020s.Ellsworth Air Force Base,South Dakota is the preferred basing location for the first B-21 main operating base and formal training unit,with Dyess AFB,Texas as an alternate.The Air Force plans to retire the B-2 Spirit and B-1B Lancer bombers first as the B-21 comes online,with the B-52H Stratofortress remaining in service alongside the B-21 till mid-century.* Advanced software development techniques called DevStar will enable the upgrading of the Raider at the speed of relevance,incrementally adding warfighting capablities as opposed to the current massive Block approach.The B-21 will be able to rapidly field capability enhancements to both hardware and software,with enough processing power to quickly process information from onboard sensors and external sources for threat detection.Digital design and engineering make it possible to incrementally improve B-21 characteristics on a continuous basis.Suffice it to say,it is like nothing else ever seen before on the flight line. For example,the Raider will have minimum aircraft signatures in multiple frequency bands.* Subcontractors of the B-21 include Pratt and Whitney (Raytheon Technologies subsidiary);BAE Systems;Collins Aerospace (Raytheon Technologies subsidiary) and Spirit AeroSystems.* BAE Systems ADR (OTC:BAESY),Northrop Grumman (NOC),Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX),Spirit Aerosystems Holdings Inc (SPR)

Raytheon Technologies Moving Global Headquarters To Northern Virginia - Aviation Today

Raytheon Technologies Moving Global Headquarters To Northern Virginia - Aviation Today: Raytheon Technologies on Tuesday said it will establish its global headquarters in Northern Virginia, close to many of its government customers in the Washington, D.C., area, a move that follows Boeing’s decision a month ago to relocate its corporate headquarters to the region. Raytheon said it will be moving to Rosslyn, an area of Arlington Virginia …

Raytheon Technologies’ New Venture Arm Invests In Hypersonic Aircraft Company Hermeus - Aviation Today

Raytheon Technologies’ New Venture Arm Invests In Hypersonic Aircraft Company Hermeus - Aviation Today: RTX Ventures, a capital investment group recently set up by Raytheon Technologies, on Thursday said it made a strategic investment in the start-up company Hermeus Corp., which is developing hypersonic aircraft for commercial and defense applications. The value of the investment wasn’t disclosed but is part of a $100 million Series B financing round announced in …

To the Front Line:Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Units Deployed for Eastern Flank Missions

A number of US Navy and US Marine Corps aviation units have been deployed this week for defence and deterrence missions along NATO'S Eastern Flank,which are deemed critical in light of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.These include 200 Marines from Air Control Group 28 out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolina who had recently participated in NATO Exercise Cold Response 22,which emphasised the defence of Norway.Another 200 Marines and their 10 legacy F/A-18 C/D Hornets and two KC-130J Hercules tankers out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort,South Carolina will also soon deploy to an unspecified location in Eastern Europe. The Marine aviators are from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2 MAW),II Marine Expeditionary Force.MAC 28 provides multi-domain Command and Control;air defence;air traffic control;and communications support.The Lockheed Martin C-130 J tankers are from Aerial Refueling Training Squadron 252.* For its part,the US Navy deployed six EA-18G Growler Electronic Warfare jets to Spangdahlem Air Base,Germany,along with about 240 personnel,including pilots and maintainers.These will enhance NATO'S collective defence posture,the Pentagon said.They will fly missions in support of Eastern Flank deterrence and defence,but not engage with Russian forces in Ukraine.Rather,they will further increase our air integration capabilties with our Allied and Partner nations,according to spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby,US Navy retired.The Growlers are part of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island,Washington State.Growlers use a suite of jamming sensors to confuse enemy radars,greatly aiding in the ability to conduct supression of enemy air defence operations.The Boeing aircraft feature tactical jamming pods and communications countermeasures. Describing the deployments,Mr.Kirby said: It's about options.It's about capabilities and making sure we've got the right capabilities.* The Growlers are armed with two Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles or two Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for self-defence.* Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT),Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTN)

Russia Preparing for Possible Quick Strike on Ukraine

International concern is mounting about Russia's intentions for its persistent massing of troops and military equipment along the Ukrainian borders while criticising Ukrainian behaviour.According to Ukrainian military intelligence,there are now about 100,000 Russian troops assembled along Ukrainian territory.The Intelligence Community feels they are configured for a potential multi-pronged attack on Ukraine.A blitzkrieg,which is the German for "lightning war,"could begin with Russian artillery barrages and airstrikes,then be followed up by air assault,amphibious and infantry incursions.A blitzkrieg is a battle of annihilation by surprise attack including armoured or motorised infantry formations integrated with close air support.It dislocates and disorients the enemy with its constantly evolving fronts.* On 22 November 2021,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley,US Army,spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart,Lieutenant General Valery Zaluzhny.CNN reported that the US may send military advisors to Ukraine,along with lethal aid such as Javelin anti-tank and anti-armour missiles;mortars;and Raytheon Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.It is even possible that the US will send Ukraine Mi-17 Russian-built helicopters that the Pentagon had originally purchased for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.* Russia has robustly denied it is planning an invasion of Ukraine.Still,the US is briefing NATO Allies and Partners about Russia's force posture,which is sometimes shifting by night to evade detection,with much alarm and specificity,Ukrainian sources say.Indeed,the Ukrainian Defence Ministry notes that Russia is increasing the combat readiness of Russian-backed occupation forces in the tempoarily occupied territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Eastern Ukraine.And Russia has been running large-scale command and staff exercises,including calling in reserves.The Russian Spetznaz special forces,GRU military intelligence and SVR foreign intelligence operatives have been activated along Ukraine's borders,US officials observed. An attack could come in late January or early February,Ukrainian military intelligence assesses.The US would likely not choose to defend Ukraine from Russia in a direct way,since Ukraine is not a NATO Ally.It is not believed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could prevail;but they could do some damage to the invaders.* Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX)

Falco-Virgo:NORAD Exercise Includes C-12 Huron

NORAD has announced that an air defence exercise is to occur between 12:30 am and 2:30 am Wednesday morning in the skies of the Washington,D.C. area.Aircraft utilised will include F-16 Fighting Falcons;a C-12 Huron;an MH-65D Dolphin helicopter,which is used by the US Coast Guard to provide overwatch of the D.C. area;and a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182T.
Portions of the drill could be visible from the ground,with low level flights at around 2500 feet.If the weather is bad,the exercise will take place the following day.*
The C-12 Huron,manufactured by Raytheon Aircraft Corporation in the US,is based on the Beechcraft Super King Air and the Beechcraft 1900.Its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engines give it a top speed of 333 mph and a range of 2074 miles.Utilised by all four of the Department of Defense armed forces,the Huron's principal missions are focused on the tactical movement of cargo and passengers between military bases;embassy support;medevac;VIP transport;and light cargo transport.Equipped with Rockwell Collins avionics,it is regarded as the primary operations support aircraft,with a cargo capacity of 5,000 pounds.The C-12 has a maximum crew of two (pilot and co-pilot) and can carry up to 13 passengers.*
Raytheon Corp (RTN)

Billionaire Ted Turner Receives Lone Sailor Award

Cable TV pioneer Ted Turner was one of three honorees at the US Navy Memorial's Lone Sailor Awards Dinner on September 18 at the National Building Museum in Washington,DC.The award is given to Sea Service veterans who have excelled in civilian life,while exemplifying the Navy's core values of honour,courage and commitment.Mr.Turner,75,said he served in the US Coast Guard 50 years ago.My time in the Coast Guard was life-changing,the media magnate said.It provided me with structure and discipline,which no doubt played a key role in my future success as a businessman and philanthropist.*
Turner told The Washington Post he was assigned to Charleston and Fort Lauderdale,then served in the Coast Guard Reserve for eight years.He had been suspended from Brown University for discipline infractions,and joined the Coast Guard to avoid the draft and because he liked boats,having begun sailing at age nine.
Turner founded Cable News Network,the first 24 hour news channel,as well as Turner Network Television,the first satellite channel,and Headline News Network.He also owns 15 bison ranches,making him one of the largest industrial landowners in the United States.*
Also receiving the award were General P.X. Kelley,former Commandant of the US Marine Corps and businessman,and Dan Akerson,Chairman and CEO of General Motors,a US Navy veteran.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson of Texas received the Naval Heritage Award for her staunch support of the Sea Services.Sponsors of the awards included Lockheed Martin;General Motors;Northrop Grumman;USAA;Kratos;and Raytheon.

Raytheon's Mk-31 RAM Shields Warships

Since 1993,Raytheon's Mk-31 Rolling Airframe Missile system has been in naval use.The shipboard anti-missile weapon features robust firepower and multiple simultaneous engagement capability against incoming fires.
The Mk-31 is comprised of up to 21 Mk-44 Guided Missile Round Packs and a Mk-49 Guided Missile Launching System.Guided by shipboard sensors such as the Aegis system,the Mk-31 engages anti-ship missiles;fixed and rotary wing aircraft;and fast surface vessels.
The Mk-31 has had at least one software upgrade in its career.Countries using the system to safeguard their warships include the US;Germany;South Korea;Egypt;Greece;and Turkey.It was originally developed by the US and Germany.
A link to a photo of the Mk-31 is posted below.
Raytheon(RTN)

SLQ-32 Is Electronic Armor

The SLQ-32 has been part of the Navy's shipboard electronic armor for nearly three decades.The system's display console allows crewmembers to detect and classify hostile radar emissions-especially from anti-ship cruise missiles.As well,many of these electronic warfare sets have an integrated jamming capability to divert incoming threats.An upgrade cycle for the system is currently underway-the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program.
The upgrades consist of replacing the signal processor and display console,and integrating them with better control and display software.Specific emitter ID capability is also included in the upgrade.Future upgrades are already being designed and conceptualized,with the goals of providing a new receiver and jamming improvements.
The SLQ-32's contractors are Raytheon,Northrop Grumman,General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin.
Raytheon(RTN),Northrop Grumman(NOC),General Dynamics(GD),Lockheed Martin(LMT)

Marine Support Ship Christened

The USS San Diego(LPD 22),an amphibious transport dock ship,was christened on 12 June in Pascagoula,Mississippi.She is the sixth ship of the San Antonio class of LPD,supporting the U.S. Marine Corps mobility triad of landing craft air cushion,MV-22 Osprey aircraft and expeditionary fighting vehicles.The San Diego can transport up to 800 Marines and their equipment,including helicopters.
Three more LPDs are under construction,which will bring the total number up to eight ships.These LPDs can sail at a speed of 22+ knots.They are manned by a complement of 350 officers and Sailors,plus three Marines.Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor,with Raytheon being among the major subcontractors,providing electronic systems integration.
Northrop Grumman(NOC),Raytheon(RTN)

Blair Reveals Intelligence Scope

Admiral Dennis C. Blair,U.S. Navy retired,Director of National Intelligence,revealed the scope of U.S. intelligence operations to journalists recently.Mr.Blair was going over his four year blueprint for national intelligence when he disclosed that the U.S. activity is a 200,000 person,75 billion dollar operation.About half of the personnel are in the civilian intelligence agencies,and half in the military,according to previously disclosed figures,and the civilian budget was 47.5 billion in fiscal 2008.That would make the military intelligence budget about 27.5 billion dollars.Admiral Blair refused to give further details,such as how many personnel are in each of the many agencies or what the money was spent on.He just wanted to give a rough idea of how much was involved,the retired sailor said.
Raytheon is a prominent contractor in the intelligence field.It claims that its technology forms the eyes,ears and brains of intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Evolved Seasparrow Defends Ships

The RIM-62 Evolved Seasparrow Missile(ESSM) provides the Navy with the most advanced defense against antiship cruise missiles.The ESSM is highly maneuverable,with supersonic speed and greater range than its predecessor,the RIM-7.Its MK139 warhead is expressly designed to destroy hardened antiship cruise missiles.That is why it is a defensive weapon of choice for eight NATO allies and Australia.The Evolved Seasparrow is made by Raytheon(RTN) and an international consortium.

Torpedo Contract

Lockheed Martin(LMT)has won a Navy contract for torpedo support.The deal is worth up to 35 million dollars.LMT will receive,inspect,process,issue and maintain the torpedoes,which are manufactured by Raytheon(RTN).