US welcomes deal on relocating air base in Japan
Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel on Friday praised a decision by Japanese officials to allow the relocation of a US air base in Okinawa, calling it a "milestone" for relations with Tokyo.
Hagel welcomed the approval of the long-delayed move of the US Marine Corps base, which he said would permit a redeployment of American forces in the area and bolster Washington's strategic "rebalance" to the Asia-Pacific region."Reaching this milestone is a clear demonstration to the region that the alliance is capable of handling complex, difficult problems in order to deal effectively with 21st century security challenges," Hagel said in a statement."Our alliance has helped underwrite regional peace, stability, and prosperity for more than half a century, and resolving these years-long issues will enable us to take our relationship to the next level as we revise the guidelines for US-Japan defense cooperation," he said.After more than 17 years of debate and political wrangling, the local government in Okinawa has given a green light to moving the Futenma air station from a densely populated urban area to a new facility to be constructed on the coast. Hagel said he had told Japanese officials that the Pentagon was "committed to working with the government of Japan to build a strong and sustainable US military presence with less impact on the people of Okinawa."Relocating the controversial air base is part of a plan to cut back the overall US military presence in Okinawa. The Pentagon plans to reduce the number of Marines on the island from 18,000 to about 10,000 in coming years, with some redeployed to Australia and the US territory of Guam.Resolving the future of the air base in Okinawa clears the way for Washington's so-called "pivot" to Asia, with plans to deploy more ships and troops in the Pacific.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
New Law All but Bars Russian GPS Sites in U.S. - NYTimes.com
New Law All but Bars Russian GPS Sites in U.S. - NYTimes.com: Tucked into the mammoth defense budget bill that President Obama signed into law on Thursday is a measure that virtually bars Russia from building about a half-dozen monitor stations on American soil that critics fear Moscow could use to spy on the United States or worse.
Russia first broached the idea of erecting the domed antenna structures here nearly two years ago, saying they would significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of its version of the Global Positioning System, the American satellite network that steers bomb-bearing warplanes to their targets and wayward motorists to their destinations.
Russia first broached the idea of erecting the domed antenna structures here nearly two years ago, saying they would significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of its version of the Global Positioning System, the American satellite network that steers bomb-bearing warplanes to their targets and wayward motorists to their destinations.
Congressional Republicans, however, harbored suspicions that Russia had nefarious motives behind its plan, which the State Department supported as a means to mend bruised relations between the two rival nations. The Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency sided with congressional critics, concerned about handing the Russians an opening to snoop on the United States within its borders.
The monitor stations have been a high priority of President Vladimir V. Putin for years as a means to improve Moscow’s global positioning network — known as Glonass, for Global Navigation Satellite System — not only to benefit the Russian military and civilian sectors but also to compete globally with GPS.
As the White House sought to reconcile the internal squabbling among government agencies, skeptical members of the intelligence and armed services committees in Congress intervened in recent weeks to deal a near-crippling blow to the prospect of Glonass stations in the United States.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Attack on U.S. Aircraft Foils Evacuation in South Sudan - NYTimes.com
Attack on U.S. Aircraft Foils Evacuation in South Sudan - NYTimes.com: Three United States aircraft flying into a heavily contested region of South Sudan to evacuate American citizens were attacked on Saturday morning and forced to turn back without completing the mission, American officials said. Four service members were wounded, one seriously.
The crisis in South Sudan began last week when its president, Salva Kiir, a member of the majority Dinka ethnic group, asserted that he had uncovered a coup and detained 11 people, including former ministers. Mr. Kiir claimed the coup had been backed by former Vice President Riek Machar, who is a member of the rival Nuer ethnic group.
The crisis in South Sudan began last week when its president, Salva Kiir, a member of the majority Dinka ethnic group, asserted that he had uncovered a coup and detained 11 people, including former ministers. Mr. Kiir claimed the coup had been backed by former Vice President Riek Machar, who is a member of the rival Nuer ethnic group.
As the violence grew, Mr. Obama sent 45 American troops to protect the embassy in Juba. The United States also organized evacuation flights that have already ferried at least 450 American Embassy personnel, other Americans and some citizens of other nations out of the country.
As attacks have racked South Sudan, however, there has been mounting concern about the safety of 35,000 civilians who have sought sanctuary at United Nations peacekeeping bases, as well as the safety of the peacekeepers themselves.
Armed youths seized a United Nations base in another town, Akobo, on Thursday, killing at least 13 people, including two United Nations peacekeepers.
About 2,000 armed youths have surrounded the United Nations base in Bor. It has been difficult for American officials to get in touch with local rebel commanders there to establish what areas they might control amid signs that the fighting may be escalating into a broader ethnic conflict.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Lockheed Martin Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Completes Manufacturing Review
Lockheed Martin Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Completes Manufacturing Review: The Lockheed Martin Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) team successfully completed the government's Manufacturing Readiness Assessment (MRA), an important milestone on the path to vehicle production at the company's Camden, Ark., manufacturing complex.
The MRA, which measures manufacturing maturity and assesses technical risk, took place at Lockheed Martin's Camden Operations on Nov. 18 and 19. In October, the company announced plans to produce the JLTV at the award-winning Camden facility, where program officials expect to gain significant production efficiencies and cost reductions.
"We look forward to adding another joint U.S. Army/Marine Corps vehicle-manufacturing program to our Camden Operations," said Scott Greene, vice president of Ground Vehicles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
"With proven assembly methods, a keen focus on efficiency and a highly skilled workforce, we are confident that the tremendous success we've achieved producing the HIMARS launcher for the Army and Marines will translate to an outstanding JLTV for those very same customers."
The Lockheed Martin JLTV is designed to replace many of the current Army and Marine Corps HMMWV "Humvee" vehicles, providing significant advances in survivability and capability.
The MRA, which measures manufacturing maturity and assesses technical risk, took place at Lockheed Martin's Camden Operations on Nov. 18 and 19. In October, the company announced plans to produce the JLTV at the award-winning Camden facility, where program officials expect to gain significant production efficiencies and cost reductions.
"We look forward to adding another joint U.S. Army/Marine Corps vehicle-manufacturing program to our Camden Operations," said Scott Greene, vice president of Ground Vehicles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
"With proven assembly methods, a keen focus on efficiency and a highly skilled workforce, we are confident that the tremendous success we've achieved producing the HIMARS launcher for the Army and Marines will translate to an outstanding JLTV for those very same customers."
The Lockheed Martin JLTV is designed to replace many of the current Army and Marine Corps HMMWV "Humvee" vehicles, providing significant advances in survivability and capability.
Lockheed Martin and the US Navy Strengthen International Alliance with Helicopter Acceptance
Lockheed Martin and the US Navy Strengthen International Alliance with Helicopter Acceptance: The Royal Australian Navy accepted the first two MH-60R helicopters from the U.S. Navy in a ceremony today at the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] facility in Owego, N.Y.
"The advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities of the MH-60 Romeo are a game-changer in shifting the advantage from the submarine to the helicopter, which is essential in today's maritime security environment," said Rear Admiral CJ Jaynes, program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs, which oversees the U.S. Navy's H-60 program office.
"We are excited to extend our partnership with the Royal Australian Navy through the delivery of these advanced helicopters."
Manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and provided with advanced mission systems and sensors by Lockheed Martin, the MH-60R is already operational and deploying as the primary U.S. Navy anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare system for open-ocean and littoral zones.
The U.S. Navy answered the Australian Defence Force's requirement for a fleet of 24 new-generation, multi-role naval combat aircraft with the proven MH-60R helicopters. The entire fleet will be delivered incrementally by the end of 2016.
"The advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities of the MH-60 Romeo are a game-changer in shifting the advantage from the submarine to the helicopter, which is essential in today's maritime security environment," said Rear Admiral CJ Jaynes, program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs, which oversees the U.S. Navy's H-60 program office.
"We are excited to extend our partnership with the Royal Australian Navy through the delivery of these advanced helicopters."
Manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and provided with advanced mission systems and sensors by Lockheed Martin, the MH-60R is already operational and deploying as the primary U.S. Navy anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare system for open-ocean and littoral zones.
The U.S. Navy answered the Australian Defence Force's requirement for a fleet of 24 new-generation, multi-role naval combat aircraft with the proven MH-60R helicopters. The entire fleet will be delivered incrementally by the end of 2016.
Patriot missiles demonstrate field readiness
Patriot missiles demonstrate field readiness
Raytheon's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System test fired nine Patriot missiles at McGregor Range, N.M., during its annual Field Surveillance Program (FSP), successfully engaging inbound and outbound unmanned air breathing targets.
This was the first FSP conducted with the PAC-2 missiles, using the recently launched Post Deployment Build-7 (PDB-7) software and the modernized radar with radar digital processor."All of our Patriot partners participate in the FSP as part of our Engineering Services Program and contribute randomly picked missiles from their inventory to verify the integrity of the missiles in the field through independent assessment," said Ralph Acaba, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business."Having each partner contribute a small number of missiles for testing is a cost-effective way to ensure the field readiness of the worldwide inventory of missiles that the global Patriot family relies on."
Raytheon's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System test fired nine Patriot missiles at McGregor Range, N.M., during its annual Field Surveillance Program (FSP), successfully engaging inbound and outbound unmanned air breathing targets.
This was the first FSP conducted with the PAC-2 missiles, using the recently launched Post Deployment Build-7 (PDB-7) software and the modernized radar with radar digital processor."All of our Patriot partners participate in the FSP as part of our Engineering Services Program and contribute randomly picked missiles from their inventory to verify the integrity of the missiles in the field through independent assessment," said Ralph Acaba, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business."Having each partner contribute a small number of missiles for testing is a cost-effective way to ensure the field readiness of the worldwide inventory of missiles that the global Patriot family relies on."
Northrop Grumman Reinvents Satellite Communications for Aircraft
Northrop Grumman Reinvents Satellite Communications for Aircraft
In one year, Northrop Grumman took a satellite communications system normally used in space and transformed it into a high-functioning, low-cost communications system that can be used on aircraft.
The satellite communications (SATCOM) system was successfully demonstrated on board the company's Firebird demonstrator aircraft.Until now, no small communications system has been able to send sensor data to a satellite and back to a ground station at such a high rate of transfer."It's a game changer for those that need high-quality, real-time data, but don't want to - or can't - have a large, heavy communications system onboard," said Brett Amidon, director of Technology Development at Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems."Our system provides beyond line of sight capabilities in a compact, lightweight, low-profile package."During the demonstration, the SATCOM system rapidly provided full-motion video to the ground. For demo purposes, the system and associated test equipment were housed within a pylon-mounted structure attached to the top of the Firebird fuselage.
In one year, Northrop Grumman took a satellite communications system normally used in space and transformed it into a high-functioning, low-cost communications system that can be used on aircraft.
The satellite communications (SATCOM) system was successfully demonstrated on board the company's Firebird demonstrator aircraft.Until now, no small communications system has been able to send sensor data to a satellite and back to a ground station at such a high rate of transfer."It's a game changer for those that need high-quality, real-time data, but don't want to - or can't - have a large, heavy communications system onboard," said Brett Amidon, director of Technology Development at Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems."Our system provides beyond line of sight capabilities in a compact, lightweight, low-profile package."During the demonstration, the SATCOM system rapidly provided full-motion video to the ground. For demo purposes, the system and associated test equipment were housed within a pylon-mounted structure attached to the top of the Firebird fuselage.
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