January 27, 2021 | International, Land

Newest Bradley fielding delayed as Army works to fix battery problem

WASHINGTON — The Army is testing a solution to address overheating and toxic gas production in the newest version of the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle's turret battery, but its release has been delayed by almost a year, the service's program office told Defense News.

The problem was discovered during the Army Test and Evaluation Command-run Full Operational Test and Evaluation at Fort Hood, Texas, where the Bradley A4 batteries were hooked directly into test equipment placing additional strain on them. The Bradley A4 design features a new charger but not new batteries. The new charger did not come with a voltage regulator, which caused the older batteries to overheat and produce the toxic gas during testing.

The command suspended the maneuver portion of the test due to safety concerns related to the batteries overheating in all six test articles, according to a report recently released from the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation.

“All six test article turret batteries overheated and discharged toxic fumes into the turret and crew compartment,” the report states. “This is a safety hazard to soldiers. The program manager was present during test and observed the turret battery issue. He supported the recommendation to suspend the remaining maneuver missions.”

According to the program office, the service is partnered with several vendors that developed Bradley A4 — BAE Systems is the prime contractor — to design and test a solution after determining the problem during the testing process.

The program office now expects to receive a materiel release by January 2022 with field maintenance new equipment training and operator new equipment training beginning at the same time. The original materiel release decision was expected in third quarter of fiscal 2021, the DOT&E report stated.

The first Armored Brigade Combat Team is scheduled to get its new Bradley A4s in September 2022, the Bradley program office said.

The Bradley A4 is an engineering change proposal program that brings in new suspension and track upgrades and upgrades the electrical system and power train to restore lost mobility and integrate new technologies.

The current Bradley, for example, struggled to take on the power needed to run an active protection system. The Bradley won't receive an APS system until A4 is up and running.

The Army reduced its Bradley modifications further in its FY21 budget request after cutting future upgrades beyond its A4 variant in FY20. The service is working to replace the Bradley down the road with an Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program. But the Bradley and its fire support vehicle will remain in ABCT formations until the 2050s.

The FY21 appropriations bill slashed the Bradley program by $161 million due to production delays.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/01/25/newest-bradley-fielding-delayed-as-army-works-to-fix-battery-problem/

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November 13, 2020 | International, Aerospace

South Korea’s KAI looks to enter military transport market
By: Brian Kim SEOUL — Korea Aerospace Industries is considering adding military transport planes to its product line with the goal of partnering with foreign aircraft manufacturers, Defense News has learned. This would be an “unexplored business field” for the South Korean company, according to a source with KAI, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “For KAI, the transport aircraft market is an unexplored field, which has high potential for localization,” the source said. “The technology intensity of transport aircraft is lower than that of fighter jets, while the market of maintenance, repair and overhaul of transport planes remains profitable.” Founded in 1999, KAI has developed a successful portfolio of indigenous aerospace products including trainer jets, helicopters, fighter aircraft and satellites. The development of an indigenous fighter aircraft, codenamed KF-X, is underway with a goal of unveiling a prototype in the first half of 2021. KAI's internal analysis of the domestic transport aircraft market suggested about 100 transport aircraft would be in demand over the next three decades given the life span of aircraft flown by the military, the source told Defense News. In addition, the company believes there will be a chance to sell about 100 airlift planes overseas, the source explained. “To keep up with the demand for addressing increasing nonmilitary threats, such as national disaster, infectious disease and humanitarian aid, the needs for military transport airplanes are likely to grow,” the source added. The South Korean military operates about 60 transport aircraft built by foreign firms. The Air Force operates C-130s and CN-235s, mainly for airlift operations, while the Navy has P-3Cs and P-8As for maritime patrol missions. The oldest planes among the P-3C fleet were adopted 25 years ago. In line with efforts to take back wartime control of its forces from the U.S. military, South Korean military authorities want to acquire more aerial assets for independent intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions. KAI expects it will be able to build its own transport aircraft in seven years with an investment of about $2.7 billion, according to the source. Following the development of a military version, the company envisages it could modify it into a commercial plane with a seat capacity of 100. To that end, KAI is eyeing international partnerships, the source said, specifically European company Airbus Defence and Space, Ukraine's Antonov, and Brazil's Embraer. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2020/11/12/south-koreas-kai-looks-to-enter-military-transport-market/
February 1, 2024 | International, Aerospace

RCAF student pilots receive mental performance coaching like pro athletes - Skies Mag
For RCAF pilot candidates managing the stresses of an intense training program, coaching what’s between the ears is important.
September 21, 2023 | International, Aerospace

KC-135 tanker autopilot now safer to use in flight, Air Force says
A new restriction bars airmen from turning on the autopilot when flying at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet at night, or when flying in bad weather.

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Newest Bradley fielding delayed as Army works to fix battery problem

On the same subject

RCAF student pilots receive mental performance coaching like pro athletes - Skies Mag For RCAF pilot candidates managing the stresses of an intense training program, coaching what’s between the ears is important.

KC-135 tanker autopilot now safer to use in flight, Air Force says A new restriction bars airmen from turning on the autopilot when flying at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet at night, or when flying in bad weather.

RCAF student pilots receive mental performance coaching like pro athletes - Skies Mag
For RCAF pilot candidates managing the stresses of an intense training program, coaching what’s between the ears is important.

KC-135 tanker autopilot now safer to use in flight, Air Force says
A new restriction bars airmen from turning on the autopilot when flying at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet at night, or when flying in bad weather.