The US Navy has the twelve largest nuclear-powered fleet carriers in the world, capable of transporting around 80 fighter jets each; the total combined deck space is more than twice that of all other nations combined. In addition to the aircraft carrier fleet, they also have nine amphibious assault carriers that are used for carrying up to 20 F-35B Lightning II V/STOL fighter aircraft, as well as helicopters, and are similar in size to medium-sized fleet carriers, giving the United States 32 total active service carriers. Read more to see the precision required to land an aircraft on one of these warships.
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is essentially a large military transport aircraft that was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. This aircraft typically performs tactical and strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles include medical evacuation and airdrop duties. Read more for a video showing how it uses full reverse and spoilers to come to a complete step in under 1,000-feet.
The Sarcos Guardian XO powered exosuit turns normal humans into real-life terminators, enabling one to carry 200 additional pounds (91 kg) of payload, while lifting heavy objects for hours on end without physical strain or fatigue. While it may look complex, it only takes 30 seconds to step inside one and it responds in milliseconds to the operator’s movements for up to 8-hours on a full charge. A hot-swapping battery system lets you extend that time indefinitely. Read more for two videos and additional information.
British inventor Richard Browning’s Gravity Industries may not be the only company working on a real-life Iron Man suit, but his Daedalus Mark 1, a jet pack that uses several miniature jet engines to achieve vertical flight is definitely one of the coolest. In a test flight, he achieved a top speed of 32.02 miles per hour and managed to set a Guinness World Records attempt for ‘Fastest speed in a body controlled jet engine powered suit’. Read more to see a soldier using this jet pack to fly around an aircraft carrier.
The F-15 Eagle is an American twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) that first flew in July 1972, and entered service in 1976. It is among the most successful modern fighters, with over 100 victories and zero losses in aerial combat. Even after all these decades in service, it’s still a marvel to see in person, especially flying the UK’s Mach Loop. Read more for some amazing footage and additional information.
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force’s unmanned X-37B spaceplane just landed today (Oct. 27) after a record 780-days in orbit, making the fifth top secret mission for the military’s mini-shuttle. The Orbital Test Vehicle 5 (OTV-5) mission officially ended with a perfect autonomous touchdown at the Shuttle Landing Facility of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at 3:51 a.m. EDT (0751 GMT). Read more for a video and additional information.
Raytheon Co announced that it has delivered the first high-energy laser weapon system (HELWS) to counter-unmanned aerial system to the U.S. Air Force. This anti-drone laser can be installed on small all-terrain vehicles, and a single charge from a standard 220-volt outlet enables it to deliver intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability as well as fire dozens of precise laser shots. Read more for a video and additional information.
Textron Systems has just unveiled a new 10-ton, unmanned tank that will enter the US Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle effort. Textron’s subsidiaries Howe & Howe Technologies and FLiR Systems Inc. is showcasing the Ripsaw M5 on the exhibit floor at the 2019 Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. currently.
Based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, GM’s new Infantry Squad Vehicle for the US Army looks like something straight from the Halo universe. It was commissioned as a vehicle that can transport up to 9 soldiers, while being carried under a Blackhawk helicopter or fit in the twin-rotor Chinook cargo copter. Around 70% of the ISV’s parts are sourced from the Colorado to help keep costs low, while most of the bodywork was removed to fit a roll cage and skid plates for drivetrain / suspension protection. Read more for a video and additional information.
AM General, a manufacturer of light tactical vehicles, teamed up with the Jeep Brand of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), to introduce the Jeep Gladiator Extreme Military-Grade Truck (XMT). This vehicle is designed to be a military communications truck, and is just one of many variants that AM General can develop to meet specific customer requirements. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator has been touted as the most capable midsize truck ever, with 7,650 pounds of towing capacity and up to 1,600 pounds of payload capacity, making it the ideal platform to develop this tactical vehicle. Read more for a video and additional information.