United States Army

[Alfan]

I mean, why haven't we started this yet?

Anyhow, I found lots of data on US AFV upgrades in the new budget data. It looks like we've already made quite a few 30 mm stryker prototypes and 8-9 M1A2 ECP prototypes.

https://www.bga-aeroweb.com/Defense/...T&E-FY2016.pdf

The Abrams ECP 1B (formerly ECP 2) program consists mainly of lethality improvements. The primary focus is the integration of Improved Forward Looking Infrared (IFLIR) and the integration of Ammunition Data Link (ADL) for the Advanced Multi-purpose (AMP) round.

They're aiming to preserve the current mobility while upgrading and augmenting the existing systems. It sounds rather similar to the Bundwheser's recently rumored Leo-2A8 upgrade program.

It also shows that they're planning on fielding the M1A2 ECP 1A starting from FY 2020 Q3. No word on the fielding date for the ECP 1B.

[saffron]

US ARMY AH-64D in Poland
http://s218.photobucket.com/user/sza...a/2_3.jpg.html

More photos
http://odwaszegofotokorespondenta.bl...-lotnicza.html

[OldCode]

Perhaps that's Luftwaffe with the iron cross markings?

[horrido]

There're no Apaches in the Luftwaffe (i.e. German Air Force). The present "Balkenkreuz" iteration looks different anyway.
Just a creative crew member, I guess.

[ecka]

I hope this isn't true.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/m...1478/?=recache

[The Dane]

Pentagon Eyes US Iron Dome To Defend Forward-Based Force

TEL AVIV — Israel’s state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon, its US partner for Iron Dome production, are working to transform the combat-proven Israeli interceptor into a fully American system in defense of forward-deployed US forces.

Americanized versions of the Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptors are being offered under the Raytheon-trademarked SkyHunter brand for a US Army program aimed at defending against a spectrum of threats, from cruise missiles and UAVs to rockets, artillery and mortars.

More: http://www.defensenews.com/story/def...l-us/88290824/

[gafkiwi]

I hope this isn't true.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/m...1478/?=recache

That kit is nothing and could probably be purchased in a bazaar if you knew who to ask and had the money. The radio without batteries is a paper weight. ID cards well looks like a dumb arse lost kit in an operational area. Then again its not uncommon for soldiers to loose an ID card, report it missing and get a replacement only to find it again

[ecka]

That kit is nothing and could probably be purchased in a bazaar if you knew who to ask and had the money. The radio without batteries is a paper weight. ID cards well looks like a dumb arse lost kit in an operational area. Then again its not uncommon for soldiers to loose an ID card, report it missing and get a replacement only to find it again

I hope you're right.

[The Dane]

US to deploy additional soldiers to support Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq

The US Army has announced the deployment of additional troops to support Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq for the next phase of the fight against ISIS.

The move comes as US President Barack Obama recently announced an increase in authorised troop levels in Iraq.

Nearly 400 more personnel will be sent to Iraq to help local forces recapture the northern city of Mosul from ISIS, media sources reported.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/...n-iraq-4972297

[The Dane]

US Army develops new engine for Black Hawk and Apache helicopters

The US Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center's Aviation Development Directorate (ADD) is developing a new military helicopter engine that would provide 50% more power at the same weight as the current fielded engine.

The advanced affordable turbine engine (AATE) demonstrator programme aims to develop a turboshaft engine with reduced fuel consumption and improved shaft horsepower.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/...opters-4975805

That's quite a big jump in performance.. cool.

[The Dane]

Lockheed's PAC-3 MSE interceptor achieves initial operational capability

Lockheed Martin's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile segment enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptor has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) designation from the US Army.

The PAC-3 MSE achieved IOC two years after receiving Milestone C approval. Lockheed Martin received the first US contract for the technology in 2014.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control PAC-3 programmes vice-president Scott Arnold said: “This is an extremely significant milestone in the maturity of our PAC-3 MSE interceptor, providing the warfighter with a more advanced hit-to-kill interceptor against the full spectrum of lower-tier threats.

More: http://www.army-technology.com/news/...bility-4980708

[The Dane]

Army Looks to Accelerate Air-and-Missile Defense Programs

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The Army is taking a hard look at the possibility of accelerating some existing air-and-missile defense programs to keep pace with emerging threats, according to service leaders speaking Tuesday at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.

Army Space and Missile Defense Command Commander Lt. Gen. David Mann and other senior leaders in missile defense presented the Army vice chief of staff last month with some materiel and non-materiel solutions and recommendations to bridge current AMD capability gaps over the next five years, said Rick DeFatta, the director of the Capability Development and Integration Directorate at the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command’s Future Warfare Center.

More: http://www.armytimes.com/story/defen...rams/88828388/

[merkwurdig]

U.S. Army fudged its accounts by trillions of dollars, auditor finds

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...-idUSKCN10U1IG

The Army account’s errors will likely carry consequences for the entire Defense Department.

[haze17]

http://www.thedailysheeple.com/they-...fective_082016

Most people would be surprised to learn that slave labor still exists in America. Because the thirteenth amendment only put an end to forced labor, “except as punishment for crime,” many prisoners in America can be forced to work for pennies an hour. What shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, is that oftentimes this kind of forced labor doesn’t produce a high quality product.

That certainly seemed to be the case when federal inmates were ordered to make ballistic helmets for the military. A Justice Department investigation has found that when Federal Prison Industries (a government owned corporation) was tasked with having prisoners make these helmets, they wound up producing thousands of defective items, which were delivered to the Army and Marine Corps.

[The Dane]

It was Bill Clinton that ended slavery in Missisippi.