US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

The_Zergling said:

I find the concept of a guided smart bullet very interesting, in that I have absolutely no idea how you would design the guidance system, or the adjustment mechanism... any ideas?

Click to expand...

The_Zergling said:

I would argue that there are some psychological costs and downsides tied to increased use in sniping, but that's a completely different issue, I suppose.

Click to expand...

defence times said:

Oshkosh, Plasan Team up for M-ATV

February 27th, 2009 | AUSA Winter 2009 | Posted by Kris Osborn

Oshkosh and Plasan Sasa armor have teamed up to bid for the Pentagons Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All Terrain Vehicle which aims to field thousands of ambush-protected vehicles in Afghanistan which are smaller and more mobile than standard MRAPs, company officials said.

The Oshkosh M-ATV draws from elements of the Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) such as its suspension system and frame rails.

“Many things are the same as the MTVR. We had a Marine Colonel who had several of his Marines survived in MTVRs. He wrote us and said he wants to personally come back to the United States and talk to the workers and assembly, production and engineer folks and tell them how special it was to drive in an MTVR in Afghanistan,” said Ken Juergens, Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) program director.

The M-ATV request for proposal asks for a vehicle which can perform 50-percent of its missions in an off-road environment.

“The biggest thing with this vehicle is its off-road capability. This vehicle has 400,000 miles of government tested miles on it. It is designed for 70-percent off-road mission profiles,” said Juergens.

“It is very robust. You see the film of the vehicle going up and down but inside you are not moving, all of the energy is being dissipated. It there is an explosive event, all of the energy dissipates,” said Juergens.

Plasan Sasa armor company, which has provided armor for a range of vehicles including JLTV, MaxxPro MRAP and MTVR, has added a new lightweight armor solution to the vehicle.

“We used some innovative approaches. We used composite armor to help the OEM meet the required weight,” said Dani Ziv, Plasan armor CEO.

Click to expand...

DOD buzz-Military.com said:

Tanker Moves Through JROC

Tanker Moves Through JROC
By Colin Clark Thursday, February 26th, 2009 6:19 pm


The amazing competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman for the airborne tanker program moved into a new stage when the Joint Requirement Oversight Council met today to consider the freshly drawn requirements. A Joint Staff official confirmed the JROC meeting.

The Air Force drew up the new requirements and the JROC, headed by Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is supposed to make sure the new standards hold up to scrutiny. In practice, the JROC usually approves new requirements since most of the expertise for drafting them resides in the services. Of course, this set will get unusual scrutiny because of its visibility and Cartwright is known as a believer in the council’s importance. On top of that, the tanker is the top acquisition priority of both the Air Force and Transportation Command, as Schwartz noted during a press conference here today.

From what little I have heard about the requirements, it seems pretty clear that the Air Force has compressed and simplified the requirements to avoid the likelihood of another award protest but has not changed its mind about what capabilities are needed. Of course, no service types are talking yet about what the new requirements might be in light of the polite gag order issued by Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.

But Rep. Jack Murtha’s plan to split the buy — and avoid what would seem to be an otherwise unavoidable second protest — would seem to allow both companies some breathing room. The politics of the dual buy are formidable. The Air Force and OSD have opposed the idea, arguing it would cost the service enormous amounts of money and complicate its logistics. But the Air Force’s opposition may be at an end — at least for the initial purchase.

I understand Murtha, chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, spoke with Chief of Staff Schwartz around the first of the year about the tanker deal. It was after that conversation that Murtha went public with his dual buy proposal. So it would appear that Schwartz has accepted that there is no alternative given the fierce competition between the two companies for the billions at stake.

But if the requirements have not changed substantially then the balance would still seem to tilt toward Northrop Grumman. Northrop has one tanker built, a second airframe ready for conversion to a tanker and could field a total of five or six tankers in the two to four years before Boeing is likely to get a working tanker into the air. So even with a split buy, Northrop should be able to get plenty of time in the air demonstrating its capability and ironing out the inevitable problems that arise early in a program while Boeing would still be building its first planes.

Here is where the politics would become crucial. The powerful Senate defense leaders such as Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and John McCain R-Ariz.) have gone quiet, apparently waiting for the budget and for the new RFP. However, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), chair of the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, has apparently been in discussions with Murtha and so far appears willing to pursue the dual buy. After the initial buy however, Boeing would need substantial support from key appropriators and authorizers to turn the initial buy into regular procurement. So far, it’s unclear just how much support they will get. One suggestion — don’t forget the formidable influence Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) can bring to bear on the House Appropriations Committee.

Click to expand...

Lockheed Martin Unveils Exoskeleton Technology at AUSA Winter Symposium

ORLANDO, FL, February 26th, 2009 -- HULC

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] debuted an advanced robotic exoskeleton designed to augment Soldiers’ strength and endurance and prevent their premature fatigue.

The Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC™) exoskeleton, introduced at the Association of the United States’ Army Winter Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, FL, will meet future mobility and sustainment needs of Warfighters by providing strength and survivability. Under an exclusive licensing agreement with Berkeley BionicsTM, a world leader in exoskeleton technologies, Lockheed Martin will advance the development of the HULC design to provide Soldiers a powerful advantage in ground operations.

“With our enhancements to the HULC system, Soldiers will be able to carry loads up to 200 pounds with minimal effort,” said Rich Russell, director of Sensors, Data Links and Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Lockheed Martin is developing an entire line of ground Soldier technologies that will improve Warfighters’ ability to effectively complete their missions.”

Dismounted Soldiers often carry heavy combat loads that increase stress on the body, leading to injuries and exhaustion. HULC transfers the weight from heavy loads to the ground through the battery-powered, titanium legs of the lower-body exoskeleton. An advanced onboard micro-computer ensures the exoskeleton moves in concert with the individual. HULC’s completely un-tethered, hydraulic-powered anthropomorphic exoskeleton design allows for deep squats, crawls and upper-body lifting with minor exertion.

Lockheed Martin’s advanced technology systems will now include ground Soldier solutions such as wearable situational awareness equipment and mobility assistance systems. Additional technological advancements will focus on specific user needs and performance requirements. Lockheed Martin is also exploring exoskeleton designs to support industrial and medical applications.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

Heather Kelly, 407-356-5351
e-mail, [email protected]
© 2009 Lockheed Martin Corporation

Click to expand...

US Praises China's Anti-Piracy Role
February 28, 2009
Associated Press

BEIJING - A top U.S. defense official praised China's contribution to anti-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia on Saturday, following two days of talks in Beijing that marked a resumption of military consultations after a half-year suspension.

The visit by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense David Sedney added to signs of an optimistic start to ties between Beijing and President Barack Obama's administration. A visit the week before by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was also praised for setting an overwhelmingly positive tone for relations.

China had suspended most military contacts last October over Washington's agreement to sell $6.5 billion in advanced weaponry to Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as a breakaway province. And while China continues to complain about such sales, Sedney told reporters that both sides were dedicated to improving relations.

"The focus was not at all on obstacles. The focus was on how we can move forward, how we can make progress, and how we can try to make joint efforts ... to achieve common goals," Sedney said at a briefing at the American Embassy before his departure for South Korea.

Sedney had special praise for China's contribution to the anti-piracy flotilla patrolling the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast. Chinese sent two destroyers and a supply ship to the region in December, and on Thursday state media said its sailors had rescued an Italian merchant ship from pirates.

"The work they've done has been highly professional, it's been highly effective, and it's been very well coordinated with the United States and the other navies that are working there," Sedney said.

The sides also reaffirmed the six-nation process of urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs and discussed possible Chinese contributions to nonmilitary programs in Afghanistan, he said. The U.S. is preparing to send 17,000 more soldiers and Marines to join the 38,000 fighting a strengthening insurgency. Afghanistan lies on China's western border.

Sedney said he held 13 hours of talks on Friday with a delegation led by Maj. Gen. Qian Lihua, the Chinese Defense Ministry's head of foreign affairs. That was followed by a shorter meeting Saturday morning with Lt. Gen. Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff for the People's Liberation Army.

China's official Xinhua News Agency said Friday's talks also covered bilateral maritime security, as well as international and regional security.

It also quoted Qian as saying that contacts would remain tenuous unless the U.S. removes remaining obstacles to improvement.

"China-U.S. military relations still stay at a difficult period. We expect the U.S. side to take concrete measures for the resumption and development of our military ties," it quoted Qian as saying.

Click to expand...

F-35 Lightning II – Meeting Performance Requirements, On Schedule For Deliveries

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 10th, 2009 -- With strong international partnerships firmly established, the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II (also known as the Joint Strike Fighter) continues to meet or exceed its milestones in both performance and schedule. The program is moving quickly into its production and support phase, and will be ready when Australia needs it as its future fighter.

At the Australian International Airshow, Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president for F-35 Program Integration, said flight testing is on track and the aircraft is performing extremely well. “The aircraft and its systems are proving to be significantly more mature at this stage of testing than those of past programs,” Burbage said. “The program is achieving established milestones and retiring technical risk according to plan. Production activities are accelerating with all SDD aircraft and the first six LRIP aircraft already in assembly," he said.

Burbage added that the F-35 is by far the most capable fighter available on the international market. It is designed for superiority in both the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Its combination of stealth and advanced sensor systems will provide vastly improved situational awareness and survivability over the most advanced 4th generation aircraft.

Also at the air show, Maj. Gen. (Select) David Heinz, F-35 Deputy Program Executive Officer, spoke about the U.S. government’s backing of the program. “We have the military services’ commitment to procure the aircraft in large quantities, and that is important to keeping the cost down and the program affordable,” he said. “The United States Government is committed to keeping this 5th Generation fighter on cost and on schedule.”

Air Vice Marshall John Harvey, Australia’s program manager of New Air Combat Capability, added, “The F-35 continues to make good progress and Defence and Australian industry are working closely with their international partners to make the F-35 Program a great success.”

Milestones achieved in 2008 and 2009 continue to validate the F-35’s continued success: The successful first flight of F-35 BF-1 on June 11, 2008; the deployment of F-35 AA-1 to Edwards AFB, Calif., with all tests accomplished ahead of schedule; and recently, the successful first flight of F-35 BF-2 on February 25, 2009. The program remains onschedule to deliver the first production-modelF-35s to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.,in 2010 and to meet all services’ Initial Operational Capability dates, starting in 2012.

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter. Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide will replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making the Lightning II the most cost-effective fighter program in history.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

Media Contacts:

Lockheed Martin Chalet
Kim Testa
817-718-8644
Email: [email protected]

Fort Worth
Chris Geisel
Office: 817-253-6211
Email [email protected]

John R. Kent
Office: 817-763-3980
Email [email protected]

Click to expand...

Private charged in death of girl, 16, at Lewis

The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Mar 10, 2009 20:41:30 EDT

FORT LEWIS, Wash. — The Army has charged a 19-year-old soldier from Indiana in the fatal drug overdose of a 16-year-old girl at a Fort Lewis barracks.

Pvt. Timothy E. Bennitt, a heavy construction equipment operator from Rolling Prairie, Ind., faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, wrongful use and distribution of controlled substances, and conspiracy to use controlled substances. He is assigned to the 555th Engineer Brigade.

The girl, Leah King, a high school sophomore from Lakewood, had been dating Bennitt for about a month, officials said. She was found dead in the barracks early on Feb. 15. Another 16-year-old girl was found unconscious and eventually recovered. Army pathologists and investigators determined that King overdosed on an antidepressant marketed as Xanax and a painkiller called oxymorphone, some of which she had apparently inhaled after the pills were crushed.

Army officials said Bennitt, 19, is also under investigation for distributing drugs to other soldiers, including oxycodone and marijuana, and taking drugs himself. If convicted of all charges he could face up to 82 years in confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a dishonorable discharge.

The charges against him will be presented to an investigating officer in an Article 32 hearing, the equivalent of a civilian grand jury, and that officer will recommend whether to proceed with a court-martial.

King’s death revealed that many juveniles from the area enter Fort Lewis with soldiers to attend parties. In response, the base changed its procedures to require all minors to be signed in at the Fort Lewis visitor center, and to deny access to those who do not appear to have a legitimate reason for being on base. Officials also increased the number of random checks they do of cars entering the base to ensure minors aren’t entering the post inappropriately.

Bennitt entered the Army in June 2007 and reported to Fort Lewis that December, after training at Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He has not deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Click to expand...

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Boeing unveils Silent Eagle

A new version of the F-15 Eagle combat aircraft, incorporating some stealth features, has been unveiled by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. ...

Click to expand...

TerraN_EmpirE said:

This is just Ugly. and sadly most of the news in all the services is like this today

Click to expand...