Deployment of F-22 Raptors To Guam

Approximately 130 Airmen and five F-22 Raptors from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Guam for two weeks to fulfill security requirements in the Asia Pacific region.

During the deployment, the Airmen will participate in exercises Jungle Shield and Cope Thaw.

Exercise Jungle Shield enhances the 13th Air Force's air defense mission in Guam and ensures the ability to fulfill Operation Noble Eagle responsibilities. F-22 pilots will also take part in Cope Thaw, providing them an opportunity to conduct routine training in an environment different from their home station.

F-22 pilots will fly three primary missions here: defensive counterair, offensive counterair escort, and offensive counterair suppression of enemy air defenses.

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Demonstration of Unmanned Supply Helicopter To US Army

Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace Corporation have demonstrated to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps the feasibility of transporting supplies to ground troops by an unmanned helicopter.

During 45 minutes of operation at Ft. Eustis, VA, an unmanned K-MAX helicopter demonstrated autonomous take-off and landing, pick-up and delivery of a 3,000-pound sling load, and the ability to autonomously re-plan and detour from its designated route to accommodate changes to mission requirements and battlefield threats. The demonstration also illustrated the ability of a single ground operator to use both spoken and data commands to control the aircraft via data link, perform precision maneuvers at the pick-up or drop zones, and easily transfer control to another ground operator for maximum interoperability.

The April 23 demonstration was attended by representatives of the Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), the Combined Arms Support Command, the Training and Doctrine Command, Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center and the Marine Corps Development Command.

The K-MAX unmanned aerial system was controlled by Lockheed Martin's KineForce mission management system, which is designed to translate the ground controller's objectives into mission executable plans, provide autonomous flight control capability, understand the dynamic battlefield environment, and react to threats. To command and control the K-MAX, a ground controller used a hand-held tablet computer - compatible with a common interface system used by the U.S. Army for control of unmanned aerial vehicles - to define the mission plan and monitor the aircraft during flight.

The Kaman designed-and-built K-MAX helicopter features a unique intermeshing rotor system that eliminates the need for a tail rotor, directing all of the power from the Honeywell T5317A-1 gas turbine engine to the main rotors. The design gives the aircraft a one-to-one lift ratio, enabling the K-MAX aircraft to lift up to 6,000 pounds - more than the aircraft's own weight - and providing superior high altitude and hot environment performance and low noise signature. Currently flown as a manned power lifter by the logging and construction industries, the aircraft has low operating costs per flight hour, and has maintained a high reliability rate over more than 225,000 flight hours in demanding environments.

Kaman Aerospace, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation, markets and supports its SH-2G and K-MAX helicopters, is a subcontractor for complex metallic and composite structures and components for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, designs and manufactures missile and bomb fuzing devices for the U.S. and allied militaries, and is a leading manufacturer of widely-used proprietary airframe bearings and components. Kaman Corporation conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

Bushmaster Copperhead Utility Vehicle Launched Vehicle at Eurosatory

Thales is pleased to announce the launch of its armoured combat support vehicle, known as Bushmaster Copperhead, at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, France. This Utility or ‘Ute’, to use the Australian slang, is a 4-wheel drive cab chassis protected logistic vehicle that can carry a 4,000 kg load on its 9.4m2 tray. It also provides crew the protection, mobility and combat flexibility to fulfil the ever growing mission needs in demanding situations encountered by military forces around the world.

The Bushmaster Copperhead is the latest addition to the Bushmaster Family of Vehicles (FOV), and uses the same single shell V-shaped hull to provide protection against mine blast and improvised explosive devices (IED). This technology is enhanced by upgradeable ballistic protection options to the crew cabin and a protection system already operationally proven in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A cruising speed of 100 km/h, maximum range of 800 km, high clearance for obstacles and river crossings, tight turning circle, plus the capacity to go off road in all conditions, give Bushmaster Copperheads the ability to safely carry personnel, supplies and equipment to any frontline in any environment.

However, what makes the vehicle truly unique is the combination of protection systems and tactical mobility while carrying a substantial load.

Backed by an international supply chain, mechanical components are selected for their global availability, and are common with Bushmaster while providing Thales the ability to offer worldwide Through Life Support (TLS). Thales is always looking at innovative support packages to reduce the customer's risk while tailoring TLS packages to meet the their specific needs.

The Copperhead marks a significant achievement for Thales Australia’s design and construction team.The latest addition to the Bushmaster family of vehicles offers enhanced safety features while increasing the operational capability of the armed forces.

Background Information

The Bushmaster Family of Vehicles

The Thales Bushmaster Family of Vehicles (FOV) are modular-designed armoured vehicles offering high levels of protected mobility for combat, combat support and combat service support troops.

Their fully integrated protection, based on a monocoque hull, makes the Bushmaster FOV highly mobile while providing occupant protection from small arms, mine blast and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.

The vehicles are operationally combat-proven, highly capable and affordable. They offer greatly enhanced protection, mobility, mission performance, reliability, mission flexibility and operational sustainability.

The adaptability of the vehicles enables system integrated approach to further modular protection and upgrades enhancements, as well as remote weapons stations, electronic warfare protection devices, and combat and control systems.

Thales has worked closely with end users to produce a single platform that can be adapted into different applications to support a wide range of operational roles.

Current variants of the Bushmaster FOV already in operation around the world include:

-- Patrol Vehicle (Troop Carrier)
-- Command Vehicle
-- Assault Pioneer Vehicle
-- Ambulance
-- Direct Fire Support Weapons Vehicle
-- Mortar variant
-- Copperhead
-- FireKing

The Copperhead is an armoured combat support vehicle and, is the newest addition to the Bushmaster FOV. The cab chassis 4 x 4 logistic vehicles variant is designed to meet the ever growing operational requirements for protected mobility of not only the crew but also the cargo. It can carry loads up to 4,000kg while still offering the mobility and protection of the Bushmaster FOV.

Also part of the range is the FireKing, a purpose-built fire fighting vehicle. It offers the world’s only crew survival module in the event of the vehicle being engulfed in flames, plus unrivalled protection and mobility compared to commercial fire fighting vehicles. It is currently in service with fire fighters in Australia.

The Bushmaster FOV mechanical components are selected for their global availability and supportability, which gives Thales the ability to offer worldwide Through Life Support (TLS). Thales is always looking at innovative support packages to reduce the customer's risk while tailoring TLS packages to meet the customer's specific needs.

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion.

Thales Australia is the leading defence systems and engineering company in Australia and is also present in civil sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing 3,700 people in over 35 sites around the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues in 2007 amounting to over AUD1 billion.

RAF Reaper for First Time , Fires Weapons

An RAF Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle used its weapons system in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan for the first time this week.

As with any other munitions this was carried out under strict Rules of Engagement.

Unlike the United States Air Forces Reapers (Predators), which are frequently used to provide Close Air Support to troops, RAF Reapers are used predominately to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) data to coalition and UK forces on Operations.

39 Squadron, which is the RAF's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron, was reformed in January this year and operates from Nevada in the USA as part of the USAF 432nd Wing.

The Reaper aircraft are based in Afghanistan but are remotely controlled by satellite link from the USA.

The Officer Commanding 39Sqn, Wing Commander Andy Jeffrey, said:

"Our mission is to provide persistent ISTAR, and where required offensive support to UK and Coalition forces involved in Operations. We are here to make a difference and save lives."

Although it's an RAF Squadron, 39Sqn is comprised of personnel from all three UK services; RAF, Royal Navy and the Army. The mix of different service personnel is seen by Wg Cdr Jeffrey as very much a key asset:

"To have an army soldier or Royal Marine who's had 'boots on the ground' in Afghanistan as part of the Squadron is absolutely fantastic."

During a mission the Reaper is controlled by a pilot and a sensor-operator both of whom are experienced aircrew. In addition, a mission coordinator, present in the ground station alongside the aircrew, is often an experienced soldier or Royal Marine.

Although operating from a purpose built ground station thousands of miles from where the Reaper is actually operating, Wg Cdr Jeffrey was keen to acknowledge the close bond between his Reaper crews and the troops on the ground on operations:

"You are in that fight, you are listening to the guy on the ground, on that radio, and who's taking incoming fire. It comes back to people, of saving lives and making a difference, and we are doing that."

Trainer Aircraft ( T-6A Texan ) for Israeli Air Force

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a posible Foreign Military Sale to Israel of T-6A Texan aircraft as well as associated equipment and services.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $190 million.

The Government of Israel has requested a possible sale of 25 T-6A Texan aircraft, Global Positioning System (GPS) with CMA-4124 GNSSA card and Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) spares, ferry maintenance, tanker support, aircraft ferry services, site survey, unit level trainer, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $190 million.

Israel's strategic position makes it vital to the United States interests throughout the Middle East. Our policy has been to promote Middle East peace, support the Israeli commitment to peace with other regional Arab countries, enhance regional stability and promote Israeli readiness and self-sufficiency. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

The Israeli Air Forces (IAF) fleet of Zukit aircraft was produced in the early 1960s. The Zukit’s high fuel and maintenance costs, and low mission capable rates led to the IAF's decision to procure new trainer aircraft. The T-6A aircraft will reduce training fuel requirements by 66%. The IAF will use these new aircraft to modernize its air force and to improve operational capability in coalition operations and exercises, and contribute to a modern air defense network for the legitimate defense of Israel. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be: Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, Wichita, Kansas Pratt & Whitney Corporation, Quebec, Canada and Bridgeport, West Virginia Martin Baker, Middlesex, United Kingdom Hartzel Propeller, Pique, Ohio Canadian Marconi, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma L-3 Vertex, Madison, Mississippi Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected, but at this time the specific offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Israel involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews/support, program management, and training over a period of up to15 years.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers USNS Robert E. Peary

General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, delivered USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) to the U.S. Navy. Named in honor of the Navy rear admiral who led the first expedition to the North Pole, the Robert E. Peary is the fifth ship delivered in the Navy's T-AKE dry cargo-ammunition ship program in two years.

Starting with the delivery of USNS Lewis and Clark in June 2006, NASSCO has delivered five ships into service with the Navy's Military Sealift Command.Like her sister ships, T-AKE 5 is a high-quality, extremely-capable auxiliary ship that is complete and ready to help fulfill the Navy's global combat logistics requirements."

Construction of the USNS Robert E. Peary began in July 2006. NASSCO has incorporated international marine technologies and commercial ship-design features into T-AKE class ships, including an integrated electric-drive propulsion system, to minimize operating costs during their projected 40-year service life. With a cargo capacity of more than 10,000 tons, the primary mission of T-AKE ships is to deliver food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions from shore stations to combat ships at sea.

NASSCO has contracts to build 11 T-AKE ships to replace single-mission vessels that are nearing the end of their service lives. The Navy has options to build three additional T-AKE ships for a total of 14 vessels. The sixth through ninth ships of the T-AKE class are currently under construction at NASSCO and are expected for delivery through the first quarter of 2010.

General Dynamics NASSCO employs more than 4,700 people and is the only major ship construction yard on the West Coast of the United States. The San Diego shipyard is also building the first two of nine product carriers for U.S. Shipping Partners L.P.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,000 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.