The U.S. Military has triggered a massive surge of its wartime sealift ships https://t.co/6zbeAUhdJu pic.twitter.com/mdJAMHEi1V— Defense News (@defense_news) September 17, 2019
Every now and then when I think about OODA loops I think about the time a British officer remarked how the US OODA loop is:— Pete Kouretsos (@PKouretsos) September 17, 2019
Observe
Overreact
Destroy
Apologize
Pointing guns at a car pic.twitter.com/E1ND7u0g1L— Instant Regret (@lnstant_Regret) September 18, 2019
The Pentagon currently pays Lockheed more than $2 billion per year to sustain about 400 jets, or roughly $5 million per jet per year. But within four years, the global fleet is expected to reach nearly 1,200 aircraft as production ramps up.Story here.
Lockheed estimates that the tab for the five-year arrangement could come to $15 billion, and that it would save the Pentagon a total of $1 billion.
Company officials figure that both sides will do better with the half-decade-long deal, which will allow the aircraft maker to lock in longer-lead parts contracts and assure its suppliers of steady work at known prices. Lockheed also says that if the Pentagon signs the deal, the company will immediately invest $1.5 billion to buy parts, sign long-lead contracts, and improve the F-35’s ALIS logistics/maintenance software.
And Lockheed say the arrangement would require the company to make sure 80 percent of the fleet is always mission-ready.
Fewer than half of the Air Force F-35s were deemed mission-ready in 2018, according to Air Force Times. Those numbers have improved this year, particularly for jets deployed overseas. Last year, former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ordered the military services to boost fighter readiness to 80 percent.
Finally, Lockheed’s proposal includes a vow to reduce the cost per flying hour from the current $44,000 — for an Air Force F-35A in 2018 — to about $25,000. Company officials say they would absorb the risk.
“We are accepting a lot of the risk in the deal,” Merchant said.
A 4-door General Purpose JLTV will be equipped with the Javelin Integration Kit (JIK), LW30 Remote Weapon Station (RWS), and for the first time, a Black Hornet Vehicle Reconnaissance System (VRS). A 2-door Utility JLTV will be outfitted for the first time with the Uvision Hero-120 Tactical System.
“As the military pivots its focus from counter-insurgency threats towards near-peer adversaries, so too must industry,” said George Mansfield, Vice President and General Manager of Joint Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “We designed the JLTV with the unpredictability of the future in mind, bringing the Warfighter unprecedented lethality capabilities along with scalable levels of protection to meet virtually any mission need.”
The U.S. Marine Corps recently announced that they plan to increase their Approved Acquisition Objective (AAO). “We're incredibly pleased to hear that based on their own evaluation, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is now planning to field 15,390 JLTVs, replacing all HMMWVs in the Corps’ legacy fleet in a one-for-one swap,” said Mansfield. “We will continue to work with both the U.S. Army and the USMC to align and deliver against key military modernization priorities.” With this increase, the Marines have nearly tripled their original AAO, up from an original 5,500 quantity.
The Marine Corps also recently announced that the JLTV program has reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC), nearly a year ahead of schedule.
Oshkosh Defense leadership will be available to discuss the Oshkosh JLTVs on display as well as the company’s entire portfolio of vehicles, technologies, and integration capabilities. Visit us at Modern Day Marine 2019 booth 1703.
