Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Russian Ambassador Threatens Denmark Over NATO's BMD Strategy
I don't think that the Danes fully understand the consequences if Denmark joins the US-led missile defence shield,Russia's ambassador to Copenhagen warned in a letter to the editor of Jylland Sposten.If that happens,Danish warships become targets for Russian nuclear missiles.Although it would be Denmark's decision,relations with Russia will be damaged and Denmark would lose both money and security.*
This is obviously unacceptable,responded Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard.Russia knows very well that NATO's missile defence system is defensive.We disagree with Russia on many important things,but it is important that the tone between us remains as positive as possible.*
The NATO Ballistic Missile Defence system consists of both ship and land-based SM-3 systems to counter short and medium-range ballistic missiles.Four US Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence warships are now based permanently at Rota,Spain.An Aegis Ashore capability is planned for commissioning in 2015 at Deveselu Airbase,Romania;and a second Aegis Ashore facility is planned for commissioning at Redzikowo Military Base,Poland in 2018.
Other NATO members are contributing frigate-based defence early-warning radars to the system:the Netherlands and Denmark.The Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence programme,ALTBMD,provides NATO command,control and communications for the system's architecture,which will protect European populations,territories and forces,as well as NATO deployed forces.*
The Aegis Ashore installation,Naval Support Facility Deveselu,is under the command of Captain William Garron,US Navy,and is to become fully operational later this year.The expected completion date is 30 September 2015.This European Phased Adaptive Approach includes:1.a deckhouse with command and control centre and a BMD-enhanced SPY 1 LDS radar similar to Aegis shipboard radars;and 2.a connected VLS building with 24 SM-3 missiles.Software is from the shipboard Aegis combat system.
A test site for the Lockheed Martin Aegis Ashore system is in Barking Sands,Hawaii.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)
This is obviously unacceptable,responded Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard.Russia knows very well that NATO's missile defence system is defensive.We disagree with Russia on many important things,but it is important that the tone between us remains as positive as possible.*
The NATO Ballistic Missile Defence system consists of both ship and land-based SM-3 systems to counter short and medium-range ballistic missiles.Four US Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence warships are now based permanently at Rota,Spain.An Aegis Ashore capability is planned for commissioning in 2015 at Deveselu Airbase,Romania;and a second Aegis Ashore facility is planned for commissioning at Redzikowo Military Base,Poland in 2018.
Other NATO members are contributing frigate-based defence early-warning radars to the system:the Netherlands and Denmark.The Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence programme,ALTBMD,provides NATO command,control and communications for the system's architecture,which will protect European populations,territories and forces,as well as NATO deployed forces.*
The Aegis Ashore installation,Naval Support Facility Deveselu,is under the command of Captain William Garron,US Navy,and is to become fully operational later this year.The expected completion date is 30 September 2015.This European Phased Adaptive Approach includes:1.a deckhouse with command and control centre and a BMD-enhanced SPY 1 LDS radar similar to Aegis shipboard radars;and 2.a connected VLS building with 24 SM-3 missiles.Software is from the shipboard Aegis combat system.
A test site for the Lockheed Martin Aegis Ashore system is in Barking Sands,Hawaii.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Threats To North America:US Northcom and NORAD Commander
Admiral William Gortney,US Navy,commander US Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command,appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday,12 March,to submit the Command's fiscal 2016 budget request.Included with the request was an assessment of current and future threats to the continent.ADM Gortney said what is most concerning to him is the seams that exist between Northcom,Southern Command and Pacific Command;between US interagency partners and the combatant commands;between the US and partner nations;and seams within those nations.In these seams,people are moving drugs and money.They're moving products for profit through the seams.We need to close these seams,because if someone wants to do something that will cause great damage to the nation,that is where they will come.*
2.Homegrown violent extremists are using an effective and sophisticated social media campaign to stir up distrust and incite harm to American citizens.*
3.A cyber attack could directly affect critical infrastructure that I rely on to defend the nation,and that we rely on for our nation to operate.I see that as a significant threat.A cyber attack in Ottawa would take out the Northeast quadrant of our air defence sector.It would effectively be a mission kill.So it would not only affect my abiity to do my mission;more importantly,we as a nation rely on this same infrastructure to operate-whether it's banking,rail,aviation,power or movement of water.All of these things have critical infrastructure that we must have,and they need to be hardened against an adversary.Northcom is responsible for defending known networks and helping lead federal agencies in the aftermath of a cyber attack.
4.Russian heavy bombers flew more out of area patrols in 2014 than in any year since the Cold War.We have also witnessed improved interoperability between Russian long-range aviation and other elements of the Russian military,including air and maritime intelligence collection platforms positioned to monitor NORAD responses.Such patrols serve a training function for Russian air crews,but some are clearly intended to underscore Moscow's global reach and communicate displeasure with Western policies,especially those involving Ukraine.Russia is also progressing toward its gosl of developing long-range,conventionally armed cruise missiles with increasing stand-off launch distances on its heavy bombers,submarines and surface combatants.Should these trends continue,NORAD will face increased risk in our ability to defend North America against Russian air,maritime and cruise missile threats.
5.North Korea has successfully test-detonated three nuclear devices,and through its space program has demonstrated many of the technologies required for an ICBM that could target the continental United States.North Korean military parades have showcased the new KN08 road-mobile ICBM.When deployed,the system will complicate the US ability to provide warning and defend against an attack.
6.Iran has likewise committed considerable resources to enhancing its ballistic missile capabilities,and has already placed another satellite into orbit this year,usinga new booster that could serve as a demonstrator for ICBM technologies.
7.Sequestration poses the likeliest and most dangerous threat.It leads to a hollow force,slowing development of the US technological advantage that makes it possible to outpace future threats.It also affects missile defence,putting on hold the long-range discrimination radar;improvements to the advanced kill vehicle;and the multi-object kill vehicle of the US Ballistic Missile Defense System.It would hinder the United States' ability to outpace the growing proliferation of ballistic missiles.
7.The Arctic requires advocacy and partnerships from within and outside the Northcom area of responsibility as the region grows in importance to our national security over the next few decades.
2.Homegrown violent extremists are using an effective and sophisticated social media campaign to stir up distrust and incite harm to American citizens.*
3.A cyber attack could directly affect critical infrastructure that I rely on to defend the nation,and that we rely on for our nation to operate.I see that as a significant threat.A cyber attack in Ottawa would take out the Northeast quadrant of our air defence sector.It would effectively be a mission kill.So it would not only affect my abiity to do my mission;more importantly,we as a nation rely on this same infrastructure to operate-whether it's banking,rail,aviation,power or movement of water.All of these things have critical infrastructure that we must have,and they need to be hardened against an adversary.Northcom is responsible for defending known networks and helping lead federal agencies in the aftermath of a cyber attack.
4.Russian heavy bombers flew more out of area patrols in 2014 than in any year since the Cold War.We have also witnessed improved interoperability between Russian long-range aviation and other elements of the Russian military,including air and maritime intelligence collection platforms positioned to monitor NORAD responses.Such patrols serve a training function for Russian air crews,but some are clearly intended to underscore Moscow's global reach and communicate displeasure with Western policies,especially those involving Ukraine.Russia is also progressing toward its gosl of developing long-range,conventionally armed cruise missiles with increasing stand-off launch distances on its heavy bombers,submarines and surface combatants.Should these trends continue,NORAD will face increased risk in our ability to defend North America against Russian air,maritime and cruise missile threats.
5.North Korea has successfully test-detonated three nuclear devices,and through its space program has demonstrated many of the technologies required for an ICBM that could target the continental United States.North Korean military parades have showcased the new KN08 road-mobile ICBM.When deployed,the system will complicate the US ability to provide warning and defend against an attack.
6.Iran has likewise committed considerable resources to enhancing its ballistic missile capabilities,and has already placed another satellite into orbit this year,usinga new booster that could serve as a demonstrator for ICBM technologies.
7.Sequestration poses the likeliest and most dangerous threat.It leads to a hollow force,slowing development of the US technological advantage that makes it possible to outpace future threats.It also affects missile defence,putting on hold the long-range discrimination radar;improvements to the advanced kill vehicle;and the multi-object kill vehicle of the US Ballistic Missile Defense System.It would hinder the United States' ability to outpace the growing proliferation of ballistic missiles.
7.The Arctic requires advocacy and partnerships from within and outside the Northcom area of responsibility as the region grows in importance to our national security over the next few decades.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Manned Spaceflight Update:First Space Launch System Booster Test;International Space Station One-Year Crew Nears Launch
On 11 March,a major milestone was reached when the Space Launch System's solid rocket booster passed the first of two flight qualification tests for deep space missions.The two minute test mirrored an actual flight,since it lasted the same amount of time the booster will burn on liftoff.The test was conducted at the Orbital ATK test facility in Promontory,Utah.After the second qualification test 2016,the flight booster hardware will be transported to Kennedy Space Center for the first flight of the SLS and Orion spacecraft together,Exploration Mission 1 in 2018.
The work being done around the country today to build SLS is laying a solid foundation for future exploration missions, and those missions will enable us to pioneer far into the solar system,said Dr.William Gerstenmaier,NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations.*
The SLS booster was heated for months to reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit,so it could be tested at the highest end of the propellant temperature range.The second test in early 2016 will test the booster at 40 F,the low end of the propellant temperature range.
Our partnership with Orbital ATK and more than 500 suppliers across the country is keeping us on the path to building the most powerful rocket in the world,said SLS program director Todd May.Some 102 design objectives were assessed during the test with more than 531 instrumentation channels.The SLS booster met applicable ballistic performance requirements,including thrust and pressure.Data was also gathered on the new internal motor insulation and liner and the improved nozzle design.
Two SLS boosters will be grouped with four RS-25 main engines for the launch,operating in parallel for the first two minutes of the launch.The boosters provide more than 70% of the thrust required to escape Earth's gravitational field.SLS will be configured for a 70-metric-tonne/77 tonne lift capacity to carry the unmanned Orion spacecraft beyond Low Earth Orbit in EM-1,the first flight of the integrated system.The projected date of EM-1 is 30 September 2018.On future manned missions to deep space,SLS will be configured for a record-breaking lift capacity of 130-metric-tonnes/143 tonnes.*
On 27 March,NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly,Captain US Navy Retired,and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko will be launched for the One-Year Crew Mission aboard the International Space Station,accompanied by Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka.They will be launched aboard a Soyuz YMA-16M spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome,Kazakhstan.Kelly will be the first NASA astronaut to spend a year in space,but Russia has completed four manned missions of at least one year in duration.Padalka will return to Earth before Kelly and Kornienko.
The One-Year Crew will pave the way for the deep space missions of the future,including Orion flights,by gathering critical physiological and psychological data on the effects of long duration space flights.American and Russian scientists will collaborate on the project using the ISS technology,which is more advanced than the technology Russia had for its long duration studies some 20 years ago,yielding a more comprehensive picture.*
Orbital ATK Inc (ATK)
The work being done around the country today to build SLS is laying a solid foundation for future exploration missions, and those missions will enable us to pioneer far into the solar system,said Dr.William Gerstenmaier,NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations.*
The SLS booster was heated for months to reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit,so it could be tested at the highest end of the propellant temperature range.The second test in early 2016 will test the booster at 40 F,the low end of the propellant temperature range.
Our partnership with Orbital ATK and more than 500 suppliers across the country is keeping us on the path to building the most powerful rocket in the world,said SLS program director Todd May.Some 102 design objectives were assessed during the test with more than 531 instrumentation channels.The SLS booster met applicable ballistic performance requirements,including thrust and pressure.Data was also gathered on the new internal motor insulation and liner and the improved nozzle design.
Two SLS boosters will be grouped with four RS-25 main engines for the launch,operating in parallel for the first two minutes of the launch.The boosters provide more than 70% of the thrust required to escape Earth's gravitational field.SLS will be configured for a 70-metric-tonne/77 tonne lift capacity to carry the unmanned Orion spacecraft beyond Low Earth Orbit in EM-1,the first flight of the integrated system.The projected date of EM-1 is 30 September 2018.On future manned missions to deep space,SLS will be configured for a record-breaking lift capacity of 130-metric-tonnes/143 tonnes.*
On 27 March,NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly,Captain US Navy Retired,and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko will be launched for the One-Year Crew Mission aboard the International Space Station,accompanied by Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka.They will be launched aboard a Soyuz YMA-16M spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome,Kazakhstan.Kelly will be the first NASA astronaut to spend a year in space,but Russia has completed four manned missions of at least one year in duration.Padalka will return to Earth before Kelly and Kornienko.
The One-Year Crew will pave the way for the deep space missions of the future,including Orion flights,by gathering critical physiological and psychological data on the effects of long duration space flights.American and Russian scientists will collaborate on the project using the ISS technology,which is more advanced than the technology Russia had for its long duration studies some 20 years ago,yielding a more comprehensive picture.*
Orbital ATK Inc (ATK)
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
How Much Does ISIL Threaten Afghanistan?-plus where the A-29 aircraft fits in
We have seen some ISIL recruiting in different parts of the country,General John Campbell,US Army,operations commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan,told the House Armed Services Committee.We have seen some night letter drops by ISIL.The dynamics in Afghanistan are not the same as in Iraq.We will see it and we will continue to monitor it,and we have a strategy for the short,medium and long-term.The senior leadership in the Afghan army and police have told me that they will not let ISIL do what they did in Iraq and Syria.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wants to make sure his intelligence forces are keeping a close watch.He gets several security updates a day.I think they view ISIL as a potential threat and make sure that they have a strategy.Intel drives ops,and that's what we try to instil in our Afghan partners.Intel is one of the eight essential functions that we continue to build at all the ministry levels.I take a look at the conditions on the ground.I do believe the best thing we can do is continue to build their close air support and special forces.
Less than 10% of the Afghan people embrace the Taliban militants.The people are plain and simple just tired of this,of the Taliban and what they represent.That's different from the way it was just a few years ago.*
Asked by Representative Jackie Walorski,R-Indiana,what the Plan B was,the plan for if things go awry in Afghanistan,GEN Campbell requested to reply in a closed session or by letter.*
If things go awry,GEN Campbell continued in open session,our plan for re-engagement,our goal really is to build the Afghan capacity.The Taliban and their message is not having any traction with the Afghan people.It's time for the Taliban to become part of the process.I think that's really where we're going with the Taliban.
The first thing I always get asked for is close air support.Once we get their close air,intel,sustainment and medical,I'd feel better.On my Priority Intelligence Requirements,I said I need to know more about ISIL,and that's why I made it a PIR.It could grow very rapidly.It is a nascent organisation.It grew very quickly in Iraq and Syria.It has the potential to jump developmental stages.
I want to make sure what assurances I have that released detainees will not attack our forces again.I want to be tied in with that.Eighty-five percent of the people in Kabul feel comfortable with a coalition presence,and want to have it around.The Afghans do have indirect fire-they have mortars and Howitzers,but they're looking forward to the A-29 aircraft.*
The A-29 Super Tucano Embraer EMB 314 turboprop is for light attack,counter-insurgency,close air support and reconnaissance in low threat environments,as well as being for advanced training.It is designed for austere environments with conditions such as high temperatures and humidity in extremely rugged terrain.The popular aircraft is highly maneuverable,has a low heat signature,fourth generation avionics and weapons systems to deliver precision guided munitions.With a speed of 368.47 miles per hour and a range of 2995 miles,it is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil,Columbia,Chile,Indonesia and the Philippines.The US Air Force has ordered 20 of them for training and equipping the Afghan air force.The first of the Tucanos arrived at Moody Air Force Base,Georgia on 26 September 2014.A few more will be delivered from December 2015 into 2016;but most will arrive from 2017-18,according to GEN Campbell.They will replace the Afghans' Mi-35 helicopters and expand their mission sets.A total of 30 Afghan pilots and 90 maintainers will be trained at Moody AFB with the assistance of contract personnel from Sierra Nevada Corporation.*
The complexity of the world we live in is a generational piece that we will have long after you and I have left,GEN Campbell reflected.I do see Afghanistan as a place that can be the bright spot for very little continued investment.Afghanistan can be the shining light of Central Asia.For every suicide vest that goes off in Kabul,there are 10 more that are stopped.*
Embraer SA (ERJ)
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wants to make sure his intelligence forces are keeping a close watch.He gets several security updates a day.I think they view ISIL as a potential threat and make sure that they have a strategy.Intel drives ops,and that's what we try to instil in our Afghan partners.Intel is one of the eight essential functions that we continue to build at all the ministry levels.I take a look at the conditions on the ground.I do believe the best thing we can do is continue to build their close air support and special forces.
Less than 10% of the Afghan people embrace the Taliban militants.The people are plain and simple just tired of this,of the Taliban and what they represent.That's different from the way it was just a few years ago.*
Asked by Representative Jackie Walorski,R-Indiana,what the Plan B was,the plan for if things go awry in Afghanistan,GEN Campbell requested to reply in a closed session or by letter.*
If things go awry,GEN Campbell continued in open session,our plan for re-engagement,our goal really is to build the Afghan capacity.The Taliban and their message is not having any traction with the Afghan people.It's time for the Taliban to become part of the process.I think that's really where we're going with the Taliban.
The first thing I always get asked for is close air support.Once we get their close air,intel,sustainment and medical,I'd feel better.On my Priority Intelligence Requirements,I said I need to know more about ISIL,and that's why I made it a PIR.It could grow very rapidly.It is a nascent organisation.It grew very quickly in Iraq and Syria.It has the potential to jump developmental stages.
I want to make sure what assurances I have that released detainees will not attack our forces again.I want to be tied in with that.Eighty-five percent of the people in Kabul feel comfortable with a coalition presence,and want to have it around.The Afghans do have indirect fire-they have mortars and Howitzers,but they're looking forward to the A-29 aircraft.*
The A-29 Super Tucano Embraer EMB 314 turboprop is for light attack,counter-insurgency,close air support and reconnaissance in low threat environments,as well as being for advanced training.It is designed for austere environments with conditions such as high temperatures and humidity in extremely rugged terrain.The popular aircraft is highly maneuverable,has a low heat signature,fourth generation avionics and weapons systems to deliver precision guided munitions.With a speed of 368.47 miles per hour and a range of 2995 miles,it is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil,Columbia,Chile,Indonesia and the Philippines.The US Air Force has ordered 20 of them for training and equipping the Afghan air force.The first of the Tucanos arrived at Moody Air Force Base,Georgia on 26 September 2014.A few more will be delivered from December 2015 into 2016;but most will arrive from 2017-18,according to GEN Campbell.They will replace the Afghans' Mi-35 helicopters and expand their mission sets.A total of 30 Afghan pilots and 90 maintainers will be trained at Moody AFB with the assistance of contract personnel from Sierra Nevada Corporation.*
The complexity of the world we live in is a generational piece that we will have long after you and I have left,GEN Campbell reflected.I do see Afghanistan as a place that can be the bright spot for very little continued investment.Afghanistan can be the shining light of Central Asia.For every suicide vest that goes off in Kabul,there are 10 more that are stopped.*
Embraer SA (ERJ)
Monday, March 9, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
No Signs of Slowing Down:The Steadfast B-52H
In an unprecedented move,a US Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bomber called "Ghost Rider" has been taken out of retirement at the famous Boneyard storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base,Arizona.Thousands of planes are kept in storage at the bone-dry desert tract and occasionally used for spare parts.Till now,though,none had ever been returned to flight.
Ghost Rider was found to have dry rot in its fuel lines and on its tyres,but after a bit of refurbishment,it passed a runway test of its steering and landing gear,and its eight Pratt&Whitney engines fired right up.The flight control systems worked perfectly as well,so on 13 February the sturdy bomber was flown to Barksadale AFB,Louisiana,one of two bases that host the B-52Hs;the other is Minot AFB in North Dakota.Ghost Rider will take the place of a B-52 damaged in a cockpit fire.
The B-52s played a major role in the Vietnam War from 1964-73.Thirty-one of them were shot down,with the loss of 25 crewmembers.After Vietnam,they went on to serve over Iraq,Yugoslavia and Afghanistan in Operations Desert Storm in 1991 and Desert Strike in 1996;Operation Allied Force in 1999;Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001;and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.The Stratofortress has been constantly upgraded and will be in service until 2045,according to the current plan.It has proven to be a superior economical and adaptable high subsonic speed bomber with substantial loiter capability.
In 2013,the fleet-wide technology upgrade called Combat Network Communications Technology,or CONECT,was begun to modernise technology,computing and flight deck avionics,and involved installing new modems,servers,radios,receivers,data links and digital workstations.From 2016-17,the Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade will be carried out,resulting in a 66% increase in weapons carriage capacity through installation of a digital interface and rotary launcher.JDAMS,aong with JASSM and MACD missiles will be carried internally in the weapons bay,giving the streamlined plane a 15% improvement in fuel mileage besides the increased firepower.
An airman enlisting today could well spend his or her entire career on the B-52H.*
Boeing(BA),United Technologies(UTX)
Ghost Rider was found to have dry rot in its fuel lines and on its tyres,but after a bit of refurbishment,it passed a runway test of its steering and landing gear,and its eight Pratt&Whitney engines fired right up.The flight control systems worked perfectly as well,so on 13 February the sturdy bomber was flown to Barksadale AFB,Louisiana,one of two bases that host the B-52Hs;the other is Minot AFB in North Dakota.Ghost Rider will take the place of a B-52 damaged in a cockpit fire.
The B-52s played a major role in the Vietnam War from 1964-73.Thirty-one of them were shot down,with the loss of 25 crewmembers.After Vietnam,they went on to serve over Iraq,Yugoslavia and Afghanistan in Operations Desert Storm in 1991 and Desert Strike in 1996;Operation Allied Force in 1999;Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001;and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.The Stratofortress has been constantly upgraded and will be in service until 2045,according to the current plan.It has proven to be a superior economical and adaptable high subsonic speed bomber with substantial loiter capability.
In 2013,the fleet-wide technology upgrade called Combat Network Communications Technology,or CONECT,was begun to modernise technology,computing and flight deck avionics,and involved installing new modems,servers,radios,receivers,data links and digital workstations.From 2016-17,the Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade will be carried out,resulting in a 66% increase in weapons carriage capacity through installation of a digital interface and rotary launcher.JDAMS,aong with JASSM and MACD missiles will be carried internally in the weapons bay,giving the streamlined plane a 15% improvement in fuel mileage besides the increased firepower.
An airman enlisting today could well spend his or her entire career on the B-52H.*
Boeing(BA),United Technologies(UTX)
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