Authentic Media: Military Aviation

In Part 2 of Complex Air Defense, Roger and Rob continue to discuss complex air defense, inspired by recent events in the Middle East. They explore the different types of ships involved in air defense, such as Aegis cruisers and destroyers. They delve into the concept of complex air defense, which involves defending against multiple threats simultaneously, including anti-ship cruise missiles, low-slow flyers like drones, and ballistic missiles. They also touch on the rules of engagement and the challenges of avoiding blue on blue engagements. The conversation in this part focuses on air defense control units and their capabilities. It discusses the role of the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) and the planning process for air warfare. It also explores the collaboration between different air defense control units and the concept of sensor fusion. The conversation touches on the differences between cruisers and destroyers in terms of their capabilities and the challenges of maintaining older ships. The potential retirement of cruisers and the future of air defense control units are also discussed. In this part of the conversation, Roger discusses the decision-making process for upgrading destroyers and the different baseline configurations. He explains how the Arleigh Burke destroyer has Baseline 9, which allows it to have advanced capabilities for both ballistic missile defense and conventional missile defense. He also talks about the BMD 4X program and how it is used to upgrade older destroyers. Roger then delves into the composition of carrier strike groups and the challenges of coordinating the deployment of different ships. He mentions the importance of strategic assets and the role of BMD ships in specific areas of responsibility. The conversation then shifts to the maintenance and overhaul cycles of cruisers and destroyers, highlighting the time it takes for these ships to undergo repairs and upgrades. Finally, Roger discusses the process of rearming ships at sea and the integration of US Air Force assets in carrier strike group operations. In this final part of the conversation, Roger and Rob discuss the complexities of data sharing and the potential risks involved. They touch on the possibility of sharing data between countries that have the F-35 aircraft and the challenges of segmenting and filtering the data. They also discuss the importance of planning and executing training in maritime warfare, as well as the need for vigilance and readiness. The conversation concludes with a discussion about future topics, including surface warfare and special operations.

In this conversation, Roger and Rob discuss complex air defense, inspired by recent events in the Middle East. They explore the different types of ships involved in air defense, such as Aegis cruisers and destroyers. They delve into the concept of complex air defense, which involves defending against multiple threats simultaneously, including anti-ship cruise missiles, low-slow flyers like drones, and ballistic missiles. They also touch on the rules of engagement and the challenges of avoiding blue on blue engagements. The conversation in this part focuses on air defense control units and their capabilities. It discusses the role of the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) and the planning process for air warfare. It also explores the collaboration between different air defense control units and the concept of sensor fusion. The conversation touches on the differences between cruisers and destroyers in terms of their capabilities and the challenges of maintaining older ships. The potential retirement of cruisers and the future of air defense control units are also discussed. In this part of the conversation, Roger discusses the decision-making process for upgrading destroyers and the different baseline configurations. He explains how the Arleigh Burke destroyer has Baseline 9, which allows it to have advanced capabilities for both ballistic missile defense and conventional missile defense. He also talks about the BMD 4X program and how it is used to upgrade older destroyers. Roger then delves into the composition of carrier strike groups and the challenges of coordinating the deployment of different ships. He mentions the importance of strategic assets and the role of BMD ships in specific areas of responsibility. The conversation then shifts to the maintenance and overhaul cycles of cruisers and destroyers, highlighting the time it takes for these ships to undergo repairs and upgrades. Finally, Roger discusses the process of rearming ships at sea and the integration of US Air Force assets in carrier strike group operations. In this final part of the conversation, Roger and Rob discuss the complexities of data sharing and the potential risks involved. They touch on the possibility of sharing data between countries that have the F-35 aircraft and the challenges of segmenting and filtering the data. They also discuss the importance of planning and executing training in maritime warfare, as well as the need for vigilance and readiness. The conversation concludes with a discussion about future topics, including surface warfare and special operations.

In this conversation, Roger and Sunshine discuss the concept of sensor fusion and its importance in modern warfare. They highlight the use of various sensors, such as radar and electro-optical systems, to gather information and create a common operating picture. They also touch on the historical development of radar and the challenges of integrating different sensor data in real-time. The conversation provides insights into the evolution of sensor technology and its impact on military operations. The conversation explores the concept of sensor fusion and its benefits in military operations. It discusses the different types of sensors, such as radar, electro-optical, and EW, and how they contribute to a common operating picture. The importance of collaboration and sharing sensor data is emphasized, as it allows for better target identification and tracking. The challenges of sensor limitations, such as resolution and field of view, are also mentioned. The conversation highlights the role of sensor fusion in improving situational awareness and decision-making in combat scenarios. The conversation in this part focuses on the challenges of implementing advanced technology in military aircraft and ships. The main themes include computational power, thermal loads, power requirements, and training. The conversation also touches on the concept of sensor fusion and the capabilities of the F-35 aircraft. In this final part of the conversation, Sunshine and Roger discuss the game-changing capabilities of the F-35 and the concept of sensor fusion. They highlight how the F-35's ability to automatically homogenize inputs from various sensors revolutionizes the way information is processed and shared. They also discuss the importance of training and understanding the limitations of technology. The conversation concludes with some humorous sea stories.

In Army Helicopter Mishap Assessment and Prevention, Roger and Casmo discuss the recent mishaps and groundings of the AH-64 Apache. The evolution of the Apache has brought an increase in weight, necessitating changes of the dynamic components of the main rotor system. Our host discuss the effects of these changes on the airframe, and the flying qualities of the aircraft. The conversation takes us to the halls of congress, down the chain of command to the pilots in the cockpits. Most importantly they ask the question has pilot training kept up?

In early access episode 3 of On Future War Mike ‘Pako ’Benitez (USAF), Dr. Lance ‘Boil’ Lewis (USMC) and Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian (USN). explore the background and rationale behind the Marine Corps' Force Design 2030, which has fundamentally changed the doctrine, and operating concepts of the US Marine Corps. Removing tanks and transitioning from artillery to rocket units were just the first part of the plan. Standing up Marine Littoral Regiments (MLR), as part of naval expeditionary force, enables greater mobility, sustainability, and operations in the maritime domain, giving commanders greater options for sea denial operations. We also discuss the impact of Force Design 2030 on the other services, highlighting how jointness and interdependencies are crucial for effective military operations.

What do you do when you’ve invested billions of dollars in a platform that is no longer needed for its intended purpose? You adapt! In episode 8 of the Supersonic Bone, Ken ‘Prime Time’ Katz and former US Air Force Captain Clay Van Meter discuss the transformation of the B-1 bomber after the Cold War. The conversation starts with the reorganization of the Air Force, changes in basing, and the integration of the B-1 into Air Combat Command. Discussion progresses where our hosts explain the Conventional Mission Upgrade Program (CMUP) in Blocks A thru D where software upgrades to existing systems and the implementation of the MIL-STD-1760 interface led to a significant conventional capability.  Upgrades also added the Joint Directed Attack Munition (JDAM) and the AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system. The CMUP was completed with Block E which marked a major change with a complete software and hardware redesign, setting the stage for future growth. 

In this episode, Dr. Lance ‘Boil’ Lewis and Roger discuss the impact of World War I on air power and the development of close air support. The conversation highlights the challenges and evolution of close air support doctrine in different countries during the interwar period. They explore the experiences of the RAF supporting the British Empire, as well as the French focus on logistics and medevac. Discussion then turns to the developments in Spain, where the Spanish Civil War served as a testing ground for German air power.  The Luftwaffe explored the use of airlift, refined close air support tactics, and developed efficient expeditionary air bases. During WWII all these learnings were quickly applied by the Germans during their Blitzkrieg attacks, to the British experience in the Western Desert, and finally through the development in amphibious doctrine between the Navy and Marines where the coordination and trust in air-ground support led to victory in the Pacific.

In this conversation, Roger and Casmo discuss the recent cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. They explore the role of aerial scouts in the army and the capabilities required for this mission. They also delve into the debate between single-platform vs specialized platforms and the logistical considerations involved. The conversation highlights the changing nature of warfare and the need to adapt to new threats. Ultimately, they discuss the reasons behind the cancellation of FARA and the potential implications for the future of aerial reconnaissance in the army. The conversation explores the comparison between helicopter losses in Vietnam and modern warfare, highlighting the disposable mentality of helicopters in Vietnam. The importance of maintaining industrial capabilities and the need to keep factories running for jobs and capabilities are discussed. The benefits of investing in defense programs and the challenges of maintaining the industrial base are examined. The limitations of airframes and munitions, as well as the difficulty of sustaining two major conflicts simultaneously, are explored. The impact of technology on warfare and the possibility of modern-day trench warfare are considered. The need for breakthrough technologies to break stalemates and the challenges of designing and implementing new systems are discussed.

In Armor in the Ukraine, Brian ‘Casmo’ Harris interviews US Army Lt. Col. Scott Stevens about the war in Ukraine and what it could mean for the future of combat. From the beginning, where the surprising lack of tactics slowed the invasion, to the current stalemate, Lt. Col. Stevens talks about how the Ukrainian forces have been hampered by Russian air superiority over the battlefield, operating in a difficult EW environment, and the inability the hide due to surveillance in multiple spectrums by UAS, or drones. Our hosts analyze how the reality of the current conflict has shaken the perceptions formed in past decades of training and operations.

[5:36 PM] Scott Morris

From the beginning, the purpose of USMC aviation has been to support Marine infantry in combat. Our hosts, Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian and Lance ‘Boil’ Lewis, discuss how Marine Aviator #1 First Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham guided the transition of US Marine Corps from flying seaplanes to a land-based force. With no doctrine to constrain innovation, follow the story of how aviators and ground officers worked together in the 1910’s and 1920’s to develop things we take for granted now; ways to communicate with aircraft when in contact with the enemy, dive bombing to increase bombing accuracy and how supplying logistics from the air was just as important as employing ordinance.

In this episode the host of the Afterburn podcast John “Rain” Waters interviews Mike “Flash” McVay about the US Air Force Fighter Weapons School. The goal of this school is to develop “tactical experts and leaders to control and exploit air, space and cyber on behalf of the joint force”. As a graduate and instructor of the weapons school in two different platforms, The F-16 and F-35, “Flash gives a unique perspective on the three tenants of the school of being humble, being approachable and being credible. “Flash” describes how the students at the school learn how to integrate all elements and functions of the Air Force together to help meet the objective to fly, fight and win - airpower anytime, anywhere.

Supersonic Bone episode 7 takes us behind the curtain on a critical aspect of an aircraft that is seldom talked about, maintenance. The definition of maintenance is ‘the work needed to keep something in good condition’. When that something is a complex aircraft, the B-1, and the primary mission is Nuclear Deterrence, ensuring it is ready to perform is crucial. Hosts Ken’ Prime Time’ Katz and Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian’ interview former B-1 Crew Chief Henry Miller about standing up the B-1 from the perspective of a maintainer. Mr. Miller talks about how various specialists were recruited from across the B-52 community and stood up the first B-1 maintenance squadrons at Dyess AFB. Battling the issues of concurrency and a deadline to achieve IOC, Mr. Miller details how maintainers were up to the challenge, ensuring the B-1 was ready to stand alert on-time.

In part 2 of Network Enabled Weapons – Tactics we walk through the changes of smart weapons from the 1968 introduction of anti-ship missiles to today’s use of advanced Network Enabled Weapons. Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair brings us into the cockpit describing how a pilot in the recent past needed to listen to get information from a controller, write it down, and then program the weapon, all the while flying the aircraft and hoping that all the information was heard and entered correctly. He then discusses the current process where a pilot will get targeting information over a secure link, then program the weapon by ‘dragging and dropping’. He describes the inherent flexibility of real time updates of the weapon in flight, reducing the area of uncertainty and increasing the probability of target acquisition.

In Network Enabled Weapons – Tactics hosts Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian and Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair discuss the connectivity between sensors on various assets, sharing the information and using the most effective weapon to achieve the desired result. After introducing the alphabet soup of acronyms, such as F2T2EA, TTG, TTP, and EO/IR/RF, ‘Roger’ and ‘Sunshine’ explain why each is important to the process. The discussion then focuses on the flexibility and outsized impact of Network Enabled Weapons give to our forces when engaging the enemy

In this episode of My First Time, host Brian ‘Casmo’ Harris interviews Steve Fox about his experience as a newly assigned team leader of a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha, better known as an ODA or Green Berets. Steve walks us through deploying into Afghanistan, meeting, and earning the trust their Afghan Army counterparts, then training for their first operational mission. Waking up with a knock on the door, Steve’s ODA was tasked as the quick reaction force to respond to an attack Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler. Also known as the Battle of Wanat, the fight resulted in 9 soldiers killed and 16 wounded in one of the deadliest attacks of the Afghan war. Steve describes his team’s role in securing the high ground and expanding the perimeter to allow evacuation of wounded personnel. Discussion then turns to Steve and his team performing sensitive site exploitation, SSE, discovering evidence of complicity of the local police chief and district governor.

Episode 6 of the Supersonic Bone explores the B-1B in service with the Strategic Air Command, SAC.  Lt Col. Clint ‘Stick’ Taylor and Lt Col. Roy ‘Uncle’ Walker provide an overview of standing nuclear alert mission. Going into detail of planning, weapons carried, and a typical mission profile, the focus shifts to the roles of the Offensive System Operator, OSO, and Defensive System Operator, DSO, to ensure mission success.  ‘Stick’ and ‘Uncle’ also discuss the dichotomy of having needing a nuclear capable bomber to preserve peace.

In this episode of ‘My First Time in Combat’ host Brian ‘Casmo’ Harris of the Low Level Hell podcast interviews Bernd Knox about his experience as a pilot flying the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior operating in Iraq as part of the 4th Calvary Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Our hosts describe the ‘figuring out as you go’ challenges of flying in the dessert with no visual references at 50 ft, while avoiding groundfire, transmission wires and even kites. CWO5 Knox then shares his experience of flying through the ‘Star Wars Trench’ and getting shot by the ‘magic bullet’ while flying over Samarra, Iraq.

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel John Chilstrom discusses his experiences with the B-1B bomber and its entry into operational service. He shares his background in aviation, including growing up in an aviation family and his education and training path into the Air Force. Colonel Chilstrom talks about his transition from the B-52D to the B-52H and later to the FB111A before joining the B-1B program. He describes the training process at the 418th Combat Crew Training Squadron and his role as an aircraft commander on the first B-1B to be put on alert. Colonel Chilstrom also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the B-1B compared to other aircraft he has flown. In this conversation, John Chilstrom, a former B-1 bomber pilot, shares his experiences and insights into the development and operation of the B-1 bomber. He discusses the role of the B-1 bomber during the Cold War and its transition to conventional warfighting capabilities. He also provides details about the standing nuclear alert and the procedures and drills involved. Chilstrom highlights the significance of achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and the national pride associated with the B-1 bomber. He reflects on his time as a squadron commander and the challenges and responsibilities that came with the role. Chilstrom concludes by discussing his post-retirement activities and his continued involvement in aviation.

Part 3 of Fleet Air Defense has ‘Roger’ and ‘Sunshine’ taking us inside an Aegis equipped ship. “Roger” relates his experience as a Tactical Action Officer, operating the ship’s combat systems. Our hosts discuss the Detect to Engage (DTE) sequence of defense from the outer layer all the way to point defense and how cooperative engagement capability (CEC) is a gamechanger for Fleet Air Defense. “Roger” also explains the nuance of how lighting affects the decision-making process and even in time of conflict CIC is the last place people will be sweating.

In Part 2 of Fleet Air Defense, we focus on the second half of the Cold War, reviewing the threat to the fleet from subsonic cruise missiles to the Mach 3 Sunburn. Our hosts ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Roger’ provide an overview of radar theory, radar types and radar capabilities of the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) systems in legacy ships and the newly commissioned Aegis cruisers. Using these ships as a backbone, ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Roger’ discuss how multiple systems were networked to provide an effective, layered defense of the fleet.

Protecting the fleet has been a part of Naval Strategy since the inception of naval warfare. The added dimension from air threats fundamentally changed how fleet protection is achieved. In Part 1 Fleet Air Defense, Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair interviews Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian as they discuss the history of how the fleet has been defending itself from the air in the period covering World War II to the early phases of the Cold War. 

In the past, long range weapons were employed using the most up to date targeting information. Because of the time it took for the weapon to reach the target, sometimes this information was ‘out-of-date’ causing the weapons to miss. What if the weapon could get regular updates or even change targets based on up-to-date information? In this episode Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian and Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair discuss how Network Enabled Weapons give our leaders greater flexibility and confidence that when weapons are employed, they will hit the intended target.

Continuing our episode of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian and Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair review timelines on recent UAP investigations. They then discuss how even trained observers can be confused when seeing something new, or just from a different perspective. Adding to this confusion is that sensor systems may not be able to ‘detect’ certain types of objects. ‘Roger’ goes into detail about a personal experience while on the bridge of an Aegis ship where multiple people visually observed a UAP, but it was never detected by multiple sensors, including the most advanced radar system in the world! 

Unidentified anomalous phenomena were recently one of hottest topics around. Better known as UAP’s, discussion has raged in conversation, in the media and hearings on Capitol Hill. In this episode our hosts Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian and Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair discuss UAP’s, what they are, what they aren’t and what they could be. With experience in some of the highest tech surveillance equipment on this planet, join us as Roger’ and ‘Sunshine’ peel the onion providing their analytical perspective on the topic.

In this episode of the F-35 Series host Steve Davies from the 10 Percent True podcast continues his discussion with John ‘Press’ Wheeler. Conversation focuses on the F-35A including the mission sets the USAF is employing with the Lightning II and how the advanced systems caused a paradigm shift in pilot training. ‘Press’ brings his unique perspective as being one of the initial cadre of F-35 pilots and the wing commander of one of the two USAF F-35 training wings. ‘Press’ also gives insight on the question everyone asks, the ability to look through the aircraft and it’s utility in combat.

Operational testing played an important role in bringing the B-1B into service. Before being assigned to B-1B operational testing, Lt Col Larry Jordan had a career as a bomber pilot in the Strategic Air Command (SAC), flying both the B-52G and the FB-111A. His B-52G experience including combat missions in Southeast Asia. With this background, he joined the B-1B Combined Test Force as an operational test pilot, helping evaluate the operational suitability of the new bomber. He then delivered the first B-1B to be assigned to SAC to its base at Dyess AFB. As Dyess AFB, he continued to conduct operational testing as well as trained the initial cadre of SAC B-1B instructor pilots. Lt Col Jordan has a unique view of the entry of the BONE into SAC service in the 1980s

In this episode of ‘My First Time’ host Brian ‘Casmo’ Harris of the Low Level Hell podcast interviews Army Kiowa Pilot Mark Leung about his experience leading up to, and his deployment to Iraq. Mark talks about learning from experienced Pilots who had already been deployed how to shoot his M-4 from a moving vehicle. Once in Iraq the discussion turns to how it was easier to fly during the night and trying to build situational awareness while listening to four different radios. Throughout the episode ‘Casmo’ and Mark talk about the constant confusion of figuring out where friendly forces were and how to best support them.

In our inaugural episode of the F-35 series, author, aviation journalist and host of the 10 Percent True podcast, Steve Davies interviews John ‘Press’ Wheeler on the requirements of the F-35. ‘Press’ talks about the various elements that make an aircraft stealthy, not invisible. Conversation shifts to how sensor fusion gives the pilot the information they need to ensure the maximum amount of situational awareness during a given mission. ‘Press’ then provides a tutorial on the progression of the aircraft from Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), Initial Operation Capability (IOC), Full Operational Capability (FOC) and finally Full Rate Production, with all the requirements from going from step to step

In episode 3 (part 2) of the Supersonic Bone we focus on the aggressive testing program the B-1B needed to meet the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) set for 1986. From verifying the basic flying qualities to ensuring the terrain following radar could tell the difference between water, rocks, trees, and snow, ‘Roger’ and ‘Prime Time’ discuss the many aspects of testing needed to qualify the B-1B could perform its attack mission. Rounding out the episode the focus shifts to the weapons carried, the weapons separation testing needed and how the B-1B contributed to the nuclear triad and deterrence.

In the Supersonic Bone episode 3 ‘Roger’ and ‘Prime Time’ discuss how the B-1B program was resurrected in 1981 as an interim penetrating bomber until the Advanced Technology Bomber (ATB), the B-2, arrived on the scene. The delay in the development allowed maturation of technologies, improvement in aerodynamics and a more capable bomber. An aggressive schedule to get the B-1B on alert by 1986 was meant to show United States resolve and commitment to defense. This led to using the concurrency in development, which was a tradeoff of having the initial blocks of aircraft having some limitations and deficiencies but led to a faster Initial Operating Capability. At the conclusion of the episode our hosts perform a deep dive into the power plant for the B-1, the F101, that become the basis of one of the most influential engines in aviation history.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Authentic’s new series ‘My First Time’. This series is about people’s first time in combat. Our friend, and host of the Low Level Hell podcast, Brian ‘Casmo’ Harris interviews Army Kiowa Pilot Lt. Col. Mathew Petraitis about his experience in the 82nd Airborne in supporting the initial invasion of Iraq. Petraitis, then a young Captain and Battalion S-4 for the 1st Battalion 82nd Aviation Regiment (1-82 AVN), talks about figuring out what tasks were needed to get his Battalion's OH-58D Kiowa Warriors and support elements from Ft Bragg NC to Kuwait, then to support combat operations once there. From having to shift perspective from flying over pine trees to flying over the desert, making logistics happen on the fly, and focusing on what the soldiers needed the most, Lt. Col. Petraitis shows what motivated soldiers with a clear objective can achieve.  

In Episode 2 of the Supersonic Bone ‘Roger’ and ‘Prime Time’ discuss the requirements and development of the B-1A. Conceived as a replacement for the 1950’s designed B-52, the requirements of the B-1A expanded on a wide range of capabilities and operations. Our hosts discuss the technological leap that saw the shift of the prime contractor from being primarily an airframe manufacturer to system integrator and the creation of a Joint Test Force approach that eliminated redundancy, reduced cost, and sped testing. They also explore the environment in the late 70’s that led to the cancelation of the B-1A bomber, and the aftermath that kept the B-1 program alive.

In our inaugural episode of The Supersonic Bone, Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian and Author Ken Katz set the stage on why the B-1 was needed. Starting from string and fabric aircraft of World War I, through the venerable B-52 and the fighter like B-58, our hosts cover the technology needed to perform the bomber mission. Discussion moves to the development of the nuclear triad, the tactics needed to deliver bombs on target and the inherent flexibility of the manned bomber platform. The natural progression of theory, doctrine and strategy leads us to the creation of the B-1.

In Helicopters in Ukraine, Pt. 2 ‘Roger and ‘Casmo’ provide an overview of how Russian doctrine shaped the design of their attack helicopters. Reviewing novel features such as coaxial rotors and side by side seating, they then compare these against western design, highlighting the difference in approach. Discussion moves into how the abundance of video has brough new perspective in understanding how these helicopters operate and survive in the high threat skies above Ukraine, showing how helicopters remain relevant on the modern battlefield.

In F-22 episode 2 part 1 our hosts Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian and Andrew "Scar" Van Timmeren interview Steve ‘Hooter’ Rainey about the early days of his favorite topic in the world, the F-22. ‘Hooter’ has a unique perspective as the first Air Force pilot to fly the F-22 and later as the Chief Test Pilot for the F-22 at Lockheed Martin. The conversation ranges from the initial flight of the world’s first 5th Gen fighter having to make way for a Cessna 182, thermal management during flight testing to ensure the ‘magic smoke’ stays in the electronics and to the one of the first implementations of electronic checklists in an aircraft. 

In this episode ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Roger’ continue our discussion on the use and growth of the SM-2. Adding boosters and updating guidance systems has allowed the SM-2 to extend range, and lethality. From its genesis as a naval surface to air missile the inherent flexibility of design has allowed the expansion of roles to include surface attack and ballistic missile defense. Used on ships for decades, the SM-2 is now a key component of Aegis Ashore. Protecting our forces from the surface to space, the SM-2 has set the ‘Standard’ for all missiles!

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/navy-blasts-supersonic-sea-skimming-target-with-sm-2-missiles-in-impressive-video

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/37148/the-navys-stealth-destroyer-has-fired-a-missile-for-the-first-time

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38500/obscure-23-year-old-navy-sam-was-so-ahead-of-its-time-that-its-still-in-high-demand-today

In a reversal of roles, our host Brian ‘Sunshine’ Sinclair interviews Authentic Media’s own Scott ‘Roger’ Chafian on the Standard Missile. ‘Rogers’ background as an Aegis Combat Systems Officer on Ticonderoga and Arleigh Burke Class ships allows him to share with us the background of Fleet Air Defense in the US Navy. From the development of the 3T’s (Tarter, Terrier, Talos) fitted on existing ships to the evolution of the ‘Standard’ Missile on purpose-built platforms, this episode begins to go behind the curtain on one of the world’s premier surface to air missiles.