US military braces for full effect of shutdown
The US government shutdown had no drastic effect on the military Tuesday but if it remains in place everything from ship repairs to combat training will be disrupted, officials say. With about half the Pentagon's 800,000 civilian employees placed on unpaid leave, defense officials said the military will soon face a headache trying to make do with less civilian manpower under the shutdown. "There's going to be an impact, but it will take some time to feel the effect," said a senior military officer. The furloughs mean that "real work doesn't get done," said the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Much of the Defense Department's civilian workforce are employed at bases across the country, and the military relies on them to keep equipment running and logistical networks humming. If the shutdown drags on for weeks, planned work at shipyards and aircraft depots will have to be put off, routine administration will be neglected and some units will have to forgo training unless it is directly related to critical operations, officials said.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
US F-35 jet plagued by shoddy quality control: audit
US F-35 jet plagued by shoddy quality control: audit: The US military's bureaucratic watchdog on Monday accused companies building the F-35 fighter of shoddy management that could jeopardize the reliability, performance and cost of the aircraft.
The Pentagon inspector general cited 363 problems in the design and manufacture of the costly Joint Strike Fighter, the hi-tech warplane that is supposed to serve as the backbone of the future American fleet.
For the United States and eight other countries backing the project, the report raises fresh questions about the technology and ultimate price tag of the F-35, which has struggled with production delays and cost overruns.
The office that oversees the fighter project, the plane's primary manufacturer Lockheed Martin and five subcontractors failed to carry out rigorous "quality assurance" practices, the report said.
The failures "could adversely affect aircraft performance, reliability, maintainability,and ultimately program cost," according to the inspector general office's report.
A number of the shortcomings -- including how software is managed -- could possibly put safety at risk, it warned.
The Pentagon inspector general cited 363 problems in the design and manufacture of the costly Joint Strike Fighter, the hi-tech warplane that is supposed to serve as the backbone of the future American fleet.
For the United States and eight other countries backing the project, the report raises fresh questions about the technology and ultimate price tag of the F-35, which has struggled with production delays and cost overruns.
The office that oversees the fighter project, the plane's primary manufacturer Lockheed Martin and five subcontractors failed to carry out rigorous "quality assurance" practices, the report said.
The failures "could adversely affect aircraft performance, reliability, maintainability,and ultimately program cost," according to the inspector general office's report.
A number of the shortcomings -- including how software is managed -- could possibly put safety at risk, it warned.
Extended Range Munition completes first Guide to Hit test series
Extended Range Munition completes first Guide to Hit test series: Raytheon has completed its first two Guide to Hit (GTH) test series of the Precision Extended Range Munition (PERM) program for the United States Marine Corps. This GTH tested the structural integrity and the kinematic capability of the round when fired from a smooth bore mortar tube.
The tests confirmed that after launch, the canards and tail fins deploy and the round transitions to steady flight.
The test also confirmed that the round would meet expected range and impact angle requirements. The next series of GTH tests will be conducted out of a rifled mortar tube.
"Raytheon is leveraging our extensive experience with precision artillery and munitions to meet an aggressive, 18-month development schedule," said Tom Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missile Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems.
"Our PERM solution's exceptional accuracy not only means long-range precision fire support; it results in less collateral damage and logistical burden for Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces."
Raytheon is under contract to deliver mature, production-representations of the 120mm extended range, guided mortar munition for a live-fire demonstration phase by the Marines in early 2014.
The tests confirmed that after launch, the canards and tail fins deploy and the round transitions to steady flight.
The test also confirmed that the round would meet expected range and impact angle requirements. The next series of GTH tests will be conducted out of a rifled mortar tube.
"Raytheon is leveraging our extensive experience with precision artillery and munitions to meet an aggressive, 18-month development schedule," said Tom Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missile Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems.
"Our PERM solution's exceptional accuracy not only means long-range precision fire support; it results in less collateral damage and logistical burden for Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces."
Raytheon is under contract to deliver mature, production-representations of the 120mm extended range, guided mortar munition for a live-fire demonstration phase by the Marines in early 2014.
Raytheon's Griffin missile demonstrates maritime protection capabilities
Raytheon's Griffin missile demonstrates maritime protection capabilities: Raytheon and the U.S. Navy demonstrated the Griffin missile's combat proven capabilities in a maritime environment by successfully engaging fast-moving small boats from various platforms throughout a series of at-sea tests.
During one of the tests, the MK-60 Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System was integrated on a Cyclone-class Patrol Coastal-class ship, where the missile was employed against remote-controlled boats simulating a threat to the ship.
"The Griffin missile and the MK-60 System provide the accuracy and lethality required to meet the requirements of our operational testing," said Capt. Mike Ladner, major program manager of Surface Ship Weapons, U.S. Navy Integrated Warfare Systems 3.0 program office.
The most recent test, conducted at the Navy's Point Mugu, Calif., sea test range, marked the completion of a quick reaction assessment that will lead to fielding of the Griffin missile on forward deployed Patrol Coastal ships later this year.
During one of the tests, the MK-60 Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System was integrated on a Cyclone-class Patrol Coastal-class ship, where the missile was employed against remote-controlled boats simulating a threat to the ship.
"The Griffin missile and the MK-60 System provide the accuracy and lethality required to meet the requirements of our operational testing," said Capt. Mike Ladner, major program manager of Surface Ship Weapons, U.S. Navy Integrated Warfare Systems 3.0 program office.
The most recent test, conducted at the Navy's Point Mugu, Calif., sea test range, marked the completion of a quick reaction assessment that will lead to fielding of the Griffin missile on forward deployed Patrol Coastal ships later this year.
Raytheon AI3 intercepts its first UAS target
Raytheon AI3 intercepts its first UAS target: In a first-of-its-kind test for Raytheon's Accelerated Improved Intercept Initiative system, AI3 destroyed an unmanned aerial system (UAS) in flight. The intercept was part of the second guided test flights for the AI3 program and follows its first in-flight defeat of a 107mm rocket earlier in the test series.
"Defeating a UAS demonstrates the AI3 system has capabilities beyond its original requirements and can defeat a variety of threats to our warfighters today," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon Missile Systems' AI3 program director.
"This latest success is a testament to our strong partnership with the U.S. Army and our team's commitment to meeting the customer's challenging schedule and cost requirements."
AI3 is designed to protect warfighters by intercepting rockets and other threats in flight.
The AI3 Battle Element includes the Ku Radio Frequency System (KRFS) fire control radar, Avenger-based AI3 launcher with technical fire control, Counter Rockets, Artillery and Mortars command and control, and the AI3 missile.
"Defeating a UAS demonstrates the AI3 system has capabilities beyond its original requirements and can defeat a variety of threats to our warfighters today," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon Missile Systems' AI3 program director.
"This latest success is a testament to our strong partnership with the U.S. Army and our team's commitment to meeting the customer's challenging schedule and cost requirements."
AI3 is designed to protect warfighters by intercepting rockets and other threats in flight.
The AI3 Battle Element includes the Ku Radio Frequency System (KRFS) fire control radar, Avenger-based AI3 launcher with technical fire control, Counter Rockets, Artillery and Mortars command and control, and the AI3 missile.
Hagel hopes deal by end Oct. on US forces in Afghanistan
Hagel hopes deal by end Oct. on US forces in Afghanistan: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Monday he hoped an accord on the future US military presence in Afghanistan would be in place by November, despite President Hamid Karzai's refusal to be rushed.
"I hope we'll have that agreement by the end of October, because we just can't move without it," Hagel told US soldiers participating in a live-fire exercise in South Korea.
The United States plans to pull out the bulk of its 57,000 troops in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and has tentative plans to retain a smaller force of around 10,000 forces after that.
But a new security agreement is needed to allow for the post-2014 presence, including provisions allowing the United States access to various bases.
"I hope we'll have that agreement by the end of October, because we just can't move without it," Hagel told US soldiers participating in a live-fire exercise in South Korea.
The United States plans to pull out the bulk of its 57,000 troops in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and has tentative plans to retain a smaller force of around 10,000 forces after that.
But a new security agreement is needed to allow for the post-2014 presence, including provisions allowing the United States access to various bases.
Japan, US to discuss strengthening cyber-security: reports
Japan, US to discuss strengthening cyber-security: reports: Japan and the United States will discuss strengthening defences against cyber-attacks, reports said Monday, as Tokyo looks to play a more active role in global security.
At talks in Japan later this week, the foreign and defence ministers from both countries will undertake their first review for 15 years of how their security alliance operates.
Measures to counter cyber-attacks will be high on the agenda, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.
The Sankei Shimbun carried a similar story, adding "cooperation in space will be another important issue".
At talks in Japan later this week, the foreign and defence ministers from both countries will undertake their first review for 15 years of how their security alliance operates.
Measures to counter cyber-attacks will be high on the agenda, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.
The Sankei Shimbun carried a similar story, adding "cooperation in space will be another important issue".
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