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David's avatar

The real competition is no longer between platforms but between innovation ecosystems capable of generating and sustaining “intelligent mass” at speed and scale.

Well done!

Maggie Gray's avatar

Thank you for reading!

Troy Thompson's avatar

Well researched roll-up Maggie.

Keep up the great work!

Maggie Gray's avatar

Thank you Troy! Thanks for reading

George Hoyem's avatar

Great post Maggie.

Maggie Gray's avatar

Thank you George!

Vermilion China's avatar

PrSM Inc 1 was fired from HIMARS, a new weapon with a very high-capability seeker and long range. There is little reason to upgrade the chassis, but even the M142 chassis was upgraded in 2015.

APKW was deployed and utilized in combat, which upgrades existing weapons for new purposes with more sophisticated guidance kits to allow for lower cost-per-intercept.

US Destroyers have likely fired a new MST version of the TLAM, which upgrades the existing, completely serviceable munition with sophisticated seekers to destroy new targets.

The EA-18G was also deployed to combat, which reached IOC just outside your 15-year window. It is an advanced EW aircraft that has been upgraded multiple times. This is a theme for many of these platforms which are upgraded and refurbished many times over their lifecycle.

CENTCOM has also requested US Army MDTF Dark Eagle LRHW assets, which may deploy to theater.

The announcement itself claims other capabilities 'that can't be mentioned' were also used. If its not broke, don't fix it, especially when lives are on the line. Additionally, the Iranian military is not very advanced or large, so there is little reason to use the most sophisticated weapons against it.

David's avatar

You’re the third published person (I know of) to use that term. I’m being challenged on using it myself (I’m #4), so thank you for being a pathfinder!