Qiandaohu Departs for At-Sea Phase of RIMPAC

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/20/2014

07/20/2014: The People’s Republic of China, People’s Liberation Army (Navy) replenishment ship Qiandaohu (AO 886) departs for the at-sea phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.

Twenty-two nations, 49 ships and six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

 Credit: Commander U.S. THIRD Fleet, Public Affairs Office:7/15/14

We should note that the Chinese seemed to play by their own rules when playing the role of an international partner!

A Chinese naval vessel slated to take part in a joint rescue drill in the RIMPAC-2014 multinational sea drills off the coast of Hawaii refused to participate because the event was commanded by a Japanese naval officer, according to various Japanese news report.

http://eastasiaintel.com/chinese-navy-vessel-refused-to-participate-in-rimpac-event-commanded-by-japanese-naval-officer/

RQ-2A UAV for the USN-USMC Team

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/16/2014

07/16/2014: RQ-21 RPA for the USN-USMC Team

The first two photos are credited to Navy Media Content Services and the next three to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing & Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

  • In the first photo, the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) is recovered with the flight recovery apparatus cable aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) after its first flight at sea. Mesa Verde is underway conducting exercises (2/10/13).
  • In the second photo, the MKIV launcher prepares to launch the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System from the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) for its first flight at sea.
  • In the third photo, Lance Cpl. Kirk Humes, left, and Cpl. Johnnie Hays, right, lift an RQ-21A Blackjack prior to launch at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic’s flight line, March 21, 2014. Humes is an UAV maintainer and Hays is an UAV operator, both with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 (3/21/14).
  • In the fourth photo, Cpl. Johnnie Hays adjusts the RQ-21A Blackjack on its launching system at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic’s flight line, March 21, 2014. Hays is an unmanned aerial vehicle operator with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2.
  • The final photo shows an RQ-21A Blackjack belonging to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 sits on the flight line of Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, March 21, 2014. The Blackjack is eight feet long with a wing span of 16 feet and can hold payloads up to 25 pounds.

According to the Insitu website:

Insitu was awarded the STUAS contract in 2010 to begin development of RQ-21A Blackjack. This program of record for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps is the first organic and dedicated multi-intelligence Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for USMC and USN tactical commanders.

The system is modular, flexible and multi-mission capable, providing roll-on, roll-off transitions between land and maritime environments. RQ-21A Blackjack’s open architecture payload bays can be customized with imagers, communication capabilities and other tools to deliver exceptional situational awareness.

Key Features

  • Rapidly integrates new payloads for expanded mission sets.
  • Roll-on, roll-off capability supports ship-to-objective maneuvers.
  • Expeditionary and runway independent to support tactical missions on land and at sea.
  • Long endurance.
  • Minimal footprint accommodates small sites and deck operations.

Dimensions

Length: 8.2 ft / 2.5 m
Wingspan: 16 ft / 4.8 m

Weights

Empty structure weight: 81 lb / 36 kg › Max takeoff weight: 135 lb / 61 kg
Max payload weight*: 39 lb / 17 kg

Performance

Endurance: up to 16 hours
Ceiling: >19,500
Max horizontal speed: 90+ knots
Cruise speed: 60 knots
Engine: 8 HP reciprocating engine with EFI; JP-5, JP-8

Payload Integration

  • Onboard power: 350 W for payload
  • Onboard connectivity: Ethernet (TCP/IP), data encryption
  • Standard Payload Configuration
  • Electro-optic imager
  • Mid-wave infrared imager
  • Laser rangefinder
  • IR marker
  • Communications relay and AIS

http://www.insitu.com/systems/integrator/rq-21a-blackjack

 

Shadow Company UAS

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/15/2014

07/15/2014: UAS Shadow Company from the Michigan Army National Guard operating the Shadow.

Credit Video: 126th Public Affairs Operations Center:5/19/14

The US Army and USMC have used the Shadow UAV in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to the USMC:

The recent development and fielding of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has delivered even more capabilities to our Marines. One such aircraft, the RQ-7B Shadow, is deployed in squadrons as an asset of the Marine Expeditionary Force or Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Designed to provide reconnaissance, relay communications and assist in target acquisition, the RQ-7B Shadow keeps an eye above the battlefield for extended periods of time, constantly relaying information between Marine air and ground controls.

The Shadow enhances the capabilities of Marine commanders across the spectrum of military operations and was first deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2007.

http://www.marines.com/operating-forces/equipment/aircraft/rq-7-shadow

The limitation of the Shadow from a USMC perspective is that it is not an expeditionary asset and requires a significant number of support personnel for the aircraft itself.

In a recent exercise, the USMC tested it out in expeditionary ops and reached the conclusion about the need to evolve its UAV capabilities.

An interesting aspect of the experiment was to unintentionally highlight the limitations of the SHADOW UAV and to shape a clear need for a UAV which can be tossed out the back of the Osprey. 

The SHADOW UAV is not expeditionary in any sense of the word, and the size of the team necessary to support it is a problem as well for an agile lean force looking for the kind of rapid force insertion enabled by the Osprey.

According to one report: “A potential employment concept would be to have a 5,10 or 50-100 pound “kamikaze” UAV stored in the cargo space areas of the MV-22” which can be used by the Fire Support Team as needed.

http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/re-shaping-ground-force-insertion-the-usmc-leverages-tilt-rotor-technology-to-continue-to-innovate/

But for the US Army, which is not primarily focused on expeditionary operations, the Shadow is becoming a staple for control of territory on which its forces would operate.

 Indeed, the US Army is ordering MORE Shadows.

According to a Press Release from the US Army:

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala., 20 Aug. 2013. U.S. Army officials are asking AAI Corp. in Hunt Valley, Md., to provide six RQ-7 Shadow trailer-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under terms of a $11.8 million contract modification announced Monday.

The contract also calls for auxiliary equipment for the Shadow UAVs, and brings the maximum cumulative value of this contract to $1.5 billion, Army officials say.

UAV experts in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Australian army and Swedish army use the RQ-7 Shadow for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and battle damage assessment.

 Operators launch the UAV from a trailer-mounted pneumatic catapult, and recover it with arresting gear similar to those that stop jets on aircraft carriers during emergencies.

 http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2013/08/shadow-uav-contract.html

 

Philippines and Aussies Conduct Maritime Surveillance in P3

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/12/2014

07/12/2014: A key part of the evolving exercise regime in the Pacific is allies working with allies  In this case, Philippine Airmen with 302nd Air Intelligence Squadron, 300th Air Intelligence Security group and Royal Australian Air Force members with 11th squadron, No. 92 Wing, stationed at RAAF base Edinburg, Australia, conduct maritme surveillance in an AP-3C Orion at the Sulu Sea, Republic of the Philippines, during Balikatan, May 14, 2014.

 Balikatan is an annual bilateral training evolution that helps maintain a high level of interoperability and enhances military-to-military relations and combined combat capabilities.


Credit:Marine Forces Pacific Combat Camera:5/14/14

Ships Depart for Sea Phase, RIMPAC 2014

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

07/12/2014: Several ships depart Pearl Harbor for the sea phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.

Departing ships included: USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7), USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), HMCS Victoria, USS Cape St. George (CG 71), ROKS Wang Geon (DDH 978).

 Credit: Commander U.S. THIRD Fleet, Public Affairs Office:7/7/14

 

VMAT 203 Conducts Operation Angry Birds

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/08/2014

07/08/2014: U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Training Squadron (VMAT) 203 conducted Operation Angry Birds with TAV8-B Harrier aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort S.C., May 13, 2014.

The operation provided the Marines with enough flight hours to become certified Harrier pilots.

 Credit:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera:5/13/14

 

SP-MAGTF Crisis Response Refuels 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit’s CH-53Es over the Mediterranean Sea

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

07/08/2014: In the first three photos, first a CH-53E and then two are viewed, from the 22nd Expeditionary Unit conducts an aerial refuel with a KC-130 assigned to Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron- 252, over the Mediterranean Sea, June 15, 2014.

KC-130Js from SP-MAGTF Crisis Response flew to the USS Bataan in order to conduct aerial refueling drills with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit’s CH-53Es. Marines with SP-MAGTF Crisis Response are currently positioned in Italy to be able to protect U.S. personnel and facilities on U.S. installations in North Africa in the event they are needed for a response mission

KC-130Js attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadrons-352 (shown) and 252, fly together in formation by the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron- 252, June 15, 2014.

Credit: U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa:6/15/14

 

SP-MAGTF Crisis Response Aircraft Conduct Nighttime Air-to-Air Refueling over Spain

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

07/08/2014: In the first two photos, an MV-22B Osprey with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, prepares to conduct nighttime tiltrotor air-to-air refueling with a KC-130J Hercules over the southern coast of Spain, Aug. 22, 2013.

The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a limited-defense crisis response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests within their area of responsibility and also participate in training events with regional partners. The unit is temporarily postured in Spain.

In the third photo, a KC-130J Hercules with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response flies above the southern coast of Spain Aug. 22, 2013, prior to performing nighttime tiltrotor air-to-air refueling with SP-MAGTF Crisis Response MV-22B Ospreys

In the final photos, a pair of KC-130J Hercules with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response conduct a formation flight Aug. 22, 2013, prior to performing night tiltrotor air-to-air refueling with SP-MAGTF Crisis Response MV-22B Ospreys near the southern coast of Spain.

Credit: U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa:8/22/13