tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post1203344549109176897..comments2024-03-28T07:56:09.239-07:00Comments on Navy Matters: The Navy's Best Run ProgramComNavOpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-4462606819458286122013-02-18T04:46:26.856-08:002013-02-18T04:46:26.856-08:00I believe the X-47 could be a real game-changer if...I believe the X-47 could be a real game-changer if secure and reliable communication can be made to work. Everything else: autopilot, stealth, aerial refueling, weapons, are relatively straightforward developments from manned flight.<br /><br />Predators and Reapers have not been as critical to American war-fighting as future carrier-based UCAVs will be. While drones today have reduced land-based manned aircraft in benign airspace since 9/11, the X-47 will entirely shoulder the burden of long-range strike that previously belonged to the A-3,A-5,and A-6. Very important in a A2/AD environment.<br /><br />It's interesting that the USAF X-45 program was canned as quickly as it was. If it was still around we might have seen a faster pace of testing with both UCAVs leveraging off each other.<br /><br />But the USAF is run by pilots.WireguidedMarinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16444356806279366997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-57362511136732474262013-02-14T21:21:36.993-08:002013-02-14T21:21:36.993-08:00True, everything looks good compared to LCS! But ...True, everything looks good compared to LCS! But my point really was that the more successful programs have been evolutionary vice revolutionary.<br /><br />- MH-60R is an amalgamation of SH-60F and SH-60B LAMPS and is apparently a very good ASW helo.<br /><br />- P-8A was just taking the most modern P-3 AIP mission system and putting it inside a modified 737. Seems to be going well.<br /><br />- BAMS is just a navalized Global Hawk. Navy learned a lot on Air Force use of that platform.<br /><br />MattAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-43050864357464564772013-02-14T20:16:43.065-08:002013-02-14T20:16:43.065-08:00I think you just made my point! The LCS was an R&...I think you just made my point! The LCS was an R&D (the first two LCSs were paid out of R&D funds rather than normal procurement) project that the Navy totally committed to before they had any idea what it could do (nothing as it turns out).<br /><br />The P-8 program certainly has ardent supporters and it might be my number two choice. BAMS is another UAV and I should say that all the UAV programs are being well run and I group them together in my mind. The MH-60R isn't really a program in the sense that it's anything new. It's just a rehash of an existing platform. The VA SSN is a poorly run program that the Navy does a good job of spinning. Look at the orignial target costs, the subsequent actual runaway costs, and the way the Navy patted itself on the back for bringing the costs back to only $0.5-1.0B over budget. ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-40536536803578618992013-02-14T19:53:39.671-08:002013-02-14T19:53:39.671-08:00I'd add meant to add the EA-18G Growler that l...I'd add meant to add the EA-18G Growler that list. <br /><br />The above are all common sense, evolutionary designs which by and large are meeting their requirement, being fielded on time, and within budget. The first BAMS squadron is standing up this year and will change ISR for Navy in a big way.<br /><br />To me, X-47 is interesting, but not compelling. It's just an R&D platform which the Navy is milking for a lot of media attention. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-33582454840407627542013-02-14T19:44:57.060-08:002013-02-14T19:44:57.060-08:00It's a demonstration model. No one even knows...It's a demonstration model. No one even knows what X-47 is going to do yet. Pretty hard to measure success or failure by that standard!<br /><br />I can think of a couple of other programs that have been successful with little to no fanfare. P-8A , BAMS, MH-60R, VA Class SSN.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com