Scalable Agile Beam Radar Brings Advanced Capabilities to Global F-16 Fleets
Northrop Grumman Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) will help bring advanced capabilities to existing global F-16 fleets, keeping them formidable beyond 2025, according to the head of the company's Combat Avionics Systems business unit.
Northrop Grumman Vice President Jeff Leavitt provided a detailed SABR update to reporters in a briefing at the Singapore Air Show. This included the radar's development progress, along with information about successful flight demonstrations and the upgraded capabilities SABR brings to the F-16.Northrop Grumman was chosen by prime contractor Lockheed Martin as the radar provider for the U.S. Air Force and Taiwan F-16 radar modernization and upgrade programs, which aim to keep the F-16 viable in future threat environments and to improve system reliability, maintainability and affordability.Since the SABR active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar was selected for the U.S. Air Force and Taiwan modernization and upgrade programs this past July, the system has completed three major development and design reviews. Several engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) systems are now in production, with the first to be delivered to Lockheed Martin before the end of 2014.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Outside View: Presidents' Day -- Remembering two presidents
Outside View: Presidents' Day -- Remembering two presidents
Presidents' Day is set aside to recognize the February birthdays of two of our greatest presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As we honor them this year, it might be interesting to reflect upon the influence one book -- with its very unique perspective -- had upon the latter, written eight years after his birth.
Additionally, it gives us pause to wonder, had the book been written earlier so as to be read by the former, would it have had similar effect.Powerful books, read by those later succeeding to national leadership roles, can impact on history. The reader's personal interpretation of such a book ultimately determines whether the effect will be positive or negative. Fortunately, the lesson Lincoln extracted from his book motivated him to undertake action as president that had a very positive impact on the lives of millions.Lincoln credits three books he read for forging his political thought. Two were religiously oriented -- the Bible and "The Pilgrim's Progress," the latter a Christian allegory written in 1678. Interestingly, neither of these books has ever gone out of print, suggesting their strong influence remains to this day.But it is the third, non-religious book that generates keen interest as to its impact. Entitled "Sufferings in Africa," it is the true story about slaves in Morocco, written by James Riley. But the master-slave relationship the book details isn't the one typically perceived by Western readers.
Presidents' Day is set aside to recognize the February birthdays of two of our greatest presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As we honor them this year, it might be interesting to reflect upon the influence one book -- with its very unique perspective -- had upon the latter, written eight years after his birth.
Additionally, it gives us pause to wonder, had the book been written earlier so as to be read by the former, would it have had similar effect.Powerful books, read by those later succeeding to national leadership roles, can impact on history. The reader's personal interpretation of such a book ultimately determines whether the effect will be positive or negative. Fortunately, the lesson Lincoln extracted from his book motivated him to undertake action as president that had a very positive impact on the lives of millions.Lincoln credits three books he read for forging his political thought. Two were religiously oriented -- the Bible and "The Pilgrim's Progress," the latter a Christian allegory written in 1678. Interestingly, neither of these books has ever gone out of print, suggesting their strong influence remains to this day.But it is the third, non-religious book that generates keen interest as to its impact. Entitled "Sufferings in Africa," it is the true story about slaves in Morocco, written by James Riley. But the master-slave relationship the book details isn't the one typically perceived by Western readers.
Friday, February 14, 2014
New BRAC round would save money, increase Army readiness
As the budget shrinks and as the active Army draws down to 490,000, elimination of excess infrastructure is needed, say leaders from Army Installations, Housing & Partnerships.
There are a lot of spaces and facilities at installations throughout the U.S. that are not being utilized or are just partially utilized, said Paul Cramer, deputy assistant secretary for Installations, Housing & Partnerships, or IHP.
Yet by law, he said, the Army is required to maintain those facilities.
So the Army's recommendation to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, known as OSD, and Congress is that a new round of BRAC -- base realignment and closure -- is needed for 2017, he said.
The Army is finalizing its database on infrastructure status and will give its findings to OSD, he said. In turn, OSD will present the Army's recommendations -- along with those of other services to Congress in the form of draft legislation, most likely by April.
IHP provides policy, programing and oversight of the secretary of the Army's Title 10 responsibilities in real estate, military construction, housing, engineering and BRAC. The agency reports to Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.
If Congress authorizes another BRAC round, the Army would develop a long-term force structure plan, said Andy Napoli, assistant for BRAC, IHP. For the last round of BRAC, in 2005, the Army provided a 20-year plan, he said.
While there's a lot of talk about Army end strength going down even further than 490,000 and with the budget in a state of flux, Napoli said the Army can nonetheless provide an accurate forecast model by plugging in any force structure figures, dollar amounts and infrastructure status.
"You have to know where you're at first, in order to know where you want to be," he said, describing the process they're now finalizing.
SMART REDUCTIONS
Napoli said IEE wants for every Army installation to be used at 100 percent. A new BRAC round should not be done in piecemeal, shaving infrastructure from every single installation to balance the reductions. Rather, it would be more prudent in terms of management and readiness to close underutilized installations and consolidate the remainder.
Napoli explained that reducing the infrastructure and manpower of an installation by, say, 20 percent, would not benefit the community outside the gate. That 20 percent reduction would have a ripple effect in the community, with losses in revenues for hotels, fast food, real estate and so on.
If a community doesn't subscribe to a BRAC closure, they'd be locking themselves in to that 20 percent or whatever cut is made, he said, and they wouldn't have a say in how the land or structures are reutilized.
On the other hand, if a facility were slated to close under BRAC, the community would, by law, have a say in how the land and facilities are reutilized, he continued.
"We think there's an argument to be made that there's goodness for all communities to be in on the BRAC talks process," Napoli said.
Cramer said there are examples of communities "that fought BRAC 2005 and now say it was the best thing that happened" to them.
He cited a number of installations including Port San Antonio, Texas; Fort Ord, Calif.; and Fort Monmouth, N.J., that were turned over to the community which redeveloped the land and structures commercially with subsequent benefits in employment and tax revenue.
Napoli added that the Reserve Component, particularly the National Guard, has expressed some interest in a future round of BRAC.
In BRAC 2005, he said, a limited number of states decided to come onboard. As a result, they found cost savings and other efficiencies by consolidating smaller armories into larger ones near population centers.
States not participating in BRAC 2005 saw that and now they too want to get in on the benefits, he said.
NEW BRAC NOT SAME AS OLD
The proposed BRAC 2017 would not resemble the BRAC 2005 round, Napoli said. For one, BRAC 2005 was more expensive than other rounds before it because force structure at the time was increasing due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Secondly, installations in Korea and Germany were being turned over to the host countries and tens of thousands of Soldiers were returning to the U.S. and more spaces were needed for them.
Third, BRAC 2005 was also used as a tool to convert the Army from a Cold War legacy force to a modern, more easily deployable modular brigade combat team structure.
Even with those cost increases, Napoli said the Army is realizing more than a billion dollars of savings a year as a result of BRAC 2005. "That's not an insignificant return on investment."
Napoli and Cramer both said BRAC 2017 won't have those three variables in play and that even greater cost savings and efficiencies could be realized.
There are a lot of spaces and facilities at installations throughout the U.S. that are not being utilized or are just partially utilized, said Paul Cramer, deputy assistant secretary for Installations, Housing & Partnerships, or IHP.
Yet by law, he said, the Army is required to maintain those facilities.
So the Army's recommendation to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, known as OSD, and Congress is that a new round of BRAC -- base realignment and closure -- is needed for 2017, he said.
The Army is finalizing its database on infrastructure status and will give its findings to OSD, he said. In turn, OSD will present the Army's recommendations -- along with those of other services to Congress in the form of draft legislation, most likely by April.
IHP provides policy, programing and oversight of the secretary of the Army's Title 10 responsibilities in real estate, military construction, housing, engineering and BRAC. The agency reports to Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.
If Congress authorizes another BRAC round, the Army would develop a long-term force structure plan, said Andy Napoli, assistant for BRAC, IHP. For the last round of BRAC, in 2005, the Army provided a 20-year plan, he said.
While there's a lot of talk about Army end strength going down even further than 490,000 and with the budget in a state of flux, Napoli said the Army can nonetheless provide an accurate forecast model by plugging in any force structure figures, dollar amounts and infrastructure status.
"You have to know where you're at first, in order to know where you want to be," he said, describing the process they're now finalizing.
SMART REDUCTIONS
Napoli said IEE wants for every Army installation to be used at 100 percent. A new BRAC round should not be done in piecemeal, shaving infrastructure from every single installation to balance the reductions. Rather, it would be more prudent in terms of management and readiness to close underutilized installations and consolidate the remainder.
Napoli explained that reducing the infrastructure and manpower of an installation by, say, 20 percent, would not benefit the community outside the gate. That 20 percent reduction would have a ripple effect in the community, with losses in revenues for hotels, fast food, real estate and so on.
If a community doesn't subscribe to a BRAC closure, they'd be locking themselves in to that 20 percent or whatever cut is made, he said, and they wouldn't have a say in how the land or structures are reutilized.
On the other hand, if a facility were slated to close under BRAC, the community would, by law, have a say in how the land and facilities are reutilized, he continued.
"We think there's an argument to be made that there's goodness for all communities to be in on the BRAC talks process," Napoli said.
Cramer said there are examples of communities "that fought BRAC 2005 and now say it was the best thing that happened" to them.
He cited a number of installations including Port San Antonio, Texas; Fort Ord, Calif.; and Fort Monmouth, N.J., that were turned over to the community which redeveloped the land and structures commercially with subsequent benefits in employment and tax revenue.
Napoli added that the Reserve Component, particularly the National Guard, has expressed some interest in a future round of BRAC.
In BRAC 2005, he said, a limited number of states decided to come onboard. As a result, they found cost savings and other efficiencies by consolidating smaller armories into larger ones near population centers.
States not participating in BRAC 2005 saw that and now they too want to get in on the benefits, he said.
NEW BRAC NOT SAME AS OLD
The proposed BRAC 2017 would not resemble the BRAC 2005 round, Napoli said. For one, BRAC 2005 was more expensive than other rounds before it because force structure at the time was increasing due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Secondly, installations in Korea and Germany were being turned over to the host countries and tens of thousands of Soldiers were returning to the U.S. and more spaces were needed for them.
Third, BRAC 2005 was also used as a tool to convert the Army from a Cold War legacy force to a modern, more easily deployable modular brigade combat team structure.
Even with those cost increases, Napoli said the Army is realizing more than a billion dollars of savings a year as a result of BRAC 2005. "That's not an insignificant return on investment."
Napoli and Cramer both said BRAC 2017 won't have those three variables in play and that even greater cost savings and efficiencies could be realized.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
U.S. officials accuse Iran of aiding al-Qaida in Syria
U.S. officials accuse Iran of aiding al-Qaida in Syria: U.S. officials allege Iranian intelligence is actively helping al-Qaida fighters in Syria, even though the jihadists are battling to bring down Syrian President Bashar Assad, Tehran's key Arab ally.
At first glance, this would seem to fly in the face of a high-profile effort by U.S. President Barack Obama to achieve detente with Iran, America's longtime adversary, which -- if it comes off -- would dramatically alter the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
At a deeper level, analysts say it makes sense, inasmuch as Tehran helping al-Qaida reinforce jihadist fighters engaged in vicious infighting with other Syrian rebel forces, including Islamists, means the divided insurgents are weakening themselves and not Assad's beleaguered regime in Damascus.
The U.S. Treasury Department, targeting a diverse group of entities and individuals for allegedly evading international sanctions against Iran, aiding missile proliferation and supporting terrorism, said last week Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, or MOIS, was working with al-Qaida operatives directing jihadists to Syria.
Treasury has made this claim before. In February 2012, it cited the MOIS, Iran's principal intelligence service, for supporting terrorist groups, "including al-Qaida and al-Qaida in Iraq ... again exposing the extent of Iran's sponsorship of terrorism as a matter of Iranian state policy."
At first glance, this would seem to fly in the face of a high-profile effort by U.S. President Barack Obama to achieve detente with Iran, America's longtime adversary, which -- if it comes off -- would dramatically alter the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
At a deeper level, analysts say it makes sense, inasmuch as Tehran helping al-Qaida reinforce jihadist fighters engaged in vicious infighting with other Syrian rebel forces, including Islamists, means the divided insurgents are weakening themselves and not Assad's beleaguered regime in Damascus.
The U.S. Treasury Department, targeting a diverse group of entities and individuals for allegedly evading international sanctions against Iran, aiding missile proliferation and supporting terrorism, said last week Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, or MOIS, was working with al-Qaida operatives directing jihadists to Syria.
Treasury has made this claim before. In February 2012, it cited the MOIS, Iran's principal intelligence service, for supporting terrorist groups, "including al-Qaida and al-Qaida in Iraq ... again exposing the extent of Iran's sponsorship of terrorism as a matter of Iranian state policy."
Iraq seeks U.S. air traffic control system as air force grows
Iraq seeks U.S. air traffic control system as air force grows: The U.S. Defense Department is seeking congressional approval to sell the nascent Iraqi air force air traffic control and landing systems for four bases, emphasizing Baghdad's drive to establish a fully operational air force within the next few years.
Iraq's air force, the most powerful in the Arab world during Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, is being rebuilt from the ground up and is based on a planned force of up to 96 Lockheed Martin F-16IQ Block 52 fighters.
The first two planes of an initial order of 18 - 12 F-16C and six F-16D aircraft -- are scheduled to arrive at Balad air base north of Baghdad in September, with at least two more arriving every month thereafter.
Full delivery of a second batch of 18 Fighting Falcons is expected to be wrapped up by the end of 2015.
The two contracts are valued at nearly $7 billion.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Feb. 4 it had notified Congress of the possible sale of the air base equipment worth an estimated $700 million.
The Arab media recently quoted Iraq's Parliamentary Commission of Security and Defense as saying Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been pressing the United States for "accelerated F-16 delivery" since 2013.
The commission says Baghdad wants at least six fighter squadrons operational over the next few years. These will presumably all be equipped with F-16s.
Iraq's air force, the most powerful in the Arab world during Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, is being rebuilt from the ground up and is based on a planned force of up to 96 Lockheed Martin F-16IQ Block 52 fighters.
The first two planes of an initial order of 18 - 12 F-16C and six F-16D aircraft -- are scheduled to arrive at Balad air base north of Baghdad in September, with at least two more arriving every month thereafter.
Full delivery of a second batch of 18 Fighting Falcons is expected to be wrapped up by the end of 2015.
The two contracts are valued at nearly $7 billion.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Feb. 4 it had notified Congress of the possible sale of the air base equipment worth an estimated $700 million.
The Arab media recently quoted Iraq's Parliamentary Commission of Security and Defense as saying Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been pressing the United States for "accelerated F-16 delivery" since 2013.
The commission says Baghdad wants at least six fighter squadrons operational over the next few years. These will presumably all be equipped with F-16s.
Karzai will not sign security agreement: US spy chief
Karzai will not sign security agreement: US spy chief: The US intelligence chief said Tuesday he does not expect Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign a security agreement with the United States that would allow American troops to stay after 2014.
Washington has repeatedly appealed to Karzai to sign the bilateral security agreement (BSA) negotiated last year but James Clapper, director of national intelligence, said he had given up hope that the Afghan president would endorse the deal.
"Well, obviously, it takes two to sign this," Clapper told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"And it's my own view, not necessarily company policy, ...I don't believe President Karzai is going to sign it," he said.
His comments were the most explicit yet by a senior US official acknowledging the bleak prospects of Karzai backing the agreement.
Washington has repeatedly appealed to Karzai to sign the bilateral security agreement (BSA) negotiated last year but James Clapper, director of national intelligence, said he had given up hope that the Afghan president would endorse the deal.
"Well, obviously, it takes two to sign this," Clapper told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"And it's my own view, not necessarily company policy, ...I don't believe President Karzai is going to sign it," he said.
His comments were the most explicit yet by a senior US official acknowledging the bleak prospects of Karzai backing the agreement.
NATO gets first US destroyer for missile shield
NATO gets first US destroyer for missile shield
The first of four US high-tech destroyers arrived in Spain Tuesday to form a key part of a ballistic missile shield for Europe which Russia says directly threatens its security.
The USS Donald Cook took up station in the southern port of Rota from where it will operate as an anti-missile platform and take part in other tasks such as maritime security and NATO deployments, a statement said."For the first time, a ship of the United States Navy equipped with the Aegis ballistic missile-defence system is permanently based in Europe" NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. "The arrival of the USS Donald Cook marks a step forward for NATO, for European security, and for transatlantic cooperation," Rasmussen said.Three other Aegis destroyers will be deployed over the next two years as the missile shield takes form after NATO agreed its deployment at a summit in 2010.The system is designed to "protect all NATO European populations and territory," the statement said.
The first of four US high-tech destroyers arrived in Spain Tuesday to form a key part of a ballistic missile shield for Europe which Russia says directly threatens its security.
The USS Donald Cook took up station in the southern port of Rota from where it will operate as an anti-missile platform and take part in other tasks such as maritime security and NATO deployments, a statement said."For the first time, a ship of the United States Navy equipped with the Aegis ballistic missile-defence system is permanently based in Europe" NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. "The arrival of the USS Donald Cook marks a step forward for NATO, for European security, and for transatlantic cooperation," Rasmussen said.Three other Aegis destroyers will be deployed over the next two years as the missile shield takes form after NATO agreed its deployment at a summit in 2010.The system is designed to "protect all NATO European populations and territory," the statement said.
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