3 déc. 2014 Armée de Terre

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Nov. 17, 2014 – Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract from Naval Air Systems Command to deliver its next-generation mission computer for the Marine Corps' H-1 helicopter upgrade program.

Under this contract, Northrop Grumman will provide FlightPro™ Gen III mission computers for the UH-1Y and AH‑1Z aircraft. These aircraft will be the first to benefit from the latest model in the FlightPro™ product line. Deliveries will be completed by October 2017.

The lightweight FlightPro™ Gen III mission computer integrates advanced mission, weapons and video processing capabilities into a conduction-cooled, high-performance airborne computer.

"The FlightPro™ Gen III mission computer has the latest computing technology and increased processing resources to improve situational awareness and lighten warfighters' workloads," said Ike Song, vice president, Situational Awareness Systems business unit, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. "Our latest model builds on the FlightPro™ product line's solid reputation, value, proven performance and reliability in combat."

Northrop Grumman will now provide identical mission computers for the UH-1Y and AH-1Z aircraft that make up the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadrons, resulting in greater cost efficiency and simplified logistics for deployed forces.

Dual mission computers are the heart of Northrop Grumman's Integrated Avionics System (IAS) that powers the helicopters' glass cockpits. The mission computers provide centralized control of the IAS and display both situational awareness and health monitoring information. Additionally, the IAS and mission computers feature open, modular architecture that allows for easy system upgrades; rapid insertion of new technologies; and integration of other platform avionics, communication, and survivability equipment. Northrop Grumman also provides the operational flight program software that controls the IAS.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

24/10/2014 Sources : Etat-major des armées

Du 27 septembre au 28 octobre, dans le cadre des activités de coopération militaire bilatérales entre l’US Marines Corps Forces Pacific (USMARFORPAC) et les forces armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (FANC), le régiment d’infanterie de Marine Pacifique Nouvelle-Calédonie (RIMaP-NC) a accueilli des Marinesà Plum.

« AMERICAL II » s’inscrit dans le cadre de la coopération opérationnelle régionale mise en œuvre par les FANC avec leurs partenaires sur le théâtre Pacifique. L’objectif principal visait à entretenir et approfonder l’interopérabilité entre les unités françaises et américaines en développant l’échange de savoir-faire tactiques, techniques et la mise en commun des procédures.

A cette occasion, un détachement de 76 Marines (2 sections d’infanterie et une équipe commandement), appartenant au 2nd bataillon du 9th Marines, a pu bénéficier des infrastructures et des compétences du RIMaP-NC pour suivre un entraînement centré susr l’infanterie légère. Chacune des quatre semaines de stage était centrée sur un domaine spécifique : savoir-faire de base et préparation physique, combat et aisance aquatique, techniques commando (organisée au centre d’instruction nautique commando), séances de tirs et initiation à la plongée.

« AMERICAL II » se clôtura par la remise d’insignes commandos du CINC aux Marines, lors d’une cérémonie militaire le 24 octobre en présence de M. Ray Mabus, secrétaire d’Etat américain à la Marine, en visite à Nouméa.

Les FANC constituent le point d’appui central du « théâtre Pacifique» avec un dispositif interarmées centré sur un groupement tactique interarmes (GTIA) et les moyens de projection associés. Avec les Forces armées en Polynésie Française (FAPF), dispositif interarmées à dominante maritime, les FANC ont pour principale mission d’assurer la souveraineté de la France dans leur zone de responsabilité, d’animer la coopération régionale et d’entretenir des relations privilégiées avec l’ensemble des pays riverains de la zone pacifique. Enfin, les FANC engagent régulièrement leurs moyens pour des opérations d’aide aux populations, en appui des autres services de l’Etat.

03/10/2014 - by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

Oshkosh Defense has been contracted to upgrade the US Marine Corps' EBFL (Extended Boom Forklift) fleet over the next five years.

Valued at up to $99 million, the contract will run until September 2019 and see the USMC's in-service EBFL's thoroughly modernised. The contract will see Oshkosh Defense supply around 100 cabs, plus spare parts.

Constructed by JLG Industries - a division of Oshkosh - the USMC's EBFLs were supplied from 2002 onwards. They take the form of a four-wheel drive forklift equipped with rubber tyres and offering a range of steering options, maximising manoeuvring capability within tight spaces.

Extended Boom Forklift

Able to traverse rocky terrain, each Extended Boom Forklift has a top speed of 35 mph and a 425 mile range. Medium-lift capable, the EBFL is at its best when lifting loads weighing between 4,000 and 11,000 pounds. Its boom system means that 4,000 pound loads can be extended out to 27 feet beyond the cab and the whole vehicle can be accommodated inside the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules strategic airlifter.

The extended boom feature facilitates operations that involve reaching into trucks or shipping containers and getting objects lifted over other objects.

USMC Forklift Upgrades

"As the original equipment manufacturer of the EBFL, Oshkosh is very well suited to provide the best value, lowest risk solution to the Marine Corps as they look to enhance the useful life and capability of this expeditionary forklift fleet", explains Oshkosh Defense's Domestic Programs senior vice president, John Bryant, in the firm's USMC forklift upgrades press release.

"Because these forklifts operate right alongside the tactical wheeled vehicles that we build and support for the Marine Corps, we applied our operational insight to optimize the protection, loading functionality and sustainment of this forklift fleet - at an affordable cost."

Bryant concludes: "The Marine Corps will receive vehicles in like-new condition with several design improvements for significantly less cost than a brand new vehicle."

October 1, 2014: Strategy Page

The U.S. Marine Corps learned a valuable lesson about logistics in Afghanistan and Iraq. It was an old lesson made more urgent because modern warfare requires lots more electricity in the combat zone. So in the last decade the marines have been seeking ways to reduce the need for electricity or fuel used to supply it (via generators). The latest example of this is a combined solar/generator power supply for a new medical unit (STS, Shock Trauma Section) created to provide complex surgical procedures for badly injured marines. STS does this to stabilize patients very close to the fighting so they can be transported to a hospital with more elaborate surgical and intensive care facilities. The STS fits in a truck that can be carried by air via a V-22 or heavy helicopter. STS requires a lot of reliable electrical power in order to function. To supply that a combined solar/generator/battery system was built into an ammunition trailer that is towed by the STS truck. This power system weighs less than a ton (about 900 kg) and when tested under realistic field conditions was silent (the fuel hungry generator was not needed) over 60 percent of the time because the solar panels and stored energy in the batteries was sufficient.

Lightweight and more powerful batteries, as well as more efficient solar power panels and generators contribute to these energy saving efforts. But many other improvements also make small contributions that add up. One of these recent innovations is the LED light display. While lighting consumes less than two percent of the fuel shipped to the war zone (heating and air conditioning get 12 percent and aircraft more than half), the LED devices (which generate little heat) consume only 15 percent of the electricity required by incandescent bulbs and less than half what fluorescent fixtures use. Plus the LED bulbs last longer and are more rugged. While the overall savings is small, it adds up. Combat troops are already very familiar with LED lighting as they have been using lightweight LED lights (often mounted on their weapons) for years and noted that the batteries last a lot longer on LED flashlights while producing the same amount of light as the older incandescent bulb units.

Since 2006 American army and marine commanders have become determined to reduce fuel consumption, mainly because electrical needs in combat have increased so much. The troops are dealing with some dramatic changes. For example, during World War II, the first war in which American forces were mechanized each soldier required 4-5 liters (one gallon) of fuel per day. But by 2003, and the invasion of Iraq, fuel consumption was twenty times higher. In reality this meant that when you sent a modern mechanized division into combat you had to supply those troops at the rate of 80-120 liters (20-30 gallons) of fuel per man per day. As the 3rd Infantry Division moved from Kuwait to Baghdad in 2003, some 20,000 troops were involved. That required some 200 tanker loads of fuel per day. Initially, the vehicles in the division carry enough fuel to go 200-300 kilometers on internal fuel. But you don't want your vehicles to run until their tanks are dry, so at least once a day, you try to top everyone off. The route of the 3rd Infantry Division covered about 700 kilometers of road. In addition to fuel, you need about a 45-90 kg (100-200 pounds) of other supplies per man per day (mostly ammo, but also batteries, food and the like.) Once inside Baghdad, and no longer moving all the time, the fuel requirement came way down. But on the march, the advancing combat brigades were tethered by convoys of fuel trucks going back and forth to the supply bases in Kuwait. But once the U.S. began building bases for the combat brigades, it was found that the use of generators, especially for air conditioning, kept fuel requirements high (over 80 liters per man per day), which is why most of the supply trucks were still carrying fuel.

There are no easy solutions for this. Vehicles are larger, and require more fuel than they did 70 years ago. Tanks weigh twice as much, as do most other armored vehicles. There are more trucks and armored vehicles, as well as a lot more electronic equipment and air conditioning to keep the electronics cool. It was found that air conditioned living quarters were a huge boost to morale, and a way to reduce combat stress. That required lots of fuel. So far, the army and marines have sought to equip the troops with more energy sources that do not require fuel to be trucked, or flown, in. This is especially important for troops who are out on operations that might last a few days.

Batteries, and the fuel to run generators for recharging, have become a major supply item. For example, a three day operation by an infantry platoon (30 men), consumes six kg (6.6 pounds) of batteries per man. Rechargeable batteries cut that by more than half, as long as you have some way to recharge them. Special Forces are particularly hard hit by this, as they often have to go in by foot, to avoid detection, and set up a surveillance operation that consumes a lot of batteries. This is very common in Afghanistan.

Solutions have long been sought. For example in 2010 company (about 200 personnel) of American marines conducted a desert training exercise to see how long they could run how much equipment using solar power. This was done via solar panels that were incorporated into equipment (like a cloth like panel that was draped over a tent) or set up with a number of solar panels to act as a "solar generator.") As a result, for eight straight days, the marines were able to power all their radios and laptops (by recharging batteries) via solar panels. There is a lot of other battery powered gear, but radios and laptops are the big energy eaters. Feed them, and you have eliminated most of the power demand for troops operating on foot. The equipment and techniques used doing were sent to marines in Afghanistan and was much appreciated. This sort of thing saves lives and money. Marines have to guard a lot of their supply convoys, two-thirds them carrying fuel or water, and for every 45 truckloads brought in a marine is killed or wounded. This is sometimes avoided by hiring locals to provide convoy security, but that option often creates another warlord in the area.

Thus all American commanders in Afghanistan wanted more renewable fuel sources. Combat commanders had done the math, and with more combat units out and about these days, they are demanding more solar panels and fuel cells, in order to lower the demand for generator fuel and batteries. With all those computers and electronic gadgets out there, the demand for electricity, especially by units in combat, is huge and growing.

For decades, it was believed that hydrogen powered fuel cells would replace fossil fuel (JP-5, similar to jet fuel) powered generators. But fuel cells have been the next-big-thing for nearly a century. That said, small fuel cells are beginning to appear. The U.S. Army is installing them in tanks and trucks, as a source of auxiliary power. This points out that the larger fuel cells are now quite ready to replace the large generators (the main consumer of all that fuel). While the fuel cells cost more than ten times as much as JP-5 powered generators, that JP-5 costs about 40 times more than the same fuel used back in the United States. That's because of the transportation cost (up to $25/liter or $100/gallon) of fuel. Thus fuel cells are still a cheaper alternative and the more expensive fuel cell generator quickly pays for itself in a combat zone, and saves the lives of those operating and protecting all those fuel convoys. Another use for small fuel cells is to ease the growing load of batteries carried into combat.

A major problem with these small fuel cell devices is that it is mainly for items like cell phones and iPods, or anything that can get its charge via a USB connector. For military use, you need a device that can recharge common batteries, and specialized ones for military equipment. Technically, that is a simple matter, as is scaling up the current miniature fuel cell devices (about the size of a hand held game player) to provide more power. The problem with fuel cells remains their temperamental technology and high cost. But the military is willing to buy one that can stand rough handling, even at a high price, because of the even higher cost of getting fuel to the combat zone.

Aug. 12, 2014 – Defense News (AFP)

SYDNEY — The United States stressed Tuesday it welcomes the rise of China and wants to work constructively with Beijing as it signed a deal to deploy 2,500 Marines to Australia as part of its “rebalance” to Asia.

China bristled when the agreement to deploy Marines to the northern city of Darwin was first announced by President Barack Obama in 2011.

But after signing the deal at the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in Sydney, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was not interested in conflict with the Asian powerhouse.

“We welcome the rise of China as a global partner, hopefully as a powerful economy, as a full participating constructive member of the international community,” he said.

“We are not seeking conflict and confrontation. And our hope is that China will likewise take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of it and be that cooperative partner.”

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop earlier defended the deal to bring US Marines and Air Force personnel to the Northern Territory, denying it was aimed at China which is embroiled in maritime disputes with neighbors.

“That’s not what it is directed to do at all. It’s about working closely with the United States to ensure that we can work on regional peace and security,” she told a radio program.

“The United States is rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific so it’s ways we can work together to support economic development as well as security and peace.”

After the talks Bishop, who also hosted US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, said the discussions were broad — ranging from tensions on the Korean peninsula to the crisis in Ukraine and to conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Gaza and Afghanistan.

Threat of Foreign Jihadists

The threat of foreign jihadist militants fighting in these conflicts and then returning home radicalized was also explored. The US and Australia agreed to raise the issue at the United Nations.

Kerry said this problem, highlighted by images in local media of the seven-year-old son of an Australian jihadist in Syria holding a severed head, underscored the degree to which Islamic State fighters were “so far beyond the pale.”

“This image, perhaps even an iconic photograph, is really one of the most disturbing, stomach-turning, grotesque photos ever displayed,” Kerry said.

“It’s no accident that every country in the region is opposed to ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).”

Bishop made no comment about the prospect of an increased US military presence beyond the Marines, some 1,200 of whom are already in the country.

But a communique issued after the talks said that enhanced aircraft and naval cooperation was discussed, while the allies would also examine options for Australia’s contributions to ballistic missile defense in the region.

Bishop said there existed between Australia and the United States “a clear instinct for collaboration across a wide area of endeavor.”

“There is a desire to share the burden of implementing regional and global peace and prosperity, security and stability,” she said.

Bishop added that there was no more important security partner for Australia than the US and their longstanding alliance “had never been stronger.”

But she said Canberra did not envisage Australian troops would return to Iraq, where the US is carrying out air strikes and humanitarian airdrops to try to combat jihadist fighters.

However, Australia has offered support for humanitarian relief.

Kerry also ruled out sending troops to Iraq.

Speaking at the start of the talks at Sydney’s harborside Admiralty House, he said the Australia-US relationship was “essential to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.”

“We do face new challenges,” he said, citing North Korea and maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

Aug 12 by David Axe – War is boring

A taxonomy of armored vehicles, volume four — the tricked-out M-1

The U.S. occupation of Iraq is over. The Afghanistan war is winding down. Today America faces “emerging threats in an increasingly sophisticated technological environment,” according to Gen. John Campbell, the Army vice chief of staff.

For the U.S. ground combat branches that means a renewed emphasis on fast-moving armored warfare. The Army and Marines are dusting off heavy vehicles that played a minor role in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In this series, we spotlight some of the more obscure, weird and lamented armored behemoths. The battle wagons of a new era of warfare. The focus of this volume — the Army’s latest M-1 tank … with all the bells and whistles.

Read full article

12/08/2014 Par Lefigaro.fr avec AFP

Les Etats-Unis ont signé aujourd'hui avec l'Australie un accord pour déployer 2.500 Marines dans le pays dans le cadre de la stratégie de défense américaine en Asie, mais les deux alliés se sont voulus apaisants avec la Chine qui craint un endiguement de son influence. Le secrétaire d'Etat américain John Kerry participait à Sydney, au côté de son collègue du Pentagone Chuck Hagel, à la réunion annuelle de politique étrangère et de défense AusMin entre les Etats-Unis et l'Australie.  Selon l'accord signé par les deux gouvernements, le contingent de Marines déployés actuellement près de Darwin, la capitale du Territoire du Nord en Australie, devrait passer d'environ 1.200 à 2.500 soldats d'ici 2017.

Suite de l’article

01 August 2014 Eric Schnaible - RAF

Fort Worth, Texas, July 30, 2014 – In an important program milestone enabling U.S. Marines Corps Initial Operational Capability (IOC) certification, the Lockheed Martin F-35B recently completed required wet runway and crosswind testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

“This testing is absolutely critical to 2B flight software fleet release and the Marine Corps’ IOC,” said J.D. McFarlan, Lockheed Martin's vice president for F-35 Test & Verification. “Collectively, the results support clearing the 20 knot crosswind envelope for Conventional Take Off & Landings (CTOL), Short Take Offs (STO) and Short Landings (SL), with ideal handling quality ratings and meaningful improvement over legacy 4th generational fighter aircraft.”

The testing, completed in 37 missions during a 41-day period, achieved 114 test points, including 48 of 48 wet runway test points, four of four performance STOs, 12 of 18 unique flight test conditions for STO, 19 of 23 unique flight test conditions for SLs and all directional control and anti-skid wet runway testing. All testing was performed with BF-4, based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

In other achievements, four aircraft surpassed flight hour milestones, demonstrating program maturity and reliability: F-35C aircraft CF-1 and F-35A aircraft AF-4 achieved 500 flight hours, and F-35C aircraft CF-5 achieved 100 flight hours.

The F-35 Lightning II, a 5th generation fighter, combines advanced low observable stealth technology with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries. Following the U.S. Marine Corps’ planned July 2015 IOC, the U.S. Air Force and Navy intend to attain IOC in Aug. 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Group Captain Paul Godfrey, the Royal Air Force officer responsible for entry into service of the aircraft, which will be known in the UK as Lightning II said: ‘’The achievement of yet another important milestone within the F-35B programme continues to cement the foundations of the UK Initial Operating Capability in 2018. Although crosswind limits and runway conditions do not often get attention outside of specialist forums, the ability to be able to land and take off in a range of weathers is critical to the operational capability of the aircraft. To be at this level early in the development of the aircraft is a huge step forward and has already surpassed legacy STOVL aircraft limitations, which is testament to the next-generation flight control software on the F-35 and the ease of operation for the pilot.’’

17 juillet, 2014 Frédéric Lert (FOB)

Les Marines l’appellent le UHAC, pour Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector. C’est la dernière idée en date dans la longue quête pour trouver le véhicule idéal pour faire la jonction entre le navire d’assaut et les plages de l’état voyou qui aurait mérité une bonne correction. Le DUKW, camion GMC amphibie de la seconde guerre mondiale, ferait figure de jouet en comparaison du monstre qui se prépare dans les ateliers de l’Empire.

Un prototype à échelle ½  de l’UHAC a été engagé la semaine dernière à Hawaï pendant l’exercice RIMPAC 2014. L’engin a participé à des mises à terre depuis le navire de débarquement USS Rushmore vers les plages d’entrainement de l’US Marines Corps à Oahu (Hawaï).

L’UHAC a été proposé initialement par le chantier naval hawaïen Navatek sous l’égide du Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. Un premier véhicule à l’échelle 1/20, puis un second au ¼ ont permis de tester le concept. Un financement de l’Office of Naval Research a ensuite permis la fabrication de cette troisième itération à échelle réduite. Quand il aura atteint sa taille adulte, l’UHAC devra être capable d’emporter simultanément trois ou quatre véhicules blindés. C’est trois fois plus que les LCAC sur coussin d’air actuellement utilisés, avec une mobilité supérieur à terre et notamment la capacité de franchir des obstacles verticaux. La botte secrète du véhicule tient dans son système de propulsion : les plaques fixées à la chenille enveloppante se déploient et servent à la propulsion dans l’eau, à la manière des antiques roues à aube. Une fois à terre, elles viennent se plaquer les unes aux autres, formant un support stable au véhicule qui avance alors sur des échasses… Une belle image valant mieux qu’un long discours confus, on peut voir l’engin dans ses œuvres ici.

S’il devait un jour entrer en service, l’engin serait bien entendu blindé et hérissé de mitrailleuses.

Un pilote de l'EC 3/11 "Corse" à bord de son Mirage entouré de deux F-18 américains de l'US Marine Corps

30/07/2014 Capitaine Damien Hamoir - Armée de l'air

Du 7 au 23 juillet 2014, les aviateurs de l’escadron de chasse 3/11 «Corse» de la base aérienne 188 de Djibouti ont participé, avec leurs homologues américains, à l’exercice «Frelon Corse».

Implanté sur la corne de l’Afrique, l’escadron de chasse 3/11 «Corse» a bénéficié de la présence temporaire de chasseurs américains pour organiser un exercice bilatéral. Après avoir travaillé depuis 2012, successivement avec des F-15E, F-16 et Harrier AV-8B, les Mirage 2000-5 et 2000D français se sont exercés aux côtés de quatre F/A-18A des «Black Knights» de l’US Marine Corps.

Durant quinze jours, les pilotes américains et français ont collaboré comme au sein d’une même unité. Les deux nations ont été amenées à préparer ensemble leurs missions de combat aérien. Les journées sont rythmées par deux vagues de missions. La première dédiée aux missions de type Basic Fight Manœuvres («un contre un») ou Air Combat Manœuvres («deux contre un» ou «deux contre deux») et la seconde aux missions complexes de Large Force Employment. Au total, 48 sorties ont été réalisées au cours de l’exercice dont 28 par les Mirage 2000 français.

Évoluant avec les mêmes procédures et avec la même vivacité, la mobilisation importante d’aéronefs différents démontre les capacités respectives des deux nations à contribuer ensemble. Parfaitement interopérables et aidés de la L16, liaison de données tactiques partagée entre les unités, les pilotes français et américains se sont entièrement immergés dans l’exercice. Signe d’une preuve d’amitié forte, deux F/A-18A des «Black Knights» ont participé au défilé aérien du 14 Juillet aux côtés de trois Mirage 2000 au-dessus de la base aérienne 188 de Djibouti.

13.07.2014 NZDefenceForce

A Royal New Zealand AirForce P-3K2 arrives at the airfield in Marine Corps Base Hawaii as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 14. The plane joins the multitude of other nations in support of the Naval assets involved in the exercise.

RIMPAC is the world's largest maritime military exercise involving 23 nations and more than 25,000 personnel.

The New Zealand Defence Force is also contributing HMNZS CANTERBURY, a light infantry platoon from 1RNZIR and the Operational Dive Team and a Mine Countermeasures Team based out of San Diego. There are more than 250 NZDF personnel participating in this six-week-long exercise, which covers a wide spectrum of military training activities ranging from Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief to complex warfighting.

Jun 27 - War is Boring

A taxonomy of armored vehicles, volume one—the assault breacher

The U.S. occupation of Iraq is over. The Afghanistan war is winding down. Today America faces “emerging threats in an increasingly sophisticated technological environment,” according to Gen. John Campbell, the Army vice chief of staff.

For the U.S. ground combat branches that means a renewed emphasis on fast-moving armored warfare. The Army and Marines are dusting off heavy vehicles that played a minor role in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In this series, we spotlight some of the more obscure, and fearsome, armored behemoths. The battle wagons of a new era of warfare. First up—the Marines’ Assault Breacher. An M-1 tank that doesn’t need a gun.

Read the article