US Army

Rappel du premier message :

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

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

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

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

source: emarrakech.info

Rafi

j´aime bien les Kiowa warrior

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une photo intéressante de l'hélico qui aurait été utilisé lors de l'opération pour éliminer Ben Laden : le Stealth Hawk

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Lockheed Martin Receives $161 Million in Contracts for Apache M-TADS/PNVS UpgradesORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 13, 2013 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received two production contracts totaling $161.7 million from the U.S. Army to continue upgrades of the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor
(M-TADS/PNVS) program for the Apache attack helicopter.
The Lot 2 and Lot 3 contracts cover 482 Modernized Day Sensor Assembly (M-DSA) Modernized Laser Rangefinder Designator (M-LRFD) kits and spares. The U.S. Army ordered 92 M-DSA M-LRFD kits and spares for Lot 1 in February 2012, and the first of those units will be delivered in early 2013.
With the addition of these contracts, production at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control’s facilities in Ocala and Orlando, Fla., will be sustained through third quarter 2016.
“These two production lots represent our continued confidence in Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control to provide a high performing, high quality, reliable LRFD for the AH-64D/E,” said Lt. Col. Steve Van Riper, U.S. Army product manager of Apache Sensors. “We look forward to our first delivery and subsequent fielding of this capability.”
“M-DSA M-LRFD kits reduce ongoing obsolescence while significantly increasing system performance,” said Matt Hoffman, director of M-TADS/PNVS programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “These contracts demonstrate the customer’s commitment to ensuring our soldiers have superior capabilities as they carry out their missions.”
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 one of the highest honors that can be awarded to American companies for achievement in leadership, strategic planning, customer relations, measurement, analysis, workforce excellence, operations and business 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.

www.lockheedmartin.com

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Two U.S. companies are working on the U.S. Army's planned expansion of its self-propelled Paladin howitzer fleet and ammunition supply vehicles. Loc Performance Products Inc. and BAE Systems will design, test and manufacture prototype final drive assemblies for the Army's M109A6/M992A2 Paladin Integrated Management program.

Saturday, February 16, 2013, 11:58 AM



http://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2013_army_military_defense_industry_news/u.s._companies_work_on_the_final_development_of_the_m109a6_paladin_howitzer_for_u.s._army_1602131.html

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US Army contracts Raytheon/Thales team for helicopter HMDS development
19 February 2013
Raytheon Technical Services Company (RTSC) has been awarded a contract for engineering and manufacturing (EMD) development of helicopter helmet-mounted displays for the US Army.

Under the terms of the $3.5m contract, RTSC, with Thales Visionix (TVI) will develop common helmet-mounted display (CHMD) systems for the army's Air Soldier systems programme.

The team will conduct systems engineering to modify TVI's Scorpion helmet mounted cueing system (HMCS) for installation on the HGU-56/P helmet, which is widely used in army helicopter applications.RTSC customised engineering and depot support vice president Rudy Lewis said the contract demonstrated the capabilities and progress achieved by the company in offering a full suite of integrated situational awareness products and services to its customers.

Thales Visionix president Pete Roney added: "Our advanced, full-colour and affordable helmet-mounted display will provide air soldiers with the tactical and operational information platform they need today and well into the future."

Introduced in 2008, the Scorpion HMCS is the world's only fully coloured HMD developed for targeting pod and gimbaled sensor, as well as high off-boresight missile cueing mission scenarios.

Fully compatible with the AN/AVS-9 night-vision goggles (NVG), Panoramic NVG and other standard head and life support gear, the system rapidly acquires targets and provides an accurate and colour collimated image to the pilot due to an integrated light-guide optical element (LOE).

Manufacturing work under the contract, which was awarded by the US Army's Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO-S), is scheduled to be carried out at the company's facilities in Indiana and Illinois, US.

Air Soldier is an advanced aircrew mission and protective suite, designed to replace the legacy Air Warrior (AW) system, currently in service with the rotary and select fixed wing helicopter pilots of the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

The system is expected to enter service with the army before the end of 2015.





http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-contracts-raytheonthales-team-helicopter-hmds-development

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Raytheon's New Precision Artillery Ready for Low-Rate Initial Production


(Source: Raytheon Co.; issued Feb. 20, 2013)



ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates --- Raytheon Company received a U.S. Army fiscal year 2012 contract for the production of Excalibur Increment Ib precision-guided projectiles. The $56.6 million contract, awarded in December, marks the start of low-rate initial production (LRIP) of Excalibur Ib.

Excalibur is a 155mm precision-guided, extended-range projectile that uses GPS precision guidance to provide accurate, first round, fire-for-effect capability in any environment.

"The U.S. Army and Raytheon team worked tirelessly to take Excalibur Ib from design to production in just a few years. The Excalibur Increment Ib round was designed to improve reliability and lower unit costs while maintaining its world class precision for our warfighters," said Lt. Col. Josh Walsh, the U.S. Army Excalibur program manager. "With a radial miss distance of less than 4 meters at ranges in excess of 35 kilometers, Excalibur continues to provide maneuver commanders with an organic precision fires capability not seen before."

Future Excalibur Ib LRIP contract options through fiscal year 2016 include additional quantities to support U.S. forces' increased inventory requirements, training allocations and military sales.

"The threats are constantly changing, and the way we counter them must also evolve and change," said Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Army programs at Raytheon Missile Systems. "Excalibur Ib's design flexibility will allow software changes and capability improvements in response to future warfighter needs."

•Excalibur Ib deliveries to the Army are scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2013.
•When compared with other artillery rounds, Excalibur's precision provides a major reduction in the mission time, cost, logistical burden and risk of collateral damage.
•Excalibur is a co-development program between Raytheon Company and BAE Systems/Bofors.


Raytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.



http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/142817/raytheon-wins-%2456m-for-excalibur-ib-lrip.html

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Fully Immersive Visual simulation Training Systems



U.S. Army Col. Bryan L. Rudacille, Commander of the Joint Multinational Training Command (kneeling), gets briefed by Spc. Brandon Swartz, from Centre Hall, PA, on the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2013. The DSTS is the first fully-immersive virtual training environment to conduct dismounted Soldier operations



U.S. Army Col. Bryan L. Rudacille, Commander of the Joint Multinational Training Command (kneeling), gets briefed by Spc. Brandon Swartz, from Centre Hall, PA, on the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2013. The DSTS is the first fully-immersive virtual training environment to conduct dismounted Soldier operations.


US Army Soldiers of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, prepare to train using the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2013. The DSTS is the first fully-immersive virtual training environment to conduct dismounted Soldier operations.

US Army Soldiers of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, prepare to train using the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2013. The DSTS is the first fully-immersive virtual training environment to conduct dismounted Soldier operations.

US Army Soldiers of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, prepare to train using the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2013. The DSTS is the first fully-immersive virtual training environment to conduct dismounted Soldier operations.

PFC Cullen Rocha, from Bernalillo, NM and attached to Engineer Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, sits on the Gunner Station while training in the Virtual Clearance Training Suite (VCTS) at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2013. The VCTS is United States Army Europe’s premier virtual training system for route clearance and convoy operations.


US Army Soldiers of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, prepare to train using the Dismounted Soldier Training System (DSTS) at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2013. The DSTS is the first fully-immersive virtual training environment to conduct dismounted Soldier operations.

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US Army evaluates L-3 WESCAM's MX-25 EO/IR imaging system
26 February 2013
The US Army has conducted in-flight demonstrations of the first L-3 WESCAM-built MX-25 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging system at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, US.

Carried out by the Persistent Threat and Detection System (PTDS) Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) team after two hours of installation, the demonstrations validated the system's ability to serve as a plug-and-play upgrade path for MX-20 imagers currently installed onboard PTDS aerostats.

L-3 WESCAM government sales and business development vice president Paul Jennison said verification of the possibility that the MX-25 could be quickly installed as a spiral PTDS upgrade was a necessity as the army needed insurgent activity identification at longer distances as soon as possible.

"Engineering this long-range solution for the US Army represents the fifth technology spiral path that L-3 WESCAM has provided to CECOM since PTDS became operational in 2005," Jennison said.

During the nine day evaluation programme, the team conducted a side-by-side resolution testing between the MX-20 and MX-25 imagers. The MX-20 delivered similarly detailed thermal imagery at 50% greater standoff distances.

The company has stated that the improved situational awareness and range capabilities demonstrated by the system has been achieved through using a significantly larger infra-red (IR) lens aperture, a high-definition IR imager, as well as an enhanced stabilisation.

Capable of housing up to seven imaging and laser sensors, the MX-25 imager is also expected to be further equipped with a laser designator option.

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the PTDS is an aerostat-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and communications system deployed to support convoy-protection and counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED) missions of the US military and allied forces in Afghanistan.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-evaluates-l3-wescams-mx-25-eoir-imaging-system

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US Army produces new remote sensors for Global Strike NRT-BDA system
27 February 2013
The US Army's Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) has developed a new remote sensor for the Global Strike Near Real-Time Battle Data Assessment (NRT-BDA) system, to improve troops' battlefield awareness.

Equipped with unattended sensors and a remote soldier interface, the Global Strike NRT-BDA system is designed to provide soldiers with prompt reporting of battlefield conditions during reconnaissance operations.Intended to be air deployable, the sensor features a chemical agent detector similar in shape and size to a soft-drinks can, for accurate detection of chemical agents and other threats, in addition to seismic activity.

Already tested from a P-3 Orion aircraft at 1,000ft altitude, the sensor is equipped with an accelerometer that triggers release of the cap and small parachute, as well as spring-loaded legs, which pop open enabling it to sit upright soon after landing.

A GPS tracking device is also fitted to initiate the detector's start sequence allowing threat detection, followed by transmission of the information to a satellite and eventually to troops manning a soldier interface located a few thousand miles away.

Previous Global Strike NRT-BDA system versions featured a GPS antenna, an iridium antenna for data transmission, as well as a short-range communications antenna, which are not required in the latest variant.

ECBC Engineering Directorate advanced design and manufacturing division electronic design integration branch chief Robert Pazda said the Global Strike NRT-BDA is a pre or post-assessment tool.

"You could drop it and know something is there and strike, or you know something's there and avoid the area," Pazda said.

ECBC is planning to extend the system's operational time to several days, as opposed to the existing four to six hours.

Other supporting organisations include ECBC's engineering design and analysis branch, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Air Force Research Laboratory, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Kansas State University and Smiths Detection.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-produces-new-remote-sensors-global-strike-nrt-bda-system

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Pentagon Contract Announcement


(Source: U.S Department of Defense; issued February 26, 2013)



FN Manufacturing L.L.C., Columbia, S.C., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum value of $76,922,574. The award will provide for the procurement of a maximum quantity of 120,000 M4/M4A1 Carbines and related requirements.

Work location will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 19, 2018. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with six bids received.

The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-13-D-0030).



http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/143016/fn-wins-%2477m-to-produce-m4-carbines.html

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Army removes XM25 from service after incident

By Rob Curtis - Staff writer Posted : Tuesday Mar 5, 2013 14:08:49 EST

The Army’s XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement system has been removed from service after a training accident injured a soldier in Afghanistan early last month.

A soldier was injured during a Feb. 2 live-fire training event during which the primer of a 25mm high-explosive air burst round ignited as a result of a double feed, according to Army spokesman Matthew Bourke.Although the primer and propellant were initiated, safety mechanisms prevented the round’s warhead from detonating. The gun was inoperable after the explosion.

“The gunner training on the weapon system received superficial injuries,” said Bourke. “The gunner was medically evaluated and returned to duty.”

The malfunctioning weapon was part of the latest batch of 12 prototypes sent into theater in January as part of the Army’s ongoing forward operational assessment of the XM25 CDTE system. To date, the system has been fielded for evaluation in small numbers to units in Afghanistan for approximately 18 months.

This is the second XM25 malfunction resulting in primer and propellant initiation prior to the round being fully chambered and locked. The first involved an earlier prototype and resulted in no injuries. This latest XM25 design prototype features design revisions that addressed the cause of the prior malfunction.

“Based on preliminary findings, the most recent malfunction occurred differently than the previous one,” said Bourke, “It’s also important to note that there were nearly 5,900 rounds fired between incidents.”

The Army declined to identify the unit involved or the location of the incident citing operational security concerns.

Alliant Techsystems, Inc (ATK) was awarded a $65.8 million contract in 2011 and another $18.8 million contract in 2012 by the Army’s PEO Soldier for engineering and manufacturing development of the XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System.

ATK is the prime contractor, systems integrator and ammunition provider for the XM25 program. Program partners include Heckler & Koch and L-3 Communications’ Integrated Optical Systems.

ATK’s spokesperson referred all questions to Army Public Affairs.

Prior to the accident, the XM25 was very popular among soldiers who dubbed it “the Punisher.” The head of PEO Soldier at the time, Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller, called it “a revolutionary weapon … a game changer
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2013/03/army-removes-xm25-from-service-after-incident-030513/

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US Army considers B-model upgrade for UH-72A Lakota fleet


The US Army has opened discussions with American Eurocopter to introduce a B-model of the UH-72A Lakota in 2017, company officials say.
"The army every 10 years looks at how to improve and enhance and modernise its aircraft," says Marc Paganini, American Eurocopter chief executive.
Details of the potential upgrade are unclear, but Eurocopter has introduced the T2 model of the EC145 since the UH-72A was introduced into service in 2007. The T2 model replaces the tail rotor with a finestron, among other improvements.
The LUH programme also is likely to be extended beyond the current programme of record for 345 aircraft, Paganini says. He notes that eight states will not receive any UH-72As under the current programme and some states will not receive a full complement of aircraft for their units.
A contract extension is critical for avoiding a break in production at the UH-72A factory in Columbus, Mississippi. Eurocopter is waiting for an army decision on whether to replace the Bell Helicopter OH-58 Kiowa Warrior with a new armed scout helicopter.
Lutz Bertling, Eurocopter chief executive, says he expects the army to make its decision after the third quarter. The Eurocopter bid for the AAS-72X, which includes Lockheed Martin, faces competition from a re-engined Bell OH-58F Block II, stretched Boeing AH-6S Little Bird and a long-term proposal by Sikorsky for the high-speed S-97 Raider.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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Air Methods to supply additional medical systems for US HH-60M Black Hawks
7 March 2013
Sikorsky Aircraft has awarded a contract to Air Methods to supply its MEDEVAC Interior Systems for installation on the US Army's new HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

Featuring a five-year performance period, the $44.8m contract forms part of the $7.3bn eight multi-year Black Hawk production contract awarded by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to deliver multiple Black Hawk variants in July 2012.

Under the new contract, Air Methods' United Rotorcraft division will supply undisclosed units of MEDEVAC Interior Systems to help Sikorsky upgrade the army's air ambulance fleet.

United Rotorcraft president Tom Curtis said that the medical interior system is designed to offer the helicopter's medical crew with an ability to provide advance care and safeguard the patients.''The system can convert from one configuration to another in a matter of minutes, which maximises the effectiveness, utility and overall value of the HH-60M helicopter,'' Curtis added.

Capable of providing critical care for up to six patients, the company's medical systems include a patented Litter-Lift Patient Loading System, an on-board oxygen generation system, medical suction, electrical power for medical equipment, as well as high intensity, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible lighting.

United Rotorcraft has also supplied 48 HH-60M Medevac Interior Systems to Sikorsky as part of a $17m contract received in October 2008.

Equipped with an environmental control system, oxygen generating system, enroute medical care, suction, patient monitors, the HH-60M is the medical evacuation configuration variant of Black Hawk helicopter, and is used in support of medical, personnel or cargo transport missions.

Initial deliveries under the contract will start in the first quarter of 2013, with estimated completion by the fourth quarter of 2017.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsair-methods-supply-additional-medical-systems-us-hh60m-black-hawks

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Army studies range from virtual marksmanship to waste water reuse

By Army News Service on Friday, March 8th, 2013

Army commands can start thinking now about submitting study proposals to the Army Study Program Management Office for consideration this summer.

Meghan Mariman, director of the Army Study Program Management Office, known as ASPMO, which is part of G-8 at the Pentagon, said that each year, her office pays for about 30 studies at the request of Headquarters, Department of the Army agencies and Army-level commands.

A study, she said, is a research project or an effort to make a project more efficient. The ASPMO is funding studies this year into traumatic brain injury monitoring, risk assessment, leadership development, and cyberspace operations, for instance.

“We’re looking to make smarter decisions, to either make a process more efficient or more effective,” Mariman said.

Funded in fiscal year 2013 by ASPMO are studies on cyberspace defensive operations, the effectiveness of the Selected Reserve Incentive Program in maintaining the Reserve force, the use of locally-sourced materials for construction of facilities in theater, and something called “Neurocognitive Temporal Training and Marksmanship Performance.”

“Using a virtual environment, Soldiers can become better sharpshooters,” Mariman said of the study on neurocognitive training. “And they can use a virtual environment, which saves money; the Office of the Surgeon General has some brilliant work going on.”

In fiscal year 2013, the ASPMO funded nearly 30 studies at about $335,000 each for 15 different agencies, including the Office of the Surgeon General; the Army Materiel Command; the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology; U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; and the Army’s G-3/5/7.

The ASPMO doesn’t do any research for the Army on its own. Instead, it takes in requests for studies from commands and HQDA agencies, and finds a suitable research agency to perform those studies. That could include internal Army agencies that do analysis, such as the Center for Army Analysis at Fort Belvoir, Va. The ASPMO also works with a federally funded research and development center called the RAND Arroyo Center, and with commercial contractors that can perform studies for the Army.

“We manage the program, we provide the resources, and then work with the sponsoring command to help them identify a performer,” Mariman said. “If we have the expertise in-house, of course, we try to keep it in house. We’re trying to do the analysis in the most cost-effective way.”

The ASPMO also manages the relationship between the analysis agency that does a study and the command that wants the study done. She said the studies that yield the best results are those where there was a close relationship between the command that sponsored the study and the agency that performed it.

“I can’t make sure they have regular in-progress reviews,” Mariman said. “But what I can do is encourage regular meetings, and to make sure that the analysis is going in the right direction. That’s where we find the sponsors are most pleased with the results — when they are involved in the process along the way.”

Mariman said most of the studies take about 12 months to complete, and are generally focused on the most current and relevant issues affecting the Army. In fact, she said, the ASPMO compiles a list of topics that are most relevant to the Army and uses that list, in part, to determine which studies will be funded.

“We’re trying to look at near-term issues,” she said.

The ASPMO puts out yearly guidance on topics that are critical to the Army so that agencies that would like to have ASPMO pay for a study can focus their request on issues important and timely for the Army, Mariman said.

“There’s been a big push to make things more efficient in terms of energy and water security,” she said. “So those are two areas we work really closely with the commands that focus on energy conservation.”

Two studies currently underway for the Army in regard to water usage include one that looks at how to reuse waste water, and another that looks at commercial off-the-shelf water quality analysis sets. Both studies are underway now for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

At forward bases, Mariman said, for each gallon of fresh water brought into a location, an equivalent amount of waste water must be brought out or dealt with on site.

“So we’re looking at ways to purify the water and not make an environmental impact,” she said.

In the spring, around mid-April, the ASPMO’s “Study Program Coordination Committee” releases guidance for what kinds of topics are most important to the Army. Shortly after, they issue a call for studies — inviting agencies to submit proposals for consideration by the Senior Analyst Advisory Board. By the fall, the SPCC meets again to approve proposals for study in the upcoming fiscal year.

ARCHIVING RESEARCH FOR THE FUTURE

Studies funded by ASPMO don’t end up in a black hole after the research is done. Instead, the synopsis for each study requested, in progress or completed is posted online within an ASPMO database that allows other agencies access to the research, Mariman said.

“If a command is looking to see if a project has been performed in the past, they can do some initial research in our database to see what analysis has been done on a certain platform or issue,” she said, adding that there’s nearly 5,000 studies documented in that database.

While the actual studies are not posted online, the points of contact for the research are there, as well as a synopsis of the work done. That way, interested Army parties can get access to research the service already paid for and avoid replicating the work themselves.

“It helps to take advantage of lessons learned,” Mariman said. “Nobody wants to start from ground zero when they are working on an analysis project. Almost all the work we do is unclassified, so one thing that makes the work we do powerful is sharing the work we do with other commands. We don’t want to duplicate efforts. So we work really closely with all the internal Army analysis agencies to make sure we don’t have redundant efforts going on.”



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/army-studies-range-from-virtual-marksmanship-to-waste-water-reuse-47081/#ixzz2MwDjVzud

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BAE to advance micro-robotics platforms development for US Army
8 March 2013
BAE Systems has received a contract to continue serving as industrial lead for the US Army Research Laboratory's (ARL) Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology (MAST) Collaborative Technology Alliance for the next five years.

Under the $43m cooperative agreement extension, the company will continue joint research with the MAST Alliance's team of scientists from the army, academia and industry to help accelerate development of bio-inspired micro-robotics systems for US ground forces.

BAE Systems MAST strategic development manager Bill Devine said: "The technologies being developed under MAST will support products that extend soldiers' capabilities, while keeping them out of harm's way."

ARL MAST Consortium manager Dr Brett Piekarski said the quality and success of research conducted over the past five years contributed to the decision to award the programme extension option.
Work specifically includes research, development and integration of micro-scale aeromechanics and ambulation, propulsion, sensing, autonomy, communications, navigation, and control, as well as microscale integration among others facilitating production of several different mission-capable robotic platforms.

Micro-robots are expected to be used by dismounted troops for remote surveillance missions within complex urban environments and terrain.

Primary research labs supporting BAE in the second phase include the University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania and the Nasa Jet Propulsion Lab.

Initiated in 2008, the MAST programme features two main components, a fundamental research programme, which is focused on microsystems mechanics, processing for autonomous operation, microelectronics and integration; with the second being a technology transition phase.

Other participants include University of California, California Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, North Carolina A&T and the University of New Mexico.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsbae-advance-micro-robotics-platforms-development-for-us-army

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CAMP CASEY, South Korea - The 2nd Infantry Division hosted a 10-day Air Assault Course on Camp Casey Feb. 25 to Mar 8, 2013.
Day 7 (Tuesday March 5): 202 candidates in the Air Assault course. They got their first experience with the rappel tower. After a demonstration on the ground, slant wall, and tower, the candidates learned the basic rappelling fundamentals. They moved to the slant wall to practice falling, lock-in drills, and belaying.

Day 8 (Wednesday March 6): 201 Candidates remain in the Air Assault Course. Candidates continue to master the basic rappelling fundamentals on the rappel tower. Candidates work to improve their skills on Hollywood Open Side Rappels, Lock-in, Semi Combat, and Full Combat. Candidates also worked on UH-60 mock up training, which prepares them for tomorrow's aircraft rappel.

Day 9 (Thursday March 7): Candidates demonstrate their mastered fundamentals by rappelling down a UH-60 Black Hawk during the 2nd Infantry Division’s Air Assault Course at Camp Mobile, South Korea, March 7, 2013.

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US Army fields first AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter
14 March 2013
The US Army's 1-229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) has fielded the first AH-64E Apache attack helicopter during a ceremony at Gray Army Airfield within Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, US.

Eight out of 24 helicopters were received by the battalion, since January 2013, and all are scheduled to be operational by the end of April this year.

Known as Guardian, the new heavily-armed helicopter features more powerful, fuel-efficient T700-GE-701D engines, enhanced rotor blade technology, as well as advanced electronics, and is designed to replace the army's existing AH-64D Longbow model helicopters.

Other features include improved drive system and sensor enhancements, improved handling and performance, as well as the ability to hover at 6,000ft with a full mission payload, providing pilots with more control during high-altitude operations.

Commenting on the helicopter, 1-229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion commander lieutenant colonel Geoffrey Crawford said it would increase the battalion's lethality and survivability, while also improving its ability to support ground forces.

The increased power will now allow us to stay on the objective longer and with more ammunition," Crawford added.

With a combat speed of around 189mph, the helicopter, which was formerly known as AH-64D Block III, can turn faster and tighter in challenging environments, and also provide pilots with options to remotely operate nearby unmanned aerial vehicles/systems.

In addition, 1-229th ARB maintenance test pilot chief warrant officer 3 Richard Crabtree said: "They can view UAV camera feeds, adjust their flight path and launch missiles at targets spotted by the UAV."

The battalion flight crews are scheduled to conduct familiarisation training using the actual aircraft and AH-64E flight simulators at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in addition to training in preparation for upcoming rotations to the Army's National Training Center (NTC) later this year.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-fields-first-ah64e-apache-guardian-helicopter

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19 février 2013 – 13:47
En février 2010, un Boeing 747, doté d’une arme laser appelée “Airborne Laser Testbed” (ABL YAL 1A ou ALTB), détruisait un missile à carburant liquide dans la phase d’accélération. Depuis, en raison de son coût important, le programme YAL-1A, lancé dès les années 1990, a été abandonné en décembre 2011.

De son côté, l’US Air Force a cherché à développer l’Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL), une arme montée à bord d’un NC-130 destinée à détruire des cibles terrestres. Deux essais concluants furent réalisés en 2009. Comme le programme YAL-1A, il a égalemet été mis un terme à ce projet. Un rapport d’experts de l’aviation américaine avait mis en doute, en 2008, l’intérêt militaire de ce dernier, tout en préconisant, toutefois, de poursuivre les recherches.

Pour autant, l’idée de doter un avion d’une arme laser n’a pas été abandonnée étant donné que la Darpa, l’agence de recherche et de développement du Pentagone, a récemment présenté un programme allant dans ce sens.

L’une des limites des précédents système était leur taille imposante. Mais, a priori, la Darpa aurait trouvé une solution pour construire une arme laser d’une puissance de 150 kiloWatt (kW) qui serait dix fois plus petite et légère que celles imaginées auparavant.

Pour y arriver, l’agence du Pentagone a ainsi conçu le système HELLADS (High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System), lequel doit permettre d’installer sur un avion tactique une arme laser d’une masse de 5 kg par kilowatt pour un volume n’excédant pas 3 mètres cube. Ce qui reste encore imposant…

Ce programme arrive dans sa phase finale de développement, après des expériences réussies en laboratoire. D’autres tests du HELLADS sont prochainement prévus au Missile Range White Sands, au Nouveau Mexique. Il est prévu de commencer les essais en vol de ce système en 2014.

Selon la Darpa, ce système d’arme laser fournira “une capacité supplémentaire pour les missions offensives”, avec une précision améliorée, ce qui réduira la probabilité des dommages collatéraux.

Autre projet de l’agence américaine : l’ABC (Aero-Adaptive/Aero-Optic Beam Control). Là, il s’agit d’un programme à vocation défensive, visant à installer une tourelle laser de haute énergie afin de protéger un avion de combat contre la menace des missiles.

Comme, ces derniers arrivent sur l’arrière d’un aéronef visé, c’est à dire dans un angle où, en raison des turbulences causés par le moteur de l’appareil, il est compliqué d’arriver à focaliser le rayon avec assez de puissance et de précision pour écarter la menace. Les premiers essais en soufflerie ont été suffisamment concluants pour qu’un contrat de 9,5 millions de dollars ait été attribué à Lockheed-Martin en janvier dernier. L’industriel a 30 mois pour que le système ABC devienne une réalité.

Citation :

Army prepares for next Network Integration Evaluation


By Army News Service on Monday, March 18th, 2013

With two units now readying for Afghanistan with the Army’s new tactical communications network, the service will continue to drive technology forward through its next Network Integration Evaluation this spring.

Soldier training, vehicle integration, system check-outs and other preparations are well underway in advance of Network Integration Evaluation, or NIE, 13.2, which begins in May at Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range, N.M. It is the fifth in the series of semi-annual field evaluations designed to keep pace with rapid advances in communications technologies and deliver proven and integrated network capabilities to Soldiers.

The NIEs are not stand-alone events, but build on previous exercises by improving the Army’s integrated network baseline and incorporating Soldier feedback into system functionality and training methods. As the Army continues to field network capability sets with systems and doctrine vetted through the NIE, the events will further evolve to include joint and coalition involvement next year.

“The NIE offers us the ability to evaluate and improve the network incrementally,” said Maj. Gen. Harold Greene, the Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, known as ASA(ALT). “It forces the community together in an environment where Soldiers are telling us what we did well and what we didn’t do well — very graphically, very visually, very obviously.”

From combined arms maneuver across more than 150 miles of desert to subterranean operations in mountain caves, NIE 13.2 includes mission threads designed to measure network performance at all echelons, from the brigade commander down to the dismounted Soldier. It will include an aerial tier to extend the range of communications and operational energy solutions to more efficiently power networked equipment.

“We’ve got some good questions, and the scenario will allow us to get at a lot of those operational pieces,” said Col. Elizabeth Bierden, chief of the Network Integration Division, Brigade Modernization Command, or BMC. “We’ve seen many of the systems before, but I think we just get the network better every single time.”

The main focus for NIE 13.2 is the Follow-on Test and Evaluation, or FOT&E, for Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, known as WIN-T, Increment 2, the Army’s mobile network backbone. WIN-T Increment 2 provides an enhanced capability over the current Increment 1 version used today in Afghanistan, including unprecedented “on-the-move” communications capabilities down to the company level. A successful test will enable the Army to keep fielding WIN-T Increment 2 to operational units beyond Capability Set 13, which is now being delivered to select brigade combat teams, or BCTs, preparing for deployment.

During the FOT&E, the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division will conduct the full range of military operations — from movement to contact to peacekeeping — and stretch the WIN-T network over even greater distances than during NIE 12.2, which was the unit’s first formal chance to assess the system. Following that evaluation in May 2012, the Army aggressively pursued and implemented corrective actions to address the areas identified for improvement, and 2/1 AD Soldiers have also become more comfortable and proficient with the equipment.

“The training is more hands-on, and with the knowledge we already have we’re able to go more in-depth,” said Spc. Erik Liebhaber, who has participated in three NIEs and said training for 13.2 incorporated specific scenarios that Soldiers had previously encountered in the field. “That’s a big part of the continuity.”

Other systems under formal test include Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P), the Army’s next-generation situational awareness and blue force tracking technology; Nett Warrior, a smartphone-like system for dismounted leaders; the Area Mine Clearance System-Medium Flail, an armored vehicle designed for clearing large areas of anti-tank and anti-personnel landmines; and Tactical Communication and Protection System, designed to prevent hearing injury while allowing Soldiers to remain cognizant of their environment during combat. A dozen additional systems, such as those comprising the aerial tier, will receive less formal evaluations.

Both JBC-P and Nett Warrior have actively incorporated user feedback from several previous NIE cycles into their hardware and software designs.

“It’s gotten a lot simpler to use,” Staff Sgt. Lance Bradford said of JBC-P. “That was our largest suggestion to them — you’ve got to get this more user-friendly.”

Soldier feedback and lessons-learned from the NIEs not only affect the conduct of future NIE iterations, but have also been applied to the process of producing, fielding and training units on Capability Set (CS) 13, which is the Army’s first such communications package to provide integrated connectivity throughout the BCT. The NIEs informed all aspects of CS 13, from how network systems are installed onto a vehicle, to which training approach is most effective, to which Soldiers within a brigade are issued certain pieces of equipment.

Two BCTs of the 10th Mountain Division, now in the final stages of training before deploying to Afghanistan later this year, are receiving lessons-learned and recommended operational uses for the equipment that were developed during the NIE process. Serving as Security Forces Advise and Assist Teams (SFAATs), the units will rely on the new network as they work closely with the Afghan forces, take down fixed infrastructure and become increasingly mobile and dispersed in their operations.

While NIE missions to date have confirmed that CS 13 can support such operations, they have not been limited to the Afghan mission. The NIE 13.2 scenario will set the stage for future exercises that will include new offensive and defensive operations replicating what units may face in other regions, including joint and coalition involvement beginning with NIE 14.2 next spring.

“We are trying to set the stage for a joint and multinational effort in 14.2, and so we’re looking across functions at Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, close air support, air ground-integration, with the major objectives focused on joint entry operations and the joint network,” said Brig. Gen. Randal Dragon, BMC commander. “We’ll be in a position to look at a number of those joint functions and we’ll set the stage through the series of NIEs we have coming up.”



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/army-prepares-for-next-network-integration-evaluation-47169/#ixzz2NskzCmHP

le prototype FED by TARDEC



http://www.sdarabia.com/preview_news.php?id=28753&cat=2

Citation :

US Army receives first production army mobile tower system from SNC
19 March 2013
The US Army has taken delivery of the first low-rate initial production (LRIP) AN/MSQ-135 mobile tower system (MOTS) from Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) during a ceremony at its facility in Sparks, Nevada, US.

The delivery, carried out ahead of schedule, is part of a $56m contract received by the company for production and supply of ten MOTS units, along with engineering and logistics services to the army in March 2012.

Army Aviation Systems project manager colonel Jerry Davis said the first production delivery represented a significant milestone in the MOTS programme.

"Once fielded, MOTS will enable improved maintainability along with a higher operational readiness for our air traffic controllers supporting aircraft movement at airfields around the world," Davis added.

Equipped with all necessary secure and non-secure communications radios and support equipment, the AN/MSQ-135 MOTS is designed for rapid establishment of military air traffic control (ATC) operations worldwide during night or day, and in all-weather conditions.

Featuring an ATC Tower with organic 18kW power generators, a medium-intensity solar-powered airfield runway lighting system, as well as meteorological sensors, the modular system can be easily airlifted by the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft or by CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

Fully compliant with the Federal Aviation Administration/International Civilian Aviation Organization regulations, the system is also capable of supporting disaster relief efforts, forest fire mobile operations, and temporary tower operations worldwide with minimal logistical requirements.

Primarily designed to replace the army's ageing AN/TSW-7A air traffic control tower, the AN/MSQ-135 MOTS is expected to offer a global deployable ATC capability to the US Army Aviation. The company had already delivered an early development MOTS, which has been deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division in Afghanistan since November 2012.


http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-receives-first-production-army-mobile-tower-system-snc

Citation :

Textron Marine & Land Systems turret and support for Commando 4x4 APC for Army of Colombia
Textron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS), an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced a $5.5 million contract award from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) to provide 12 armored turrets, technical support services, vehicle repairs and spare parts for the Colombian Army's (COLAR) Armored Personnel Carriers (APC).
Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 08:26 AM


http://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2013_news_defence_army_military_industry_uk/index.php

Citation :

Harris launches new Falcon radio for US Army's tactical radio programmes
20 March 2013
http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsharris-launches-new-falcon-radio-us-army-tactical-radio-programmes

Citation :

Raytheon delivers eighth AN/TPY-2 radar to US MDA
20 March 2013

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsraytheon-delivers-eighth-antpy-2-radar-us-mda

Citation :

2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment conducted sling load training along with B Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, Alaska March 19-21, 2013.

Despite budget cuts, the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry continues to train and master fundamental skills, to include joint operations with their local aviation unit.

Sling load operations are instrumental in moving equipment to remote areas found in Afghanistan, Alaska and other parts of the world.
(U.S. Army photo by SPC Andrew Geisler, 1/25th SBCT Public Affairs)