US Marine Corps (USMC)

Pas mal le cammo moi aussi je trouve ca ravissant

Ca doit etre un appareil "agressor".

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September 11, 2010, U.S Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), conduct landing rehearsals in a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262), 31st MEU, on the flight deck of the forward deployed amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Essex(LHD 2), while underway in the Pacific Ocean. Marines and Sailors aboard the forward deployed U.S.S. Essex prepare for PHIBLEX 2011, which is vital to maintaining the readiness and interoperability between the U.S. and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and its military forces. Both countries have shared a long standing relationship of working together for more than 58 years.

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Poptun Patrol



Posted 9/22/2010
U.S. Marines conduct a jungle-patrol exercise on Poptun Training Camp, Guatemala, Sept. 11, 2010. Patrolling in jungle terrain was part of the subject-matter expert exchange between U.S. Marines and Guatemalan special forces soldiers known as Kaibiles. The Marines are taking part in Operation Continuing Promise 2010, a civic-assistance mission dedicated to providing humanitarian support and facilitating subject-matter expert exchange with partner nations. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Negrete

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Virtual Parachute Trainer



Posted 9/24/2010
MIRAMAR, Calif. (Sept. 20, 2010) A Marine assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (TECOM) 1, performs a virtual parachute landing while a Sailor operates the Virtual Parachute Trainer during flight physiology training at the Aviation Survival Training Center at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick P. Evenson)

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Bell Boeing V-22 Program Delivers 6th Osprey Trainer to US Marines






ST. LOUIS, Sept. 27, 2010 – The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Bell Helicopter, has delivered the sixth and final MV-22 Osprey Containerized Flight Training Device (CFTD) to the U.S. Marines. In the past year, the team has delivered five CFTDs to the Marines, as well as upgrades to two trainers delivered previously.
The CFTD trains aircrew on basic aircraft familiarization and handling qualities. Additional training capabilities include systems/subsystems operation, communication, malfunctions, day and night flying, use of night-vision goggles, formation flying, aerial refueling and landing on ships. The device is intended to train crews for any task that might be performed in the aircraft, while limiting the monetary and environmental costs and safety risks of in-flight training.
The sixth device was delivered to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, N.C., on Aug. 16, six weeks early. MCAS New River has six devices, including the first CFTD — delivered in 2007 — plus three full-flight, motion-based simulators and one non-motion-based flight training device. MCAS Miramar, Calif., has four CFTDs. An upgrade delivered to Miramar this month brought all CFTDs to full concurrency with the Osprey aircraft.
“The V-22 Integrated Product Team has made all of these early deliveries possible,” said Mark McGraw, vice president, Boeing Training Systems & Services. “They delivered three devices on this contract early, and all of them for the lowest per-unit cost our customer has seen.”
All CFTDs can be locally networked to allow for more robust training capabilities. The CFTDs at MCAS New River also are able to network with AV-8 Harriers at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.
The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft manufactured by Boeing and Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. [NYSE: TXT] company. Bell and Boeing are teamed in a Strategic Alliance Agreement for the design, production and sustainment of the V-22.
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global work force serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
Source: Boeing

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AH-1Z helicopters found operationally effective and suitable






NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The U.S. Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra has successfully completed its Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL).
On Sept. 24, NAVAIR’s H-1 Upgrades program office received official notification from the Navy’s Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force that its AH-1Z helicopters were found to be “operationally effective and suitable” and were been recommended for fleet introduction.
“This marks a significant milestone for the program,” said Col. Harry Hewson, program manager for U.S. Marine light and attack helicopters. “The AH-1Z has come a long way through development and it has finally proven itself as a lethal and reliable attack helicopter. The Marines in the fleet are very eager to get their hands on the Zulu and get it into the fight.”
A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. The program’s goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Zs which provide significantly greater performance, supportability and growth potential over their predecessors.
The evaluation report noted that the AH-1Z fire control and additional weapons delivery modes allowed for improved weapons delivery accuracy, reduced pilot workload, and enhanced employment flexibility compared with the AH-1W.
The H-1 Upgrade Program offers 84 percent “identically” of parts shared between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters. This commonality reduces lifecycle and training costs and decreases the logistics footprint for both aircraft.
Source: NAVAIR

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Masamute Valley



Posted 10/3/2010
U.S. Army soldiers provide security in Masamute valley as they search the village of Bala in Laghman province, Afghanistan, Sept. 26, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Spc. David A. Jackson

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GD wins $25 million contract for weapon systems from U.S.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded a $24.9 million contract by the U.S. Army to produce MK47 advanced lightweight grenade launcher (ALGL) systems.

The contract supports a foreign military sale and is a firm fixed price award for 130 MK47 systems that each include the lightweight video sight systems, spare parts and technical support.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2012 and be completed by August 2012. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics.

The TACOM Contracting Center (TCC) in Rock Island, Ill., awarded the contract in July. Program management will be conducted in Burlington, Vt., with production occurring at General Dynamics' Saco, Maine, facility. Work will be completed by the company's existing workforce.

"The MK47 is a reliable, portable 40mm grenade weapon system suited for mobile, tactical combat infantry units, particularly against soft and lightly-armored targets," said Mike O'Brien, vice president and general manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. "The MK47 has been demonstrated in combat to be a one-shot, one-kill weapon system." The MK47, also known as the Striker(40), is an ALGL capable of firing air bursting munitions. General Dynamics is partnered with Raytheon to

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Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Henry, an aviation boatswains mate from Pearl City, Hawaii, guides an AH-1Z "Viper SuperCobra" landing aboard USS Makin Island Oct. 5. The attack helicopter was piloted by Capt. Travis Patterson and 1st Lt. Michael Tetreault, who serve with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, aka Scarface. A squadron detachment is supporting the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's special-purpose Marine air-ground task force. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit is the first amphibious landing force to embark Makin Island, which set sail for San Francisco Oct. 1 to participate in the city's 2010 Fleet Week. There the 11th MEU plans to showcase to the public the Marine Corps' men and women, its aircraft and equipment, and its ability to conduct missions that span the overlapping spectrums of peace and combat, from disaster relief of war. Tetrealt is from Killingly, Conn., and Patterson is from Austin, Texas.

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AH-1Z "Viper SuperCobra" pilots 1st Lt. Michael Tetrealt, right, and Capt. Travis Patterson aboard USS Makin Island prepare to fly Oct. 5. The pilots serve with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, aka Scarface, whose detachment is supporting the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's special-purpose Marine air-ground task force. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit is the first amphibious landing force to embark Makin Island, which set sail for San Francisco Oct. 1 to participate in the city's 2010 Fleet Week. There the 11th MEU plans to showcase to the public the Marine Corps' men and women, its aircraft and equipment, and its ability to conduct missions that span the overlapping spectrums of peace and combat, from disaster relief of war. Tetrealt is from Killingly, Conn., and Patterson is from Austin, Texas. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Preston Reed)

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GAU-21 deploys with UH-1Y



October 7, 2010 by Marcel van Leeuwen · Leave a Comment


Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. — The Navy and Marine Corps newest .50 caliber weapon system, the GAU-21, began its initial deployment with UH-1Y helicopters in September.

The Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA-169), based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., is the first squadron to deploy with GAU-21 mounted on the UH-1Y Hueys.

“We are excited to deploy a weapon on the Huey that has a higher rate of fire, greater accuracy and increased reliability,” said Capt. Brian Corey, Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Program Manager (PMA-242).

The GAU-21 has the capability to shoot at twice the rate of fire and is with one-third current dispersion of its predecessor, the GAU-16. The gun’s soft mount configuration increases the weapon’s accuracy and flexibility, while reducing wear on the aircraft.

“This was an accelerated delivery in response to a Marine Corps requirement,” said Jim Shepard, GAU-21 Integrated Product Team lead. “Normally, a system would be fielded 12-14 months after completing testing but the Marines wanted to deploy two new requirements at the same time, UH-1Y with the GAU-21 weapon system. Our team worked vigorously to ensure we could execute on time in preparation for the weapon’s first deployment on the Huey.”

A team from PMA-242 completed testing of the GAU-21 with the UH-1Y in May 2010 and the first system was fielded two months later. Since July, 88,000 rounds have been fired from the GAU-21 by HMLA-169 and the squadron has qualified all of their primary gun instructors in preparation for deployment, according to Shepard.

The UH-1Y is one of the several aircraft equipped with the GAU-21. Currently, the weapon system is being used by the fleet on CH-53D/E ramp mounted weapon system, CH-53D window mounts and MH-60R/S.

The GAU-21 program is managed by PMA-242, which is responsible for the acquisition, development, and sustainment of direct and time sensitive strike weapon programs.

Source: NAVAIR

U.S. Marine marksman Cpl. Jacob Hoag (L) of Bend, OR and his spotter Cpl. Cody Scholes of Belfast, NY with India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment set up a sniper position to provide security for a patrol at outpost West above Forward Operating Base (FOB) Zeebrugge on October 22, 2010 in Kajaki, Afghanistan. The Marines of India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment are responsible for securing the area near the Kajaki Dam on the Helmand River.


U.S. Marine marksman Cpl. Jacob Hoag of Bend, OR with India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment sets up a sniper position to provide security for a patrol at outpost West above Forward Operating Base (FOB) Zeebrugge on October 22, 2010 in Kajaki, Afghanistan.


U.S. Marine marksman Cpl. Jacob Hoag of Bend, OR with India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment sets up a sniper position to provide security for a patrol at outpost West above Forward Operating Base (FOB) Zeebrugge on October 22, 2010 in Kajaki, Afghanistan. The Marines of India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment are responsible for securing the area near the Kajaki Dam on the Helmand River.


Enjoy the view messieurs !!

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Circles of Light



Posted 11/1/2010
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft sits on the flightline on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 21, 2010. The aircraft supported a course on weapons and tactics hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Richard A. Tetreau

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ATK Eagle wins $18.5 million contract for SPC Components from U.S. Marine Corps


ATK announced today that its Eagle operation has received an $18.5 million sole-source, follow-on contract from Marine Corps Systems Command to produce Scalable Plate Carrier (SPC) components and spare parts with soft armor ballistic protection to help Marines lighten their load.

The company received its first contract for SPCs in 2007, following an Urgent Universal Needs Statement from the USMC to deliver plate carriers. The SPC system spare parts and components will be manufactured at the company's Lares, Puerto Rico and Fenton, Missouri facilities.

The SPC system works in conjunction with BAE's soft armor ballistic package and provides the Marines with a lightweight, yet effective body armor solution that supports an overall effort to lighten the load of U.S. Marines. Production is already underway and deliveries are expected to be completed in early 2011.

"The SPC system provides troops with protection they need while lightening the load they carry into the field," said Ron Johnson, President of ATK's Security and Sporting group. "We remain flexible in order to deliver affordable innovation to support U.S. Marines and the mission at hand."

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nice Aggressor

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ITT delivers first composite assembly for new U.S. Marine Corps helicopter

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah | ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT) has delivered its first major structural subassemblies for the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

This delivery culminates nearly three years of advanced design, development, testing and manufacturing to provide sponsons for the CH-53K helicopter. These assemblies represent a significant technology advancement by applying composite materials — versus traditional metals — to military aircraft that operate in harsh environments.

Sponsons attach to each side of a helicopter fuselage and house important components, such as landing gear, fuel, and other mechanical and electrical assemblies without compromising interior passenger or cargo space. Each sponson is 25 feet long by 4 feet wide and 5 feet high. This delivery supports the first prototype aircraft, with future potential to support 200 aircraft during the life of the program.

The CH-53K helicopter program is using proven and mature technologies that will significantly expand the fleet's capability in comparison to its predecessor, the CH-53E helicopter, by tripling the aircraft's lift in high and hot environments while reducing support and maintenance costs.

In addition, the composite sponsons are designed to be significantly more resilient to the environmental conditions, ballistics and in-flight stress, while allowing for increased cabin width without a change in vehicle footprint.

To meet the demanding weight, durability and affordability objectives of the CH-53K helicopter program, ITT is employing the latest composite design and manufacturing technologies for these important flight structures, including electronic model control, laser-ply projection, five-axis computer numerically controlled machining, automated trimming and drilling, as well as laser and ultrasonic inspection of all subassemblies.

"We've brought the best of our composite technology and experience to produce a stronger, more durable and operationally flexible aircraft to help the Marines perform their critical missions," said Jim Barber, vice president for ITT's Integrated Structures business area. "ITT is committed to growing our composites business so we can serve our customers' needs."

Production will be accomplished at ITT's Electronic Systems facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.

ITT Electronic Systems is a leading supplier of information and electronic warfare (EW) technologies, systems and services that enable mission success and survivability. Key technologies include integrated EW systems for a variety of aircraft, reconnaissance and surveillance systems for air and sea-based applications, force protection and counter-IED systems, precision landing and air traffic systems for military applications, and under sea systems encompassing mine defense, naval command and sonar systems, and acoustic sensors. In addition, ITT Electronic Systems produces aircraft armament suspension and release equipment, electronic weapons interface systems, and advanced composite structures and subsystems.

defpro

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Boeing to Provide A160T Hummingbird Unmanned Aircraft for US Marine Corps

ST. LOUIS | Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded the company a $29.9 million contract for Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Services to support the U.S. Marine Corps. Boeing will provide two A160T Hummingbird unmanned vehicles, three ground control stations, spares, training and support.

The A160T aircraft designated for the contract are near completion on the Boeing production line that started up in March at the company's Mesa, Ariz., facility.

This government-owned, contractor-operated contract is the first for Hummingbirds from the company-funded production line. It calls for a period of predeployment operations at a military facility in the continental United States, followed by options for a six-month deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

"We look forward to working with NAVAIR and the Marines to provide this important capability to warfighters on the front lines," said Vic Sweberg, Unmanned Airborne Systems director for Boeing. "The A160T has proven its ability to autonomously deliver cargo to forward operating bases in austere conditions in a demonstration setting, and we are confident in its ability to do the same in battlefield conditions."

This past March, under contract from the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, Boeing demonstrated the A160T's ability to deliver at least 2,500 pounds of cargo from one simulated forward-operating base to another base 75 nautical miles away in less than the required six hours. The simulated mission delivered 1,250-pound sling loads over two 150-nautical-mile round trips, with the A160T operating autonomously on a preprogrammed mission.

defpro

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Bell Helicopter AH-1Z earns Navy approval for full rate production



FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 8, 2010) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the U.S. Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra, was approved for full rate production Nov. 28.
The H-1 program office received official word on the Milestone III approval decision from Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Dr. Ashton B. Carter through an acquisition decision memorandum.
“The AH-1Z is a magnificent machine and I am thrilled that the Zulu has now been authorized for full rate production,” said John L Garrison, president Bell Helicopter. “The partnership between Bell Helicopter and the Navy-Marine Corp team demonstrates that we are both fully committed to providing the best for our warfighters.”
After completing operational testing this summer, the AH-1Z was determined to be operationally effective and suitable, a finding that is a prerequisite to the full rate production decision.
“Getting the Zulu into full rate production is very important for the Marines and for our Nation,” said Rear Adm. Steve Eastburg, Program Executive Officer for Air, Assault and Special Mission Programs. “Both the UH-1Y and AH-1Z deliver superb combat effectiveness to the Marine warfighter. We continue to build in production cost efficiencies to ensure that the taxpayer is getting the most for every dollar spent.”
The Marine Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W with the AH-1Z, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit.
A total of 189 new and remanufactured AH-1Z helicopters are anticipated, with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2019.
The AH-1Z Cobra helicopters are part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. The program’s goal is to replace AH-1W helicopters with new and remanufactured AH-1Zs which provide significantly greater performance, supportability and growth potential over their predecessors.
The H-1 Upgrade Program offers 84 percent commonality of parts between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y utility helicopters. This commonality reduces lifecycle and training costs and decreases the expeditionary logistics footprint for both aircraft.
Source and photo: Bell Helicopters

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Harris Provides U.S. Marine Corps with Additional Falcon III AN/PRC-117G Wideband Radio Systems



ROCHESTER, N.Y. | Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has received orders from the U.S. Marine Corps totaling $21 million for additional Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack radios, vehicular amplifier adapters and other accessories. The Marine Corps will acquire the systems as part of its accelerating transition to high-speed, wideband networked tactical communications. The orders were received in July, August and September.

The AN/PRC-117G radio provides warfighters with unprecedented situational awareness of the battlefield by enabling applications such as streaming video, simultaneous voice and data feeds, collaborative chat, and connectivity to secure networks. The wideband networking capabilities of the AN/PRC-117G give warfighters critical real-time information through a man-portable radio that is smaller, lighter and more capable than legacy units. The AN/PRC-117G is the first JTRS Software Communications Architecture (SCA)-certified and NSA Type-1 certified wideband manpack radio system.

"The continued deployment of the AN/PRC-117G radio will provide more Marines with the advanced interoperable communications they need for current and future mission success," said Brendan O'Connell, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications. "The radio expands the availability of next-generation combat applications that will result in better coordination and communication in the heat of battle. In addition, AN/PRC-117G is software-defined, offering the flexibility to continuously and rapidly deliver on evolving requirements and emerging mission needs."

The AN/PRC-117G is also upgradeable via new Harris Mission Modules, which provide additional functionality such as a second wideband channel. The Mission Modules attach to the AN/PRC-117G through an open, standardized and interchangeable architecture. This allows users to take only the capabilities they need into the field, while optimizing size, weight and power capabilities.

The Falcon III AN/PRC-117G and the entire Falcon III family of radios are becoming the standard for advanced tactical communications throughout the world, having been widely adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense, federal agencies and key allies such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

The AN/PRC-117G manpack radio was developed following the U.S. Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program's Enterprise Business Model (EBM). The EBM encourages companies to develop next-generation solutions in tactical communications using their own investment capital. In doing so, the EBM encourages competition, increases innovation, reduces costs and speeds development of important capabilities.

defpro

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Navistar Defense Receives $123 Million MRAP Order


WARRENVILLE, Ill. | Navistar Defense, LLC announced Dec. 10 that it received a $123 million delivery order for an additional 175 International MaxxPro Dash vehicles with DXM independent suspension. The order from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command also includes parts for the company’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

The MaxxPro Dash award comes on the heels of the company’s November 22 award for MaxxPro Recovery vehicles. Navistar has continued to grow its product offerings by leveraging its current commercial capabilities and assets, which includes the proven commercial International WorkStar platform. This business strategy not only allows the company to respond quickly to vehicle orders, but it simplifies the integration of vehicle enhancements and the development of new truck variants.

“We are honored to provide additional MaxxPro Dash vehicles so soon after receiving last month’s award for Recovery vehicles,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “This award is an element in a strategy that allows us to build our business around a revenue base of $1.5 to $2.0 billion. Another important element is our commitment to keeping warfighters safe.”

Since 2007, the company has been contracted to produce more than 8,000 (7,839 + 175) MaxxPro MRAP units. While the MaxxPro family of vehicles has contributed to Navistar’s growth into new markets, the company has received orders for more than 30,000 vehicles since 2004. This includes sales of the MaxxPro, International MXT, as well as vehicles based on the International PayStar and WorkStar platforms.

MaxxPro Dash vehicles are powered by MaxxForce 9.3D engines. Production of the new units will be completed by Summer 2011.

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Citation :

One Heavy Lifts Another



Posted 12/15/2010
A CH-53E Super Stallion with the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (Reduced) (Reinforced) Flying Tigers returns to Forward Operating Base Jalalabad, Afghanistan to deliver a disabled H-47 Chinook for repairs Dec. 10. The Flying Tigers, based out of Camp Bastion, flew across the country to conduct the mission. Their Super Stallions are the only aircraft in country capable of a 23,500 pound external lift. Photo by Sgt. Derek B. Carlson

CUTAWAY: AH-1Z Viper enters production as substantially new aircraft

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Initially envisioned as an effort to modernise the drive train of the US Marine Corps' (USMC) veteran fleet of Bell AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters, the AH-1Z Viper has essentially evolved into a new aircraft.

The helicopter, which was developed alongside its close cousin, the UH-1Y, is a significant technological leap over its predecessor. The new airframe offers increased aerodynamic performance and exponentially more sophisticated avionics. The service hopes to procure some 226 AH-1Zs, including 58 new-build airframes and 168 machines remanufactured from the AH-1W.

For the USMC, the appeal of the "Zulu" is focused on the logistical advantages of the UH-1Y/AH-1Z combination; there are those, however, who question the value of this arrangement.

The H-1 programme originated largely because the Marines wanted to avoid ever taking any [Sikorsky] H-60s," says Richard Aboulafia, an analyst at the Teal Group, a Washington DC-based consultancy.

"Taking H-60s would have been enormously sensible in terms of costs, capabilities and intra-service commonality, but it would have jeopardised the [Bell Boeing] V-22 requirement, which was the Marines' highest priority," Aboulafia says.

Further, the US Army's Boeing AH-64D Apache, which is a direct competitor to the AH-1Z on the market, is arguably a superior attack platform.

Comparatively, the Apache possesses roughly equal manoeuverability, but greater range and payload, although the Zulu is faster. More importantly, one experienced army aviator opines that the AH-64D also offers a superior sensor suite.

The AH-1Z, which entered full-rate production on 28 November, has an estimated unit cost of $27 million. While this is projected to decline as production ramps up, the aircraft will still roughly match the $25 million price tag of the AH-64D.

"I think the most important differences are not directly related to aircraft performance," Aboulafia says. "The Apache's much larger user base guarantees a more ambitious and robust product upgrade roadmap than the Zulu. It also guarantees easier and less costly logistics and training. And the Apache's heavier production volume means better manufacturing economics, which reduces some of the Zulu's original appeal as a less costly machine. On the other hand, a customer that preferred a strategic relationship with the US Marines over the army might find the Zulu an appealing product".

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Col Harry Hewson, H-1 upgrades programme manager for the US Naval Air Systems Command, argues that the USMC, in nine separate studies - some as recent as 2006 - had concluded the UH-1Y/AH-1Z combination is the most cost-effective means to meet the service's unique operational requirements.

Because a single squadron type operates both machines, commonality between the two airframes during USMC expeditionary operations is far more important than usually across the Department of Defense.

"Eighty-four percent of the components are identical. The same part number can be used on one or the other. That's really one of the strong selling points for this programme," Hewson says. "The Marine Corps exists to operate in an expeditionary environment, being able to pack up and go some place and operate without a lot of support machines for extended periods. So getting your logistics footprint down to as small as possible is critical."


Increased commonality means that personnel costs can also be reduced, he argues. "Now you only have to train one flavour of avionics guy, or one flavour of rotor and powerplant guy. The skills sets focus down much more, which means when you go on some extended operation at some remote site, you can take fewer people."

The reduced number of support troops and associated facilities helps to lower the operating cost of the aircraft over the course of its service life.

While the AH-1Z retains the classic lines of its forebears, one change is immediately apparent to those familiar with the Cobra. Gone are the distinctive two-bladed metal rotors, instead the Zulu boasts a state-of-the-art four-bladed system.

"It's all composite, basically carbon-fibre and epoxy. It's fully rigid," Hewson says, adding that the blades are connected to a bearing-less rotor hub. The rotor hub itself is composed of two fiberglass yokes, which accommodate blade flapping, lead-lag and pitch changes.

The yokes allow for the elimination of all bearings, hinges and vibration absorbers, which would otherwise be required. The new system utilises 75% fewer parts than conventional articulated rotors, significantly reducing its weight. The new blades also provide tangible performance benefits.

"It's an extremely responsive rotor system for manoeuverability, and, of course, a four-bladed system is quite a bit more aerodynamically efficient than a two-bladed system. We're getting quite a bit more performance out of them," Hewson says. While the new rotors boost the aircraft's manoeuverability, the system also increases the helicopter's cruise speed and improves handling characteristics.

The new rotor system is not without its problems, however, he admits. Several rotor components are falling far short of the original 10,000h goal. The rotor cuff, for example, must be replaced after 1,200 flight hours. The programme will redesign the cuff and yoke to improve durability.

However, Hewson adds: "It remains a very high performance rotor head with very high response rates and minimal recurring maintenance."

The Zulu replaces the twin General Electric T700-401 engines found on the AH-1W, which produce 1,680shp (1,250kW) each, with a pair of new T700-401Cs, each producing almost 1,830shp.

While the new engines provide a combined total of almost 3,660shp, the aircraft's transmission is flat-rated for 2,350shp.

"When you look at that, you say, jeez, the transmission can't handle everything the engines can give it," Hewson says. "However, that's at sea level on a standard day. Take it up high into the mountains, the power available running through the engines starts to be degraded by the thinner air, and at that point the transmission and engines match up pretty well." The Zulu can easily hover out of ground effect even in the high elevations and hot climate found in Afghanistan, he notes. Typically, the aircraft will cruise at around 135-140kt (250-260km/h) in a combat configuration while the maximum dash speed is "around 180kt," Hewson says.

Above 180kt, the AH-1Z is limited by parasitic drag. Compared to the AH-1W, "you get either twice the payload in ordnance, or, you can trade some of that and you get twice the range in fuel carriage," according to Hewson.

Another significant enhancement is the new automatic flight control system (AFCS), which stops short of a fly-by-wire system. The AFCS instead "beefs up" the hydraulically-assisted flight controls.

More importantly, the ballistics tolerance of the control system has been significantly expanded, Hewson says. Materials published by Bell Helicopter suggest the controls can withstand 23mm cannon fire. The AFCS also incorporates a four-axis stability control augmentation system, which helps dampen attitude, roll, yaw and the collective.

"In straight and level flight, you can engage that, it's basically an autopilot. You can take your hands off the controls and fly it comfortably hands-off," Hewson says.

The aircraft's AFCS autopilot and navigation systems are precise enough to allow hands-free flight during the hover, which is typically the most difficult flight regime for helicopter pilots.

Hewson, a veteran Cobra pilot, attributes the astonishing capability to the aircraft's advanced software and extremely sensitive embedded GPS/inertial navigation system.

Inside the glass cockpit, most of the avionics hardware is common to both the UH-1Y and the AH-1Z, with only minor variations. The five-display layout includes two 152mm x 203mm (6in x 8in) multi-function screens for each pilot, plus a 102mm x 102mm screen.

BINOCULAR VIEW

The Thales Top Owl helmet, meanwhile, also displays information for heads-up flying in both day and night operations. The helmet display provides a 40e_SDgr binocular field of view and can display forward-looking infrared and video imagery to the pilot. The system can also overlay targeting data and navigational information directly into the pilot's line of sight.

While the Top Owl is capable of 24h operations, the USMC has opted not to use this feature operationally in the fleet. "At night time, we still use conventional night vision goggles. It took a lot of testing and a lot of debate, but the resounding opinion across all Marine aviators is that there is nothing better out there than night vision goggles," Hewson says. "So that's what we decided to stick with."

The AH-1Z also introduces the Lockheed Martin AAQ-30 Target Sight System (TSS), which incorporates a FLIR, digital colour TV camera and a laser designator. The sensor allows the AH-1Z to act as an armed reconnaissance platform in addition to its traditional role as an attack helicopter.

While the TSS is built on a production line co-located with the Apache's Arrowhead sensor, the systems only share a few common components.

The armaments package for the AH-1Z has not appreciably changed from what is currently found on the AH-1W. The aircraft carries a 20mm turret-mounted cannon, which can be slaved to the pilot's helmet-mounted sights. Additionally, the Zulu can also carry a mix of rocket pods, Lockheed AGM-114 Hellfires and Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. A total of 16 Hellfires can be carried, yielding a payload similar to the AH-64D.

In the future, additional weapons will be integrated onto the gunship, including the advanced precision kill weapon system and follow-on missiles.

One area where the AH-1Z is lagging is in terms of its communications and networking systems. Hewson explains: "What we're doing right now is just voice. We can do all the digital encryption and talk on all the voice radios, but data itself, we're not linking. We've got some plans that we are doing some lab work on to come up with some good data link type stuff. But one thing we are doing that we are putting on AH-1W right now - the AH-1W is still going to be around for another 10, 12 years - we're putting something we call the tactical video data link on there. This will take the sensor video that's on the AH-1W and broadcast that down to a forward air controller who has a ROVER system. We can also receive video from another Cobra, a [Boeing] F/A-18 or [Boeing AV-8B] Harrier who has a Litening pod, or if we get a frequency match, we can look at what a UAV [unmanned air vehicle] is looking at, but not control it".

For the future, new data links are very much on the agenda, Hewson says.

Flight International

Citation :

US Marine Corps F-35 Programme Receives Additional Funding


The US Marine Corps F-35 joint strike fighter has been given an additional $4.6bn funding boost and put on a two-year probation.
The funding and delay in purchase will help Lockheed to demonstrate the fighter's reliability, which could lead to a redesign of the aircraft's structure and propulsion.
The Marines' F-35 joint strike fighter is designed for short take-off and vertical-landing from smaller amphibious warfare vessels, as well as landings on improvised airstrips, and will replace the 25-year-old AV-B Harrier.
The F-35, Pentagon's biggest weapons project, is four years behind schedule and the cost estimate per aircraft has doubled from the original $50m.
The Pentagon is developing three versions of the aircraft in the $382bn programme and the navy plans to buy 371 Marine Corps versions of the 680, according to Bloomberg.

naval-technology

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Citation :

By Amy Butler Amarillo, Hurst and Fort Worth, Texas

A decade after first flight, the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z attack helicopter finally graduated from a turbulent operational evaluation and is being readied for its first shipboard deployment. The service plans to field the AH-1Z Vipers, commonly known as Zulus, with a Marine Expeditionary Unit in November. It will operate alongside its sister aircraft, the UH-1Y Venom, dubbed the Yankee, which achieved initial operational capability in 2008. This deployment will be the first time the Marines are able to blend the capabilities of these new utility and attack aircraft—and their improved performance—into a single Marine light helicopter attack squadron during operations at sea. Soon thereafter, the Zulus are likely to head inland to support soldiers in Afghanistan. Progress on the U.S. Navy’s $12.1-billion H-1 upgrade program had been slow and riddled with management, fabrication and reliability problems only a few years ago. But prime contractor Bell Helicopter, a division of Textron, has smoothed out performance on the program as part of a larger effort to be more responsive to customer needs and deliver aircraft on schedule and budget (see p. 44). The Zulu portion of the H-1 program comprises 189 aircraft, 131 of which will be remanufactured AH-1W Super Cobras. Many Ws are operating in support of troops in Afghanistan, so buying new Zs takes priority over pulling Ws out of the fleet for modification. The service is now 52 attack helicopters short of its requirement, so purchasing 58 new helicopters leaves little margin for attrition, says Col. Scott McGowan, Marine Corps aviation plans branch chief. The Zulu provides a major capability boost, including a shift to four- from two-blade main and tail rotors and an improved weapons load. Also part of the package are a next-generation Lockheed Martin targeting sight system and fully integrated avionics with a new Northrop Grumman mission computer as well as a glass cockpit. For those “Whiskeys” being converted, the Marines are using a remanufactured T700-GE-401 engine. The new Zulus will have the 401C engine, which will provide a significant performance improvement in high/hot conditions, such as those now hampering helicopter operations in Afghanistan. The remanufactured Zs are likely to receive the new 401Cs eventually, although firm plans are not yet set, Bell officials say. The “moneymaker” on the Zulu will be the new AN-AAQ-30 targeting system, says Kevin Kett, H-1 program manager at Bell’s Amarillo, Texas, military aircraft facility. “This is the whole heart and soul of the aircraft,” he notes. It is the same system now in use on the Marine Corps Harvest Hawk, a suppressive-fires palette configured for use on the KC-130J aerial refueler. On the Zulu, the system operates with the 20-mm. nose-mounted gun, rockets and Hellfire missiles. “The target-sight system can out-range any of the weapon systems that are being deployed against this thing. We can now see things out at a distance where somebody can’t shoot back at us,” says Richard Linhart, vice president of military business development at Bell. “It takes the Zulu back into the urban game, because now we don’t have to blow up a whole building. . . . With a thermobaric Hellfire, if we hit the building [today], there is a good chance that building will end up coming down.” This new targeting system can smoothly zoom in on a target with high definition; the existing system simply offers a stepped zoom feature, says Hank Perry, H-1 business development manager. “You can really reach out much farther than you could before.” This feature will allow for Zulu operators to detect and identify a target from a safe standoff range. By contrast, Army pilots using the Apache Block II aircraft are required to “physically have an eyeball on the target to identify it before they can shoot it,” Perry says. With the Zulu, the “Marines will be ahead of the Army, which hasn’t happened in a long, long time,” Linhart adds. This will be the case until Boeing’s Apache Block III reaches service in mid-2013. The Zulu’s larger pylon will support two wingtip stations for the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile and four universal weapons stations (capable of carrying Hellfires, rockets and AIM-9s). The AH-1W now has two universal pylon positions

In the meantime, Bell is planning to ramp up its international marketing campaign for the Yankee and Zulu in hopes of securing business before Apache Block III can take the aircraft on directly. Bell CEO John Garrison says the near-term focus will be to sell to countries already operating H-1 variants; but he adds that there will be opportunities to capture new customers in the Middle East and Asia.
Linhart says Bell intends to underbid the current Apache model and Eurocopter Tiger HAD, which is being fielded in France and Spain. However, with the near-term focus on adding volume to the USMC fleet, production slots are not likely to emerge for foreign customers until 2012 at the earliest.
Reduced training and logistics costs are one advantage the Marines hope to realize by merging the Huey and Super Cobra upgrade programs. Bell officials say they exceeded the original goal of 70% parts commonality on the two aircraft. Perry says 84% of the parts are “interchangeable by part number. . . . You can even interchange the tail booms; whereas on previous aircraft, between the Whiskey and November, there was very little in common,” Linhart notes. The last UH-1Ns rolled off the production line in 1979, with the attack helos following as late as 1993. Until the mid-1990s, “they were going down separate paths of upgrading,” Perry says.
The savings will emerge as these two helicopters, with their complementary missions, begin to operate in the same squadrons. Because the Yankee’s performance exceeded expectations, the Marine Corps shifted the composition of those squadrons. Today, each has 18 AH-1Ws and nine UH-1Ns; future units will include 15 AH-1Zs and 12 UH-1Ys. “Cobra is optimized for precision weapons. Yankee will never do that as well,” McGowan says. “But when you add it all up across the full spectrum of combat operations, . . . it looks like a better mix for us.”
“They will fill [the Yankee] up with gas and carry weapons. On the way out there to drop off their cargo, they will [get] a call [and] they will go in and lay some fire and then go drop their stuff off,” Kett says. “With the November today, they say, ‘Sorry, we can’t help you.’ . . . When they do their missions with a November, they either have to offload people, fuel or ammunition” because it is so underpowered in Afghanistan.
With the Zulu, the Marines will be able to “carry twice the amount at the same range or carry the current load twice as far,” he adds.
These improvements did not come to fruition without frustration. The Zulu went through three separate operational evaluation phases, the second of which was halted by the Marine Corps because some production parts were not ready. Bell also encountered major assembly problems mating remanufactured November cabins for the Yankee; the company eventually decided to use all-new Yankee cabin structures built by L-3 Communications in Crestview, Fla. Trying to apply modern, three-dimensional modeling to parts built in the 1970s was “like putting socks on a rooster,” Kett says. These new cabins were brought into final assembly in production Lot 3.
At issue for the Zulu’s development were various management, software and reliability issues, says Col. Harry Hewson, Naval Air Systems Command’s H-1 project manager.
These and other issues at Bell prompted Delores Etter, the former procurement chief for the Navy, to examine alternatives to the H-1 upgrade in the event of a termination. The ­company was also one of only two contractors decertified from the Pentagon’s Earned Value Management ­System, which is the standard tool used to track and audit a company’s cost and schedule performance. These issues have since been resolved, and the Zulu was finally deemed suitable and effective last year; the Pentagon approved full-rate production in late November.
Bell is delivering aircraft in Lot 7 now. Nineteen H-1s were handed over in 2010 as planned, says Michael Scruggs, vice president of Bell’s military aircraft assembly and delivery operations. To date, 36 Yankees and 13 Zulus have been delivered. In July, Bell selected Kaman Aerostructures in Jacksonville, Fla., to fabricate cabins for the 58 new-build Zulus. The first of these is included in Lot 7. Lot 8, now being negotiated between Bell and the Pentagon, will include 19 Yankees, eight remanufactured Zulus and three new attack variants. Bell officials are eyeing a multiyear buy of H-1s, possibly in Fiscal 2014, to stabilize work for suppliers and reduce the price of the helicopter.

Citation :

M1A1 Dust Storm



Posted 1/15/2011
Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward) fire the main cannon of an M1A1 Abrams tank during a range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines are part of the first tank unit to deploy to Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson

l'Abrams en A-stan ...

Citation :

LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), fires the main cannon of an M1A1 Abrams tank during a range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines fired multiple rounds to align their sights and prepare their tanks for upcoming missions.