Ukraine's Antonov partnering on Air Force tanker bid: "Ukrainian plane maker Antonov has signed a deal to partner with American aerospace and defense contractor U.S. Aerospace, Inc. on a bid for the Air Force's KC-X aerial refueling tanker contract, U.S. Aerospace announced Tuesday.
The announcement comes just over three months after a report (soon refuted) that Russian government-owned United Aircraft Corp. would offer the Air Force a tanker version of its Ilyushin Il-96.
Antonov and U.S. Aerospace will propose three tanker models: The AN-124-KC, AN-122-KC and AN-112-KC, according to a news release. Antonov would build the airframes in Ukraine and send them to an American U.S. Aerospace facility for final assembly."
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Helo pilots learn to fly at extreme altitudes - Army News, news from Iraq, - Army Times
Helo pilots learn to fly at extreme altitudes - Army News, news from Iraq, - Army Times: "In Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountains, whose highest peak hits 25,000 feet, the air is thin and helicopter engines lose efficiency. Landings and other maneuvers easily accomplished nearer to sea level become more perilous.
“I think many people by now have seen pictures of some the landings in Afghanistan, literally one wheel of a Black Hawk on the side of a mountain; only the ramp of a CH-47 touching down as it hovers in open space while troops are jumping off,” said Maj. Erick “Zeke” Sweet, the 10th CAB’s officer-in-charge of high altitude training here. “These things are not uncommon, particularly in the area of Afghanistan we’re going to.”
The Army is working to teach its aviators how to fly confidently in Afghanistan, emphasizing power management and wind current navigation. At the High Altitude Mountain Environmental Training here, and at the Colorado National Guard’s High Altitude Army Training Site in Gypsum, Colo., soldiers were getting comfortable in the Rockies, the continental U.S.’ closest cousin to the Hindu Kush."
“I think many people by now have seen pictures of some the landings in Afghanistan, literally one wheel of a Black Hawk on the side of a mountain; only the ramp of a CH-47 touching down as it hovers in open space while troops are jumping off,” said Maj. Erick “Zeke” Sweet, the 10th CAB’s officer-in-charge of high altitude training here. “These things are not uncommon, particularly in the area of Afghanistan we’re going to.”
The Army is working to teach its aviators how to fly confidently in Afghanistan, emphasizing power management and wind current navigation. At the High Altitude Mountain Environmental Training here, and at the Colorado National Guard’s High Altitude Army Training Site in Gypsum, Colo., soldiers were getting comfortable in the Rockies, the continental U.S.’ closest cousin to the Hindu Kush."
Counting Al-Qaeda Members Is Not Enough - By Brian Fishman | The AfPak Channel
Counting Al-Qaeda Members Is Not Enough - By Brian Fishman | The AfPak Channel: "David Sanger and Mark Mazzetti report in the New York Times this morning that al-Qaeda has 'fewer than 500 members' in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is almost certainly true, but the numbers alone do not demonstrate that al-Qaeda is in decline. Al-Qaeda has never had more than 'several hundred' formal members according to a 2005 Century Foundation report authored by Richard Clarke and others in position to assess the organization prior to 9/11. (Clarke's numbers certainly exclude al-Qaeda in Iraq, which was much larger.)"
U.S. Army, Iraqi Air Force pilots conduct historic joint mission
U.S. Army, Iraqi Air Force pilots conduct historic joint mission: "The air was clear over Contingency Operating Base Basra June 27, 2010, as the Iraqi commanders of the Basra Air Base and the 70th Squadron prepped their CH 2000 reconnaissance airplane for a first-ever joint mission with U.S. AH-64 Apaches.
The primary mission was air reconnaissance along the border with Iran, part of the regular responsibilities of the 70th Squadron, which is co-located with U.S. forces on COB Basra. As the first-ever joint mission of this type between Iraqi and U.S. forces, the flight also served as familiarization and proof-of-concept for future joint missions."
The primary mission was air reconnaissance along the border with Iran, part of the regular responsibilities of the 70th Squadron, which is co-located with U.S. forces on COB Basra. As the first-ever joint mission of this type between Iraqi and U.S. forces, the flight also served as familiarization and proof-of-concept for future joint missions."
Monday, July 5, 2010
US, Poland sign modified missile shield deal
US, Poland sign modified missile shield deal: "Poland and the United States on Saturday signed a deal on a future US anti-missile shield in Europe which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said would help ward off threats from Iran.
'This is the first agreement that implements the US European-based Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for ballistic missile defense and enables the stationing of a US land-based SM-3 missile defense interceptor system in the Republic of Poland,' said a joint statement issued by Clinton and Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.
'This agreement marks an important step in our countries' efforts to protect our NATO allies from the threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction,' it added.
The document amends an accord signed in Washington in August 2008 after President Barack Obama modified the plan for a US anti-nuclear missile shield in Europe sealed by the previous Republican administration of George W Bush."
'This is the first agreement that implements the US European-based Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for ballistic missile defense and enables the stationing of a US land-based SM-3 missile defense interceptor system in the Republic of Poland,' said a joint statement issued by Clinton and Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.
'This agreement marks an important step in our countries' efforts to protect our NATO allies from the threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction,' it added.
The document amends an accord signed in Washington in August 2008 after President Barack Obama modified the plan for a US anti-nuclear missile shield in Europe sealed by the previous Republican administration of George W Bush."
Acoustic Sensor And Netted Combat System Linked For Enhanced Counter Sniper Capability
Acoustic Sensor And Netted Combat System Linked For Enhanced Counter Sniper Capability: "Raytheon has linked its Boomerang acoustic sensor and network-ready Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System to provide an enhanced counter sniper solution for the warfighter.
"Connecting Boomerang and netted LRAS3 is a plug-and-play operation that results in a powerful counter sniper capability," said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems.
"Combined, these systems facilitate a slew-to-cue capability that places the high-performance LRAS3 'eyes' on the threat, day or night. The sniper then becomes the target with a number of prosecution alternatives available ranging from direct return fire to a digital call for fire via the network."
"Connecting Boomerang and netted LRAS3 is a plug-and-play operation that results in a powerful counter sniper capability," said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems.
"Combined, these systems facilitate a slew-to-cue capability that places the high-performance LRAS3 'eyes' on the threat, day or night. The sniper then becomes the target with a number of prosecution alternatives available ranging from direct return fire to a digital call for fire via the network."
Friday, July 2, 2010
THAAD nails lowest target, seventh of seven in testing
THAAD nails lowest target, seventh of seven in testing: The Army launched a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile, June 28, from Kauai, Hawaii, which successfully intercepted and destroyed another missile launched just minutes earlier.
This was the seventh successful intercept test of seven such tests for the operationally-configured THAAD system. Additionally, the intercept was at the lowest altitude to date for the THAAD interceptor missile, which has the capability to engage targets both inside and outside the earth's atmosphere.
The test was conducted by the Missile Defense Agency and Soldiers with the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from Fort Bliss, Texas.
The test involved the intercept of a short-range target inside the earth's atmosphere. The target, representing a short-range ballistic missile threat, was launched from an at-sea mobile launch platform.
The THAAD system acquired and tracked the target, developed a fire-control solution and launched an interceptor missile, which acquired and successfully intercepted and destroyed the target missile.
The test results "continue to prove that THADD will be an effective regional missile defense system," said Rick Lehner, a spokesman for the Missile Defense Agency. "Over time, it will be integrated with sea-based interceptors and PATRIOT systems."
Lehner said with the THAAD system, the United States will have "an architecture to cover short- to medium-range threats anywhere in the world."
The THAAD includes a missile, a launcher, radar and command and control systems. The system is an element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System, and is designed to strike down enemy ballistic missiles as the move toward their target. Specifically, the portable THAAD system targets enemy ballistic missiles in their "terminal phase," as the are approaching their targets.
"What it does is give the Army the ability to field a mobile missile defense system," Lehner said. The system is most effective against short- to medium-range enemy ballistic missiles, which Lehner says are the most likely to be encountered now in theater.
The THAAD system is still in development, but Lehner said by next year it is expected the first operational units can be delivered.
This was the seventh successful intercept test of seven such tests for the operationally-configured THAAD system. Additionally, the intercept was at the lowest altitude to date for the THAAD interceptor missile, which has the capability to engage targets both inside and outside the earth's atmosphere.
The test was conducted by the Missile Defense Agency and Soldiers with the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from Fort Bliss, Texas.
The test involved the intercept of a short-range target inside the earth's atmosphere. The target, representing a short-range ballistic missile threat, was launched from an at-sea mobile launch platform.
The THAAD system acquired and tracked the target, developed a fire-control solution and launched an interceptor missile, which acquired and successfully intercepted and destroyed the target missile.
The test results "continue to prove that THADD will be an effective regional missile defense system," said Rick Lehner, a spokesman for the Missile Defense Agency. "Over time, it will be integrated with sea-based interceptors and PATRIOT systems."
Lehner said with the THAAD system, the United States will have "an architecture to cover short- to medium-range threats anywhere in the world."
The THAAD includes a missile, a launcher, radar and command and control systems. The system is an element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System, and is designed to strike down enemy ballistic missiles as the move toward their target. Specifically, the portable THAAD system targets enemy ballistic missiles in their "terminal phase," as the are approaching their targets.
"What it does is give the Army the ability to field a mobile missile defense system," Lehner said. The system is most effective against short- to medium-range enemy ballistic missiles, which Lehner says are the most likely to be encountered now in theater.
The THAAD system is still in development, but Lehner said by next year it is expected the first operational units can be delivered.
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