Tuesday, February 26, 2019

US Marines Firing the M777 155mm Howitzer

F-35B Flight Ops • USS Essex (2018)

Marine Expeditionary Unit Key in Recent Combat vs. IS

The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit played  a major role in recent strikes against Islamic State targets​ in Iraq and Syria.Particularly impressive was the air combat element provided by the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters of Fighter Attack Squadron (VFMA) 211, the Avengers. Their effort was characterised by 13th MEU Commander COL Candler Nelms as being:
A considerable portion of the ordnance that was dropped in theatre... They were active and did very well... But there's no breaking point with these guys;they just crushed it.*
The Avengers were flying off the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The ARG's deployment has taken it to the Indo-Pacific and into the Middle East, with the Avengers flying their first combat missions in close air support in Afghanistan in September 2018.
They then moved on to missions in Syria and Iraq, providing close air support and defensive counter air as a precaution, what with Russian aircraft being active in Syria.There were no incidents with the Russians.
The Avengers flew twice the amount of flight hours a Harrier squadron could have, according to COL Nelms.*
Other MEU assets used included the CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter for airlift in Iraq, and a battery of M777 howitzers deployed to Syria.*
COL Nelms explained that:
When combined with inherent capabilities of the 13th MEU and Essex ARG, the F-35B strengthens the amphibious force through new and increased multi-mission capabilities, making our team a more lethal and survivable crisis response force.*
The ARG, for its part,consists of:
Amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23);
And Amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47);
in addition, the Blackjacks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21;
Detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5;
Naval Beach Group 1;
Beachmaster Unit 1;
Fleet Surgical Team 3;
Tactical Air Control Squadron 11 and other assets.*
Within the MEU are the command element; aviation combat element; ground combat element; and logistics combat element.*
Operation Inherent Resolve continues as the Syrian Democratic Forces destroy the last IS urban stronghold in Baghouz, Syria, backed by Coalition partners.



Monday, February 18, 2019

NASA Holds Industry Day to Outline Lunar Exploration Plan, Get Feedback

On 14 February 2019, NASA elaborated on it's lunar exploration architecture for interested corporations, and sought their reactions at  NASA headquarters in Washington. The forum was led by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Bill Gerstenmeier, Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations.On 7 February, the agency had published a Request For Proposals from those companies looking to develop lunar landers for NASA and its international partners.It is the first step in the return of human explorers to the Moon,a series of critical studies, development and flight demos enabling sustainable exploration of deep space for the first time, including in-situ resource utilisation.*
NASA envisions a three-element approach to landing human explorers on the Moon:
1.transfer vehicle going from the Gateway's high halo orbit to the low lunar orbit;
2.descent vehicle going from the LLO to the lunar surface; and
3.ascent vehicle for safe return of the astronauts.
Vehicles that do not fit this specific architecture are ineligible for this funding opportunity.*
Formal responses from the corporations are due by 25 March 2019.*
A timeline for the lunar return effort was provided:
2024-An Orion Program mission places the first Gateway component, the small utilisation component for docking,in its high halo orbit; also the descent landing test is carried out.
2026-All three elements are tested.
2028-Human explorers return to the lunar surface.
NASA aims to replicate these steps on Mars.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)

Air Force Under Secretary Tells Vance Airmen to Prepare for New Conflicts

Air Force Under Secretary Tells Vance Airmen to Prepare for New Conflicts: Under Secretary of the Air Force Donovan told airmen to prepare themselves for a new era of superpower competition.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

New Version of Nuclear Weapon Closer to US and NATO Readiness

The US Air Force and Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration have recently completed developmental testing of the B61-12 tactical and strategic nuclear bomb version.The program office for the bomb said the 27-month testing programme was completed in just 11 months,yet with 100 percent success on all 31 bomb drops executed.Now the bomb version enters initial operational testing and evaluation.
In the summer of 2018,a B-2A Spirit bomber dropped two inert B61-12 bombs at Nellis AFB, Nevada.The tests were the start of a technicial reset of the B-2A for advanced warfighting requirements, including improved digital weapons integration; more computer processing power; next generation sensors.With a range of 6,000 nautical miles, the B-2A has flown combat missions in Iraq,Libya and Afghanistan.Now it is being readied for service in Anti-access/Area-denial scenarios against near-peer adversaries such as Russia and China.*
Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory did the design and engineering of the B61-12.
The bomb has the first digital interface of the series.One of the bombs can execute any of the missions intended by the Air Force and NATO:
Earth-penetrating attack;
Low-yield and high-yield attack;
Above surface detonation;
Bunker buster option.*
The Air Force intends to certify the B61-12 on the following aircraft:
B-2A Spirit bomber;
F-15E Strike Eagle fighter;
F-16 C,D and MLU variants;



F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter;
B-21 Raider bomber;
PA 200 Tornado fighter.
The new version is part of a Life Extension Program for the bomb.A total of 400 bombs are to be refitted, extending their lives by 20 years.*
The B61-12 is designed for NATO use.Currently the Allies Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey participate in the dual key arrangement with the US, providing personnel, storage and aircraft for the Alliance's nuclear deterrent.*
The first production unit of the B61-12 is slated for completion in March 2020, with full run completion by 2025.The updated weapon will include improved safety, security, reliability and accuracy, the Air Force said.*
Boeing provides the B61-12 guided tail-kit.*
Boeing (BA)

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Exclusive: On the frontline with the Syrian Democratic Forces - 2019

US Soldiers in Iraq u0026 Syria Artillery Strikes Against ISIS

New Pentagon Report Paints Stark Picture of Islamic State Reality

The 16th Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve's report to the US Congress blows away political aspirations with cold on the ground facts.Based on a Pentagon official's inquiries to US CENTCOM and Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve officials, the report notes that:
The effort to defeat ISIS (another name for Islamic State) continues as ISIS remains a potent force of battle-hardened and well-disciplined fighters that 'could likely resurge in Syria' absent continued counterterrorism pressure.
US CENTCOM officials believe that:
ISIS is regenerating key functions and capabilities more quickly in Iraq than in Syria, and "absent sustained pressure,ISIS could likely resurge in Syria within six to twelve months and regain limited territory."*
What is more:
ISIS remains active in rural Iraq and continues to conduct attacks, assassinations,and to resort to robbery and money laundering to raise funds.
*
The IG's report covers the period from 1 October 2018 to 31 December 2018.According to the report:
ISIS is still able to coordinate offensives and counter-offensives,as well as operate as a decentralized insurgency.
In Iraq, the Iraqi Security Forces are still reliant on the United States and Coalition support.*
As for the Syrian Democratic Forces,CJTF-OIR said Coalition support is 'vital to the SDF's ability to defeat ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley.'
Iraq's problems​ include lack of a tasking system for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets and vetting procedures for HUMINT.Even trained ISF units have shortfalls​ in command and control; leadership; physical resilience; and ability to execute basic minor infantry tactics, the IG's report indicates.