The new HYPERSONIC missile that fits INSIDE the F-35!
TLDRLockheed Martin has unveiled the world's first air-launched hypersonic missile, MOO, designed to fit inside stealth fighters like the F-35. This groundbreaking weapon, developed with $35 million from the US Air Force, can maneuver at sustained hypersonic speeds and is small enough to be carried inside the F-35's internal weapons bay. The MOO missile could revolutionize air power, offering a multi-mission, highly capable system that is survivable, affordable, and ready for production. Despite its potential, MOO is still a concept and has not yet been produced or tested in the real world.
Takeaways
- 🚀 Lockheed Martin unveiled a new air-launched hypersonic missile, dubbed 'moo', designed for internal carriage by stealth fighters like the F-35 and F-22.
- 🌐 The moo missile is noteworthy for being the first of its kind that can be internally carried by stealth aircraft, enhancing their combat capabilities without compromising stealth.
- 🔧 Despite its compact size, the moo missile maintains the ability to maneuver while traveling at sustained hypersonic speeds (exceeding Mach 5), a crucial feature for evading advanced air defenses.
- 💡 The development of the moo missile was funded by the US Air Force and has been ongoing for over 7 years, drawing an investment of approximately $35 million.
- 🏢 Lockheed Martin is now proposing the moo missile to the US Navy as a versatile, multi-mission strike asset after it was not selected for the Air Force's Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) program.
- 📊 Moo’s compact size and capabilities could potentially redefine the operational range and impact of air-launched missiles, despite not being chosen for the Air Force's primary hypersonic program.
- 🛠️ The missile's design allows for potential adaptation for launch from surface ships and submarines, broadening its applicability and strategic value.
- 🔍 Lockheed Martin claims that moo is 'ready now' for production and could be scaled up quickly if adopted by the US Navy or other defense branches.
- ⚙️ The missile features advanced multi-mode guidance systems, capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets with high precision.
- 🌍 The strategic implications of integrating such a weapon into the Navy's arsenal could significantly enhance U.S. military capabilities, particularly in contested environments.
Q & A
What is the significance of the new Hypersonic missile developed by Lockheed Martin?
-The new Hypersonic missile, known as the MOO, is the world's first air-launched Hypersonic missile designed to be carried inside stealth fighters like the F-35. This is a significant development as it could potentially change the landscape of air power and warfare due to its ability to maneuver at sustained speeds in excess of Mach 5, making it difficult to intercept.
How does the MOO missile differ from other Hypersonic weapons currently in service?
-The MOO missile is unique because it is small enough to be carried inside the internal weapons bay of an F-35, unlike other operational Hypersonic weapons like Russia's Avangard and China's DF-ZF which are ground-based and much larger. This allows the MOO to be deployed from the world's most advanced stealth fighters, maintaining a low profile until launched.
What are the capabilities of the MOO missile in terms of maneuverability and speed?
-The MOO missile is a true Hypersonic weapon that operates and maneuvers in a high-altitude Hypersonic regime. Its high speed and maneuverability enable it to penetrate advanced air defense systems and engage targets at or below Hypersonic speeds, depending on mission requirements.
How was the development of the MOO missile funded and what is its current status?
-The development of the MOO missile has been funded by the US Air Force for the past 7 years, with a total investment of around $35 million. It was initially designed for the Air Force's Standin Attack Weapon (SiAW) program but is now being proposed to the US Navy as a multi-mission strike asset. The missile is ready for production but has not yet entered service.
What are the potential implications for the future if the MOO missile is put into production?
-If the MOO missile enters production, it could provide the US Navy with a game-changing capability to engage a wide variety of targets, including land and sea-based targets, with high speed and maneuverability. This could enhance the strategic and tactical options available to military planners and potentially offer a significant advantage in future conflicts.
How does the MOO missile compare in size to other known Hypersonic weapons?
-The MOO missile is approximately 13 feet (about 4 meters) long, which is significantly smaller than other operational Hypersonic weapons such as Russia's Avangard, which is launched from a 65-foot (35.1/2 meters) tall intercontinental ballistic missile, and China's DF-ZF, which is launched from a 36-foot (11 meters) tall intermediate-range ballistic missile.
What kind of guidance system does the MOO missile utilize?
-While the exact details of the MOO missile's guidance system are not fully disclosed, it is expected to use a highly advanced multi-mode guidance system. This could include a combination of seekers such as an anti-radiation or radar-hunting seeker, a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system, and a millimeter wave radar seeker, which would allow it to engage a wide variety of stationary and moving targets.
Is the MOO missile designed to be carried by other aircraft besides the F-35?
-Yes, according to Lockheed Martin, the MOO missile has been physically fit tested in the F-35 and digitally fit tested aboard other aircraft including the F-22, F-16, F-15, FA-18 Super Hornet, and even the Navy's P-8 Poseidon. It can be affixed to any aircraft with 30-inch lugs on its weapon ejector rack, a size common across all American military aircraft.
What is the potential role of the MOO missile in the US Navy's warfare doctrine?
-The MOO missile could provide the US Navy with a long-range, stealthy, and highly maneuverable strike capability. It could be used to engage various targets, including air defense radar platforms, surface-to-air missile systems, anti-ship missile launchers, and other high-value targets, both stationary and mobile.
How does the MOO missile's development fit into the broader context of the modern hypersonic arms race?
-The development of the MOO missile began around 2017, coinciding with the earliest known discussions about the Air Force's intent to field a new Standin Attack Weapon. This predates the generally considered onset of the modern hypersonic arms race, which began with a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018. The MOO missile's development suggests a proactive approach to advancing hypersonic technology.
What are Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs), and how does the MOO missile relate to these categories?
-HGVs are extensions of ballistic missile technology that glide unpowered at high speeds towards their targets, while HCMs are powered by air-breathing engines and fly more horizontally. The MOO missile does not fit neatly into either category, as it achieves Hypersonic speeds through rocket propulsion and appears to maneuver using control surfaces or thrust vectoring. This could necessitate a new category or a redefinition of Hypersonic missiles to include weapons like MOO.
Outlines
🚀 Introduction to Hermia's New Quarter Horse Mark 1 and Hypersonic Missile Revelation
The video begins with the host, Alex Hollings, announcing a special episode of Air Power focused on Hermia's new quarter horse, the Mark 1, and an interview with the CEO of Hermus, AJ Piplia. However, the main topic shifts to the revelation of the world's first air-launched hypersonic missile by Lockheed Martin, named MOO. Hollings discusses the significance of this development, which was initially misunderstood as an adjective rather than a classification. The missile is designed to be compact enough to fit inside stealth fighters like the F-35, and its implications could be monumental for future warfare.
💡 Lockheed Martin's MOO Hypersonic Missile: Development and Capabilities
This paragraph delves into the development history and capabilities of the MOO hypersonic missile. It has been in development for seven years, funded by the US Air Force, and was initially designed for the F-35A model. The missile's compact size allows it to fit into the internal weapons bay of the F-35, a unique feature among hypersonic weapons. Although the missile did not meet the Air Force's requirements, it is now being considered by the US Navy as a multi-mission strike asset. The MOO missile's high speed and maneuverability enable it to penetrate advanced air defense systems and engage targets at or below hypersonic speeds, depending on mission requirements.
🌐 Transition from Air Force to Navy and Potential Applications
The paragraph discusses the potential transition of the MOO missile from the Air Force to the Navy. After not being selected for the Air Force's needs, Lockheed Martin is now marketing the weapon to the Navy as a versatile strike asset capable of engaging both land and sea-based targets. The MOO missile can be fitted to various aircraft, including the F-35C for carrier operations, and potentially even surface warships and submarines using the Mark 41 vertical launch system. The paragraph also touches on the behind-the-scenes efforts and the financial aspects of transitioning the missile from the Air Force to the Navy's inventory.
🔍 Analysis of MOO's Place in the Hypersonic Missile Category
This section analyzes the MOO missile's unique position within the category of hypersonic missiles. It does not fit neatly into the existing classifications of Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) or Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs), suggesting a need to expand the definition of hypersonic missiles or create a new category. The MOO missile achieves hypersonic speeds through rocket propulsion and appears to maneuver using control surfaces or thrust vectoring. The focus is on the practical implications of the missile's capabilities rather than its classification, emphasizing the importance of how it integrates with existing warfare doctrine and platforms.
🎯 Implications for US Navy and Future Warfare
The final paragraph discusses the broader implications of the MOO missile for the US Navy and future warfare. The missile's ability to be carried by advanced stealth fighters like the F-35 provides a significant strategic advantage. The MOO missile's speed, maneuverability, and potential for low cost per unit make it a formidable weapon system. While the missile is still in the conceptual stage and has not yet been produced, its potential to complement the US Navy's existing platforms and enhance their capabilities is highlighted. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrating new weapons systems into a cohesive warfare strategy.
📢 Conclusion and Call to Action for Viewers
In the concluding paragraph, the host, Alex Hollings, wraps up the discussion on the MOO hypersonic missile and encourages viewers to visit Sandbox News for more updates. He invites viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and commenting on the video, as well as activating the notification bell to stay informed on future content.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hypersonic missile
💡F-35
💡Lockheed Martin
💡Stealth technology
💡Air-to-surface weapon
💡Maneuverability
💡Standin Attack Weapon (SiAW)
💡Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
💡Other Transaction Authority (OTA)
💡Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs)
💡Multimode guidance system
Highlights
Lockheed Martin unveils the world's first air-launched Hypersonic missile designed for stealth fighters like the F-35.
The new 'Moo' Hypersonic missile is compact enough to be carried inside the F-35's internal weapons bay.
This development marks a significant leap in Hypersonic weapons technology, potentially the biggest since the introduction of Russian and Chinese Hypersonic missiles.
Modern Hypersonic missiles are characterized by their ability to maneuver while traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
Despite its compact size, the 'Moo' missile is capable of covering hundreds of miles at sustained Hypersonic speeds.
Lockheed Martin confirms 'Moo' operates in a high altitude Hypersonic regime, not following a ballistic trajectory.
The missile has been under development for seven years with funding from the U.S. Air Force.
Lockheed Martin is now pitching 'Moo' to the U.S. Navy as a versatile and affordable multi-mission strike asset.
'Moo' could also be adapted for launch from surface ships and submarines using systems like the Mark 41 vertical launch system.
Lockheed Martin and Co-Aspire collaborated on 'Moo,' highlighting its readiness for testing and production.
The missile could change U.S. naval capabilities significantly, being deployable from aircraft carriers and potentially from submarines.
'Moo' was part of the Air Force's stand-in attack weapon competition but was not selected, leading to its pitch to the Navy.
This weapon, while compact, may face limitations in range compared to other Hypersonic designs, influencing its strategic utility.
Despite not fitting into existing Hypersonic categories, 'Moo' meets the criteria for speed and maneuverability at Hypersonic velocities.
The introduction of 'Moo' emphasizes the evolving nature of military technology and the strategic imperatives of incorporating new capabilities into existing platforms.