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The article discusses legal considerations in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) fight against digital warfare. The USAF is codifying the definition of weapon so that it includes cyberoperations and cybercapability, and some capabilities will require legal review before they can be employed. Legality reviews of existing weapons will investigate the intended use of weapons, the effects of the weapon, and targets.

The article discusses the use of active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar developed by the defense contractor Raytheon and a Sniper infrared advanced-targeting pod (ATP) on the F-15C Eagle aircraft for long-range nighttime missions. U.S. homeland defense units would be able to use the system to identify and attack airborne targets and asymmetric threats. Todd Giggy of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC) discusses flight testing of the system.

The article discusses the Phantom Ray and Phantom Eye, two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) which are being developed by the aerospace company Boeing and contain technology which could be used in aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Air Force. The Phantom Ray, developed in a rapid prototyping effort, is a stealth UAS, while Phantom Eye is designed for long-range, high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) flights.

The article discusses the Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ) program of the U.S. Navy, technology that will allow for electronic attacks on enemy air defenses. The Navy is said to have requested ideas for near-term achievable technology from industry in advance of issuing a request for proposals or a list of specifications. Two aspects of the NGJ involve pod designs for the Navy's Boeing EA-18G Growler and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Operation of the NGJ technology is explained including evaluation of what enemy sensors detect regarding a U.S. attack plane and how those sensors can be controlled.

This article reports that the U.S. Navy is excited about their competition for the Next-Generation Jammer with the U.S. Air Force as they vie for superiority in airborne electronic attack. Advanced aircraft now have more than double the field of view of electronically scanned antennas. The six-sided active, electronically scanned array can be found in Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.

This article reports that although the F-22 stealth fighter plane fleet has been capped by the U.S. Air Force, there are plans to make the service's air dominance stronger by upgrading the long-range radars of the Air National Guard F-15C Golden Eagles. The F-15C can also be used for electronic warfare jamming and as attack aircraft.

This article discusses the difficulty that the U.S. Pentagon and other intelligence agencies are having in determining the rules of engagement for airborne cyber-attacks. The difficulty comes when making a determination between tactical and strategic cyber-attacks. The National Security Agency (NSA) believes that any cyber-network attack for the foreseeable future will need to be analyzed for any secondary network effects and must be approved by the NSA or Washington.

The article reports on the U.S. Defense Department's increasingly multi-service, layered defense for helicopters against infrared missiles and small arms. A CH-47 helicopter newly modified with an advanced laser-based defense system for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq was successful in deflecting multiple infrared man-portable air defense missiles. According to Army officials, the laser-equipped Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures can defeat the Russian-made SA-16 missile.

The article reports on the search by the U.S. Navy for solutions within the framework of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) program. The search is prompted by aging tools for airborne electronic warfare and attack. Among the four industry teams that offer electronic warfare and attack capabilities are Northrop-Grumman and BAE Systems. According to Christopher Carlson of ITT, NGJ is updating the support jamming capability for protecting aircraft.

The article reports on the integration and commonality of digital sensors among operational forces of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force in response to low-altitude and small-arms fire. In 2009, a competition was launched to design, build and demonstrate prototypes of the Joint and Allied Threat Awareness System to protect Navy and Marine Corps helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft. The competitors are Lockheed Martin and the team of Alliant Techsystems and BAE Systems.

The article reports on the challenge being faced by the U.S. and its allies who are pitted against loosely connected opponents in Afghanistan. According to optimists, the U.S. is making progress in developing next-generation weapons that involve electronic attack and network invasion. On the other hand, skeptics argue that the U.S. is not establishing a lead in next-generation weapons due to technical inflexibility.

The article offers a look at the failed initiative of senior officials of the U.S. Department of Defense to constitute intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) into a major Air Force command. Pentagon leaders opted to delay the creation of the ISR because of the absence of cyber- and electronic warfare organizations, including the 24th Air Force, the Air Force Global Strike Command ad U.S. Cyber Command. The statement of Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the ISR is highlighted.

The article presents update on the weapons development at the China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center in California. Areas in which directed-energy and special-laser are expected for deployment on the cyber range system planned by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency are unmanned systems and the transformation of kinetic, laser and high-power microwave devices into disruptive weaponry. Another vital aspect considered is the role of communication in electronic targeting, both offensively and defensively for real-time intelligence.

The article examines the role of projects involving advanced radar designs in changes in the U.S. defense budget and program delays in Fiscal 2011 and beyond. Lieutenant General Dave Deptula of the Air Force reveals the technology reassessment of the service's initiatives to slow Joint Stars upgrades and production of Block 40 Global Hawks. Air Force officials are also reviewing the Global Hawk Block 40 unmanned aerial system.

The article reports on the debate in the U.S. regarding F-22 production and who will operate the Raptors if operational numbers are cut. It states that Air Force officials both in Hawaii and Alaska expect their Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve units to take delivery of the stealth fighter. According to Brigadier General Peter Pawling, who commanded the 154th Wing of Hawaii ANG, he still plans to get those airplanes and has been assured that the aircraft is coming.

An interview with Lieutenant General Hidetoshi Hirata, commander of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Southwestern Composite Air Division based in Okinawa, Japan is presented. When asked whether the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will adopt the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars for its F-15s, he states that they will upgrade nearly 90 F-15Js, but AESA is not part of it. He notes that since they can only have limited number of fighters, they should have stealth for survivability and a good radar for cruise missile detection.

The article focuses on U.S. security issues surrounding North Korea's second underground nuclear explosion, ballistic missile test and several tactical missile launches. According to Brigadier General Mike Keltz, vice commander of 7th Air Force, there is a possibility of a conflict in the western sea. Air Force analysts expect other provocative events, such as additional tactical and ballistic missile firings and the restart of a nuclear program.

The article evaluates the Predator C Avenger unmanned aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

The article focuses on the U.S. need for next-generation air defense systems. The EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler, considered the key electronic jamming aircraft of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, are only equipped with 1970s-vintage ALQ-99 jamming pods. The Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ) program is set to be tackled during planning for the Fiscal 2012 budget. Although upgrades have been made on the ALQ-99 jamming pods, there is still a lack of bandwidth coverage, range and airborne flexibility.

The article focuses the issues facing Lockheed Martin's production of F-22 aircraft in the U.S. The problem confronting the company is that Raptor backing is splintered and senior Pentagon acquisition officials want to shut down production to cut defense spending. Another issue is that some of the Joint Strike Fighters will cost more than the $142 million it takes to buy a Raptor. Furthermore, the secrecy-obscured question of just how good the F-22 is as an air-to-air combat design remains unanswered.

The article presents a conversation with Robert Gates, who was appointed by U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to stay as secretary of Defense. Empowered by a mandate from Obama, Gates is turning his attention to the issues of acquisition reform and tradeoffs involving the size of the military services' fleets. During a press conference, Gates said that he does not intend to be a caretaker secretary. As the country is dealing with a recession, the U.S. Department of Defense will spend its budget of more than $500 billion annually.

The article addresses small, networking radios, new offensive electronic warfare (EW) systems for combat ships and the planning for the U.S. Army's Aerial Common Sensor aircraft as of 2008. It says that BAE Systems' demonstration of the wireless radio is part of the Darpa Interference Multiple access (DIMA) communications program. It also states that the new BAE algorithms can clear interferences from allied transmissions or pluck enemy conversations and networks.

The article reports on the deployment of the No.5 Squadron with two Sentinel R1 aircraft and two ground systems before the end of 2008. The squadron is comprised of the Royal Air Force (RAF), British Army, and Royal Navy personnel. The Raytheon-built Airborne Stand-Off Radar (Astor) is a modular intelligence-gathering and analysis system with the Sentinel aircraft as its airborne component.

The article reports that an Indian Air Force group of 50 pilots and weapon systems officers, flying eight Su-30MKIs, two Il-78 tankers and an Il-76 transport has wrapped up a month-long tour in the U.S. It was completed with a training cycle at Red Flag, that included both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.

The article focuses on the aerial reconnaissance assets of the U.S. Air Force in South Korea. Information from the small force of U-2s based at Osan AB will be supplemented by near-real-time information from high-flying, Global Hawk strategic-range unmanned aircraft flying out of Guam or perhaps even South Korea as well. Operation of low- and mid-altitude Predator and Reaper tactical UAVs also is envisioned.

The article discusses how the location of Guam makes it a major funnel for U.S. operations in Asia. It is stated that the Anderson Air Force Base (AFB) in Guam is the closest base to Asia that can perform specialized repairs to damaged stealth aircraft and the task of swapping out the advanced sensor payloads used by high-altitude intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) aircraft. Retired Colonel Stephen Wolborsky adds that Guam offers far fewer constraints on airspace for unmanned aircraft.

The article reports that the combat potential of the U.S. and its major partners in the Pacific has grown with an emphasis on range, networking, striking power and advanced intelligence gathering. However, integration of these capabilities into a functional defense is affected by operational, manpower and financial demands of more traditional wars. According to General Howie Chandler, new commander of Pacific Air Forces, building an international coalition in the Pacific would involve the nurturing of many relationships, which are mostly bilateral.

The article focuses on the U.S. Pacific Air Forces' intelligence portfolio. Factors deemed integral for the portfolio include the introduction of Global Hawk, wringing out of an advanced operations center, and facing the reality of threats to the military's fragile, long-haul communications. Both Global Hawk and the advanced operations center (AOC) could help the command avoid chaos by quickly opening new paths for intelligence collection, targeting, command and control.

The article offers information on the U.S. Navy's E-2D Advanced Hawkeye carrier upgrades. It discusses the introduction of space-time adaptive processing (STAP) software, the hybrid APY-9 electronically scanned array (ESA) radar on board the new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The advanced radar capability on the 75 new E-2Ds will be parked 25,000 feet above forward-deployed fleets so that those advanced enemy missiles can be detected at ranges great enough to allow for organization of an effective defense.

The article reports that Boeing is facing a problem as it tries to overturn the U.S. Air Force's decision to award a $35-billion contract to a competing Airbus design for the KC-X refueling tanker. Arrogance about its relationship with the U.S. Defense Department, lack of focus on customer requirements and reluctance to provide detailed pricing data contributed to Boeing's stunning loss of a Defense Department contract to build aerial refuelers, according to a source close to the 767 tanker team.

This article reports on three companies being asked by the U.S. Navy to design an aircraft that can conduct simultaneous intelligence-gathering missions. Specifically, the Navy wants a single, EPX aircraft that can use a powerful radar and at the same time operate an array of sensitive receivers that can collect faint electronic emissions or communications from hundreds of miles away. The multisource information would be fused to locate and identify objects of interest.

The article focuses on the increasing applications of off-the-shelf network systems and attack tools for the electronic warfare of the enemies of the U.S. China's air defense expenditures are calculated by aerospace officials as only one-tenth of what's invested by the U.S. The Chinese systems are affordable, in part, because of the regular use of stolen U.S. technology, described as Cisco in Chinese, by one specialist. The telecom companies that conduct and exploit the thefts are run by former People's Liberation Army generals.

This article reports that Israel plans to keep its aerial domination of the Middle East intact, and that includes buying Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, accelerating its first deliveries, and deciding whose advanced equipment will be packed into the stealthy strike aircraft. A senior Israeli air force (IAF) official says those major areas of concern appear to be on the right track because of an "understanding" with the U.S. officials. But Israel's ambitions to integrate indigenous weaponry pose some problems for the program.

The article reports that Israel's uneven operational results during the 2006 fighting in Lebanon are being blamed on confusion about political goals and a military too focused on nuclear proliferation and guerrilla warfare. Specifically faulted is the decision to begin operations before military objectives and political goals had been identified.

The article reports on the competition among sensor companies to generate next-generation airborne radar. Aerospace industry and U.S. Defense Department experts say the electronic equivalent of the automotive engine industry competition has emerged. John Fagnant of Northrop Grumman says the active, electronically scanned array (AESA) is a multifunction radio-frequency system that supports many mission functions, only one of which is radar. It is stated that the competition is intensifying as the aircraft needing the new radars multiply.

The article reports that the generations-old debate about the value of two crewmen versus one in a fighter cockpit is alive as the first U.S. Navy squadron of two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornets with advanced radars starts its workup for operational deployment. Navy bean-counters are pushing for more single-seat F/A-18Es and fewer F-models so they can cut costs by eliminating the weapon systems officer and buying a slightly less expensive aircraft.

The article reports that right now, the U.S. Navy cannot predict what kind of weapon it will have when the first EA-18G Growler squadron becomes operational in the fall of 2009. But the service does know that the electronic attack aircraft initially will have the radar and communications jamming capabilities of the EA-6B Prowler and at first will use similar tactics.

The article examines a series of measures to prevent political tensions and the impulse to use military force to solve problems of state in Asian countries. Japanese and U.S. officials are closely monitoring advanced weapons development in North Korea and China. Japanese and U.S. planners believe they have created an answer for emerging missile and advanced strike aircraft threats with a series of new bilateral agreements addressing cooperative missile defenses, operations centers, training programs and base sharing.

The article focuses on the plan to base the U.S. Air National Guardsmen's F-22 Raptor unit in Hawaii. The only F-22 Raptor unit to be led by and primarily staffed with Air National Guardsmen will be based in Hawaii. The squadron will start training its aircrews in 2010 and begin receiving its stealth fighters in 2011 as the seventh operational F-22 unit. The new fighter has the capability to see and attack very small targets such as stealthy cruise missiles.

The article reports on the efforts of the U.S. Air Force to protect its space operations. It lunched a new study to reassess and protect its space operations. Another effort is using the Counter Communications systems, which employs mobile antennas to jam an enemy's access to space. Another concern of the USAF is the ability of micro-satellites to evade U.S. ground-and-space-based sensors that track objects in orbit.

The article reports on the use of technology in the Israeli attack on Lebanon. Hezbollah rocket launchers have been a primary target for the Israeli air force's aircraft, which have all been fitted with electro-optical/infrared sensors to identify targets. This has not deterred the rate of Hezbollah operations. Israel has been developing its urban combat operations for the last five years with unmanned aircraft providing target imagery and building coordinates.

The article reports that the production of Lockheed Martin Corp.'s stealth fighter lines may be interrupted by unfriendly congressional funding and poor export prospects of F-22. The chances of securing congressional approval of a three-year contract for a batch of 60 U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors continues to be bleak. U.S. Senate heavyweights remain ranged against the F-22 multiyear purchase , as also Japan accepting the price structure of the F 22 aircrafts.

The article reports that autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles are seen by Australian military planners as fundamental to the nation's network-centric, warfighting capabilities beyond 2020. Lockheed Martin Corp. designed Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) in order to field a stealthy, unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. It is expected that the unmanned combat air vehicle would have intelligence-gathering capabilities much like the JSF, which carries an extensive set of sensitive digital receivers for electronic surveillance.

This article reports that the U.S. Navy's nascent fleet of electric ships can be the technological bridge that moves directed energy from large, earthbound systems to full-scale, highly mobile weapons. Quentin E. Saulter, directed-energy program officer for the Air Warfare and Weapons Department at the Office of Naval Research, commented that new advanced electric-propulsion systems that can generate 30 megawatts or more of electricity are planned for the DD(X) destroyer, CG(X) guided-missile cruiser, littoral combat ship and CV(X) aircraft carrier. Advocates of the technology contend that within a decade, some of these weapons could be among the main armaments on Navy ships. But to make directed energy a tactical weapon, it must be mobile, an ongoing problem for the large and power-hungry directed-energy weapons under development. Electric-kinetic applications include rail guns and free-electron lasers. INSET: INFO ATTACK.

This article reports that the supposedly dead joint unmanned combat air systems (J-UCAS ) program spawns new designs as unmanned combat becomes focus for planners. The parting of the ways between the U.S. Air Force and Navy over the J-UCAS program has triggered a surge in new competition and plans for large, long-endurance aircraft. A number of aerospace companies are looking at designs with multiple engines, wingspans of more than 100 ft. and the potential to generate the power needed for directed-energy weapons or large, active electronically scanned array radars. The latter can produce pulses of microwaves intense enough to serve as weapons.

The article presents information on the problems regarding the partnership in the aeronautic industry between Great Britain and the United States. It reflects that while Pentagon claims problems are close to resolution Great Britain finds fault in the U.S. handling of industrial partnership. It observes that the Anglo-American feuding over the Joint Strike Fighter threatens to spill over into the wider transatlantic relationship. Great Britain is leading the assault on Washington over the contentious issue of technology access on the Joint Strike Fighter with other program partners, such as Australia, in support.

This article reports on the announcement from U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne that the military service will accelerate development of next-generation propulsion and unmanned systems technologies so that they're mature enough by the end of this decade to support fielding a long-range strike aircraft by 2018. Dennis Jarvi, president of Rolls-Royce's Defense North America division, said that, during the past decade, the only big game in town was Joint Strike Fighter, so the resources of the industry were focused on winning that contract, but now the U.S. Defense Department is demanding game-changers in all forms.

The article reports that the proposed Fiscal 2007 defense budget in the U.S., is hammering home what the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) suggested--that long-range strike, unmanned aircraft, tankers and the broad category of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance will be favored for at least the next three years. Perhaps more importantly, the Pentagon's senior civilian leadership says it will shake up how acquisition money is spent. The U.S. Air Force has set a goal of increasing its long-range strike capabilities by 50% and the penetrating component of long-range strike by a factor of five by 2025, according to QDR documents.

This article reports that reconnaissance specialists of Great Britain have admitted that they don't know exactly what's going to happen when the first two airborne stand-off radar or Astor ground-surveillance aircraft are put in the hands of aircrews later this year. There are, of course, the basics, which involve use of various synthetic aperture radar (SAR) modes--including swath, spot and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) and intelligence fusion--to supply intelligence to a combat brigade headquarters about what's moving and emitting on the battlefield around it. The SAR data can be manipulated further to offer change detection, which allows the system to identify what has left or come on to the battlefield, such as mobile air defense or battlefield ballistic missiles. Using GMTI, Astor also can track where those targets of interest go.

The article reports that Boeing Co. is polishing the design of an EP-3-replacement signals intelligence aircraft for use by the U.S. Navy and possibly for the export market. Moreover, the airframe builder believes the new airplane could appeal across service lines, perhaps to the U.S. Air Force, which some Pentagon critics contend is not focusing on keeping its lead in state-of-the-art intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Raytheon Co. has designed and built Britain's Astor ground surveillance aircraft from Bombardier's Global Express. The 737-derivative sigint aircraft is being presented in response to the death of the Army/Navy ACS contract, a product of Lockheed Martin Corp.