February 8, 2023 | International, C4ISR
Maxar wins contract to provide satellite imagery to US allies
The five-year contract is worth up to $192 million and will provide high-resolution electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar imagery.
September 5, 2018 | International, Aerospace
Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Boeing compete for laser-armed drone
By Stephen Carlson
Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin, General Atomics and Boeing have received contract modifications for drone-mounted Low Power Laser Demonstrator system missile defense testing.
Lockheed Martin's contract has increased to a total value of $37.7 million, while General Atomics and Boeing's have been increased to $34 million and $29.4 million respectively, the Department of Defense announced on Friday.
Work for all three companies will take place in various locations across the United States. The contract modifications come from the Missile Defense Agency and can extend as far as July 2019.
Specifications listed include a flight altitude of at least 63,000 feet, the endurance to stay on station for at least 36 hours after a transit of 1,900 miles, and a cruising speed of up to Mach .46 while patrolling its station.
The aircraft needs to be able to carry a payload between 5,000 and 12,500 pounds and sufficient power generation to operate a 140 kilowatt laser, with the possibility of up to 280 kw or more.
The system must also be able to operate the laser for at least 30 minutes without affecting flight performance, and be capable of carrying a one- to two-meter optical system for the laser.
The Missile Defense Agency is responsible for the defense of U.S. territory and its allies from ballistic missile threats. It coordinates a network of land-based and ship-based missile interceptors, along with radars and satellites to detect and destroy enemy ballistic missiles.
ICBMs are at their most vulnerable during their boost phase. A UAV capable of targeting them before they exit the atmosphere would greatly increase the possibility of intercept, the Pentagon said.
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July 8, 2019 | International, Other Defence
Keesler rolls out new anti-smoke goggles inspired by firefighters’ masks
By: Diana Stancy Correll Next month, an aircrew at Keesler Air Force Base is employing new anti-smoke goggles that resemble those used by firefighters. The goggles, intended for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, have three main components rather than four so that the aircrew can gear up faster. Unlike the older equipment that was used for more than 20 years, the new goggles and the accompanying oxygen mask are designed so they are put on simultaneously. “The ones that we are replacing have the same basic frame, but the goggles and the oxygen mask are two separate pieces,” Tech. Sgt. Ronald Patton, 403rd Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment craftsman, said in a news release Thursday about the older version. “Before, you would need to put the oxygen mask over your mouth and nose, then pull the frame up and place the nape pad at the back of your head. Once that was in place you would put the goggles on and pull the straps on both sides to tighten them.” The new masks were bear similarities to the masks utilized by firefighters and provide a greater field of view, according to Master Sgt. Ray Reynold, 403rd OSS aircrew flight equipment supervisor. Although there were no issues with the older goggles, Patton said that the new ones will enhance the aircrew's performance. “It is not that the old ASGs were replaced because they were faulty, they worked exactly as they were designed to," he said. “It seems like they just needed to improve on the integrity of the system itself.” Designers, said Patton, considered several questions before coming up with the new goggles. Will it operate better under stressful situations? Will it be easier to repair if it does break? Does it have as many subcomponents that can break? Does the aircrew member find it easier to don, and can the aircrew operate better in the environment? The aircrew will start using the new goggles in the middle of August once the inspection cycles conclude. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/07/05/keesler-rolls-out-new-anti-smoke-goggles-inspired-by-firefighters-masks/
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October 11, 2023 | International, Land, Security
Germany to send Ukraine $1B in air defense tech, plus more tanks
The additional Leopard 1 tanks and Gepard guns, 15 armored transport vehicles, and 20 armored ambulances will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks.