Monday, August 26, 2013

Vigilant Eagle continues closer U.S.-Russian cooperation > U.S. Air Force > Article Display

Vigilant Eagle continues closer U.S.-Russian cooperation > U.S. Air Force > Article Display

Beginning Aug. 27, fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Russian air force will scramble to track and intercept "hijacked" aircraft during an air defense exercise viewed as a steppingstone toward closer military-to-military cooperation in additional areas.
 
Vigilant Eagle 13 kicked off Aug. 26, with scenarios that present the United States, Canada and Russia with a common enemy: terrorist hijackers, Joseph Bonnet, director of joint training and exercises for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, said during a telephone interview with American Forces Press Service.
 
The exercise is the fifth in a series, based on a 2003 agreement between the sitting U.S. and Russian presidents to strengthen the two militaries' relationship and their ability to work together. The threat of international hijackers served as a foundation to help advance that effort, resulting in an exercise program that addresses a recognized threat, Bonnet explained.
 
Vigilant Eagle began in 2008 as a command post exercise. At Russia's request, it now alternates between CPXs that test out principles and procedures in a computer-based setting and "live-fly" exercises that apply those principles and procedures the following year.
 
This year's exercise is the third in the series to incorporate actual aircraft, Bonnet reported. A Russian Tupolev and a commercial aircraft contracted by the United States will simulate commercial airliners seized by terrorists. The U.S. Air Force's Airborne Warning and Control System and Russia's A-50 Beriev will serve as command-and-control platforms.
 
Live fighter jets -- Canadian CF-18 Hornets and Russian Sukhois -- will track, identify, intercept and follow the hijacked aircraft, and both Canada and Russia will conduct air-to-air refueling operations. The Canadian air force has been integral to past Vigilant Eagle exercises, but is contributing aircraft for the first time this year, Bonnet said.
 
In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration and its Russian equivalent are participating.
 
The scenario involves two "hijacked" commercial aircraft that challenge participants on the ground and in the sky to provide a coordinated response, Bonnet explained. The first flight, to originate tomorrow from Anchorage, Alaska, will travel into Russian airspace. The following day, a Russian aircraft will take off from Anadyr, Russia, toward U.S. airspace.
 
When the aircraft fail to respond to communications, NORAD, the U.S.-Canada command that safeguards U.S. skies under Operation Noble Eagle, and the Russian air force will move into action. Both will launch or divert fighter jets to investigate and follow the suspect aircraft headed toward each other's airspace. At that point, they will hand off the missions to each other to complete.
 
Working together in Anchorage and Anadyr and at the NORAD headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., participants will cooperate in escort and handoff procedures using two distinct communications, command-and-control and air traffic control systems, Bonnet said.
 
Vigilant Eagle has become more ambitious and valuable with each iteration, Bonnet said, noting that this year's exercise will be no different.
 
"This is the culmination of everything that has gone on in previous exercises, and we expect it to continue to mature," he said. "Like us, the Russian Federation air force is eager to expand the scope and complexity of the exercise, and to look into other areas," such as related search-and-rescue and airfield operations.
 
Bonnet called continuation of Vigilant Eagle, particularly at a time when budget costs have caused the cancellation of many other exercises, a success in itself. With fewer than 100 people directly involved from the United States, Vigilant Eagle offers tremendous "bang for the buck," he said.
 
"This is a small, relatively inexpensive exercise with a huge payoff," he said. "It doesn't cost any of the countries a lot of money, but it is building things that have immediate value for all of them. When you have procedures and a means of communicating information between both sides, that has a lot of value."
 
Another big success, Bonnet said, is that the exercise has transcended leadership changes both in the United States and in Russia, as well as recent political tensions between them.
 
Both countries recognize the importance of continued cooperation to keep their international borders safe, he said.
 
"It is one of the biggest single areas where the Russian Federation, U.S. and Canada can truly cooperate," he said. "All three countries share a common objective in thwarting, combating and cooperating against terrorism."
 
As their militaries work together to confront terrorist hijackers, Bonnet said, they are laying the foundation for future cooperation in other areas.
 
"What we are trying to do is continually build and expand the exercise and use this as a basis for moving the relationship forward," he said. "That, to me, is the biggest value of Vigilant Eagle."

Vigilant Eagle continues closer U.S.-Russian cooperation > U.S. Air Force > Article Display

Vigilant Eagle continues closer U.S.-Russian cooperation > U.S. Air Force > Article Display

Beginning Aug. 27, fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Russian air force will scramble to track and intercept "hijacked" aircraft during an air defense exercise viewed as a steppingstone toward closer military-to-military cooperation in additional areas.
 
Vigilant Eagle 13 kicked off Aug. 26, with scenarios that present the United States, Canada and Russia with a common enemy: terrorist hijackers, Joseph Bonnet, director of joint training and exercises for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, said during a telephone interview with American Forces Press Service.
 
The exercise is the fifth in a series, based on a 2003 agreement between the sitting U.S. and Russian presidents to strengthen the two militaries' relationship and their ability to work together. The threat of international hijackers served as a foundation to help advance that effort, resulting in an exercise program that addresses a recognized threat, Bonnet explained.
 
Vigilant Eagle began in 2008 as a command post exercise. At Russia's request, it now alternates between CPXs that test out principles and procedures in a computer-based setting and "live-fly" exercises that apply those principles and procedures the following year.
 
This year's exercise is the third in the series to incorporate actual aircraft, Bonnet reported. A Russian Tupolev and a commercial aircraft contracted by the United States will simulate commercial airliners seized by terrorists. The U.S. Air Force's Airborne Warning and Control System and Russia's A-50 Beriev will serve as command-and-control platforms.
 
Live fighter jets -- Canadian CF-18 Hornets and Russian Sukhois -- will track, identify, intercept and follow the hijacked aircraft, and both Canada and Russia will conduct air-to-air refueling operations. The Canadian air force has been integral to past Vigilant Eagle exercises, but is contributing aircraft for the first time this year, Bonnet said.
 
In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration and its Russian equivalent are participating.
 
The scenario involves two "hijacked" commercial aircraft that challenge participants on the ground and in the sky to provide a coordinated response, Bonnet explained. The first flight, to originate tomorrow from Anchorage, Alaska, will travel into Russian airspace. The following day, a Russian aircraft will take off from Anadyr, Russia, toward U.S. airspace.
 
When the aircraft fail to respond to communications, NORAD, the U.S.-Canada command that safeguards U.S. skies under Operation Noble Eagle, and the Russian air force will move into action. Both will launch or divert fighter jets to investigate and follow the suspect aircraft headed toward each other's airspace. At that point, they will hand off the missions to each other to complete.
 
Working together in Anchorage and Anadyr and at the NORAD headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., participants will cooperate in escort and handoff procedures using two distinct communications, command-and-control and air traffic control systems, Bonnet said.
 
Vigilant Eagle has become more ambitious and valuable with each iteration, Bonnet said, noting that this year's exercise will be no different.
 
"This is the culmination of everything that has gone on in previous exercises, and we expect it to continue to mature," he said. "Like us, the Russian Federation air force is eager to expand the scope and complexity of the exercise, and to look into other areas," such as related search-and-rescue and airfield operations.
 
Bonnet called continuation of Vigilant Eagle, particularly at a time when budget costs have caused the cancellation of many other exercises, a success in itself. With fewer than 100 people directly involved from the United States, Vigilant Eagle offers tremendous "bang for the buck," he said.
 
"This is a small, relatively inexpensive exercise with a huge payoff," he said. "It doesn't cost any of the countries a lot of money, but it is building things that have immediate value for all of them. When you have procedures and a means of communicating information between both sides, that has a lot of value."
 
Another big success, Bonnet said, is that the exercise has transcended leadership changes both in the United States and in Russia, as well as recent political tensions between them.
 
Both countries recognize the importance of continued cooperation to keep their international borders safe, he said.
 
"It is one of the biggest single areas where the Russian Federation, U.S. and Canada can truly cooperate," he said. "All three countries share a common objective in thwarting, combating and cooperating against terrorism."
 
As their militaries work together to confront terrorist hijackers, Bonnet said, they are laying the foundation for future cooperation in other areas.
 
"What we are trying to do is continually build and expand the exercise and use this as a basis for moving the relationship forward," he said. "That, to me, is the biggest value of Vigilant Eagle."

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Puma AE Small Unmanned Aircraft Achieves Continuous Flight for More Than Nine Hours

Puma AE Small Unmanned Aircraft Achieves Continuous Flight for More Than Nine Hours

AeroVironment has announced that a recent outdoor test flight of a solar-powered prototype version of the company's proven Puma AE small unmanned aircraft system (UAS), operating with the company's newest long-endurance battery, lasted 9 hours, 11 minutes - significantly longer than the flight endurance of small UAS being used in the field today. AeroVironment is working with Alta Devices, a Sunnyvale, Calif. company that provides flexible, portable power that can be embedded into any other material, in the development of the solar Puma AE. "This is a critical milestone with far-reaching implications for the many ways small UAS can benefit military, public safety and commercial customers," said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). "The solar Puma AE is the latest example of AeroVironment's longstanding commitment to deliver important, innovative solutions that meet our customers' needs.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Eighth Army trains for task force mission during Ulchi Freedom Guardian | Article | The United States Army

Eighth Army trains for task force mission during Ulchi Freedom Guardian | Article | The United States Army

Eighth Army will continue its transformation to a combined joint task force headquarters during exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Aug. 19-30.

Operating out of its mobile command post named after first Republic of Korea Army four-star general, Gen. Paik Sun-yup, the U.S. Army's top operational command in Korea will train for its new mission as an operational-level headquarters capable of commanding combined and joint corps-level formations.

"[Ulchi Freedom Guardian] is a great opportunity to train with allies and ensure we are ready to deter aggression or fight and win if deterrence ever fails," said Eighth Army Commander Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux. "This exercise enables us to leverage the full might of our combined defense team."

Champoux said Ulchi Freedom Guardian, or UFG, is designed to bolster the readiness and interoperability of the Republic of Korea-United States Alliance.

In addition to American and South Korean forces, seven United Nations Sending States are scheduled to participate in the exercise, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Ulchi Freedom Guardian is one of the largest computer simulation exercises in the world, involving units and personnel from bases in the United States and across the Pacific region.

The command-and-control exercise will incorporate the lessons learned from the U.S. military's operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the past decade and from previous exercises on the Korean Peninsula.

Originally called Ulchi Focus Lens, UFG is defensive in nature and takes place around the same time every year. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will monitor the annual exercise to ensure compliance with the armistice agreement.

Named after Ulchi Mundeok, an early Korean military leader who repelled an invasion by China's Sui Dynasty in the 7th century, UFG is the second of two annual peninsula-wide exercises.

According to Champoux, while Eighth Army trains year round to maintain its readiness, exercises like Ulchi Freedom Guardian enable it to train together with its allies at operational and strategic level.

"We operate in a fluid, dynamic and challenging hybrid threat environment," said Champoux, "and our mission readiness helps to maintain security on the Korean Peninsula and stability in the Asia Pacific region."

The Eighth Army commander said Ulchi Freedom Guardian keeps Eighth Army and the ROK-U.S. Alliance ready to confront and defeat any potential threat.

"We will mark the 60th anniversary of our Mutual Defense Treaty this October and this exercise is a testament to our commitment to defending freedom on the Korean Peninsula," said Champoux. "Our alliance is 60 years strong, and Ulchi Freedom Guardian will make it even stronger."

Modernized Patriot system aces PAC-3 test

Modernized Patriot system aces PAC-3 test: Raytheon's new-production Patriot Air and Missile Defense System successfully launched a PAC-3 missile to engage a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
This test was the culmination of two years of testing of the complete system, proving system performance in all environments and against all threats.
"Patriot's flawless performance only strengthens the long-standing confidence our warfighters and customers have as they rely on Patriot for the safety and security of their people.
"With modernized Patriot and new customers coming on board, they can now also count on their cost of ownership to go down," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business.
"In fact, the U.S. Army's recent decision to extend the fielding of Patriot from 2040 to 2048 demonstrates its confidence in the system and its future."
Over the last two years, the modernized Patriot system has performed exceptionally in each of the challenging flight tests, receiving the U.S. Army's stamp of approval.

Northrop Grumman to Build MK54 Lightweight Torpedo Nose Arrays for US Navy

Northrop Grumman to Build MK54 Lightweight Torpedo Nose Arrays for US Navy: Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for the production of acoustic nose arrays for the MK54 lightweight torpedo in support of Navy and foreign military sales requirements. The initial scope is for 428 nose arrays with a potential for as many as 3,000 over the life of the contract.
The $45.9 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $294.3 million.
This contract includes MK54 torpedo nose arrays for the U.S. Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy.

Lockheed Martin Delivers 22 JLTV Development Vehicles to U.S. Army and Marines

Lockheed Martin Delivers 22 JLTV Development Vehicles to U.S. Army and Marines: Lockheed Martin celebrated the delivery of 22 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps under the JLTV program's Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract.

After rolling up more than 160,000 combined test miles in the program's Technology Development phase, the Lockheed Martin JLTV was selected for continued development through a $65 million EMD contract from the Army and Marine Corps in August 2012. Lockheed Martin designed its JLTV specifically to meet stated customer requirements for the program, rather than trying to adapt an existing vehicle. The result is a lighter, more blast-resistant and more agile vehicle. The Lockheed Martin JLTV is designed to be a total solution - engineered from the ground up to balance the "iron triangle" of protection, performance and payload while maintaining affordability. The vehicle provides greatly improved crew protection and mobility, lower logistical support costs, superior fuel efficiency, exportable power-generation with substantial margin for future growth, and state-of-the-art connectivity with other platforms and systems. A Meritor Pro-TecTM air suspension system contributes to outstanding off-road performance while minimizing crew fatigue.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Coastal Command Patrol Boat Arrives in San Diego

Coastal Command Patrol Boat Arrives in San Diego

The 65PB1101 coastal command patrol boat (CCB) departed Port Angeles, Wash., to transit to San Diego, Calif., Aug. 5-11.

The boat was manned by a Fleet Integration Team consisting entirely of Navy Reservists.

The CCB underwent developmental testing in the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca from April to August 2013. During testing, the boat encountered wave heights of 4-6 feet.

The 65 foot, 50-ton boat was built in Bremerton and Tacoma, Wash., and expands the capabilities of the Navy with its flexibility.

"This boat helps bridge the gap between the large ship navy and the near-coastal assets," said Senior Enlisted Advisor, Master Chief Petty Officer Joe Manning, assigned to Coastal Riverine Group 1 (CRG-1).

The CCB has increased capability amongst existing Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) craft including 24-hour mission capability, ergonomic equipment design, both remote and crew-served weapon systems, and a robust communications suite.

"The arrival of the Coastal Command Boat marks a critical milestone for the Coastal Riverine Force in which new technologies are expanding our team's ability to support broader missions and battlespace," said Capt. Chris Peterschmidt, commander of CRG-1. "CRG-1 looks forward to leading the way as we man, train, and equip the craft and crew for deployment early next year."

The boat contains a hydraulic crane and shock mitigating seating for 18 crew members. The boat also features sound-deadening curtains which separate the berthing area from the galley and an electronics space and sound-deadening floor mats which isolate the pilothouse, main cabin and galley from machinery and hull-borne noise.

The CCB shares many design philosophies and technologies of the next generation of NECC boats such as the MK-VI Patrol Boat for coastal operations.

CRG-1 is scheduled to take custody of the CCB and the boat will be placed in service in early September 2013.

In conjunction with the arrival of the CCB and other riverine assets during July and August of 2013, CRG-1 has taken significant steps in establishing the first West Coast riverine capability.

The Coastal Riverine Force is a core Navy capability that provides port and harbor security, high value asset protection and maritime security operations in coastal and inland waterways.

Navy Awards Preliminary Design Review Contracts for Unmanned Carrier-Based System

Navy Awards Preliminary Design Review Contracts for Unmanned Carrier-Based System

 The Navy announced Aug. 14 that four Preliminary Design Review (PDR) contracts were awarded for the Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) air vehicle segment.

The four $15 million firm-fixed price contracts were awarded to Boeing Co., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. The period of performance for the contracting efforts is approximately nine months.

"The PDRs are intended to inform the Navy of technical risk, cost and design maturity of the Air Segment (AS), and allows the industry teams to better understand the program's requirements across the entire UCLASS system to expeditiously deliver the unmanned carrier-based system to the fleet," said Charlie Nava, UCLASS program manager.

UCLASS will be the first deployed carrier-based unmanned air system. It will provide persistent, unmanned, semi-autonomous, carrier-based Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR &T) with precision strike capability to support 24/7 carrier operational coverage.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

NGC Set To Move To Full-Rate Production E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes

NGC Set To Move To Full-Rate Production E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes: The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a $617 million contract for five full-rate production Lot 1 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
"Moving from low-rate production into full-rate production is a significant milestone for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program," said Bart LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "We look forward to manufacturing and delivering a mature and effective airborne early warning, battle management, command and control system."
"Attaining E-2D full-rate production is the culmination of years of hard work," said Capt. John S. Lemmon, program manager, E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data System Program Office (PMA-231).
"The E-2D team continues to work together with one vision and goal - deliver a solid product to the fleet."
On Aug. 3, 2007, the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye took to the skies over St. Augustine, Fla. Since then, Northrop Grumman has delivered 10 new production E-2Ds to the U.S. Navy, on cost and on schedule.
An additional 10 aircraft are in various stages of manufacturing and predelivery flight testing at the company's St. Augustine Aircraft Integration Center. Initial operational capability with the Navy remains on track for 2015.

NGC Completes Common Infrared Countermeasure PDR

NGC Completes Common Infrared Countermeasure PDR

Northrop Grumman has achieved another major milestone in developing equipment to defend helicopters against man-portable air defense systems and other heat-seeking munitions. With the completion of the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) July 25, Northrop Grumman presented the U.S. Army with a system design that surpasses the program's weight and electrical power requirements and represents the next generation of aircraft survivability systems. The PDR marked the final design review of the program's technology development phase, providing the Army with the necessary data to move into the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase. Northrop Grumman completed the PDR on schedule based on requirements established at contract award.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

U.S. Navy and Israel Kick Off Exercise Reliant Mermaid

U.S. Navy and Israel Kick Off Exercise Reliant Mermaid

The U.S. Navy is participating in Exercise Reliant Mermaid in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 12-15.

Reliant Mermaid, now in its 12th iteration, is a maritime search and rescue exercise designed to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

The exercise is also designed to promote maritime safety and security in the region.

U.S. 6th Fleet units scheduled to participate in the exercise are guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195), along with maritime forces from Israel.

This regularly scheduled exercise is not related to any real-world events.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Fiber Optics Maintenance on Submarines Just Got Easier

 The Navy's submarine force has a new, patent-pending tool allowing it to maintain its fiber optic systems like never before - a new capability powered by an invention from the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Corona Division, its top officer announced Aug. 8.

The innovation lets the Navy compare fiber optic power test meters throughout their entire range of output against a known standard, allowing the fleet to perform reliable and accurate measurements in-house, without outsourcing, reducing costs while increasing capability for the maritime service.

Commanding Officer Capt. Eric Ver Hage praised the delivery, lauding the new instrument as a measurement science milestone that the 21st century military will rely on for years to come.

"Our R&D team has been working hard to develop this fiber optic calibration standard," Ver Hage said. "Seeing it delivered to the submarine fleet is an awesome example of what warfare centers do for Navy programs to drive down costs while keeping our fighting forces at the forefront of technology."

Ver Hage added this is yet another achievement that strengthens the Navy's intellectual property holdings that adds long-term value to the taxpayer.

The latest Patent Power Scorecard published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ranks the Navy's patent portfolio best in the world amongst all other government agencies, a distinction fueled by people across the Navy's Science and Engineering Enterprise.

And the patent-pending advancement comes as the modern fleet operates more and more frequently through fiber optics streaming at the speed of light.

All new Navy ships and submarines are outfitted with fiber optic backbones to handle their complex networks because older copper-wire networks can't handle the throughput of today's sophisticated military hardware.

Lance Doddridge, the NSWC Corona physicist and electrical engineer who invented the calibration system, called the Linearity Calibration Standard (LCS) 8513 - understands its value for the warfighter.

"Fiber optics connect everything from weapons systems, control centers, and radar, to a ship's last line of defense," Doddridge said. "Every piece of test equipment, by [Department of Defense] mandate, has to be calibrated using standards that are traceable to a national standard."

Correctly calibrated equipment helps ensure military hardware functions properly, accurately and safely, ranging from a ship's propulsion plant to an F/A-18 Hornet's laser target designators to night vision goggles.

And accuracy is vital, especially for the submarine community.

In developing the new standard, NSWC Corona collaborated with its sister division, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, R.I., to determine its equipment needs. Until the new system arrived, the undersea warfare center had outsourced its fiber optic calibration responsibilities.

"Without the ability to perform these tests in-house, these sensitive items would have to be shipped to various pre-approved and accredited vendors throughout the country, resulting in additional contracting expense and subjecting [the equipment] to delays and possible damage in shipping," said Mark Medeiros, NUWC Newport's calibration laboratory team lead.

In addition to LCS8513, Doddridge has created another calibration standard, called ADFOCS - the Attenuation and Distance Fiber Optic Calibration Standard, which NUWC Newport now has to complement the linearity standard. He fabricated and assembled the instrument by hand, even using 3D printing to save costs and weight when possible.

It compares commercial, off-the-shelf fiber optic test equipment for accuracy against more accurate standards that are traceable to national standards - which flow from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the Navy Gage and Standards Lab at NSWC Corona, the Navy and Marine Corps' designated technical agent for measurement science and calibration.

Medeiros says these new standards will vastly improve NUWC Newport's ability to address the rising demand for fiber optic systems calibration.

"Having the ability to support these measurements in-house saves an enormous amount of money and time," Medeiros said. "It enables us to provide quick, reliable, on-time service to meet deployment schedules and support internal programs."

Headquartered in Norco, Calif., NSWC Corona is part of the Navy's Science and Engineering Enterprise and leads the Navy in independent assessment, measurement and calibration standards and range systems engineering. As a Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) Command field activity, the command employs approximately 2,000 scientists, engineers, technicians and support personnel and includes a detachment in Seal Beach, Calif.

NSWC Corona has received patents in seven areas of innovation for its automated MetBench Calibration Management System (MCMS), which distributes and maintains calibration and test equipment data for Navy ships, seamlessly synchronizing all data for users all around the world. It won the Department of the Navy's Chief Information Officer's Information Management/Information Technology Excellence Award in 2011. 

NAVY Researchers Demonstrate Malaria Vaccine

Researchers from the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) partnered with other federal and industry partners to publish the results of a successful clinical trial of a new malaria vaccine Aug. 8.

NMRC researchers played a key role in the design of the study, particularly in testing the efficacy of the vaccine by exposure to infectious mosquitoes and in the volunteer follow-up.

"The work done by researchers at the Naval Medical Research Center and their colleagues represents a big step forward for malaria vaccine research," said Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy Surgeon General and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. "Navy Medicine researchers began working on this vaccine in the early 1970's with unwavering commitment. Their efforts have been instrumental to this study."

This is the first time that 100 percent protective efficacy has been achieved in any clinical trial testing a candidate malaria vaccine.

"Our NMRC researchers are dedicated to conducting medical research to enhance deployment readiness of DoD personnel worldwide and to protect our warfighters in harm's way," said Nathan.

The vaccine used in this clinical trial was given at varied doses by intravenous injection to 40 volunteers from October 2011 to October 2012.

Three weeks after the final immunization, volunteers were exposed to the bites of five mosquitoes carrying infectious Plasmodium falciparum malaria. At the highest vaccine dose, six of nine volunteers receiving four doses and six of six volunteers receiving five doses were protected against malaria infection.

"This is a historical moment in malaria vaccine research development," said Capt. Judith E. Epstein, the NMRC lead investigator on this trial. "For the first time, we and our collaborators have a malaria vaccine approach which has demonstrated the high-level vaccine efficacy required to protect our troops. As the leader of the NMRC effort to bring this vaccine strategy to licensure, I see the U.S. Navy paving the way to a vaccine which can be used within the next three to four years for military personnel and for the millions of individuals suffering and dying from malaria worldwide."

Malaria has had a significant impact on U.S. military operations throughout history. It was responsible for a greater loss of manpower than enemy fire in all conflicts occurring in tropical regions during the 20th century.

Malaria continues to present a major challenge to force health protection during operations in any environment where malaria is endemic. This includes over 100 countries spanning the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including most of sub-Saharan Africa and larger regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, central Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

"We need an effective vaccine against malaria, which has been a constant threat to military personnel," said Nathan. "Our naval forces may be deployed on short notice to regions where malaria presents a leading infectious disease threat to mission success. In our military population, malaria infection can severely degrade performance, result in missed duty, may require prolonged hospitalization and, in some cases, result in death. The news that NMRC researchers have participated in the first trial which demonstrates 100 percent protective efficacy of a candidate vaccine for malaria brings new hope that a malaria vaccine may become available for military personnel deployed abroad. I look forward to the next developments in this ground-breaking research."

NMRC collaborated with federal researchers from the Vaccine Research Center Clinical Trials Core at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and the Walter Reed Army Institute (WRAIR) of Research and the vaccine developer, Sanaria, Inc., Rockville, Md. NMRC participated in the development the protocol, provided malaria microscopists and slide-reading assistance, performed cellular assays, and assisted with the care of volunteers during the impatient post-challenge stay.

Boeing and US Navy Demo New Targeting and Data Systems on EA-18G

Boeing and US Navy Demo New Targeting and Data Systems on EA-18G: The U.S. Navy recently flew Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft with sensor system upgrades and its newest data network, demonstrating how the enhanced technologies would allow aircrews to locate threats more quickly and accurately.
Ultimately, the secure, high-speed network will allow aircrews to share targeting data in real time. The technology will be incorporated into deployed Growler electronic attack aircraft in 2018, sooner than all Navy aircraft other than the E-2D Hawkeye surveillance airplane.
"These enhancements provide a significantly faster, more accurate and adaptable targeting solution for the Navy and allied forces," said Capt. Frank Morley, U.S. Navy F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager. "The result is a more capable EA-18G that is better able to control the EA spectrum."
The demonstration occurred July 15-19 during the Navy's fleet experimentation campaign at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.
Integrating the technology onto the Growler involved a series of upgrades that provide "an affordable, low-risk approach to adding capability that allows us to deliver advanced technologies to the fleet more quickly," said Mike Gibbons, Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs vice president.
The upgrades are planned to be retrofitted into existing Growlers and included as a standard offering for future new aircraft sales.

US Army and USAF intercept cruise missile for first time with JLENS-guided AMRAAM

US Army and USAF intercept cruise missile for first time with JLENS-guided AMRAAM

The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force intercepted for the first time an anti-ship cruise missile surrogate using Raytheon's Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) cued by JLENS. An affordable, elevated, persistent over-the-horizon sensor system, JLENS uses a powerful integrated radar system to detect, track and target a variety of threats. "Integrating JLENS' precision detection and targeting information with the combat-proven AMRAAM gives our military a new way to defend the fleet and our allies from anti-ship cruise missiles that threaten vital waterways and critical chokepoints," said Dave Gulla, vice president of Global Integrated Sensors for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. During the July 17 test, the Army's JLENS acquired and tracked an anti-ship cruise missile surrogate and passed targeting data to an Air Force F-15E via Link 16, enabling the fighter pilot to fire an AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, culminating in the weapon intercepting the target, meeting all test objectives. "JLENS has proven it can defend and extend the battlespace by integrating with Patriot, Standard Missile-6, and now AMRAAM," said Dean Barten, the U.S. Army's JLENS product manager. "This test enhances the cruise missile defense umbrella, and when this capability is deployed, it will help save lives." "Integrating AMRAAM with JLENS enables the world's most capable air-to-air missile to engage targets at the weapon's maximum kinematic range," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems. "This test further demonstrates AMRAAM's operational flexibility and provides today's warfighter with enhanced operational capability, cost effectiveness and future growth solutions."

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Outside View: Don't view Iran's president with rose-colored glasses

Outside View: Don't view Iran's president with rose-colored glasses: Since the emergence of Hassan Rouhani as the new president of Iran, policymakers have been wondering what the future may hold for nuclear talks with Tehran.
Optimists have argued that Rouhani is a "moderate" and presents an opportunity to finally resolve the long-standing dispute over Iran's nuclear program. Yet, behind all of the hype, the fact remains that the power structure in Iran hasn't changed, nor has its course on the nuclear issue.
Rouhani is simply the latest tactic employed by the regime to buy time for its ultimate goal, which is to possess nuclear weapons.
Winston Churchill once famously said, "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." Each administration in the West has looked at short-term solutions to the dilemma posed by the Iranian regime and its nuclear program.
However, the reality is that there are no short-term solutions to the dilemma posed by the Iranian regime's nuclear program.

USS Rentz Arrives in 4th Fleet to Conduct Counter Drug Operations and UNITAS

USS Rentz Arrives in 4th Fleet to Conduct Counter Drug Operations and UNITAS

Sailors and an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Legal Detachment aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46) arrived in 4th Fleets area of operations Aug. 7 to join the multinational interagency fight against transnational organized crime as part of Operation Martillo.

Operation Martillo (Spanish for 'hammer') is a U.S., European, and Western Hemisphere partner nation mission headed by Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S) currently conducting Counter Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) operations to patrol the coastal regions from Colombia to Mexico to detect and apprehend illicit traffic to include drugs, weapons, drug money and human smuggling.
This is not the ship's first deployment to 4th Fleet. Rentz supported counter drug ops in 2011.

"We welcome the men and women of Rentz to 4th Fleet and are eager to get them busy conducting counter transnational organized crime operations and supporting the Joint Interagency Forces South's Operation Martillo," said Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F). "Rentz is not a new comer to the region or to the counter drug mission and we welcome the experience and energy she is bringing to 4th Fleet."

The Operation Martillo team on Rentz includes an interagency partnership with the ship's Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team, U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Rentz is also supported by Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49 (HSL-49), Det. 5.

"Our crew has trained long and hard in preparation for the counter-transnational organized crime operations ongoing in the areas commanded by the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet and U.S. Southern Command," said Cmdr. Lance Lantier, commanding officer of Rentz. "We are pleased to assist our brothers and sisters in law enforcement with stemming the flow of illicit narcotics from entering our shores and reaching our nation's communities."

Operation Martillo is a component of the U.S. government's coordinated interagency regional security strategy in support of the White House strategy to combat transnational organized crime and the U.S. Central America Regional Security Initiative.

Fourteen countries are participating in Martillo: Belize, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. Chile has also contributed to the operation.

While on deployment to 4th Fleet, Rentz will also participate in the annual multinational UNITAS maritime exercise taking place in the Southern Caribbean Sea off the coast of Colombia from Sept. 7-14. UNITAS is the largest and longest ongoing maritime exercise in the region and is hosted by the Colombian Navy this year and will include naval and coast guard forces from 15 partner nations. Last year the exercise was hosted by 4th Fleet in Key West.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Raytheon, US Army complete first AI3 guided flight test series

Raytheon, US Army complete first AI3 guided flight test series: Raytheon and the U.S. Army successfully completed the first guided test vehicle (GTV) flight series of the Accelerated Improved Intercept Initiative (AI3) program. The series consisted of two flight tests against different target profiles.
In each case after launch, the interceptor initially guided on in-flight radio frequency datalink updates from the fire control radar that was tracking the inbound rocket target threat. The on-board seeker provided the missile's terminal guidance to intercept the target.
"These tests were the first opportunity to demonstrate the full integration and kill chain of the tactical AI3 Battle Element system," said Michael Van Rassen, the Army's Project Director for AI3.
"We continue to validate AI3's enhanced capabilities that will save warfighters' lives."
The AI3 Battle Element system consists of the Raytheon AI3 missile and Ku Band Radio Frequency System fire control radar, Avenger AI3 launcher with modified technical fire control, and command and control node.

Lockheed Martin to Offer Universal Mission Equipment Package for US Army Helicopters

Lockheed Martin to Offer Universal Mission Equipment Package for US Army Helicopters: Lockheed Martin will offer a universal, highly adaptable and affordable mission equipment package (MEP) to meet requirements for the Joint Multi-Role/Future Vertical Lift (JMR/FVL) rotary wing program, with potential applications for other customers and platforms.
The Lockheed Martin MEP will integrate proven solutions from three of the Corporation's business areas and more than 30 years of experience integrating mission equipment components and subsystems into a wide variety of U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and international rotary- and fixed-wing programs.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Navy Turns to UAVs for Help with Radar, Communications

Navy Turns to UAVs for Help with Radar, Communications

Scientists recently launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a research vessel in a significant experiment that could help boost the Navy's radar and communications performance at sea. Sailing off Virginia Beach, Va., from July 13 to 18, the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Research Vessel (R/V) Knorr explored ocean and atmospheric weather variations that can change the angle that radar and radio waves bend, making it more difficult for ships to remain undetected and hindering their ability to communicate or locate adversaries. Sponsored by ONR's Ocean Battlespace Sensing Department and the Oceanographer of the Navy, the initiative was part of Trident Warrior-a large annual fleet experiment organized by Navy Warfare Development Command. Researchers used ONR-owned ScanEagle UAVs-along with unmanned undersea and surface vehicles-to obtain accurate, real-time measurements of variations in atmospheric and ocean conditions. Fluxes and turbulence caused by the interaction between the air and sea can significantly alter the path of electromagnetic waves in radar and communications systems.

Friday, August 2, 2013

The Pentagon’s illusion of choice: Hagel’s 2 options are really 1 - Foreign and Defense Policy - AEI

The Pentagon’s illusion of choice: Hagel’s 2 options are really 1 - Foreign and Defense Policy - AEI

Yesterday at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel unveiled the results of his Strategic Choices and Management Review (SCMR). The belated effort sought to think through the options — many unsavory — available to the military should sequestration and its $500 billion defense budget cuts remain law for the rest of the decade.

Secretary Hagel’s cafeteria menu of options for policymakers should sequestration continue is so unpalatable because this is not the first round of defense budget cuts. Sequestration’s $500 billion in Pentagon reductions come on top of the close to $1 trillion in military spending cuts already enacted under the Obama administration.

The bottom line of the Pentagon’s review: Secretary Hagel says the choice will be between a smaller and modern military or a bigger and older one. The harsh truth is that the result of sequestration will actually entail both: The US military is set to become both smaller and less modern in course of this defense drawdown. Readiness continues to fall under all options and scenarios, as well.

The tab is simply too big and Congress (unfortunately) too unlikely to approve needed compensation and infrastructure changes to actually allow the Pentagon to strategically choose its future under sequestration.