"This is essentially the capstone for our Weapons Instructor Course, helping us learn how to plan, schedule and execute large scale operations with not only other units from across the Air Force, but with the Army as well," said Capt. Daniel Hilferty, a weapons school student and student planner for the exercise.

The MAFEX is designed to culminate months of training that the students have received and challenge them to plan and execute a joint forcible entry airborne assault operation, integrating worldwide assets.

This is the fifth time the bi-annual exercise has taken place, with this iteration involving more than 50 aircraft and 1500 servicemembers, including nearly 400 Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne and aircraft ranging from F-15E Strike Eagles and HH-60 Pave Hawks to C-130 Hercules and MQ-9 Reapers.

"We integrate the students with other airframes and services so they have a better understanding of what they will be seeing when they leave here," said Lt. Col. Kevin Oliver, the weapons school deputy commandant and a C-130 pilot. "The integrated lessons learned provided by this event drive Air Force and joint warfighting expertise to the highest level."

This is the second time Capt. John Paul Kilker, a weapons school student, has participated in the MAFEX, first actively flying in the exercise and now as a exercise planner.

"You get a new appreciation for the guys putting the exercise together behind the scenes as opposed to getting your orders and executing after seeing it from both sides," he said.

"The level of coordination is unbelievable," said Captain Hilferty. "We are bringing aircraft that are taking off from across the country to the Nevada Test and Training Range with an arrival time flexible only by a minute, and giving these aircrews a target drop zone of only 100 yards to drop their troops and gear, and from what I have seen so far, we have been on point with everything."

One of the key components to the exercise was the training range, which is maintained by the 98th Range Wing, and serves as the school's training ground.

"The (range) is phenomenal," said Captain Kilker. "It's a great training theater and the threats that they simulated provided an experience that I will not forget."

On the surface the exercise went as planned, but to ensure the students learned from their mistakes, they sat down with their instructors to scrutinize and evaluate the exercise to see exactly what went right and wrong.

"My first impression was that this was very successful," said Captain Hilferty. "We made all of our drops on time and where they needed to be. But now we are going dig down into it and see what we learned. Even if we don't achieve every objective, the learning experience we got from MAFEX was well worth the work."

Weapons school completes large scale mobility exercise is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons

Nine helicopters from 230 'Tiger' Squadron left their old base at Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove (formerly known as RAF Aldergrove), located near Belfast, in a diamond formation.

230 Squadron, who have been based in Northern Ireland for over 20 years, are joining 33 Squadron at RAF Benson, meaning the Puma Force is now united in the one location for the first time in over 20 years.

The diamond formation was greeted by Commander Joint Helicopter Command Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, Benson's Station Commander and Puma Force Commander Group Captain Jonathan Burr, the 230 Squadron advance party, 33 Squadron personnel, and station support personnel.

Infrastructure work has been undertaken at RAF Benson during 2009 to enable the station to house both squadrons of the Puma Force.

These works included a purpose-built modular headquarters building for 230 Squadron, a re-role of the Operational Conversion Flight to form joint operations, survival equipment and flight planning sections, and a refit of several sections of the 33 Squadron hangar to accommodate the Operational Conversion Flight and Combined Tool Stores.

The colocation of 33 and 230 Squadrons, which saw nine Puma helicopters and around 250 Service personnel, with their families, move to Oxfordshire from Northern Ireland, will establish a coherent Puma Force on a single site and will improve the delivery of Puma Force capability.

Group Captain Jonathan Burr, Station Commander and Puma Force Commander at RAF Benson, commented:

"This is a new chapter for the Puma Force. With the colocation we will be more coherent in the planning, tasking, training and operating of the Puma Force across the squadrons. Oxfordshire has been a very good host to us over the years and we know they will welcome 230 Squadron."

Wing Commander Rich Maddison, Officer Commanding 230 Squadron, added:

"The people of Northern Ireland have been very good to the RAF and sadly this marks the end of an important chapter in the RAF's history.

"This squadron could not have achieved all it has on operations over the past six years without the essential training we have been able to conduct in the province and we shall certainly miss being here."

Squadron Leader Marty Lock, Officer Commanding A flight on 230 Squadron, was met by his wife and three children on arrival at RAF Benson. He said:

"Aldergrove holds a special place to all those who have been there. The squadron have been there for 17 years and the support helicopters have been there significantly longer. That chapter has closed and it's been a special moment for those who have been involved, including the engineers, planners, and aircrew. It's great to be a part of the Puma Force."

Flight Lieutenant Jonnie Bradshaw, a 29-year-old pilot with 230 Squadron and one of the aircrew that brought the nine aircraft to RAF Benson, said:

"Northern Ireland is an interesting place but it's excellent to be here at Benson. It's the nearest I've been to my friends and family for six years.

"The advantages in terms of logistics is that we share a common base with 33 Squadron and the simulator is here so it's now only a walk down the road instead of plane tickets. Again, we're very happy to be here and we arrived in style as 'Tiger 9'."

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“The C-17 Simulator commissioning marks the start of aircrew training in Australia. From January 2010, RAAF C-17 pilots will undertake their training at Amberley instead of travelling to the United States (US),” said Mr Combet.

“The attainment of the C-17 simulator is another successful outcome for the C-17 Heavy Air Lift Project and further testimony to the cooperative relationship between the Department of Defence, the United States Air Force and its contractors.”

The Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, attended the ceremony accepting the simulator at RAAF Base Amberley.

“We are very proud as locals that the C-17 simulator will provide training outcomes which greatly enhance the support to Australian Defence Force operations and humanitarian relief efforts being provided by the RAAF C-17 fleet,” said Mr Neumann.

“The Simulator is a replica of the C-17 cockpit and provides realistic training conditions for all C-17 missions. Operational conditions can be generated at a wide variety of airfields in Australia and overseas,” said Mr Combet.

The Boeing Company built the Simulator in the US and installed it in the purpose-built facility at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, constructed by John Holland Group. The Simulator itself was transported to Amberley using two C-17 aircraft.

The Simulator is the centerpiece of the C-17 Training System. The complete system includes a Maintenance Trainer to be delivered in 2010 and a Cargo Compartment Trainer to be delivered in 2013. Australia is the only foreign C-17 operator to own a Simulator. The other 20 Simulators are owned and operated by the United States Air Force.

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Meanwhile, the center’s operational arm, the 57th Wing, is helping to train warfighters to take maximum advantage of air assets available to support them, as well as airmen who operate directly with them in the combat theater.

“When you look around the warfare center, it is hard to think of what really isn’t connected to today’s fight in some shape or form,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Stanley “Ted” Kresge, Air Force Warfare Center commander. “The entire institution is responding to what is going on, and how it can better support the troops on the ground.”

The 561st Joint Tactics Squadron is the most forward edge of that effort. Its members regularly deploy into the combat theater to identify emerging tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as gaps in warfighter support.

“We form teams of experts across mission areas and travel to Iraq and Afghanistan to interview people at war, sit down and have discussions about what’s working, what’s not working, what’s going on, and [asking], ‘What have you learned since you have been here?’” Kresge said. “They’re not only trying to find out what is working, but also what is not working, then to close the book and do something about it with a feedback cycle.”

The teams report their findings back to the schoolhouse to incorporate into its programs, which provide the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to combat air forces officers.

The warfare center shares these lessons with the Air Force aviation community, as well as Army and Marine Corps leaders, during regular joint forums. But another popular venue, the Web-based “Community of Practice,” reaches out to a broader population with a real-time tactics exchange. The forum is by far the most-viewed network on the Air Force Knowledge Now portal.

“Folks can get on there and prepare their training plan before they go to the [combat theater],” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Russell J. Handy, the 57th Wing commander. “It gives them the opportunity to learn first-hand what is going on over there, and what they need to train for differently.”

Meanwhile, as the warfare center’s operations arm, the 57th Wing supports this effort through tactics development geared to the evolving threat.

For example, the wing helped to identify the best ways for the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, designed as a long-range interdiction platform, to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and close-air support missions in the current fight.

Also, training on the massive Nevada Test and Training Range here, it tested tactics used to provide reconnaissance and close-air support in conditions found in the combat zone. The wing came up with techniques for tracking high-value targets riding in fast-moving vehicles, “skipping” bombs deep inside tunnels serving as insurgent hiding grounds, and increasing the precision of strikes in busy urban centers without causing collateral damage.

Currently, the wing is focused heavily on taking better advantage of digital tools such as the remote operated video enhanced receiver, or ROVER, to improve coordination between ground troops and Air Force support elements, Handy said.

“What we found over the years is that there is a lot more efficient and better way to pass information than just jumping on the radio and talking to each other,” he said.

Far better, he explained, is enabling front-line forces to receive streaming video directly from both manned and remotely piloted aircraft. Digitally aided close-air support tools provide the same operational picture to ground commanders, the on-the-ground joint terminal attack controller and aircraft pilot, he explained.

“Every time you hear better or different ways of doing things, we’re on top of it,” Handy said. “It’s all about how to most quickly and efficiently support those troops on the ground.”

As the 57th Wing advances new tactics, techniques and procedures, the Air Force Warfare Center works to get them out to the Air Force community as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the wing also helps to train ground troops to take maximum advantage of air support available to them.

It provides air support for ground forces about to deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq during their mission rehearsal exercises at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.

A detachment based at the Army Fires Center at Fort Sill, Okla., trains joint fires officers operating at the platoon level to coordinate close-air support, when needed.

In addition, the wing provides advanced training for airmen who working directly with ground troops in the combat theater, with an increasing focus on training more joint terminal attack controllers who typically work at the corps level to coordinate close-air support.

“We are rapidly expanding that program to meet the demands in the area of responsibility, and looking for better and more efficient ways to train,” Handy said.

Ultimately, he said, the mission comes down to increasing the Air Force’s effectiveness in supporting ground troops in harm’s way. “It’s all about being able to find out that there is someone in trouble on the ground, and as quickly and efficiently as possible, help that soldier on the ground,” he said.

The joint effort – ground forces supported by air assets – brings a capability exponentially larger than what either ground or air forces could provide alone, he said. “I’ve never seen the joint relationship any stronger,” he added.

Air Force Warfare Center Improves Warfighter Support is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons

The activities set out in the contract will be carried out by Alenia Aeronautica, in its role as prime contractor, together with SELEX Galileo and SELEX Communications and the participated company Elettronica.

Giovanni Bertolone, CEO of Alenia Aeronautica, commented: “This is another extremely important result for the Eurofighter, which confirms the primary role played by Alenia Aeronautica in the programme. This agreement also stresses the importance of providing targeted and timely integrated support services that ensure a long product life cycle and maximise investment".

Alenia Aeronautica, as the sole interface with the Italian Air Force for all support activities relating to the Eurofighter aircraft, will be responsible for managing the supply and repair of all equipment on the aircraft, including avionics equipment; determining requirements and the supply of all consumables necessary to ensure the fleet good repair and efficiency; and to maintain and manage the instruments required to carry out maintenance work.

SELEX Galileo will manage the operational availability of a large part of the aircraft’s avionics suite both for equipment designed in-house and by other companies. The contract provides for routine and extraordinary maintenance, technical support, the identification of pattern defects, the management of obsolescence and customer assets, and the supply of spare parts and test solutions.

SELEX Communications will assist in the maintenance of the communication, navigation and identification equipment installed on the Italian Typhoon fleet. The service includes setting up a maintenance centre at the air base, the supply and maintenance of the devices used to test the equipment, the detachment of specialist engineers, the repair of faulty modules and support activities (management, fault analysis, reporting).

ELETTRONICA, as Lead Contractor EuroDASS, will be responsible for systems support of the Praetorian defensive aids suite installed on the Typhoons. In collaboration with SELEX GALILEO (UK) and INDRA (Spain), ELETTRONICA will ensure the operational availability of the Praetorian via a continuous support service at the operational bases provided by highly-skilled personnel. ELETTRONICA will also ensure the management of the supply chain.

The Finmeccanica Group's participation in the Eurofighter programme’s industrial activities amounts to around 36% (excluding engines), and it plays an important role in defining, designing, developing and producing the aerostructures, systems integration and avionics for the aircraft. Finmeccanica’s contribution to activities relating to on-board electronics for the Typhoon amounts to over 60%.

Finmeccanica to Support Italian Air Force Eurofighter Fleet is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons

After Switzerland and Singapore, the UAE is now the third country to revolutionise its training pipeline with the most modern and most advanced turbo trainer aircraft on the market today.

Delivery of the aircraft and the complete training system is scheduled to commence in 2011, paving the way for basic and advanced flying training in the UAE to be in line with the 4th generation equipment already in service in the front line squadrons, enabling the UAE AF&AD to continue to produce first class pilots for these demanding platforms.

The decision to select the PC-21 training system was made after an extremely tough and thorough evaluation by the UAE, which looked at all available options.

It is a major success for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in the Middle East and we believe it will encourage other forces in the region and beyond to take a close look at our pilot training solution.

As a partner to the UAE AF&AD for more than 25 years, in supporting the existing fleet of PC-7 trainer aircraft, this award is proof positive of the confidence and trust our customer has bestowed on Pilatus Aircraft Ltd for securing the future of their basic and advanced flying training requirements.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is committed to continue serving the UAE AF&AD with its world renowned dedication to Swiss precision and quality, through delivering and supporting the most advanced turbo trainer aircraft in the world the Pilatus PC-21.

UAE Selects Pilatus PC-21 Training System is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons

During subsequent flights, MANTIS successfully completed a series of trials demonstrating the capability of the system and the potential of large unmanned systems to support future UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) operational needs. The MANTIS programme is jointly funded by UK MOD and UK Industry.

Defence Equipment and Support Director Combat Air, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Bollom, said: "These trials at the end of this technology demonstration programme have successfully demonstrated a number of key factors that have helped build confidence in the feasibility of a UK-derived medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial system".

During phase one of the programme, BAE Systems has been working alongside the UK MOD and key industrial parties including:

• Rolls- Royce - Integrated Propulsion System and Engine Clearance
• QinetiQ - Flight Termination System and Communication System
• GE Aviation - Electrical Power System and Primary Flight Control Actuation
• Meggitt - Electrical Braking System.
• Selex Galileo - future Mission Systems and Sensor requirements.

Chris Allam, Managing Director of the Autonomous Systems and Future Capability business within BAE Systems, said: "This achievement is testament to the can-do approach of the whole team working on this programme. MANTIS has gone from concept to flight in just 19 months and the MOD, BAE Systems and a number of industry parties have worked together to make this happen. It confirms the skill and innovation within the UK aerospace sector and the ability to move quickly from concept to reality."

MANTIS has a 20 metre wingspan and is BAE Systems' first all-electric aircraft. The system is intended to be easily deployable and can be broken down to fit into a military transport aircraft. MANTIS is designed to be a real workhorse with "plug and play" elements in the mission system and the ability to carry a wide range of sensors.

MANTIS is a fully autonomous next generation unmanned aircraft system. It can execute its mission with a much reduced need for human intervention by understanding and reacting to its environment.

Such autonomy increases operational effectiveness allowing more focus on the mission without the usual concerns over vehicle control. It also reduces manpower requirements and the risk of accidents due to human error and the communications/data link requirements between the vehicle and the ground.

MANTIS could carry out intelligence gathering at long distances and can carry significant payloads in terms of sensors and, potentially, weaponry.

The MANTIS system will feature an end to end information capability, which will facilitate full integration with the UK's C4I infrastructure, significantly enhancing sovereign operational capabilities.

In today's high tempo operational environment improved situational awareness and decision-making are achieved through this integration activity. MANTIS shares a common UAS control infrastructure with other BAE Systems UAS' such as Taranis and HERTI.

UK’s largest fully-autonomous Unmanned Aircraft completes flight trials is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons

The contract covers two Saab 340 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) systems, comprising of the Saab 340 aircraft equipped with the advanced Erieye radar system. The contract also includes ground equipment as well as logistics and support services. Together with associated ground equipment, the system will provide a detailed situational picture that can be used in conjunction with, for example, border control and rescue operations.

"We've been conducting discussions with the UAE for several years concerning an airborne surveillance system," says Saab's CEO Åke Svensson. "This contract is an additional proof of our expertise and international competitiveness within the field of network-based solutions for defence and civil security."

Saab's Erieye surveillance system is a market success. The first Erieye surveillance system was delivered to the Swedish Air Force on a Saab 340 aircraft platform. The system has also been sold to Thailand with the Saab 340 as a platform, and this time the United Arab Emirates. The radar system has also been installed on the Embraer-145 aircraft and is operational in Brazil, Mexico and Greece.

The system will soon be delivered to Pakistan on Saab 2000 aircraft.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.

UAE Orders Saab Erieye Radar System is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons

Piloted by Lockheed Martin test pilot David "Doc" Nelson, the F-35A, called AF-1, left Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth plant and flew to 20,000 feet and Mach 0.6. Nelson raised and lowered the landing gear, performed 360-degree rolls and lifted the nose to 20 degrees angle of attack during an 89-minute flight. AF-1 was built on the same production line as the 31 Low Rate Initial Production aircraft now in assembly. The aircraft incorporates many evolutionary improvements and updates derived from the test program of AA-1, the first F-35. AF-1 joins two F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variants currently in flight test.

"The initial flight of the first optimized CTOL aircraft represents a significant achievement for the program and sets the stage for what's promising to be a successful flight test program," said Maj. Gen. C.D. Moore, deputy program executive officer for the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office. "We are excited to see AF-1 taking flight, as it portends a bright CTOL future for the USAF and the partner nations. The hard work on the production line and the flight line has paid off, and the workers deserve a hearty congratulations."

Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-35 test and verification, said, "AF-1 is one of the most important aircraft in our test fleet because knowledge gained from its use expanding the flight envelope will benefit the other two variants, and every F-35 ever built. AF-1 is also the first F-35 to roll off our moving assembly line, having achieved the maximum production speed of 50 inches per hour during a trial high-speed assembly sequence. The moving assembly line, designed to improve production quality and speed, is the first ever for a modern fighter."

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This will kick start a new era in Pak-China relationship, and aviation industry, an official source told APP here Tuesday. Both China as well as PAF attach a lot of importance to this project which is materializing after hectic and laborious efforts spread over almost a decade, he said.

The PAC has generated all the capability to produce the aircraft locally for its onward delivery to PAF besides materializing purchase orders from abroad.

The JF-17 Thunder a new generation, light-weight, all weather, day/night multi-role fighter aircraft with glass cockpit, hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls and efficient man-machine interface will ensure a minimal pilot workload.

The maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a high thrust-to-weight ratio will enable it to perform well in an air defence role. An ability to carry short- as well as long-range air-to-air missiles lends the aircraft a first shot capability.

In the surface attack role, a variety of weapons - conventional as well as precision-guided, a sophisticated avionics suite along with accurate weapon delivery system, ensure higher mission success rate.

An effective ECM suite will greatly enhance survivability of the platform. Its anticipated air-to-air refuelling capability will provide the JF-17 with more loiter time to safeguard the frontiers and the ability to deliver the required punch at distance.

It will replace the ageing fleets of A-5s, F-7Ps and the Mirages in the PAF inventory thus fulfiling a multi-role task.

First made in Pakistan JF-17 fighter to roll out on Monday is a post from: DefenceTalk | Defense & Military News - Forums - Pictures - Weapons