US Army

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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

2 BH en Escale à Paris LeBourget

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Raytheon Receives $51 Million Contract for Patriot Missile Upgrades




Raytheon Company has been awarded a $51.3 million contract to upgrade Patriot Advanced Capability-2 missiles to the Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) configuration. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), Redstone Arsenal, Ala., issued the contract as a follow-on to AMCOM’s Patriot missile continuous technology refreshment program initiated in 2000.

“Patriot is the cornerstone of many nations’ air and missile defense capabilities, and in today’s budget-conscious environment, we are able to offer the U.S. and our global partner base a cost-effective upgrade option for the most advanced combat-proven system in the world,” said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business.

The Patriot GEM-T missile upgrades include the replacement of select components that increase reliability and extend the service life of the missile. GEM-T upgrades are ongoing under existing contracts with the U.S. and other Patriot partner nations, and are performed at Raytheon’s Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Mass.

Patriot is the world’s most capable air and missile defense system, protecting against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is the system of choice for 12 nations around the globe.

Raytheon is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.

Raytheon press release

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Toutes les trois heures, un crime violent est commis par un militaire américain. C'est le chiffre donné par un rapport publié jeudi par l'armée américaine sur la santé et la discipline au sein de ses troupes. Le document révèle que 2811 crimes violents ont été commis en 2011, sur une base à l'étranger ou sur le sol américain, dont presque la moitié de nature sexuelle. Depuis 2005, ces derniers ont connu une augmentation foudroyante, de 90%, largement au-dessus des statistiques nationales. Et l'état-major s'attend à ce que cet écart augmente encore dans les prochaines années...

http://www.leral.net/Explosion-des-crimes-sexuels-dans-l-armee-americaine_a26073.html

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U.S. armed forces will reduce by 100 thousand people

27/01/2012 02:15

WASHINGTON, January 27 - RIA Novosti, Denis Voroshilov. Pentagon chief Leon Panetta confirmed that the U.S. intends to reduce its armed forces in 2017 by 100 thousand people.

"The number of U.S. military will be reduced by 80 thousand people - from the current level of 570 000 to 490 thousand in 2017. Marine Corps will also be reduced - from 202 thousand to 182 thousand," - said Panetta, speaking Thursday at the Pentagon.

However, the minister said that U.S. forces will retain the absolute fighting ability, and their numbers will still be above that which was before the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Panetta confirmed the words of the Pentagon, which said yesterday that the defense establishment in order to save some programs will refuse to purchase and upgrade weapons and equipment. Also, the armed forces in the Fast Track procedure for cancellation of aging will conduct or require costly repairs of military equipment.

"Air Force will withdraw from the dozens of different types of aircraft, including 27 C-5A transport and 65 C-130 transport ..." - The minister said.

There will also be derived from existing Air Force transport plane 52 C-5M, 222 - C-17 and 38 C-27 aircraft.

In total, the Air Force Pentagon plans to cut 60 tactical squadrons and one training squadron in 2017.

Air Force also abandon construction of the next weather satellite, as well as the creation of a new helicopter to replace operating the Bell UH-1N, which is used to ensure the safety of American launchers of ballistic missiles. However, the Air Force will continue to work on developing a new bomber and order to build two satellites and one satellite systems for missile warning. Fully funding the program stops unmanned spy plane Global Hawk.

Pentagon postponed the purchase of F-35 fighters, which were due at the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

The Minister said that funds for the purchase of new ships and new-class submarines "Virginia" in the new military budget is not scheduled, and the Pentagon promised to procure this technique later.

In the ranks will all of the 11 aircraft carriers the Navy, but seven cruisers, which are unsuitable for the installation of missile weapons or requiring major repairs, will be retired early.

Also be written off several support ships, and software, and start building some new ships for the Navy (one submarine, one cruiser and two battleships of the coastal zone and eight high-speed ships) is delayed for a year.

Is delayed by two years the implementation of projects to create a new generation of submarines capable of carrying ballistic nuclear missiles. However, Panetta, and was present at the press conference, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey noted that the size and composition of the U.S. nuclear triad remains unchanged.

Previously, a number of generals and senators called on the Pentagon's leadership does not prevent a reduction in the number of ships, submarines and launchers capable of producing missile launching with nuclear warheads. Apparently, the Pentagon went to meet these requests.

As expected, the U.S. will reduce the number of military bases within the country. President Barack Obama will soon turn to Congress to appropriate treatment, but in an election year MPs hardly have time to consider this issue. Which bases are eliminated, as yet unknown.

The U.S. Army in 2012-2013 will optimize personnel, as well as the National Guard and Reserve. reducing the total Pentagon budget have led to that ground forces will refuse to create a new radio system for use in cars and armored vehicles. However, as noted by Pentagon officials, the project itself, called the Joint Tactical Radio System, permanently closed will not be.

Pentagon budget for 2013 fiscal year will be sent to the White House to Congress in the 2013 budget on February 13. The total amount of its 613.4 billion, 33 billion less than in 2012. Of the total amount of about 88.4 billion dollars will be spent on the war in Afghanistan.

Panetta confirmed that the feature of the new budget would reduce spending by an unprecedented recognized to be ineffective, too expensive and unpromising lead to the development and procurement of weapons. Reductions are part of the U.S. administration to save money to reduce the budget deficit. Basic parameters and conditions of such savings the White House and Congress agreed on in the summer and autumn of 2011. Just before 2017, the Pentagon promised to save 213 billion dollars is more than half of the total amount you plan to save for a decade - 487 billion.

The new budget is prepared according to a new defense strategy, implementation of which the White House announced in early January. According to the plans of the U.S. administration, the U.S. will change the approach to the formation of the armed forces : the U.S. Army to become more mobile and modern, but its strength will be reduced. In particular, the U.S. has promised to withdraw from Europe's two land crews numbering 7000 men. The priority areas for the United States remains the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, and a list of the main objectives of enlarged item "fight against cyber threats."

Since the beginning of the new strategy should be expected and fiscal redistribution between types of troops. The Pentagon will increase funding in the general budget of the air and naval forces, and reduce funding for the Army and Marine Corps, whose number will be reduced.

RIAN

yassine1985 a écrit:

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U.S. armed forces will reduce by 100 thousand people

2 brigades seront retirés d´Allemagne,les 2 regions touchées pleurent deja

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L'armée américaine "réduit" ses troupes
Moins de soldats mais une armée à la pointe de la technologie, avec les yeux fixés sur l'Asie et le Moyen-Orient : le chef du Pentagone Leon Panetta a présenté jeudi ses orientations budgétaires, reflets de l'austérité qui attend la défense américaine ces prochaines années.

Alors que le pays est confronté à un déficit public abyssal, le Congrès impose au Pentagone de trouver 487 milliards d'économies au cours des dix prochaines années.

"Nous sommes à un tournant stratégique après une décennie de guerre et une augmentation substantielle de nos dépenses", a déclaré le secrétaire à la Défense en préambule d'une conférence de presse où il a présenté ses orientations budgétaires.


Elles s'appuient sur la nouvelle stratégie dévoilée au début du mois par le président Barack Obama qui érige l'Asie-Pacifique et le Moyen-Orient comme priorités et rejette les longues et coûteuses opérations de contre-insurrection, comme en Irak et en Afghanistan.

L'armée de Terre va donc perdre 13% de ses effectifs en passant de 565.000 hommes à 490.000 d'ici 2017 et le corps d'élite des Marines passer de 201.000 à 182.000 hommes. Les forces terrestres perdront au total près de 100.000 hommes mais resteront plus nombreuses qu'en 2001.

Dans ce cadre, deux brigades de combat sur les quatre basées en Europe, comptant plus de 7000 militaires, seront rapatriées ou supprimées.

Les États-Unis resteront cependant "capables de vaincre n'importe quel adversaire sur terre", a assuré M. Panetta, rappelant que l'accent sera mis sur les investissements dans les satellites, drones et autres technologies d'observation ainsi que les forces spéciales.

"Nous avons fait en toute conscience le choix de ne pas maintenir plus d'effectifs que nous ne pouvons nous permettre d'entraîner et d'équiper correctement", a plaidé le ministre.

Quelque 90.000 militaires américains sont toujours déployés en Afghanistan. La réduction d'effectifs s'effectuera essentiellement après le retrait des forces du pays en 2014.

Corollaire de ces décisions, il n'y aura plus besoin d'autant de bases sur le territoire américain et une commission du Congrès devra être instaurée pour identifier les implantations à supprimer.

L'armée de l'Air perdra six de ses 60 escadrons d'avions de combat, soit environ 120 appareils, la flotte de transport aérien sera réduite et des vieux navires seront retirés du service.

Les coupes budgétaires commenceront à affecter le Pentagone dès l'exercice 2013, qui débute en octobre. M. Panetta a dévoilé que le projet de budget, qui sera officiellement présenté le 13 février, est en baisse de 9% par rapport à celui soumis l'an passé.

Il s'élève à 525 milliards pour le budget "de base", auxquels s'ajoutent 88,4 milliards pour la guerre en Afghanistan.

Les orientations budgétaires font la part belle aux moyens d'agir dans la zone Asie-Pacifique, notamment face à la montée en puissance de la Chine.

"Ce budget protège, et dans certains cas augmente, les investissements qui sont cruciaux pour notre capacité à projeter notre puissance en Asie et au Moyen-Orient", a estimé Leon Panetta.

Les fonds pour la mise au point d'un nouveau bombardier furtif à long rayon d'action seront préservés, de même que les 11 porte-avions.

Le programme F-35, le futur avion de chasse furtif, demeure "essentiel", selon M. Panetta, mais une partie des achats sera reportée.

Le Pentagone lance par ailleurs un nouveau programme ambitieux de "base avancée flottante" : une sorte de barge géante capable de déployer des drones, hélicoptères et forces spéciales ou encore d'héberger un hôpital ou de stocker des équipements.

L'influent sénateur républicain John McCain a fait part de son inquiétude sur l'ampleur des coupes "qui risquent de répéter les erreurs du passé en laissant nos forces insuffisantes pour répondre efficacement à des crises potentielles dans les prochaines années".

Il s'agit essentiellement de réductions dans la progression des dépenses, a relativisé Miriam Pemberton, experte à l'Institut pour les études politiques
LA PRESSE.CA

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Les bombes US incapables de détruire les sites souterrains
L'armée américaine estime que ses bombes antibunker les plus puissantes comme la bombe GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) ne sont pas en mesure de détruire les sites souterrains les plus fortifiés en Iran, soupçonnés d'abriter des activités visant à produire l'arme atomique, rapporte samedi le 'Wall Street Journal'.

Citant des responsables américains sous le couvert de l'anonymat, le quotidien des affaires affirme cependant que l'armée intensifie ses efforts afin d'en fabriquer des plus dévastatrices.

Les bombes antibunker dont dispose l'armée américaine ont été fabriquées tout spécialement pour détruire certains sites iraniens et nord-coréens, souligne le WSJ


Mais celles-ci ne seraient pas, en l'état actuel, capables de détruire certains des sites dont dispose l'Iran, soit parce qu'ils sont trop enfouis sous terre, soit parce que de nouvelles fortifications ont été ajoutées, note le quotidien.

Ainsi, le Pentagone a demandé mois-ci au Congrès des fonds supplémentaires afin d'améliorer la capacité de ces bombes de pénétrer dans de la roche, du béton ou de l'acier avant d'exploser, assure le journal.

Le ministère de la Défense a dépensé jusqu'ici quelques 330 millions de dollars pour se doter de ces bombes antibunker, et cherche quelques 82 millions de dollars supplémentaires pour les rendre plus efficaces, selon le WSJ.

Dans un rapport rendu public en novembre, l'Agence internationale de l'énergie atomique (AIEA) a fait part de "sérieuses inquiétudes" concernant le programme nucléaire iranien, livrant pour la première fois des éléments étayant les soupçons occidentaux sur des visées militaires de ce programme.

La publication de ce rapport et la pression internationale sans précédent qui a suivi n'ont pas empêché l'Iran de lancer la production d'uranium enrichi à 20% dans le site de Fordo enfoui sous une montagne. Enrichi à 90%, l'uranium peut être utilisé pour fabriquer une bombe nucléaire.

RTBF.BE

Yakuza a écrit:

yassine1985 a écrit:

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U.S. armed forces will reduce by 100 thousand people

2 brigades seront retirés d´Allemagne,les 2 regions touchées pleurent deja

alone is $70 billions dollars out of the german economy.i read the budget for 2012.
what merkel has to say.more cut are coming from overseas.

Très long convoi ferroviaire de M2 Bradley en Californie.

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U.S. Army OH-58 Kiowa Warrior Helicopters Achieve 2 Million Flight Hour Milestone




FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 7, 2012) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the U. S. Army’s OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter fleet have accumulated 2 million flight hours. Over 750,000 of these flight hours have been flown in combat.

“The Kiowa Warrior continues to be the workhorse of Army aviation and this recent milestone is another example of the important role this helicopter fulfills in the Army’s armed reconnaissance mission,” said Mike Miller, director of Army Business Development, Bell Helicopter.

With a Mission Capable rate of over 85%, the highest in the Army’s deployed fleet, OH-58D lives up to its well-earned reputation as the “go to” helicopter for Army operations. The mission capable rate is a critical component of a scout helicopter’s role in supporting ground troops and performing its armed reconnaissance, command and control, targeting and defensive combat missions. Further setting the standard of Army aviation, since 2003 each Kiowa Warrior is averaging more than 76 flight hours a month, achieving another distinction of having the highest operational tempo (OPTEMPO) in Army Aviation’s combat rotary wing fleet.

Due to the Kiowa Warrior’s heavy workload and combat attrition the number of aircraft available has decreased. To address this need and recognizing the critical role the helicopter plays, the Army implemented a Wartime Replacement Aircraft Program to bring the OH-58D fleet back to full strength. In this program Bell Helicopter is building new cabins, complete with new wiring harnesses. These new cabins have been delivered in record time to the Corpus Christi Army Depot for assembly completion with engines and drive train and integration back into the Army’s Kiowa Warrior fleet.

“The Wartime Replacement program has been a tremendous success in getting the Kiowa Warrior back into production and giving our Army the critical resources they need to replace attrited aircraft. As the OPTEMPO and Mission Capable rates show, I can’t overstate the role Kiowa Warrior plays in supporting our troops on the ground,” said Jim Schultz OH-58 program director, Bell Helicopter.

Future Army plans for the OH-58 include a new F model. This model will infuse technology into the Kiowa Warrior. The sensor moves from a mast mounting to the nose, the cabin receives new processors, avionics and new color displays update the control panel.

Bell Helicopter is also funding a Block II initiative focused on performance enhancements. These include a new engine, new transmission, new rotor and tailrotor. These upgrades will enable the OH-58 to meet the 6K/95F operational requirement laid out by the Army.

Source: Bell Helicopters
Photo: U.S. Army

entrainement de tire

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L’armée américaine s’apprête à intégrer les femmes militaires dans l’infanterie. Une manière pour le Pentagone de reconnaître leur importance lors des combats en Irak et en Afghanistan.

Le combat pour la parité se joue aujourd’hui sur le front ! En effet, le Pentagone a annoncé hier un assouplissement des règles appliquées aux femmes soldats lors des combats. Alors qu’actuellement, leur présence n’est autorisée que sur certains postes tels que médecins ou pilotes d’hélicoptère, l’armée américaine songe à les introduire dans l’infanterie. Directement présentes sur le terrain, elles combattraient aux côtés de soldats hommes.

Femmes sur le front : une reconnaissance de leur combat

Bien que les femmes militaires n’étaient jusqu’à présent autorisées dans l’infanterie, elles avaient néanmoins une importance capitale dans les combats. Infirmières, médecins, pilotes d’hélicoptère ou bien conductrices de camion de ravitaillement, c’est ainsi qu’elles participaient. Ces dix dernières années, près de 220 000 femmes ont d’ailleurs eu une importance capitale lors des combats en Irak et en Afghanistan et 144 d’entres elles y ont trouvé la mort. Très actives dans le combat, leur garder les portes de l’infanterie fermées ne semblait plus convenable pour le Pentagone.

Femmes sur le front : un pas pour la parité

En décidant d’assouplir les règles relatives à la place des femmes dans l’infanterie, l’armée américaine fait avancer le combat de la parité homme femme. En effet, jusqu’à aujourd’hui, seuls le Canada, l’Australie, la Nouvelle-Zélande ainsi qu’Israël autorisaient leur présence directe dans les combats.

http://www.marieclaire.fr/,femmes-soldats-armee-americaine-infanterie,20123,453020.asp

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Les femmes militaires constituent près de 15% des effectifs de l'armée américaine mais ne peuvent servir dans des unités dont la mission principale est de combattre. Mais dix ans de guerre en Irak et en Afghanistan ont changé la donne. «Il n'y a plus de ligne de front clairement définie et de lignes arrières censées être plus sûres où les opérations de soutien sont effectuées», note le département de la Défense, dans un rapport qui a été remis au Congrès et dévoilé jeudi.

Quelque 280 000 Américaines ont servi en Irak et en Afghanistan depuis 2001, soit 12% des effectifs déployés, et 144 y ont été tuées, dont 79 au combat. Les nouvelles règles ne changent pas fondamentalement la donne. Les femmes ne peuvent toujours pas servir dans les forces spéciales ou des sections d'infanterie de quelques dizaines d'hommes.

Femmes dans les sous-marins depuis le 1er janvier 2011

Mais alors qu'elles ne pouvaient occuper de fonction qu'au niveau de la brigade (3 000 hommes) d'infanterie ou de cavalerie, le seuil a été abaissé à celui du bataillon (800 hommes), leur offrant de nouvelles perspectives. Surtout, 13 spécialités auparavant présentées comme trop risquées pour les femmes leur sont désormais ouvertes, comme membre d'équipage de lanceur multiple de roquettes (MLRS), d'opérateur de radar d'artillerie ou dans la maintenance des chars de combat et véhicules blindés, soit près de 14 000 postes en tout.

L'armée de Terre et le corps des Marines sont les premiers concernés, la plupart des fonctions dans l'armée de l'Air et dans la marine leur étant déjà ouvertes. Les femmes peuvent même servir à bord des sous-marins américains depuis le 1er janvier 2011, sous réserve de quartiers adéquats pour les héberger.

http://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/news/story/18067031

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Le patron des forces spéciales américaines souhaite être doté de pouvoirs étendus



Le chef des forces spéciales, responsable du raid au cours duquel Oussama Ben Laden a été tué, cherche à obtenir plus de pouvoirs pour déployer ses troupes plus vite et sur des théâtres d'opération où elles sont d'ordinaire peu présentes, rapporte le New York Times lundi.
Les forces spéciales américaines sont des hommes d'élite surentraînés et habitués aux missions périlleuses à l'étranger.

Selon le Times, leur patron, l'amiral William McRaven souhaite être plus autonome dans ses prises de décision, notamment à l'heure de déployer ses troupes.

Le haut gradé veut aussi déployer ses hommes sur des continents où ils sont généralement peu présents, comme l'Asie, l'Afrique et l'Amérique latine, note le quotidien.

Par le passé, de tels projets ont souvent échoué en raison de l'opposition des commandements régionaux et du département d'Etat.

De plus, fait valoir le New York Times, certains ambassadeurs en poste dans des zones de conflit expriment la crainte que ce type de missions n'empiète sur la souveraineté des pays dans lesquels les forces spéciales sont déployées.

AFP, Mise à jour : lundi 13 février 2012 15:50

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Bell Boeing Delivers 1st Block C V-22 Osprey to US Marine Corps



Latest Osprey variant features new weather radar, improvements to electronic warfare systems, situational awareness and aircrew comfort
PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Feb. 14, 2012 -- The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Bell Helicopter - Textron [NYSE: TXT], today announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has taken delivery of the first MV-22 Osprey produced with the new Block C suite of design upgrades.

"The on-time, on-budget delivery of our first Block C aircraft is the latest milestone in our ongoing quest to make the world’s most revolutionary aircraft even more advanced," said John Rader, executive director of the Bell Boeing V-22 Program. "Block C Ospreys will meet our current customers' enduring need for the latest mission capabilities, while presenting an even more compelling value proposition to future domestic and international customers."

The V-22 Block C design upgrade includes a new weather radar system that improves navigation in poor weather conditions, and a redesigned Environmental Conditioning System to enhance aircrew and troop comfort. Expanded capacity and effectiveness built into the Electronic Warfare system -- including additional chaff/flare dispensers -- increases the Osprey’s ability to defeat air-to-air and ground-to-air threats. The Block C also provides greater situational awareness with enhanced cockpit and cabin displays.

“We continue to increase the capabilities of this first-of-type tiltrotor, and Block C is the latest, evolutionary step,” said Marine Corps Col. Greg Masiello, Joint V-22 Program Manager, Naval Air Systems Command. “Whether it's the addition of weather radar, upgrades to the environmental control system, or improvements for situational awareness, Block C brings enhanced capability to V-22 pilots, maintainers, and crew members throughout the aircraft’s life cycle."

boeing.mediaroom

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Strike Brigade first to get the M26

The Strike Brigade is the first unit in the Army to be issued the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System.

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SMDC successfully launches short range ballistic target



The Economical Tactical Ballistic Missile was successfully launched Feb. 15, off the 25K Transportable Target Launcher from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This launch demonstrated the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's capability to provide low-cost targets to a variety of customers. Total flight time was approximately four minutes.


EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command successfully completed a test flight of the new Economical Target-1, Feb. 15 at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Economical Target-1, or ET-1, missile was launched from the Santa Rosa Test Site with the support of the 46th Test Wing on Eglin Air Force Base into the ocean area within the test range. The target missile's flight was successfully tracked by several range sensors and preliminary indications are that all data collection objectives were met.

"The Army and Department of Defense require threat-representative targets in testing," said Bryon Manley, SMDC/ARSTRAT Technical Center flight test services chief. "The ET-1 provides a cost effective, rail-launched, theater-class tactical ballistic missile target, and the ET-1 is a new low-cost short range ballistic missile designed to supplement aging flight test inventories."

This flight test was also used as a target of opportunity for the Weibel radar system. The Weibel radar system is a portable system owned and operated by Eglin Air Force Base that provides extremely detailed tracking and performance data.

ET-1 is a threat representative tactical ballistic missile that provides reduced target cost impact for Operational Test and Evaluation Systems. ET-1 is designed to fill capability gaps for representative threat targets for use in testing and could be used to test Patriot Advanced Concept-3.

army.mil

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ATK Selected to Develop Alternative Warhead for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System



New GMLRS Warhead Meets U.S. Army Performance Requirements, Improves User Safety, and Eliminates Risk of UXO



07:11 GMT, February 21, 2012 ARLINGTON, Va. | ATK announced that it has been selected by the U.S. Army to develop an alternative warhead for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). ATK was one of three companies competing to proceed into the Engineering and Manufacturing Design and Demonstration (EMDD) phase of the program. ATK will be a subcontractor to GMLRS prime contractor Lockheed Martin.

The GMLRS alternative warhead eliminates the use of submunitions, but performs as a drop-in replacement for the currently-fielded Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) warhead.

"This new warhead offers the advantage of uncompromised performance without leaving unexploded submunitions on the battlefield," said Dave Wise, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Defense Components. "We look forward to further development and integration of our improved warhead solution for GMLRS. We are also excited to demonstrate that we can adapt our lethality-enhanced ordnance design for other missile, mortar, artillery and air-dropped weapon applications."

During live-fire testing by the U.S. Army, ATK's alternative warhead – featuring ATK's Lethality Enhanced Ordnance (LEO) design – demonstrated that it meets performance and mission requirements, lowers technical risk, and matches current weapon flight characteristics without modifications to the existing GMLRS delivery system. In addition, the design improves user safety by lessening the risk of chain-reaction explosions should the warhead be struck by bullets or fragments, or encounter other hazardous events.

ATK will refine the design to enhance manufacturability, ensuring a low risk transition to low rate initial production. Warhead production work will be performed at ATK's Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) facility in Rocket Center, W.Va. ABL is a U.S. Navy-owned, ATK-operated facility specializing in advanced manufacturing technologies for a variety of programs supporting current and future U.S. industrial base needs in conventional munitions assemblies, advanced electronic fuzing and integration, solid rocket motor propulsion, and advanced material structures. ATK's Plymouth, Minn. facility will provide key engineering and program support.

defpro

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U.S. Defense Department Releases Fiscal 2013 Budget Proposal


Panetta: “This budget plan represents a historic shift to the future.”
Obama Proposes a Defense Budget of $613.9 Billion for Fiscal 2013

07:12 GMT, February 14, 2012 President Barack Obama Feb. 13 sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $613.9 billion for fiscal 2013. The request for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) includes $525.4 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund base defense programs and $88.5 billion to support Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), primarily in Afghanistan.

The proposed FY 2013 budget will ensure U.S. forces will remain capable across the spectrum of missions, fully prepared to deter and defeat aggression and to defend the homeland and our allies in the world’s complex security environment. It results from an intensive strategic review conducted by DoD’s senior military and civilian leaders under the leadership and guidance of the president. The defense strategic guidance, “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense,” was published in January 2012. The proposed budget makes more disciplined use of defense dollars to maintain the world’s finest military and sustain U.S. global leadership. It applies strategic guidance to force structure and investment. It preserves the All-Volunteer Force as the foundation of the U.S. military. And it fully supports deployed warfighters.

“This budget plan represents a historic shift to the future, recognizing that we are at a strategic point after a decade of war,” said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

“The plan is aligned to strategic priorities we have identified to keep America safe and maintain the strongest military in the world. It is also a signal of the department’s commitment to our men and women in uniform and their families. We are also redoubling our efforts to make better use of the taxpayer’s defense dollar and meet our fiscal responsibilities,” Panetta said.

The $525.4 billion for the base budget includes cuts and other initiatives that will reduce planned spending by $259 billion over the next five years and $487 billion over ten years, levels that are consistent with the Budget Control Act. The budget adjusts programs that develop and procure military equipment; begins to re-size ground forces; slows the growth of compensation and benefit programs; continues to make better use of defense resources by reducing lower-priority programs, and restructures the defense organization to achieve more efficient approaches to doing business.

This budget request focuses on funding priorities for a 21st century defense that protects the country and sustains U.S. global leadership. It reflects the need for DoD and the military to adapt in order to proactively address the changing nature of the security environment and to reflect new fiscal realities.

The separate OCO budget totals $88.5 billion, $26.6 billion below the fiscal 2012 enacted budget of $115.1 billion. The proposed budget reflects the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq in December 2011, as well as savings due to operational progress in Afghanistan and the transition to Afghan responsibility for security.

Highlights of the proposed DoD budget are outlined at http://goo.gl/VrolZ (PDF 800KB, 8 pages). For more information and to view the entire fiscal 2013 budget proposal, please visit http://www.budget.mil and download the “FY 2013 Budget Request Overview Book.” Budget-related transcripts can also be viewed at http://www.defense.gov/transcripts.


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U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

defpro

Citation :

Longbow LLC Delivers First Production Block III Apache Data Link System to the U.S. Army




ORLANDO, Fla., February 21, 2012 – The LONGBOW Limited Liability Company, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Northrop Grumman [NYSE: NOC], recently delivered the first production Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) to the U.S. Army for the Apache Block III helicopter.

“The delivery of the first Apache Block III UAS [Unmanned Aircraft Systems] control system, called the UTA, marks the next major capability advancement for the Apache, which continues to be the deciding factor on the battlefield,” said Lt. Col. Dan Bailey, U.S. Army Apache Block III product manager. “When fielded, the UTA capability will significantly enhance the game-changing perspective of the Apache.”

This delivery follows the successful completion of the LONGBOW UTA system design and development phase. Low-rate initial production is currently underway to equip the first U.S. Army Apache Block III helicopters with this capability.

“The delivery of the first UTA system to the U.S. Army is the successful culmination of a nearly six-year design and development program,” said Mike Taylor, LONGBOW LLC president and director of LONGBOW programs in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “The UTA provides Apache aircrews with increased situational awareness and net-centric interoperability significantly reducing sensor-to-shooter timelines.”

LONGBOW UTA is a two-way, high-bandwidth data link for the Apache that enables aircrews to control the sensor and flight path of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. UTA-equipped Apache aircrews can operate a UAS at long range and receive real-time, high-definition streaming video on their multi-function displays. The new Block III Radar Electronics Unit enhances the LONGBOW Fire Control Radar system performance while reducing size, weight, maintenance and power requirements. The UTA will be fielded on the Apache Block III aircraft beginning in 2012.

Source: Lockheed Martin
Photo: Rob Vogelaar

Citation :

Seize véhicules expérimentaux mus par la pile à combustible mise au point par General Motors vont être confiés aux militaires des trois corps de l'Armée américaine. Un test grandeur nature destiné, comme tant d'autres, à évaluer les performances de la voiture électrique à hydrogène. Il s'agit de la première flotte de véhicules militaires à pile à combustible de l'histoire. Oh ! Rien de bien spectaculaire en soi : pas de blindé ni de transport de troupes. Juste seize exemplaires de ce qui ressemble trait pour trait à des petits tout-terrain Chevrolet Equinoxe. Et pour cause ! Hormis l'absence de pot d'échappement digne de ce nom, il n'y a que le film décoratif reproduisant le motif imprimé des uniformes américains pour distinguer ces Chevrolet de leurs frères anodins. "La conduite au jour le jour de ces véhicules fournira à l'Armée de précieux enseignements. Une première expérience pratique nécessaire pour déterminer avec précision quelles seront les applications futures de notre technologie de pile à combustible", a déclaré Charles Freese, en charge des activités monde autour de la pile à combustible chez GM. Les véhicules ont été remis à l'Armée sur l'île de Hawaï, là où General Motors mène un programme pilote comprenant un embryon de réseau de pompes d'hydrogène, pour la recharge des réservoirs embarqués.

http://auto.nouvelobs.com/actu-auto/20120224.LQA2348/hydrogene-les-trois-corps-de-l-armee-americaine-evaluent-la-pile-a-combustible-de-gm.html

Un drone américain s'écrase

Citation :

Un drone américain s'est écrasé dans la région tribale du nord-ouest du Pakistan, près de la frontière afghane, a-t-on appris de source officielle. L'appareil sans pilote s'est écrasé dans la région montagneuse de Machikhel, environ 30 kilomètres à l'ouest de Miranshah, la principale ville de la région du Waziristan (nord), souvent cible de frappes contre les talibans, ont expliqué des responsables militaires.

"Un drone américain s'est écrasé, apparemment en raison d'un problème technique", a dit à l'AFP un responsable militaire dans la ville de Peshawar. L'accident a été confirmé par les autorités de la région. Les rebelles ont encerclé le site de l'accident, a ajouté un responsable, refusant de commenter les affirmations de Talibans, selon lesquels l'appareil aurait été abattu par des insurgés.

Le président des Etats-Unis, Barack Obama, avait reconnu pour la première fois le mois dernier que son pays menait des frappes de drones contre les talibans et les combattants d'Al-Qaïda au Pakistan. Ces frappes américaines sont très critiquées par la population, qui les considère comme une violation de la souveraineté du pays et qui accuse les Etats-Unis et leurs alliés d'être responsables des violences secouant le Pakistan.

Le Figaro

Citation :

Raytheon Awarded $79.2 Million US Army Contract to Counter Rockets


The U.S. Army’s Centurion Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) system. (Photo: Mr. Oxenham via flickr.com)
Goal of Accelerated Improved Intercept Initiative is to save lives of Soldiers

15:26 GMT, March 5, 2012 TUCSON, Ariz. | The U.S. Army awarded Raytheon Company a $79.2 million contract to develop a system that will detect and destroy incoming rockets. The solution is called the Accelerated Improved Intercept Initiative (AI3). Development will culminate in a demonstration in 18 months, followed by low rate initial production.

"Rocket attacks have cost many U.S. and allied warfighters their lives, which is why Raytheon is committed to getting this system developed and fielded as soon as possible," said Dr. Thomas R. Bussing, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems product line. "Our goal is to save soldiers' lives."

Raytheon will develop and demonstrate the intercept of rockets in flight with the AI3 Battle Element, consisting of an interceptor, which Raytheon will develop, and a government furnished launcher, fire control system, and command and control system.

"By making extensive use of existing technology and weapon systems, Raytheon will keep down both cost and risk," said Rodger Elkins, director of advanced Army systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "Our experience in developing missiles, combined with our expertise as a mission systems integrator, will help us provide the Army with an affordable, effective weapon system capability."

The AI3

• Will protect warfighters by intercepting rockets in flight.
• Raytheon will begin development immediately, and demonstrate the system in 18 months.
• Raytheon will build the interceptor and serve as a mission systems integrator for the other elements of the system.

defpro

Citation :

U.S. Army OH-58F Kiowa Warrior Helicopters Being Built in Huntsville


MERIDIANVILLE, Ala. | The top leadership from the Program Executive Office for Aviation, along with project officers for the Project Office for Armed Scout Helicopter’s Kiowa Warrior Product Office, announced Tuesday that three OH-58F Kiowa Warriors will be built at an Army facility in the Huntsville area.

Maj. Gen. Tim Crosby, the program executive officer for aviation, and Lt. Col. Matthew Hannah, project manager for the Kiowa Warrior, presented the first airframe to be transformed into a new model at the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Prototype Integration Facility at the Madison County Executive Airport.

“Most of the aircraft in the portfolio of Army aviation are upgrades or a re-manufacture of old systems,” Crosby said during the announcement event. “Our country’s in an austere budget environment,” he added, emphasizing the fiscal reasons behind the OH-58F upgrade program officially known as the Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program. Efforts to replace the Kiowa proved to be too costly, he said, adding that the decision was made to sustain the current platform.

The OH-58D on display in the AMRDEC PIF, representing the first vehicle to undergo the transformation process, had been stripped bare of its interior components and exterior accessories, reducing the helicopter to a literal shell of its former self.

The ‘de-population’ of the vehicle is just the start of its journey. At the other end of the timeline, the D model will have evolved into a state of the art F model.

The simplicity of the barren airframe belied the important role it has played in support of the warfighter in overseas contingency operations. The Kiowa Warrior has been heavily utilized and relied upon to support the troops on the ground and routinely maintains the highest operational tempo of any Army aviation asset in theater.

Developed in the 1980’s and introduced in the 90’s, the OH-58D is beginning to show its age. Its dramatic overhaul will provide not only a much needed life extension for the Kiowa Warrior, but a positive economic impact on the Huntsville community.

Upgrades to the new Kiowa Warrior OH-58F will include a nose-mounted Common Sensor Payload, a Dual Channel Full Authority Digital Engine Controller, an upgraded Control and Display Subsystem with three all-color displays, integrated Aircraft Survivability Equipment displays, a Digital Intercommunication System, an Emergency Standby Instrument System and improved side/transverse beam assemblies.

The airframe will also receive a new wiring harness designed and built by team members of the AMRDEC PIF.

“The first three conversions will all happen here at the Meridian PIF facility and the next three will happen at Corpus Christi Army Depot,” Hannah explained. He said the decision as to where to produce further OH-58Fs will be made at a future date.

The building of the OH-58F is the first time that the Army has built aircraft as the lead systems integrator, meaning that the Army is in charge of managing all of the activities necessary to integrate and build the aircraft. By managing the project internally through the Project Office for Armed Scout Helicopters, a significant cost savings, estimated to be approximately $37 million, will be realized during the research, development, test and evaluation phase. An additional $55 million is estimated to be saved during the procurement/production phase of the project.

The Kiowa Warrior CASUP is designed to extend the operational service life of the helicopter through fiscal year 2025.

Approximately 27 local government organizations and contractors are involved in the upgrade program.

defpro

Citation :

Lockheed Martin Completes Delivery of All Components of 1st THAAD Battery to U.S. Army

DALLAS, March 7, 2012 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] has completed delivery of all hardware and components associated with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system’s first U.S. Army Battery.





In December, THAAD delivered its 24th interceptor, completing the first THAAD Battery (A-4 ADA). Two THAAD batteries have been activated at Fort Bliss, Texas. The first THAAD Battery (A-4 ADA Battery) was activated in May 2008. The second THAAD Battery (A-2 ADA Battery) was activated in October 2009. The Army anticipates activating a third Battery in late 2012.

“The Lockheed Martin THAAD team is proud to deliver this important capability to the warfighter,” said Mat Joyce, vice president and program manager for the THAAD weapon system at Lockheed Martin. “We remain focused on ensuring the THAAD system remains reliable, affordable and effective.”

Since 2005, the THAAD program has successfully completed 12 flight tests, with nine-for-nine intercepts. The latest mission was an operational test conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, by THAAD soldiers from Alpha-4 (A-4), 11th Air Defense Artillery Imperial Brigade of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. During that mission, two THAAD interceptors destroyed two different targets.

THAAD is the only missile defense system with the operational flexibility to intercept in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres to provide versatile capability to the warfighter. A key element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program office located in Huntsville, Ala. The agency is developing the BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces and allies against short and medium range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill interceptor. It also has considerable experience in interceptor design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

lockheedmartin