Saturday Wallpaper

S-92. The Next Air Force Rescue Helo?

via the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force has delayed the award of a contract valued at up to $6.8 billion for a new combat search and rescue helicopter program until the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, which begins October 1, spokesman Ed Gulick said.
The expected winner is Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp, after all other potential bidders dropped out of the competition last December.
Gulick said the award date had slipped from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 due to several factors, including time required to complete an independent cost estimate and the impact of government furloughs.
He said an initial delay in the release of the terms of the competition for 112 new helicopters also played a role, but insisted it was not related to the number of bid submitted.
All but one of the contractors expected to bid for the work dropped out last December, effectively ceding the competition to Sikorsky and its key subcontractor, Lockheed Martin Corp.
Boeing Co, Textron Inc's Bell Helicopter unit, EADS and Northrop Grumman Corp teamed with AgustaWestland, part of Italy's Finmeccanica SpA, decided to skip the competition after concluding the bidding rules were so narrowly framed that they effectively excluded all but Sikorsky's Black Hawk helicopter from the competition.
The Air Force denies the competition was written to favor Sikorsky, arguing that it wrote the terms of the competition to be as clear as possible with potential bidders about what capabilities the Air Force wanted and could afford.
Frans Jurgens, spokesman for Sikorsky, said the company had received numerous queries from the Air Force during the competition, and looked forward to a contract award.
"During the last several months, Sikorsky has interacted with the Air Force to conduct an extensive evaluation of our CRH proposal. We are ready to begin work building a proven, cost-effective CRH-60 aircraft at the service's convenience," he said.
Dan Spoor, vice president of aviation systems for Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems and Training business, said Lockheed had spent a fair amount of time responding to queries from the Air Force that are called "evaluation notices."
Asked if the Air Force had changed its process as a result of the other bidders dropping out, Spoor said, "They had the same rigorous process that they've done in the past."
The Air Force has been trying to replace its aging fleet of Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters for many years. In 2006, it picked Boeing's H-47 Chinook helicopter, but the Pentagon canceled the $15 billion contract in 2009 after multiple protests by the losing bidders.
Defense analyst Loren Thompson, with the Lexington Institute, said the Air Force was determined to make sure that this contract award was airtight, after several embarrassing acquisition problems in recent years.

Assuming sequestration doesn't kill the thing, then it looks like the S-92 will get its first DoD order.  While I like the concept of a product improved UH-60 (which the S-92 represents) I'm not sure that it fits what's needed in a Pacific shift.  You're talking about crazy long distance rescues over water.

Which brings me to the next real issue for the USAF.  The US Navy doesn't have any dedicated medical evacuation helicopters.  It does have Corpsmen and Rescue Swimmer scattered throughout the fleet.  Want to see something joint emerge?  Send a few rescue helos out to the LCS and have them form temporary detachments.  If nothing else experiment with the concept to see if it might bring value.

A shift to the Pacific and a real counterweight to Chinese aggression will require more work, more planning and more effort than I'm seeing so far.  Words are nice but it has to translate to action or its meaningless.

Blast from the past. Sikorsky Assault Support Patrol Boat.

via Sikorsky History Blog.

Sikorsky won a U. S. Navy contract to build a prototype ASPB (Assault Support Patrol Boat) boat. Sikorsky designed the ASPB for its environment, the ASPB warship was in reality a floating tank, and much more. It was approximately 50 feet long and 20 feet wide and powered by three Pratt & Whitney PT-6 turbine engines connected to three water-jet pumps. On smooth river water the ASPB could reach speeds of 50 miles per hour and maneuver in only water 4 feet deep. Also this type of drive system allowed the ASPB to turn rapidly, maneuverability was critical because of limited space within the delta rivers.
It had a central turret with a 105 millimeter howitzer and two 20 millimeter automatic cannons. The howitzer was the most command artillery piece in the Army's inventory and parts and ammunition was readily available. The howitzer is capable of firing directly at an enemy or indirectly at high angles over obstacles in support of our ground troops. The 20 millimeter cannons were rapid fire machine guns for short range attacks and also they were used to defend the ASPB. Both weapons allowed the ASPB to lay down fire outside the range of the Viet Cong's 300 meter range of their rocket propelled grenades. Also a small machine gun was installed in the bow of the ASPB for quick reaction defense in case of an ambush.
A unique armor system was designed for the ASPB called "bar armor". It is a light steel bar grill mounted 3 to 4 feet away from the hull and superstructure. This armor defeated the Viet Cong's rocket grenade by exploding the grenades armor piercing warhead against the "bars" before it reached the ASPB. The use of this armor allowed the ASPB to be designed with a lighter armored hull reducing the ASPB's overall weight.
The ASPB was delivered to the U. S. Navy at the end of 1969, but never saw operational use because the war ended. However the ASPB was used by the Special Forces to train for riverine warfare until 1980 when it was taken out of service.

The United States Navy was involved in protracted warfare in the Deltas of Vietnam and along its coasts.

In reaction to that fight they developed small boats that mounted 105mm Howitzers, 20mm Cannons and a 50 cal machine gun.

Fast forward to today and the US Navy expects to be engaged in battle along coastlines in what it now calls the littoral zone.  Its answer to that fight now is to develop a ship that mounts a 57mm cannon, two 30mm cannons weighs over 1500 tons and has a flight deck.

Who is right?  The Navy of the past or the Navy of today? 

Talisman Sabre 2013. Unimpressive.

I've been bored to tears with Talisman Sabre 2013.  Quite honestly the highlight of the entire exercise was the Airborne Unit that flew from Alaska and did a jump into theater.  That demonstrated something new and unique (at least as far as this exercise is concerned).  I'd love to see the US Army become a bit more involved and start working with the Air Force or even Sea Lift Command to marry up a Stryker Brigade or to deploy a Brigade or two from the 82nd into the area rapidly.

Marine Corps operations will be focused on the MEU and with real world ops continuing I don't expect to see much happening....a table top with MEB staff working with Army, Air Force, Navy and Allies might be the biggest thing we see there.

But back to Talisman Sabre.  Snooze fest galore.

The Dragon calls for restraint.

via ZeeNews.com

Beijing: China has called on countries involved in the South China Sea issue to avoid aggravating conflicts, as Manila continues to add fuel to its maritime dispute with Beijing.
The call was given by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while addressing a high-level forum between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Bangkok on Friday, the China Daily reported on Saturday.
"We hope the relevant countries can also uphold this spirit, walk face to face with us and not take any further actions that might complicate matters. And especially not misjudge the situation and remake mistakes," Wang said.
The minister was speaking at the forum, which was part of celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN.
Manila recently said that the country's arbitral proceedings against China's territorial claims in the South China Sea were officially under way.
China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei are embroiled in the dispute in the South China Sea over territory, sovereignty and two island chains claimed in whole or in part by them.
China claims the largest portion of territory, saying its right to the area comes from 2,000 years of history.
Vietnam hotly disputes China's account, saying Beijing never claimed sovereignty over the islands until the 1940s.
The other major claimant is the Philippines. Malaysia and Brunei also lay claim to territory in the South China Sea that they say falls within their exclusive economic zones.

I can't help but wonder, did they just call for calm or did we just see a bold faced threat wrapped in a smile.

Orion Spacecraft and NASA Launch System Concepts.

Note:  Either they're fighting for budget, real progress is being made, or someone has woken up to the importance of the space program on the psyche of the nation.  Regardless I'm seeing more and more info coming out on the Orion Spacecraft.

PHL's biggest warship vs China's first aircraft carrier via GMA News.

Read the article by clicking here.

The State Department has to get into the Pacific and develop some kind of regional defense pact.  Having said that, I am pleased by some of the moves being made by the Philippine armed forces (I will point out that some of the decisions seem to be made more in fear than as a part of a plan to modernize their forces).

This is another one of those cases where SOCOM has rushed in and is providing advisors to fight insurgents in the hills while the rest of the country is focused on the real threat that the Chinese represent.  What the Philippines needs isn't jungle fighters.  They're almost breed in the countryside to be able to operate in that area.  What they need are experts from our Surface Warfare, Anti-Sub, Aviation and Mechanized Infantry Community to show them how to deal with a modern force that is networked and operating in a combined arms fashion across Air-Land-Sea-UnderSea and Cyber.

If Hagel isn't lying about the effects of sequestration then this fall will tell us all we need to know about how things will play out in the Pacific.

Those that believe that a conventional war will not take place or rather could not take place are fooling themselves.  We're radiating weakness from the highest parts of our defense establishment.  Quite honestly if I was a Chinese or Iranian General I would simply wait till the fall to see if sequestration hits.  If it does, wait until US ground forces have finished shedding all personnel and then strike in a coordinated effort on two sides of the world.

Our future "super small but high tech force" won't stand a chance.

Fitness Chick Selfy...

Blast from the past. LACV-30.

Meet the LACV-30.  An unusual boat with a limited capability, limited service and proof positive that the Army should stay in its lane when it comes to ship to shore logistics.  via FAS.

The LACV-30 was designed to carry 25 to 30 tons of containerized cargo in an over-the-shore logistics operation. Because an average container loaded with military materiel weighs approximately 18 to 20 tons, LEA reported that the LACV-30, whether self-loading or not, could safely carry only one randomly chosen container. The agency questioned whether such hauling capability was worth the severe penalties incurred. LACV-30 used five to seven times as much fuel required (per container loaded) as for conventional lighters. Extensive training was required for operators (100 hours), navigators (35 hours), and maintenance personnel. The LACV-30 faced high unit production costs, and high operation and support costs (the extent of which was not fully known).
An Army executive meeting to review the program was held on 15 January 1979 with decisions made to accept the LACV-30 as a standard Army item, begin procurement of production items, and conduct a follow-on evaluation test with the initial four craft produced. A program was conducted on the LACV-30 to test proposed improvements to the craft prior to production. A contract for initial procurement of four LACV-30's with options for follow-on buys of eight more craft, was awarded to Bell Aerospace Textron in September 1979.
In 1980 GAO recommended that the Army not commit procurement funds for the air cushioned lighterage vehicle (LACV-30). The Army had not done a cost and benefit analysis between the vehicle and an amphibious craft (LAX-LX) to determine if on-hand assets could meet amphibian watercraft requirements. GAO questioned the procurement because the Army did not know firm requirements and did not know the true performance of the air cushioned vehicle. A contractor charged with evaluating the joint tests also noted major concerns which created questions as to the air cushion vehicles' viability. Their report questioned load limitations less than the rated 30-ton capacity. Heaviest loads carried during the joint tests were between 22 and 23 short tons. Fuel consumption averaged 130 gallons per hour, which is about five times as much fuel as that required for conventional lighters. There were adverse effects of blowing sand, dust, and salt water on personnel and equipment.

Go to FAS to read the entire article, but I find it interesting that the LARC-LX was a competitor and eventually "won" the battle.  Quite honestly it sets up what should be battle lines today (once we get our financial house in shape...if we get it in shape) between the LCAC and an upgraded LCU or even a return to a supersize LARC.

Ship to shore logistics isn't fancy but it is important.  Mobile Landing Platforms won't solve the problem.  Only viable connectors will. 

China develops its version of ATACMS or a short legged Pershing.

via the Free Beacon.

The Chinese military has deployed a new advanced short-range missile known as the DF-12 that was revealed for the first time in photos posted on the Internet this week.
Disclosure of the missile follows publication of an Air Force National Space and Missile Intelligence Center (NASIC) report describing China as having the most aggressive ballistic missile development program in the world.
“China has the most active and diverse ballistic missile development program in the world,” the report said, highlighting 13 variants of short-range ballistic missiles, including five new short-range missiles systems.
Beijing currently has deployed between 1,000 and 1,200 missiles opposite Taiwan, the island nation set up after China’s civil war that Beijing has vowed to use force to reunite with the mainland.
The DF-12 missile was disclosed in a post on a Chinese website Tuesday.

Read the entire article but you can add this as another log to toss on the fire of China's learning how to develop truly long ranged missiles.

The DF-12 itself doesn't excite.  Quite honestly I view it as an ATACMS or short legged Pershing.  Its not about where they are today.  Its where will they be in five years.  So we now have Stealth fighters using stolen F-35 tech (and the Program Manager isn't positive that the leaking has stopped), an aggressive ship building program, massive modernization of their conventional Army and Marine Corps, a unification of their Maritime Security Forces, a population that is being stoked with nationalist thinking and some very aggressive moves against almost every country in the region.

Yeah.

While they're doing that, we're planning on huge cuts in our own defense spending---while every other nation in the Pacific is increasing.

No one has fired a shot, yet right now it looks like China is winning.