Airborne Triton drone key to Navy’s signal goals, Clapperton says

On the same subject

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  November 1, 2019 | International, Land

  Here’s the robotic vehicle that will carry equipment for US troops

  By: Jen Judson WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has selected General Dynamics Land Systems' Multi-Utility Tactical Transport, or MUTT, for its Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport unmanned ground system program of record. The initial contract for the eight-wheel drive robotic vehicle totals $162.4 million and includes support hardware, user training and technical support. The contract will wrap up at the end of October 2024, according to an Oct. 30 Defense Department announcement. GDLS will produce 624 systems for the Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport, or SMET, program under the contract and will begin delivery in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, an Army spokesperson confirmed to Defense News. Four companies were chosen at the end of 2017 to compete to build the robotic vehicle that will help troops carry equipment on the battlefield. A team of Applied Research Associates and Polaris Defense; General Dynamics Land Systems; HDT Expeditionary Systems and Howe & Howe were selected to build 20 platforms each that were issued to two infantry brigade combat teams for testing and analysis of utility in the field. Polaris' MRZR X was evaluated as well as HDT's six-wheel drive Global Hunter WOLF, or Wheeled Offload Logistics Follower. Textron-owned Howe & Howe offered its Grizzly unmanned vehicle, which is powered by an electric engine. HDT's Global Hunter WOLF was recently picked, along with three other teams to include Textron and QinetiQ North America, to compete to build vehicles for the Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light effort. The Army selected those teams from an array of companies chosen to participate in a demonstration event in the fall of 2017 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Other companies that participated in that demonstration included American Robot Company; Lockheed Martin; AM General; Robo-Team NA; and QinetiQ North America. For the SMET program, the Army was looking for a vehicle that can carry about 1,000 pounds worth of soldier equipment. This equates to lightening the load of nine soldiers across an infantry squad. The Army wanted the robots to be able to travel 60 miles over three days and to be able to provide a spare kilowatt hour of power while moving and at least 3 kilowatt hours while stationary. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2019/10/31/heres-the-robotic-vehicle-that-will-carry-equipment-for-us-troops/

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  July 30, 2019 | International, Naval

  Sailor 360 Prepares Future Leaders of Ford

  By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Elliott, USS Gerald R. Ford Public Affairs NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) develop and implement their leadership skills during Sailor 360 training sessions, physical training and community relations projects, designed to strengthen and enrich its enlisted leaders. Sailor 360 was created to provide the tools to develop Sailors into effective leaders. Ford's version of Sailor 360 is the program expanding to include more ranks in a continued effort in developing the backbone of the Navy. “Sailor 360 is a program to help guide future leaders,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Eric Soto, from San Antonio. “Its goal is to engage Sailors and prepare us to take on future leadership roles.” Ford's Sailor 360 co-lead, Chief Hospital Corpsman Marlene Koza, from Norfolk, agrees it is never too early to train and mentor the Navy's future deckplate leaders. “Mentoring Sailors earlier gives them skills to lead Sailors of their divisions competently,” said Koza. “An effective leader makes sure all of the information is broken down and understood by their team, in other words helping them see the bigger picture, before leading the team towards a goal.” Sailor 360 is team-building based, involving the development and sharing of ideas, community outreach, and training among shipmates. The program requires a large commitment and Soto says the payoff is greater, and molds them into better leaders. “[As opposed to previous programs], Sailor 360 is going to create a better, well-rounded leader of tomorrow,” said Soto. “It's going to bring the same leadership skills, but is going to fill in the gaps previous programs may have missed.” During the trainings and events, Sailors can count on being involved and engaged. “Attendees can expect to have a family environment, and be held accountable to share ideas,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Richard Mabe, from Matthews, Virginia. “Be ready to interact and come together for the common goal.” As first class petty officers train to improve their leadership skills, Koza added that it's important to keep in mind the continual group progress towards individual leadership goals. “I conduct interviews for the leadership positions within Sailor 360 to find the best Sailors that will embrace that role and have a positive effect for the program and command,” said Koza." Sailors hold their commitment to the program and developing themselves for many reasons, but a few reasons continually rise above the rest. “I'm committed to becoming a better Sailor and leader for Sailors to look up to,” said Soto. “With the help of our mentors and shipmates this program is helping everyone maintain a constant attitude of building each other up.” Future plans to implement the program to all ranks are in the works. “For the time being, first class petty officers are encouraged to join, but in the near future the program will open to include second class petty officers,” said Koza. Sailor 360 helps all Sailors in their professional and personal lives. Forming a stronger Navy and developing Sailors into better people and leaders. Gerald R. Ford is a first-in-class aircraft carrier and the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years. Ford is currently undergoing its post-shakedown availability at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding. https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=110387&utm_source=phplist3055&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HTML&utm_campaign=Feature+Stories

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  March 27, 2024 | International, Aerospace

  Macron and Lula launch submarine built in Brazil with French tech