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






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U.S. Army orders new FMTV A2 trucks

by Dylan Malyasov - 8, February, 2018



Oshkosh Defense announced today that U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) has awarded Oshkosh Defense a firm fixed price requirements contract spanning up to seven ordering years for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) A2 variant.

The initial estimated contract value is $476 million with no cap on the number of vehicles the Army may purchase.

“We are honored that the U.S. Army has selected Oshkosh Defense as the winner of the FMTV A2 production contract,” said Pat Williams, vice president and general manager of Army and Marine Corps Programs at Oshkosh Defense. “With the Oshkosh FMTV A2, our troops are getting the safest, most capable, and reliable FMTV this program has ever seen. We are fully prepared to build the next generation fleet of exceptional, cost-effective FMTVs to serve our troops in future missions.”

Oshkosh Defense has manufactured and sustained more than 150,000 Tactical Wheeled Vehicles for the U.S. DoD and its allies. Oshkosh Defense was first awarded the FMTV contract following a competitive evaluation in 2009 and, to date, has delivered more than 36,000 FMTV trucks and trailers. The U.S. Department of Defense recognized Oshkosh Defense with the Value Engineering Achievement Award for improvements that resulted in millions of dollars in cost savings for the U.S. Army, as well as improved performance and reliability.

“As the incumbent manufacturer, Oshkosh’s FMTV A2 design features parts commonality that results in streamlined maintenance, training, sustainment and overall cost efficiency for our customer,” added Williams. “Oshkosh is ideally positioned, given its engineering, manufacturing and FMTV experience, to execute the next generation FMTV A2 program, running along the same warm production line that has been building FMTV’s for the last eight years.”

Oshkosh Defense submitted the FMTV A2 proposal in response to the U.S. Army’s competitive RFP that required bidders to validate and produce an upgraded FMTV A2 fleet of vehicles with improved payload, underbody protection, ride quality, mobility, engine power, electronics, diagnostics, and safety enhancements.

The future generation FMTV A2 to be provided by Oshkosh will be comprised of 16 models and associated trailers capable of carrying payloads ranging from 3-ton to 10-ton, and performing a wide range of duties from supporting combat missions, to relief efforts, to logistics and supply operations.

“We have an exceptional team of professionals who delivered a world-class effort to bring this program home to Oshkosh, where it belongs,” said Williams. “We are pleased to have been selected for this opportunity to continue to ensure that our troops get the best possible equipment to complete their missions, and return home safely.”

http://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-army-orders-new-fmtv-a2-trucks.html

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US Army signs for additional Lakota helos

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

08 March 2018


The US Army is adding to the more than 400 Lakotas it already operates, with a contract having been issued for 35 more. Source: US Army


The US Army has signed for a further 35 Airbus Helicopters UH-72A Lakota training and support platforms to add to the more than 400 already delivered.

A USD273.3 million contract for the additional civil variant EC145 helicopters was announced by the Department of Defense (DoD) on 8 March. The helicopters are scheduled to be delivered by 8 March 2021.

The awarding of the contract comes two months after the army first disclosed that it was looking to add to its 412-helicopter programme-of-record for the Lakota. The service first procured the type in 2007 to free-up frontline types such as the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and to enable the phasing out of older types such as the Bell UH-1 ‘Huey’ and OH-58A Kiowa Warrior. The Lakota comes in seven configurations for missions including training, border security, search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, VIP transport, and range support.

Derived from a European platform, the Lakota is license-built at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Columbus, Mississippi. Since it was first launched in 2005, the UH-72A Lakota has been the rare exception to the rule that defence projects run over budget and years behind schedule.

With the programme running to budget and schedule, the Lakota has also proven to be a reliable and popular platform among those that fly and service it. A fatal crash involving a Puerto Rico National Guard helicopter in December 2010 is the only stain on an otherwise impeccable safety record, though the subsequent investigation ruled out mechanical failure as being the cause.
 

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7th Army Training Command a ajouté 7 photos.

Field Artillery Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment conducts an air drop of an M777 Howitzer during exercise #DynamicFront 18 at the 7th Army
Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Mar. 8, 2018. Dynamic Front is an annual U.S. Army Europe exercise focused on the
interoperability of U.S. Army, joint service and allied nation artillery and fire support in a multinational environment, from theater-level headquarters
identifying targets to gun crews pulling lanyards in the field.

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US Army begins process to replace manufactured MH-47G Block 1 Chinooks with Block 2 newbuilds

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

14 March 2018


The US Army Special Operations Command currently fields 69 MH-47G Block 1 Chinooks, 61 of which are remanufactured airframes.
The army is to move ahead with plans to replace these remanufactured Block 1 aircraft with newbuild Block 2s.
Source: IHS Markit/Patrick Allen


The US Army is moving ahead with plans to begin replacing its current remanufactured MH-47G Block 1 Chinook special mission helicopters with newbuild Block 2 platforms.

A request for information (RFI) issued by the Aviation Integration Division (AMCOM) on 14 March calls for an initial six newbuild MH-47G Block 2 Chinooks with an option for a further eight helicopters to partially replace the army’s 61 MH-47Gs that were made from remanufactured CH-47D and MH-47D/E airframes.

Fielded by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), the current MH-47G fleet comprises the 61 remanufactured Block 1 helicopters (62 were delivered – 35 CH-47Ds, 9 MH-47Ds, and 18 MH-47Es – although one was lost on operations in Afghanistan), as well as 8 newbuild MH-47Gs for a total fleet of 69 Block 1 platforms.

Derived from the baseline CH-47F heavy-lift Chinook, the MH-47G is a specialist special-mission platform that features double-capacity ‘fat’ fuel tanks, an in-flight aerial refuelling probe, a digital advanced flight control system, and classified sensors and electronic warfare kits specified by SOCOM. The USASOC’s MH-47Gs are among the most heavily utilised in the army’s inventory, and it is likely that all 69 Block 1 helicopters will eventually be replaced with Block 2 models.

The Block 2 enhancements, which are being developed for the US Army’s wider CH-47F fleet, include the Advanced Chinook Rotor Blade (ACRB), which features geometry and a new asymmetric aerofoil to increase the aircraft’s lift capacity by about 1,500 lb (680 kg) at 4,000 ft and 35°C in the hover (the army’s 4K/95 performance benchmark).
 

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U.S. Army ordered 16 Additional UH-72A Lakota helicopters

by Colton Jones - 23, March, 2018



Airbus Helicopters, Inc. has received a contract valued at approximately $116 million to deliver 16 additional UH-72A Lakotas for the United States Army.

The contract is the company’s second this year, highlighting the U.S. Army’s confidence and growth capability of the Lakota program.

“We are proud of our partnership with the U.S. Army. As the world’s best Helicopter Trainer provider, we recognize how important an asset the Lakota is for Army Aviation and our nation. Our employees at Airbus are committed to delivering every aircraft on-cost and on-schedule, without exception,” said Chris Emerson, President and CEO of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and Head of the North America Region.

This new contract includes the UH-72A production aircraft, associated technical and flight operator manuals and program management in training configuration for the Initial Entry Rotary Wing mission at Ft. Rucker. The aircraft provided under this contract are from a 2016 fiscal year (FY) procurement decision.

“Our mission of providing this vital national asset is crucial to the protection of our country and the closure of the pilot shortage gap,” Emerson said.

The UH-72A is a twin-engine utility helicopter used for a wide range of military operations including troop and light cargo transport, MEDEVAC, VIP transport, border security, and Homeland Defense.

Airbus has delivered more than 423 UH-72A Lakota aircraft from its facilities in Columbus, MS, since the award of the first contract in 2005. The new contract enhances the Lakota fleet and its training mission. With additional aircraft in the fleet, Lakota operators have more capability to conduct and support disaster relief and counter-drug operations in support of civil agencies or national emergencies.

Available in multiple configurations, the UH 72A Lakota is the lowest cost to buy, own and operate of any U.S. military helicopter in production. The Lakota is a key component of the Army’s Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI) and the primary rotary-wing trainer for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Ala.

The UH 72A Lakota is fielded in and out of the Continental United States in several different configurations, performing a number of essential missions for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and the National Guard.

http://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-army-ordered-16-additional-uh-72a-lakota-helicopters.html

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7th Army Training Command a ajouté 7 photos.

U.S. Army Paratroopers with 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade run forward during a platoon level live fire exercise
at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, March 21, 2018. (U.S. Army photos by Gertrud Zach)

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7th Army Training Command

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade jump out of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter operated by U.S. Soldiers of 1st Battalion,
3rd Aviation Regiment at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr training area, March 22, 2018. The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat
Team is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or
Central Commands' areas of responsibility within 18 hours.(U.S. Army photos by Markus Rauchenberger)

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7th Army Training Command

5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Viper 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation
Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct a combined arms live fire exercise at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training
Area, Germany, March 26, 2018. (U.S. Army photos by Gertrud Zach)

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BAE confirms delivery all of AMPVs built under the EMD phase

by Dylan Malyasov - 5, April, 2018



BAE Systems has confirmed delivered all of the AMPVs built under the Engineering and Manufacturing Design (EMD) phase to the U.S. Army to begin the testing phase of the program.

According to the company, BAE Systems was awarded a contract worth up to $1.2 billion from the Army in December 2014 for EMD and Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phases of the AMPV program. The initial award of $383 million under the EMD phase was for the development and production of vehicles across all of the variants: general purpose, mission command, mortar carrier, medical evacuation, and medical treatment.

“The AMPV is essential to the future of the Armored Brigade Combat Team,” said Bill Sheehy, AMPV program director for BAE Systems. “Delivering all EMD vehicles to the Army is a proud moment for us – it means we’re another step closer to delivering the next generation of power, mobility, and survivability to our Soldiers in our combat formations.”

BAE Systems’ five variant AMPV is a fully modern, highly flexible vehicle designed to replace the Vietnam War-era M113 family of vehicles. It is a mature, cost-effective solution that leverages proven designs from the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, a key component of the ACBT, and the M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer. It meets the Army’s force protection and all-terrain mobility requirements, enabling the AMPV to maneuver with the rest of the ABCT. Maximizing commonality within the ABCT reduces developmental risk and streamlines maintenance, providing significant cost savings to the Army.

The goal is to deliver the best capability possible to the Army in order to assist the ABCT in maintaining combat overmatch anywhere in the world, under any conditions at all times, Sheehy said. The process to deliver the best capability is iterative.


“The next phase of testing will help us to better understand the soldier/machine relationship and identify areas we can improve upon,” Sheehy said. “Delivering the best AMPV will not end with formal testing but continue as we field the vehicles throughout the Army and we learn new things about performance and the Soldiers expectations.

http://defence-blog.com/army/bae-confirms-delivery-all-of-ampvs-built-under-the-emd-phase.html

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11.04.2018

La 101st Airborne Division et la 10th Mountain Division testeront le robot de transport SMET



Le SMET? C'est le Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport qui pourrait équiper les brigades de combat de l'US Army dans un futur proche.

Le SMET doit pouvoir transporter 500 kg de matériel, franchir une distance de 100 km sur 72 heures et produire 3 kw/h à l'arrêt et 1 kw/h en mouvement. Quant au coût de ce véhicule robotisé, il doit se situer autour de 100 000$.

Quatre sociétés ont été retenues dans le cadre de l'appel d'offres initial. Il s'agit de
- Applied Research Associates avec Polaris Defense,
- General Dynamics Land Systems,
- HDT Expeditionary Systems (photo ci-dessus)
- Howe & Howe (qui propose son Ripsaw. Voir ci-dessous).



5 723 exemplaires pourraient être commandés.

Deux unités de l'US Army ont été désignées pour tester les matériels proposés; il s'agit de la 101st Airborne Division et de la 10th Mountain Division, selon Bryan McVeigh, chef de projet à l'Army’s Force Protection Robotics Portfolio. McVeigh s'exprimait en début de semaine lors de la "National Defense Industry Association’s Ground Robotics Capabilities Conference" (10 et 11 avril)

Chacune des quatre firmes retenues va fournir 20 exemplaires de son SMET.

Par ailleurs, l'US Army pourrait ouvrir un Robotics Innovation Center à Fort Benning.

http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2018/04/11/la-101st-airborne-division-et-la-10th-mountain-division-test-19250.html

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U.S. Army soldiers tests newly received M1A1-SA Abrams tanks

by Dylan Malyasov - 11, April, 2018

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Photo by Spc. Leo Jenkins


U.S. Army soldiers with Delta Tank Company, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart in Georgia have started field training with the new M1A1-SA Abrams tanks.

According to Spc. Jonathan Wallace, Since 2nd ABCT’s conversion from a light to an armored brigade combat team last fall, units within the brigade have been fielding and training on their new ground combat platforms.

Delta Tank, 6-8 Cav’s only tank company, was the first unit in the brigade’s firing line to test their crew’s abilities.

“Gunnery is beyond critical,” said Capt. Freddy Mitchell, commander of Delta Tank. “It is a necessary event to create lethal crews. Training like this is advantageous to the unit’s lethality.”

Table six is a live gunnery table that certifies each combat vehicle crew. Crew certification is a critical milestone that the three-person team must hit in order to progress onto larger and more complex gunnery tables.

In an effort to meet its goal of becoming the most lethal ABCT in the Army, 2nd ABCT crews must train and master closing with the enemy using fire and movement to destroy or capture enemy forces in sustained and large-scale actions with precision and speed.

Gunnery allows those crews to strengthen cohesion and maintain a constant state of readiness, for whenever and wherever they are needed said Mitchell.

“Today our crews are being evaluated on their proficiency to engage targets from various positions using the Abrams’ weapon systems,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jose Lopez, master gunner and platoon sergeant with Delta Tank. “Because the Abrams is a stabilized platform, it allows accurate fires even while advancing towards enemy positions.”

“The Abrams is the most lethal land warfare platform, battle-tested in both Desert Storm and Iraq,” added Mitchell. “This tank brings another long-range direct fire weapons system to our brigade.”

The M1A1 SA is part of the Army’s Abrams Tank Upgrade program, and consists of two variants: the M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness) and the M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP). The M1A1 SA has forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sights, engine air filter to protect the engine from the fine sand and dust of North Africa, and a telephone on the rear fender to enable accompanying infantry to communicate with the M1A1 SA tank crew.


Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan C. Berry

The M1A1 SA has a 120-millimeter M256 smooth-bore main gun, a 7.62-millimeter M240 machine gun, and a stabilized commander’s weapon station (SCWS) with heavy machine gun to enable accurate firing while the tank is moving over rough ground.

According to the Military & Aerospace Electronics, the hull and turret of the M1A1 SA is made with advanced armor to enable the tank to operate against other heavily armored forces. The M1A1 SA has a Lycoming Textron AGT 1500 gas turbine engine that operates on diesel or kerosene-based fuel.

The M1A1 SA’s situational awareness package provides crews soldiers with an electronic graphic of the battlefield with icons for friendly and enemy forces. The armored fighting vehicle also has an eye-safe laser rangefinder.

http://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-army-soldiers-tests-newly-received-m1a1-sa-abrams-tanks.html

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17.04.2018

Le Corps du génie US lance des travaux d'infrastructures en Afrique

L'US Army Corps of Engineers prévoit de lancer plusieurs chantiers au profit de forces armées africaines.

Ainsi, il a diffusé un avis (Solicitation Number: W912GB-18-X-0007) pour la construction d'un hangar capable d'accueillir trois hélicoptères Huey II, à Soroti, dans le centre de l'Ouganda. Le bâtiment doit aussi abriter un atelier de maintenance et du logement pour un petit groupe de militaires (8 à 12).

Au Sénégal, au champ de tir de Mont Rolland, près de la ville de Thies, ce même US Army Corps of Engineers veut construire un stand de tir pour l'entraînement avec des armes de calibre 5.56, 7.62, comme le M-16 et l'AK47. La construction d'un second bâtiment d'un étage pour la formation et la gestion du stand est aussi prévue selon l'avis (Solicitation Number: W912GB-18-X-0011).

Un autre projet est annoncé pour la Sierra Leone. L'avis (Solicitation Number W912GB-18-X-0008) précise que les travaux seront effectués au 34e hôpital militaire situé à Freetown. Il s'agit de rénover et d'agrandir la maternité de cet établissement

http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/

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Niger: la vérité sur la mort des soldats américains et nigériens à Tongo Tongo


Exercice de l'armée américaine dans le Sahel avec des soldats africains.
© ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP


Par RFI Publié le 27-04-2018 • Modifié le 27-04-2018 à 10:00

Huit mois après la mort de quatre soldats américains et de cinq nigériens au Niger en octobre 2017, le ministre de la Défense américain annonce que l'enquête du Pentagone est terminée. Devant le Congrès, Jim Mattis, secrétaire à la Défense américain, indique que ces conclusions seront rendues publiques dans les prochains jours, mais le Wall Street Journal les révèle déjà en partie. Dans leur rapport, les enquêteurs mettent en cause le sous-commandement américain de cette opération anti-jihadiste, accusé d'erreurs, d'empressement et de prise de risques excessive.

De notre correspondant en Californie, Eric de Salve

« Nous avons trouvé le noeud des problèmes qui nous ont conduit là », assure Jim Mattis devant le Congrès. « Pas du, mais des problèmes », précise le ministre de la Défense américain sur la foi du rapport sur l'attaque mortelle d'octobre 2017 au Niger. Selon le Wall Street Journal les 6 300 pages de cette enquête du Pentagon pointent l'arrogance et la culture de prise de risques excessive du sous-commandement américain. Elle épingle aussi des entrainements insuffisants et des procédures militaires bafouées.


Un gradé impliqué dans l'embuscade jihadiste du Niger est allé, selon le rapport, jusqu'à falsifier des documents officiels pour que la mission soit validée par ses supérieurs en copiant-collant un ordre de mission précédant. Pour autant, l'enquête ne préconise pas de sanction et ne met pas non plus en cause la décision récente de Donald Trump d'offrir plus d'autonomie aux officiers sur le terrain pour agir plus vite, sans accord systématique de Washington.

Les enquêteurs du Pentagone relèvent aussi la faiblesse du renseignement américain qui estimait peu probable la possibilité d'une présence ennemie dans la zone de Tongo Tongo. Au lieu de cela, la patrouille a fait face à une cinquantaine de jihadistes de la branche subsaharienne de l'Etat islamique. Après plusieurs heures de combats 4 bérets verts américains et 5 soldats nigériens avaient été tués.

http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20180427-niger-verite-mort-soldats-americains-nigeriens-tongo-tongo

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9 mai 2018 | Par Emmanuel Huberdeau

L'US Army commande un lot de roquettes GMLRS

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L'US Army commande un nouveau lot de roquettes GLMRS © Lockheed Martin


Lockheed Martin a annoncé la commande par l'US Army d'un treizième lot de roquettes guidées GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) pour un total de 828M$.


Ces roquettes seront destinées à l'US Army mais aussi à des clinets internationaux non cités. On sait que la France opère ces roquettes guidées sous l'appellation LRU (Lance Roquettes Unitaires).

Le lot commandé comprendra des roquettes GMLRS AW (Alternative Warhead), des GMLRS classiques et des roquettes d'exercice.

Le système GMLRS a été développé pour remplacer les systèmes de roquettes à sous munitions dont l'usage a été bani par la convention d'Oslo en 2008.

Les Etats-Unis ont déployé ce système en Afghanistan où il a été apprécié pour sa précision. En 2011, la DGA commande treize lanceurs modernisés. Le LRU a été brièvement déployé et employé dans le cadre de l'opération Barkhane. Un premier tir avait été annoncé en mars 2016.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/l-us-army-commande-un-lot-de-roquettes-gmlrs-110667

Citation :

Le manque de préparation et des négligences expliquent la mort de quatre commandos américains au Niger

Posté dans Afrique, Forces spéciales, Opérations par Laurent Lagneau Le 11-05-2018



Le 4 octobre 2017, une patrouille conjointe composée d’une dizaine de commandos des forces spéciales de l’US Army et soldats nigériens tombait dans une embuscade tendue par une centaine de combattants de l’État islamique au grand Sahara (EIGS) dans les environs immédiats du village de Tongo Tongo, près de la frontière séparant le Niger du Mali. Le bilan de cette attaque sera de 8 tués, dont 4 militaires américains.

Plus de six mois après les faits, le Pentagone a publié un résumé de 8 pages [.pdf] sur les 3.600 que compte le rapport d’enquête rédigé par le général Roger L. Cloutier Jr., le chef de l’état-major de l’US AFRICOM, le commandement américain pour l’Afrique.

Tout d’abord, l’officier a souligné que « de nombreux actes de bravoure se sont produits ce jour-là », comme ceux du sergent La David Johnson, tué « en engageant activement l’ennemi » et en se « battant jusqu’à la fin ». Son corps ne sera retrouvé que 48 heures après l’attaque.

Aucun des quatres commandos américains du 3rd Special Forces Group n’a été capturé : ils ont été « tués au combat », après avoir « subi des blessures immédiatement mortelles ou rapidement mortelles », indique le rapport.



En mars, l’EIGS avait diffusé une vidéo de l’embuscade de Tongo Tongo. Selon le résumé qui en fut fait, elle montrait trois militaires américains, isolés, tomber un à un sous les balles des terroristes. L’un d’eux, a priori sérieusement touché, fut « achevé » par un terroriste. À l’époque, le Pentagone s’était insurgé contre la diffusion de ce film qui mêlait les images des caméras installées sur les casques des soldats américains à des séquences filmées par les jihadistes.

Quoi qu’il en soit, les commandos américains n’auraient jamais dû se trouver dans une telle situation, étant donné qu’ils n’avaient pas été suffisamment préparés pour la mission qui leur fut assignée, qui plus est conduite dans une région où 46 attaques avaient été signalées par les Nations unies.

Cette Mission consistait à « trouver/surveiller et, si possible, capturer » un responsable de l’EIGS, en l’occurrence un certain Doundoun Cheffou, soupçonné d’être impliqué dans le rapt de Jeffrey Woodke, un travailleur humanitaire américain enlevé dans la région de Tahoua, en octobre 2016.

Or, les Bérets verts avaient été envoyés à Ouallam pour former des soldats nigériens et leur fournir une assistance en matière de contre-terrorisme. Mais seulement la moitié d’entre-eux avaient reçu « un entraînement collectif », affirme le rapport du Pentagone. En outre, aucun exercice n’avait été préalablement conduit avec les forces nigériennes.

Qui plus est, une telle mission n’aurait jamais dû être approuvée dans la mesure où sa description [concept des opérations, ou CONOPS] n’était qu’un copier-coller d’une autre menée précédemment. Ce qu’un « manque d’attention dans les détails » n’a pas permis de détecter, souligne le rapport. En outre, le niveau de commandement à qui elle a été adressée n’était pas approprié.

Aussi, insiste l’enquête du général Cloutier Jr, tous ces éléments « ont contribué à un manque général de prise de conscience de la situation et de supervision de la part du commandement à tous les échelons. » Il s’agit d’une combinaison « d’erreurs et de faiblesses individuelles, organisationnelles et institutionnelles », conclut le rapport.

Le bilan de l’embuscade de Tongo Tongo aurait pu être bien plus lourd sans l’intervention des forces françaises. Ces dernières ont reçu une demande d’appui aérien 53 minutes après le début des combats. Une patrouille de Mirage 2000 est arrivée 47 minutes plus tard. Ne pouvant pas intervenir directement étant donné la confusion sur le terrain, les pilotes français ont fait un « show of force » [démonstration de force], consistant à réaliser des passages à très basse altitude (au niveau de la cime des arbres), lesquels ont contraint les jihadistes à prendre la fuite.

http://www.opex360.com/2018/05/11/manque-de-preparation-negligences-expliquent-mort-de-quatre-commandos-americains-niger/

L'un des assaillants faisaint partie de l'armée mercenaire du Polisario

http://m.le360.ma/politique/soldats-us-abattus-au-niger-par-un-jihadiste-polisarien-le-pentagone-sort-de-son-silence-165274

Citation :

US Army to order Bonus rounds
Andrew Galer, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
17 May 2018

The US Army is about to order 500 BAE Systems Bofors Bonus 155 mm sensor-fuzed munitions as part of a larger order for the anti-tank rounds.

Peter Burke, deputy project manager for combat ammunition systems within the US Army’s Program Executive Office for Ammunition, announced at the IQPC Future Artillery 2018 conference, held in London from 14–16 May, that the US Army will purchase 3,141 rounds over a three-year period starting late this year.

A production contract is currently being negotiated via the NATO Support Procurement Agency with a contract announcement expected before the end of this month. Deliveries will be scheduled to be made in three tranches to start in late 2018 with an initial 500 rounds, followed by a further two tranches in 2019 and 2020.


http://www.janes.com/article/80148/us-army-to-order-bonus-rounds

Citation :

173rd Airborne Brigade a ajouté 8 photos.

This week nearly a thousand of our #SkySoldiers are training in Bayonet Strike, a complex multi-national airborne operation with 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment jumping into Spain and 2D Battalion (Airborne) 503D Infantry "The Rock" jumping into Italy, both conducting follow-on combat training missions with our #NATO Allies. This exercise follows a third battalion, 1st Battalion (Airborne) 143rd Infantry Regiment, completing "Saber Strike" in Poland over the past two weeks. These missions were supported by our 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion - Airborne, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment and 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment.
The ability of the 173rd Airborne Brigade to conduct Joint Forcable Entries in multiple nations simultaneously highlights the combat readiness of our lethal formations. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is forward stationed with ready forces prepared to deploy within 18 hours of notification. We are always - Lethal - Agile - Combat Ready.

PHOTOS:

 

Citation :

U.S. Army awards BAE contract for production of new Bradley vehicles

Jun 17, 2018



The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded BAE Systems Land and Armaments a contract for production of new Bradley vehicles, as well as procurement of spares and other equipment.

The award, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, is valued at more than $347 million under a fixed-price-incentive-fee contract for production of two models of Bradley vehicle and parts for legacy vehicles, the Pentagon said.

BAE is being tapped for production of up to 473 Bradley M2A4 and M7A4 vehicles, as well as procurement of stockage list spares for the vehicles. BAE will also provide additional packages for legacy component repair using the M2A3, M7A3 and Operation Desert Storm-Situational Awareness vehicles as a baseline.

Work on the contract will be conducted in York, Penn., and is expected to be complete by June 14, 2019.

The Pentagon has obligated $132 million to BAE from fiscal 2017 and 2018 other procurement funds.

http://defence-blog.com/army/u-s-army-awards-bae-contract-production-new-bradley-vehicles.html

Citation :

U.S. Army awards DRS contract for Abrams tank support

Jun 19, 2018



The U.S. Army awarded DRS Sustainment Systems a contract potentially worth more than $192.5 million for services in support of the Abrams M1A2 Main Battle Tank, according to a Pentagon statement.

The deal, announced Friday by the Department of Defense, is valued at more than $192.5 million under the terms of a fixed-price-incentive contract that enables DRS Sustainment Systems to procure Abrams Active Protection systems for the Abrams M1A2 Main Battle Tank, the Pentagon said.

The M1 Abrams is a third-generation tank that is designed for improved lethality and mobility. The M1A2 version upgrades the exterior with armor and provides a redesign of the Commander’s Weapon Station, along with adding thermal imaging technology and advances in communication and global positioning equipment.

The Pentagon contract will also provide countermeasure systems and calibration-maintenance kits to support the M1A2 System Enhancement program version 2, according to the Defense Department’s contract announcement.

Work on the contract will occur in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be complete in March 2020.

http://defence-blog.com/army/u-s-army-awards-drs-contract-abrams-tank-support.html

Citation :

Les tanks américains ont leur Trophy

Actualités Romain Vincent 26 juin, 2018

La filiale américaine de Leonardo l’a annoncé ce 26 juin, en partenariat avec les Israéliens de Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, elle fournira à l’US Army des systèmes de protection active pour équiper au plus tôt les tanks Abrams.


Système APS Trophy imaginé sur un Abrams (Crédits : Leonardo DRS)


L’armée américaine prévoyait déjà depuis des années de s’offrir un système de protection actif pour moderniser sa flotte d’Abrams, c’est maintenant chose faite avec ce contrat de 193 M$ (165 M€) qui prévoit la livraison du Trophy qui, équipant déjà plus de 1000 véhicules de l’armée israélienne, a déjà fait ses preuves au combat, des contre-mesures qui vont avec et du service de maintenance affilié.

Le système Trophy, véritable fierté des israéliens qui sont pour l’instant les seuls à proposer un système de protection active sur leur client, fonctionne comme un dôme de protection sur le véhicule qui en est équipé. On dit que la protection est active en opposition au blindage du véhicule et qu’elle est hard-kill en opposition aux contre-mesures traditionnelles comme les fumigènes dans le sens où, au lieu d’assumer la violence du choc ou d’éviter le projectile, le véhicule va détruire ce qui cherche à le détruire : la contre-mesure lancée par le système qui a détecté une menace va venir exploser contre le projectile quelques mètres avant qu’il n’atteigne sa cible.

Le système est effectif contre les missiles ou roquettes anti-char, et peut engager simultanément plusieurs menaces venant d’une direction différente. Ses deux défauts principaux sont qu’il n’est pas capable de protéger le véhicule contre les obus et que l’explosion des contre-mesures oblige l’infanterie à se tenir à distance de sécurité suffisante. Dans ce dernier cas, l’infanterie ne peut plus bénéficier du blindé pour avancer à couvert, et les blindé, imaginons, dans un combat urbain bénéficie plus difficilement de l’appui de l’infanterie.

Comme le précise justement le communiqué officiel de Leonardo Drs, son partenaire Rafael a fourni depuis plusieurs années des systèmes de blindage, passifs ou (ré)actifs, à l’armée américaine pour ses Bradley, Stryker ou AAV7. Pour Leonardo, ce contrat – qui pourrait faire de lui fournisseur privilégié de l’US Army pour des décennies – est un premier pas vers une collaboration (nationale) plus étroite qui viendra avec le prochain programme de protection des véhicules américains. Effectivement, si la technologie est israélienne, la majorité des composants seront construits par l’industrie américaine et les Israéliens de Rafale eux-mêmes comptent poursuivre leur implantation industrielle sur le sol américain.

Selon les observateurs américains, cette modernisation des Abrams intervient alors que l’US Army se « réoriente » vers les « guerres majeures ».

http://forcesoperations.com/les-tanks-americains-ont-leur-trophy/

Ce genre de systeme est un "game changer".

Sa redonne de l'efficience aux blindés face à une infanterie toujours plus dangereuse, avec la democratisation des ATGM et autres roquettes, capables de te trouer meme le meilleur MBT sur le marché