Sentinent Develops MTI, Change Detection Capability for Land Combat Vehicles http://defense-update.com/ The Desert Owl was tested on a Bushmaster armored vehicle under a DSTO sponsored demonstration.
Image intelligence (IMINT) is providing a growing part of the intelligence resources available for military forces. With the introduction of network enabled command and control systems, real-time IMINT is providing the foundation for the engagement of time-sensitive targets, in their ability to rapidly detect, identify and locate targets of opportunity, often obtained by air or ground based, persistent surveillance and observations. Such targets are most difficult to spot in asymmetrical warfare scenarios, as terror and guerrilla operatives activities often generate extremely low ‘signatures’, compared to high intensive military targets.
Therefore, such observations must rely on advanced signal processing capabilities, such as hyper-spectral signature analysis, change detection and efficient means to detect suspicious or specific movements in a target-rich environment. Until recently, such capabilities have relied mainly on radar-based movement detection, while video motion detection employed mainly on airborne or stationary applications.
NEW ORLEANS (April 17, 2012) Sailors peer out from a line-handling station aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as it arrives for The War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration in New Orleans. The event is part of a series of city visits by the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Operation Sail beginning in April 2012 and concluding in 2015. New Orleans is the first and the last city visit in the series. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class David P. Coleman/Released)
The guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) takes on heavy water as they prepare for a replenishment at sea. Mitscher is underway to participate in the upcoming Fleet Week events in New Orleans, La. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Sippel/Released)
ARABIAN SEA (April 16, 2012) Yeoman 2nd Class Franz Greve stands rear security during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71). Cape St. George is deployed as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher S. Johnson/Released)
ATLANTIC TEST RANGE (April 18, 2012) Cmdr. Eric Buus and Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matthew Taylor fly F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft CF-1 and CF-2 on a formation test flight in the Atlantic test range. The test flights included a formation takeoff and landing, and structural loads testing on CF-2. The F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. The F-35C is undergoing test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet. (U.S. Navy photos courtesy of Lockheed Martin/Released)
Cracks Could Jeopardize Navy Plans to deploy LCS to Singapore LCS 3 'Ft Worth' undergoing builder's sea trials, October 2010. Photo: Lockheed martin
The U.S. Navy’ plans to base four Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in Singapore. The lead ship of the LCS class, USS Freedom is expected to embark on a 10 month demonstration deployment to the area in 2013. The US Navy is hopeful that through this first deployment to the Southeast Asian Theater it will gain essential experience relevant for the development of concept of operations (CONOPS) for the new class of ships. Singapore officials specifically asked the Navy to deploy the LCS in the island state. The Navy now has two Freedom class vessels (video) and a single Independent class LCS. Ultimately, the Navy plans to build 55 LCSs, with construction split between the Lockheed Martin team and Austal. “LCSs will be an important part of a more agile future fleet,” Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said, noting the ships will allow for substantially more LCS forward presence than the frigates, Mine Counter-Measures ships, and coastal patrol craft they will replace.
The U.S. Navy Orders Longer Endurance Fire Scouts The MQ-8C will extend mission endurance and payload lift far above the current level provided by the Firescout MQ-8B.
The U.S. Navy has selected Northrop Grumman to produce the next-generation Fire Scout unmanned helicopter using the Bell 407 airframe. The new variant provides greater range, endurance and payload capacity to ship commander’s intelligence-gathering efforts.
The Naval Air Systems Command awarded the company an initial order worth $262 million to deliver eight Fire Scouts. The Navy plans to purchase a total of 28 aircraft under a rapid development meeting evolving requirements for naval support in the African Command theater.
The Fire Scout unmanned vehicle has played a significant role in multiple operations including three counter-piracy actions, a search-and-seizure operation, support of successful transits of the Strait of Hormuz; completion of a special operations proof of concept; and use as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset for Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya. In Afghanistan alone, Fire Scout has provided significant support to ground commanders by enhanced situational awareness to joint forces closely engaged against enemy combatants.
Arming the Fire Scout – U.S. to Arm the MQ-8B with APKWS Guided Rockets
Northrop Grumman Corporation has started work outfitting the U.S. Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) laser-guided 70mm rocket. Such an armed unmanned platform will provide naval platforms, specifically the Littoral Combat Ship an autonomous engagement capability highly suitable for littoral warfare.
This light weight precison guided weapon is in production for the Navy since 2010. Arming the FireScout with the guided rocket will enable the unmanned helicopter flying off Littoral Combat Ships to engage hostile targets independent of air support from carrier groups or shore based aircraft.
“By arming Fire Scout, the Navy will have a system that can locate and prosecute targets of interest,” said George Vardoulakis, Northrop Grumman’s vice president for tactical unmanned systems. “This capability shortens the kill chain and lessens the need to put our soldiers in harm’s way.”
Lockheed Martin has received a $79.4 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a new ‘Alternative Warhead’ (AW) for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) that incorporates a new explosive area effector replacing the cluster warheads currently used with the weapon. Under the 36 month Engineering and Manufacturing Development Program awarded by the Army the company will move the developmental system into a producible product and perform type qualification necessary for introducing the new warhead into service.
F-16s, MiGs engage in combat training over Bulgaria
4/25/2012 - GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR BASE, Bulgaria -- U.S. pilots from the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, have been given a rare opportunity to train and share experiences with Bulgarian air force MiG-21 and MiG-29 pilots during their deployment here in support of Thracian Star 2012.
Since the start of the training mission on April 18, Bulgarian and American pilots have been flying together and working toward the goal of the exercise: to strengthen partnerships, increase interoperability between NATO allies and maintain a standard of excellence.
Throughout the month-long bilateral training exercise, Aviano F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots will spend more than 60 hours per week flying close air support, basic fighter and air combat maneuvers, tactical intercepts, defensive counter air and large force missions with Bulgarian MiG-21 and MiG-29 pilots.
"We are performing the same mission sets we do at home station, but we are integrating the Bulgarian pilots into the training," said Capt. Bryan Faughn, 555th FS F-16 pilot. "It gives us an opportunity to see how another country's air force works. They are a professional air force just like we are and they take pride in what they do. We are gaining experience while working with an international partner - it's a unique opportunity."
To gain better insight into both the tactics of the pilots and the capabilities of the different aircraft, pilots have gone on ride-along flights in the other country's jets.
Okinawa: le Japon et les Etats-Unis annoncent le retrait de 9.000 Marines
Le Japon et les Etats-Unis ont annoncé le retrait de 9.000 Marines de l'île d'Okinawa (sud du Japon), où la présence militaire américaine est de moins en moins bien acceptée par la population.
"Environ 9.000 Marines, accompagnés de leur famille, vont être déplacés d'Okinawa vers une autre affectation en dehors du Japon", a indiqué un communiqué conjoint publié vendredi à Tokyo. Le redéploiement sera réparti entre les îles américaines de Guam et Hawaï, et l'Australie.
En revanche, aucune avancée n'est signalée sur la question controversée du déménagement de la base aérienne de Futenma vers une baie protégée de l'île, qui est rejeté par une large partie de la population locale.
Dans le communiqué, les deux gouvernements "reconfirment qu'il s'agit là de la seule solution viable qui ait été trouvée à ce jour", sans fixer de calendrier.
Le ministre japonais des Affaires étrangères, Koichiro Gemba, a déclaré que cet accord était nécessaire pour refléter une réalité régionale en pleine évolution, sur fond de montée en puissance de la Chine.
"Les changements dans l'environnement sécuritaire ne nous attendront pas. Le Japon et les Etats-Unis doivent assumer leurs responsabilités, jouer leur rôle et appliquer les plans rapidement", a-t-il dit aux journalistes. "Le problème (du déménagement de la base) a tout bloqué. Nous devons progresser partout où cela est possible."
L'accord intervient juste avant une visite la semaine prochaine à Washington du Premier ministre japonais, Yoshihiko Noda, qui s'entretiendra avec le président Barack Obama.
Il fait partie d'une stratégie globale de redéploiement du contingent américain en Asie, avec une intensification de la coopération militaire avec l'Australie, les Philippines et Singapour.
La forte présence militaire américaine sur l'île d'Okinawa, où est concentrée la moitié environ des 47.000 soldats stationnés dans l'archipel, est depuis longtemps une source de tensions entre les deux pays. En 2006, les Etats-Unis ont accepté de déplacer la base aérienne de Futenma située en pleine zone urbaine vers une baie protégée de l'île. Mais les opposants nippons à la présence militaire américaine, accusée d'être une source d'insécurité, réclament la fermeture définitive de la base.
Environ 5.000 soldats vont quitter Okinawa pour Guam, le reste, soit environ 4.000 hommes, se répartissant entre Hawaï et l'Australie où Washington est en train "d'établir une présence par rotation du Corps des Marines", a précisé le communiqué conjoint. "Par ces redéploiements, le gouvernement américain réaffirme son engagement à maintenir sa présence militaire actuelle et à développer sa capacité militaire dans le Pacifique ouest", a-t-il ajouté.
Le texte précise que le coût total du redéploiement des Marines vers l'île de Guam devrait être de 8,6 milliards de dollars, dont plus d'un tiers serait assumé par le Japon, selon un responsable américain. "L'engagement japonais à hauteur de 3,1 milliards de dollars (...) est important et nous l'apprécions tout particulièrement dans le contexte des difficultés budgétaires du Japon", a dit un haut responsable du ministère de la Défense.
Patriot PAC-3 Assisted by JLENS, Successfully Intercept a Cruise Missile Target http://defense-update.com/
Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 Missile successfully intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile target yesterday at the Utah Test and Training Range, in an unprecedented interoperability demonstration utilizing the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS) and the PATRIOT system.
The test demonstrated a new capability recently introduced with the PAC-3 Missile Segment’s unique ability to detect, track, engage and destroy a cruise missile target at extended range in an integrated air and missile defense architecture that joins netted sensors and missile defense systems to provide greater capability for the warfighter.
PAC-3 has already demonstrated the ability to defeat cruise missile in 2004, as a single Lockheed Martin PAC-3 Missile was fired at a low-flying MQM-107D cruise missile target. The main challenge in defeating the cruise missile target is the detection and tracking of such low-flying targets. Back then the PAC-3 relied on ground-based sensors to spot the targets.
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