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

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By Army News Service on Thursday, January 3rd, 2013


Aviators from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, tested a new self-extraction training scenario designed to save lives in the most dire of circumstances during a survival and evasion exercise in mid-November.

“This is a non-standard event,” explained Capt. Tony Snipes, commander of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment. “There is no Army standard, so we are trying to standardize it and execute it as professionally as possible.”

The scenario placed the aviation Soldiers in a simulated hostile environment where they were required to make their way from a “downed” OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter to a designated pick-up zone more than a kilometer away. Once at the pickup zone, the stranded aviators were rescued by their fellow Kiowa pilots. Since the Kiowa is such a small aircraft, the rescued Soldiers had to secure themselves to the outside of the aircraft using straps connected to their flight gear.

The self-extraction technique was used in Iraq in 2004 during the rescue of downed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilots Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chad Beck and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Greg Crow. It was used again in Iraq in 2007 following the downing of an aircraft piloted by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mark Burrows and Chief Warrant Officer Steven Cianfrini. In both instances, the rescued pilots rode outside of an AH-64 Apache secured by a nylon strap attached to the pilots’ vests.

“Pilots have to respond immediately and have to be extracted immediately,” said Lt. Col. Paul Cravey, 1st Sqdn., 6th Cav. Regt. commander. “Most of the shoot-down or forced-landing situations we (encounter) don’t drag out for several days. The action usually goes down within an hour.”

A Defense.gov news article dated Nov. 5, 2004, reported that self-extraction is a maneuver pilots are told about in flight school, but are never given any hands-on, “this-is-how-you-do-it” training. Cravey said his team saw a need to offer a training scenario that would prepare his pilots for the potential need for self-extraction in a combat situation.

During this training “our pilots gain confidence in their equipment, and (have the opportunity to) work on the tactics necessary to extract a fellow crew member from a hostile situation,” the commander said.

Snipes said his team plans to package the new training and share it with the rest of the squadron and, eventually, the rest of the Army.

“This is realistic training that will save lives downrange,” he said.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/big-red-one-aviators-implement-new-survival-training-scenario-46144/#ixzz2Gv5SwVAi

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By Army News Service on Friday, January 4th, 2013

Four hours into an early morning desert operation during the Army’s latest Network Integration Evaluation, Col. Thomas Dorame, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division commander, was following his units in his Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 2-equipped vehicle.

WIN-T Increment 2, the Army’s tactical communications network backbone, enabled him to obtain the situational awareness needed to command his forces and to even conduct a staff meeting with his troops, all from the front seat of his vehicle.

“I could make decisions on the move and rapidly provide priorities and focus back to the tactical operations center based on what I was seeing on the battlefield,” Dorame said of his WIN-T Increment 2 technologies. “I could continue the operation without having to deliberately stop. It extends your capability; it extends your range and allows us [as a force] to move more rapidly.”

During Network Integration Evaluation, or NIE, 13.1, WIN-T Increment 2 provided Soldiers down to the company level the on-the-move communications and situational awareness needed to conduct real-world battlefield operations. NIE 13.1, which concluded in November, was the fourth evaluation of its kind and was conducted at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, N.M., utilizing 3,800 Soldiers of 2/1 AD, who executed their missions in realistic operational environments. NIE 13.2 is scheduled for May of 2013.

The NIEs aim to rapidly mature and integrate the Army’s tactical communications network, and accelerate and improve the way network technologies are delivered to Soldiers. The WIN-T Increment 2 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation was held in conjunction with NIE 12.2 last spring and the Army took advantage of NIE 13.1 to implement improvements and reduce risk prior to the WIN-T Increment 2 Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation scheduled to be held during NIE 13.2.

Through focused follow-on tests and leveraging the NIE environment, the Army and Project Manager WIN-T plan to continue to make improvements to the tactical network and provide increased capability to the Soldier.

WIN-T Increment 1, formerly known as the “Joint Network Node – Network,” began fielding in 2004 and provides Soldiers with high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications down to battalion level units, at-the-quick-halt. WIN-T Increment 2 provides Soldiers with a single, integrated and on-the-move network down to the company level. It further increases capability by introducing self-forming, self-healing networking radios and enhancing Network Operations, a suite of integrated monitoring tools used by communications officers to command and control the network.

“WIN-T Increment 2 is tremendously powerful, because you can transfer not just voice communications, but (also) data over extended distances,” Dorame said.

From his point of presence, or PoP, vehicle, Dorame was able to download and review his staff estimates, the data slides used inside the tactical operations center, known as a TOC, to manage overall operations. He was then able to make a voice phone call and tie into a conference call at the brigade TOC. His operations officer, miles away in a different part of the desert in his own WIN-T Increment 2-equipped vehicle, was also able to tie into that call. In roughly 10 minutes time, Dorame conducted the conference call with his staff and had them rapidly update him on what he needed to know about what was happening on the battlefield.

Unlike battles of the past, he said, he never had to leave his vehicle or battlefield position to go to a fixed structure to conduct these critical tasks. He could remain at the decisive point in the fight.

“The ability to do all that was tremendous,” Dorame said.

The PoP vehicle that Dorame had been driving in is a WIN-T Increment 2 configuration item to be installed on select platforms at division, brigade and battalion echelons. It enables mobile mission command by providing secret level on-the-move network connectivity, both line-of-sight (terrestrial) and beyond-line-of-sight (satellite).

Among the on-the-move mission command applications leveraged by the WIN-T Increment 2 PoP during NIE 13.1 were Tactical Ground Reporting, a multimedia, patrol-level reporting system; Command Post of the Future, which provides a collaborative common operating picture; and Joint Capabilities Release, the second generation of Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below, which tracks friendly and enemy forces on a geospatial imagery map. Soldiers were also able to take advantage of enterprise services accessible via the network and chat from their WIN-T Increment 2 equipped vehicles.

WIN-T Increment 2 is being fielded as part of Capability Set 13, which began fielding in October 2012 with two brigade combat teams from the 10th Mountain Division. CS 13 is the first fully-integrated package of radios, satellite systems, software applications, smartphone-like devices and other network components that provide connectivity from the stationary command post to the commander on-the-move to the dismounted Soldier. WIN-T Increment 2 is the tactical communications network backbone that binds the capability set together.

The Army leveraged NIE 13.1 to continue with follow-on CS 14 development to add additional capability to the force.

“The [WIN-T Increment 2] network gives us tremendous capabilities, not just stationary, but on the move with our on-the-move platforms,” said Maj. Ralf Radka, Dorame’s executive officer. “A commander can go in and through his vehicle he can access many of the same systems that we access in our TOC. So he can review it where he is, and working with his other battalion commanders, who have similar systems that are all tied into the network, he can fight the fight.”



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/on-the-move-network-is-commanders-eyes-ears-at-network-integration-evaluations-46158/#ixzz2GzxEVqqk

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By BAE Systems on Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) has selected BAE Systems to provide software and systems engineering services under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

BAE Systems’ global team of experts will offer systems and software engineering support for CECOM’s Software Engineering Center (SEC). The SEC provides essential lifecycle maintenance and support to ensure interoperability and function of the U.S. Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. BAE Systems has been selected as one of the prime contractors on the five year, multi-award IDIQ. The total value of all task orders that will be released under the IDIQ is estimated at $7 billion.

“Our team offers C4ISR domain expertise and the global footprint necessary to execute CECOM’s software and systems sustainment mission,” said DeEtte Gray, president of BAE Systems’ Intelligence and Security sector. “From evaluating software capabilities for enterprise cloud computing systems, to integrating mobile cybersecurity solutions for tactical battlefield communications, we are committed to supporting the daily mission of U.S. Army CECOM.”

BAE Systems Intelligence & Security manages big data, informs big decisions, and supports big missions. BAE Systems delivers a broad range of services including IT, cybersecurity and intelligence analysis to enable the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats. The company takes pride in supporting critical national security missions that protect the nation and those who serve.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/bae-systems-to-provide-software-and-systems-engineering-support-for-us-army-46214/#ixzz2HOo9qTnT

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By Army News Service on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate’s state-of-the-art Electromagnetic Vulnerability Assessment Facility here is used to conduct experiments that address the electromagnetic vulnerability requirements of the U.S. Army Weapon and Communication-Electronics Systems.

Electromagnetic vulnerability is the characteristics of a system that cause it to suffer a definite degradation (incapability to perform the designated mission) as a result of having been subjected to a certain level of electromagnetic environmental effects, also called EMV.

The Electromagnetic Vulnerability Assessment Facility, or EMVAF, is used to sustain Army Research Laboratory’s, or ARL’s, ongoing mission to evaluate Army weapon systems’ survivability against the full spectrum of electromagnetic energy threats on the battlefield and in operations other than war. This includes the means to determine weapon systems’ survivability against radio-frequency directed energy weapons, electronic warfare jamming and unintentional interference.

The EMVAF is a secure electromagnetic spectrum research facility that houses two double-shielded anechoic chambers, each of which enable precise controlled measurements. The main shielded anechoic chamber is 100 ft. x 70 ft. x 40 ft., and has a turntable capable of supporting 100-ton test vehicles. It is the largest of its type in the Army.

An anechoic chamber is designed to reduce all spurious radio frequency, or RF, energy to a minimum. In so doing, experiments can be performed in an RF environment with the minimum number of variables making the RF engineers analysis faster and more definitive.

At the EMVAF, two methods of reducing the spurious RF energy are the 100-decibel isolation that each layer of the shielding system provides and the radar absorbing material, or RAM, ability to absorb RF energy that is generated within the chamber.

In simple terms, the RF shielding is the fully seam welded steel structure surrounding the chamber that includes RF tight doors. This is also known as a Faraday cage, which guarantees that RF energy generated outside the shield stays out of the chamber environment.

Likewise, RF energy that is generated inside the shield stays inside the chamber. The modern world RF environment is very noisy. Keeping the noisy world outside of the chamber reduces the number of accidental interference or variables for an experiment. Keeping the signals generated inside the chamber and within the chamber offers a level of security to a system developer depending on the classification of signals they may be generating.

The RAM that lines the inside of the chamber is designed to absorb the RF energy that is generated during an experiment. This is critical since each chamber is in essence a huge metal box, which would otherwise allow the RF to bounce off the walls and back to the item under investigation.

By absorbing the RF energy at the boundaries, the engineer can strictly control and thus identify what energy is specifically occurring between the item under investigation and the receive antenna in the chamber.

With the high level of control of the RF energy in the chamber, engineers can perform a wide range of RF tests within the chambers. These tests can include radiated emissions as well as radiated interference tests. In the first case, the engineer is looking at what the test item is radiating and in the second what RF energy will cause problems for the system.

The EMVAF, and more specifically the Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate, or SLAD, has available a wide range of personnel expertise that can be brought to bear on any given experiment. If a specific project at the EMVAF requires expertise in electronic warfare, computer network operations, counter-improvised explosive device, laser and optics or infrared, all can be supported with local expertise in the area.

If specific radio communications expertise is required that cannot be fulfilled locally, then experts within SLAD at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., can be brought in to support the requirement. In short, SLAD has the ability to supply the expertise required to make certain projects supported at the EMVAF receive the high quality data needed to move forward.

In addition to the chambers, the EMVAF includes control rooms, laboratory and office space. It is the Army’s premiere facility for performing controlled measurements for RF and microwave survivability/lethality/vulnerability of electronic systems.

Expertise in electronic warfare, counter IED, computer network operations, and modeling and simulation can all be brought in from local SLAD resources to meet specific requirements of a given customer. In so doing, the experiment design can be closely tailored to meet the exacting requirements of the given program.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/army-assesses-electromagnetic-vulnerabilities-46249/#ixzz2HT6TB5n5

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A United States gun crew run through drills on the M777 Howitzer at Forward Operating Base Hadrian.

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US Army Allocates Quarter Billion US$ for Small UAS




RQ-11B Raven small UAS fitted with the Mantis gimballed EO Payload. Photo: Aerovironment

The US Army announced has awarded Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract (ID/IQ) to five manufacturers of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) worth together up to $248 Million. The funding will cover deliveries of small UAS systems over the next five years. The funding will cover the Army’s own UAS, as well as some orders for other military branches, civilian government agencies and foreign countries.


The beneficiaries are Aerovironment, of Monrovia, Calif., Altavian and Innovative Automation Technologies from Gainesville, Fla., Elbit Systems of America from Fort Worth, Texas and Lockheed Martin Corporation, Owego, N.Y.

The Army awarded these shell contracts to all five companies that entered the bid to cap the future procurement, per specific requirements as defined by the Army. According to Aerovironment, the funding will enable the company to continue deliveries and support of RQ-11B Raven and RQ-20A Puma AE systems, as well as competing on medium- and long-range small unmanned aircraft systems.


Lockheed martin has recently demonstrated the Stalker performing a continuous 48 hour mission, utilising laser-beamed power. Photo: Laser Motive.

“This new IDIQ contract provides for continued procurement of small UAS, reflecting the high value of this capability.” said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. Lockheed martin will be able to offer the Stalker UAS for the Army, as well as to other services relying on Army procurement for their UAS needs.

For Elbit Systems, the recent win is a major step forward in the US Small UAS market. In 2011, UAS Dynamics - a joint venture established between Elbit Systems and General Dynamics in 2009 lost the opportunity to sell its drones to the US Marine Corps, under the STUAS competition that was eventually won by Boeing/Insitu. Few months later General Dynamics divested its share in the company. The recent win is an important opportunity for Elbit Systems to regain its foothold in the North American market, particularly with the its Skylark 1LE which was modified specifically for the US market.

For IA-Tech and Altavian the Army contract opens new opportunities for growth. Altavian CEO John Perry, said he expects the Army to put out bids within the next few months, according to the Gainesville Sun. Perry said his company could triple its workforce if they wins substantial orders for its Nova Block III unmanned aircraft system. In August 2012 Altavian and ISR Group announced a teaming agreement, to expand Altavian’s marketing, operations and support to international markets and areas of operation. Sofar the company has been focusing on domestic operations.


Elbit Systems developed the enhanced version of its first generation Skylark, designated ‘Skylark 1LE’ to meet specific requirements defined by the US military services. Among these capabilities are increased payload capacity, allowing for more endurance and carriage of the M-STAMP multi-sensor payload. The Israeli Army has recently opted to upgrade its Skylark 1 systems with this new capability.

defense-update

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US Army fields first AH-64E unit, but more improvements to come

Even as the US Army moves forward with fielding its first unit of Boeing AH-64E Block III attack helicopters, the service is planning to add further improvements to the Apache gunship.

"Right now, we are currently fielding the first unit equipped, our FUE [first unit equipped] unit, with Echo-models, and we're on track to meet that fielding schedule," says Col Jeff Hager, the army's Apache programme manager.

US Army

Hager adds that Boeing has delivered 28 of 51 low-rate initial production AH-64Es that it is contracted to build. This year, the company will start producing full-rate production aircraft for an eventual total of 634 helicopters.

But even as the AH-64E transitions into full-rate production, some systems engineering work remains, Hager says. The changes, which will come in production Lots 4 through 6, include better embedded diagnostics for improved maintenance. The Apache will also gain the Link-16 data-link, which is typically found on fixed-wing combat aircraft. It will also be afforded improvements to its mast-mounted Northrop Grumman APG-78 Longbow fire control radar, which will improve range and add overwater capability.

Hager says that the army has not quite decided how the overwater capability would be used, but he says the Longbow radar in concert with the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire missile could be used to attack landing craft or small warships. In the future, active electronically scanned array radar could be added to the aircraft.

Another addition will be the cognitive decision aiding system (CDAS), Hager says. CDAS is designed "to help the pilot and the crew with some of those tasks that tend to get a little cumbersome at times," he says. "It'll help him in those tasks in specific."

The army also intends to support Boeing's efforts to sell the Apache overseas, Hager says. Boeing's attack helicopter vice president, Dave Koopersmith, says that the company has seen an uptick in interest internationally for the Apache recently. "We have more demand signals for this dominant capability in this attack helicopter space," he says.

flightglobal

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AeroVironment wins US Army's small unmanned aircraft systems contract
10 January 2013
AeroVironment has been selected as one of the prime contractors for the US Army's future small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) requirements.

Awarded by the US Army Contracting Command (ACC), the firm fixed-price indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a maximum potential value of $248m for all five awardees, which also comprise Altavian, Innovative Automation Technologies, Lockheed Martin and Elbit Systems of America.

The contract has been designed to enable continued acquisition of AeroVironment's RQ-11B Raven and RQ-20A Puma all environment (AE) systems, in addition to other competing medium and long-range small UAS.

AeroVironment senior vice president and Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment general manager Roy Minson said the company has competed for every Department of Defense (DoD) contract involving small UAS (SUAS) and supplied reliable systems with enhanced capability to troops.

"This new IDIQ contract provides for continued procurement of small UAS, reflecting the high value of this capability," Minson added.

We look forward to supporting the US Army and other customers with market leading small UAS solutions that anticipate the ever-evolving needs of warfighters and address the budgetary constraints of governments."

The RQ-11 Raven and RQ-20A Puma belong to AeroVironment's line of SUAS that operate with a common ground control system (GCS) to provide commanders with the option of selecting appropriate aircraft depending on the mission type being carried out.

The RQ-11 Raven is a lightweight SUAS designed for rapid deployment and high-mobility for military operations, such as low-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), battle damage assessment and maritime patrol operations.

Equipped with three air vehicles and two ground control systems, the 13lb Puma AE is a third-generation, portable and hand-launched SUAS, designed primarily to conduct intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

Work under the contract is expected to complete by December 2017.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsaerovironment-wins-us-armys-small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-contract

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Northrop Grumman to Provide Hand Held Precision Targeting Devices to U.S. Army New, Smaller Targeting Device Provides High Precision and Light Weight

APOPKA, Fla., Jan. 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Army has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) to supply Hand Held Precision Targeting Devices (HHPTDs). The HHPTD is an advanced targeting system weighing less than 5.5 pounds and providing a greater degree of precision than previous systems. To supply the accurate information needed on the modern battlefield, the device incorporates a celestial navigation module. Devices such as the HHPTD allow forces on the ground to relay accurate targeting data to aircraft and command centers. Under the terms of the $9.2 million contract, Northrop Grumman will supply the systems over a three-year period. "With the Hand Held Precision Targeting Device, we have used the experience we gained from the production of the Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder IIH to create a smaller, more lightweight targeting system," said Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of the laser systems business unit. "The HHPTD puts the targeting accuracy needed for today's precision GPS munitions in the hands of the warfighter." Northrop Grumman has delivered more than 25,000 electro-optic laser systems. Currently deployed and in-production systems include man-portable products such as the Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder IIH and the Mark VII and Mark VIIE laser target locators; ground vehicle products such as the M1 Abrams Eyesafe Laser Rangefinder and the Sight Integrated Rangefinder for Stryker vehicles; and airborne products such as the Target Acquisition Designation Sight for the AH-64 Apache and lasers for unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters; and Viper countermeasure lasers for the AN/AAQ-24(V) Directional Infrared Countermeasures system used to protect soldiers from the threat of infrared-guided missiles. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

www.irconnect.com/

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Newest Apache helicopter nicknamed Guardian



Apache Guardian helicopter.JPG






Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 5:39 pm | Updated: 5:41 pm, Tue Jan 15, 2013.

Newest Apache helicopter nicknamed Guardian 0 comments




The world’s most lethal attack helicopter received a new nickname Jan. 8 at the Team Apache annual government-industry meeting at the Boeing facility in Arlington, Va.

The Apache Project Office selected “Guardian” as the winning entry for the AH-64E Apache.

The AH-64E Apache Guardian will be a distinction from the AH-64D Apache Longbow that has been in service with the Army and with allied defense forces since the 1990s.

The winning nickname was submitted by Gina Gill, logistics management specialist from the AMCOM Logistics Center, who wrote the following justification:

“Although the Apache is known as the deadliest helicopter, it is much more. The Apache functions as a safeguard for our Soldiers on the ground. It seeks and eliminates threats that would otherwise be undetectable and/or indestructible allowing our troops to complete their missions. The Apache is our Soldiers’ guardian in the sky.”

Gill was recognized by Team Apache at the meeting. The announcement, she said, came as a complete surprise.

“Once Col. Hager started reading the explanation, I immediately knew. It was a little overwhelming, and I’m very humbled,” she said. “First I started with what was different about this model, and it had to be one word. With all the technology upgrades that have been incorporated into the aircraft, one word did not seem to encapsulate the technological advances that the AH-64E brings to the battlefield.”

After much brainstorming on what the new aircraft means to the end users, the Soldiers that it protects, Gill decided that “Guardian” was the best fit. “The Apache is not just deadly. It brings fear to our enemies, and security to the Soldiers it protects. I work avionics and radar, and that helps with guarding and seeing where the threats are. That’s how I came up with Guardian,” she said.

Several hundred entries were submitted into the contest and judging was difficult.

“Reflecting on this process, you sometimes don’t realize the amount of passion that people put into these names,” Col. Jeff Hager, Apache project manager, said. “For many, this is their livelihood, and you’ve just given them an opportunity to nickname the new Apache helicopter.”

Organizations that participated in the contest included Team Apache military organizations such as the Apache Project Office, the Aviation and Missile Command, and industry team members such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

Leaders from each organization chose their top three to be judged by the Integrated Strategy Group comprised of leaders representing each organization.

There were many good names and many excellent justifications, according to Hager.

theredstonerocket.com

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US Army contracts TCS for SNAP VSAT support services
16 January 2013
TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) has secured a contract to provide field support for the US Army's secret internet protocol router and non-secure internet protocol router access point (SNAP) very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite systems.

Valued at $3.4m, the incremental funding contract covers delivery of SNAP VSAT equipment and field services support, as well as maintenance support to the army.

TCS government solutions senior vice president and general manager Michael Bristol said the military should also possess knowledgeable support to ensure operational readiness of the easily deployable and secure satellite communications systems for mission success."With TCS's tested and proven SNAP VSAT systems, as well as our experienced and dedicated field service personnel, our fighting forces will have a powerful means to achieve mission success," Bristol added.

TCS's SNAP VSAT is a reliable SwiftLink deployable system designed to provide multimedia communications capabilities that are used to convey encrypted voice, video and data information to either dismounted warfighter or small units at forward operating bases (FOB) in remote locations.

The transportable and ruggedised terminals are integrated with modular and plug-and-play interfaces between all radio frequencies (RF) and baseband configurations to provide communication solutions that are customised for operators' specific requirements.

Equipped with a UOS system and a laptop / voiceover internet protocol (VoIP) phone accessories case, the SNAP VSAT is also capable of seamlessly operating on Ku, Ka and X-band frequencies.

The procurement is funded by the US Army Project Manager for the warfighter information network-tactical (PM WIN-T) commercial satellite terminal programme, through the army's $5bn worldwide satellite systems (WWSS) contract vehicle.



http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-contracts-tcs-snap-vsat-support-services

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Waves crash over the side of U.S. Army Vessel Churubusco on the Persian Gulf, Jan. 9, 2013 during a training mission named Operation Spartan Mariner. The mission, conducted by 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, 47th Transportation Company, 420th Movement Control Battalion and 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, consisted of 19 vehicles being loaded on four USAVs to take part in multiple drills and exercises at sea.

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US Army awards SUAS requirements contract to Elbit
21 January 2013
The US Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen (ACC-APG) has selected Elbit Systems of America as one of the prime contractors to address its future small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) requirements.

Valued at $248m for all five awardees, the firm fixed-price indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract covers provision of support and capability upgrades to the army's existing SUAS, including AeroVironment's RQ-11B Raven and RQ-20A Puma all environment (AE) systems.

Under the contract, Elbit Systems of America will deliver its combat-proven I-LE Block II system as an alternative medium and long-range SUAS to meet the army's anticipated future requirements.

Elbit Systems of America president and CEO Raanan Horowitz said the Skylark I SUAS has been designed to address soldier specific requirements.

"The innovative solutions found in the Skylark I-LE Block II offer more mission flexibility, enabling the Skylark to fly higher without degradation of imagery," Horowitz added.

"These discriminating capabilities are designed to meet the military challenges of today and in the future."

Weighing 16lb, the Skylark I-LE Block II is a hand-launched SUAS designed to conduct various intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions at ranges of 15km in the battlefield.

The system is a modified all-US version of basic Skylark 1 LE, featuring an improved thrust-to-weight ratio for hand-launch operations and aerodynamic performance in harsh environments, as well as new dual electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload equipped with a laser marker for day and night operations.

Additional improvements include integration of an open system data link, additional onboard processing, as well as automatic tracking and motion detection capabilities.

Other contract awardees include Altavian, Innovative Automation Technologies, Lockheed Martin and Aerovironment.



http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-awards-suas-requirements-contract-elbit

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Sikorsky and Boeing team up for US Army's JMR TD programme
22 January 2013
Sikorsky Aircraft has entered into a partnership agreement with Boeing to bid for the US Army's joint multi-role (JMR) technology demonstrator (TD) phase 1-air vehicle development programme.

AAs part of the agreement, the two companies will submit a joint proposal for the JMR TD programme solicitation released by the Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) in November 2011.

Sikorsky Aircraft president Mick Maurer said the agreement brought together the technical expertise of the two companies.

"Our customer can be assured this collaboration will bring together innovative, industry-leading engineering expertise with a deep bench of programme leadership talent, and builds upon the combined resources of both companies to deliver a revolutionary capability for the warfighter at an affordable cost for the US taxpayer,'' Maurer added.

Boeing Military Aircraft president Chris Chadwick said the agreement reaffirms the long-standing relationship between the two companies.
"Our combined technical strengths and our collective programme management expertise make this partnership an exciting development in meeting the army's JMR programme objectives," Chadwick said.

The proposal includes development and test flight of one or more demonstrator aircraft in 2017, to help the army specify requirements for a next-generation vertical lift performance in a medium-lift-sized aircraft.

Boeing is planning to submit a tilt-rotor based proposal, whereas Sikorsky is putting forward its X2 coaxial-compound rotor-pusher-propeller design for the programme.

A subset of the US Pentagon's joint future vertical lift effort, the JMR programme aims at development of a family of helicopters with enhanced avionics, electronics, range, speed, propulsion, survivability, operating density altitudes and payload capacities.

The helicopters are expected to replace the army's existing UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, as well as similar aircraft used by the navy, air force and marine corps, from 2030.




http://www.army-technology.com/news/newssikorsky-and-boeing-team-up-for-us-armys-jmr-td-programme

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Elbit Systems to sell UAV to US Army


Subsidiary of Israeli defense electronics manufacturer selected for award to provide US Army with Skylark I-LE Block II, a long-range Small Unmanned Aircraft System with capabilities normally associated with larger class unmanned system
Ynetnews
Elbit Systems of America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd., has been selected for award by the US Army ACC-APG, Natick Contracting Division on behalf of the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) Product Office.
Elbit Systems of America was selected with four other companies to provide the full spectrum of SUAS products. The scope of the award includes providing support and capability upgrades to current systems fielded by the US Army, including the RQ-11B Raven and the RQ-20A Puma.
In addition, the customer has the option to procure the Elbit Systems of America Skylark I-LE Block II as an alternative Medium and Long-Range SUAS to meet anticipated future requirements.

Although this is a selection for award, the customer has no definitive purchasing obligation. The total aggregate potential value of all delivery orders to be awarded to all five companies under this award is $248M.
As part of this requirement, Elbit System of America will provide the US Army with the Skylark I-LE Block II, a long-range SUAS with the capabilities normally associated with a larger class unmanned system.
Skylark I-LE Block II features include an increased thrust-to-weight ratio for hand launch and aerodynamic performance in severe environments, the incorporation of an open system data link making the Skylark Ground Control Station agnostic, and the integration of the next generation EO/IR payload for both day and night operation.
"The innovative solutions found in the Skylark I-LE Block II, offer more mission flexibility, enabling the Skylark to fly higher without degradation of imagery. These discriminating capabilities are designed to meet the military challenges of today and in the future," stated Elbit Systems of America President and CEO, Raanan Horowitz.
"Our mission is to provide solutions that protect and save lives. The Skylark I-LE Block II is designed to meet the needs of our warfighters so they may successfully complete their missions."

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Alion wins US Army's geospatial enterprise support contract
25 January 2013
Alion Science and Technology has been awarded a contract to enhance geospatial battlefield intelligence capabilities of the US Army.

Awarded under the Defense Technical Information Center's (DTIC's) weapon systems technology information analysis centre (WSTIAC) contract vehicle, the $24m order covers provision of support services for the development, integration and assessment of the army's geospatial enterprise (AGE).

Specific responsibilities include creation of policy and standards that will guide use of geospatial data across the army, development of geospatial data and policy documents, as well as support for the evaluation of geospatially based systems.
Alion Group senior vice president and distributed simulation group manager Terri Spoonhour said: "These capabilities include such mission-critical applications as increasing battlefield situational awareness for operational forces across the Department of Defense (DoD), improving training and achieving a common operating environment within the army geospatial enterprise."

Work under the contract is scheduled to run through to January 2016.

AGE is a distributed database and supporting infrastructure responsible for acquisition and management of geospatial data in support of the army battle command's (BC) combat and peace-keeping missions in a net-centric environment worldwide.

Considered critical to the army's LandWarNet/BC capability development strategy, the system helps in analysis of geospatial information and imagery representing physical topographies, environmental elements and geographically referenced activities, including geological information, terrain and roads, as well as the impact of the time of day or weather.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsalion-wins-us-army-geospatial-enterprise-support-contract

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GD to provide MUOS upgrade for US Army AN/PRC-155 radios
28 January 2013
General Dynamics (GD) C4 Systems has received a contract from the US Army to upgrade the fielded AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack radios, to enable communications with the military's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite comms network.

Under the $5m contract, around 100 existing PRC-155 radios will have upgrades such as a field-replaceable power amplifier and supporting software.

General Dynamics C4 Systems president Chris Marzilli said: "By upgrading fielded PRC-155 radios, the army will greatly enhance soldier effectiveness by providing a tenfold increase in SATCOM capacity for secure, over-the-horizon military communications.

"MUOS access on the two-channel PRC-155 will also allow current army networks to be bridged and extended far beyond their current reach."

The upgrades will allow secure voice and data communication with the MUOS system for on-orbit testing.

In addition, the two-channel PRC-155 Manpack radio runs the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) and Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW), as well as the legacy SINCGARS waveform to allow soldiers to remain interconnected on the battlefield.

The SRW connects dismounted soldiers to the network, while the WNW transports huge amounts of data for communication and SINCGARS enables connectivity with existing radios.

On integration of the MUOS capability in the PRC-155, a network of soldiers can be interconnected with others wherever they are deployed, on foot or from land vehicles, ships, submarines and aircraft.

Capable of providing ten times greater capacity than the military's current Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) satellite communications system, the MUOS waveform has been designed based on the commercial cellular network communications interface to deliver high-speed voice and data communications.

Deliveries under the contract will be carried out towards the end of 2013.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsgd-to-provide-muos-upgrade-us-army-anprc-155-radios

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Additional Orbit remote control units ordered by US military
31 January 2013
Orbit Instrument Division has been awarded a contract for delivery of additional remote control units (RCU) to the US military.

Valued at more than $1.1m, the order forms part of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) signed in August 2011, and takes the total value of contracts received to more than $2m.

Under the contract, the subsidiary of Orbital International's Electronics Group will supply undisclosed units of RCUs to the US Army and Navy for identity friend or foe (IFF) applications.

Orbit International president and CEO Mitchell Binder said the Electronics Group had secured more than $3m in orders in late 2012.

As part of the MoA, the company is scheduled to receive additional follow-on contracts throughout this year to address army and naval requirements.

The RCU is a cost-effective, handheld controller system designed to help the pilot and other onboard personnel control the onboard IFF transponder, which enables determination of hostile or friendly aircraft in the battlefield.

Enabling users to select numerous modes of operation, the system is equipped with two rotary function switches and one for alphanumeric display; backlit switches with engraved keycaps, brightness level rocker switches, as well as light sensors to maintain sufficient illumination levels.

Extensively used in naval airborne programmes, the system is capable of addressing all operator requirements, while also supporting future upgrades and enhancements.

Deliveries under the contract are expected to start in the third quarter of 2013, with completion taking place before the end of the year.

Orbital has delivered more than 4,000 RCU panels in various configurations to the military since 2000.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-military-orders-additional-remote-control-units-orbit

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Lockheed Martin Receives $197 Million U.S. Army Contract for Guided MLRS Rocket Production

DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2013 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a $197 million contract option from the U.S. Army for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary rocket production.

This contract option was attached to the GMLRS Production Lot 7 contract, which now has a total funded value of $550.8 million. The GMLRS Production Lot 7 contract was originally awarded to Lockheed Martin in July 2012. This move enables the service to pay less for each rocket than if a separate 2013 production contract were issued.

“Our top priority is to ensure that our warfighters are equipped with the most effective, affordable and dependable weapon system available, and we’re proud that GMLRS meets that standard,” said Scott Arnold, vice president of precision fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The new allotment of rockets will be delivered to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps beginning in September 2014. Work will be performed at the Lockheed Martin facilities in Camden, Ark., and Dallas.

GMLRS is an all-weather, long-range rocket designed for fast deployment that delivers precision strike beyond the reach of most conventional weapons. GMLRS Unitary rockets greatly exceed the required combat reliability rate and have established a reputation for affordability.

Lockheed Martin has produced more than 20,000 GMLRS rockets. In combat operations, each rocket is packaged in an MLRS launch pod and is fired from the Lockheed Martin HIMARS or M270 family of launchers.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is a 2012 recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for performance excellence. The Malcolm Baldrige Award represents the highest honor that can be awarded to American companies for their achievements in leadership, strategic planning, customer relations, measurement, analysis, workforce excellence, operations and results.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 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 2012 were $47.2 billion.

lockheedmartin

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By Northrop Grumman on Monday, February 4th, 2013

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) has delivered the first of eight Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) missile defense systems to the U.S. Army two months ahead of schedule.

Northrop Grumman successfully completed acceptance testing with the Army on the first CIRCM suite of equipment and delivered a complete hardware set. This testing, which confirmed system performance, size, weight and power compliance, was completed two months ahead of schedule and validates the Northrop Grumman offering as capable and mature.

The system was delivered under a $31.4 million Technology Demonstration contract to develop the next generation of aircraft survivability equipment to defend helicopters against man-portable air-defense systems and other heat-seeking munitions. The system is now scheduled to enter reliability testing.

“With the growing proliferation of infrared threats, it is more important than ever that our troops have effective protection from these missiles,” said Jeffrey Palombo, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s Land and Self-Protection Systems division. “This early delivery confirms the maturity of our CIRCM solution and is an important step toward getting this technology into the field. We will make certain that our CIRCM system performs beyond the Army’s expectations and remains ready to address evolving threat contingencies at a moment’s notice.”

CIRCM is a lightweight, low-cost, highly reliable, laser-based countermeasure system designed to work with missile warning systems for rotary wing, tilt-rotor and small fixed-wing aircraft across the military services. Northrop Grumman is developing its solution with its partners SELEX Galileo and Daylight Solutions.

Northrop Grumman is an industry leader in directional infrared countermeasures system design and manufacture. The company’s infrared countermeasures systems have been installed on more than 800 aircraft representing 50 different aircraft types, including large and small fixed-wing, rotary-wing and tilt-wing platforms.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-grumman-delivers-circm-system-to-us-army-46636/#ixzz2JvHHZs56

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Additional GMLRS rockets ordered by US Army from Lockheed
4 February 2013
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract modification for delivery of additional guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) Unitary rockets to the US Army and Marine Corps.

Valued at $197m, the award represents an option under the original GMLRS Production Lot 7 contract secured by the company in July 2012 and brings the total contract value to $550.8m.

The $353.2m Lot 7 contract covers rockets supplies to the US Army and Marine Corps (USMC), as well as the Singapore, Jordan and Italian armies.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control precision fires vice president Scott Arnold said the company focused on ensuring that the soldiers were fully equipped with the most effective, affordable and dependable weapon system.

Featuring a global positioning system (GPS) with inertial measurement unit guidance and a 200lb unitary warhead, the GMLRS is an all-weather, rapidly deployable, long-range rocket designed for precise destruction of ground targets, located at a distance of up to 70km with minimal collateral damage

Enclosed in a multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) launch pod, the weapon can be fired from M270A1 MLRS and the M142 high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) against both personnel and vehicles in the battlefield.

The GMLRS rockets have achieved a combat reliability rate of 98%, and more than 2,300 rounds were fired by the army, USMC and UK Armed Forces during coalition operations.

Manufacturing work under the contract will be carried out at the company's US facilities in Arkansas and Dallas, with deliveries scheduled to start in September 2014.

Lockheed is currently developing an upgraded GMLRS variant, dubbed GMLRS+, which has a range of 120km and a scalable-effects warhead.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-military-orders-additional-gmlrs-rockets-from-lockheed