24 septembre 2018 | International, Aérospatial, C4ISR
By: Charlsy Panzino
In a great power conflict, mobility aircraft will be essential to deliver fuel and supplies to the warfighters. But increasing concern over anti-access/area denial threats from potential foes, and the fact that big bodied mobility aircraft present inviting, in fact, critical targets has the attention and concern of Air Force leadership.
The new head of Air Mobility Command is focusing on four key areas to improve the survivability of mobility aircraft and gain persistence over the battlefield.
Gen. Maryanne Miller, who took the controls Sept. 7 when Gen. Carlton Everhart retired, told reporters at the Air Force Association's annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference that the Illinois-based command is looking at four categories of survivability improvements:
“Looking at each one of these categories will help advance the survivability for our platforms in the threat environment,” Miller said Tuesday.
Miller is carrying forward work that was done under her predecessor. Early this year, AMC completed an assessment about how to improve the survivability of aircraft in contested environments. The “High Value Airborne Asset” study recommended improvements to communications, situational awareness and self-protection systems.
There are many different technologies to consider and develop for self-protection. including light armor, signature management tech and high-energy lasers. Former AMC commander Gen. Carlton Everhart often talked about his desire to put lasers on mobility aircraft, beginning with the KC-135, and the command has also been working to improve secure communications, notably on the C-17.
The service needs integrated situational awareness capabilities that provide all aspects of pertinent battlefield information.
New sensors will help the command better understand everything that's happening within the battlefield. As Air Mobility Command looks at how best to build that situational awareness, it could mean building sensors onto the aircraft or new air frames to meet those requirements.
“Given the threat environment, it's probably a little bit of both,” Miller said.
With signature management, or detection avoidance, Miller said AMC is looking at new air frames that will have common cockpits, advanced propulsion systems, payload, offload, range, speed and fuel efficiency.
Miller said the command is figuring out if modifications can be made on current air frames or if new ones need to be built.
“We're really trying to take advantage of signature management properties associated with each air frame itself,” she said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Transportation Command and the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation organization within the Office of the Secretary of Defense have been assessing the number of tanker aircraft, airlift aircraft and sealift ships needed to meet future combatant commander requirements.
The study, known as the Mobility Capabilities and Requirements Study, is expected to be completed this fall.
“America's air refueling fleet is the most stressed of our air mobility forces," Gen. Darren McDew, commander of USTRANSCOM, told the House Armed Services Committee earlier this year. “The combination of an aging fleet, increasing demand, and global tanker distribution puts a significant strain on this scarce national resource.”
“Our ability to deploy decisive force is foundational to the National Defense Strategy. The size and lethality of the force is of little consequence if we can't get it where it needs to go when we want it there,” said McDew.
The rate of change in technology requires quick innovation to overcome threats, Miller said.
The force needs aircraft that are “able to survive, integrate and operate in DoD forces in current and future threat environments.”
Miller said the key is understanding the threats of the future and modifying or building a plane that allows the Air Force to operate through that threat environment.
10 août 2022 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense
The Pentagon and Silicon Valley need to team up. Ignoring the role of institutional venture capital in identifying, supporting, and scaling the most promising commercial technology firms is at best inefficient and at worst it is grossly irresponsible.
5 août 2019 | International, Aérospatial, C4ISR
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acorn Growth Companies, a private equity firm investing exclusively in aerospace, defense and intelligence, announced today the investment and controlling interest in Robbins-Gioia, a market leader in providing unique systems modernization and enterprise solutions focused on enhancing capabilities and improving performance and readiness for the federal government and industry. “Our investment in Robbins-Gioia represents our ongoing commitment in supporting the nation's requirements to modernize, streamline and secure its information technology architecture,” said Rick Nagel, managing partner of Acorn Growth Companies. “Robbins-Gioia's expertise in complex, enterprise-wide systems modernization, as well as the deeply embedded nature of its proprietary software products in critical military MRO systems have positioned the company for strong future growth. As the federal government continues to focus on systems modernization and warfighter readiness, we expect Robbins-Gioia will continue to deliver thought leadership and innovative solutions in support of these missions.” Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, Robbins-Gioia was the first firm to specialize in systems modernization solutions for the federal government and industry – transforming how they deliver and maintain readiness. The firm has evolved to be globally recognized for delivering purpose-built solutions to diverse challenges in business and government that modernize, secure and make its information technology architecture more efficient and effective through managed services, management consulting and innovative software tools, including The Jaguar Family of Advanced Scheduling Tools (JFAST™). JFAST is Robbins-Gioia 's premier suite of software tools for planning, analysis and management of complex, mission-critical activities for defense organizations. Robbins-Gioia enables the readiness of some of the nation's most critical military assets – keeping aircraft flying and ships sailing, using its JFAST scheduling systems. “We're excited to be partnered with Acorn Growth Companies,” said Brad King, CEO of Robbins-Gioia. “Acorn has a strong track record of success investing in and enabling the growth of companies within aerospace, defense and intelligence. With its tremendous network and planned investments in our people, processes and products, we see this partnership with Acorn as a key driver in the achievement of our vision to be the leader in delivering modernization and transformation for the federal government and similarly complex enterprises.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Robbins-Gioia Founded in 1980, Robbins-Gioia was the first firm specializing in program management services for the federal government. Today, they are the market leader in providing unique systems modernization and enterprise solutions focused on enhancing capabilities and improving performance and readiness for the federal government and industry. They deliver purpose-built solutions to diverse challenges in business and government through managed services, management consulting and software tools including JFAST™, RG's premier suite of software tools for planning, analysis, and management of complex, mission-critical activities for defense organizations. www.teamrg.com Acorn Growth Companies is a middle market private equity firm focused exclusively on Aerospace, Defense and Intelligence. Acorn invests solely in operating companies that strive to enhance global mobility and protect national interests. Acorn has a formidable reputation in the industry and is recognized for its deep understanding of the aerospace & defense markets, with proprietary access to the best companies within these sectors. With operational expertise and its ability to lead and manage investments through variable economic and industry cycles, Acorn works in tandem with management to build its portfolio companies into significant market leaders. AcornGrowthCompanies.com https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190805005409/en
20 décembre 2023 | International, Naval
Seabed warfare has become a hot topic for European nations ever since last year’s attack on the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea.