April 8, 2024 | International, Security
The Drop in Ransomware Attacks in 2024 and What it Means
Q1 2024 had 22% less ransomware attacks than Q4 2023. Why is that and is it a trend that will continue?
June 16, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Lockheed, U.S. Military Establish F-35 Public-Private Partnership
Fleet Readiness Center East is now certified to repair and test 14 F-35 components as part of a new public-private partnership with Lockheed Martin.
FRCE is the lead site for depot-level maintenance on the F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing variant. Since 2013, the depot has conducted modification and repair for all three F-35 variants. FRCE provides engineering and logistics support for naval aviation, the other services, federal agencies and foreign governments.
“This is a new workload coming in for Fleet Readiness Center East,” Steve Gurley, F-35 capability establishment at FRCE, said in a June 15 statement. “We inducted our first F-35 valve in February, into our valves and regulators shop. That valve is the first of 14 components that we've declared capability on.”
Components of FRCE will work on span from valves, to ejection seats, to a turbomachine that provides power to start the jet's engine. The depot has declared capability in repairing and testing 14 components and anticipates that list growing to more than 105 components for the F-35. This new work positions FRCE to have a scheduled workload through 2024, Gurley said.
Each new component declaration requires an in-depth analysis of current workload, future workload, facilities and required skill sets.
“Our team consists of logisticians, industrial engineering technicians, engineers, facilities, program managers and the business office,” Gurley said.
When FRCE establishes a new capability, the goal is to begin operation at full capacity and work through any unexpected obstacles.
“We don't want to induct a component for repair and then have it go right into a delay status for material, or something that we have control over,” Gurley said.
The plan is for FRCE to go from 14 F-35 components to 57 through November 2021. Some of the components are on the fleet's top degrader list, meaning when FRCE can repair and test those components it should help support F-35 readiness rates.
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August 16, 2019 | International, Aerospace
Bell 407GXi earns instrument flight rules certification
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an instrument flight rules (IFR) supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Bell 407GXi. The certification is a requirement for the Navy Advanced Helicopter Training System competition, enabling the Bell 407GXi to replace the Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger as the U.S. Navy's training helicopter. Bell's replacement bid offers a unique combination of capability, ease of transition, and low sustainment costs, giving the best value to the Navy. Should the Bell 407GXi be selected for the U.S. Navy Advanced Helicopter Trainer program, the company plans to conduct final assembly of the aircraft in Ozark, Ala. “The team did a great job ensuring the Bell 407GXi achieved the FAA's IFR certification necessary to meet all of the Navy's requirements,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO. “Bell is an instrumental part of the Navy's training program and has been for more than 50 years, and we look forward to continuing the tradition for the next generation of naval aviators.” A Bell to Bell transition offers low-risk to the Navy by streamlining instructor pilot and maintainer transition training as well as using common support equipment and infrastructure. The 407 airframe has already proven capabilities as the platform for the MQ-8C Fire Scout for the U.S. Navy. Bell's customer service and support has established capability with cost-efficient and effective helicopter training solutions. Bell proves its mature production and sustainment support capability every day by supporting more than 1,600 Bell 407s globally. These aircraft have nearly 6 million flight hours across the fleet and are actively performing flight training as well as military and para-public missions helicopter mission-set. The 407GXi's Garmin G1000H NXi Flight Deck enhances situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by delivering easy-to-read information at a glance. The Bell 407GXi's new IFR capability will allow all-weather operations while continuing to provide multi-mission capability safely, reliably, and effectively. The Bell 407GXi offers the lowest direct operating costs of any IFR-capable helicopter produced today. Combined with its proven performance, reliability, and ease of transition, the Bell 407GXi is the best value aircraft for U.S. Navy helicopter training. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/bell-407gxi-earns-instrument-flight-rules-certification/
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July 25, 2024 | International, Land
Pentagon warns of potential Russian action in the Arctic — including jamming GPS satellites | CBC News
The Pentagon has released an updated Arctic strategy that warns of low-level Russian 'destabilizing' activities in the Far North aimed at the United States, Canada and its allies.