Mil News USA, Canada & Caribbean Nations Military News & Discussion Thread

[BravoZulu]

Why the F-35 Isn't Ready for War
Now nearly a decade behind schedule and $200 billion over budget, the F-35 program continues to perform far below expectations—and is nowhere near to fulfilling the Pentagon and Lockheed’s many promises. Its continuing performance and design failures are not commensurate with the massive investments made for the past 20 years. At this point, the operational testers should complete the original stringent testing plan agreed to by the services, the F-35 program office, and DOT&E, without succumbing to powerful political pressure to sacrifice combat-realism for expediency. Only then will anyone know if the F-35 will actually work in combat—and whether our troops would be well supported when the F-35 replaces the A-10. Until then, to serve the troops and taxpayers better, Congress should stop increasing F-35 production rates every year, as every incompletely tested, deficiency-laden F-35 built will waste even more taxpayer dollars on costly retrofits.

Congress should also demand that DOT&E return to its previous transparency. Lawmakers should then use that operational test transparency to shoulder their oversight responsibilities, and demand that the withheld information be made public.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-f-35-isnt-ready-war-48312?page=0,4

 

[BravoZulu]

USA:
The US Missile Defense Agency awarded Boeing a $4 billion contract modification to Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) and Development and Sustainment Contract (DSC).
The modification will extend the DSC period from January 2018 to December 2023.
The GMD is designed specifically to counter long-range ballistic missiles threatening the US homeland. It uses a three-stage booster, giving the necessary “legs” to perform intercepts over great distances. This range gives GMD by far the greatest coverage area of any US missile defense system, defending all fifty states and Canada.
The modification also includes the delivery of a new missile field with 20 silos and two extra silos in a previously constructed missile field at Fort Greely in Alaska.
The Missile Defense Agency is also deferring the production of 20 additional Ground Based Interceptors (GBIs) due to the deal associated with not meeting the entrance criteria for the Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV) critical design review. GBIs are silo-launched and intercept ballistic missiles in their midcourse, while they are outside of the atmosphere and at their highest trajectory.
The missile consists of a multi-stage rocket booster and a kinetic kill vehicle, which makes interception of ballistic missile warheads possible using hit-to-kill technology.
The definitized part of the modification provides for technical capabilities to improve a state-of-the-art missile defense system in order of ensuring that defensive capabilities remain relevant and current.
These efforts include Boost Vehicle (BV) development; providing GBI assets for labs and test events; development, integration, testing and deployment of ground systems software builds to address emerging threats; development and fielding of upgraded launch support equipment; expanded systems testing through all ground and flight testing; cyber security support and testing; and, operations and support via performance based logistics approach. Work will take place within the US.

 

[BravoZulu]

USN:
The US Navy awarded Austal USA a $261.8 million contract modification for two additional Expeditionary Fast Transport Ships (EPFs).

The modification provides for design and construction and will also definitize the long-lead-time material undefinitized contract actions for EPF 13 and 14.
Australian Shipbuilder Austal builds EPF ships in support of the EPF program by the Navy. The 14-ship EPF program has been worth over $2 billion. According to the DOD, the EPF class provides high-speed, shallow-draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Army.
The vessels are to join coalition force operations of the Army and Navy.
The Spearhead-Class EPF ships’ main roles include transportation of troops, military vehicles, cargo and equipment for a range of global missions. They will also support military logistics and humanitarian relief operations.
The construction of EPF 13 will start in late 2019 and after that the construction of EPF 14 will commence in the middle of 2020, extending the EPF program to 2022.

 

[BravoZulu]

USA:
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Army completed a successful preliminary design review for the new DeepStrike® surface-to-surface missile, moving the weapon down the development path toward its first flight tests planned for later this year.

The DeepStrike missile meets the Army's Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, requirement, and will replace the current missile that was designed in the 1970s and is approaching the end of its service life. During the Preliminary Design Review, the Army evaluated every aspect of the new missile's design, from its advanced propulsion system and innovative lethality package to its guidance system.
"Completion of Raytheon's PrSM Preliminary Design Review helps us accelerate development and fielding of this high priority Army program," said Col. Chris Mills, U.S. Army program manager for Precision Fires, Rocket and Missile Systems. "We are now ready to move to test and integration activities that will lead to a demonstration of PrSM's new capabilities."
Featuring an innovative, two-in-the-pod design and many other advancements, Raytheon's new long-range precision strike missile will fly farther, faster and pack more punch than the current weapon.
The DeepStrike missile will defeat fixed land targets 60-499 kilometers away, improve effectiveness and responsiveness compared to current systems, and restore the Army's capability to overmatch adversaries. It will also be upgradable to keep U.S. soldiers ahead of the threat.
Previous program milestones include the successful integration of DeepStrike's new launch pod missile container into the Army's M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS launchers.

 

[BravoZulu]

USN:
Facing ever-faster missiles and increasingly complicated air threats from China and Russia, the U.S. Navy is moving toward a major upgrade to its stalwart Arleigh Burke destroyer fleet.

The service is planning to buy a scaled version of Raytheon’s SPY-6 air and missile defense radar to replace the SPY-1D arrays on the Flight IIA destroyers, Defense News has learned. The upgrade will bolster the radar sensitivity and sophistication of the Flight IIA Burkes.
The move is likely prompted by the Navy’s concern about the proliferation of anti-ship cruise missiles with sophisticated evasive maneuvers and ever-increasing speeds, investments that China and Russia make no secret about pursuing.
In a statement, the Navy acknowledged it was pursuing the SPY-6 array upgrades as part of the 2020 budget.
“Per the President's Budget submission for FY2020 Navy will begin procurement of 24 Radar Module Assembly (RMA) SPY-6 radar sets, and associated electrical and cooling equipment in FY2022, for installation in a DDG Flight IIA beginning in FY2025. The specific hull will be named later,” the statement reads.
The array is a smaller version of the SPY-6 intended for the Flight III DDG, the first of which is now under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries. The SPY-6 destined for DDG-125 will have 37 of what are known as radar modular assemblies, or RMA, which are 2-foot-by-2-foot-by-2-foot boxes that use gallium nitride technology to direct radar energy on air targets. The Flight IIA version will have 24 RMAs in the array.
A version of the radar planned for the FFG(X) future frigate is a nine-RMA configuration.
The Navy is aiming to upgrade all of its DDGs to Aegis Baseline 9 or higher with a ballistic missile defense capability and extend the service lives to 45 years as part of an effort to grow the fleet.
But the Navy is going to try to get 50 years out of its Flight IIA ships. The IIAs make up the bulk of the DDG fleet, with 46 total planned for the service — DDG-79 through DDG-124. DDG-127 will also be a Flight IIA.
That upgraded SPY-6 will be far easier to maintain than the current SPY-1D. Raytheon claims the radar can be maintained by simply removing an RMA and switching it out with a new one, with the rest of the work performed off-site.
In a statement, Raytheon’s head of naval radars, Scott Spence, said the upgrade would bring increased capability to the IIA ships.
“Upgrading Flight IIA ships with a SPY-6 radar will deliver unmatched capability to the surface fleet,” Spence said. “The benefits include a significant increase in terms of sensitivity and range, as well as simultaneous air and missile defense capability, all of which provides commanders with the operational flexibility to address current and emerging threat in ways never before possible.”
Bryan McGrath, a retired destroyer skipper and defense consultant, said that if the Navy follows through on the program, it would be a significant upgrade to the destroyer fleet.
“If indeed the Navy decided to [retrofit] the IIAs with SPY-6, it would greatly increase the sensitivity of the radar and allow the ship to track and engage targets with more difficult kinematics, moving at higher speeds and executing more difficult maneuvers,” McGrath said.
The SPY-6 and variants of it are becoming more widespread in the fleet, something else that would be an advantage, he added.
“It is essentially the same radar they are putting in the FFG(X) and in the Flight III,” he said. “That gives you the opportunity to execute some more advanced networked radar techniques and aids in life cycle cost management.”
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2...avy-plans-a-lethal-upgrade-to-its-destroyers/

 

[BravoZulu]

Nuclear propulsion system repairs delay USS Gerald R. Ford’s return to fleet
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in a turn ship evolution during its post-shakedown availability at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding. Photo: US Navy
The lead ship of the US Navy’s new class of aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), will return to operations three months later than originally planned, in part due to issues related to ship’s nuclear propulsion plant.
News of the delay comes amid the confirmation of a US Navy plan to retire the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman earlier than scheduled by canceling the ship’s planned mid-life overhaul.
The delay to Ford is caused in part by extensive repairs to main turbines generators that are powered by the ship’s nuclear reactors, according to a USNI News report.
The turbine generator repairs are likely related to earlier propulsion issues related to a recent design change which forced the ship to return to port in May 2018.
Navy acquisition chief James Geurts told the HASC’s seapower and projection forces subcommittee.
“All three of those causal factors – making the adjustments to the nuclear power plant that we noted during sea trials, fitting in all of the post-shakedown availability workload and finishing up the elevators – they’re all trending about the same time. So, October right now is our best estimate,” USNI News reported Navy acquisition chief James Geurts as saying.
Every new ship undergoes a post-shakedown availability (PSA) after going through a test and evaluation period. During the availability, contractors repair or improve the design of the ship in preparation for final contractor trials.
While CVN 78 is the first new US aircraft carrier design in 40 years and identifying problems with the ship’s design and systems is part of the evaluation process, officials are still concerned with some of the brand new systems installed on the lead ship in the class.
In its latest report, the director of operational test and evaluation (DOT&E) identified poor or unknown reliability of the newly designed catapults, arresting gear, weapons elevators, and radar. All these systems are critical for flight operations and DOT&E noted they could affect the ability of CVN 78 to generate sorties, make the ship more vulnerable to attack, or create limitations during routine operations.

https://navaltoday.com/2019/03/27/n...irs-delay-uss-gerald-r-fords-return-to-fleet/

 

[BravoZulu]

The emerging 737 MAX scandal, explained
Boeing executives are offering a simple explanation for why the company’s best-selling plane in the world, the 737 MAX 8, crashed twice in the past several months, leaving Jakarta, Indonesia, in October and then Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in March. Executives claimed Wednesday, March 27, that the cause was a software problem — and that a new software upgrade fixes it.
But this open-and-shut version of events conflicts with what diligent reporters in the aviation press have uncovered in the weeks since Asia, Europe, Canada, and then the United States grounded the planes.
The story begins nine years ago when Boeing was faced with a major threat to its bottom line, spurring the airline to rush a series of kludges through the certification process — with an under-resourced Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seemingly all too eager to help an American company threatened by a foreign competitor, rather than to ask tough questions about the project.
The specifics of what happened in the regulatory system are still emerging (and despite executives’ assurances we don’t even really know what happened on the flights yet). But the big picture is coming into view: A major employer faced a major financial threat, and short-term politics and greed won out over the integrity of the regulatory system. It’s a scandal.

More: https://www.vox.com/business-and-finance/2019/3/29/18281270/737-max-faa-scandal-explained

 

[Chazman]

US halts F-35 equipment to Turkey.

U.S. halts F-35 equipment to Turkey, protests its plans to buy from Russia

The United States has halted delivery of equipment related to the stealthy F-35 fighter aircraft to Turkey, marking the first concrete U.S. step to block delivery of the jet to the NATO ally in light of Ankara's planned purchase of a Russian missile defense system.

www.reuters.com

 

[BravoZulu]

USAF:
The Air Force has once again halted deliveries of the KC-46 Pegasus tanker from Boeing after more foreign object debris, or FOD, was found in some closed compartments of the aircraft.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson confirmed in a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the budget Tuesday morning that deliveries had been stopped for a second time. Wilson told Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., that the Air Force is putting corrective actions in place, including requiring all closed compartments be inspected, “to make sure that the production line is being run the way that it needs to be run.”
Courtney expressed concern that problems with the KC-46 appear to be getting in the way of the Air Force’s “optimistic projections” about delivery of the aircraft.
Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said in an email that the decision to stop accepting the KC-46s was made on March 23. But inspectors are still finding debris and other quality problems with the Pegasus, as recently as this week, she said.
“The Air Force again halted acceptance of new KC-46 tanker aircraft as we continue to work with Boeing to ensure that every aircraft delivered meets the highest quality and safety standards,” Stefanek said. “This week our inspectors identified additional foreign object debris and areas where Boeing did not meet quality standards.”
Stefanek said the problems are not related to the aircraft’s design or engineering specifications. Boeing has so far delivered seven KC-46s to the Air Force.
“Air Force leadership is meeting with Boeing to approve additional corrective action plans before aircraft acceptance can resume,” Stefanek said.
In another budget hearing Tuesday afternoon, with the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense, Wilson said that problems with foreign object debris can range from a dropped wrench that gets left behind, to small pieces of aluminum left on surfaces. But if surfaces don’t get wiped down to clean off those aluminum fragments, they can get in the middle of things and cause serious problems in the aircraft, Wilson said.
Most recently, Wilson said, inspectors opened up closed compartments, such as those inside wings, to see if they had been wiped down. Those areas were better than some of the open areas, she said, “but they weren’t what we would expect.”
“That is a manufacturing discipline issue, on the line ... and we saw a breakdown there,” Wilson said. “We expect excellence in the manufacture of our aircraft, and we are working with Boeing on corrective action plans.”
Boeing said in a statement Tuesday that fixing this problem is a top priority for the company and the program.
“Boeing is committed to delivering FOD-free aircraft to the Air Force,” Boeing spokesman Charles Ramey said. “Although we’ve made improvements to date, we can do better.”
Ramey said Boeing is conducting additional company and customer inspections of the aircraft, and have put preventative action plans in place. Boeing has also added more training, put more rigorous clean-as-you-go practices into place, and is holding FOD awareness days across the company “to stress the importance and urgency of this issue.”
“Safety and quality are our highest priority,” Ramey said.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/...lts-kc-46-deliveries-after-more-debris-found/

 

[BravoZulu]

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[BravoZulu]

US, Philippine forces stage amphibious drill during Balikatan 2019
AAVs approach the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) off the coast of the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan 2019. Photo: US Navy

Philippine and US Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force service members on April 11 carried out an amphibious drill as part of the bilateral annual exercise Balikatan 2019.
The amphibious assault took place at Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), Zambales, and involved the movement of assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs) from L-class ships to shore, demonstrated the bilateral force’s ability to seize a littoral objective as part of a complex, combined arms operation between Philippine and US ground, naval and aviation assets.
During the drill, a team of US infantry Marines launched AAVs from the USS Wasp to seize a beach at NETC, in order to enable a follow-on team of Philippine Marines to land. The Philippine Marines aboard US AAVs then launched from the landing platform dock ship BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and conducted the main effort attack on the objective. Philippine and U.S. fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft provided tactical and logistical support throughout the amphibious and ground maneuvers.
“The Amphibious Exercise remains a relevant training opportunity for both the Philippine and US military forces, as it further enhances our capabilities during operations from sea to land,” said Philippine Marine Corps LtCol. Rommel B. Bogñalbal, Commander, 8 Marine Battalion.
This year’s evolution was particularly important for the Philippine and US militaries because the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will begin using their own AAVs later this year, as part of the AFP Modernization Project.
The exercise allowed the Philippine and US crewman to share best AAV practices, techniques and procedures with one another, in order to assist in the development of the AFP’s new AAV doctrine.
“We are very excited to be adding our own AAVs to our inventory of military assets later this year,” Bogñalbal said. “They are a great advancement for our military, since they increase our amphibious capability. It has been very beneficial working with the US on their AAVs the past few years, which has been the basis for us to build off of, and we look forward to furthering those capabilities together even more.”
The amphibious assault was the culminating event of a broader series of joint US-Philippine interoperability training exercises during Balikatan 2019, which also included a combined arms live-fire exercise, military operations in urban terrain, and aviation operations.
https://navaltoday.com/2019/04/12/us-philippine-forces-stage-amphibious-drill-during-balikatan-2019/

 

[BravoZulu]

The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems a multi-year contract for the purchase of 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
The $3.1 billion contract is in support of full rate production for fiscal years 2019-2023.
This is the second MYP contract awarded to the company after the first one, which was for 25 E-2D AHE aircraft, was awarded in 2014. Congress later increased the number to 26 aircraft.
NAVAIR said the savings for MYP II are projected to be $410.6 million (11 percent) over the five years of the contract. The first MYP contract saved $586.6 million, a 13.9 percent savings compared to the cost of five single-year procurement contracts.
“This is a critical element in providing the next generation of world class command and control aircraft to the fleet,” says Capt. Keith Hash, E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data Systems Program Office (PMA-231) program manager.
Airborne early warning aircraft changed the nature of warfare, and the E-2D AHE is the next generation.
Among the improvements in the E-2D are an all-new electronics suite, enhanced turboprop engines, modernized communications, and upgrade potential for mid-air refueling capabilities. E-2D also brings the new AN/APY-9 radar to the carrier strike group.
The US Navy first took delivery of the E2-D in July of 2010 and began a phased replacement of the venerable E-2C aircraft, which has served the fleet since 1973.

https://navaltoday.com/2019/04/11/n...build-24-e-2d-hawkeye-early-warning-aircraft/

 

[bdpopeye]

Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Enters European Theater

Release Date: 4/8/2019 5:02:00 PM

From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commenced operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations April 8, continuing support to coalition theater security cooperation efforts in the region.

The strike group, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as its flagship, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and destroyers from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 departed Norfolk, April 1 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.

“The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group has worked tremendously hard to prepare for our operations in U.S. 6th Fleet,” said Rear Adm. John Wade, commander, Abraham Lincoln CSG. “We are poised and ready to perform our mission.”

Abraham Lincoln CSG’s presence in the region, part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces supporting maritime security operations, is emblematic of the multi-mission capability of the U.S. Navy's globally deployed force. Carrier strike groups have ready capabilities to respond wherever and whenever required through a variety of mission sets.

While operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, the Abraham Lincoln CSG will participate in realistic training to increase the capabilities of the U.S. allies and strengthen partnerships through multi-lateral events honing the skills necessary to achieve maritime superiority through presence.

 

[bdpopeye]

John C. Stennis, Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups Operate in the Mediterranean

Release Date: 4/22/2019 4:18:00 PM

From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) joined the Abraham Lincoln CSG in the Mediterranean, providing a unique opportunity for two strike groups to work together alongside key allies and partners in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

This is the first time that two carriers have operated in the Mediterranean at the same time since the summer of 2016, when the Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman CSGs were deployed to the region simultaneously.

“It’s a rare opportunity to train with two carrier strike groups together,” Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, said. “Dual carrier operations here in the Mediterranean showcase the inherent flexibility and scalability maritime forces provide to the joint force, while demonstrating our ironclad commitment to the stability and security of the region.”

During their deployments, the CSGs will work with a number of our regional allies and partners at sea, creating opportunities for high-end maritime integration in a challenging environment while improving collective proficiency and interoperability.

“These combined operations will enhance combat readiness and interoperability with key allies and partners, and ensure our forces are better prepared to carry out a full range of missions, anytime, anywhere, around the world,” Franchetti said.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) deployed from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Oct. 15, 2018, while USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) deployed from Naval Station Norfolk, April 1, 2019. The carriers are in the midst of a homeport shift, with Stennis eventually heading to Norfolk and Lincoln heading to San Diego.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Asia.

 

[BravoZulu]

Former Marine arrested in North Korea embassy attack in Madrid

A man suspected of involvement in a mysterious dissident group’s February raid on North Korea’s Embassy in Madrid was arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. authorities.
Christopher Ahn, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested and charged Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter. The specific charges against Ahn were not immediately clear.
The person could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Separately, on Thursday, federal agents raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, a leader of the Free Joseon group, the person said. Hong was not arrested.
Free Joseon, also known as the Cheollima Civil Defense group, styles itself as a government-in-exile dedicated to toppling the ruling Kim family dynasty in North Korea.
The group said it consists of North Korean defectors living in countries around the world, but that it has not worked with or contacted defectors "living under tight security" in South Korea.
Lee Wolosky, a lawyer for the group, said in a statement that he was "dismayed that the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to execute warrants against U.S. persons that derive from criminal complaints filed by the North Korean regime."
“The last U.S. citizen who fell into the custody of the Kim regime returned home maimed from torture and did not survive,” Wolosky said, referring to college student Otto Warmbier’s 2017 death.
"We have received no assurances from the U.S. government about the safety and security of the U.S. nationals it is now targeting," he added.
A Spanish police investigator in the case told The Associated Press in Madrid on Saturday that Ahn was identified by the Spanish police at a later stage of its investigation into the Feb. 22 raid and that an international arrest warrant was also issued against him.
That's in addition to warrants issued for the other suspects named last month in Spanish court documents.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/ne...l&utm_campaign=EBB04.23.19&utm_term=Editorial - Military - Early Bird Brief

 

[BravoZulu]

VT Halter Marine to build first new heavy icebreaker for US Coast Guard in over 40 years
Illustration. US Coast Guard file photo of USCGC Polar Star
The US Coast Guard and US Navy have awarded VT Halter Marine a contract for the detail design and construction (DD&C) of the lead Polar Security Cutter (PSC).
Under an initial award valued at $745.9 million, the Pascagoula-based shipbuilder will design and deliver the first new heavy icebreaker for the US Coast Guard in over 40 years.
The Coast Guard’s sole operational heavy icebreaker was commissioned in 1976.
The April 23 contract also includes options for the construction of two additional PSCs. If all options are exercised, the total contract value is $1.9 billion.
Construction on the first PSC is planned to begin in 2021 with delivery planned for 2024. The US Naval Sea Systems Command, the lead contracting authority on the program, noted that the contract includes financial incentives for earlier delivery.
The second and third vessels are expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2027, respectively. PSCs are 460 feet in length with a beam of 88 feet overall, and a full load displacement of about 33,000 long tons at delivery.
“Against the backdrop of great power competition, the Polar Security Cutter is key to our nation’s presence in the polar regions,” said Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard. “With the strong support of both the Trump Administration and the United States Congress, this contract award marks an important step towards building the nation’s full complement of six polar icebreakers to meet the unique mission demands that have emerged from increased commerce, tourism, research, and international activities in the Arctic and Antarctic.”
https://navaltoday.com/2019/04/24/v...ebreaker-for-us-coast-guard-in-over-40-years/

 

[BravoZulu]

USA:
The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $362 million contract to recapitalize 50 of the U.S. Army's Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers.
The U.S. Army's MLRS recapitalization effort will eventually upgrade its existing fleet of 225 MLRS M270A1 launchers, and 160 decommissioned M270A0's slated for de-militarization, to M270A2s.
In partnership with the Red River Army Depot, these launchers will be completely refurbished as "zero time" launchers with new engines, transmissions, Launcher-Loader Modules, Improved Armored Cabs and the new Common Fire Control System.
"This investment to upgrade the MLRS launcher fleet reflects our customers continued confidence in our ability to provide a combat-proven precision strike system from the ground up," said Gaylia Campbell, vice president of Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "These launchers will be returned to an "as-new" condition and serve our Army customer through 2050."
MLRS is a heavy tracked mobile launcher, transportable via C-17 and C-5 aircraft, that fires Guided MLRS rockets and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles. MLRS will also be able to fire the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and Extended-Range GMLRS rockets, both currently in development.
https://news.lockheedmartin.com/201...ocket-System-Launcher-M270A2-Recapitalization

 

[BravoZulu]

US:
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) hosted a ceremony to celebrate its new F-16 production line in Greenville, South Carolina. F-16 tooling and equipment previously in Fort Worth, Texas, has since been installed in a newly-refurbished hangar in Greenville, where the company will begin manufacturing F-16 Block 70 aircraft later this year.

"This is an exciting time as we celebrate another important milestone for the F-16 ‒ the world's most successful, combat-proven 4th generation fighter," said Michele Evans, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "The future is bright, and it begins right here in Greenville, South Carolina ‒ the new home of F-16 production."

Demand continues to soar for new production F-16s and F-16V upgrades. Bahrain became the first F-16 Block 70 customer in June 2018, Slovakia signed Letter of Agreement in Dec. 2018 for 14 Block 70 aircraft, and Bulgaria and the U.S. Government are currently negotiating Bulgaria's planned acquisition of new F-16 Block 70 aircraft. The U.S. State Department also recently approved the proposed sale of 25 new production F-16 Block 72 aircraft and F-16V upgrades for Morocco.

"This is a great day for Greenville and South Carolina," said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. "We have the best workforce in the country and now we are going to build the most advanced F-16 ever right here in the Palmetto State."

"South Carolina's workforce is second to none, and the fact that Lockheed Martin continues to invest and put its faith in South Carolinians to build the newest F-16s in Greenville speaks volumes about our state and the company," said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. "Every person who calls South Carolina home should be proud that the F-16 is made right here in the Palmetto state."

More than 400 new jobs will be created to support the F-16 production line in Greenville. F-16 production also supports hundreds of U.S.-based Lockheed Martin engineering, procurement, sustainment and customer support jobs and thousands of U.S. supplier jobs. A significant portion of F-16 production occurs in the supply chain, which currently includes more than 400 U.S. suppliers in 41 states.

To date, 4,588 F-16s have been produced, and there are approximately 3,000 operational F-16s are in service today in 25 countries.

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/201...-Production-Line-in-Greenville-South-Carolina

 

[BravoZulu]

USS Harry S. Truman will not be retired early, vice president Pence says
Vice President Mike Pence speaks to Sailors during an all-hands call in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Photo: US Navy
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) will not be retired halfway through its service as was earlier planned, US vice president Mike Pence told sailors aboard the carrier during a visit on April 30.
CVN 75 was set to be decommissioned 25 years early in an effort to cut costs and enable a drive towards modernization.
The plan was to mothball the carrier ahead of its mid-life refueling overhaul and thereby save over $3 billion.
“We are keeping the best carrier in the world in the fight,” Mike Pence was quoted as saying. “We are not retiring the Truman.”
The vice president was visiting the carrier at its Norfolk homeport where it returned following a dynamic force deployment in December 2018.
“This ship has served as a constant sign to the world that we will always ensure our security,” said Pence. “We will always stand for peace through strength. During each deployment in its prolific career, USS Truman has taken the fight to the enemy on our terms, on their soil.”
The decision not to retire the US Navy’s eighth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was praised by senator Tim Kaine. “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have pushed hard against the Administration’s plans to mothball the Truman at the midpoint of its working life. I am gratified that the Administration listened and is now committed to the refueling. This is the right call for our national security.”
https://navaltoday.com/2019/05/01/u...t-be-retired-early-vice-president-pence-says/

 

[BravoZulu]

Bell V 280 Valor

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