US Marine Corps (USMC)

Citation :

Marines From Okinawa Conduct Artillery Training



Posted 7/9/2010
Photo by Pfc. J Nava
Story by Pfc. J Nava
More than 400 Marines from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, with augments from Kilo Battery, 3rd Bn., 11th Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted artillery relocation training in the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area.
The two artillery batteries and one headquarters battery successfully completed 10 days of live-fire training with their M777 155mm Howitzers.
"We are here in Yausubetsu to conduct artillery missions to support our Military Occupational Specialty proficiency," said 1st Sgt. Richard Estrada, Kilo Battery first sergeant. "A Marine that is not trained will fail in combat."
The purpose of the training was to sustain proficiency among the artillery Marines in order to respond effectively to contingencies where artillery would be required. "We must always be sure to be combat effective because Marines are AmericaÂ’s 911 force," said Lance Cpl. Zach Maki, fire direction control man, Kilo Battery. "You never know when weÂ’re going to be called upon to go to war." Yausubetsu also provides both batteries with important cold weather training. For Marines who call tropical and desert environments home, the cold weather provides its own set of challenges. "ItÂ’s good for us to get out of the desert and train somewhere cold like Yausubetsu," said 2nd Lt. Paul Mooney, an artillery officer with Kilo Battery. "WeÂ’re not always going to have to fight where itÂ’s warm. We fight in every clime and place."
Training in Yausubetsu not only offers Marines a good training value, it also offers a chance for interaction and friendship between Marines and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force.
"I like how the Marines conduct themselves," said Staff Sgt. Tomonori Yamada of the 11th Army Brigade, JGSDF. "From what I see and when I make encounters with Marines they seem very hardworking and are very kind individuals."
Live fire training concluded June 5 and the exercise was completed Sunday

Citation :

Saab Wins Multi-Year Contract for USMC Range Target Systems

Saab Training USA Signs $39 million contract under Range Target Systems program
08:16 GMT, August 12, 2010 Saab Training USA has signed a contract with the U.S. Marine Corps to produce and field a large number of ranges and facilities under their Range Target Systems (RTS) program. The contract has a ceiling price of approximately USD 39 million, and Saab will receive orders during the next 3 years.

The ranges will provide live fire gunnery training for Marines in a train-as-you-fight environment using Saab’s well established target and range control product line and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) simulators. The scope of work includes constructing urban warfare buildings and shoot houses with realistic after action review capabilities and providing logistic support for large number of fielded systems.

Saab is currently delivering its Instrumented Tactical Engagement Simulation System (I-TESS) to the same Marine Corps installations across the continental United States and overseas in Hawaii and Japan.

“We are delighted to have received this important RTS order, which increases Saab’s product base with the US Army and Marine Corps to whom we have been supplying range equipment since 1980”, says Lars Borgwing, President, Saab Training USA.

defpro

Citation :

Gates: redéfinir la mission des Marines
AFP
13/08/2010
Le corps expéditionnaire des Marines doit redéfinir sa mission alors que sa nature même de force de frappe amphibie a été profondément remise en cause par les guerres en Afghanistan et en Irak, a affirmé hier le secrétaire américain à la Défense, Robert Gates.

Le corps des Marines compte quelque 202.000 hommes. Ils disposent de leur propre force aérienne, infanterie et régiments blindés, et s'appuient parfois sur l'US Navy pour leurs opérations via des bâtiments de débarquement.

Leur rôle dans le dispositif militaire américain est d'agir très rapidement dans le cadre d'une force expéditionnaire autonome sans attendre les moyens lourds de l'US Army.
Or "les guerres post-11 Septembre ont provoqué l'anxiété de certains au sujet du rôle futur du corps des Marines. Une anxiété liée au fait qu'en Irak et en Afghanistan, les Marines ont pendant des années fait office de deuxième armée de Terre. Selon cette perception, ils se sont trop éloignés de leurs racines expéditionnaires et amphibies", a expliqué M. Gates lors d'un discours prononcé à San Francisco (ouest).

Mais "fondamentalement, les Marines ne veulent pas devenir une autre armée de Terre, ni une force de police de la Marine américaine, et les Etats-Unis n'en ont pas besoin non plus", a-t-il ajouté, en indiquant avoir demandé au commandement de ce corps d'armée de lancer une réflexion sur son avenir.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/08/13/97001-20100813FILWWW00235-gates-redefinir-la-mission-des-marines.php

ils se rendent compte a peine mtn que les Marines sont devenus une 2eme armée de terre?
c´est un corps sacré pour les US,faut surtout pas y toucher

Spoiler:

F/A-18 Green/White Camo :

Je ne sais pas pour vous, mais moi je trouve ce camo, cmment dirais je, ravissant ...

Pas mal le cammo moi aussi je trouve ca ravissant

Ca doit etre un appareil "agressor".

Citation :

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

Citation :

Poptun Patrol



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

Citation :

Virtual Parachute Trainer



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

Citation :

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






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

Citation :

AH-1Z helicopters found operationally effective and suitable






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

Citation :

Masamute Valley



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

Citation :

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Citation :

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

Citation :

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

Citation :

GAU-21 deploys with UH-1Y



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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: NAVAIR

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


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


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


Enjoy the view messieurs !!

Citation :

Circles of Light



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

Citation :

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


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

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

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

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

defenseworld

nice Aggressor

Citation :

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

defpro

Citation :

Boeing to Provide A160T Hummingbird Unmanned Aircraft for US Marine Corps

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

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

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

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

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

defpro

Citation :

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



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

Citation :

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

defpro

Citation :

Navistar Defense Receives $123 Million MRAP Order


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

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

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

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

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

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Citation :

One Heavy Lifts Another



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