Current Events in the Americas

From DefenseNews Explosion May Put U.S. Mini-Sub Program in Danger By christopher p. cavas Published: 9 Dec 11:43 EST (16:43 GMT) The long-stalled future of the U.S. special warfare community's troubled mini-submarine is even cloudier after a serious explosion and fire struck the craft last month, ironically on the cusp of a new mission and a new way ahead for the program. The Advanced SEAL Delivery Vehicle 1 (ASDS-1) was having its lithium-ion batteries charged Nov. 9 when an explosion started a battery fire that burned for about six hours. No one was aboard the 60-ton craft, which was on shore at its base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Federal firefighters s…

U.S. Close To Testing Massive “Bunker-Busting” Missile By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, PARIS DefenseNews The United States is close to testing a new missile aimed at destroying deep bunkers where suspected weapons of mass destruction are stored, the British weekly New Scientist says. Four prototypes of the new “bunker-buster” will be tested later this year by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control of Dallas, Texas, which are working with U.S. Navy scientists on behalf of the Pentagon’s Threat Reduction Agency, it says. Traditional bunker bombs are streamlined bombs whose sheer weight enables them to force through soil, rock or concrete before they detonate. …

US Army Weapon Systems Handbook 2011 (PDF): download here

MH-60S underpowered for MCM towing operations (Jane's)

From Navy Times Swedish sub heads to sea, readies for mock battle against 3rd Fleet By Gidget Fuentes Times staff writer POINT LOMA, Calif. — With their fill of margaritas, burritos and some American-style barbecue hamburgers, a Swedish navy crew took their attack submarine Gotland into the Pacific Ocean and prepared to wage mock battle and combat operations with U.S. 3rd Fleet. On July 11, Gotland slipped from the submarine piers at the Point Loma Naval Base and glided from San Diego Bay into the Pacific’s tepid, deep waters for a three-week training cycle at sea. For a crew more accustomed to the frigid waters of the Baltic and sub-Arctic region, this …

From Navy News, obtained at Military.com August 27, 2008 Navy News|by Mass Comm. Spc. 3rd Class Coleman Thompson VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Command of patrol coastal ships USS Tempest (PC 2) and USS Monsoon (PC 4) was returned to the U.S. Navy from the U.S. Coast Guard during a ceremony held at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Aug. 22. Tempest has been on loan to the Coast Guard since December 2005, and Monsoon was on loan since October 2004. Both ships were transferred back to naval control during a ceremony that exemplified the interoperability of the two services. "The Navy and the Coast Guard have a great working relationship," said Cmdr. Stephen Coughl…

The Pentagons Frankensteins (National Review Online)

Navy Lacks Plan to Defend Against `Carrier-Destroying' Missile YahooNews Tony Capaccio Fri Mar 23, 12:18 AM ET March 23 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Navy, after nearly six years of warnings from Pentagon testers, still lacks a plan for defending aircraft carriers against a supersonic Russian-built missile, according to current and former officials and Defense Department documents. The missile, known in the West as the ``Sizzler,'' has been deployed by China and may be purchased by Iran. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England has given the Navy until April 29 to explain how it will counter the missile, according to a Pentagon budget document. The Defense …

From Aviation Week Pacific Will Drive Future Navy Investment Sep 4, 2008 Bettina H. Chavanne Pacific-realm activity, Iranian behavior, resurgent major powers like China and the prevalence of low-intensity conflict (LIC) will drive U.S. Navy investments in the region, according to Marshall Billingslea, deputy under secretary of the Navy. Maritime power is uniquely suited to safeguard the interests of the United States, Billingslea told a multinational crowd Sept. 3 at ComDef 2008 in Washington. In the Pacific, the United States claims to be upgrading its carrier presence in alliance with Japan and actively pursuing new relationships with countries like India …

Interesting site with a lot of details: http://jproc.ca/rrp/rrp3/cp140_electronics.html

From Air Force Times New gunship plan: 8 modified MC-130Ws By Sam LaGrone - Staff writer Posted : Tuesday Jun 2, 2009 16:28:08 EDT Special Operations Command plans to convert eight existing C-130 variants into multi-role gunships to support the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan. As part of the fiscal 2010 budget, the Defense Department has set aside $31.6 million to begin equipping eight MC-130Ws with limited gunship capability, according to budget documents. The additional firepower will buttress the two dozen aging AC-130H/U Spectre and Spooky gunships, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told members of Congress during a M…

From The Diplomat [excerpt]

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report February 10, 2006 SEALs-Friendly Submarine Returns To Navy Fleet The first of four converted U.S. submarines, specifically designed to help special forces perform covert missions, returned to the Navy's fleet for service on Feb. 7. The USS Ohio, converted by General Dynamics Corp.'s Electric Boat unit, is the first of four nuclear-powered ballistic missile subs (SSBNs) to be converted into cruise missile-laden, special forces-friendly SSGNs. The other three -- the USS Michigan, USS Florida and USS Georgia -- are slated to rejoin the fleet by 2007. Ohio was returned to service at a ceremony in Bangor, Wash. "Ohio's …

Course-changing missiles tested for LCS By Kris Osborn - Staff writer Posted : Thursday Dec 6, 2007 6:24:42 EST FORT BLISS, Texas — The Army has begun initial test firing of prototypes of a next-generation precision land missile that is able to be redirected toward new targets while in flight and can hit targets on-the-move up to about 24 miles (40 kilometers) away, Army officials said. The Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS), slated to field with other Army Future Combat Systems’ so-called spinout technologies by 2010, is designed with both GPS and infrared guidance systems. Tested at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., the NLOS-LS launcher carries 15 Pre…

From Defense Aerospace Lockheed Martin Delivers First C-5M Super Galaxy (Source: Lockheed Martin; issued December 9, 2008) MARIETTA, Ga. --- Lockheed Martin today delivered the first fully modernized C-5M Super Galaxy to the U.S. Air Force at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, Ga. The aircraft is the first of three developmental test C-5M aircraft to be delivered, with the other two to be delivered to Dover AFB, Del., in February 2009. All three aircraft successfully completed developmental testing in August 2008. Current Air Force plans call for Lockheed Martin to deliver 52 modernized C-5Ms. "The C-5 fleet is now beginning to realize its fu…

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot February 9, 2006 The Fight Over The New F-22 Raptor By Louis Hansen, The Virginian-Pilot HAMPTON — On a recent clear Sunday afternoon, Capt. John Echols took his fighter jet into the sky for another homeland security mission. The Air Force’s role in Operation Noble Eagle had grown routine since Sept. 11: Patrol the skies over East Coast cities and watch for planes drifting into restricted airspace. If a private pilot starts heading toward a potential target, the fighter pilots quickly introduce themselves and escort the intruder back on course. But Echols’ patrol this day was anything but routine. He and a wing mate flew o…

DDG 1000 Preps for Heavy Weather Trials (DOD Buzz) Fingers crossed ...

Pentagon's Global Strike Weapon Stuck In Limbo; Congress Fears Accidental WWIII (AOL Defense)

Improved Conventional Munitions Policy (CSBA) This is a big deal. In the world of Harpoon, some of you might have already noticed that cluster munitions (especially older style cluster munitions) tend to fade from sight in many US/NATO aircraft loadouts in the HCDB2 after around 2003.

Canada in wait to use its mine-clearing drones Canadian Press CTV HALIFAX — France and the United States will likely be the first countries to take full advantage of advanced minesweeping technology developed in Canada, even though it was first intended for Canadian navy ships, says a senior researcher. While a number of countries have shown interest in purchasing the high-tech gear, the Canadian navy will only get to test drive the Remote Minehunting System because of budget cuts and a cumbersome procurement process. In an deal signed last week, Ottawa said it will pay for operational tests of the system for only 20 days a year. The Canadian tests are exp…