15 mars 2021 | International, Aérospatial
Thanks to a series of initiatives to reduce a pilot shortage and retain experience on its frontline squadrons, the RCAF has cut its shortage of pilots from 203 at the end of 2019, to 145 as of December 2020.
https://skiesmag.com/news/new-programs-cut-air-force-pilot-shortage/
13 février 2024 | International, Aérospatial
A sweeping set of proposals could comprise one of the Department of the Air Force's most significant reorganizations since the end of the Cold War.
30 octobre 2019 | International, Naval
Owego, N.Y., October 28, 2019 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) was awarded a second Multi-Year contract for AN/ALQ-217 Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems for the U.S. Navy's E-2D aircraft program. The five-year $50.9M Multi-Year contract includes the remainder of the 75 E-2D aircraft the US Navy is expected to purchase as part of their current program of record. “We're excited to have the opportunity to continue producing AN/ALQ-217 ESM systems for the U.S. Navy's use on its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft,” Joe Ottaviano, Business Development director, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Sytems said. “In today's environment, our adversaries are developing advanced technologies to disrupt our defenses and we must remain vigilant and stay one step ahead. Having the ability to detect what's in the electromagnetic spectrum first is crucial to the overall aircraft's survivability and the safety of our warfighters.” The AN/ALQ-217 ESM system, currently installed on U.S. Navy and international E-2C and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft, provides a full range of ESM operational capabilities. The AN/ALQ-217 ESM system is capable of detecting, intercepting and geolocating RF signals, identifying weapon systems including the type, function and mode of intercepted emitters, while improving situational awareness. The ESM system has three RF operating range bands: low, mid and high; allowing a full 360-degree acquisition coverage in each band, providing a powerful performance. The majority of work will be performed in Owego, New York with deliveries spanning from 2021 through 2024. Lockheed Martin has been the AN/ALQ-217 ESM supplier on the E-2C and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program since 1999. Lockheed Martin has provided more than 7,800 electronic warfare (EW) systems for more than 50 years to the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. EW systems provide electronic attack, electronic protection and electronic support to disrupt adversaries and protect warfighters. Airborne EW systems include the AN/ALQ-210 for U.S. Navy and international MH-60R, AN/ALQ-217 for the U.S. Navy's E-2C/D aircraft, and the APR-52 digital Radar Warning Receiver for U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopters. Additional airborne platforms include the AH-64D/E Apache Helicopter, B-2 Bomber, Canadian Maritime Helicopter and the CP-140. Naval EW systems include SEWIP Block 2 for aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers, and BLQ-10 and Multi-function Modular Mast (MMM) for Virginia- and Seawolf-class submarines. For additional information, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com/ew About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. View source version on Lockheed Martin: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/lockheed-martin-receives-second-e2d-multi-year-contract-provide-electronic-warfare-systems-us-navy
21 février 2020 | International, C4ISR, Sécurité
Budget has $9.8 billion for cyber security and cyber warfare; $3.2 billion for hypersonics; and $800 million for artificial intelligence (AI) research. THE MIL & AERO COMMENTARY – The 2021 U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) budget proposal is out, and it looks like several years of consistent growth driven by the Trump Administration may be leveling off. A closer look, however, may indicate a pivot to new leading-edge technologies and away from legacy systems. DOD leaders in their fiscal 2021 budget request to Congress, which was released last month, are asking for $705.4 billion, which is down about 1 percent from this year's level of $712.6 billion. Before you conclude that the Pentagon budget has turned flat, however, take a look at where the money's going. First, the bad news: procurement. This is where big-ticket items like aircraft, combat vehicles, and ships get funding. The DOD's procurement budget request for 2021 is $136.9 billion, down nearly 7 percent from this year's level of $147.1 billion. Contained in the DOD budget for procurement, moreover, are aggressive cuts to legacy weapons systems. The U.S. Air Force, for example, will retire 24 RQ-4 Block 20 and Block 30 Global Hawk Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Block 30 multi-intelligence aircraft UAVs next year. Related: Army researchers eye fuel cells to provide power for infantry wearable electronics on the leading edge The U.S. Navy, meanwhile, will retire four Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers. The U.S. Army plans to eliminate 13 programs involving munitions, fires, protection, sustainment, mobility, mission command, and cyber programs that no longer are priorities. Additional cuts are expected. Next year the Navy plans no additional purchases of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft; the MQ-4 Triton long-range maritime patrol UAV; or the MQ-25 Stingray UAV. The counterweight to these procurement cuts, however, is in the DOD's budget for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). As procurement spending is going down, the research budget is headed in the other direction. The Pentagon is asking for $106.6 billion, which is up about 1 percent from this year's research budget of $106.6 billion. Revealing is money is going. The DOD next year plans to spend $9.8 billion for cyber security and cyber warfare -- up 81 percent from $5.4 billion this year; $3.2 billion for hypersonics; $1.5 billion for military microelectronics and 5G networking; and $800 million for artificial intelligence (AI) research. Related: The new era of high-power electromagnetic weapons The Pentagon hypersonics budget will pay for research and development initiatives to develop the Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon; Navy Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS); and Air Force Advanced Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). Research money also would include $1.1 billion for the Navy's next-generation frigate; $4.4 billion for the future Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine; and $464 million for two Large Unmanned Surface Vessels. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is asking for $3.6 billion in 2021, a 3 percent increase from the $3.5 billion the agency received this year. DARPA has asked for $322.7 million for electronics research in 2021 -- a 1.7 increase from the 317.2 million the agency received this year. For sensors research, DARPA is asking for $200.2 million in 2021 -- a 26 percent increase over the $158.9 million the agency received this year. Related: Military researchers host industry day briefings for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning So, in short, it sounds like out with the old, and in with the new at the Pentagon. Four Navy cruisers that are at least 30 years ago are heading for retirement. Large, slow, and vulnerable Global Hawk UAVs are to be taken out of service, and Army programs no longer relevant amid today's global threats will be taken off the board. At the same time, enabling technologies considered crucial for today's military needs are on the upswing: hypersonic munitions and aircraft, cyber security and cyber warfare, 5G networking, and artificial intelligence. Perhaps the DOD has been due for a house cleaning like this for a while. Getting rid of obsolescent weapons systems makes sense because they're past the point of diminishing returns. Pumping more money into technologies for tomorrow's battlefield makes sense, too. These kinds of realignments are painful, yet essential. https://www.militaryaerospace.com/defense-executive/article/14168362/dod-budget-leadingedge-technologies-research