In 1982, Two Modern Aircraft Carriers Almost Went to War
We can thank a day of unusually mild weather on May 1, 1982 for leaving us with many more living Argentinian and British sailors and aviators today than might otherwise have been the case.
Here s What You Need To Remember: The Argentine attack would have resulted in high casualties among the pilots - but it was expected that the damage caused would be worth it. Fortunately, because the wind was not blowing that day, it was decided that the planes would not take off.
On the afternoon of May 1, 1982, crewmen on the deck of the Argentine carrier
The Zumwalt-Class Is One Odd Looking Stealth Destroyer
The Navy is exploring a new range of weapons for its stealthy USS Zumwalt destroyer to better prepare the ship for future warfare against technically advanced enemies.
Here s What You Need To Remember: The Zumwalt s most notable piece of equipment is the BAE Systems Advanced Gun System - a long-range targeting computer designed to accurately hit targets at great distances.
Navy developers of the new high-tech, stealthy USS Zumwalt destroyer are widening the mission envelope for the ship, exploring new ammunition for its guns and preparing to fire its first missiles next year.
The Battle of Midway Was More Important than D-Day
It was at Midway where the U.S. demonstrated effective combat capability very early on – inflicting severe damage on a motivated and experienced enemy.
Here s What You Need To Remember: Midway was, in many ways, a more decisive battle than D-Day. The loss of four of Japan s carriers stopped the Rising Sun dead in its tracks, giving America space to reinforce the Pacific - and slowly retake it.
Thursday, June 6th saw the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion at Normandy, the amphibious assault phase of Operation Neptune, or what we commonly remember as D-Day. U.S. troops who landed at Normandy – particularly at Omaha Beach – waded ashore amidst a storm of chaos, a blizzard of machine gun fire, and a hail of plunging mortars. Despite great confusion and casualties, at the squad level and below, the men at Omaha rallied and pressed forth with tenacity and nerve to breach sand-berms and barricades, neutralize enemy positi
The U.S. Military is Running Out of Smart Bombs - And That s a Big Problem
Even if the Pentagon wants more smart bombs, the U.S. defense industry may not be able to provide them.
Here s What You Need To Remember: The United States ability to manufacture these bombs has waned over the last two decades, as crucial parts of their manufacture has moved overseas.
Since the 1980s, smart bombs have become the wonder weapons of modern warfare. One laser- or GPS-guided bomb can hit a target where a dozen dumb bombs from a World War II bomber would have missed.
Despite the Raptor fleet s readiness woes and ongoing relocation, the Alaska wing is ready to fight.
Here s What You Need To Remember: The F-22 Raptor is notorious for being plagued by maintenance issues - so the wing s ability to launch all its planes at once signals a major achievement.
A U.S. Air Force wing in Alaska managed to launch 24 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters plus an E-3 radar plane and a C-17 transport, all in quick succession.
The dramatic elephant walk at Elmendorf Air Force Base was more than an impressive photo-op. It showed off much of the new, bigger F-22 force at the base, underscored the resident 3rd Wing s apparently improving maintenance capabilities and underscored the Air Force s evolving strategy for deploying F-22s and other planes in self-sustaining small groups.