6 weapons systems prioritized by Donald Trump

Donald Trump's election as president paved the way for the continued deployment or reactivation of the following six weapons systems.

During his election campaign, Donald Trump promised to strengthen the military and end spending limits on the military. Therefore, public opinion suggests that the defense budget will increase rapidly in the near future, reviving many long-abandoned major weapons projects, including the six weapons groups listed below, as recently updated by the American news site Wearethemighty.

1. Super long-range ground attack artillery shell

Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAPs), a GPS-guided system that was "delayed" during the Obama administration, are now being prioritized for relaunch.

Another reason is that this type of ammunition is quite expensive, around $800,000, mostly intended for equipping the Zumwalt destroyer. Initially, Zumwalt planned to buy 32 LRLAPs but later reduced the number to 3.

LRLAP Super Artillery Missile

This indicates that the era of the LRLAP super-projectile has arrived, a weapon system that rivals the Vulcano projectile of the OTO Melara multi-purpose naval gun system.

LRLAP stands out due to its versatility (such as GPS, infrared, and laser guidance) with many optional variants such as 76mm, 127mm, or 155mm LRLAP. Thanks to LRLAP, the DDG-1000 Zumwalt super-ship will be more effective in attacking targets such as warships, coastal targets, and even targets deep inland within enemy territory.

2. A series of destroyers

This includes Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Zumwalt, Freedom, Independence, and various smaller warships.

While the Obama administration planned to increase the fleet to 272 ships, Trump, as outlined during his campaign, planned to raise it to 350.

The future destroyer USS Detroit (LCS 7) of the U.S. Navy.

To achieve this impressive number, Mr. Trump will have a specific manufacturing plan. Accordingly, the U.S. Navy (USN) will continue to implement five programs currently in the R&D (research and development) phase, a plan that will be prioritized immediately after Trump takes office.

This means that when Mr. Trump takes office, there will be more than 70 additional aircraft to supplement the USN's inventory.

The Coast Guard, in particular, will be given priority in being equipped with larger, more modern vessels, especially the LCS Freedom-class ships, for offshore patrol purposes.

3. Prioritize the production of F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft.

As promised, Trump will have 1,200 fighter jets built to equip the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, with a focus on the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

The F-22 Raptor production program was halted at 187 units in 2009, but the U.S. Congress recently requested that the Pentagon reconsider the program.

The next-generation fighter jet of the US Air Force.

The restart of the F-22 production program (possibly equipped with some new features, especially electronics from the F-35) is not a surprise but serves as a counterweight to China's J-20 fighter jet.

According to military critics, once Trump takes office, the F-35 and F/A-18E/F production programs will become a reality. This would help address the serious shortage of fighter jets for both the US Marine Corps and the Air Force.

4. XM1296 Dragoon Armored Vehicle

The XM1296 Dragoon is a Stryker variant equipped with a 30 mm automatic turret, a new generation of armored vehicles used by airborne brigades stationed in Europe to overwhelm Russian BTR or BMP vehicles.

XM1296 Dragoon armored vehicle

According to Wearethemighty, Europe may not be the only place where the US uses the XM1296 Dragoon, so the figure of 81 is not final; the US will need more. The XM1296 Dragoon will be used to replace the M1126, and even the M113 armored vehicle.

5. Amphibious aircraft V-280 Valor and SB-1 Defiant

The US is planning to upgrade its air fleet with next-generation aircraft that are both technologically advanced and highly effective in combat.

When Trump enters the White House, he will present a new plan, boosting production with two options, similar to what the Navy did when deciding to upgrade the Combat Ship Littoral. It is rumored that Trump's aides may choose a group of amphibious unmanned aircraft, like the ARES and V-247 Vigilant.

The V-280 Valor is a candidate for the JMR-TD program, initiated by the US Army in 2004 with the participation of multiple manufacturers.

The V-280 Valor/SB-1 Defiant amphibious aircraft

The V-280 Valor is a vertical take-off and landing aircraft with a cruising speed of 520 km/h, a top speed of 560 km/h, a range of 3,900 km, an effective combat range of 930 to 1,480 km, a V-shaped tail configuration, wide carbon fiber wings, and a composite fuselage.

The aircraft's fuselage has two 1.8-meter-wide doors on either side, facilitating troop transport or cargo loading and unloading.

The SB-1 Defiant is a product of Sikorsky-Boeing, featuring a high-speed coaxial rotor design that is advertised as being able to fly faster, farther, and carry more weapons than traditional helicopters.

6. Expeditionary combat vehicles

Expeditionary fighting vehicles (EFVs), or expeditionary armored vehicles, are amphibious vehicles developed for the U.S. Marine Corps.

US Navy EFV (Explosive Recycling Vehicle)

This vehicle can operate both at sea like a warship and on land like a conventional tank. It's a product of General Dynamics and is extremely expensive, costing around $22 million per unit.

The EFV combat vehicle faced numerous obstacles due to its high cost and was halted by the government in January 2011, but now the tide has turned. According to his campaign website, Trump has promised to produce more of these vehicles to equip 36 Marine Corps battalions.

According to Baodatviet