T-AKE Supporting the USS Jason Dunham at Sea

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05/31/2013
05/31/2013: T-AKE Supporting the USS Jason Dunham at Sea
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  • In the first three photos, sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3). Jason Dunham is deployed with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • In the fourth and fifth photos, the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) awaits the approach of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) prior to a replenishment-at-sea.
  • In the sixth photo, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Aaron Stewart stands by on the forecastle of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) as the ship approaches the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) for a replenishment-at-sea.
  • In the final photo, Quartermaster 2nd Class Johnathan Restrepo uses a laser range finder to measure the range from the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) to the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) prior to a replenishment-at-sea.

 

 

Edge of the Envelope Testing of the F-35A

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05/21/2013

2013-05-21 The US Air Force (USAF) has successfully completed high angle of attack (AoA) testing of the F-35A Lightning II conventional take off and landing (CTOL) fighter aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California, US. 

Carried out by the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) team, the edge-of-the-envelope testing accomplished high AOA beyond both the positive and negative maximum command limits, which involved intentionally putting the aircraft out of control in an array of configurations. 

Designated AF-4, the aircraft was initially flown in the stealth clean wing configuration, and was subsequently tested with external air-to-air pylons and missiles, as well as with open weapon bay doors. 

Initiated in the fall of 2012, the high AoA testing successfully validated the capabilities of all design loadings and the flight control systems of the F-35A fighter. 

The testing included the first intentional departure of controlled flight in December 2012, and expansion of the aircraft’s high AoA envelope to 50°, which if cleared, will directly support the warfighter’s air superiority requirements by enabling aggressive manoeuvring of the aircraft. 

During the entire AoA testing programme, the aircraft achieved a 100% success rate in recovering from out of control flight. 

Developmental testing with F-35A jets has previously been restricted to a flight envelope between -10° and 20° AoA. 

During the entire AoA testing programme, the aircraft achieved a 100% success rate in recovering from out of control flight, without requiring the use of the spin recovery chute, which is carried to maximise aircrew safety. 

http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsusafs-f-35a-aircraft-completes-high-angle-of-attack-testing/

 

Meeting the Cyber Threat: The Case of the F-35

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05/15/2013

2013-05-15 What is the cybersecurity challenge?

It is not a one off problem; it is a continuous process of attack and counter attack, of cyber “learning” so to speak. 

It is a fact of life in the 21st century where the number one threat is clearly the PRC which views cyber war as a legitimate and normal means for their military activity.

Shaping the F-35 program from the ground up as a 21st century program is a key response to the PRC con-ops.

A fleet built to bring cyber into their operational domain as their forces come out into the Pacific is a crucial capability.

And fighting cyber intrusions on a regular basis as is done in the F-35 program is a core competence useful to other US and allied programs as well.

A recent report in The Daily Mail highlighted the ongoing challenges.

Chinese cyber spies have been caught trying to steal the secrets of Britain’s most sophisticated combat jet, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

A covert unit within the Chinese Army has been using highly sophisticated cyber weapons in a desperate attempt to acquire classified information about the stealthy Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin claims it is thwarting tens of thousands of computer attacks every week to keep secure secrets about the jet – due to be in service with the Royal Navy and RAF by 2018.

The defence giant has recruited some of Britain’s brightest ‘young geeks’ to help thwart the attacks, based in a secure area of the company’s counter-cyber headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire.

A source said: ‘We have recruited a very strong team of young computer engineers who are basically experts in counter-cyber. They are effectively all geeks and spend much of their time war-gaming against the Chinese.

‘They allow the foreign hackers through the first few security levels and then can work out, through a process of reverse engineering, where the attacks are originating. 

‘It’s the same country every time – China. The Chinese try to disguise what they are doing but their guys are not as good as ours.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2323067/Chinese-hackers-caught-trying-steal-secrets-new-stealth-fighter-tens-thousands-cyber-attacks-launched-jet-manufacturer-week.html

 

USS Arlington in Bold Alligator 2013

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05/14/2013

05/14/2013: The USS Arlington was dockside in Norfolk where it participated in the Bold Alligator 2013 exercise. 

It was a synthetic exercise so it was one of several ships which participated in this manner.

This slideshow was shot on May 1, 2013 during a series of interviews with participants in the exercise.

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Credit Photos: Second Line of Defense

  • The first photo shows the memorial plaque aboard the ship.
  • The second photo shows three of the persons interviewed, the executive officer, the cargo officer and the fuel officer, aboard the ship.
  • The third photo shows the cargo bay where the LCACs would operate.
  • The fourth photo shows the flight deck.
  • The fifth and sixth photos show the consolidated radar tower.
  • The final two photos show signs donated by Arlington County to be onboard the ship.

 

 

 

MOOG As Key F-35 Systems Supplier

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05/12/2013

2013-05-12 Over the past 50 years, we have become known for our successful solutions to motion control challenges that are viewed by others as impossible.

This directly reflects the creativity, work ethic, and remarkable attention to purpose of our people. 

Moog is a leading supplier of integrated control actuation systems. We are continuously investing to extend the depth of our systems capability while simultaneously expanding our core

component expertise to take on the challenges and responsibilities of a changing industry.

As a result, we are positioned today on virtually every platform in the marketplace, supplying reliable system solutions that are highly supportable and add significant value for our customers

 

 

For a look at MOOG’s many capabilities, see the following brochure as well:

Aerospace_Defense_Brochure

Combat Hammer: 2013

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05/10/2013
05/10/2013: Combat Hammer is a week-long air-to-ground weapons system evaluation program known as Combat Hammer.

The 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Eglin AFB hosts 20 to 25 evaluations at Hill and Eglin each year, assessing weapon system performance, reliability, capabilities, and limitations in realistic combat scenarios against representative real-world targets.

The exercise is used to evaluate the employment of precision guided munitions to ensure the weapons are fully functional and mission capable.

The exercise tests aircrews, munitions and maintenance Airmen on their performance.

The following five photos show operations during the 2011 Combat Hammer exercise.

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 Credit:3rd Combat Camera Squadron and USAF, Eglin AFB:3/15/13

  • In the first photo, Senior Airman Isaiah Escorcia, an aerial porter with the 70th Aerial Porter Squadron, chains down gear on a C-5A Galaxy during Combat Hammer on Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., March 15, 2013. The 433rd Airlift Wing participated in Combat Hammer by delivering troops and cargo to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
  • In the second photo, members of the 433 Airlift Wing and 482nd Maintenance Squadron load cargo onto a C-5A Galaxy during Combat Hammer on Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., March 15, 2013. The 433rd Airlift Wing participated in Combat Hammer by delivering troops and cargo to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
  • In the third photo, C-5A Galaxy is loaded with gear during Combat Hammer on Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., March 15, 2013. The 433rd Airlift Wing participated in Combat Hammer by delivering troops and cargo to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

 

 

 

 

 

The DAS Comes to Eglin and its F-35As

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2013-05-10 A key element of the impact of the F-35 is its combat systems.  No combat system is more important on the aircraft than its ability to see 360 degrees around itself.  This system is called the Distributed Aperture System or DAS.

Now the DAS has come to Eglin with its latest batch of F-35As.

According to a USAF story released on May 9, 2013 and written by Joel Fortner Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs:

The Air Force took another step forward with its newest fighter jet when an advanced F-35 Lightning II landed at the service’s lead training base, home to the largest fleet of F-35s worldwide.  

The new stealth fighter kicks off a major training effort at the F-35  schoolhouse on an aircraft with unmatched capabilities.  The F-35 is the military’s newest stealth fighter jet. Students from all military branches who are learning to fly the plane go through the schoolhouse at Eglin, including some from international services.  

In addition to a few design improvements, the major difference between the new aircraft and others is sensors and software.  For example, pilots for the first time will begin training on a capability that gives them a 360-degree view around the jet.  Sensors that act like highly sophisticated cameras that can detect heat and other information are embedded in the front, sides and back of the F-35. 

When in use, the pilot basically can see everything around them near and far,  a capability not found in any current military fighter, said F-35 instructor  pilot, Major Jay Spohn.  The system was designed to see other aircraft, people on the ground, missile launches, and more, and share that information with other aircraft and command centers on the ground.  

Other new capabilities include a weather tracker and an enhancement of a system known as ALIS, or autonomic logistic information system, which transmits aircraft health and maintenance information and makes use of a  portable computer planeside for the maintainer.  

“This system is a game changer,” said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Wheeler,  production superintendent, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit. “It combines real-time data collection and trouble shooting in one system, eliminating the need for carting out stacks of binders and paper forms to the jet, as well as  having to dual annotate once on paper and again later in the office on a  computer.”  

The latest system software, which has a better user interface and enhanced capability to download, is another step along the track in fixing problems in  less time, which can be critical in time of conflict, Wheeler said.  

The new F-35A will share the skies over Eglin’s training ranges with the Navy VFA-101 flying squadron here, which is slated to get their first two F-35C aircraft later this month along with another United Kingdom F-35B assigned to  the Marine Corps VMFAT-501 flying squadron, scheduled to arrive here in about  a month. 

We have written about DAS earlier on the website.

https://www.sldinfo.com/f-35-detection-of-hostile-ground-fire/

https://www.sldinfo.com/shaping-a-new-approach-to-combat-learning-the-role-of-the-f-35/

https://www.sldinfo.com/the-f-35-as-a-“flying-sensor-fusion-engine”-positioning-the-fleet-for-“tron”-warfare/

https://www.sldinfo.com/f-35-das-and-radar-demonstrate-ability-to-detect-track-target-ballistic-missiles/

https://www.sldinfo.com/whitepapers/the-f-35-and-advanced-sensor-fusion/

https://www.sldinfo.com/shaping-the-f-35-combat-system-enterprise/

https://www.sldinfo.com/an-update-on-the-distributed-aperture-system-das/

 

 

 

The French Operation in Mali: The Logistics Side

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05/06/2013

05/06/2013: SLD’s Murielle Delaporte was in Mali in April 2013 with the French forces and had the chance to have a number of interviews which will be published later.

In this slideshow some of her photos of the logistics side of the operation are presented.

The operation has drawn heavily upon French experience and capabilities to perform logistics for expeditionary operations.

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 Credit Photos: Murielle Delaporte