US Armed Forces

[Khafee]

Rockwell Collins to overhaul 'Blackhawk' helicopter displays in $49.1M contract
June 11, 2019
By Ed Adamczyk

Rockwell Collins Co. received a $49.1 million contract, the Defense Department announced on Tuesday, for maintenance and overhaul of the display units of the U.S. Army's UH-60 'Blackhawk" helicopters
File Photo by Suzanne M. Jenkins/U.S. Air Force/UPI | License Photo

June 11 (UPI) -- Rockwell Collins Co. was awarded a $49.1 million contract to overhaul and maintain display units of the U.S. Army's UH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopters, the Defense Department announced.

Funding and locations for the upgrades by the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, company will be determined with each order, according to the Pentagon's contract announcement.

The Blackhawk is designed to enable the Army to operate the helicopters for several more decades.

The helicopter first saw service in 1974 and is in used by at least nine countries.

Rockwell Collins to overhaul 'Blackhawk' helicopter displays in $49.1M contract - UPI.com

Rockwell Collins Co. received a $49.1 million contract for work on display units of the Army's UH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopters, the Defense Department announced.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Rockwell Collins to overhaul 'Blackhawk' helicopter displays in $49.1M contract
June 11, 2019
By Ed Adamczyk
View attachment 7889
Rockwell Collins Co. received a $49.1 million contract, the Defense Department announced on Tuesday, for maintenance and overhaul of the display units of the U.S. Army's UH-60 'Blackhawk" helicopters
File Photo by Suzanne M. Jenkins/U.S. Air Force/UPI | License Photo

June 11 (UPI) -- Rockwell Collins Co. was awarded a $49.1 million contract to overhaul and maintain display units of the U.S. Army's UH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopters, the Defense Department announced.

Funding and locations for the upgrades by the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, company will be determined with each order, according to the Pentagon's contract announcement.

The Blackhawk is designed to enable the Army to operate the helicopters for several more decades.

The helicopter first saw service in 1974 and is in used by at least nine countries.

Rockwell Collins to overhaul 'Blackhawk' helicopter displays in $49.1M contract - UPI.com

Rockwell Collins Co. received a $49.1 million contract for work on display units of the Army's UH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopters, the Defense Department announced.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Sikorsky awarded $542M for six VH-92A helicopters for presidential fleet
June 11, 2019
By Allen Cone

President Donald Trump flies aboard Marine One -- a VH-60N White Hawk -- from the Akasaka Press Center on May 26.
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

June 11 (UPI) -- Sikorsky has been awarded a $542 million contract to build six VH-92A helicopters as part of the presidential fleet.

The low rate initial production contract includes interim contractor support, initial spares, support equipment and system parts replenishment, the Defense Department announced Monday.

When the president is one of the current helicopters in the presidential fleet, including the future S-92A variant, it is designated as Marine One.

Work is expected to be completed in April 2022, with initial operational test and evaluation planned for mid-2020 and initial operational capability in late 2020.

Fifty percent of the work will be performed in the company's plant in Stratford, Conn.; 36 percent in Coatesville, Pa.; 10 percent in Owego, N.Y.; 3 percent in Patuxent River, Md.; and 1 percent in Quantico, Va.

Naval fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

"I am proud of the combined government and contractor team who has worked so hard to transition this program into initial production and did so at over $1 billion less than the program's cost baseline," James F. Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, said in a Navy news release.

The Navy plans to replace the current Marine Corps fleet of 19 helicopters -- the VH-3D, which entered service in 1978, and VH-60N aircraft, which arrived in 1987, with 23 aircraft. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to travel on a helicopter, the Bell UH-13J Sioux, in 1957.

The VH-92A aircraft will increase performance and payload, the Navy said, including crew coordination systems and communications capabilities, plus improve availability and maintainability.

"The team has efficiently leveraged a proven platform with cutting edge government mission systems for rapid agile development of the next helicopters to fly presidential missions," Geurts said.

In 2018, the GAO found the helicopter hadn't met a capability requirement for landing without damaging the landing zone, including the White House South Lawn. Sikorsky said it plans to have a solution for the performance requirement by November 2020.

In addition, the VH-92A program has experienced problems connecting the aircraft's communication system to secure networks because of changes in network security requirements. The Navy said it anticipates a fix by January 2020.

In April, the Government Accountability Office said the cost to replace the U.S. president's aging helicopter fleet is some $234 million less than budgeted in 2014. The cost is about $215 million for each of the 23 helicopters.

While President Donald Trump has been critical of the cost to replace the jets that act as Air Force One -- the price has actually gone up since he took office -- helicopters planned to join the Marine One fleet have not had his attention.

Before becoming president, on Dec. 6, 2016, Trump posted on Twitter: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!"

The pair of modified Boeing 747-8is has been determined to cost $4.68 billion, if not more.

"Marine One does not appear to actively be on his radar," Ray Jaworowski, senior aerospace analyst at Forecast International, told National Defense in 2017. "That having been said, should it run into cost overrun problems or schedule delays, that type of thing could well get the attention of the president."

Sikorsky awarded $542M for six VH-92A helicopters for presidential fleet - UPI.com

Sikorsky was awarded a $542 million contract to build six VH-92A helicopters as part of the presidential fleet, which the Navy said will increase performance and payload over the current fleet.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Sikorsky awarded $542M for six VH-92A helicopters for presidential fleet
June 11, 2019
By Allen Cone

View attachment 7891
President Donald Trump flies aboard Marine One -- a VH-60N White Hawk -- from the Akasaka Press Center on May 26.
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

June 11 (UPI) -- Sikorsky has been awarded a $542 million contract to build six VH-92A helicopters as part of the presidential fleet.

The low rate initial production contract includes interim contractor support, initial spares, support equipment and system parts replenishment, the Defense Department announced Monday.

When the president is one of the current helicopters in the presidential fleet, including the future S-92A variant, it is designated as Marine One.

Work is expected to be completed in April 2022, with initial operational test and evaluation planned for mid-2020 and initial operational capability in late 2020.

Fifty percent of the work will be performed in the company's plant in Stratford, Conn.; 36 percent in Coatesville, Pa.; 10 percent in Owego, N.Y.; 3 percent in Patuxent River, Md.; and 1 percent in Quantico, Va.

Naval fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

"I am proud of the combined government and contractor team who has worked so hard to transition this program into initial production and did so at over $1 billion less than the program's cost baseline," James F. Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, said in a Navy news release.

The Navy plans to replace the current Marine Corps fleet of 19 helicopters -- the VH-3D, which entered service in 1978, and VH-60N aircraft, which arrived in 1987, with 23 aircraft. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to travel on a helicopter, the Bell UH-13J Sioux, in 1957.

The VH-92A aircraft will increase performance and payload, the Navy said, including crew coordination systems and communications capabilities, plus improve availability and maintainability.

"The team has efficiently leveraged a proven platform with cutting edge government mission systems for rapid agile development of the next helicopters to fly presidential missions," Geurts said.

In 2018, the GAO found the helicopter hadn't met a capability requirement for landing without damaging the landing zone, including the White House South Lawn. Sikorsky said it plans to have a solution for the performance requirement by November 2020.

In addition, the VH-92A program has experienced problems connecting the aircraft's communication system to secure networks because of changes in network security requirements. The Navy said it anticipates a fix by January 2020.

In April, the Government Accountability Office said the cost to replace the U.S. president's aging helicopter fleet is some $234 million less than budgeted in 2014. The cost is about $215 million for each of the 23 helicopters.

While President Donald Trump has been critical of the cost to replace the jets that act as Air Force One -- the price has actually gone up since he took office -- helicopters planned to join the Marine One fleet have not had his attention.

Before becoming president, on Dec. 6, 2016, Trump posted on Twitter: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!"

The pair of modified Boeing 747-8is has been determined to cost $4.68 billion, if not more.

"Marine One does not appear to actively be on his radar," Ray Jaworowski, senior aerospace analyst at Forecast International, told National Defense in 2017. "That having been said, should it run into cost overrun problems or schedule delays, that type of thing could well get the attention of the president."

Sikorsky awarded $542M for six VH-92A helicopters for presidential fleet - UPI.com

Sikorsky was awarded a $542 million contract to build six VH-92A helicopters as part of the presidential fleet, which the Navy said will increase performance and payload over the current fleet.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Warsaw and Washington agree to increase number of US troops in Poland
June 11, 2019

View attachment 7901

The Chief of the Cabinet of the Polish President, Krzysztof Szczerski, said that the country has concluded talks on increasing the number of US troops, as reported by Polskie Radio. According to him, Polish President Andrzej Duda and US President Donald Trump would have to approve the agreement.

“As the political leaders of the countries, the presidents will decide whether or not they are satisfied with the deal. If so, we envision this political agreement will happen when the President of Poland visits the White House on June 12,” said Krzysztof Szczerski.

He noted that the Polish Ministry of Defense and the Pentagon were in talks to increase the presence of the United States Army in Poland. According to Szczerski, the agreement contains everything Andrzej Duda hoped the negotiators would include.

Earlier this year, the US Department of Defense revealed plans to increase the size of the US military contingent in Poland. Subsequently, President of Poland Andrzej Duda announced that Poland was ready to deploy American troops, currently made up of about 4.5 thousand soldiers, on its territory.

In addition, the country’s military leadership plans to deploy a new army division to the eastern border. The division will include two active brigades and another one that will be manned shortly. The division command will be deployed to the city of Siedlce. Fifteen thousand troops will serve in the division.

Warsaw and Washington agree to increase number of US troops in Poland

The Chief of the Cabinet of the Polish President, Krzysztof Szczerski, said that the country has concluded talks on increasing the number of US troops, as reported by Polskie Radio. According to him, Polish President Andrzej Duda and US President Donald Trump would have to approve the...

uawire.org

 

[Khafee]

Shanahan reminds military of 'apolitical' mission following McCain flap
June 12, 2019
By Allen Cone

Guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain is moored pier side at Changi Naval Base, Republic of Singapore on August 21, 2017, following a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore earlier that day. The ship now is undergoing repairs in Japan, where President Donald Trump visited. Photo courtesy /U.S. Navy

June 12 (UPI) -- Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has reminded all military personnel "that our mission, to protect and defend the nation, is apolitical" following a controversy to hide the name of a warship during a presidential visit.

Two one-page memos -- one to top managers and other to all personnel, including active duty and civilians -- were distributed Tuesday, 10 days after the U.S. Navy acknowledged that a request was made by the White House Military Office to hide the USS John S. McCain while President Donald Trump visited Japan.

The similarly worded memos were first disclosed by the Wall Street Journal and USNI on Tuesday.

"DoD has a long-standing policy of encouraging military personnel to carry out the obligations of citizenship, which includes permitting certain political activities," read both memos. "However, our policy and tradition also clearly limit active duty members from engaging in partisan political activities or actions that could appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause."

The memos added: "Political activity by members of the Armed Forces continues to be governed by DoD Directive 1344.10, which specifically lays out this policy."

Both memos note the responsibility of top leaders on the issue.

"I expect you to remind leaders at all levels in the Department to reinforce the apolitical nature of military service and professionalism, while ensuring all Service members remain free to exercise the responsibilities of citizenship as laws and regulations allow," he wrote in the memo to top leaders.

Shanahan described the intent of the memo to reporters Tuesday.

"What I wanted to do is -- after the McCain situation -- remind everyone that we're not going to politicize the military," Shanahan said. "So it's just a good healthy reminder -- think of all the travel that is going to come up; think of the season that we're entering into. There's nothing wrong with having a reminder."

Emails dated May 15, before Trump's Memorial Day visit to Yokosuka, were published days later showing a request that the "USS John McCain needs to be out of sight."

Despite the request from the White House Military Office, U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer didn't have the ship obscured. McCain was in "normal configuration," during the president's visit to the Yokosuka, Japan waterfront, a U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman told USNI News.

"Our business is to run military operations and not become politicized," Shanahan said May 31 to reporters traveling with him to Seoul, South Korea. "Our job is to run the military."

Shanahan, who acknowledged he wouldn't have moved the ship, said at the time he didn't initially plan to call for an inspector general investigation investigation into the request.

The Pentagon chief denied a report that a cover was used to block the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer name because it could not be moved due to repairs after colliding with another ship in 2017. He said the tarp was for "hull preservation and not to obscure the name."

Sailors who typically wear caps with the ship's name were also given the day off during Trump's visit, though Shanahan said they were given a 96-hour Memorial Day weekend off that was unrelated to the presidential visit.

Trump said at the time that he had no knowledge of the plan and wouldn't have approved the request, but he "is not a big fan" of McCain and whoever did it was "well meaning."

Trump criticized McCain when he was alive, and after his death last year, noting his vote to preserve the Affordable Care Act, and during the 2016 campaign questioned whether McCain was a hero because he was captured during the Vietnam War.

The USS John S. McCain was originally named for McCain's father and grandfather, both of whom were admirals in the Navy, with the longtime Arizona senator added as a namesake in 2018.

Shanahan reminds military of 'apolitical' mission following McCain flap - UPI.com

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has reminded all military personnel "that our mission, to protect and defend the nation, is apolitical."

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

Shanahan reminds military of 'apolitical' mission following McCain flap
June 12, 2019
By Allen Cone

View attachment 7933
Guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain is moored pier side at Changi Naval Base, Republic of Singapore on August 21, 2017, following a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore earlier that day. The ship now is undergoing repairs in Japan, where President Donald Trump visited. Photo courtesy /U.S. Navy

June 12 (UPI) -- Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has reminded all military personnel "that our mission, to protect and defend the nation, is apolitical" following a controversy to hide the name of a warship during a presidential visit.

Two one-page memos -- one to top managers and other to all personnel, including active duty and civilians -- were distributed Tuesday, 10 days after the U.S. Navy acknowledged that a request was made by the White House Military Office to hide the USS John S. McCain while President Donald Trump visited Japan.

The similarly worded memos were first disclosed by the Wall Street Journal and USNI on Tuesday.

"DoD has a long-standing policy of encouraging military personnel to carry out the obligations of citizenship, which includes permitting certain political activities," read both memos. "However, our policy and tradition also clearly limit active duty members from engaging in partisan political activities or actions that could appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause."

The memos added: "Political activity by members of the Armed Forces continues to be governed by DoD Directive 1344.10, which specifically lays out this policy."

Both memos note the responsibility of top leaders on the issue.

"I expect you to remind leaders at all levels in the Department to reinforce the apolitical nature of military service and professionalism, while ensuring all Service members remain free to exercise the responsibilities of citizenship as laws and regulations allow," he wrote in the memo to top leaders.

Shanahan described the intent of the memo to reporters Tuesday.

"What I wanted to do is -- after the McCain situation -- remind everyone that we're not going to politicize the military," Shanahan said. "So it's just a good healthy reminder -- think of all the travel that is going to come up; think of the season that we're entering into. There's nothing wrong with having a reminder."

Emails dated May 15, before Trump's Memorial Day visit to Yokosuka, were published days later showing a request that the "USS John McCain needs to be out of sight."

Despite the request from the White House Military Office, U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer didn't have the ship obscured. McCain was in "normal configuration," during the president's visit to the Yokosuka, Japan waterfront, a U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman told USNI News.

"Our business is to run military operations and not become politicized," Shanahan said May 31 to reporters traveling with him to Seoul, South Korea. "Our job is to run the military."

Shanahan, who acknowledged he wouldn't have moved the ship, said at the time he didn't initially plan to call for an inspector general investigation investigation into the request.

The Pentagon chief denied a report that a cover was used to block the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer name because it could not be moved due to repairs after colliding with another ship in 2017. He said the tarp was for "hull preservation and not to obscure the name."

Sailors who typically wear caps with the ship's name were also given the day off during Trump's visit, though Shanahan said they were given a 96-hour Memorial Day weekend off that was unrelated to the presidential visit.

Trump said at the time that he had no knowledge of the plan and wouldn't have approved the request, but he "is not a big fan" of McCain and whoever did it was "well meaning."

Trump criticized McCain when he was alive, and after his death last year, noting his vote to preserve the Affordable Care Act, and during the 2016 campaign questioned whether McCain was a hero because he was captured during the Vietnam War.

The USS John S. McCain was originally named for McCain's father and grandfather, both of whom were admirals in the Navy, with the longtime Arizona senator added as a namesake in 2018.

Shanahan reminds military of 'apolitical' mission following McCain flap - UPI.com

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has reminded all military personnel "that our mission, to protect and defend the nation, is apolitical."

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

USS Ronald Reagan, Japanese carrier conduct joint exercise in South China Sea
By Allen Cone
June 12, 2019

The USS Ronald Reagan (left) sails with a Japanese destroyer Tuesday in the South China Sea. Photo courtesy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

June 12 (UPI) -- Two aircraft carrier strike groups -- the USS Ronald Reagan CSG and ships from Japan's MSDF -- conducted a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea from Monday through Wednesday, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force sent the Izumo carrier group to work with the Reagan CSG as part of a cooperative deployment, the U.S. 7th Fleet said in a press release.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo carrier group consists of the JS Izumo and the Murasame-class destroyers, JS Murasame and JS Akebone, as well as five military aircraft, all helicopters.

The Navy didn't disclose the USS Ronald Reagan's companion ships but each strike group usually consists of up to 12 surface ships, including Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, one or two nuclear-powered fast attack submarines and up to 75 aircraft.

Reagan, Akebono, Izumo and Murasame "conducted communication checks, tactical maneuvering drills and liaison officer exchanges designed to address common maritime security priorities and enhance interoperability at sea," according to a U.S. Navy news release.

"Having a Japanese liaison officer aboard to coordinate our underway operations has been beneficial and efficient," Lt. Mike Malakowsky, a tactical actions officer aboard Ronald Reagan, said in the news release. "As we continue to operate together with the JMSDF, it makes us a cohesive unit. They are an integral part of our Strike Group that doubles our capability to respond to any situation."

The Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class carrier, operates in the Indo-Pacific region to protect and defend maritime interests of its allies and partners.

"The time we are able to spend at sea training and operating with our partners in the Japan Self Defense Forces is invaluable," said Capt. Pat Hannifin, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "Our alliance has never been stronger, and it's never been more important to this region than right now."

The USS Ronald Reagan departed its home port in Yokosuka, Japan, on May 22 for its first operational deployment this year.

The JS Izumo's Indo-Pacific deployment began April 30 and runs through July 10, The Diplomat reported.

The Japanese flattop and its escort are conducting exercises with the naval forces of Brunei, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe toured the JS Izumo's sister ship, JS Kaga, at the Yokosuka naval base south of Tokyo.

The Japanese cabinet approved the conversion of the two warships into full-fledged aircraft carriers capable of launching the F-35B aircraft.

USS Ronald Reagan, Japanese helicopter carrier conduct joint exercise in South China Sea - UPI.com

Two aircraft carrier strike groups -- the USS Ronald Reagan CSG and ships from Japan's MSDF -- conducted a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea from Monday through Wednesday, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

USS Ronald Reagan, Japanese carrier conduct joint exercise in South China Sea
By Allen Cone
June 12, 2019

View attachment 7935
The USS Ronald Reagan (left) sails with a Japanese destroyer Tuesday in the South China Sea. Photo courtesy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

June 12 (UPI) -- Two aircraft carrier strike groups -- the USS Ronald Reagan CSG and ships from Japan's MSDF -- conducted a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea from Monday through Wednesday, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force sent the Izumo carrier group to work with the Reagan CSG as part of a cooperative deployment, the U.S. 7th Fleet said in a press release.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo carrier group consists of the JS Izumo and the Murasame-class destroyers, JS Murasame and JS Akebone, as well as five military aircraft, all helicopters.

The Navy didn't disclose the USS Ronald Reagan's companion ships but each strike group usually consists of up to 12 surface ships, including Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, one or two nuclear-powered fast attack submarines and up to 75 aircraft.

Reagan, Akebono, Izumo and Murasame "conducted communication checks, tactical maneuvering drills and liaison officer exchanges designed to address common maritime security priorities and enhance interoperability at sea," according to a U.S. Navy news release.

"Having a Japanese liaison officer aboard to coordinate our underway operations has been beneficial and efficient," Lt. Mike Malakowsky, a tactical actions officer aboard Ronald Reagan, said in the news release. "As we continue to operate together with the JMSDF, it makes us a cohesive unit. They are an integral part of our Strike Group that doubles our capability to respond to any situation."

The Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class carrier, operates in the Indo-Pacific region to protect and defend maritime interests of its allies and partners.

"The time we are able to spend at sea training and operating with our partners in the Japan Self Defense Forces is invaluable," said Capt. Pat Hannifin, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "Our alliance has never been stronger, and it's never been more important to this region than right now."

The USS Ronald Reagan departed its home port in Yokosuka, Japan, on May 22 for its first operational deployment this year.

The JS Izumo's Indo-Pacific deployment began April 30 and runs through July 10, The Diplomat reported.

The Japanese flattop and its escort are conducting exercises with the naval forces of Brunei, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe toured the JS Izumo's sister ship, JS Kaga, at the Yokosuka naval base south of Tokyo.

The Japanese cabinet approved the conversion of the two warships into full-fledged aircraft carriers capable of launching the F-35B aircraft.

USS Ronald Reagan, Japanese helicopter carrier conduct joint exercise in South China Sea - UPI.com

Two aircraft carrier strike groups -- the USS Ronald Reagan CSG and ships from Japan's MSDF -- conducted a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea from Monday through Wednesday, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

U.S. Navy orders additional Saab Sea Giraffe radar units
By Ed Adamczyk
June 12, 2019

Saab announced Wednesday an additional order from the U.S. Navy for its Sea Giraffe radar units, seen here in elevated positions on Swedish warships. They will be installed on U.S. Coast Guard offshore patrol cutters. Photo courtesy of Saab Group

Saab announced Wednesday an additional order from the U.S. Navy for its Sea Giraffe radar units. They will be installed on U.S. Coast Guard offshore patrol cutters. Photo courtesy of Saab Group

June 12 (UPI) -- Swedish auto and aerospace company Saab announced an order from the U.S. Navy for additional Sea Giraffe multi-mode radar units.

The units, for use on a range of military vessels, will be deployed on the U.S. Coast Guard's Heritage class of offshore patrol cutters. Up to 25 of the ships are planned for construction. A unit also will be fitted on the Hershel Wilson Expeditionary Sea Base class ship, operated by the U.S. Military Sealift Command.

This additional order, announced Tuesday, involves an option on a 2017 Navy contract and includes multiple line-item options for additional Sea Giraffe MMR systems. The contract covers manufacturing, inspection, testing and delivery of the radar units.

The Saab system is a family of land and naval two- or three-dimensional electronically scanned radar. It gets its name from its distinctive folding mast. The first systems were produced in 1977 and have been upgraded since.

The system has been in use by U.S. military forces since 2006.

"The key to our success in the U.S. is the combination of our efficient and flexible Sea Giraffe radar, coupled with our technical expertise and understanding of the U.S. customer's needs and expectations", said Anders Carp, Saab senior vice president.

Deliveries will take place in 2020 and 2021, with work done at Saab facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Syracuse, N.Y.

U.S. Navy orders additional Saab Sea Giraffe radar units - UPI.com

Swedish auto and aerospace company Saab announced an order from the U.S. Navy for additional Sea Giraffe multi-mode radar units.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

U.S. Navy orders additional Saab Sea Giraffe radar units
By Ed Adamczyk
June 12, 2019


View attachment 7938
Saab announced Wednesday an additional order from the U.S. Navy for its Sea Giraffe radar units, seen here in elevated positions on Swedish warships. They will be installed on U.S. Coast Guard offshore patrol cutters. Photo courtesy of Saab Group

View attachment 7939
Saab announced Wednesday an additional order from the U.S. Navy for its Sea Giraffe radar units. They will be installed on U.S. Coast Guard offshore patrol cutters. Photo courtesy of Saab Group

June 12 (UPI) -- Swedish auto and aerospace company Saab announced an order from the U.S. Navy for additional Sea Giraffe multi-mode radar units.

The units, for use on a range of military vessels, will be deployed on the U.S. Coast Guard's Heritage class of offshore patrol cutters. Up to 25 of the ships are planned for construction. A unit also will be fitted on the Hershel Wilson Expeditionary Sea Base class ship, operated by the U.S. Military Sealift Command.

This additional order, announced Tuesday, involves an option on a 2017 Navy contract and includes multiple line-item options for additional Sea Giraffe MMR systems. The contract covers manufacturing, inspection, testing and delivery of the radar units.

The Saab system is a family of land and naval two- or three-dimensional electronically scanned radar. It gets its name from its distinctive folding mast. The first systems were produced in 1977 and have been upgraded since.

The system has been in use by U.S. military forces since 2006.

"The key to our success in the U.S. is the combination of our efficient and flexible Sea Giraffe radar, coupled with our technical expertise and understanding of the U.S. customer's needs and expectations", said Anders Carp, Saab senior vice president.

Deliveries will take place in 2020 and 2021, with work done at Saab facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Syracuse, N.Y.

U.S. Navy orders additional Saab Sea Giraffe radar units - UPI.com

Swedish auto and aerospace company Saab announced an order from the U.S. Navy for additional Sea Giraffe multi-mode radar units.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

GenDyn gets $16.2M contract for Abrams M1A1 tank tech support
By Ed Adamczyk
June 12, 2019

General Dynamics Land Systems received a $16.2 million contract modification for technical support work on the Abrams M1A1 tank, the Defense Department announced on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps

June 12 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Land Systems has received a $16.2 million contract modification for technical support in building Abrams M1A1 tanks, both for the U.S. military and for foreign military sales to Morocco, the Defense Department said.

The contract, announced Tuesday, covers systems technical support for the Abrams family of vehicles, with work on the contract to be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., and an expected completion date of June 30, 2020.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces has ordered at least 162 Abrams tanks, a well-armed and highly mobile main battle tank built for armored ground warfare. In November 2018, the State Department approved the sale of 162 tanks to Morocco at an estimated cost of $1.259 billion.

Morocco has been acquiring Abrams tanks from the U.S. for nearly a decade, though.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced in June 2012 that Morocco had requested the possible sale of 200 surplus M1A1 tanks, along with associated parts, equipment, logistical support and training. In 2016, 22 refurbished Abrams tanks were officially handed over by the U.S. Army to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in a ceremony in Nouaceur, Morocco. By 2018 the Moroccan army had 127 Abrams tanks, as well as tanks made in Russia and China.

GenDyn gets $16.2M contract for Abrams M1A1 tank tech support - UPI.com

General Dynamics Land Systems has received a $16.2 million contract modification for technical support in building Abrams M1A1 tanks, both for the U.S. military and through foreign military sales to Morocco.

www.upi.com

 

[Khafee]

GenDyn gets $16.2M contract for Abrams M1A1 tank tech support
By Ed Adamczyk
June 12, 2019

View attachment 7942
General Dynamics Land Systems received a $16.2 million contract modification for technical support work on the Abrams M1A1 tank, the Defense Department announced on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps

June 12 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Land Systems has received a $16.2 million contract modification for technical support in building Abrams M1A1 tanks, both for the U.S. military and for foreign military sales to Morocco, the Defense Department said.

The contract, announced Tuesday, covers systems technical support for the Abrams family of vehicles, with work on the contract to be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., and an expected completion date of June 30, 2020.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces has ordered at least 162 Abrams tanks, a well-armed and highly mobile main battle tank built for armored ground warfare. In November 2018, the State Department approved the sale of 162 tanks to Morocco at an estimated cost of $1.259 billion.

Morocco has been acquiring Abrams tanks from the U.S. for nearly a decade, though.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced in June 2012 that Morocco had requested the possible sale of 200 surplus M1A1 tanks, along with associated parts, equipment, logistical support and training. In 2016, 22 refurbished Abrams tanks were officially handed over by the U.S. Army to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in a ceremony in Nouaceur, Morocco. By 2018 the Moroccan army had 127 Abrams tanks, as well as tanks made in Russia and China.

GenDyn gets $16.2M contract for Abrams M1A1 tank tech support - UPI.com

General Dynamics Land Systems has received a $16.2 million contract modification for technical support in building Abrams M1A1 tanks, both for the U.S. military and through foreign military sales to Morocco.

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[Khafee]

U.S. to send 1,000 more troops to Poland
By Ed Adamczyk
June 12, 2019

View attachment 7946
An M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System vehicle of the Kentucky Army National Guard participates in exercises at Bemoko Piskie, Poland, on June 14, 2018. President Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda are expected to announce a U.S. troop increase of 1,000 in Poland on Wednesday. Photo by Charles Rosemond/U.S. Army/UPI

June 12 (UPI) -- An additional 1,000 U.S. military troops will be deployed to Poland to join about 4,500 currently there, a senior White House official said.

The formal announcement is expected on Wednesday afternoon, when President Donald Trump greets Polish President Andrzej Duda at the White House.

The additional troops will be sent to "enhance mutual interoperability" of the two countries' militaries, the unnamed administration official said on Tuesday. He noted that the added U.S. personnel will not be combat troops but "would potentially focus on providing additional defense and deterrence capabilities in Poland including training, advisers, ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] and sustainment support."

The United States regularly rotates troops in Poland, a NATO ally.

"This will be a very good and very fruitful day, because it will change both the shape of Polish-American military cooperation, as well as cooperation on energy issues," Krzysztof Szczerski, Duda's chief of staff, said on Wednesday.

After Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, Poland, which borders Russia, voiced concerns over its own safety. Since then, the United States has sent a rotational brigade to Poland, which participates in training exercises with Polish forces.

Poland requested a U.S. troop increase in September, when Duda and Trump met in Washington. At the time, Duda referred to the United States as "a guarantor of security in our part of Europe."

Trump, Duda announce movement of 1,000 U.S. troops to Poland - UPI.com

President Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda celebrated a new military cooperation agreement Wednesday with a flyover of U.S. F-35 fighter jets at the White House in Washington, D.C.

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[Khafee]

HII awarded $687M to modernize, maintain USS Gerald R. Ford
The first-in-class aircraft carrier is currently undergoing sea trials following years of delays and cost overruns.
June 13, 2019
By Allen Cone

The future USS Gerald R. Ford sails on its own power for the first time out of Newport News, Virginia on April 8, 2017. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy
| License Photo

June 13 (UPI) -- Huntington Ingalls was awarded a five-year $687 million contract for early service life period work on the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which is undergoing sea trials after years of delays and cost overruns.

The contract, announced by the Department of Defense on Wednesday, includes five ordering periods for support of ship repair and modernization. The services include continuous incremental and planned incremental availabilities, full-ship shock trials, and continuous and emergent maintenance during the early service life period

Work on the initial delivery order will be performed at the company's shipyard in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by June 2020.

Naval fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance in the amount of $1.8 million will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work under all five delivery orders is expected to be completed by June 2024.

The nuclear-powered Ford, designated CVN 78, is the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years, and will replace the Nimitz-class ships.

The Navy plans to spend $43 billion on the three new ships in the class, including the Ford, the future USS John F. Kennedy and the future USS Enterprise, according to the U.S. Navy.

The Ford was formally commissioned into the Navy on July 22, 2017, is scheduled to be delivered in mid-October and deployed around 2020.

Last week, Raytheon announced the ship's integrated combat management system completed its final developmental test off the coast of California. Raytheon announced a U.S. Navy unmanned self-defense test ship simulated a scenario the Ford may encounter once deployed.

The Ford class includes significant quality-of-life improvements and reduced maintenance, as well as improve operational availability and capability compared with Nimitz-class carriers, according to the Navy.

The Navy and manufacturers have had difficulties with the advanced weapons elevators, none of which were functioning after christening. The new elevators are run with electromagnetic, linear synchronous motors, which allows for greater capacities and a faster movement of weapons than the Nimitz-class carrier elevators that utilize cables.

The Navy also is dealing with a propulsion problem. During trials one year ago, the situation caused Ford to return to port ahead of its scheduled post shakedown. The ship's main turbine generators are driven by the steam produced by Ford's two nuclear reactors.

HII awarded $687M to modernize, maintain USS Gerald R. Ford - UPI.com

Huntington Ingalls was awarded a five-year, $687 million contract for work on the USS Gerald R. Ford, which includes repair and modernization, as well as continuous and emergent maintenance, on the long-delayed first-in-class aircraft carrier.

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