US Navy more certain of role for medium surface drones following tests

On the same subject

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  April 3, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  RCAF is seeking to re-enroll former members

  Are you a former member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, or do you know someone who is? The RCAF is actively seeking to re-enroll former members who can make an immediate contribution to Canada's air and space capabilities based on their previous training and experience. The fresh knowledge and perspectives gained from subsequent non-military employment can greatly enhance air operations. Furthermore, re-enrollees are invaluable in the training and mentoring of the next generation of RCAF aviators. While maintaining and modernizing existing capabilities, the RCAF is also expanding into new roles, including remotely piloted aircraft and the domain of space operations. The skills, leadership, maturity and experience of those with previous RCAF service can make a significant contribution to these operations. The RCAF has a specific team that is dedicated to facilitating the re-enrollment of former members. The Air Force Intake and Liaison Team (AFILT), based in Ottawa, works closely with Canadian Forces Recruiting Group and Career Managers to streamline the re-entry process. In addition, they can provide individualized support and guidance to each re-enrollee's file, ensuring that the process is as smooth and timely as possible. There are many reasons why former members may consider rejoining the RCAF team as a regular or reserve member. You may consider: job security and stability; better pay and benefits; a team-oriented working environment; making a meaningful contribution to Canada and the world; improved individual and family support programs; the excitement of operations and working with leading-edge aerospace equipment; the lifetime security of an increased pension; the flexibility of full or part-time work. You may recognize some of these reasons, or have reasons of your own. If rejoining the RCAF team — whether with the regular or the reserve force — appeals to you or someone you know, check out the RCAF re-enrollment website or contact the Air Force Intake and Liaison Team directly at: AFILT-EALFA@forces.gc.ca. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/rcaf-is-seeking-to-re-enroll-former-members

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  July 16, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  House defense spending bill would give the MQ-9 Reaper drone a second life

  By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON —The House Appropriations Committee is aiming to resuscitate the MQ-9 Reaper program, which the Air Force wants to curtail in fiscal 2021. The committee's version of the FY21 spending bill, which its defense subcommittee will deliberate Wednesday in a closed hearing, would allocate $344 million for 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones. The language is a good sign for the aircraft's manufacturer, General Atomics, which stood to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in sales if the Air Force stopped buying the aircraft. The service in FY20 had planned to buy nine MQ-9s in FY21, 17 in FY22, two in FY23 and three in FY24, but zeroed out all plans to buy additional Reaper drones as part of its FY21 budget request. However, the Reaper isn't home free just yet. The Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to unveil its own version of the legislation, leaving it unclear whether the Senate will concur with the House committee's spending bill. The MQ-9 wasn't the only aircraft program to get a boost from House appropriators. The committee added 12 more F-35s to the budget, for a total of 91 jets and $9.3 billion. The lawmakers are also planning to authorize $965 million for 11 C-130J aircraft — an increase of two planes — and they boosted the number of V-22 Ospreys tilt-rotor aircraft from nine to 11. The bill also beefs up the investment for the UH-60 Black Hawk with an additional $141 million, funding a total of 42 helicopters. The legislation funds three P-8A Poseidon submarine-hunting planes for the Navy Reserve force. Those aircraft were not originally included in the budget. The Navy would get an additional E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, for a total of five planes costing $791 million. The committee also approved $1 billion for nine CH-53K helicopters, two more than the request. Additionally, the legislation would allow U.S. Special Operations Command to begin its Armed Overwatch Program, but the bill summary did not state how much funding would be allotted in FY21. The House committee fully funded most other major military aircraft programs, including money for 50 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, five CH-47 Chinook Block II cargo helicopters and long-lead funding for additional Chinooks for the Army. The Air Force would get 12 F-15EX fighters, 15 KC-46 tankers and 19 HH-60W combat rescue helicopters. Meanwhile, the Navy's request of 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets was also fully funded by the committee. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/07/08/house-defense-spending-bill-would-give-the-mq-9-reaper-drone-a-second-life

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  February 15, 2024 | International, Land

  Kratos Wins $579M Single Award IDIQ for Space Force SATCOM C2 System

  The CCS-C program develops the C2 system for most U.S. MILSATCOM systems including the Defense Satellite Communications System, Milstar, Wideband Global SATCOM and Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites.