The U.S. Navy is upgrading its fleet with a new stealth destroyer. Known as the USS Zumwalt, it’s been in development for some time, with origins dating back to 2008, during which the Navy hired Bath Iron Works to build the destroyer. However, the USS Zumwalt is now receiving some much-needed upgrades to improve its performance and versatility as an attack ship.

According to National Interest, the Navy will equip the USS Zumwalt with an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile as well as SM-2, introducing new weapons systems for the stealth destroyer. Furthermore, the Navy is considering other weapons systems for the USS Zumwalt , including land-based missiles. “The Navy is in the process of updating required documents to support new surface strike requirements,” said Zumwalt program manager Capt. Kevin Smith when speaking about the project.

The USS Zumwalt receives its namesake from American naval officer Elmo Russel Zumwalt, Jr., who was the youngest person to serve in the Navy as the Chief of Naval Operations. Zumwalt later went on to become an admiral, and he played an important role in the U.S. military’s presence during the Vietnam War. After 32 years of service, Zumwalt retired from the Navy. However, this legacy lives on in the form of the USS Zumwalt stealth destroyer.

As shown in the photo above, the USS Zumwalt isn’t your typical destroyer. It features a sleek design with enhanced stealth capabilities. The USS Zumwalt measures roughly 600 feet long, making it relatively small compared to other destroyers in the Navy’s fleet. But it’s main strength lies in its stealth capabilities. It’s able to sneak past enemy lines undetected, offering a major advantage to the Navy.

And soon the USS Zumwalt will be even more powerful, as the Navy is looking to upgrade it with new weapons systems. The introduction of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile could prove invaluable in enhancing the stealth destroyer’s attack capabilities. Originally designed 2004, it’s able to counter supersonic anti-ship missiles, thus protecting the USS Zumwalt from key threats. Of course, the USS Zumwalt isn’t cheap to build. According to Wikipedia, the stealth destroyer comes with a hefty price tag of $3.5 billion to $4.4 billion. With these new upgrades, though, it could prove to be well worth the investment for the Navy.

So, when will the Navy finish upgrading the USS Zumwalt? An exact date of completion is unknown at this time, though reports suggest that the Navy is aiming for 2020.

It’s been a long time in the making, but the U.S. Marines are finally getting a new sniper rifle.

For nearly a half century, the Marines have used the Remington bolt-action M40 sniper rifle. It was introduced during the Vietnam War, and since then it has served as the default sniper rifle used by the Marines. Granted, the Marines have introduced variations of the M40 sniper rifle, some of which feature carbon stocks, enhanced scopes and other upgrades. But even with these variants, the Marines haven’t changed the fundamental design of the sniper rifle for more than 50 years. It appears the era of the M40 is coming to and end, however, as the U.S. Marine Corps recently announced plans to use a different sniper rifle.

According to various reports, the U.S. Marine Corps will replace its decades-old M40 sniper rifle with the Mark 13 Mod 7 sniper rifle. Technically, the Mark 13 Mod 7 isn’t a new sniper rifle. It’s actually been around for a while. In fact, the Navy SEALs  have used the Mark 13 Mod 7 sniper rifle in operations for more than a decade. This is the first time, however, that the Marines have changed its default sniper rifle from the M40 to the Mark 13 Mod 7.

When speaking about the upgrade, the Marine Corps explained that the new Mark 13 Mod 7 sniper rifle, also known as the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS), is lighter and will allow Marines to quickly engage multiple targets more effectively.

“The Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) will replace the M110 with enhanced shooter ergonomics and increased operational availability time. The lighter, more capable rifle will improve the sniper’s ability to rapidly engage multiple, moving targets,” wrote the Marine Corps when announcing the new sniper rifle.

So, what is the Mark 13 Mod 7 sniper rifle exactly? It uses a long-action bolt of the Remington 700/M24 receiver, and it has a precision barrel that’s capable of firing accurate shots at longer distances than its M40 predecessor. Some reports suggest it has a maximum range of 1,000 meters to 1,300 meters.

One of the reasons the Mark 13 Mod 7 sniper rifle is capable of shooting such long distances is because of its bullet. The M40 sniper rifle uses .308 rounds, whereas the new Mark 13 Mod 7 uses the larger .300 Winchester Magnum rounds. Furthermore, the Mark 13 Mod 7 only needs 246 inches of vertical correction and 40 inches of horizontal correction in 5-mile-per-hour winds. This makes it a formidable weapon that’s sure to have a positive impact on the U.S. Marine Corps and their operations.

The U.S. Navy is upgrading its fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.

As reported by Popular Mechanics, the Navy will modernize its Super Hornet flees to the new Block III standard. Among other things, the new Super Hornet Block IIIs will have improved on-board electronics, radar, range and weapons systems, improving its versatility as a multirole fighter jet in the U.S. military.

One of the biggest improvements of the Block III Super Hornet is an application of low-observable paint to improve the jet’s stealth capabilities. While this doesn’t make it invisible, experts say the new coating will reduce its radar cross signature, allowing it to sneak past enemy radars undetected. When the Super Hornet was originally developed, it had a lower radar cross signature than the legacy Hornet. However, this new coating improves its radar cross signature even further,  giving it stealth-like capabilities that rival the U.S. military’s modern F-35C.

The other major improvement, as previously noted, is the additional of Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFTs). Reports indicate that the presence of these external fuel tanks can extend the Block III Super Hornet’s range by approximately 120 miles. And when used in conjunction with the MQ-25 Stingray, it can allow the Block III Super Hornet to engage in combat from long distances — far away from the carrier from which it launched.

“The initial focus of this program will extend the life of the fleet from 6,000 to 9,000 flight hours,” Mark Sears, Boeing program manager, said in a statement last week. “Each of these jets will fly another 10 to 15 years, so making them next-generation aircraft is critical.”

The U.S. Navy says it will purchase the first set of two dozen Block III Super Hornets in 2019, with a projected delivery date of 2020. Once the new jets become rolling it, the Navy will begin to rotate out the older jets in favor of the Block III Super Hornets.

Originally designed by McDonnel Douglas during the mid-1990s, the Super Hornet is a multirole fighter jet with twin engines that can take off and land from a sea-based carrier. It’s equipped with a 20 mm rotary cannon and can carry both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. The Super Hornet  also have five external fuel tanks for additional fuel storage. Using these tanks, it can essentially be converted into a lightweight and maneuverable air refueling system, providing fuel to other jets and airborne assets of the U.S. military and its allies.

What’s the easiest and most effective way to control a submarine? Apparently, it’s with an Xbox controller. In the past, the U.S. Navy has used custom-built joystick controllers, which were not only expensive but also minimally responsive. Now, however, the U.S. Navy has decided to invest in the same controllers used for the Microsoft Xbox 360, essentially turning them into submarine controllers for sailors.

The Xbox controllers won’t be used to maneuver or steer the submarine itself. Rather, the U.S. Navy says they will be used for controlling the photonics masts. Periscopes play an important role in a submarine’s abilities, allowing it to view the surface of the water while remaining submerged. But the problem with traditional periscopes is that they only allow a single sailor to look through the viewport.  Therefore, the U.S. Navy has upgraded its submarines with photonic masts that function like a digital periscope, allowing multiple sailors to view footage at the same time.

Previously, sailors were using a bulky joystick to control the photonic masts. Many complained, however, that wasn’t an effective control device. In response to these complaints, the U.S. Navy began looking at alternative control devices, thus leading them to the Xbox 360 controller.

“What can we do to make your life better?‘” said Kyle Leonard, a Lieutenant assistant weapons officer. “And one of the things that came out is the controls for the scope. It’s kind of clunky in your hand; it’s real heavy.”

When experimenting with the Xbox 360 controller, the U.S. Navy found that sailors were more comfortable and efficient using them when compared to the traditional joystick controller. Furthermore, the Navy says that many sailors have played Xbox games in the past, so they are familiar with the controller layout. The controller’s natural design allows sailors to easily use it to control the submarine’s photonic mast.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of using the Xbox 360 controller in the Navy is the cost-savings benefits it offers. The joysticks previously used to control the photonic masts cost roughly $38,000 a piece. Assuming the Navy needs multiple controllers for multiple submarines, you can see how expensive they can be. The Xbox 360 controllers, on the other hand, cost just $30 a piece — a substantial savings considering the increased performance and versatility they offer as well.

The USS Colorado is the Navy’s first submarine fitted with the Xbox controllers. Assuming it goes according to plan, the Navy will likely add the Xbox controller to other submarines.

The U.S. Air Force is hoping to give pilots at least 20 hours of flight time per month. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Air Force pilots spent an average of just nine or 10 hours per month in the cockpit. When speaking at the Heritage Foundation, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson explained that fighter pilots flew for about 16.4 hours per month, while mobility pilots flew for about 17.3 hours per month. Bomber pilots, on the other hand, flew for an average of 19.7 hours per month, presumably because of the long-distance flights associated with training and combat. Overall, however, Air Force pilots only spend nine or 10 hours flying per month — something that the Air Force wants to change.

But the Air Force wants to increase the number of hours pilots spend in the cockpit. One of the reasons for the Air Force’s push for longer flight times is the simple fact that Marines are spending a significant amount of time in the cockpit. U.S. lawmakers recently revealed that Marines fly for 14 to 16 hours per month, which is more than Air Force pilots.

Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein says that several issues face the U.S. Air Force, including the ability to create pilots and the ability to retain them. “We’ve dug into the details and analyzed the issue. It really comes down to two areas that we are investing in and focused on,” said Goldfein. “One is how many pilots we produce and then, two, how many pilots we retain, because you have to get both of those right.” Goldfein also said that the Air Force is on track to achieve 1,400 pilots per year, although that probably won’t happen for at least another few years.

Of course, there are other ways to train Air Force pilots, such as flight simulators. The Air Force has access to some of the best flight simulators in the world, providing pilots with a realistic environment that mimics actual flight. The problem with these simulators, however, is that they don’t encompass all the elements of actual flight. When a pilot is in a simulator, for instance, he or she won’t experience the same stress and anxiety that comes with flying.

It’s unclear at this time if the Air Force will set a new rule requiring all pilots to fly for at least 20 hours per month. Nonetheless, the Air Force appears to be taking a proactive approach towards increasing the amount of time pilots spend in the cockpit.

Developed by Lockheed Martin, the AC-130 gunship is arguably one of the most powerful air-to-ground assets in the U.S. military. In this post, we’re going to take a closer look at this heavily armed plane, revealing what makes it such as formidable weapon.

#1) It’s Used Exclusively By the US Air Force

While other countries have produced their own gunships, the AC-130 is used exclusively by the U.S. Air Force. No other country or military organization has this world-renown gunship.

#2) Spectre and Spooky

There are severel versions of the AC-130, including the Spectre and Spooky. The Spectre is typically warmed with two 20-mm M61 cannons, one 40-mm cannon and one 105-mm howitzer. However, the U.S. Air Force removed the 20-mm cannons around the mid-1990s. The Spooky is an upgraded variant of the AC-130, featuring one 25-mm cannon, two 20-mm cannons and other munitions delivery systems.

#3) $130 to $190 Million a Piece

According to the U.S. military’s website, the AC-130 costs between $130 to $190 million a piece. The AC-130U, the Spooky, is on the high end at $190 million, while the Spectre costs less. To put those numbers into perspective, the U.S. military’s new fighter jet, the F-35, costs about $95 million per unit. Therefore, the AC-130 remains one of the military’s most expensive aircraft. But ask any military professional and he or she will agree: the power conveyed by the AC-130 makes it well worth the cost.

#4) It’s Getting Laser Guns and Drones

No, that’s not a typo. The AC-130 is receiving a massive upgrade, including laser guns and drones. Reports indicate that the U.S. Air Force is looking to equip the AC-130 with a laser canon and air-launched drones.

#5) More Than a Dozen Crew

It takes more than a dozen highly trained crewmembers to operate the AC-130. The AC-130H, for instance, requires 14 crewmembers, including a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, electronic warfare officer, flight engineer, fire control officer, loadmaster, TV operator, infrared detection set operator, and five gunners. The AC-130U requires 13 crew, using four gunners instead of five.

#6) It Was Develeped During the Vietnam War

Contrary to popular belief, the AC-130 isn’t a new aircraft. It’s actually been around for many decades, with origins dating back to the Vietnam War. The first AC-130 took to the skies in 1966. And since then, it’s been used by the U.S. Air Force in nearly every major military conflict. Even today, the AC-130 continues to project force while supporting the U.S. military and its allies in operations throughout the world.

The aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin has announced new anti-collision technology for the F-35 Lighting II stealth fighter jet.

While collisions involving fighter jets are rare, they do occur nonetheless. In an effort to prevent mid-air collisions of the U.S. military’s most advanced fighter jet, Lockheed Martin has developed new software.

According to the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office, the software works in a similar manner as anti-collision systems used in automobiles. When the software detects an obstruction, it will take evasive action to avoid it. The software, known as Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS), will automatically perform a recovery maneuver if the F-35’s path contains land or obstruction.

The F-35 already has an anti-collision system. However, this system only alerts the pilot to the danger. It does not take evasive action automatically to avoid collision. Therefore, the F-35’s existing anti-collision system only works if the pilot is conscious and able to hear and see their surroundings. If the pilot is unconscious, the system won’t protect him or her from collision.

The Auto-GCAS overcomes this challenge by taking evasive maneuver automatically when an obstruction is detected. If the pilot is about to crash into land, for instance, it takes control of the fighter jet to prevent collision. As a result, it will protect pilots from collision even if the pilot is unconscious or otherwise unable to take manual evasive action.

The software isn’t technically new, as Lockheed Martin used it a fleet of F-16s in 2014. According to the aerospace and defense company, it saved the lives of more than a half-dozen pilots as well as six fighter jets.

“Lockheed Martin originally developed this system in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA,” said Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President  Jeff Babione. “We’re proud to support the Department of Defense and our international customers to accelerate the integration of this potential life-saving technology on the F-35.”

Lockheed Martin says it hopes to implement the Auto-GCAS software in the U.S. military’s F-35 fleet by 2019. Originally, the company had planned to roll out the software by 2024. However, it has since taken a more optimistic approach towards its implementation, with plans to roll out the Auto-GCAS five years sooner.

With its first flight on December 2006, the F-35 has become a key asset of the U.S. military. This fifth-generation fighter jet is capable of performing multiple roles, including ground attack, air superiority, escort and more.

Beginning summer 2019, U.S. Army recruits will no longer be required to demonstrate grenade-throwing abilities to pass training. Currently, recruits must throw grenades 25 meters in order to enlist. If they are unable to meet this criterion, they are unable to enlist. However, the Army has announced plans to eliminate this requirement, making enlistment just a little easier for the thousands of American men and women looking to serve their country each year.

Why the Army Is Dropping Hand-Grenade Throwing

So, why is the Army dropping grenade throwing from its list of requirements? In a statement, the Army responded by saying it takes too much time for recruits to learn this skill. According to Maj. Gen. Malcolm Frost, it takes three or four times more time to teach a recruit how to throw a hand grenade. Furthermore, many recruits lack the physical capacity to throw a hand grenade up to 25 meters. For these reasons, the Army will no longer require recruits to demonstrate grenade-throwing abilities.

“It’s taking three to four times as much time … just to qualify folks on the hand grenade course than we had designated so what is happening is it is taking away from other aspects of training. We are finding that there are a large number of trainees that come in that quite frankly just physically don’t have the capacity to throw a hand grenade 20 to 25 to 30 meters,” said Maj. Gen. Malcolm Frost.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the Army will stop teaching recruits how to throw grenades. The Army says it will continue training hand grenade proficiency as part of its overall training regiment. If a recruit isn’t able to throw a hand grenade 25 meters, however, he or she won’t fail training. Recruits can still pass training even if they are unable to throw a hand grenade at the previously recruited 25-meter mark.

Other Requirement Changes

This isn’t the only requirement the Army is dropping, however. The Army says its also dropping land navigation as a requirement. In other words, recruits can pass training and graduate without demonstrating land navigation abilities. Like grenade throwing, recruits will still be taught land navigation. The only difference is that they won’t be required to demonstrate land navigation in order to graduate from training.

These changes are expected to take place summer 2018. By removing these requirements, it’s safe to assume that more recruits will graduate from training and officially join the Army.

Pennsylvania military veterans can now opt to receive a special driver’s license from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) indicating they served in the military. The new program was launched by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) under the authority of Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, who said the number of veterans who’ve elected to receive this special driver’s license shows their pride in serving the United States.

The new driver’s license comes with the same privileges as a traditional license. The only difference is that it features an American flag with the label “veteran” underneath. While the design may seem subtle, it’s an important way for veterans to tell the word that they served in the military.

So, how many veterans are using this new driver’s license? According to various reports, more than half a million Pennsylvania veterans have elected to receive this special driver’s license.

As explained by the PA DMV, state law Act 176 allows state driver’s license to indicate the bearer is a military veteran. “Act 176 of 2012 allows for the issuance of a Pennsylvania Driver’s License or Identification Card that clearly indicates that the bearer is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. This is being accomplished by adding a Veterans Designation directly to the bearer’s Driver’s License or Identification Card,” wrote the PA DMV on its website.

It’s important to note that the veteran driver’s license doesn’t entitle the holder to any special privlidges. With that said, many businesses throughout the United States offer discounts and other exclusive deals for military veterans.

With the new license, Pennsylvania veterans can show businesses that they’ve served in the military, which may in turn allow them to receive discounts. IHOP, for instance offers 20% off to military veterans at participating locations. Penske car rentals offers 10% of all rentals booked online and an additional 10% off at pick up. Even AT&T offers 15% for all military veterans. There are literally hundreds of U.S. businesses that offer discounts such as these to military veterans. Using the new Pennsylvania driver’s license, veterans can show they’ve served in the military to receive these perks.

To qualify for this special driver’s license, applicants must have served in the United States Armed Forces or a reserve component. Veterans who were dishonorably discharged from service are not entitled to receive this special license.

You can learn more about Pennsylvania’s new veteran driver’s license by visiting the state’s DMV website here.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have teamed up to build new satellites that could potentially be used to refuel and repair other satellites.

Known as “service stations in orbit,” these versatile satellites could prove invaluable in space missions. Normally, satellites degrade and wear down rather quickly above Earth’s atmosphere. When they sustain enough damage and wear, they must be repaired; otherwise, they’ll either fall down to Earth or contribute to the already massive amount of space junk floating around in space. DARPA and NASA, however, believe they can prolong the lifespan of satellites by using service stations in orbit.

The general idea is to build satellites that are capable of monitoring and repairing existing satellites in orbit. Rather than simply scrapping a damaged satellite, the service stations in orbit could find and fix the respective satellite. Of course, this project could save NASA billions of dollars in the long run. With satellites costing millions, sometimes even billions of dollars, the service stations in orbit could save the space agency a lot of money. Even if a service station in orbit extends the life of a satellite by just a few years, that can translate into millions of dollars.

“If successful, the agencies would have fleets of robots with arms and cameras that could inspect, refuel and repair satellites, keeping them operational well beyond their expected lifetimes. The spacecraft might even upgrade the satellites they service with the latest technology, like an iPhone update,” wrote the Washington Post when announcing the partnership.

Furthermore, the service stations in space could be used to clean up space trash. Statistics show that more than 25,000 man-made objects large than a fist are currently floating around in Earth’s orbit. However, there are more than half a million objects larger than a dime floating around in Earth’s orbit. DARPA believes its new service stations in orbit could be used to clean up some of this space trash. Using autonomous technology, they can seek out and collect trash, reducing orbital junk.

But service stations in orbit have another potential use. In addition to repairing damaged satellites and cleaning up space trash, they could also be used to attack mechanical enemies in hostile forces in space. It may sound like something out of a science-fiction movie, but space warfare is a very real possibility that’s expected to become increasingly more likely in the near future.