USA military developments

U.S. MQ-1 PREDATOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM:

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated
Power Plant: Rotax 914F four cylinder engine
Thrust: 115 horsepower
Wingspan: 48.7 feet (14.8 meters)
Length: 27 feet (8.22 meters)
Height: 6.9 feet (2.1 meters)
Weight: 1,130 pounds ( 512 kilograms) empty
Maximum takeoff weight: 2,250 pounds (1,020 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 665 pounds (100 gallons)
Payload: 450 pounds (204 kilograms)
Speed: Cruise speed around 84 mph (70 knots), up to 135 mph
Range: up to 400 nautical miles (454 miles)
Ceiling: up to 25,000 feet (7,620 meters)
Armament: two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)


U.S. MQ-9 REAPER UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Unmanned hunter/killer weapon system
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Power Plant: Honeywell TPE331-10GD turboprop engine
Thrust: 900 shaft horsepower maximum
Wingspan: 66 feet (20.1 meters)
Length: 36 feet (11 meters)
Height: 12.5 feet (3.8 meters)
Weight: 4,900 pounds (2,223 kilograms) empty
Maximum takeoff weight: 10,500 pounds (4,760 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 4,000 pounds (602 gallons)
Payload: 3,750 pounds (1,701 kilograms)
Speed: cruise speed around 230 miles per hour, (200 knots)
Range: 3,682 miles (3,200 nautical miles)
Ceiling: up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
Armament: Combination of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II and GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions.
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)

A Stronger Australia-United States Defence Partnership
2 October 2009

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today met with a range of United States Government officials in Washington DC, at the Pentagon and at the US Department of State, to discuss defence-related aspects of our alliance.

Mr Combet is in Washington to advance our Defence relationship, including aspects of our materiel and research cooperation.

"Australia and the United States have built a strong defence partnership through close cooperation on areas of mutual interest. Today was an important opportunity for me to renew that cooperation with key officials in the Obama Administration," Mr Combet said.

The meetings included the Deputy Secretary for Defense, Mr William Lynn III; the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ms Ellen Tauscher; and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Dr Ashton Carter.

"Our strong relationship with the United States Government is critical for the delivery of our current major capability programs, and will be essential for the delivery of our future force.

"I was able to discuss the high level of cooperation we are enjoying on current major projects such as the Joint Strike Fighter. This has given us a wonderful insight into the project. I was also able to get further briefings to those I have received at the Fort Worth facility on the progress of the project.

"Australia's partnership in the JSF Program has provided Australian industry with the opportunity to become part of the F-35 global supply and support chain.

"Just as importantly I was able to discuss future cooperation regarding the development of Australia's future submarine with some of the key officials in the Obama Administration. A key area of interest was the parallels between procurement reforms being pursued by the Rudd Government and the Obama Administration."

To further this potential area of cooperation Mr Combet met with senior research and engineering officials at the Pentagon, including Assistant Secretary Navy - Research and Acquisition and the Director of Defense Research and Engineering.

Mr Combet also took the opportunity to reinforce Australia's support for the ratification of the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty.

"Cooperation through a Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty will serve to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries. The treaty will enhance Australia-US interoperability in defence and counterterrorism activities, improve cooperation on joint research and capability development projects and expand opportunities for Australian industry.

"We look forward to its ratification and the benefits on trade in controlled defence goods and technology that it will bring for both countries," Mr Combet said.

"The United States Administration has expressed support for the Treaty, and its desire for quick US Senate ratification of the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty."

Apart from his meetings at the Pentagon and Department of State, Mr Combet also met with officials of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and committee member Senator Jim Webb.

"I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with the Committee the Defence Treaty and the conditions required for implementation. I was also able to discuss recent developments in regards to Climate Change with Senator Webb," Mr Combet said.


Source : MoD Australia

Not a bad news, i was thinking OZs have stopped trusting US for defence and security issues. May be rise of china and their unexplained rise in military budget causing OZs to be concerned and develop new cooperation with US.

Navy Establishes Carrier Strike Group 1
United States of America, 2 October 2009

SAN DIEGO -- The Navy formally established Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 in San Diego October 1, 2009. The flagship for CSG 1 will be the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), currently homeported in Newport News, Va. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) will round out the strike group.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Ted "Twig" Branch, CSG 1 will be a San Diego-based operational command and will report to Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet.

"We are excited by the opportunity to establish this new command and bring the power of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group online in support of our nation's defense," said Branch. "I'm also very happy to bring this capability, along with the men and women who make it possible, to the great city of San Diego."

Carrier Strike Group 1's first mission is expected to be a transit around South America in the spring of 2010 as Vinson relocates to its new homeport of San Diego.

In support of the nation's maritime strategy, CSG-1 will help promote regional partnerships, deter crisis, project power, promote maritime security, and provide humanitarian assistance or disaster relief within the U.S. Pacific Fleet's 100 million square-mile area of operations.

The Navy took redelivery of Vinson July 11, 2009, following the successful completion of the ship's midlife refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH).

USS Carl Vinson is the third Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to complete RCOH at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News and is undergoing a four-month post-refueling shipyard maintenance period to prepare for its transit to San Diego.

PHOTO: ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 16, 2009) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 prepares to land on USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) flight deck during routine flight operations.

General Dynamics Receives U.S. Army Contract for Abrams Tank System Technical Support
United States of America, 2 October 2009

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. | General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded contracts valued at $58 million for Abrams Tank Systems Technical Support (STS) by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command of Warren, Mich.

The award will fund engineering studies on Abrams main battle tanks to identify improvements and replace obsolete parts to maintain the tanks at high operational readiness rates. The work will be performed by existing General Dynamics Land Systems personnel in Sterling Heights, Mich. It is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.

General Dynamics Land Systems plays an integral role in the U.S. Army's core vehicle programs, including the Abrams tank (M1A2 SEP upgrade and AIM), Stryker infantry combat vehicle and Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicle, and in its modernization plan.


Source: General Dynamics

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $153 Million Navy Submarine Contract
United States of America, 30 sepotember 2009

FAIRFAX, Va. – General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $152.8 million contract by the U.S. Navy for FY 2010 and FY 2011 production and deployed-systems support for the United States and United Kingdom SSBN fire control system (FCS) and the SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS).

The contract includes the U.S. and U.K. Sea Based Strategic Deterrent (SBSD) Strategic Weapons System (SWS) Fire Control Subsystem-related efforts necessary for the concept development, prototyping and initial design efforts for a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) for the SSBN and SSGN OHIO Class replacement.

Under this contract General Dynamics will support equipment and SSP alterations (SPALTs) necessary to sustain the fire control and attack weapon control systems, including engineering support, performance evaluation, logistics, fleet documentation, reliability maintenance, engineering services and training.

The company will also provide technical and engineering support to the Common Missile Compartment concept-development efforts for Strategic Weapon System lifecycle cost-control evaluations related to the fire-control subsystem, and verify the operational and ongoing sustainment requirements for the SSBN fire control system and SSGN attack weapon control system, including its subsequent training, support, and advanced development laboratory equipment.

“We will continue to deliver highly reliable and innovative systems to the U.S. and U.K. Navy,” said Lou Von Thaer, president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. “The SSGN Attack Weapon Control System, based on an open architecture approach, provides a platform for efficient insertion of new capabilities to the fleet.”

Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Mass., and is expected to be completed by December 2012.


Source: General Dynamics

Fourth Fleet Achieves Pre-Accreditation During PANAMAX 09
United States of America, 30 september 2009

MAYPORT, Fla. -- U.S. 4th Fleet achieved a major milestone during PANAMAX 09 Sept. 11-22 upon receiving their Maritime Operations Center (MOC) pre-accreditation at the end of the exercise.

During the annual PANAMAX exercise, U.S. 4th Fleet used its role as Coalition Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) to test their MOC procedures, bringing them to an equal playing field with other MOCs in the Navy.

MOCs are an operational construct designed to provide fleets with the flexibility and control needed to execute missions at the operational level of war, from personnel, to intelligence, to logistics and communication.

During several exercise scenarios, including riverine operations, use of Unmanned Aerial Systems, and a hijacking/piracy event, during PANAMAX 09, 4th Fleet put their MOC to the test. A team of observers from U.S. Fleet Forces Command and the Naval War College followed the staff's activities during the exercise, viewing the various departments' roles in working groups, cells, and boards, and during battle rhythm briefings. Fourth Fleet was able to test interoperability, integrating many foreign military partner nation representatives, as well as U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps servicemembers and a strong reserve augmentation.

Rear Adm. David Anderson, Vice Commander U.S. Fleet Forces, commended Rear Adm. Victor Guillory, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet on his staff's performance during the exercise and pre-accredited 4th Fleet's MOC.

"It was apparent you took (pre-accreditation) very seriously and seeing how the staff cooperated, it was obviously a priority to you and your team," said Anderson.

The ability to work effectively within the joint environment is a necessity within the fleet today. The MOC construct enables increased maritime capabilities in the joint arena.

"Moving our MOC to the next level continues to be my top priority," said Guillory. "I want to mature 4th fleet staff activities, behavior, and products. For other MOCs and higher headquarters, we are ready for additional responsibilities that come with being a numbered fleet staff."

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO), exercising operational control of assigned forces. Fourth Fleet conducts the full spectrum of maritime security operations (MSO) in support of U.S. objectives and security cooperation activities that promote coalition building and deter aggression.

As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.


PHOTO: CARIBBEAN SEA (Sept. 14, 2009) A multi-national naval force, including the San Antonio class-amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Doyle (FFG 39), USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913), the Colombian navy frigate ARC Independiente, the Dutch navy auxiliary ship HMNLS Amsterdam, and the Uruguayan navy frigate General Artigas, underway in formation as part of Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2009. FA PANAMAX is an annual multi-national training exercise tailored to the defense of the Panama Canal.

East Timor to hold first joint military exercise with US
1 October 2009

Dili, Oct 1 (DPA) East Timor is scheduled to conduct its first joint exercise with the US military this month to bolster the skills of the country’s armed forces, US officials said Thursday.

Members of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the US Navy are due to be in East Timor from Oct 13 to 23 to hold joint military exercises with the Falintil-FDTL (Force de Defesa de Timor Leste), said Hans Klem, the US ambassador to East Timor.

‘The primary focus is to work with FDTL to learn from them in their skills and to share our skills,’ Klem said.

The exercises will include humanitarian assistance activities and field exercises to enhance cooperation and partnerships between the US and Australia, whose troops will also participate.

There will be jungle, urban and infantry training, beach landings and engineering and medical projects, US military captain Brannan Simi said at the US embassy in Dili Thursday.

‘In partnership with the East Timor force and the international stabilization force, the US Marines and sailors will also be conducting limited training ashore,’ said Simi.

East Timor, one of the world’s newest countries, has a small force of 1,300 personnel that the government hopes to boost to 2,000 by 2012.

Illegal fishing is currently the country’s main external security issue.

Orbit International Receives Contracts for U.S. Navy MK 119 Gun Computer System Cabinets and MK 437 Gun Mount Control Panels Valued in Excess of $4,447,000
United States of America, 1 October 2009

Hauppauge, New York, October 1, 2009 -- Orbit International Corp. (NASDAQRBT), an electronics manufacturer and software solution provider, today announced that its Electronics Group has received several awards released against multi-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (“IDIQ”) agreements from a U.S. Navy Procurement Agency valued in excess of $4,447,000 for its MK 119 Gun Computer System Cabinet (GCSC) and MK 437 Gun Mount Control Panels (GMCP). These most recent awards were received by the Company’s Integrated Combat Systems, Inc. (“ICS”) subsidiary located in Louisville, Kentucky. Total system deliveries under these contract awards are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2009 and continue through the second quarter of 2010.

The MK 119 GCSC is an unmanned, environmentally-isolated shipboard enclosure that houses a standard 19 inch electronics rack containing processors, electronic devices, cooling and power conditioning equipment that performs processing, interfacing and data extraction functions designed to meet the most stringent U.S. Navy operational systems requirements.

The MK 437 GMCP is a significant sub-system component that supports the Naval MK 160 Gun Computer System (GCS). The MK 437 GMCP includes custom fabricated enclosures; Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Non-Developmental Items (NDI) components, which also are designed to meet the most stringent U.S. Navy operational systems requirements.

Both the MK 119 GCSC and the MK 437 GMCP control panels are used on all AEGIS Cruisers and Destroyers, and are operationally integrated with the 5”/54 MK-45 Gun Mount (GM) systems.

Ken Ice, President and Chief Operating Officer of ICS commented, “We are delighted to announce these latest orders placed against the multi-year IDIQ agreements in place for the MK 119 GCSC and MK 437 GMCP requirements. I believe the ICS business model for continued growth of custom systems integration and logistics support complements the Orbit International Corp. business model for expanded business opportunities in the marketplace.”

Dennis Sunshine, Orbit’s President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “These contract awards for the MK 119 and MK 437 were received by ICS significantly later than initially expected. However, as previously announced, ICS commenced the procurement process as well as the labor effort for the MK 119 in the second quarter of 2009. As a result, these cabinets are well into the work in process (“WIP”) cycle and the Company is working diligently to meet projected delivery dates on eight of the cabinets by year-end. These latest releases against the MK 119 and MK 437 multi-year IDIQ contracts validate our expectation of significantly improved operating performance for the third and fourth quarters of 2009, when compared to the first two quarters of the year.”

Sunshine concluded, “These critical multi-year U.S. Navy programs are designated and funded to upgrade and modernize the current U.S. Navy fleet. ICS continues to provide an integral part of this modernization program. The ICS capabilities will provide hardware and software solutions that will enhance the U.S. Navy fleet’s current relevance in the areas of air dominance, land attack and anti-submarine warfare, and will provide force protection in the littoral warfare mission.”


Source: Orbit International Corp.

Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Receives Flight Test Safety Award
United States of America, 2 October 2009

OWEGO, NY, October 2nd, 2009 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] helicopter test pilot has received a major flight test safety award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).

Jerry “Mac” McCawley, 46, a flight safety engineer and test pilot at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY, received the Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award during the SETP’s annual banquet, September 26, in Anaheim, CA.

The Tony LeVier award formally recognizes an individual who has made a significant flight test safety contribution to a specific program, organization or the flight test profession. The award is named for the late Lockheed test pilot who was instrumental in proving the P-38 Lightning design and who flew the first flights of the P-80 Shooting Star, the XF-104 Starfighter, and the U-2.

“During nearly five years at our Owego facility, Mac has been instrumental in flight testing mission systems developed and integrated aboard U.S. military helicopters,” said Jeff Bantle, vice president of Rotary Wing Programs at the Systems Integration – Owego facility. “Mac’s leadership style has proven to be highly effective in promoting a safe working environment in a rigorous flight test environment. We have benefitted enormously from his sound judgment and the practices he has instilled across our flight test operations.”

McCawley routinely flies with U.S. Navy aircrew based at the Owego facility when testing the sophisticated avionics and mission systems aboard new Sikorsky-built MH-60R and MH-60S multimission helicopters. Integration of on-board systems enables the helicopters to efficiently protect the U.S. Navy fleet from submarine and surface threats.

As the chief test pilot for the Unmanned K-MAX cargo lift helicopter, McCawley tests new subsystems that will enable the aircraft to fly without a pilot. Lockheed Martin is working with K-MAX® helicopter manufacturer Kaman Aerospace to transform the manned aircraft — used extensively by the logging industry — into an Unmanned Aerial System that can carry supplies to troops on the battlefield. Lockheed Martin and Kaman will demonstrate the Unmanned K-MAX to the U.S. Marine Corps later this year.

McCawley also flies test missions aboard Lockheed Martin’s UH-1H helicopter. The flight test helicopter is used extensively to put systems through their paces in an airborne environment when they emerge from the development laboratory.

Besides his flight achievements, the SETP also cited McCawley’s safety achievements with ground operations. He led the expanded use of safety gear, such as fall protection devices, used by the maintainers and test teams in the helicopter integration facility. These new procedures have enabled Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego to meet all OSHA and site safety requirements without hindering workload performance.

McCawley graduated U.S. Army flight school in 1983, and for the next seven years flew the AH-64 Apache and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter as well as the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter. In 1989, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force flight school, and later qualified as an accident investigator and flight safety officer. During the next 15 years, he was a mission commander, standardization and evaluation pilot, instructor pilot, flight lead, as well as the F-15E Strike Eagle flight demonstration pilot.

In the Air Force, he flew more than 200 combat missions in Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom in the F-15C and F-15E fighter aircraft. He saw additional combat while attached to the 10th Mountain Division as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Somalia and Haiti.

Born and raised in Scranton, PA, McCawley lives in Clifford, PA with his wife Cyndi. They have two daughters, Lauren and Jaclyn. He is a member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE), and an associate member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).

“I’m very honored to receive the Tony LeVier award,” said McCawley. “The recognition reflects the achievements of the entire team I work with here at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego.”

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego is the rotary wing center of excellence for Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company has more than 35 years of experience as a leading mission systems integrator of maritime helicopters, including the British Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk 1 helicopter fleet, and two generations of U.S. Navy helicopters, the SH-60B and the MH-60R.


Source: Lockheed Martin

Sustainable Oils to Supply 100,000 Gallons of Camelina-Based Renewable Jet Fuel to U.S. Air Force
United States of America, 1 October 2009

Sustainable Oils, a producer of renewable, low-carbon and domestically produced camelina-based fuels, announced today it has been awarded a contract by the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) to supply camelina-based jet fuel for the Air Force. The contract is for 100,000 gallons of HRJ-8 beginning 2009 through 2010, and includes an option to purchase an additional 100,000 gallons between June 2010 and December 2012.

“Once again, camelina is the choice for high-performance, domestically produced renewable jet fuel,” said Scott Johnson, president of Sustainable Oils as well as president of the North American Camelina Trade Association. “This contract sends a strong signal to growers around the state and across the country that there is a market for camelina. We’re expecting to see an increase in acreage as a result of this great opportunity.”

Last month, the DESC awarded a similar contract to Sustainable Oils for a minimum of 40,000 gallons of camelina-based jet fuel with an option to supply up to an additional 150,000 gallons. Combined, Sustainable Oils will deliver a minimum of 140,000 gallons -- and up to 390,000 gallons -- of camelina jet fuel to the U.S. military, dramatically increasing the need for acreage dedicated to camelina next year.

“This is a great opportunity for Montana farmers to not only drive additional revenue, but also participate directly in decreasing our country’s reliance on foreign oil,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “I know our agricultural community is up to the challenge to supply our armed forces with camelina-based fuels.”

Camelina was selected because it does not compete with food crops, has been proven to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent, and has already been successfully tested in a commercial airline test flight. In addition, camelina has a naturally high oil content, is drought tolerant and requires less fertilizer and herbicides. It is an excellent rotation crop with wheat, and it can also grow on marginal land.

Camelina is the most readily available renewable fuel feedstock that meets the Air Force’s criteria, with the ability to scale up acreage to meet demand. The camelina for the contract was primarily grown in 2009 and harvested recently by farmers in Montana. The company also has several field trials in Washington State.

Sustainable Oils has the largest camelina research program in the nation. The company’s camelina breeding program began in 2005 and has steadily expanded to include more than 140 trials across North America from 2005-2009. The company is also evaluating more than 90 breeding populations of camelina to analyze agronomic and oil qualities and to develop new high-yielding varieties. Sustainable Oils leverages biotechnology resources from its Seattle-based agricultural biotech parent company Targeted Growth.

Camelina has also been proven to significantly reduce carbon emissions in aviation fuel. A life cycle analysis (LCA) of jet fuel created from camelina conducted at Michigan Tech University in conjunction with UOP LLC, a Honeywell Company, and Sustainable Oils found that the renewable fuel reduces carbon emissions by 80 percent compared to petroleum jet fuel.

In January, Sustainable Oils sourced the camelina for Japan Airlines’ historic biojet demonstration flight, whose biofuel blend was comprised primarily of camelina. In August, camelina again performed under high-performance conditions in a 100 percent blend of fuel powering the Boeing U-787 hydroplane in a series of demonstration laps at the Seafair Cup in Seattle.


Source: Sustainable Oils, LLC

Northrop Grumman Announces Successful G/ATOR AESA System Tests
United States of America, 5 October 2009

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced a prototype partial array antenna representative of the U.S. Marine Corps Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) active electronic scanned array (AESA) has completed successful testing at a company antenna test range in Norwalk, Conn., where all planned test objectives were met. This provides a high degree of confidence that the first EDM fully populated array (currently under integration/test) will likewise be a success.

The antenna tests successfully demonstrated key radar building blocks for the G/ATOR system including transmit and receive functionality, hardware and software communications, array tuning and calibration techniques. The partial array is now being integrated with additional radar subsystems for follow-on testing at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector headquarters in Baltimore. Meanwhile, a second G/ATOR AESA is scheduled for testing at the Norwalk test facility later this year.

"G/ATOR's true multi-mission capabilities will change the way the Marines fight and win," said Pat Newby, vice president of Weapons and Sensors for Northrop Grumman's Land Forces Division. "The successful results from the radar array tests provide a high degree of confidence that the array design will meet or exceed all system performance requirements."

G/ATOR is a highly mobile multi-mission radar that will replace and enhance the functionalities of five of the six current U.S. Marine Corps ground-based radars, providing significant increases in operational capabilities as well as large reductions in operations and maintenance costs. G/ATOR is the first ground based multi-mission radar to be developed by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The heart of the G/ATOR system, the AESA, is comprised of an integrated network of mini-radars in the form of transmit/receive modules that enables G/ATOR to successfully detect, track and engage numerous different target types, at multiple positions and in varying paths and trajectories. The flexibility of G/ATOR's AESA architecture also enables growth to address additional missions.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Wasp Begins Southern Partnership Station Deployment
United States of America, 5 October 2009

USS WASP, At Sea -- Multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 4 for a three month deployment in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS).

Wasp's crew of approximately 1,100 Sailors and 365 embarked Marines will work alongside Mayport-based Destroyer Squadron 40 to build and instill interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nation naval forces through a variety of exercises, theater security cooperations (TSC), military-to-military engagements and other positive engagement opportunities.

"Having this opportunity to show what Wasp is all about is important on a number of levels," said Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Lowell D. Crow. "We've trained hard, we've worked hard in preparing and now it's time to let it show. I'm proud of the work that we've accomplished in such a short period of time, and I'm excited at the prospects we have ahead of us with this deployment."

Wasp's SPS mission is to continue to strengthen the United States' and 4th Fleet's commitment to the region by fostering partnerships, building relationships and improving partner nation capabilities.

"I have no doubt in my mind that it will be a success, and that once again we're going to exceed the expectations that have been set," said Crow. "The sense of pride and accomplishment is apparent throughout the ranks of the crew and mixing that with anticipation for a successful deployment makes for a positive environment."


File Photo: USS Wasp (LHD 1), Length: 257 m. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy are designed to land forces on hostile shores, and they are the largest vessels of this type in service anywhere in the world.

ATK Receives Contract Option to Produce LW30mm M789 HEDP for Apache Helicopter
United States of America, 5 October 2009

LW30mm Provides Firepower for Apache Helicopters

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has been awarded a $25 million contract option to provide lightweight (LW) 30mm M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) tactical ammunition for the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., awarded the contract. This option is in addition to an $86 million base award that ATK announced in July. Production on this contract option will begin in March 2011 at the company's facilities in Radford, Va. and Rocket Center, W.Va.

ATK produces more than eight million rounds of medium-caliber ammunition per year, including the revolutionary air-bursting rounds it developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and a complete suite of ammunition for ATK's new LW 25mm chain gun. The company is a leading supplier of integrated medium-caliber systems that include medium-caliber cannons, ammunition, and electronics and fire control, delivering affordable and innovative technology to provide enhanced solutions and capabilities to customers worldwide.


Source: Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Second Northrop Grumman-Built National Security Cutter, Waesche, Completes Successful U.S. Coast Guard Acceptance Trials
United States of America, 2 October 2009

The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) completed a successful acceptance trial Thursday after undergoing meticulous testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship's return to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Gulf Coast facility following trials marks the final test of Waesche before her delivery in early November.

During the acceptance trial, Waesche performed all required sea trial evolutions for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), working together with the U.S. Coast Guard. The team conducted extensive testing of propulsion, electrical, damage control and combat systems.

"This ship is a quantum leap over the class of ship that it replaces," said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo, prospective commanding officer, Waesche. "The handling characteristics and the performance are light years ahead. Over the last six weeks, the amount of work that Northrop Grumman has done to bring this ship to delivery-ready status is phenomenal. It exceeds my expectations."

Waesche is the second ship in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multi-mission cutters. The NSC was built under contract from Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

"Congratulations to the shipbuilders, the Coast Guard and the industry team on a very successful acceptance trial," said Mike Duthu, Coast Guard program manager for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "Over the course of the last two days, we demonstrated the operational characteristics of the systems aboard Waesche to the INSURV board and everything went very well. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the shipbuilders to get us to this point. We could not have done it without them."

Waesche's keel was laid Sept. 11, 2006, marking the fifth anniversary of the vicious attack that launched the United States into the global war on terror, renewing interest in updated homeland defense. First-in-class Bertholf's keel was laid one year earlier in 2005. Waesche was christened July 26, 2008.

"We could only have achieved this success through the hard work and dedication of the craftspeople here at Northrop Grumman," said Richard Schenk, vice president of test and trials, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "Their long hours, hard work and with a lot of sweat they got this ship ready in a time period that nobody believed was possible. As a result, we were able to get to sea on our scheduled date and perform the demonstrations that our customer asked of us. We are now sure that the Coast Guard is going to receive a quality product and when it sails away, we can all be proud of the ship the Coast Guard has accepted."

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,480 ton displacement at full load. Her twin screws combined with dual diesel and gas turbine engines give the ship the thrust she needs for a quick 28-knot intercept speed, but also allow for her to exhibit a 60-day endurance with a range of 12,000 nautical miles.

The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing aircraft and modern command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability and a sailor-centric design to facilitate optimized crewing and, enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.




Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation