Australian Army Drone Racing Team

12/20/2019

Drone Racers from the Australian Army Drone Racing Team competed in the Drone Racing National Championships at Phillip Oval, Canberra, over a three-day event from 18 to 20 November 2019.

The national event is in its fourth year and is continually growing in popularity and attendance by both competitors and spectators. Nearly one hundred drone racers from Australia and New Zealand battled it out for the title of Australian National Champion as well as various freestyle and team events.

In addition to the competition, the Army Drone Racing Team participated in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) School Day Out for local Canberra students to see and experience the fun and excitement of drone racing, virtual reality and unmanned aerial technologies.

Drone racing is an authorized and encouraged adaptive sport in the Australian Army.

The Army Drone Racing Team continues to be involved in activities both within and outside of Defence to promote and encourage involvement in the sport.

Australian Department of Defence

October 24, 2019

Indian Navy Looks Ahead to Networking Manned and Unmanned Assets

12/18/2019

By Gulshan Luthra

New Delhi. The Indian Navy is looking at futuristic, manned and unmanned ships, submarines and aircraft, says Admiral KB Singh.

In an interview with India Strategic, the Navy Chief said that acquisition order for US General Atomics SeaGuardians with high Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability is on the anvil and that the Navy as well as the Army and Air Force are coordinating on inducting their required Predator variants. “We are progressing a joint case for procurement of 30 armed SeaGuardian HALE RPAs (10 each for the three Services) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route of the US Government.”

According to diplomatic sources, the US Government had acceded to India’s request, made at the highest levels, for arming these High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft, and the Ministry of Defence is now working towards finalising the process by mid next year.

In another significant observation, Admiral Singh told his customary Navy Day press conference that the Navy has decided to go in for electric propulsion for its next aircraft carrier, dubbed IAC II, and that means another win for General Atomics, whose electric propulsion systems, EMALS catapult or Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System) and AAG (Advanced Arresting Gear) to stop the landing aircraft are the new standards for US Navy aircraft carriers.

The IAC II, or Indian Aircraft Carrier 2, will be non-nuclear, and of 65,000 tonnes.

“The Navy’s long term capability plan envisages induction of three aircraft carriers, so that two CBGs (Carrier Battle Groups) are available for dispersed deployment in the Indian Ocean region at all times. The broad contours of IAC 2, to be constructed in India as a 65,000-tonne CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Takeoff But Arrested Recovery) carrier with electric propulsion, have been formulated and the case will be processed for accord of AON (Acceptance of Necessity). The AON is the final determinant for the MoD (Ministry of Defence) to consider allocation of funds and move the files towards acquisition of a system.

Notably, the USN carriers, all CATOBAR, are generally of 100,000 tonnes. But they are deployed globally, and have unmatched escort, and resulting expenses, much beyond Indian requirements and expenses.

Admiral Singh also told India Strategic (www.indiastrategic.in) that the Navy is already “extensively using RPAs for coastal surveillance, and that three RPA Squadrons have been commissioned at Kochi, Porbandar and Ramnad with an aim of achieving enhanced surveillance ranges.”
Augmentation of existing RPA control stations onboard ships is also in progress.

The RPAs, or UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or also UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aircraft Vehicles if armed), are integral to modern warfare, and the Indian armed forces started inducting them from the late 1990s, from Israel, thanks to Pakistan’s intrusion in Kargil heights, leading to the 1999 Kargil War to evict its troops.

The success of GA Predators, with endurance up to nearly 50 hours in air, has interested the Indian forces, particularly as they have successfully been used to neutralise hostile elements in Afghanistan, even while being controlled from California on the other side of the world through satellites. A video of one operation by USAF in Afghanistan, shown at one of India Strategic seminars, demonstrated how, and with patience, a Predator neutralised four terrorists and their vehicle one by one.

The Naval Chief observed that the Navy was very much keeping track of rapid changes in defence technologies, and that the effort was to put on the best possible sensors and weapons on board various ships and other assets.

Asked about the Boeing P-8I, which is perhaps the single most advanced piece of technology with the Indian armed forces, Admiral KB Singh said: The induction of P8-I was one such step and (it is) a force multiplier in the Indian Ocean Region.”

Also, he pointed out: “The Indian Navy has a dedicated multiband satellite for communication, which has enhanced our connectivity footprint, enabling our platforms to operate seamlessly at extended ranges.”

The Navy plans to use the Boeing P-8Is and GA SeaGuardians to observe and neutralise hostile elements at extended ranges. Both these are armed, and the P-8, which the Indian Navy is second to induct after the US Navy, has formidable onboard capabilities to detect and destroy hidden submarines. The Indian P-8Is have 360 degree radar coverage, and all of them are networked with other aircraft, shore facilities, various Commands, and the Navy’s main 24 x 7 control centre IMAC (Information Management and Analysis Centre), located in Gurgaon, south of New Delhi.

At IMAC, officers keep a watch all over and along the Indian coasts, island territories and inputs from the P-8Is and other assets wherever they are. The Navy has already enhanced its presence and mission readiness across “our areas of maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region.”

“The recalibration of our operational deployment has resulted in increasing our footprint and strategic domain awareness of the vast expanse of IOR, enabling rapid deployment of our units to address emerging security challenges.”

Admiral Singh said that the Navy has approval for six more P-8Is in addition to the eight operating and four on order, and to be delivered from next year.

Notably, the allocation for funds for the Navy is however down from 18 per cent to 13 over the past five years, and that is why the modernisation of various assets with newer technologies like sensors and EW systems is the key to get the best out of them.

The number of ships planned has also come down from 200 to 175, and again, that is why, the Navy is looking at newer technologies on board its assets, and that too, through the indigenous route, he said.

He pointed out that the best of the EW (Electronic Warfare) systems were not easily available, while the Navy is also importing Marine Diesel Engines, Power generators and Shafting and Propellers. These need to be made in India by public or private companies. “Our aim is to reduce the import dependency and progressively increase indigenous content in our shipbuilding projects.”

So, “the Navy has commenced the process of indigenising complex and high end technology equipment, which are presently being imported.”

The key player in this effort will be DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), and the future is clearly towards Networked Manned and Unmanned assets, the Naval Chief observed.

This article was published by India Strategic in December 2019.

https://www.indiastrategic.in/2019/12/04/indian-navy-for-networked-manned-and-unmanned-assets-admiral-kb-singh/

 

 

HIMRS Exercise

3rd Battalion 12th Marines and U.S. Army 10th Support Group, loaded and transported HIMARS launchers during an Army Landing Craft Utility, exercise, at Kin Red, October 31, 2019.

The Joint Operation was to test the effectiveness of the branches to work together to complete the mission.

OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.31.2019

Video by Lance Cpl. Moises Rodriguez

Denmark Participates in European Led Task Force in the Strait of Hormuz

12/17/2019

According to an article published by the Danish Ministry of Defence on December 12, 2019:

Today, the Danish Government has consulted the Danish Foreign Policy Committee about military contributions to a European-led maritime surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Danish contributions will include a staff officer contribution from the beginning of 2020 and – subject to parliamentary approval in 2020 – a naval contribution beginning in the fall of 2020.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod:

“As the fifth largest seafaring nation in the world, Denmark has a special interest in – and responsibility to – ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation – also in the Strait of Hormuz.The Danish government will therefore continue its active efforts to reduce tensions in the region. Now also with a concrete contribution in the form of staff officers and a frigate.

“Our contribution will complement other efforts in the region, including the US-led maritime security effort IMSC. The European-led mission is also expected to be supplemented by diplomatic efforts aimed at enhancing regional dialogue on maritime security.”

Minister of Defence Trine Bramsen:

“It is important that Denmark as a significant sea-faring nation with a capable navy takes responsibility, and stands up for the principles we believe in. I am proud of the fact that allies look in our direction, when looking for partners for a task like this one. It is a testimony to the respect shown to our capable soldiers and our robust capacities. “

Facts about the contributions to the Strait of Hormuz

The new Danish contributions to the Strait of Hormuz will consist of a staff officer contribution for 12 months from the beginning of 2020 as well as – pending parliamentary approval – a naval contribution incl. helicopter and up to 155 personnel for 4 months from the autumn 2020.

 

 

RAAF Completes its Final F/A-18A/B Hornet Operational Conversion Course

No. 2 Operation Conversion Unit is conducting Exercise High Sierra 19-2 from RAAF Base Townsville from 18 November to 05 December 2019.

Exercise High Sierra represents the last three weeks of the 6 month long F/A-18 operational conversion course (OPCON) that converts fighter pilots from the Hawk Mk127 Lead-in-fighter aircraft to the F/A-18 Hornet.

Exercise High Sierra 19 is the last OPCON for the F/A-18 Hornet before the withdrawal of the aircraft from the RAAF in 2021.

Australian Department of Defence

November 21, 2019

CUTLASS Exercise

12/16/2019

Cutlass Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities between the U.S., East African and Western Indian Ocean nations to counter illicit maritime activity.

DJIBOUTI, DJIBOUTI

11.04.2019

Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cole Keller

AFN Naples

Closing a Chapter in RAAF History: Final Classic Hornet Flight for No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit

On 11 Dec 19, Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit conducted its final F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet flight under the Unit’s banner.

The mission represented a key milestone in the phased-draw down of 2OCU Classic Hornet operations – which ceased in Dec 2019.

With this historic flight closing a significant chapter in Air Force history – the future of fast-jet aircrew training at 2OCU is firmly established with the training focus honed on supporting fifth generation capabilities with the arrival and operational sustainment of the F-35A.

The RAAF F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet platform is planned to be withdrawn from service in Dec 2021; and is currently being replaced by the F-35A Lighting II.

Australian Department of Defence

December 11, 2019

In an article published by ADBR on December 12, 2019, the transition was highlighted.

The RAAF’s No 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) completed 35 years of operations with the F/A-18A/B ‘classic’ Hornet on December 11.

Tasked with converting pilots to and upgrading pilot qualifications on the Hornet, 2OCU was the RAAF’s first Hornet unit and, until recently had trained every RAAF fighter pilot since 1986.

The squadron graduated its last group of Hornet pilots with the return of the graduating class from Exercise High Sierra to RAAF Williamtown on December 4, and flew its final Hornet flight as a 10-ship formation in the shape of a ‘2’ around the Newcastle and Port Stephens region on December 11.

Coincidentally, just two hours after 2OCU’s last Hornet sortie, a ferry flight of seven RAAF F-35As arrived from the US (a year and a day after the first RAAF F-35As arrived), including three aircraft wearing 2OCU livery. 

The latest ferry was led by CO 3SQN WGCDR Darren Clare and CO 2OCU-designate WGCDR Jordan Sander, and comprised five aircraft that have been withdrawn from the multi-national F-35A ‘schoolhouse’ run by the USAF’s 61stFighter Squadron at Luke AFB in Arizona, and two freshly-delivered aircraft. Five RAAF F-35As are scheduled to remain at Luke until the end of 2020.

The seven aircraft flew to Williamtown from Luke via overnight stops at Hickam AFB in Hawai’i and Anderson AFB in Guam, and were supported by two RAAF KC-30A MRTTs.

The seven new aircraft add to the six F-35As already in service with 3SQN at Williamtown, giving almost a full squadron worth of aircraft to ramp up the all-important Australian-specific validation and verification of the jet’s capabilities, and the in-country pilot and engineering training effort.

“We welcome the commencement of the next phase of pilot conversion training for the F-35A,” WGCDR Woodland added. “This represents a fundamental shift for 2OCU; one which we are fully equipped and ready to continue to deliver a superior war-fighting capability – supported by highly professional, highly skilled aircrew – performing with strength and focus when called upon by government.”

The classic Hornet has about two years left in RAAF service, with Williamtown-based 77SQN scheduled to transition to the F-35A in late 2020, and Tindal’s 75SQN to follow the following year. Several classic Hornets have already been retired and parked-up at Williamtown, while at least three of a planned 25 jets have been transferred to Canada to bolster the RCAF’s CF-18 Hornet fleet until replaced in the late 2020s.

 

 

USS America F-35B Operations

12/15/2019

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), operate aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during routine operations in the eastern Pacific, Oct. 2019.

3rd MAW is capable of conducting missions across the range of military operations and continues to promote the defense of our nation and its interests.

10.18.2019

Video by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar / 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing