Vertical Launch Autonomous Attack System (VLAAS) developed by LM for the US Navy can provide naval ships with surf zone bombardment during operations in littoral regions. Navies currently possess limited stand-off capabilities to defend against fast patrol boats and to deliver time-critical, precision-strike ashore. VLAAS would perform both missions. The new weapon would give ship commanders an urgent-attack capability and establish an umbrella of loitering munitions to protect ships when threatened by fast-attack patrol boats. The vertical launch payload delivery system will launch the missile in any direction, without the ship maneuvering to provide 360-degree engagement radius. The system will use the vertical launch ASROC rocket motor and guidance system to boost LOCAAS into a ballistic flight, extending the range of the onboard munitions for surface attack and ship protection. With its guidance system and maneuverability, LOCAAS munitions would select high-value targets to attack. LOCAAS can fly a distance of 100nm, or loiter over a 25-nm flight pattern at a speed of 215 knots.
Navy Advances Sea-Based Hypersonic Missile Program with Successful Cold-Gas Launch
Last week, the U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) reached a significant milestone in the development of its sea-based hypersonic capability with a successful end-to-end flight test of the 'Dark Eagle' conventional hypersonic missile...
Rebuilding U.S. Theatre Strike
Driven by the INF Treaty's collapse and great power competition, the U.S. is rebuilding its theater strike capabilities. This article explores key initiatives like the Army's Typhon MRBM, PrSM upgrades, and 'Dark Eagle' hypersonic weapon. It also touches on the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program for ships and subs, and the Air Force's HACM. Learn how these systems aim to counter new threats and fit into evolving military concepts.
India Strengthens Naval Aviation with Rafale M Procurement
India has finalized a €7 Billion deal with France for 26 Rafale Marine fighters to bolster its naval aviation, replacing aging MiG-29Ks and enhancing power projection from INS Vikrant. While the Rafale M brings advanced capabilities and strengthens Indo-French ties, a significant challenge looms: its non-folding wings are incompatible with Indian carrier elevators, potentially hindering operational tempo. This article explores the strategic rationale, the critical wingspan issue and potential remedies, and the deal's role as an interim solution pending the indigenous TEDBF fighter.
DefenseTech Weekly Brief | April 14-21, 2025
This week’s DefenseTech Brief captures a defense landscape in flux—driven by urgent needs for missile defense, advanced autonomy, and sovereign production capabilities. Across domains and continents, governments and industries are accelerating the integration of...
Controp: Defining Clarity with End-to-End EO/IR Solutions
Founded in the late 1980s, Controp has evolved from a boutique electro-optical house to a global provider of integrated EO/IR solutions. Leveraging advanced optics, sophisticated stabilization, and AI-driven analytics, the company’s “Defining Clarity” ethos shapes a new era of defense capabilities, offering enhanced situational awareness for air, land, and maritime operations.
