Reposted by @vlo225.bsky.socialZach @thrustwr.bsky.social · 25/11/2025One of the most annoying things about the Constellation class is that people complain about the fact that the US Navy bought an existing design and then modified it. Like, what was it supposed to do? Operate French and Italian radars, missiles, guns, sonars, combat systems? 3333
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Lol yeah it's makes no sense to operate them without integrating into domestic systems . Using korean , Euro systems make sense unless you want to shelve those ships to a very early retirement 030
Reposted by @vlo225.bsky.socialZach @thrustwr.bsky.social · 25/11/2025All this talk about strengthening the atrophy in the shipbuilding industrial followed by cancelation of major shipbuilding programs that are sustaining whatever dwindling number of shipyards the US has left. 517333
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025But that causes more mods in the design and increases costs further . Ultimately i would like to conclude this rant ( for now ) by saying this happened because USN badly fucked up it's modernization from the end of the cold war to in the 2010's 030
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Given USN preferring more capability in design. Also while Burke to Connie vls ratio is thing do consider Burke as a class has been on the production line for like 30 yrs and 32 vls is the general ASW FFG vls cell number , now there is option to make it bigger and give it 48 vls 140
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Unless you wanted something like a MMSC/ Modded LCS/ NSC type frigate good and but not as capable and ASW capability bit ? And given the relatively short program to procurement timeline companies couldn't present a tailor made design.. wouldn't have made that much of difference 140
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Keep in mind I have not read the latest figures and my knowledge is a bit rusty .Initial Constellation class are expected to cost to 1.2$ billion USD and eventually settling around 1 billion USD that's alot correct . USN initial thinking of 750 million USD frigate were fantasy 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Thanks for listening into the rant will now change over to cost structure form the next post 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025The upgraded versions does but good luck making a USN specific version . Lastly we have some other competitors like MEKO and South Korean FFX all great but same problem integration of USN equipment and technical requirements 140
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Next up Mogami , people often say they are cheap ..which is true but they aren't produced in US yards which would really drive up the price . Apart from the design changes required for radar and internals i don't think og Mogami evens passes the FFGX requirement of 16 vls min 140
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Coming to next bit ,above were the FFGX competitors let's look at some of the other ships that are talked about. Type 26 derivative - Basically CSC 2.0 given delays + adjustments in that program we would get a similar internet reaction 140
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Is exactly new but for ASW duties the latter is much better. Next come we have Modded LCS's I don't think I need to ramble why they would have been a suboptimal choice . Between having less vls , being derived from not so optimal FFG design you get the point 150
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025F-100 Very nice ship , has more cells and already equipped with USN standard equipment would have been produced in BiW iirc so much less workforce related delay probably too . But the fundamental problem as i understand is it's a AAW design and bit old one that not saying FREMM 150
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025They can hire alot , there is no wartime push for quick construction ( or for people join ) and maybe salary isn't enough to stay in Marinette . In the next section i will see what people generally propose and the pro and cons of that ( mostly cons ) 140
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Cause of delay it's isn't the primary factor . The more important thing in the delays is FMM is running late they have workforce shortages and another program ( FMS Saudi MMSC) that need to be completed . So they are busy with that and recruitment of new employees and it's not 160
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Continuing many people also can't understand USN has different technical requirements that has caused internal change + weight change , but again those become necessary given the whole structure of the ship is being changed for the USN . P.S from what I understand while it's a 170
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/06/2025(copy pasting my rant)I have come to conclusion most people have no idea what's going with the FFG program. First getting the basics out of the way , modifications are necessary you can't expect a USN ship to be operating on Italian equipment like USN have different radars , VLS , missiles etc (1/n) 1233
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 31/01/2025So I made a Substack and made bigger version of the F-22 development thread , still a newbie so any criticism /thoughts would be appreciated. open.substack.com/pub/geopolit...open.substack.comA Brief History of F-22 DevelopmentThis will expand on my twitter thread on the same . 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024END 🧵 (17/17) Sources 1)1)https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/techdigest/content/techdigest/pdf/V16-N04/16-04-APLteam.pdf 2)https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/techdigest/Content/techdigest/pdf/V23-N2-3/23-02-Grant.pdf 3)https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/event/171214_RADM_Hill_CSIS_USNI.pdf 010
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024This also goes for TBM interception . What was once a concept can now be done in reality (15/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024Over time USN has further enhanced CEC , by integrating more ships/planes and programs such as Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) which itself was built Forward Pass to extend the battle space (14/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024In 2001 CEC faced its biggest test OPEVAL and TECHEVAL. It had 18 days of at-sea testing with 10 warships, 198 dedicated aircraft sorties, 43 drone presentations, and 29 missile firings and CEC excelled in every scenario . Notable this test was the one with the Big Crow aircraft (13/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024Post this USS Dwight D. Eisenhower battlegroup participated in a series of Joint Task Force-95 (JTF-95) exercises to further test out CEC.Such as cueing and composite tracking of a TBM target , CEC data was made available to Army Patriot and USMC Hawk Radars. (12/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024In June 1994, a CEC-equipped battle group tested its capabilities at the AFWTF(Atlantic Fleet Weapons Test Facility). Sea-skimming drones and ECM aircraft simulated complex threats. The group practiced networked air defense under severe electronic countermeasures. (11/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024Early testing and integration into units (10/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024The CEC system was also integrated into CMS of CVN and Amphibs to provide better protection , along the Aegis DDGs (9/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024The Data Distribution System (DDS) is CEC’s high-speed data link, transferring radar and sensor data with unmatched reliability.Using phasedarray antennas, it ensures real time,jam-resistant communication across units, enabling seamless coordination even over miles of separation.(8/n) 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024The Cooperative Engagement Processor (CEP) is the brain of CEC. It integrates local and remote radar/IFF data to create composite tracks. With 30+ processors, it ensures real-time accuracy for engagement decisions, alignment, and seamless weapon coordination across the network. 120
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024At the heart of CEC are two key components: 1)Cooperative Engagement Processor (CEP) 2)Data Distribution System (DDS). (6/n) 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/20243.Coordinated,Cooperative Engagements-CEC enables engagement on remote data, where a missile can intercept a target using radar data from another unit, even if the firing unit never detects it. With SM-2 missiles, this supports midcourse guidance and terminal homing.(5/n) 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/20242.Precision Cueing-CEC maximizes sensor coverage with special acquisition cueing.If a unit lacks a local track, it cues its radar to start tracking based on precise remote data. This allows quick target acquisition, even during maneuvers,using radar sweeps and precision alignment (4/n) 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024Types of Operation 1.Composite Trackingradar data from all units are fused into composite tracks,weighted by sensor accuracy. If one radar fails,the track continues w others. It integrates IFF inputs,ensures consistent track numbers,and uses a shared info to classify targets (3/n) 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024The goal was simple fuse allied forces' unique vantage points and coordinate 20-30 missile launchers + aircraft interceptors. The system had to create an identical, high-quality picture usable as local data for engagements even if sourced from 30-40 miles away.(2/n) 130
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 14/12/2024THREAD🧵Cooperative Engagement Capability ( CEC) In the Post Cold War 1990's USN found itself performing many littoral missions that it wasn't best suited for , Aegis had revolutionized USN air dense but as always improvements are always necessary (1/n) 1103
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 10/12/2024Fairchild Republic (the winner which became the A-10) (8/8) 030
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 10/12/2024AX Competition participants🧵 ( the competition resulted in the A-10) Cessna (1/8) 151
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 08/12/2024yeah it could have many more upgrades but still I think with the current of gen engines I think its range is lacking but given the tech for AETP and you would be very correct , hope that adaptive engine tech matures. 010
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 08/12/2024There were a lot of proposed upgrades that were cancelled and the numbers themselves were cut as stated earlier , but it's still one of the best jets on the planet . THREAD End (16/16)🧵 041
vlo225.bsky.social @vlo225.bsky.social · 08/12/2024It has served the US in various conflicts and has gone through dome modernisation like apg 77v1 . With the focus changing from Europe to Pacific it’s relevance has slightly decreased but nevertheless important modernisations are happening to keep it relevant (15/n) 240
