Thursday, October 31, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Navy Set to Deploy New Low-Yield Warhead, Enhance Deterrence
In the next few months, the US Navy will likely begin deployment of a new low-yield nuclear warhead on some of its Trident II D5 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles.This is in accordance with the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review.The National Nuclear Security Administration has just released a mission logo for the program.It started producing the new W76-2 variant warheads in January 2019.The warhead was designed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory,New Mexico.*
The W76-2 may be detonated either by contact or airburst.The NNSA plans to complete the production run and deliver the warheads to the Navy by late 2019.The Trump Administration perceived a need for additional tailored and flexible capabilities to address the danger of coercive nuclear use by Russia and North Korea.The Nuclear Posture Review said the low-yield warhead would enhance deterrence by denying potential adversaries any mistaken confidence that limited nuclear employment can provide a useful advantage over the United States and its allies.*
The W76-2 will not add to the number of deployed SLBM warheads; but replace some of the high-yield warheads already deployed.Russia has wargamed low-yield nuclear weapon use in a regional conflict.So the W76-2 could bolster deterrence by convincing Russia the US could respond with its own proportional, limited attack.*
Putting low-yield weapons on submarines offers improved survivability and penetration because aircraft delivery is vulnerable to an adversary's air defences.*
Russian military doctrine envisions the use of low-yield nuclear weapons in a scenario where Russia is losing a conventional war.*
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Washington) says it is very unlikely Congress will block the program.
The W76-2 may be detonated either by contact or airburst.The NNSA plans to complete the production run and deliver the warheads to the Navy by late 2019.The Trump Administration perceived a need for additional tailored and flexible capabilities to address the danger of coercive nuclear use by Russia and North Korea.The Nuclear Posture Review said the low-yield warhead would enhance deterrence by denying potential adversaries any mistaken confidence that limited nuclear employment can provide a useful advantage over the United States and its allies.*
The W76-2 will not add to the number of deployed SLBM warheads; but replace some of the high-yield warheads already deployed.Russia has wargamed low-yield nuclear weapon use in a regional conflict.So the W76-2 could bolster deterrence by convincing Russia the US could respond with its own proportional, limited attack.*
Putting low-yield weapons on submarines offers improved survivability and penetration because aircraft delivery is vulnerable to an adversary's air defences.*
Russian military doctrine envisions the use of low-yield nuclear weapons in a scenario where Russia is losing a conventional war.*
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Washington) says it is very unlikely Congress will block the program.
This Is the Military Working Dog That Helped Take Out the Leader of ISIS | Military.com
This Is the Military Working Dog That Helped Take Out the Leader of ISIS | Military.com: The very good dog appears to be a female Belgian Malinois.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Enormous Marine Corps and NATO Exercise Underway in SoCal
Marine Air-Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise (MWX) 1-20 is running in the Mojave Desert in Southern California from mid-October through early November.More than 10,000 US Marines and Sailors of the 2nd Marine Division,as well as NATO troops are participating in the drills.They are enacting a scenario involving the conflict between sophisticated and well-equipped peer and near-peer adversaries.It is an unscripted event, unique in the history of the Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, the high desert terrain in San Bernardino County.The base's more than 998 square miles is larger than some small countries.The range provides live fire combined arms training to promote readiness of operating forces.*
The purpose of MWX 20-1 is to increase warfighting readiness in preparation for major combat operations on a Division scale (such as versus China and/or Russia).It is a multi-regimental war game in which 2ndMARDIV will serve as Ground Combat Element for a notional Joint Task Force higher HQ.All elements of the MAGTF will participate, including close-air support; integrated artillery fires; tanks; amphibious assault vehicles;and light infantry vehicles.It will provide the Division with an opportunity to better understand and modulate its signiture, be it physical or across the electromagnetic spectrum: how it looks from an adversary's perspective, and how we can effectively command and control while minimising our footprint.*
Scenario specifics are being withheld for operational security reasons.Overalll,it will enable 2ndMARDIV to hone its skills at regimental-level operations in the defence; transitioning from the defence to the offense; and serving as a Combatant Command blunt force in order to reassure notional Partners and Allies,and deter aggression in a given AOR;and to set conditions for the reestablishment of a partner nation's sovereignty.
NATO participants include the UK's Royal Commandos,who are serving as part of the ADFOR, reinforcing and validating the long-held understanding that when the US goes into a fight,it does not go alone.*
Logisticians across the Division and supporting units crafted a deployment and support plan to transport and sustain the thosands of Marines and and tens thousands of end items in equipment.Managing hundreds of rail cars, tractor trailer loads, and aircraft through six different ports has proven the Division's capability to mobilise.*
According to 2ndMARDIV commander MGEN David J. Furness:
In the Exercise design, we will encounter a free-thinking "adversary force" with tactics and capabilities as good as our own.
2ndMARDIV will conduct complex manoeuvre warfare training on a plethora of disparate and geographically-disbursed ranges in order to challenge and improve our command and control (C2) capabilities.
We will employ and test some technologically advanced equipment...all with an eye on modernising our force.
Success may well be defined by getting the Division, and all the personnel and materiel that entails, the 3,000 miles required to prosecute the battle.*
The purpose of MWX 20-1 is to increase warfighting readiness in preparation for major combat operations on a Division scale (such as versus China and/or Russia).It is a multi-regimental war game in which 2ndMARDIV will serve as Ground Combat Element for a notional Joint Task Force higher HQ.All elements of the MAGTF will participate, including close-air support; integrated artillery fires; tanks; amphibious assault vehicles;and light infantry vehicles.It will provide the Division with an opportunity to better understand and modulate its signiture, be it physical or across the electromagnetic spectrum: how it looks from an adversary's perspective, and how we can effectively command and control while minimising our footprint.*
Scenario specifics are being withheld for operational security reasons.Overalll,it will enable 2ndMARDIV to hone its skills at regimental-level operations in the defence; transitioning from the defence to the offense; and serving as a Combatant Command blunt force in order to reassure notional Partners and Allies,and deter aggression in a given AOR;and to set conditions for the reestablishment of a partner nation's sovereignty.
NATO participants include the UK's Royal Commandos,who are serving as part of the ADFOR, reinforcing and validating the long-held understanding that when the US goes into a fight,it does not go alone.*
Logisticians across the Division and supporting units crafted a deployment and support plan to transport and sustain the thosands of Marines and and tens thousands of end items in equipment.Managing hundreds of rail cars, tractor trailer loads, and aircraft through six different ports has proven the Division's capability to mobilise.*
According to 2ndMARDIV commander MGEN David J. Furness:
In the Exercise design, we will encounter a free-thinking "adversary force" with tactics and capabilities as good as our own.
2ndMARDIV will conduct complex manoeuvre warfare training on a plethora of disparate and geographically-disbursed ranges in order to challenge and improve our command and control (C2) capabilities.
We will employ and test some technologically advanced equipment...all with an eye on modernising our force.
Success may well be defined by getting the Division, and all the personnel and materiel that entails, the 3,000 miles required to prosecute the battle.*
Monday, October 21, 2019
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Bomber Task Force Arrives in Europe as Destroyer Enters Black Sea
On the night of 10 October 2019,at least four US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress heavy bombers departed Barksdale AFB, Louisiana on a flight to RAF Fairfield, England.The 2nd Bomb Wing aircraft are set to conduct integration and interoperability training with European Allies and Partners,USAF Global Strike Command said.The BTF will exercise the ability of USAF Global Strike Command to conduct bomber operations from a Forward Operating Base in support of US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and US European Command (EUCOM) mission objectives.*
The training by Airmen in a joint environment will greatly enhance global stability and security while familiarising them with operations in a different region,GSC added. Details of future operations will not be disclosed in the interest of operational security,GSC stated.*
Contributing to our ready and postured forces, the deployment will build enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges, according to USAFE.*
Meanwhile, the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) has entered the Black Sea and made a port call at Odessa, Ukraine.Five Ukrainian officers will observe sea-and-anchor operations on the Porter.US 6th Fleet said:
These operations enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO Allies and Black Sea Partners.*
The ongoing series of robust operations began when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, Ukraine and backed subversion in Eastern Ukraine in 2014.*
The Porter transited the Bosphorus Strait on 12 October, Turkish ship spotters reported.*
The naval operations also demonstrate the US commitment to freedom of navigation in that Russia considers the Black Sea its sphere of interest.Earlier in the year, Russian forces fired on and seized two Ukrainian Navy vessels and imprisoned 24 Ukrainian Sailors for transiting the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea Region.The Sailors were recently released in a prisoner exchange with Russia.*
The training by Airmen in a joint environment will greatly enhance global stability and security while familiarising them with operations in a different region,GSC added. Details of future operations will not be disclosed in the interest of operational security,GSC stated.*
Contributing to our ready and postured forces, the deployment will build enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges, according to USAFE.*
Meanwhile, the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) has entered the Black Sea and made a port call at Odessa, Ukraine.Five Ukrainian officers will observe sea-and-anchor operations on the Porter.US 6th Fleet said:
These operations enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO Allies and Black Sea Partners.*
The ongoing series of robust operations began when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, Ukraine and backed subversion in Eastern Ukraine in 2014.*
The Porter transited the Bosphorus Strait on 12 October, Turkish ship spotters reported.*
The naval operations also demonstrate the US commitment to freedom of navigation in that Russia considers the Black Sea its sphere of interest.Earlier in the year, Russian forces fired on and seized two Ukrainian Navy vessels and imprisoned 24 Ukrainian Sailors for transiting the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea Region.The Sailors were recently released in a prisoner exchange with Russia.*
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Building Undersea Warfare Capacity:Sub Group 2 Re-established
On 30 September 2019,in response to re-emergent great power competition, the US Navy re-established Commander,Sub Group 2 in Norfolk, Virginia.It had been dis-established in August 2014.According to the Navy,SUBGRU 2 is aimed at:
Enhancing the Navy's capacity to command and control its Undersea Warfare forces seamlessly across the entire Atlantic area, from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States to the Barents Sea, and even into the South Atlantic,if the need arises.*
VADM Charles Richard, Commander of Submarine Forces, said that:
The security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex in the North Atlantic.To maintain America's undersea superiority, we must increase naval power and our readiness for high-end blue water warfare.How we're organized to command that employment will be a driving factor in our success-that's why we're re-establishing Sub Group 2 today.*
Commander, SUBGRU 2 RADM James Waters:
We will prepare forces to control the undersea domain through rigorous competitive training, and a thorough understanding of our adversaries and the environment where we both operate.Further, we will innovate and advance the art of theater anti-submarine warfare through complex fleet exercises and war games.*
SUBGRU 2 is capable of operating as an embedded Commander ,Task Force within Commander ,U.S. 2nd Fleet when it is activated as a Maritime Command Element.*
ADM Christopher Grady, Commander,U.S. Fleet Forces Command,told SUBGRU 2 that:
You must understand that winning decisively in a potential "Fourth Battle of the Atlantic" should be your guiding vision.The best way to prevent a fight is to be prepared to win decisively should anyone threaten us.We believe in power for peace.*
Enhancing the Navy's capacity to command and control its Undersea Warfare forces seamlessly across the entire Atlantic area, from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States to the Barents Sea, and even into the South Atlantic,if the need arises.*
VADM Charles Richard, Commander of Submarine Forces, said that:
The security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex in the North Atlantic.To maintain America's undersea superiority, we must increase naval power and our readiness for high-end blue water warfare.How we're organized to command that employment will be a driving factor in our success-that's why we're re-establishing Sub Group 2 today.*
Commander, SUBGRU 2 RADM James Waters:
We will prepare forces to control the undersea domain through rigorous competitive training, and a thorough understanding of our adversaries and the environment where we both operate.Further, we will innovate and advance the art of theater anti-submarine warfare through complex fleet exercises and war games.*
SUBGRU 2 is capable of operating as an embedded Commander ,Task Force within Commander ,U.S. 2nd Fleet when it is activated as a Maritime Command Element.*
ADM Christopher Grady, Commander,U.S. Fleet Forces Command,told SUBGRU 2 that:
You must understand that winning decisively in a potential "Fourth Battle of the Atlantic" should be your guiding vision.The best way to prevent a fight is to be prepared to win decisively should anyone threaten us.We believe in power for peace.*
Friday, October 4, 2019
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Orion Program Update: NASA Awards Contract for Crew Modules - revised
NASA has awarded Lockheed Martin of Littleton, Colorado a contract for at least six, and as many as twelve Orion spacecraft for the Artemis lunar exploration missions.The capsules for Artemis Missions III - V will be produced for 2.7 billion dollars; while those for Missions VI through VIII will be produced for 1.9 billion.The long-term plan is to reuse each crew module at least once.*
As for the Artemis I and II Orion capsules, NASA says that work is well underway on them:
Engineers at Kennedy Space Center have completed and attached the crew and service modules for Artemis I and are preparing the spacecraft for environmental testing.Meanwhile, teams at Kennedy are integrating thousands of parts into the crew module for Artemis II in preparation for the first crewed Artemis mission.*
Artemis I is planned for a 2020 launch on a test mission of the integrated Orion capsule, European Service Module and Space Launch System rocket. Artemis II will be the first crewed Orion spacecraft mission, taking astronauts to a high orbit 40,000 miles from the Moon, the farthest humans have gone from Earth.Artemis III is planned to land the first woman and a male crewmate on the Moon by 2024.These Missions have the ultimate goal of enabling further crewed exploration of the solar system, with the next step being the Mars system.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)
As for the Artemis I and II Orion capsules, NASA says that work is well underway on them:
Engineers at Kennedy Space Center have completed and attached the crew and service modules for Artemis I and are preparing the spacecraft for environmental testing.Meanwhile, teams at Kennedy are integrating thousands of parts into the crew module for Artemis II in preparation for the first crewed Artemis mission.*
Artemis I is planned for a 2020 launch on a test mission of the integrated Orion capsule, European Service Module and Space Launch System rocket. Artemis II will be the first crewed Orion spacecraft mission, taking astronauts to a high orbit 40,000 miles from the Moon, the farthest humans have gone from Earth.Artemis III is planned to land the first woman and a male crewmate on the Moon by 2024.These Missions have the ultimate goal of enabling further crewed exploration of the solar system, with the next step being the Mars system.*
Lockheed Martin (LMT)
US Strikes IS in Libya
In a news release,US Africa Command says it carried out an airstrike on Islamic State in Libya on 29 September 2019.The strike targeted IS militants in Southern Libya.According to US Army MG William Gayler,AFRICOM director of operations:
By disrupting the terrorists' planning, training and activities, we also degrade their capacity to threaten US and partner interests in the region.*
AFRICOM said that,at this time, seven IS terrorists were killed as a result of the strike, and that no civilians were killed or injured.*
Islamist extremists have sought influence in Libya since strongman Colonel Muammar Gadaffi was assassinated in 2011 after some fifty years in power.*
By disrupting the terrorists' planning, training and activities, we also degrade their capacity to threaten US and partner interests in the region.*
AFRICOM said that,at this time, seven IS terrorists were killed as a result of the strike, and that no civilians were killed or injured.*
Islamist extremists have sought influence in Libya since strongman Colonel Muammar Gadaffi was assassinated in 2011 after some fifty years in power.*
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