Syndication Feed From Technology News Daily - Military

PEPSAE, Portable Electronic Power Supply for Aeromedical Evacuations

Technology News Staff — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:31:41 +0000

An Air Mobility Battlelab initiative could "energize" new possibilities for aeromedical evacuations in the future.

Termed the Portable Electronic Power Supply for Aeromedical Evacuations, or PEPSAE, initiative, it addresses a problem of heavy and cumbersome avionic frequency converters used to power medical equipment on aeromedical evacuation missions.

Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

Technology News Staff — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:22:09 +0000

LCS is part of the Surface Combatant "Family of Ships": In addition to the U.S. Navy's next-generation destroyer, DDG 1000, and cruiser, CG(X), the Surface Combatant Family of Ships concept calls for the introduction of a new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The goal is to develop a platform that can be fielded in relatively large numbers to support a wide range of joint missions, with reconfigurable mission modules to assure access to the littorals for our Navy forces in the face of threats from surface craft, submarines, and mines.

USS INDEPENDENCE, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 2)

Technology News Staff — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:20:09 +0000

In developing capability to overcome access denial threats from surface and subsurface threats in the littoral, the Navy sought improved mine warfare capability, an effective counter to small, fast, highly-armed boats, and a ship better suited against quiet diesel submarines. These capabilities highlighted the need for a high-speed, shallow-draft vessel with endurance. The littoral combat ships are designed to meet that need.

USS INDEPENDENCE, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 2) Launched

Technology News Staff — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:16:52 +0000

Austal has successfully launched its landmark 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship INDEPENDENCE (LCS 2).

Since its keel laying in January 2006, INDEPENDENCE has steadily progressed within Austal USA’s purpose built construction facility in Mobile, Alabama toward becoming a formidable warship.

The launch procedure involved coordination of all large shipping traffic in the Mobile River while INDEPENDENCE was rolled out of the construction hall on sixty-six 100 ton rail-trolleys onto a floating drydock.

USAF Counter-Biological Warfare Concept

Technology News Staff — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:03:35 +0000

The Air Force counter-biological warfare concept of operations recently reached a critical milestone, achieving initial operational capability across the service.

"It results from six years of analysis and testing," said Col. Steve Lucky, chief of the Air Force Strategic Plans & Policy Division at the Pentagon.

"Although these new procedures significantly improve our ability to operate in a biological warfare environment, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to fully prepare the Air Force to meet the threat," Colonel Lucky said. "Air Force major commands are working together to ensure the CONOPS reaches full operational capability by April 2009 and is successfully institutionalized across the service."

10-day Raven Training Course

Technology News Staff — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:38:19 +0000

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne got a hands on perspective on the Raven, an unmanned aerial vehicle, during a 10-day Raven training course from April 22 to May 2 at the 3rd Brigade Combat Team headquarters.

Once limited to brigade and higher level commanders, the hand-launched aircraft is one of the latest technologies to enhance warfighting capabilities, putting aerial reconnaissance tools in the hands of Paratroopers on the ground.

MQ-9 System Background

Technology News Staff — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:09:49 +0000

The U.S. Air Force proposed the MQ-9 system in response to the Department of Defense request for Global War on Terrorism initiatives. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator and is designed to go after time-sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and destroy or disable those targets. The "M" is the Department of Defense designation for multi-role and "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "9" refers to the series of purpose-built remotely piloted aircraft systems.

UAV, MQ-9 REAPER

Technology News Staff — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:08:56 +0000

The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude, long endurance remotely piloted aircraft system. The MQ-9's primary mission is as a persistent hunter-killer against emerging targets to achieve joint force commander objectives. The MQ-9's alternate mission is to act as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset, employing sensors to provide real-time data to commanders and intelligence specialists at all levels.

UAV Wing Marks One Year In The Fight

Technology News Staff — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:07:35 +0000

Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, congratulated Airmen at Creech Air Force Base May 6 as the 432nd Wing marked its first year as the Air Force's only MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle wing.

"The 432nd Wing has grown exponentially over the last year, in manpower, demand, flying hours, sorties, technology, reach, support for the warfighter and in battlefield capability," said General Seip. "From day one, the 432nd Wing Airmen have been 'all in' in the support of ongoing operations; particularly in operations Iraqi (Freedom) and Enduring Freedom."

AUV, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Demonstration

Technology News Staff — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:39:06 +0000

A major exercise and demonstration of unmanned autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs) will take place in Narragansett Bay from May 12-23, 2008 during AUVfest 2008. The event is hosted by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport and co-sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Office (NOAA) of Ocean Exploration.

Since 1997, the U. S. Navy´s Office of Naval Research has sponsored Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Festivals to expose both the defense and scientific communities to technical advances and common applications in AUV technology. The AUVfest 2008 theme is "Partnership Runs Deep: ONR Unmanned Mine Hunting Technologies help NOAA Explore Sunken History."