Joint Navies Kick Off Pacific Bond Exercise
U.S. Navy joined forces with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to participate in a tri-lateral exercise Pacific Bond 2013, June 22-26.
Pacific Bond is a multi-national naval exercise designed to advance participating nations' military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multi-warfare environment.
"We are honored to have the opportunity to work with our Royal Australian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force counterparts," said Capt. Paul Lyons, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. "As we continue to execute our strategic pivot to Asia as a nation, strong relationships and proven interoperability between our navies at the tactical level of execution will be even more vital in underwriting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as preserving the national interests of the U.S. and our allies and partners."
Pacific Bond events include anti-submarine warfare exercises, anti-air warfare exercises, a helicopter visits, board, search and seizure exercise, and liaison officer exchanges.
"Pacific Bond is about conducting quality multi-national maritime warfare maneuvers, with this year's exercise having a heavy focus on anti-submarine warfare," said Cmdr. Karl Brinckmann, HMAS Sydney's commanding officer. "One of the consistent highlights of the Pacific Bond series of exercises is the exchange of personnel between navies, and this year it is no exception with personnel exchanges between Sydney, JS Murasame and USS Preble. It doesn't get much better than operating with modern warships from two extremely professional navies."
Exercises like this are routine and demonstrate the continuum of training necessary to achieve greater levels of proficiency in complex mission areas. They enhance participating nations' ability to conduct multinational operations in-stride with little prior coordination. This is imperative to meeting and flexing to the demands of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
"The purpose of our participation in this exercise is to improve our skills and to deepen our interoperability by conducting training together with the U.S. and Australian navies," said Capt. Hiroyuki Izumi, commander, Escort Division 1 of Murasame. "Conducting this tri-lateral exercise with the naval forces of Japan, the U.S. and Australia, all of whom have high operational skills and sophisticated equipment, is an excellent opportunity for improving JMSDF tactical skills. Through this exercise, we can make the relationship among our three nations even stronger. We would like to take every opportunity to continue these tri-lateral exercises."
Participants in Pacific Bond 2013 include the guided-missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93); members of the forward deployed Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15; P-3C aircraft from Commander, Task Force 72; one submarine from Commander, Task Force 74; helicopters and personnel from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 and personnel from Naval Special Warfare Unit (NSWU) 1 joined forces with Royal Australian Navy guided-missile frigate HMAS Sydney's (FFG 03) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship, JS Murasame (DD 101).
Monday, June 24, 2013
USS Freedom Supports Marine Amphibious Assault Force in CARAT Malaysia
USS Freedom Supports Marine Amphibious Assault Force in CARAT Malaysia
Sailors aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1) had a unique opportunity to support amphibious assault exercise when Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46) conducted an amphibious raid with Malaysian Army paratroopers, June 22.
The littoral combat ship Freedom and the forward deployed amphibious dock landing ship Tortuga are in Malaysia participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013.
Sailors assigned to Freedom's surface warfare mission package acted as safety observers from the ship's 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), while the embarked crew of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 provided aerial support with Freedom's MH-60R helicopter. With its shallow draft, Freedom was able to anchor closer to the beach than other units and monitor the landing events.
"It was a good proof of concept for LCS and the squadron of the capabilities we could provide to the mission," said Lt. Mike Roselli, attached to HSM 73. "The Romeo was able to provide maritime support to the amphibious force. We could if needed provide Hellfire [missiles], torpedos or a Search and Rescue swimmer."
With just 91 Sailors on board, the Freedom crew routinely supports more than one evolution a day. CARAT Malaysia was another opportunity for these Sailors to show their dedication and drive.
"I was on the picket boat that provided security for the ship," Engineman 3rd Class Jennifer Ordenana. "Since CARAT started, I've been part of multiple exercises with both the engineering department and VBSS - from refueling the helo in the pump room to being a small boat engineer on an 11-meter RHIB. It's been cool."
CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
Continuing through June 23, CARAT Malaysia 2013 consists of ten days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. Participation in the CARAT exercise series is among the key milestones during Freedom's maiden rotational deployment to Southeast Asia.
Fast, agile and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three separate purposes: surfaces warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare. Homeported in San Diego, Freedom is currently on its maiden deployment and is manned by her "Gold" crew. Midway through the deployment, a crew-swap will be conducted with her "Blue" crew.
More than 1,200 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Malaysia 2013. Additional ships in CARAT Task Group 73.1 are the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) with embarked Destroyer Squadron 7 staff, the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) with embarked USMC Landing Force, and the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1.
Sailors aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1) had a unique opportunity to support amphibious assault exercise when Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46) conducted an amphibious raid with Malaysian Army paratroopers, June 22.
The littoral combat ship Freedom and the forward deployed amphibious dock landing ship Tortuga are in Malaysia participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013.
Sailors assigned to Freedom's surface warfare mission package acted as safety observers from the ship's 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), while the embarked crew of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 provided aerial support with Freedom's MH-60R helicopter. With its shallow draft, Freedom was able to anchor closer to the beach than other units and monitor the landing events.
"It was a good proof of concept for LCS and the squadron of the capabilities we could provide to the mission," said Lt. Mike Roselli, attached to HSM 73. "The Romeo was able to provide maritime support to the amphibious force. We could if needed provide Hellfire [missiles], torpedos or a Search and Rescue swimmer."
With just 91 Sailors on board, the Freedom crew routinely supports more than one evolution a day. CARAT Malaysia was another opportunity for these Sailors to show their dedication and drive.
"I was on the picket boat that provided security for the ship," Engineman 3rd Class Jennifer Ordenana. "Since CARAT started, I've been part of multiple exercises with both the engineering department and VBSS - from refueling the helo in the pump room to being a small boat engineer on an 11-meter RHIB. It's been cool."
CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
Continuing through June 23, CARAT Malaysia 2013 consists of ten days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. Participation in the CARAT exercise series is among the key milestones during Freedom's maiden rotational deployment to Southeast Asia.
Fast, agile and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three separate purposes: surfaces warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare. Homeported in San Diego, Freedom is currently on its maiden deployment and is manned by her "Gold" crew. Midway through the deployment, a crew-swap will be conducted with her "Blue" crew.
More than 1,200 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Malaysia 2013. Additional ships in CARAT Task Group 73.1 are the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) with embarked Destroyer Squadron 7 staff, the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) with embarked USMC Landing Force, and the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1.
Navy Receives First F-35C Lightning II
Navy Receives First F-35C Lightning II: The U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 received the Navy's first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft from Lockheed Martin today at the squadron's home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
The F-35C is a fifth generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.
The F-35C will enhance the flexibility, power projection, and strike capabilities of carrier air wings and joint task forces and will complement the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which currently serves as the Navy's premier strike fighter.
By 2025, the Navy's aircraft carrier-based air wings will consist of a mix of F-35C, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye battle management and control aircraft, Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) air vehicles, MH-60R/S helicopters and Carrier Onboard Delivery logistics aircraft.
VFA 101, based at Eglin Air Force Base, will serve as the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, training both aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and repair the F-35C.
The F-35C is a fifth generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.
The F-35C will enhance the flexibility, power projection, and strike capabilities of carrier air wings and joint task forces and will complement the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which currently serves as the Navy's premier strike fighter.
By 2025, the Navy's aircraft carrier-based air wings will consist of a mix of F-35C, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye battle management and control aircraft, Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) air vehicles, MH-60R/S helicopters and Carrier Onboard Delivery logistics aircraft.
VFA 101, based at Eglin Air Force Base, will serve as the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, training both aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and repair the F-35C.
U.S. seeks to buy into Israeli missile programs
U.S. seeks to buy into Israeli missile programs
The U.S. Congress is pushing for U.S. participation in developing Israel's Iron Dome counter-missile system, which would make the Americans partners to some degree in all the systems constituting the Jewish state's unique missile defense shield. The U.S. House of Representatives this month tripled President Barack Obama's request for boosting U.S. funding of Israeli missile defense systems from $96 million to $284 million. This followed earlier increases in U.S. support for the Israeli missile programs. U.S. financial backing for the missile defense systems began in the 1980s with the high-altitude Arrow program for which the Americans have paid the lion's share of the $1 billion development costs. All this is separate from the $3 billion in military aid Israel receives from the United States every year. The House Armed Services Committee approved the $284 million funding hike June 6. That includes an additional $15 million in funding for the Iron Dome system developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Haifa.
The U.S. Congress is pushing for U.S. participation in developing Israel's Iron Dome counter-missile system, which would make the Americans partners to some degree in all the systems constituting the Jewish state's unique missile defense shield. The U.S. House of Representatives this month tripled President Barack Obama's request for boosting U.S. funding of Israeli missile defense systems from $96 million to $284 million. This followed earlier increases in U.S. support for the Israeli missile programs. U.S. financial backing for the missile defense systems began in the 1980s with the high-altitude Arrow program for which the Americans have paid the lion's share of the $1 billion development costs. All this is separate from the $3 billion in military aid Israel receives from the United States every year. The House Armed Services Committee approved the $284 million funding hike June 6. That includes an additional $15 million in funding for the Iron Dome system developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Haifa.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
MEADS Tactical BMC4I Software Demonstrates Interoperability in NATO Exercises
MEADS Tactical BMC4I Software Demonstrates Interoperability in NATO Exercises: The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) has successfully demonstrated network interoperability with NATO systems during Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW) exercises held in May and June.
In these JPOW exercises, MEADS tactical battle management command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (BMC4I) software connected to a NATO test site in the Netherlands using a transportable air defense test bed at the German Air Force Air Defense Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.
MEADS demonstrated its battle management capability to transmit, receive and process Link 16 messages, as well as other elements of threat engagement and target intercept. JPOW's objective is to demonstrate all facets of theater air and missile defense, emphasizing interoperability and refinement of tactics for participating systems.
In these JPOW exercises, MEADS tactical battle management command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (BMC4I) software connected to a NATO test site in the Netherlands using a transportable air defense test bed at the German Air Force Air Defense Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.
MEADS demonstrated its battle management capability to transmit, receive and process Link 16 messages, as well as other elements of threat engagement and target intercept. JPOW's objective is to demonstrate all facets of theater air and missile defense, emphasizing interoperability and refinement of tactics for participating systems.
Raytheon unveils Excalibur with dual-mode guidance
Raytheon unveils Excalibur with dual-mode guidance
Raytheon has initiated an internally funded program to enhance its combat-proven 155mm Excalibur GPS-guided projectile with a new guidance and navigation unit (GNU) with a semi-active laser (SAL) end-game targeting capability. Addition of the SAL seeker will allow the munition to attack moving targets, attack targets that have re-positioned after firing, or change the impact point to avoid casualties and collateral damage. "No other gun-launched GPS-guided artillery round is as precise as Excalibur, which in its current design gives one the ability to hit within 4 meters of the target 90 percent of the time," said Kevin Matthies, Excalibur program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "Now we're ready to take this to the next level, giving the warfighter the ability to not only re-target the munition in flight, but leverage Excalibur's maneuverability to use the pinpoint precision of a semi-active laser seeker to hit targets on the move." This new Excalibur variant using SAL guidance paves the way for GPS-guided Excalibur Ib customers to upgrade their Excalibur Ib guidance and navigation units with a GPS/SAL capability. Recent tests of the SAL seeker have demonstrated the robustness of the design in a severe gun-firing environment. In addition to 155mm artillery land forces worldwide, the GPS/SAL capability will be available for both 155mm and 5-inch (127mm) naval guns to address moving targets on land and at sea.
Raytheon has initiated an internally funded program to enhance its combat-proven 155mm Excalibur GPS-guided projectile with a new guidance and navigation unit (GNU) with a semi-active laser (SAL) end-game targeting capability. Addition of the SAL seeker will allow the munition to attack moving targets, attack targets that have re-positioned after firing, or change the impact point to avoid casualties and collateral damage. "No other gun-launched GPS-guided artillery round is as precise as Excalibur, which in its current design gives one the ability to hit within 4 meters of the target 90 percent of the time," said Kevin Matthies, Excalibur program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "Now we're ready to take this to the next level, giving the warfighter the ability to not only re-target the munition in flight, but leverage Excalibur's maneuverability to use the pinpoint precision of a semi-active laser seeker to hit targets on the move." This new Excalibur variant using SAL guidance paves the way for GPS-guided Excalibur Ib customers to upgrade their Excalibur Ib guidance and navigation units with a GPS/SAL capability. Recent tests of the SAL seeker have demonstrated the robustness of the design in a severe gun-firing environment. In addition to 155mm artillery land forces worldwide, the GPS/SAL capability will be available for both 155mm and 5-inch (127mm) naval guns to address moving targets on land and at sea.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Top Official Admits F-35 Stealth Fighter Secrets Stolen « Breaking Defense
Top Official Admits F-35 Stealth Fighter Secrets Stolen « Breaking Defense
Yesterday, at a subcommittee hearing attended by just half a dozen Senators, the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer made a blunt admission: The military’s most expensive program, the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, has been hacked and the stolen data used by America’s adversaries. Under Secretary Frank Kendall didn’t say by whom, but the answer is almost certainly China, a cyber superpower whose People’s Liberation Army Air Force has recently rolled out some suspiciously sophisticated stealth fighter prototypes of its own. The Russians also have skilled hackers and “5th Generation” stealth jet programs, but they’re not suspected of such direct copying, at least not yet.
“I’m confident the classified material is well protected, but I’m not at all confident that our unclassified information is as well-protected,” said Kendall, the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. “It’s a major problem for us…. What it does is reduce the costs and lead time of our adversaries to doing their own designs, so it gives away a substantial advantage.”
The bad news isn’t new news: That someone had hacked F-35 subcontractor BAE Systems was first reported six years ago, and just this February Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima obtained leaked information naming the Chinese as having compromised not just the F-35 but two dozen other weapons program. Administration officials have been publicly pressuring China to rein in its hacking. But it’s still remarkable that such a senior official would so bluntly admit that US interests have been so directly harmed.
Yesterday, at a subcommittee hearing attended by just half a dozen Senators, the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer made a blunt admission: The military’s most expensive program, the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, has been hacked and the stolen data used by America’s adversaries. Under Secretary Frank Kendall didn’t say by whom, but the answer is almost certainly China, a cyber superpower whose People’s Liberation Army Air Force has recently rolled out some suspiciously sophisticated stealth fighter prototypes of its own. The Russians also have skilled hackers and “5th Generation” stealth jet programs, but they’re not suspected of such direct copying, at least not yet.
“I’m confident the classified material is well protected, but I’m not at all confident that our unclassified information is as well-protected,” said Kendall, the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. “It’s a major problem for us…. What it does is reduce the costs and lead time of our adversaries to doing their own designs, so it gives away a substantial advantage.”
The bad news isn’t new news: That someone had hacked F-35 subcontractor BAE Systems was first reported six years ago, and just this February Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima obtained leaked information naming the Chinese as having compromised not just the F-35 but two dozen other weapons program. Administration officials have been publicly pressuring China to rein in its hacking. But it’s still remarkable that such a senior official would so bluntly admit that US interests have been so directly harmed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)