September 21, 2023 | International, Aerospace
Argentina eyes surplus CH-46 helicopters as Mi-17 replacement
Argentina was unable to perform maintenance on its Mi-17s because of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
November 1, 2019 | International, Aerospace
Air Force Hires Startup To Build Up MDO’s Unified Data Library
By THERESA HITCHENS
WASHINGTON: The Air Force is expanding a key data tool, the cloud-based Unified Data Library (UDL), that may underpin the service's ambitious Multi-Domain Operations push.
Air Force leaders (including acquisition chief Will Roper) believe the UDL will be able to mesh data from all types of sensors to provide space situational awareness (SSA) and command and control (C2) for most Air Force missions.
The small $37 million contract, awarded Tuesday to Bluestaq LLC, will “expand the Advanced Command and Control Enterprise Systems and Software (ACCESS) project for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Data Program Management Office and the Directorate of Special Programs, Space Situational Awareness Division.” ACCESS will feed the UDL, integrating data “from a wide range of sources spanning commercial, foreign, Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC),” according to a company press release.
The contract, awarded under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, appears to fulfill exactly what Roper and other Air Force acquisition officials are pressing for: drawing in small and innovative companies that can move fast to help the service get inside the speed of Moore's Law instead of taking years or decades to develop new software systems.
“We can't specify all specific data sets over the next three years because prioritization is dynamic, but the goal is to eventually integrate all of AFSPC data there along with other sources such as commercial space (already there but more coming), multi-domain data from such as air, land, sea, data from other agencies, and even academia,” an Air Force Space Command spokesperson told Breaking D yesterday.
The spokesperson noted that the expansion will support Space Command's National Space Defense Center, designed to run future combat operations in space and to integrate Intelligence Community data with that of the military. It also will support the Combine Space Operations Center (CSPOC), that shares space domain awareness information with allies, the spokesperson said, as well as administrative functions.
UDL is the brain child of Maj. Gen. Kim Crider, Air Force Space Command's (AFSPC) data integration guru. Crider is charged with developing AFSPC's classified Enterprise Data Strategy and Roadmap to underpin multi-domain command and control (MDC2) operations.
“The Unified Data Library consumes, processes, and distributes millions of unique data products daily originating from dozens of commercial, academic, and government organizations across the world to a diverse user base spanning 25 countries,” according to Bluestaq. “The Unified Data Library storefront provides a robust interactive online API to assist users or developers with education and discovery of available dashboards, data streams, services, structures, and formats. The Air Force plans to expand the Unified Data Library to allow different security classification user access levels and fuse data from all types of sensors to provide command and control for most Air Force missions.”
Indeed, AFSPC said in its email, “UDL data is available to any partner organization today, depending on clearance, authorization of the data provider, and classification of the data in question.”
The UDL also is being tested by the Commerce Department as it readies itself to take over the mission of providing space situational awareness (SSA) information to commercial and foreign satellite operators.
To get some idea of how different the culture is at this company note this comment by Andy Hofle, Bluestaq chief engineer and co-founder: “It has been exciting to see the growing community interest in the data management platform over the last 18 months, and our team has had a tremendous amount of fun playing a role in the development of the project.”
https://breakingdefense.com/2019/10/air-force-hires-startup-to-build-up-mdos-unified-data-library
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June 5, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
CEOs of Major Defense Companies Speak Out About Racism, Call for Unity
n many cases, their internal messages and social media posts went out days before military leaders issued their own calls for reflection. It's rare for defense CEOs to speak out about social or political issues, but many spent the early part of the week doing just that, sending internal messages to their employees and posting to social media about racism in America. In many cases, their messages went out days before military leaders issued their own calls for reflection on Tuesday and Wednesday. “The death of George Floyd was the result of a reprehensible act,” Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes said in a June 1 note to employees — a reference to the black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer last week. “Although authorities are taking action to ensure justice, the national response and global dialogue related to Mr. Floyd's death point to a serious issue ― and we must not look away. “We must take notice,” Hayes continued. “We have to respond clearly that racism, discrimination and hatred will not be tolerated. We must take this moment to embrace the fundamental values that unite us.” Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden wrote her own note to employees, a copy of which was obtained by Defense One: “I am deeply saddened and concerned about the acts of senseless violence against Black men and women in our society. I know many of you are struggling right now, and I want you to know that on behalf of our company and as an individual, I stand with you. Now is the time for unity.” Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, on the job just six months, wrote in a May 29 note to employees that the company has a zero-tolerance policy for people who discriminate. “There is no room in our company for them, and in fact in my short time as your CEO we have already terminated individuals for engaging in that behavior,” Calhoun wrote. In a LinkedIn post, Bill Brown, the CEO of L3 Harris Technologies, said: “Change is necessary – and we all need to be part of the solution.” Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson told employees that she “was shocked and deeply saddened watching the recent events surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd and the ensuing protests and unrest across the United States.” “The reaction of anger, shock, and frustration in communities across the nation has created a moment for each of us to assess how we engage, interact, respect and value each other as human beings,” Hewson said. https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/06/ceos-major-defense-companies-speak-out-about-racism-call-unity
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November 6, 2019 | International, Aerospace
Triumph and Embraer Collaborate to Demonstrate Advancements in Thermoplastic Structures
Berwyn, Pa., November 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Triumph Group (NYSE: TGI) and Embraer announced today a cooperative agreement to jointly develop and demonstrate the airworthiness of a thermoplastic primary structure in flight. Triumph Aerospace Structures has been developing a thermoplastic elevator assembled using induction welding. The primary detail parts for the elevator structure will be made of unidirectional carbon reinforced thermoplastic material, a first for the industry. "Triumph has made great progress in the innovation of thermoplastic structure joining," said Dave Dennison, Vice President of Engineering for Triumph Aerospace Structures. "We are excited to demonstrate the major leap in the technical maturity we have developed in large thermoplastic primary structures and induction welding." Embraer will integrate the thermoplastic elevator structure in an aircraft platform and perform in-flight tests to demonstrate the technology readiness. "Working with Triumph to achieve a certifiable component has been a rewarding experience. Thermoplastics manufacturing and integration can certainly add value to our products, said Richard S. Oliveira, PhD, Composites Specialist for the Chief Engineering Office, Embraer S.A. Triumph has made significant investment in thermoplastic technology, and an in-flight testing of the elevator will demonstrate the technology is ready to progress from the lab into production. About Embraer A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer celebrates its 50th anniversary with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. About Triumph Group Triumph Group, Inc., headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, components and structures. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators. More information about Triumph can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/triumph-and-embraer-collaborate-to-demonstrate-advancements-in-thermoplastic-structures-300950054.html SOURCE Triumph Group View source version on Triumph Group: http://ir.triumphgroup.com/file/Index?KeyFile=400806303