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.
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| Weird, blocky, slab sided and sexy...but I like it... |
An explosion occurred at the Vector State Virology Research Center near Novosibirsk . This research center has one of the most comprehensive collections of dangerous viruses in the world.Story here.
According to Rospotrebnadzor, on the fifth floor of a six-story laboratory building, a gas bottle exploded during repair work, after which a fire broke out on an area of 30 square meters. The fire is eliminated. One worker suffered. With burns of the second and third degree, he was taken to the hospital.
In Rospotrebnadzor emphasized that in the room where the explosion occurred, there were no biohazardous substances. At the same time, all the glass was broken in the building of the scientific center.
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| Acting Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan announces the T- 7A “Red Hawk” during the Air, Space and Cyber conference at the National Harbor. The name, Red Hawk, honors the legacy of Tuskegee Airmen, and pays homage to their signature red-tailed aircraft from World War II. The name is also a tribute to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, an American fighter aircraft that first flew in 1938 and was flown by the 99th Fighter Squadron, the U.S. Army Air Forces’ first African American fighter squadron. The P-51 and P-40 are some of the most iconic fighters of their time. Likewise, the T-7A will be the staple of a new generation of aircraft. The Red Hawk offers advanced capabilities for training tomorrow’s pilots on data links, simulated radar, smart weapons, defensive management systems, as well as synthetic training capabilities. The first T-7A aircraft and simulators are scheduled to arrive at Joint Randolph AFB, Texas, in 2023 as a replacement for the venerable T- 38C. And, the moniker “Red Hawk” is certainly fitting, as that species of raptor is often seen soaring over our pilot training bases. |
The weapon is expected to measure just under 6 feet long and 150 pounds, less than half the weight and length of Raytheon's AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile and AIM-9X Sidewinder that fly on fighters across the Defense Department.Story here.
“We’re able to take the best of both of those missiles and, based on what we see as the customer’s requirements and gaps, we are combining them into this new missile,” Noyes said.
Peregrine “combines the range and the autonomy of the AMRAAM with the maneuverability characteristics of the AIM-9X” with extreme maneuverability as it approaches its target. The weapon will cost “significantly less" to buy and maintain than the AIM-120 or AIM-9X, and is faster to develop, thanks to ready-made components and additive manufacturing.
The Peregrine will have a multi-mode, autonomous seeker that includes infrared imaging. It uses a “new, high-performance propulsion system" to boost speed, Noyes said. He would only characterize the missile's range as “from visual range to within medium range” but said Peregrine is a supersonic munition.
The all-weather, day or night weapon has a blast fragmentation warhead and a “new lightweight airframe and high-performance modular control system” that allows for highly accurate targeting, Noyes said.
