US Army

Rappel du premier message :

quote]Strengthening The Ukrainian Army
(Source: U.S Army; issued Aug 21, 2016)
YAVORIV, Ukraine ----The Ukrainian army, with the assistance of U.S. and multinational partners, continues to strive to improve the capability and capacity within its armed forces. Approximately 20 Ukrainian cadre recently completed their first rotation training Ukrainian Soldiers on individual combat skills at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center.

The training is part of the ongoing operations of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. The JMTG-U mission is focused on building a sustainable, enduring combat training center here. Part of this mission includes building training capacity quickly through the consolidation and resourcing of dedicated training cadre.

These instructors are the first group of cadre trained on conducting the first six modules of a nine-week rotational training set. The modules include weapons training, land navigation, combat lifesaving skills, and section live-fire. Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division certified the instructors by observing and gauging their ability to put the six modules into action and effectively train other Ukrainian Soldiers.

Spc. Brett Jones, a rifleman assigned to 6-8 Cav., is a fourth generation veteran and is excited to be able to continue the family tradition. Jones said that he is optimistic about training alongside the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"Every time we go out and observe the Ukrainian Soldiers, they do the training to a T," said Jones. "They are very hands on with the training and make sure each Soldier knows how to effectively do each task to standard."

Staff Sgt. Alex Fernandez, a squad leader and instructor assigned to 6-8 Cav. spent two years as a drill sergeant and was able to use the skills he acquired to ensure the Ukrainian instructors were fully up to speed on training their Soldiers on individual tasks.

"They have always been comfortable teaching the Soldiers, but now I feel they are more confident with their teaching techniques," said Fernandez. "They have built that trust and bond with the Soldiers and they listen to the instructors when given instructions."

After the training has been conducted, the Soldiers from 6-8 Cav pull the Ukrainian instructors aside and brief them on their performance during the exercise.

According to Jones the Ukrainian Soldiers respond well when they receive praise, validation and feedback from the multinational force trainers. "They do training by the book and listen to recommendations that we make," he said.

1st Lt. Taras Tanailov, an instructor assigned to the Combat Training Center mentored the newly graduated Ukrainian instructors over the past three weeks. Tanailov has been with the instructors since they were certified to teach and observed the progression in their ability to train Soldiers.

Tanailov said that over the last few weeks his instructors had learned a lot about leading and training Soldiers. He said that they are more confident in the training, which allows them to be more effective leaders.

Cpt. Abdullah H. Clark, company commander for Charlie Troop, 6-8 Cav., had the opportunity to observe the Ukrainian instructors and was able to view military tactics from a different perspective.

"So far I've learned a different method of every aspect of military affairs from logistics to tactics to unofficial dynamics of the social system," said Clark. "They have taught me a different way to run things other than the way we normally do for our military."

The ultimate goal of the JMTG-U is to establish a sustainable Combat Training Center staffed and led completely by the Ukrainian military.

"I think if we left here today, they would do everything they need to do to train their military," said Jones. "I definitely think they are doing a good job."

Now that the initial six modules are complete, the Ukrainian instructors will move on to learn the next two modules, which is a milestone for the JMTG-U. This marks the first time Ukrainian instructors will learn modules seven and eight, which include squad, section and platoon collective tasks.



http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/176345/us-army%2C-partner-nations-strengthen-ukrainian-army.html






[/quote]

Citation :

31.01.2020

Les mines antipersonnel de retour dans l’arsenal américain



Encore un coup de canif dans l’héritage Obama! Le Pentagone pourrait annoncer dès ce vendredi qu’il va réintroduire les mines antipersonnel dans son arsenal. Ces armes avaient été interdites en 2014, avec pour seule exception le maintien des champs de mines dans la zone démilitarisée entre les deux Corée (Photos US Army et USMC).

La décision de l’administration Obama ne se doublait pas d’une adhésion à la Convention sur l’interdiction de l’emploi, du stockage, de la production et du transfert des mines antipersonnel et sur leur destruction (Traité d’Ottawa). Ce traité de 1997 interdit l’utilisation, le stockage, la production et le transfert de ces armes; il était alors signé par 161 États (164 actuellement). Sauf par la Chine, l’Iran, la Russie, la Syrie et les États-Unis.

Toutefois, la décision américaine de 2014 avait été saluée par l’Onu et de nombreuses ONG, même si Human Rights Watch estimait qu’il n’y avait "aucune justification valable à une future utilisation de mines terrestres par les États-Unis dans la péninsule coréenne […]. Les États-Unis devraient bannir l’exception coréenne de leur politique d’interdiction des mines et adhérer enfin au traité international prohibant ces armes aveugles."

Les États-Unis envisagent désormais d’autoriser à nouveau l’armée américaine à utiliser des mines antipersonnel. Selon CNN, le président Donald Trump a décidé de revenir sur la décision de son prédécesseur Barack Obama. "Un changement va être annoncé", a reconnu jeudi le Secrétaire américain à la Défense, Mark Esper. "Je ne ferai pas de commentaire tant que ça n’aura pas été le cas".

Des mines intelligentes
Selon des sources américaines, tant au sein du Département de la Défense (DoD) que du Département d’État (DoS), les futures "smart" mines s’autodétruiront dans les 30 jours si elles ne sont pas activées.

En fait, le Pentagone a anticipé le changement de posture dès 2015 puisqu’un programme intitulé Gator Landmine Replacement a alors été lancé pour remplacer le système Gator de largage de mines antichars et antipersonnel mis au point au début des années 1980.

Le Gator Landmine Replacement Program (GLRP) prévoit la mise au point de munitions en réseau dans le cadre d’un système de combat où l’humain retrouve une place. Les mines "intelligentes" (antichar ou antipersonnel) envisagées n’exploseraient pas au simple contact ou par simple pression, ce qui limiterait les risques de tuer ou de blesser des non-combattants. Des détecteurs associés à la mine avertiraient un opérateur déporté et lui transmettraient des données sur une cible potentielle ; à lui de décider de détonner la mine ou non. Entre 2016 et 2018, le Pentagone a dépensé 106 millions de dollars sur ce projet qui est supposé aboutir en 2027.



Ce type de mine à déclenchement commandé (via des liaisons satellitaires), et non automatique, serait autorisé par le Traité de 1997, selon les Américains qui utilisent déjà des systèmes comparables mais moins beacuoup performants en termes de portée.

Parmi ces systèmes figure le M131 Modular Pack Mine System. Ce champ de mines "temporaire" est activé par un soldat et ses munitions ont une durée de vie de 16 heures. Autre système existant : le Spider Networked Munition déployé en Afghanistan dans les années 2011 qui est activé manuellement par un soldat disposant de détecteurs permettant d’identifier amis et ennemis. Le soldat est en mesure d’activer 63 munitions.

Ces systèmes sont utilisés pour la défense de périmètres militaires et pour mettre en place des embuscades.

Le soutien au déminage.
La posture US s'avère en fait assez ambiguë puisque, d’une part, l’administration fédérale entend faire marche arrière sur le recours aux mines antipersonnel et que, d’autre part, elle multiplie les efforts pour déminer des zones de guerre et apporter un soutien aux pays affligés par la présence de ces armes insidieuses.



Le seul Département d’État a mis en oeuvre ou financé des programmes de dépollution dans une centaine de pays depuis 1993. L’enveloppe totale atteindrait 3,6 milliards de dollars.

http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2020/01/31/les-mines-antipersonnel-de-retour-dans-l-arsenal-americain-20851.html

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Sgt. Anthony Peck and Pvt. Treylon Mitchell, assigned to 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, load ammunition onto a U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow during an aerial gunnery range exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Jan. 27, 2020. The exercise allowed pilots to perform qualifications on the Apache’s weapons system and maintain mission readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Cowden, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)





Soldiers assigned to 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, prepare ammunition and fuel for a U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow during an aerial gunnery range exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Jan. 27, 2020. The FARP acts as a refueling and ammunition point for the range operations. (U.S. Army photos by Pfc. Joshua Cowden, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)



A U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow prepares to engage targets during an aerial gunnery range exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Jan. 27, 2020. The 1,100-acre range has over 460 targets controlled by a team in the observation tower. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Cowden, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)



During an aerial gunnery range exercise, a U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow approaches the range qualification course during an aerial gunnery range exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Jan. 28, 2020. The more than 1,100-acre range had over 460 targets controlled by a team in the observation tower. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Cowden, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Citation :

 USSOCOM to field ‘highly modified’ Dash-8 support aircraft

Gareth Jennings, London - Jane's Defence Weekly

28 February 2020


Seen here in its Radiant Falcon configuration for the US Army, the DHC-8 is becoming increasingly popular as a special mission platform.
Source: Dynamic Aviation


The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is to field a "highly modified" De Havilland Canada (DHC) Dash-8 aircraft for special mission support operations.

The command disclosed on 27 February that it is to award a sole-source contract to Virginia-based Leidos Inc. for the procurement of a single Dash 8, noting, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements."

No details pertaining to the aircraft's mission or configuration were revealed and the USSOCOM did not disclose a delivery date.
   

Citation :

02.03.2020

Un crash de drone de l'US Army, samedi, dans le nord du Niger



Vues le fil Twitter de @oAlkabouss des photos d'un drone de l'US Army qui s'est écrasé dans le nord du Niger.



Il s'agirait d'un MQ-1C Gray Eagle, qui serait tombé, samedi, dans la commune rurale de Timia, à Anwaytaram, à 50 km du chef lieu de la commune.



L'AFRICOM a confirmé le crash ce lundi vers 17h:



http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2020/03/02/un-crash-de-drone-de-l-us-army-dans-le-nord-du-niger-20930.html

Citation :

Mar 4

U.S. Army purchases additional 155mm BONUS munitions from BAE Systems and Nexter  


The U.S. Army is buying additional advanced BONUS munitions manufactured by BAE Systems and Nexter of France. BONUS is a 155-millimeter
munition designed for destroying armored targets and will be employed by the Army’s fleet of M109 self-propelled howitzers and M777 ultra-lightweight
towed howitzers.


BONUS 155mm shell (Picture source: BAE Systems)


Posted 9 hours ago by Alain HENRY de FRAHAN

http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/#!/2020/03/us-army-purchases-additional-155mm.html      

Citation :

U.S. Army orders more new sniper rifles

by Dylan Malyasov — 08:14 (GMT+0000) March 5, 2020



Famed gunmaker Heckler & Koch has been awarded a $33,5 million U.S. Army contract modification for new sniper rifles.

The U.S. Department of Defense said Wednesday that Heckler & Koch Defense Inc., Ashburn, Virginia, was awarded a $33,5 modification to contract W15QKN-16-D-0051 for the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper Systems and the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle.

Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 16, 2022.

Under terms of the award, HK Defense will produce new rifles, includes the new Army’s Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS). The new HK rifle is a lightweight variant of the 7.62 mm G28 in use by the German Army. The HK CSASS capitalizes on the proven G28 design, meeting the Army’s requirements for accuracy, reliability, and size. Heckler & Koch will also provide spare parts, support, and training to the Army.

https://defence-blog.com/army/u-s-army-orders-more-new-sniper-rifles.html

Citation :

US Army's 'Super Howitzer' Shoots Artillery Round to 65kms

10:58 AM, March 10, 2020



The US Army’s Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) fired rocket-assisted 155mm round and an Excalibur precision-guided round out to 65km, which is twice as far as traditional 155mm artillery.

The test firing, carried out last Friday is intended to enable fielding the ERCA's systems to the US Army’s combat battalion in 2023, Military.com reported.

For the first phase of the ERCA program, BAE Systems is contracted to build the 18 ERCA systems that will be fielded in 2023.

The ERCA will be integrated onto the M109A7 Paladin and will require the M109A7’s current 39-caliber turret to be replaced with a 58-caliber, 30-foot long gun barrel with the objective of creating firepower double the current range.

The development program aims to provide the warfighter with extended range while maintaining the weight found in current systems to minimize performance impacts on the chassis.

Under separate contracts, BAE Systems is also developing precision guidance kits with anti-jamming capabilities (PGK-AJ) that can operate in the ERCA firing environment. PGK-AJ is compatible with existing and new long-range rounds for multiple firing platforms, including the M109 self-propelled howitzer.

A new autoloader is planned to be installed during the second phase of the program. It is currently being developed in a laboratory setting at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, but Army officials plan to demonstrate the working system in December.

"The autoloader will give us the ability to fire at a rate of six-to-10 rounds per minute and deliver that volume of fire to create the effect of mass in large-scale ground combat," said Brig. Gen. John Rafferty Jr., director of the Long Range Precision Fires Cross Functional Team at Army Futures Command.

"It will demonstrate its ability to take the XM113 off the ready rack in the howitzer, load it into the breech, go grab a supercharged propellent, put that behind it ... and allow the crew to fire the howitzer," Rafferty said. "The other thing it's got to do, is it has to fuse it and then set the fuse. Right now, it takes two cannoneers and a sergeant watching them to do that, so it is not a simple machine."

If all goes well, the Army plans to demonstrate the autoloader in the howitzer in 2021, Rafferty said.

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/26491/US_Army_s__Super_Howitzer__Shoots_Artillery_Round_to_65kms#.Xmfz-abbLIU

Citation :

U.S. Army awards $339 million contract for M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers and M992A3 carrier, ammunition, tracked vehicles




https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/u-s--army-awards--339-million-contract-for-m109a7-self-propelled-howitzers-and-m992a3-carrier--ammunition--tracked-vehicles

Citation :

Le choix du futur hélicoptère d’attaque de l’US Army se fera entre le Raider X de Sikorsky et le Bell 360 Invictus

par Laurent Lagneau · 26 mars 2020



En avril 2019, l’US Army avait indiqué avoir retenu cinq industriels dans le cadre de son programme Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft [FARA], destiné à mettre au point son futur hélicoptère d’attaque.

Ainsi, Karem Aircraft [associé à Raytheon et Northrop Grumman], Boeing, AVX Aircraft [avec L3], Sikorsky [groupe Lockheed-Martin] et Bell [filiale de Textron] étaient appelés à soumettre le concept d’un appareil devant être avancé technologiquement tout en ayant un coût abordable.

Selon le cahier des charges, ce nouvel hélicoptère doit pouvoir loger dans la soute d’un avion de transport C-17 Globemaster III, voler à la vitesse de 180/200 noeuds, présenter une architecture modulaire afin d’être en mesure de lui intégrer des technologies nouvelles et avoir la capacité de mettre en oeuvre des drones et d’évoluer en mode autonome [c’est à dire sans équipage] pour les missions dans les environnements fortement contestés.

Après avoir gardé longtemps le silence sur ses intentions, Boeing avait fini par dévoiler, il y a quelques semaines, son concept, appelé simplement « Boeing FARA » et imaginé par sa division Phantom Works. Seulement, l’industriel n’avait pas parlé de faire voler un prototype dans l’immédiat, estimant que les nouvelles méthodes dans le domaine de l’ingénierie permettraient d’y remédier.

« Nous n’inventons pas de nouvelles technologies pour cet appareil. Nous améliorons et intégrons des technologies matures » et « Compte tenu des défis que nous devons tous relever pour fournir cette capacité de prochaine génération, du point de vue des risques et du calendrier et, en fin de compte, du point de vue des coûts, nous pensons que c’est la bonne voie à suivre. Aucune invention n’est requise », avait expliqué Shane Openshaw, responsable du programme FARA chez Boeing.

Mais l’US Army n’a visiblement pas été convaincue par cette approche. En effet, le 26 mars, elle a annoncé que le Bell 360 Invictus [dont un prototype est attendu cette année] et le Raider X de Sikorsky [issu du prototype S-97 Raider qui a déjà volé] seront les deux finalistes du programme FARA.

À noter que ces deux industriels ont aussi été récemment retenus pour le programme FLRAA [Future Longe Range Assault Aircraft], qui vise à remplacer les hélicoptères de manoeuvre UH-60 « Black Hawk » actuellement en service. Pour rappel, Sirkorsky s’est associé avec Boeing pour proposer le SB>1 Defiant tandis que Bell défend la candidature de son V-280 « Valor ».

Quant au programme FARA, il doit permettre de remédier à un déficit capacitaire créé par le retrait des OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Vide partiellement compensé par des AH-64 Apache.

Le programme FARA est « la priorité numéro un de la modernisation de l’aviation de l’US Army pour pénétrer et désintégrer efficacement les systèmes intégrés de défense aérienne des adversaires », a commenté le Dr Bruce D. Jette, secrétaire adjoint de l’Army pour les acquisitions, la logistique et La technologie. « Il permettra […] de disposer de plus grandes capacités tactiques, opérationnelles et stratégiques grâce à une vitesse, une portée, une endurance, une capacité de survie et une létalité considérablement accrues », a-t-il rappelé.

Le concept du Raider X va capitaliser sur l’expérience acquise avec le S-97 Raider et le Sikorsky X2. Muni d’un rotor contrarotatif, complété par une hélice propulsive, il devrait voler à des vitesses pouvant aller jusqu’à 220 noeuds grâce à son moteur GE Aviation YT706 de 2.600 chevaux. Il sera mis en oeuvre par un équipage de deux pilotes en tandem et doté d’un canon de 20 mm et de missiles air-sol fixés sur les portes internes d’une soute [voir photo d’illustration n°2]

Lockheed-Martin, la maison-mère de Sikorsky, insiste surtout sur les performances, a flexibilité et le comportement en vol du Raider X, lequel est annoncé comme devant être très maniable. Son avionique et son système de mission seront bâtis selon une architecture modulaire ouverte [MOSA], qui autorisera l’ajout d’équipements selon le principe du « plug & play ».

S’agissant de son concurrent, le 360 Invictus [photo n°1], il reprendra en partie les technologies héritées du Bell 525 Relentless. Annoncé comme pouvant voler une vitesse supérieure à 185 noeuds, il sera armé d’un canon de 20 mm et de missiles air-sol. Doté de commandes de vol électriques, d’une avionique fournies par Collins Aerospace et d’innovations issues de programmes civils et militaires, il aura un rayon d’action de 135 nautiques, avec la possibilité de rester 90 minutes sur zone.

« La lutte multi-domaines sera complexe et notre équipe fournit une solution hautement performante et à faible risque pour répondre en toute confiance aux exigences opérationnelles avec une flotte durable », avait expliqué Vince Tobin, le directeur des affaires militaires chez Bell, lors de la présentation du 360 Invictus.

Le choix du futur hélicoptère d’attaque et de reconnaissance de l’US Army devrait être annoncé en 2023, pour une mise en service en 2028.

http://www.opex360.com/2020/03/26/le-choix-du-futur-helicoptere-dattaque-de-lus-army-se-fera-entre-le-raider-x-de-sikorsky-et-le-bell-360-invictus/

Citation :

Mar 26

DRS Sustainment Systems to supply seven additional Joint Assault Bridges


DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $9,756,178 modification to contract W56HZV-16-C-0028 to exercise seven Joint Assault Bridge Systems in Option Period Four of the contract. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of May 11, 2024. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $9,756,178 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.


The JAB (Joint Assault Bridge) is based on an M1A1 Abrams chassis (Picture source: Leonardo DRS)


Posted 7 hours ago by Alain HENRY de FRAHAN

http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/#!/2020/03/drs-sustainment-systems-to-supply-seven.html

Citation :

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conduct field maintenance on their M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank by cleaning the bore evacuator on the M256 120mm smoothbore cannon in support of Defender-Europe 20 March 23, at Konotop range Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland. The main weapon of the M1A1 is reliable, deadly accurate, and has a hit/kill ratio that equals or surpasses any main battle tank armament in the world. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Andres Chandler)

Le Pentagone annonce la mort du premier soldat après avoir été infecté par le Coronavirus
d'après aljazeera.net

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Death of National Guardsman From COVID-19
MARCH 30, 2020
A New Jersey Army National Guardsman passed away on Saturday. The individual had tested positive for COVID-19 and had been hospitalized since March 21.

"Today is a sad day for the Department of Defense as we have lost our first American service member – active, reserve or Guard – to Coronavirus," said Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. "This is a stinging loss for our military community, and our condolences go out to his family, friends, civilian co-workers and the entire National Guard community. The news of this loss strengthens our resolve to work ever more closely with our interagency partners to stop the spread of COVID-19."

Starting in January the Department of Defense has adopted dramatic mitigation measures to protect service members, civilian employees, contractors and their families from Coronavirus. These include mandating social distancing, termination of certain work and training activities and providing testing and care for our community members.





https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2131119/death-of-national-guardsman-from-covid-19/

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Oshkosh Receives $346.4M to Modernize US Army's Heavy Tactical Vehicles

08:04 AM, March 31, 2020



Oshkosh Defense has been awarded delivery orders totaling $346.4 million to modernize vehicles in the US Army and US Army Reserve Heavy Tactical Vehicle (FHTV) fleets.

Under the delivery orders, Oshkosh will recapitalize Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) and Palletized Load System (PLS) trucks as well as manufacture new PLS trailers, the company said in a statement Monday.

The FHTV fleet is designed to accommodate many mission packages, allowing it to support multi-domain operations as the battlefield continues to evolve.

“Whether they’re hauling rocket launchers and missile defense systems, or transporting mission-critical equipment, the HEMTT and the PLS will continue to be an integral part of the US Army and US Army Reserve heavy vehicle fleets for years to come,” said Pat Williams, vice president and general manager of U.S. Army and Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense.

Recapitalized vehicles are rebuilt with the latest technology and safety upgrades and quickly returned to field operations with the same warranty and life cycle cost advantages of a new vehicle. Since 1995, Oshkosh Defense has recapitalized over 13,700 HEMTTs and 3,400 PLS vehicles.

Citation :

Apr 4

First shipment of H&K M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifles to US Army  


Heckler & Koch Defense Inc. is pleased to announce the first shipment of M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifles (SDMR) to the US Army.
This shipment is the first of many that will eventually total between 5,000 and 6,000 complete weapon systems.


M110A1 Marksman Rifle prototype displayed at the AUSA conference in October of 2017. (Picture source Heckler & Koch)


http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/#!/2020/04/first-shipment-of-h-m110a1-squad.html    

Citation :

A Light Armored Vehicle-25 with Company C, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, is used to secure a position during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., March 31, 2020. The MCCRE is used to formally evaluate Marines on their combat readiness prior to their upcoming deployment.

Citation :

US Army receives first Gallium Nitride Q-53 Radar

 08:21 AM, May 1, 2020


AN/TPQ-53 Radar


Lockheed Martin has delivered the first AN/TPQ-53 radar system operating with Gallium Nitride (GaN) to the U.S. Army.

“Lockheed Martin recently delivered the first Q-53 system to the U.S. Army equipped with GaN,” said Mark Mekker, director, Lockheed Martin Army radar programs.

The Q-53 protects troops in combat by detecting, classifying, tracking and identifying the location of enemy indirect fire in either 90 or 360-degree modes.

GaN transmit-receive modules will provide the radar with additional power, reliability and the possibility for enhanced capabilities, including extended range, counterfire target acquisition (CTA) and multi-mission, which delivers simultaneous CTA and air surveillance. The systems upgraded with GaN are part of the Lot 3 contract awarded in 2018.

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/26880/US_Army_receives_first_Gallium_Nitride_Q_53_Radar#.XqxXRKYw_IU

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 Thursday, May 28, 2020

US Army 3-8 CAV (Warhorse) receives upgraded M1A2 SEPv3




You can actually see the added on armor on the front glacis plate of this vehicle




With the addition of the Army’s newest Abrams, the M1A2 SEP v3, WARHORSE, remains the most lethal Battalion in
the most lethal Brigade in the First Team. pic.twitter.com/3IHo5nNuzC
— 3-8 CAV (Warhorse) (@3rd8cav) May 28, 2020

Just plain wow.

I had a sudden realization that the US Army has slowly but surely arrived at their concept that they rolled out so many decades ago.

By chance or by plan they've developed (are developing) the "Thumper" Concept Vehicle (minus the 140mm Cannon).



https://www.snafu-solomon.com/2020/05/us-army-3-8-cav-warhorse-receives.html  

Citation :

L’US Army a choisi l’Infantry Squad Vehicle de General Motors pour la mobilité de ses troupes aéroportées

par Laurent Lagneau · 28 juin 2020



Donner plus de mobilité à une unité aéroportée permet de choisir une zone de largage éloignée des défenses adverses et d’améliorer leurs capacités à conduire des opérations dans la profondeur. Pour cela, l’US Army a lancé le programme « Infantry Squad Vehicle » [ISV – Véhicule d’escouade d’infanterie], pour lequel trois candidats ont dans un premier temps été retenus, dont Oshkosh Defense, associé à Flyer Defense LLC, le tandem Polaris/SAIC et General Motors Defense, allié à Ricardo Defense.

Ainsi, l’ISV doit pouvoir transporter jusqu’à 9 parachutistes équipés, tout en étant à la fois rapide et mobile, la protection n’étant pas privilégiée. Pour ce programme, Oshkosh Defense et Flyer Defense ont misé sur le Flyer tandis que Polaris et SAIC ont soumis le Dagor. Et comme ces deux véhicules étaient déjà utilisés par les forces spéciales américaines, on pensait que le choix de l’US Army se porterait sur l’un des deux.

Seulement, il n’en a rien été. Le 26 juin, et après une évaluation de plusieurs mois, prenant en compte l’avis des soldats, l’US Army a annoncé qu’elle venait d’attribuer un contrat d’un montant de près de 215 millions de dollars à General Motors Defense pour la livraison de 649 ISV, dont la conception repose sur le très solide pick-up Colorado ZR2 de Chevrolet, ce qui a dû jouer sur le prix.

Ainsi, au moins 70% des composants de l’ISV destiné à l’US Army seront communs avec le Colorado ZR2, ce qui, souligne GM Defense, facilitera la maintenance grâce à une » chaîne d’approvisionnement mondiale bien établie ».

Doté d’un moteur turbo-diesel Duramax de 186 chevaux et d’une boite de vitesse automatique à six rapports, l’ISV de GM Defense a une capacité de charge utile de 1.450 kg. Et, assure l’US Army, il sera « suffisamment léger pour être transporté à l’élingue par un hélicoptère UH-60 Blackhawk » et « assez compact pour tenir à l’intérieur d’un CH-47 Chinook ». Enfin, il pourra évidemment être largué depuis les avions de transport C-130 Hercules et C-17.

« L’ISV améliorera la mobilité tactique des équipes de combat des brigades d’infanterie [Infantry Brigade Combat Teams] en leur permettant de se déplacer rapidement sur le champ de bataille, avec la possibilité de s’infiltrer à moyenne distance, offrant ainsi aux commandants une plus grande liberté de mouvement et d’actions », souligne l’US Army.

Les premiers véhicule seront livrés d’ici 8 mois à la 1ère brigade de la 82e division aéroportée. Au total, l’objectif de l’US Army est de s’en procure 2.065 exemplaires.

Photo : GM Defense

http://www.opex360.com/2020/06/28/lus-army-a-choisi-linfantry-squad-vehicle-de-general-motors-pour-la-mobilite-de-ses-troupes-aeroportees/

Citation :

U.S. Army gets new compact sniper system

By Dylan Malyasov Jul 4, 2020


Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero


Last month, Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division became the first combat troops to receive a cutting edge compact semi-automatic sniper system, or new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle.

The new 7.62x51mm rifle is based on the Heckler and Koch G28E-110 / M110A1 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System, and provides infantry, scout, and engineer squads the capability to engage with accurate rifle fire at longer ranges.

Raider Soldiers fielded the U.S. Army’s new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle at Fort Stewart, Georgia in early June.

After the initial training, where they learned about the assembly and disassembly, functionality, and operation, the Soldiers took to the sniper range for zeroing and confirming with a civilian team from the Tank-automotive and Armament Command out of Detroit.

“The whole intent for this is new equipment training,” said David Parris, a former infantry Soldier, and one of the civilian experts from TACOM. “We have given them a rifle that is precise and capable of closing the capability gap of 300-600 meters, which means it fills the maximum firing distance gap between the standard issue rifle and the sniper rifle.”

The SDMR fires a 7.62x51mm NATO round and comes equipped with a variable zoom scope. The manufacturer also added a bi-pod, adjustable butt stock, and an upgraded trigger to enhance the weapon system’s precision fire capabilities.

“This weapon is an upgrade to the whole squad layout, and you can even work it in to combined arms warfare,” said Sgt. Patrick Nissen, a scout from the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1ABCT, 3rd ID. “I shoot long range, both in the Army and recreationally, and I really like getting down behind this weapon, it is very comfortable, it is a great rifle, and I really do enjoy it”

Once the fielding process is complete, these NCOs will be able to take what they have learned and share it with the Soldiers of their respective units. This will be another way the Soldiers of Raider Brigade build and maintain lethality.



Photo by Sgt. Daniel Guerrero

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/u-s-army-gets-new-compact-sniper-system.html