Military
Technology
Photographs: Raytheon Intelligence & Space, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman
(clockwise from top left) An artist’s concept of a sixth-generation fighter; Aircraft equipped with the APG-82(V)1 AESA radar can simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple air and surface targets at longer ranges than ever before; BAE Systems’ LiteHUD Advanced head-up display fits seamlessly into any cockpit; an airborne laser weapon demonstration system.
Next Gen Military Technologies In future wars, the one who controls air and space will control all operations in the air, on surface and sub-surface By Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd) Combat aviation has become the most preferred means of prosecution of war and has seen the fastest growth in combat aviation technology. The combat aircraft features include agility (speed, manoeuvrability), precision weapon delivery at long ranges, and the ability to secure from enemy air and surface threat. Dr John Stillion conducted a detailed analysis of air-to-air combat, using a database of over 1,450 air-to-air victories in different conflicts, starting 1965 to 2015. It emerged that the need for combat manoeuvring with high rates of turn was less consequential, and to attain air superiority, the future airborne plat-
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ISSUE 7 • 2022
forms will require sensors that can detect farther, aerial weapons with longer reach and ability to operate in intense electronic warfare environment. Thus, stealth, integrated sensors, secure data-linked communications, and electronic warfare suites would be more important. The one who controls air and space will control all operations in the air, on surface and sub-surface. Investments in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), hypersonic platforms and weapons, cyber warfare capabilities, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be required to outdo adversaries.
www.sps-aviation.com
