US Army

Rappel du premier message :

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« J'aime les USA, et je combats pour elle», c'est ainsi que Lamia Lahlou commente son adhésion à l'armée américaine, et sa participation à la guerre contre l'iraq- depuis déjà 8 mois-. Née au Maroc en 1986, Lamia Lahlou rejoint l'armée américaine 3 ans après les attentats du 11 septembre 2001.

Tempérée par sa propre volonté, «la marocaine», ne mâche pas ses mots pour affirmer que ce pas emboité s'inscrit dans le cadre d'un «vrai Jihad». Rapporte une idéo diffusée largement sur Internet (Voir ci-aprés).

Choquée par la mort de sa meilleure amie, Lamia croit dur comme fer que l'adhésion à l'armée américaine est le seul et unique moyen susceptible de calmer le feu de sa vengeance.

A noter que les USA continuent à «renforcer » son armée via le recrutement des marocains, à l'heure où ALQIADIA ciblent d'autres recrues du Maroc vers la Hollande et la Belgique, tout en passant par la Syrie, l'Espagne et l'Iraq.

source: emarrakech.info

Rafi

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Bell starts up helo demonstrator to boost Kiowa Warrior
Bell Helicopter is building a new demonstrator aircraft to prove the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior can remain a viable, long-term option even as the US Army seeks a huge boost in performance.

Inside Bell's Xworx advanced programmes group, a re-acquired 206B1 JetRanger is being heavily modified. First, the aircraft will be converted into the OH-58D design on which the 206B is based.

Then Bell's staff will install a new engine with 50% more power than the 650shp Rolls-Royce Model 250 CR30. Honeywell has provided a 975shp HTS900-2, the engine originally built to power the now-cancelled Bell ARH-70 armed reconnaissance helicopter.

With the extra power, Bell's Xworx team hopes to show the army that the OH-58D can be upgraded to meet the army's potential demand for an aircraft that can hover out of ground effect at 6,000ft on a 35ºC (95ºF) day.
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Michael Miller, executive director of Bell's military aircraft operations, concedes the goal may be difficult to achieve.

"I don't think it will hit that" performance target, Miller says.

But Bell wants to prove that the OH-58D has the growth capacity to approach the army's emerging needs for a more powerful scout helicopter.

Integrating the HTS900-2 engine requires other major changes for the OH-58D, Miller says. For the demonstrator, Xworx is integrating the transmission from the 407 and the tail rotor from the 427 helicopters. The engine cowling for the HTS900-2 also is significantly larger.
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Miller declined to provide a timeline for first flight of the demonstrator. A tour of the aircraft on the shop floor at Xworx showed that the cabin structure is nearly complete, but the engine, power system and cockpit systems have not yet been integrated.

The full-scale demonstrator - a first for Bell in several years - will join several candidates for a possible future army contract.

The army is still considering options for an armed aerial scout (AAS) helicopter that may replace the OH-58D. An analysis of alternatives is scheduled to be completed by April 2011.

The Kiowa Warrior remains in heavy demand in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the type's limits are showing. The OH-58D was introduced in the early 1980s as an interim scout helicopter, but two attempts to replace it with the RAH-66 Comanche and ARH-70 Arapaho have failed.

Meanwhile, EADS North America has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to offer the AS645 scout helicopter, which is based on the Eurocopter EC145. Boeing also has proposed the stretched AH-6S Little Bird. Sikorsky, however, is offering the high-speed X2 compound helicopter.

Flight International

un bon helico discret de recce&combat le Kiowa Warrior,je le verrai bien couplé avec AH-6 little bird

C'est clair

je le verré plutot avc de AH1..

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Lockheed Martin wins $48 million contract for hardware production from U.S. Army


Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 30 a $48,758,105 firm-fixed-price contract for Army/Marine Corps and foreign military sales requirements for fiscal 2009 Javelin hardware production requirement. Work is to be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (50 percent), and Orlando, Fla. (50 percent), with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone, Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.
-- Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Sept. 30 a $42,721,848 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for an award of Army/Marine Corps requirements for life cycle contractor support services for Javelin hardware returned from the field for maintenance. Work is to be performed in Los Angeles, Calif. (40 percent), and Orlando, Fla. (60 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.

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Boeing awarded $43 million contract for cargo helicopters from U.S. Army


The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 30 a $43,526,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The purpose of this contract modification is to exercise the option for two CH-47F new Chinook cargo helicopters. Work is to be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-CH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.
-- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Sept. 29 a $37,822,935 firm-fixed-price contract. This procurement is for the exercise of an option to purchase two UH-60M aircraft and one HH-60M aircraft for the Army. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2012. One sole-source bid was solicited. U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.
-- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Sept. 29 a $34,587,928 firm-fixed-price contract. This procurement is for the exercise of an option to purchase three UH-60M aircraft for the Department of State. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2012.

defenseworld

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The US Air Force has performed its first flight with a Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle from the type’s newest operating location – Andersen AFB, Guam.

Performed on 7 October, the sortie was the first to have been made with the UAV since its arrival at the base from Beale AFB, California on 20 September following an 18h ferry flight.

The USAF expects to have at least three Block 30 Global Hawks permanently based at Andersen AFB, with Northrop expecting the fleet to become operational early next year.


Both images © Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/US Air Force

Capable of flying at up to 60,000ft (18,300m) and for more than 30h, the high-altitude, long-endurance type is equipped with a signals intelligence-gathering payload.

Flightglobal.com

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BAE snares Silver Fox support deal

The US Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded BAE Systems a contract worth $3.9 million to provide continued support services for its Silver Fox unmanned aircraft systems.

The company says it will provide systems maintenance and engineering, plus logistics support, personnel training and other services for the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance type.

“Silver Fox systems have demonstrated their value with real-time intelligence that has saved lives,” says Gordon Eldridge, BAE’s acting vice-president and general manager of aerospace solutions.

The Silver Fox was designed by US firm Advanced Ceramics Research, which was acquired last year by BAE Systems Inc for around $14 million. Featuring an autonomous take-off and landing capability, the design can be assembled and operated by two people and has a 2.4m (7.8ft) wingspan, BAE says.


© BAE Systems

Maximum take-off weight is 11.4kg (25lb) including a 2.2kg payload, such as a gimballed electro-optical or infrared video camera with a relay range of 37km (20nm). Maximum endurance is up to 8h.

Flightglobal.com

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U.S. Army Expects to Field XM2010 Sniper Rifle in January

Col. Douglas Tamilio, program manager for Soldier weapons, with the new XM2010 sniper rifle. Upgrade kits for M4 come in 2011 WASHINGTON | The U.S. Army expects to field the new sniper rifle, the XM2010, by January. And conversion kits for the M4 rifle will come next year. A panel of program managers from Program Executive Office Soldier met Oct. 14 at the Pentagon to discuss the status of several programs in the PEO's portfolio. Included in the discussion was the status of the new sniper rifle, development of the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern uniform for use in Afghanistan, Mounted Soldier System development, and the improvement program for the M4 carbine. Col. Douglas Tamilio, program manager for Soldier Weapons, said the Army will do a request for proposal in the next three or four months to complete the Army's acquisition objective for M4 rifles. That RFP will include more than 14,000 M4A1 rifles -- an improvement over the M4 Soldiers currently use. "What the M4A1 gives our Soldiers is a heavy barrel and fully automatic -- that's what the field is asking for," Tamilio said. The M4A1 also features ambidextrous controls. The Army already has a contract with Colt to produce the rifles. The second contract, in the next fiscal quarter, will help the Army complete its AAO and will include additional rifles for both foreign military sales and to meet other Army requirements. Tamilio also said the Army will work a contract to procure some 65,000 kits in FY 2011 to convert M4s already in the field to the M4A1. Other phases of M4 improvement involve a better bolt and rail. "I think we can get significant increases in reliability by looking at some new enhancements to bolts," Tamilio said. "Because a lot of companies have shown some bolts over the last year or so that have got, we think, improvement. We're going to ask industry to give us their best." Tamilio also said fielding of the new sniper rifle, called the XM2010 -- the name is a departure from the Army's formally two- or three- digit weapon naming scheme -- has come quickly. "In less than a year we're going to be fielding a piece of equipment that is going to add to the lethality of our Soldiers in the field," he said. The XM2010 is an improvement on the M24 sniper rifle system. A contract for production of the system was recently awarded to manufacturer Remington. Tamilio said it's expected fielding will happen in January. The new rifle features a suppressor to allow Soldiers to fire the weapon in a suppressed environment and to also reduce muzzle flash. Also included, a fluted, free-floating barrel to give Soldiers more accuracy and heat dissipation. The weapon also sits on an improved bipod, Tamilio said, and features a modular rail system. "(You can) screw a 1913 rail adaptor anywhere on here," Tamilio said. The system is unique in that it allows Soldiers to install a laser aiming device, for instance, and run the cord for that device inside the rail so they can install a activation button. The included scope also features a reticle that will adjust based on the scope's zoom factor to maintain accuracy, is magazine-fed, has a 1,200 meter range, and a fully adjustable and collapsible butt stock. "The key behind this weapons system -- the developments and improvements were built on what the snipers asked for," Tamilio said. Col. William Cole, program manager for Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment, said the Army is focused on a world-wide solution for Soldier uniforms -- an Army combat uniform available in patterns and colors that allows Soldiers to operate in nearly any environment. Phase four of Army uniform development calls for three uniform patterns of similar geometry but different colors that allow Soldiers to operate in a desert environment, a woodland environment, and in a "transitional" environment in between those two. Additionally, the Army is looking for a fourth color set that compliments all three of those pallets that can be used for organizational clothing and equipment such as modular lightweight load-carrying equipment, rucksacks and the improved outer tactical vest. Those kinds of issued clothing are more durable and more expensive. Unlike a Soldier's ACU, the Army would like to be able to reissue OCIE. "We can't afford to keep replacing OCIE every time we send Soldiers to a different part of the world," Cole said. The colonel said that the new patterns will be based on science, including both photo simulation and field testing, as well as efforts to determine such things as how close an observer must be before seeing a Soldier wearing the patterns. Also a factor will be time to detection -- at a given distance how long does it take for an observer to see a Soldier in the patterns. "It won't be a fashion show or a beauty contest," Cole said. "It's going to be real objective data, measurable data, that we can replicate." Currently, the Army is focused on outfitting Soldiers in Afghanistan with the fire resistant Army combat uniform in the new Operation Enduring Freedom combat pattern, or OCP. That pattern was specially designed for the unique requirements of that theater. It's expected by December all the uniforms that are needed to outfit Soldiers in Afghanistan will have been distributed, though getting them into the hands of the Soldiers that will wear them could be complicated by the operations tempo there, PEO officials said. Additionally, they said not every Soldier in Afghanistan will actually get the FRACU in OCP, based on the time they will have left in theater. Col. Will Riggins, project manager for Soldier Warrior, said the Nett Warrior system is now undergoing limited user testing at Fort Riley, Kan. Three different versions of the system, from three competing defense contractors, are being tested by Soldiers there. The Nett Warrior system is worn on a Soldier's body and will provide "unparalleled situational awareness" to Soldiers on the ground. The system includes a radio, a helmet-mounted display and a hand-held data input device. The wiring for the system is integrated into a protective vest. With Nett Warrior, Soldiers will be able to see their location, the location of their fellow Soldiers, and the location of known enemies on a moving map. "This is not something you hang on a Soldier and say go out and fight," said Riggins. "It truly changes the basic methodology of how you fight, how you command and control, how you share information on the battlefield." Riggins said the Army's Training and Doctrine Command is now in the process of writing doctrine to describe use for the system. He also said he believes development of the Nett Warrior program is where it should be. "We're still on track, as we have been for a while now, for a milestone C low-rate initial production in March 2011," he said. Riggins also discussed development of the Mounted Soldier System program. He said the system is in developmental testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and will move into a limited user test at Fort Bliss, Texas, with the Army Evaluation Task Force in either May or June, followed by an LRIP decision in August or September. The Mounted Soldier System includes a helmet-mounted-display that can attach Soldiers to up to five video feeds, a cordless communications system and a system to keep Soldiers cool under their uniforms and protective gear. "The temperature extremes we deal with in Iraq and Afghanistan and in various places around the world where we are deployed are intense," Riggins said. Inside a vehicle, he said, it can get as hot as 120-130 degrees, because of limited air movement and the extra heat generated by electronic equipment. The cooling system consists of a vest, worn as close to the body as possible, that contains cooling tubes connected to a water chiller and circulator on the vehicle. Riggins said development of the system comes from lessons learned from the Air Warrior system and in terms of "the loss of awareness and capability when you are on extended five- or six- multi-hour missions and how much better Soldiers can perform when their core body temperature is kept at a reasonable level." Riggins also discussed how such systems can be powered and power options the Army is looking at for other systems. He said lithium ion power in batteries is about "state of the art" and has maxed out the current capability for power density -- the amount of power that can be delivered for a battery's physical size. "What we haven't done well is shape those batteries so they integrate on a Soldiers form," Riggins said. Now, he said, the Army is looking at shaping batteries to fit the Soldier form. One example is a battery that is shaped like an enhanced small arms protective insert. He said in the IOTV there is room behind the protective plates to insert such a battery. "It makes a great difference -- it integrates better," Riggins said. "When you put a rucksack on, you don't have that brick pressing on your back." The ESAPI-shaped battery will be demonstrated at Fort Riley as part of the Nett Warrior LUT. He said because the battery is bigger when it's the size of a plate, it also affects the mission. "Instead of having an eight- or 12-hour mission time, like we currently have with Nett Warrior, we're looking at one of those ESAPI-sized plates being a 24-hour mission capability -- so great promise there, and more Soldier-friendly at the same time," Riggins said.

defpro

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Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is increasing the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicle (FHTV) fleet with the addition of 1,200 trucks following orders from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC). The bulk of the orders are for the Oshkosh Palletized Load System (PLS) A1, a next-generation truck that gives soldiers improved mobility and protection capabilities.
“The heavy tactical trucks that we supply to the U.S. Army have evolved with technological advancements over the years to meet the changing threats and demands of the modern battlefield,” said Mike Ivy, vice president and general manager of Army Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “Whether Iraq, Afghanistan or any other location in the world, the Army can count on Oshkosh for on-time delivery of quality products backed by best-in-class sustainment services. We're proud to serve the men and women who serve our nation”.
The PLS is the backbone of the Army’s distribution and resupply system. Built to transport ammunition and other critical supplies needed in battle, the PLS has proven its ability in front-line resupply missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Together, the PLS truck and trailer form a complete system that reduces the need for forklifts or other material-handling equipment. The Long-Term Armor Strategy (LTAS)-compliant PLS A1 can accept add-on armor and uses an Oshkosh TAK-4 independent front suspension for improved off-road mobility.
Oshkosh will deliver more than 1,050 PLS A1 trucks under the orders, as well as nearly 150 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4s. Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by August 2012. The combined orders are valued at more than $459 million.

defenseworld

Cyrax a écrit:

Je ne sais pas ce que vous leur trouvez franchement?

Un prof nous a dit un jour que les USA engage des soldats étrangers pour diminuer les pertes chez les yankees de souches...
et cela en échange de la nationalité...

je me demande si quelqu'un ici peut confirmer ou démentir il me rendra un grand service ^^

Morrocan phoenix a écrit:

Cyrax a écrit:

Je ne sais pas ce que vous leur trouvez franchement?

Un prof nous a dit un jour que les USA engage des soldats étrangers pour diminuer les pertes chez les yankees de souches...
et cela en échange de la nationalité...

je me demande si quelqu'un ici peut confirmer ou démentir il me rendra un grand service ^^

en quoi celà pourrait-il te rendre un service?

il veut s´engager pour combattre l´axe du mal

Citation :

Un prof nous a dit un jour que les USA engage des soldats étrangers pour diminuer les pertes chez les yankees de souches...
et cela en échange de la nationalité...

je me demande si quelqu'un ici peut confirmer ou démentir il me rendra un grand service ^^

oui c'est vrais la plus part sont des latinos

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-04-08-noncitizen-usat_x.htm

Non, les Etats-Unis accordent aux étrangers en situation régulière la possibilité de servir dans l'armée américaine, mais ne recrutent pas de soldats étrangers. Oui, un étranger qui a servi dans les rangs US peut devenir citoyen américain grâce à à son engagement. Les Etats-Unis ont toujours eu des soldats étrangers qui servaient dans les rangs de l'armée.

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L-3 Receives $92.4 Million Award for the U.S. Army's Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System (BAIS)

15:47 GMT, October 26, 2010 NEW YORK | L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Communication Systems-East (CS-East) division has been awarded a $92.4 million multi-year, firm fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract by the U.S. Army for its Battlefield Anti-Intrusion System (BAIS). The BAIS is a compact, sensor-based early warning system that is used by small tactical units for force protection and situational awareness. The BAIS can be used either as a tactical stand-alone system or as a supplemental device for other security missions. To date, the U.S. Army has fielded approximately 1,800 out of a total requirement of approximately 8,200 BAIS systems. "This award continues our legacy of developing important and innovative force protection solutions on behalf of our warfighters," said Val Snyder, president of L-3 CS-East. "We are honored to continue providing the U.S. Army with reliable, lightweight unattended ground sensor products used in both combat and logistics operations." The scope of this effort consists of fabrication, first article testing and delivery of production systems for the BAIS program. It also includes associated program management and logistics services, such as training, publications and other materials necessary to field and maintain the system.

defpro

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Boeing Receives US Army Contract for Low Rate Initial Production of AH-64D Apache Block III



October 25, 2010 by Rob Vogelaar · Leave a Comment



MESA, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2010 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a $247 million contract to begin Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter, the most advanced multi-role combat helicopter in the world. The contract, signed by the U.S. government on Oct. 22, covers production of eight Apache Block III helicopters in the Lot 1 configuration.

An Acquisition Decision Memorandum signed by the Department of Defense on Oct. 7 authorized the program to enter the LRIP phase to produce 51 aircraft. The first LRIP delivery is scheduled for October 2011.

The Apache Block III helicopter enhances the capabilities of the combat-proven AH-64D Apache by delivering superior flight performance and dramatically increased networked communications capabilities.

“The road map for the Apache Block III program has been clearly defined and the U.S. Army and Boeing are successfully working together to provide these advanced attack helicopters to soldiers in the field,” said Lt. Col. Dan Bailey, Apache Block III product manager for the Army.

“Working together throughout the Apache Block III program’s system development and demonstration phase since 2006, the Army, Boeing and our industry teammates have achieved our objectives on cost and on schedule,” said Scott Rudy, Apache Block III program manager for Boeing. “I’m confident that the team will continue to effectively apply its collective expertise as the program moves into the production phase.”

The current Army acquisition objective is for 690 AH-64D Apache Block III aircraft. The helicopters will be assembled, flight tested and delivered from the Boeing Global Strike facility in Mesa.

Key enhancements for aviators will include an improved drive system featuring the 701D engine, composite main rotor blades and a new split-torque face gear transmission, as well as increased networked communications capabilities.

The Apache Block III features open systems architecture and 26 advanced technology improvements, including level 4 unmanned aerial vehicle control for increased situational awareness. This helicopter configuration has already demonstrated the flexibility to rapidly integrate technology changes throughout its service life.

“The Apache Block III helicopter program is the cornerstone of our U.S. Army customer’s plan of continued sustainment through modernization,” said Tommy Filler, acting vice president, Boeing Apache and AH-6 Programs.

Source and photo: Boeing

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DATE:27/10/10
SOURCE:Flight International
US Army inserts new fuselages for Block III Apache
By Stephen Trimble

The US Army has added new fuselages to the list of power and electronic upgrades planned for the Block III version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow.

The upgrade, scheduled to begin as full-rate production starts in fiscal year 2013, reduces the airframe design life to zero, says Mike Burke, Boeing's director of army rotorcraft business development.

Although the airframes will be new, army officials continue to insist the Block III programme is a remanufacturing project.

"We have had struggles getting people to understand that [the Block III version] is not a new aircraft," says Col Shane Openshaw, AH-64 project manager. "[The new airframe] is just one other element of a remanufactured aircraft that we're adding."

In the first two lots of low-rate initial production, Boeing reuses the airframe, but adds a new engine, rotor blades, drive train and avionics. As full-rate production begins, the airframe also will be new.

"There's still a healthy reused component on the remanufactured aircraft," Openshaw says. "If you just think about the fuselage as another line replaceable unit - it's a big one, size-wise. In terms of the cost and scope of the remanufacturing [programme], it's just an LRU."

First delivery of a production version of the Block III Apache is scheduled for October 2011. The army signed a $247 million contract on 22 October to buy the first aircraft in the first lot of LRIP.

Meanwhile, the army also is considering new upgrades beyond the Block III programme for its planned 690-aircraft Apache fleet. After integrating Lockheed Martin's modernised target acquisition detection system/pilot night vision system, the service now plans to replace the "day" systems on the aircraft's nose-mounted sensor.

The army first will start replacing a laser designator starting in FY2013, followed by the electro-optical camera several years later.

"There are things we are going to have to do this aircraft," Openshaw says. "I would say the book is open on what they could be."

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5.56 mm M855 small caliber ammunition.
ATK is the Primary Supplier of Small-Caliber Ammunition for U.S. Armed Forces
08:21 GMT, October 29, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS | ATK (NYSE: ATK) has received additional orders for small-caliber ammunition under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract with the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center. These orders total more than $213 million for a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and .50-caliber ammunition to be produced by ATK at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo.

ATK Small Caliber Systems is a global leader in affordable high-volume, high-quality manufacturing of small-caliber ammunition. Since 2000 when it began operating the Lake City plant, ATK has produced more than 10 billion rounds, while successfully executing the modernization of the facility.

defpro

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BAE Systems Reaches Milestone with Modernized Howitzer Vehicles

The Paladin Integrated Management vehicle leverages the capabilities and technologies of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

YORK, Pennsylvania | BAE Systems has delivered seven Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) prototype vehicles to the U.S. Army on schedule. PIM is the latest howitzer in the M109 Paladin family of vehicles.

BAE Systems was awarded a $63.9 million research and development contract in August 2009 to produce five Self Propelled Howitzers and two Carrier, Ammunition, Tracked vehicles. The first prototype vehicle was unveiled earlier this year in January.

“This landmark is really a testament of the great team we have assembled to work on this combat proven system,” said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) systems for BAE Systems. “With every job we strive to meet and exceed our customers’ requirements and expectations and thanks to the hard work and commitment of our employees we were able to meet that goal and even exceed it by producing some of the vehicles ahead of schedule.”

The initial PIM vehicles are conducting contractor testing in Yuma, Arizona and Aberdeen, Maryland before they are delivered to the customer beginning in January 2011.

The PIM uses the existing main armament and cab structure of a Paladin M109A6 and replaces the out-of-date chassis components with up-to-date components from Bradley Combat Systems. PIM incorporates a state-of the-art "digital backbone" and power generation capability and integrates electric elevation and traverse drives, electric rammer and digital fire control system. The upgrade of the PIM ensures commonality with existing systems in the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), and reduces its logistical footprint and operational sustainability costs by replacing obsolete components within the mobility chassis.

The Paladin Integrated Management vehicle is the first production vehicle equipped with the company's enhanced on-board power management capability, representing the first implementation of the U.S. Army's On Board Power Management requirement. BAE Systems’ enhanced on-board power management solution will double the electrical power of most military vehicles, exponentially increasing the mission effectiveness of ground forces in theatre.

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US Army plan to upgrade Counter-IED Robots


The U.S. Army is exploring ways to upgrade its fleet of roughly 3,000 small tactical robots in Iraq and Afghanistan designed to safeguard Soldiers by clearing buildings and caves and using sensors to sweep areas for Improvised Explosive Devices, service officials said.

New technologies bring the promise of deploying small robots which can search for bombs, map areas and detect hazardous materials -- all with little or no tele-operation or human intervention.

"We are moving along that spectrum from tele-operating to semi-autonomy where you can send a robot from point A to point B without any intervention. If it has a problem, it will pop up and indicate it has found an obstacle," said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. David Thompson, project manager with the Robotic Systems Joint Program Office.

The Army and Marine Corps are working with industry and academic partners to look at ways to add new software to existing robots -- such as iRobot's PackBot and Qinetic North America's TALON -- enabling them to perform more functions and navigate uncertain terrain without needing their every move to be controlled or tele-operated by a human.

"We are looking at ways to make the systems that we already have out there better. We are working with infantry and the (Military Police) to look at how we can enhance the capabilities of our current robots to meet their needs," said Thompson.

Some of the newer robotic capabilities, such as automatic self-righting and retro-traversing, enable robots to correct course, change direction or turn right-side up -- by themselves.

"We're looking for modularity and interoperability. It will take the burden off the user. I want a robot to go from point A to point B by itself, and tell me when it gets there," Thompson said. "We're going to get better interface with the cameras and the grippers -- and a lot more understanding of where the robot sits in space." A more autonomous robot allows the user to free up energy which would otherwise be focused purely on navigating the robot. This will allow the user to attend to additional concerns, robotic functions or threats.

"We want to be able to allow Soldiers to interact with the robots at a high level of supervisory input to the robots. To do that, the robot has to start understanding where it is, start understanding about what is in the way, and how to get around obstacles," said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer, iRobot.

defenseworld

Citation :

Indian's M777



Posted 11/11/2010
U.S. Indiana National Guard soldiers work together to smoothly execute a fire mission using an M777 Howitzer on Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in central Indiana, Nov. 4, 2010. The Indiana Guard is one of the first states to receive this piece of equipment. The soldiers are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery Regiment. U.S. Army photo

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Tree-Top View



Posted 11/15/2010
A U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter flies over the tree tops and a Afghan farmer during an aerial reconnaissance mission in southern Afghanistan, Nov. 8, 2010. The OH-58D crew is assigned to 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sadie Bleistein

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U.S. Army testing new FMTVs

ARLINGTON, Va. | The U.S. Army is vigorously conducting reliability, durability and performance testing of its new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., as part of an effort to add thousands of new trucks to the fleet, service officials said.
The Army plans to build and deliver at least 10,000 new FMTVs as part of its requirements contract with Oshkosh Defense signed last August.
"Testing is going very well. The process involves 20,000 miles of reliability and durability testing - plus performance testing which is everything from [performance on] slopes to speed, endurance and payload capability," said Lt. Col. Shane Fullmer, the Army's product manager for medium tactical vehicles.
"Given what we've seen to date, we are in good shape to easily meet our reliability requirements," Fullmer said.
Additionally, performance testing and live-fire blast testing place the trucks in a range of different combat-relevant scenarios, he said.
"We have to demonstrate a fording capability, a capability to put the truck up-hill with certain grades with certain payloads," said Mike Ivy, vice president and general manager for Army programs, Oshkosh Defense.
"If it is a tractor, it has to demonstrate a pull capability," Ivy said. "There are 17 different variants to the truck and each variant has different performance requirements, and so they test those trucks against those requirements."

Testing is expected to conclude in the spring of 2011.

The new trucks are being built in accordance with the Army's Technical Data Package, specifications that include modular, replaceable armor and a built-in ring mount to place a weapon and gunners' protective kit on the roof of the cab, Fullmer said.
The modular armor approach means that the truck's cab is built with a small amount of built-on integrated armor designed with the ability to accept bolt-on armor plates to improve protection as missions dictate.
"You can take out the windows and put in new transparent armor, and you can put on armor panels that protect the truck from direct fire and IEDs," said Fullmer. "That is the truck that goes into the war zone. When you are done you can take the armor off for use in peacetime operations. We have more than 1,000 of those trucks in theater already."
The TDP, along with the forces of a full and open competition, allowed the Army to achieve significant savings.
The Army is essentially getting the same truck with the same performance at a reduced price, Fullmer said.
"The FMTV design is already protecting Soldiers in Afghanistan, and we are continuing to provide trucks to Soldiers in theater with the protection needed in combat and the performance capabilities needed during peacetime operations," said Fullmer.
At this time there are no specific plans for further improvements to the FMTV, but the program continues to review the state of current technology.
"As technology becomes available that is low-risk and is an improvement, we will look at incorporating that into our truck over time," added Fullmer.
The Product Manager for Medium Tactical Vehicles operates under the leadership of the Project Manger for Tactical Vehicles, which falls under the Army's Program Executive Officer, Combat Support and Combat Service Support's portfolio, headquartered in Warren, Mich.

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Citation :

L’armée et la force navale américaine ont sélectionné trois équipes pour continuer le programme JLTV


L’armée et la force navale américaine ont sélectionné trois équipes pour continuer le programme JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle). La première équipe, est la société Lockeed Martin Systems, la seconde équipe est la société BAE Systems, associé à la société Navistar Defence, et la dernière est la société General Dynamics Land Systems, associé à AM General.

http://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2008_archives_news_world_defense_army_uk/armee_et_la_force_navale_americaine_ont_selectionne_trois_equipes_pour_continuer_le_programme_jltv.html

Citation :

BAE Systems Awarded $250 Million Contract for Bradley Conversion Kits


Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness Vehicle.

U.S. Army TACOM Orders 247 Bradley ODS SA vehicle conversion kits
BAE Systems was awarded a contract for $250 million to purchase long-lead items for 247 Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness (ODS SA) vehicle conversion kits under a contract from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

“The procurement of these items will help us to provide critical ongoing upgrade and remanufacturing work, while creating and integrating advanced technological enhancements that make Bradley one of the most survivable vehicles in theater”

Under this contract, BAE Systems will procure long-lead items for the conversion of 202 Bradley ODS vehicles to the Bradley ODS SA configuration and an additional 45 kits for future vehicle conversion requirements. The company will use the acquired items to upgrade the vehicles to have improved situational awareness ability, which is one example of BAE Systems’ robust Readiness and Sustainment capabilities in supporting the customers’ requirements.

“The procurement of these items will help us to provide critical ongoing upgrade and remanufacturing work, while creating and integrating advanced technological enhancements that make Bradley one of the most survivable vehicles in theater,” said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team for BAE Systems.

The Bradley ODS SA vehicle features the latest digitized electronics for optimum situational awareness, network connectivity and communication within the Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Bradley ODS SA’s proven durability and commonality of design reduces the logistics burden, while enhancing battlefield performance to meet a variety of mission requirements.

The contract for long-lead items has been awarded in advance of the ODS-SA vehicle conversions and conversion kits production effort anticipated in April 2011.

The work will be performed at the BAE Systems operations in York, Pennsylvania and is anticipated to be completed in September 2012.

Bradley Combat Systems continue to provide outstanding survivability, mobility and lethality to U.S. soldiers in various urban combat situations. The Bradley fulfills five critical mission roles – infantry fighting vehicle, cavalry fighting vehicle, fire support vehicle, command vehicles and engineer squad vehicle – for the U.S. Army’s Heavy Brigade Combat Teams.

BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports Bradley Combat Systems through its U.S. Combat Systems business. U.S. Combat Systems is a modern, efficient, full-spectrum developer, integrator and supplier of survivable, lethal ground and naval combat platforms. U.S. Combat Systems is also a main supplier to the U.S. Army’s Heavy Brigade Combat Team, an integral developer of mine protected and future combat vehicles and top producer of naval guns and missile launchers.

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Citation :

U.S. Army issues RFP for Ground Combat Vehicle


Generic representation of a combat vehicle only.


Army takes next step toward providing a GCV for infantry soldiers
WASHINGTON | Force protection against a classified list of threats, a nine-Soldier capacity, full-spectrum-operations capability and on-time delivery within seven years are among the “big four” imperatives the U.S. Army has spelled out for those hoping to be selected to build the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV).

The Army took the next step toward providing a ground combat vehicle for infantry Soldiers, Nov. 30, when it issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project. Industry has until Jan. 21 to submit proposals.

The four imperatives, said Col. Andrew DiMarco, program manager for Ground Combat Vehicle, are “non-negotiable.”

“The vehicle has to be capable of carrying the nine-Soldier squad,” he said. “And then on full spectrum, we have a series of growth requirements and we have some open architecture requirements that are non-negotiable.”

While the GCV program is expected to eventually produce multiple vehicles with varying capabilities, the focus for the first block of GCV development is an infantry combat vehicle.

Also in the RFP are affordability targets for the GCV. Among those are a per-unit cost for the vehicle between $9 and $10.5 million. Also a cost target is an operation and sustainment cost of $200 per operational mile. Both sets of numbers are in fiscal year 2010 dollars.

Not in the RFP: requirements spelling out how the GCV moves along the ground.

“I have no requirement that says track or wheel,” said Michael N. Smith, director of the Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, who added that a “track vs. wheel is a specious discussion.”

Smith did say there are requirements in the RFP to fit the GCV on a C-17, but not onto a C-130.

It’s expected that by April 2011, the Army will reach milestone decision A on the GCV and will award Technology-Development (TD) contracts to three contractors. The TD phase of development lasts 24 months. The early prototype vehicle is expected by the middle of fiscal year 2014, and the first full-up prototype is expected by the beginning of fiscal year 2016.

DiMarco said the Army has initially planned for 1,874 GCVs. The first production GCV should roll off the assembly line in early April 2018, seven years from the award of the TD-phase contracts. The first unit should be equipped with GCVs in 2019, he said.

After the Manned Ground Vehicle component was cut from the Army’s Future Combat Systems program in June of 2009, the Army moved quickly to develop a new vehicle -- the Ground Combat Vehicle. The program previously released an RFP in February of 2010, but that RFP was ultimately canceled in August. The RFP released Nov. 30 is the replacement.

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