U.S. Taking Russian Threats Seriously… Army and Air Force Building up Arsenals
Over the past couple of years, we’ve heard a lot about Russia’s growing military might.
The longtime U.S enemy has been showing off many new weapons. And engaging in high-profile drills. Sometimes hand-in-hand with other nuclear powers, including China.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been making weapons claims. He says his country is building a hypersonic missile that will travel one mile per second. And he has referred to his nation’s arsenal as “invincible.”
State-run Russian television has warned viewers of a potential World War III. They’ve even suggested stockpiling supplies of medicine, including iodine.
New U.S. Tank Rounds Exhibited
While Russia boosts its military prowess, treaties between it and the U.S. are being ignored. Or simply allowed to expire.
Of course, the U.S. will not just sit back and watch this happen. We won’t let Russia or any other country become the most powerful nation on earth.
America is starting to tout some of its own military expertise. Just last week, new U.S. Army Abrams tank rounds were introduced.
They are designed to attack and destroy enemy tanks, bunkers and concrete walls. Plus light armored vehicles and small groups of enemy fighters.
Faster, Lighter and More Lethal
This “variety” of targets requires different levels of explosives. That’s what the new tank rounds offer. They allow a crew to adjust the explosive effect within seconds.
The new tank rounds will be faster, lighter and better protected. Not to mention equipped with new sensors and armed with more effective weapons.
And – most important – they’ll be more lethal.
One of the rounds being displayed is the M830, High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) round. The other is the M830A1, Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank (MPAT) round.
Air Force Shows off F-22 Raptors
Not to be out-done by the Army, the U.S. Air Force is also displaying its potential these days.
Recently the Air Force conducted an “elephant walk” down the runway of an Alaskan military base.
“Elephant walk” is the term used for a slow, close formation taxi. It gives pilots practice in teamwork as they prepare for wartime operations.
The showcase included 24 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters. Plus a C-17 Globemaster III transport and an E-3 Sentry.
‘Overwhelming Combat Airpower’
This was a two-week exercise known as Polar Force. Each aircraft took off one by one, then returned to the airstrip.
Air Force officials said these U.S. aircraft possess “overwhelming combat airpower.”
The F-22 Raptors are from the 3rd Wing and 477th Fighter Group. Both are associated with Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The 3rd Wing aircraft would be the first to be deployed if a Pacific region crisis arose.
B-21 Is Bomber of the Future
Another addition to the U.S. arsenal is not currently being publicized by the Air Force. In fact, little is known about this classified plane.
It’s called the B-21 bomber. It’s being built by Northrop Grumman. That’s a global security company providing systems and products to government customers.
The B-21 is expected to become operational in the mid-2020s. Right now, the Air Force plans to have about 100 built.
But already, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) is saying 100 will not be enough.
Their new report (obtained exclusively by Defense News) says more will be needed. In fact, nearly triple that amount will be necessary for a “single, major high-end great power conflict.”
Report: Air Force Needs to Grow
Last year the Air Force announced it will need 386 operational squadrons. That’s for the purpose of facing future threats from Russia and China. Currently there are 312 such squadrons.
The CSBA report was delivered to Congress in March. It says the Air Force add several new technologies not in its current plan.
They include a stealthy weaponized drone. And an unmanned reconnaissance plane that can penetrate into contested spaces. Plus refueling tankers different from what the Air Force possesses.
The report revealed that the Air Force is lacking in its inventory. Needed are more tankers, bombers and fighters. As well as more drones, command-and-control/intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Preparing to Meet Future Challenges
Here are some of the specific additions suggested by the report.
• The bomber fleet should grow from nine operational squadrons to 24.
• Fighter squadrons should increase from 55 to 65.
• The tanker fleet should expand from 40 to 58 squadrons.
• Strike/reconnaissance drone squadrons should rise from 25 to 43.
Of course, none of this will happen overnight. It will take years to meet these goals. And that’s assuming they are approved by Congress.
But it’s good to know the U.S. is taking foreign threats seriously. And that we are building a force to meet whatever future challenges may exist.
I recently heard on a news program that some people criticize our military’s spending in comparison to the Russians and Chinese. However, a former military official’s response seemed to quiet the detractors. He said something like, “I don’t want to engage the enemy in a fair fight. I want our overwhelming forces to deter an attack or win the war with with limited losses on our side.”
Sounds like a good philosophy, Mike!
We need to stop wasting our soldiers lives and our money in fighting small proxy wars and build to defend against Russia and China. 101st airborne infantry VN 66-68
That’s all great news about the military build, but it’s all useless with a working power grid, and our enemies already know this. Congress needs to get their priorities straight and allocate necessary funds for improving our national power grid. Without it, it’s like buying a new car and having no way to buy gas so you can use it. Right now our enemies are smarter than we are and they will definitely take out our power grid to defeat us easily!
With both Russia and China rattling sabers over the Artic and the mineral resources there – we have but one aged Coast Guard icebreaker with defend our Artic interests. The
Coast Guard needs new ships, especial;ly ice breakers.
Thank you for the marvelous info to give us peace in the strength, preparedness of our military, thanks to out Commander -in-Chief President Trump, all leaders of
.military
May God continue to keep U.S.A.safe, strong, blessed as only He can. Psalms 91. Warmly marilyn
Thank you so much for all the info…
As much as it kind of gives me pause, the other side of the coin is so very much peace, belief, knowing once again the strength, preparedness
of the United States military/abd our wonderful, strong leader(s) and very much our Commander-in-Chief, President Trump…may God bless America by Keeping America Great, Safe as He has done, and God bless you. Warmly, Marilyn. Psalms 91