Arctic Warrior 21:Paratroopers Conduct Airborne Operation using Newly Fielded Night Vision...

Military Tempo Mounts in Arctic

On 22 February 2021,four US Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers arrived at Orland Air Base, Norway.It marked an historic occasion,the first ever Bomber Task Force deployment to the Scandinavian country. The missions flown by the Lancers are meant to increase the lethality and readiness of the combined forces in the north of Europe,NATO said. GEN Jeff Harrigian, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, enthused: I'm looking forward to showcasing our ability to operate out of this new location and get after the mission in fresh environments.* The drills will integrate fifth generation Norwegian F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters with the B-1Bs, demonstrating the Allies' technological achievements in defence and interoperability.The US and its Allies conduct regular and routine operations to remain flexible and agile to meet any contigency in the operational environment,NATO Allied Air Command pointed out.* Elsewhere in the north,NORAD and US NORTHCOM Commander GEN Glen D. VanHerck,issued a statement on 18 February: NORAD is aware of Russian military aircraft forward deployments.NORAD continues to defend all approaches to North America and stands ready,as always, to respond appropriately to the capabilities that these deployments represent.NORAD's ability to maintain all domain awareness enables rapid decision superiority in our response operations, and enhances its ability to protect North America.* Indeed, from 8-19 February the US Army began a new exercise, Arctic Warrior 21,at both Donnelly Training Area near Fort Greely,Alaska and the Richardson Training Area at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.Participating were the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) out of JBER, plus units from Fort Wainwright, Alaska and the Royal Canadian Air Force. More than 1200 troops, including infantry, artillery and support Soldiers and Airmen, took part in the live fire drills. The Army is concerned because Alaska is key to US strategic power projection, and nations are keen to protect their northern borders as the Arctic becomes more accessible.Thus it has initiated Arctic Warrior and plans to scale it up in future annual iterations.* In the course of Arctic Warrior 21 ,an airborne insertion was conducted by a Battalion Task Force into the Donnelly Drop Zone and faced a near peer adversary simulated by the IBCT (ABN).It validated the Brigade's ability to rapidly deploy a battalion-sized force and conduct near peer operations in the Arctic environment.4-25 IBCT also staged winter field training and STXs (Situational Training Exercises) across Richardson Training Area.* The American and Canadian forces practised an aerial assault in which a detachment from the RCAF's 450th Tactical Helicopter Squadron out of Petewawa, Ontario provided CH-47 Chinooks for US paratroopers of the 1st Battalion,52nd Aviation Regiment and 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion 25th Aviation Regiment out of Fort Wainwright, the Fort's Public Affairs said.*

Artemis I Hardware Arrives

Artemis I Booster Stacking

New Waveform Technology Advances BLOS Connectivity for Helicopters - Aviation Today

New Waveform Technology Advances BLOS Connectivity for Helicopters - Aviation Today: Viasat completed successful demonstrations of a new Ka-band satellite technology that will allow through the blades beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications on a U.S. Army UH-60M rotary-wing helicopter, the company announced Feb. 8.  “I think the fundamental aspect of this is today rotary-wing platforms, aren’t connected the way fixed-wing platforms are, and what we’ve …

Human Exploration:Orion Program Update

Launching on the new Space Launch System rocket, the Orion spacecraft will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry the crew to space; provide emergency abort capability;sustain the crew during space travel; and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.During 2020, the Orion spacecraft that will execute the Artemis I mission, the first complete flight test of the Orion system,was readied for its critical flight slated for 2021. Orion consists of three elements: the crew module; the launch abort system; and the European Service Module, which provides the power, propulsion and oxygen that crews will need to reach their destination.Artemis II in 2023 will be the first crewed Orion mission, and is to include a Canadian Space Agency of astronaut.* Catherine Koerner is the new Orion Program manager.* In early December 2020, the Artemis I Orion spacecraft departed from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center en route to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility (MPPF), having completed testing and assembly.The spacecraft will undergo ground processing and integration in facilities across the Center in preparation for launch.At the MPPF,teams with NASA's Exploration Ground Systems and contractor Jacobs will equip the spacecraft with propellants and commodities for its flight. Integration of ground system elements and the Launch Abort System will take place at the LAS Facility in 2021.The spacecraft will then make its final steps at the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking on the SLS rocket before being transported to Launch Complex 39B prior to launch.* The first of 10 pieces of the twin SLS rocket boosters was placed on the mobile launcher inside the VAB on 21 November 2020.It is the aft assembly, housing the system that controls 70% of steering during the SLS' initial ascent.Over several weeks, the other segments are stacked one at a time and topped with the forward assembly. Even as the Artemis I Orion spacecraft completes preparation for launch, the Orion for Artemis II is already well into processing.By early December, the forward bay cover that protects the top part of the crew module during re-entry at more than 25,000 mph had been installed.* By 18 December 2020, NASA astronauts Stephanie Wilson,LT Jonny Kim,USN and COL Randy Bresnik,USMC (ret.) inspected the Orion spacecraft simulator following its arrival at NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston.The simulator will allow astronauts, engineers and flight controllers to train for scenarios during Artemis Moon missions.It has Orion display and control panels plus crew seats to mimic the experience of actual spaceflight to cislunar space and back. LT Kim and Wilson are among 18 astronauts recently selected to be eligible for Artemis Moon missions, while COL Bresnik is Assistant Chief of the Astronaut Office for Exploration.* On long duration missions,Orion would dock to habitation modules.One such is the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) built by Northrop Grumman Space Systems for the Gateway,a small space station in lunar orbit being built to accommodate deep space missions and investigations.* Northrop Grumman (NOC)

President Biden's Arrival at the Pentagon Feb 10, 2021

Operational Readiness:US Bombers to Norway

On 3 February 2021,an advance team of US Airmen arrived at Orland Air Base near Trondheim, Norway.They are preparing for the deployment of four B-1B Lancer strategic bombers from Dyess Air Force Base,Texas.Their scheduled missions will last for a limited time, according to US Strategic Command.For operational security reasons, the length of the deployment and details of the missions are being withheld.About 200 Airmen are being deployed to the air base in a remote part of Central Norway.Beginning in the next few weeks,it will be the first ever deployment of US bombers to Norway.* Orland Air Base is critical for NATO, having massive airspace and ranges.Located on the west coast,it is primarily accessed by ferry.It hosts both the NATO Air Meet and Nordic Air Meet.Based at Orland are 12 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters,as well as F-16 Fighting Falcons and Sea King helicopters. Said LTC Erik Guldvog, executive officer and chief of staff of Norway's 132nd Air Wing: F-35s will be the most important combat element within the Norwegian defence agencies.Not just the Air Force.It will be the most potent offensive capability in Norway.* Northern Norway borders on Russia's highly strategic Kola Peninsula, where the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet is based at Severomorsk.Indeed,in 2017 Russian fighter aircraft simulated attacks on Norwegian targets. In 2018, The Barents Observer ascertained from satellite photos that the Russian Navy had a huge construction effort underway, building up to 60 bunkers for weapons storage on the Kola.It is believed that both conventional and nuclear weapons, including ballistic missiles for the submarine base at Gadzhiyevo,are being stored in the concrete structures.Indeed, the Kalibr hypersonic cruise missiles are also likely among the long-range high precision armaments in safekeeping in the bunkers at Okolnaya Bay near Severomorsk and Gadzhiyevo 15 kilometers to the west. The weapons are meant to bolster Russian military power and the bastion defence in the Barents and Norwegian Seas.Under its Bastion Defence doctrine,Russia would deny access by enemy naval forces to the immediate neighbourhood of its naval bases on the Kola Peninsula. Russia wants to ensure the survival and mobility of its strategic ballistic missile submarines with layered defences of diverse capabilities.In the event of an escalating conflict scenario,Russia could declare an Anti-Access/Area Denial zone encompassing Norway's coasts on the Barents and Norwegian Seas.It could then launch hypersonic cruise missiles for precision attacks on naval vessels in the Norwegian Sea or on military bases in Northern Norway from the Kola.* According to GEN Jeff Harrigian, Commander U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa: Our US and NATO Allied Air Command operations in the High North and Arctic region are absolutely critical to ensuring the regipn remains stable and secure amidst emerging competition.We can't go it alone- it's our deep alliances and enduring partnerships like that with our ally Norway that are key to our combined, and continued,success.*

What's Trending in Aerospace - February 7, 2021 - Aviation Today

What's Trending in Aerospace - February 7, 2021 - Aviation Today: Check out the Feb. 7 edition of What’s Trending in Aerospace, where editors and contributors for Avionics International bring you some of the latest headlines and updates happening across the global aerospace industry. Commercial Airbus Sites Prepare for A321XLR Transition to Major Component Assembly Phase Airbus provided several updates around the A321XLR’s upcoming entry-into-service, with sites …

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USS Porter Begins Ninth FNDF E Patrol

US and Ukrainian Navies Hold Surface Warfare Drills

On 30 January 2021, the US and Ukrainian Navies staged tactical exercises in the Black Sea.The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and Military Sealift Command Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO-203) were joined by a Ukrainian Navy tactical boat group consisting of UKRS Kostopol (P 180),UKRS Nikopol (P 176) and Island-class patrol boat UKRS Starobilsk (P 191), plus a Ukrainian Navy MI-14 helicopter.They practised tactical manoeuvring while operating with a High Value Unit,USNS Laramie.The vessels drilled small boat attack responses and surface warfare exercises while USS Porter watch-standers got small-caliber arms training, the Ukrainian Navy said.Their operations in the strategic Black Sea strengthened interoperability among NATO Allies and Partners and demonstrated collective resolve to secure the Black Sea under Operation Atlantic Resolve.* According to USS Porter CO CDR Thomas Ralston: We definitely learned from each other and strengthened our partnership...I look forward to future opportunities to evolve our interoperability with the Ukrainian Navy.* US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet explained that: It is in the world's best interest to maintain a stable, prosperous Black Sea Region and deter aggressive actors who seek destabilization for their own gain.* The drills were conducted in accordance with NATO standards and procedures as the warships carried out joint maritime operations as part of multinational tactical groups.The PASSEX (Passing Exercise) consisted of tactical manoeuvring elements; signaling practise; lighting in areas of intensive civilian navigation; communications;air defence;and repelling enemy attacks that were carried out in a certain area.* The USNS Laramie is crewed by 74-89 civilian mariners.*