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TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
US Army awards BAE contract to build full-rate production howitzers
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  6 days ago
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U.S. Soldiers with Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a Fire Coordination Exercise with M109A6 Paladins at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 21, 2017. M109A7 howitzers will replace the M109A6 variant. (Gertrud Zach/U.S. Army)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a contract potentially worth up to $1.7 billion to build the full-rate production version of the M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer and companion M992A3 ammunition carrier vehicles, according to the company’s vice president and general manager of combat vehicles in the United States.

The contract awarded Thursday covers the final lot of low-rate initial production (LRIP) vehicles ― a total of 48 howitzers and 48 ammunition carriers ― for $413.7 million and includes options to buy 60 full-rate production vehicle sets per year for three years following. If all options are exercised, the total contract amount could reach just shy of $1.7 billion, Adam Zarfoss told Defense News.

Under the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program, BAE was tasked to field sets of LRIP howitzers and ammunition carriers. When LRIP began, the order covered 65 sets. BAE delivered its first production sets to the Army in the spring of 2015.

To date, according to Zarfoss, BAE Systems has delivered 37 howitzers and 36 ammunition carriers under LRIP. The vehicles were used to complete all production qualification testing, driving toward FRP, he added.

The PIM is the successor to the M109A6 155mm howitzer and continues to use the same gun as the older artillery piece and has the same cab structure. But aside from those similarities, the PIM is essentially a new weapon system, one that comes with digital displays and a 70 kilowatt, 600-volt on-board power system. The new design also allows for the integration of the drive-train and suspension that are common to the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

There is one final test to complete ― the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation or IOT&E ― which will determine the Army’s decision to move to full-rate production. The test will take place in the first quarter of next year, according to Zarfoss.

BAE will start fabricating the last of the LRIP systems in the spring and expects the Army to approve full materiel release and equip the first unit starting in the spring or early summer, he added.

Zarfoss noted there have been no major configuration changes between the LRIP version and what will be built during FRP and expects no surprises to come from the IOT&E happening soon.

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In the summer of 2016, the Pentagon’s inspector general wrote in a report about the PIM program that he wanted the Army to address what the DoD test community perceived as deficiencies with the howitzer’s maximum rate of fire and problems with the automatic fire extinguisher that could potentially endanger the crew.


In response to that report, Zarfoss said, “they identified some vulnerabilities. We made some changes to sensor location, but the automatic fire extinguishing system remained as part of the vehicle. There have been some tweaks to the breach mechanisms that is a legacy component that the Army is working on to address some issues with the current fleet that is related to PIM as well.”

The new howitzer gets the Army on its path to “real commonality within the formations because our howitzers are going to have the same basic automotive platform as the Bradleys,” Zarfoss said. “And then we are going to follow on this with the [Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle] that is going to have the same stuff as well so there is some real benefits coming to the Army in terms of not just the tactical implications of this but also logistics.”



Also on Thursday, General Dynamics Land Systems was awarded a $2.7 billion contract from the U.S. Army to upgrade 786 Abrams tanks from the M1A1 to the M1A2 System Enhancement Package Version 3.
As stated this is the same 155mm L39 cannon found on current M109A6 in Us inventory. This means a reduced range vs systems like the K9 Thunder, PzH 2000, Japanese Type 99, Chinese PLZ 45 or the originally aimed to replace it XM2001 Crusader, as well as Russian 2S19 Msta-S 152mm but equal range to the AS90, Singapore's Primus and Japanese Type 75.
 

jobjed

Captain
As stated this is the same 155mm L39 cannon found on current M109A6 in Us inventory. This means a reduced range vs systems like the K9 Thunder, PzH 2000, Japanese Type 99, Chinese PLZ 45 or the originally aimed to replace it XM2001 Crusader, as well as Russian 2S19 Msta-S 152mm but equal range to the AS90, Singapore's Primus and Japanese Type 75.

The PLZ-45 is primarily an export system with a 45-calibre barrel and only a few examples are retained by the PLA for use in artillery academies. The one in frontline service with the PLA is the PLZ-05 with a 52-calibre barrel, same as that of other first-tier SPG systems globally.
 
Thank goodness... It may sound like a cool Idea but practically moving the Space assets from the USAF and USN to a new body was just going to be a mess of Bureaucracy without need.
the most recent is

DOD Focused on Improving Space Mission, Rather than Restructuring It
The military should look at how it meets the demands for space capabilities rather than restructuring the space mission, the Pentagon’s new undersecretary said. Some lawmakers, led by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) have
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, or a “Space Corps,” to handle the mission instead of the Air Force taking that role. That move has been loudly opposed by Air Force and Pentagon leadership, said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan who said there are a “couple of reports” in the works inside the Pentagon that will outline how the department can improve its effort and grow as space becomes more important. While the Defense Department and some lawmakers disagree on the details, the work has been “really collegial about ‘How do you do this better, and faster, and really get at some of the new capabilities that we know will make us very competitive?’” Shanahan said. President Trump on Dec. 4 announced his intent to nominate Mike Griffin, a former NASA administrator, as the Pentagon’s new principal deputy under secretary of defense for acquisition. Shanahan said it’s “possible” that if confirmed Griffin might take over as principal defense department space advisor—a role currently served by Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson.

in
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TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
The PLZ-45 is primarily an export system with a 45-calibre barrel and only a few examples are retained by the PLA for use in artillery academies. The one in frontline service with the PLA is the PLZ-05 with a 52-calibre barrel, same as that of other first-tier SPG systems globally.
I didn't feel the need to list every system just give a sampling from all around. Besides as an Export option that means a wider range of proliferation. I mean I could have lengthened that list considerably.
 

jobjed

Captain
I didn't feel the need to list every system just give a sampling from all around. Besides as an Export option that means a wider range of proliferation. I mean I could have lengthened that list considerably.

It's a minor issue but if you wanted to list a Chinese SPG, the PLZ-05 was a better candidate than the PLZ-45 because it's more advanced, more numerous, and actually used by China.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
It's a minor issue but if you wanted to list a Chinese SPG, the PLZ-05 was a better candidate than the PLZ-45 because it's more advanced, more numerous, and actually used by China.
Doesn't really matter as In this case, One, I did not say 52 caliber systems and 2 by having the 45 caliber system I can also use it as a "Low Rung" I never meant to use it as a "If it faced a Chinese system." I intended to list random options with a verity of longer barrel and ranges. Since 3 on that list are 52 caliber systems I felt the need for a 45.
 
I didn't feel the need to list every system ...
LOL can't resist now: on Friday, October 27, in the evening I saw from a tram a copy of the controversial
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(I was coming from work around the place where the Czech Army Day would take place the next day because of the national holiday here LOL that's how I remember)

and would've had a chance to talk to the crew which was guarding it (I saw MP elsewhere, that's why I think it was the crew, and there were no visitors expected that day, that's why I think they would talk to me LOL), but I was too tired to do so

(I avoid Military Parades etc. due to crowds)

now a thought occur to me: I can try next year ... October 27 comes on Saturday
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Controversial in the 70's more common today.
DANA, ZUZANA, EVA,
ATMOS 2000, CAESAR, Archer FH77BW L52, the A222 Bereg,AHS Kryl, The G6 Rhino and Nora B52
All Wheeled high Caliber Self propelled guns. many out ranging the 155 L39.
 

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
As stated this is the same 155mm L39 cannon found on current M109A6 in Us inventory. This means a reduced range vs systems like the K9 Thunder, PzH 2000, Japanese Type 99, Chinese PLZ 45 or the originally aimed to replace it XM2001 Crusader, as well as Russian 2S19 Msta-S 152mm but equal range to the AS90, Singapore's Primus and Japanese Type 75.
Agree
As much as the M-1 is still decent than M-109A7 even with new electronic/informatic wiht shorter gun and for reloading system ... is quite exceded a old French AUF-1 is better and i had serve on :)
And the M-777 is recent but ultra light especialy for helos transport and only 39 cal very little automated so in fact the best US Army artillery systems are MLRS and Himars.
But they have a munitions qty limited.

The Crusader was an amazing SPG but very expensive comparable to EFV.
 
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TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Single engine failure damages five E-8C JSTARS

  • 27 DECEMBER, 2017
  • SOURCE: FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM
  • BY: STEPHEN TRIMBLE
  • WASHINGTON DC


An engine failure caused damage on 21 December to five E-8C JSTARS aircraft, or nearly one-third of the fleet of aerial ground surveillance aircraft, the US Air Force says.

Three of the five damaged aircraft returned to flight status at Warner Robins AFB, Georgia within three days, and a fourth aircraft is expected to be repaired shortly after the New Year’s Day, says the 116th Air Control Wing. The status of the fifth aircraft with the failed engine was not immediately available, but it appears to remain grounded.

The incident caused no damage to any of the Northrop APY-7 radars installed inside a belly canoe fairing on each of the JSTARS aircraft, a spokesman for the 116th Wing tells FlightGlobal.

The incident on 21 December is now under review by a Safety Investigation Board, the Air Force says.

Each E-8C -- a modified Boeing 707-300 -- is powered by four Pratt & Whitney TF33-102C engines, a 1950s design derived from the once ubiquitous P&W JT-3.

The engine failed during a maintenance test run on a crowded ramp by the runway, spewing debris from the engine around the ramp and parking areas.

Four airmen were evaluated for injuries but released. The 116th Wing grounded JSTARS flight operations briefly to clear debris from the failed engine off the airport.

Despite the damage caused to five of the 16 operationally-coded JSTARS aircraft, the air force says that there was no disruption to surveillance flights requested by field commanders.

“Our maintenance personnel are phenomenal,” says Col Thomas Grabowski, 116th Air Control Wing commander. “Their ability to restore these aircraft to flight status in such a short period of time demonstrates the combat mission ready posture of this unique organization.”

The incident occurs as top Air Force leaders consider whether to cancel a competition to select a business jet platform to replace the E-8C fleet. Another option under review is to re-start the competition in the future using a platform that could survive in contested airspace.
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