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Defense
Systems News
US values possible South Korean MH-60R deal at $1 Billion Obama Threatens to Veto House Defense Authorization Bill U.S. Army Chief Disputes Latest Congressional Budget Submission X-47B Stealth Drone Begins Trials This Summer SECDEF Panetta reiterates support for F-35B and MV-22 Embraer Has Mixed Reaction To New LAS Competition Terms Israeli Company Aeronautics Finnish Mini UAV Bid Deja Vu: Lawmakers suspect F-35 alternate jet engine end run Philippines May Buy Fighter Jets Other Than U.S. F-16s DoD eyes savings from greater cooperation between the Services Drones Up to 25 Pounds Allowed for U.S. Safety Agencies Former Vice Chief Cartwright fingers F-35 vulnerability FY13 House Defense Appropriations Committee Report
Defense
Systems Journal Exclusive
Army Moving Out on UH-60L Glass Cockpit Program - At last month's Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) annual convention in Nashville, the Director
of the PEO Aviation's Utility Helicopter Program Management Office (PMO) outlined the Army's plans to begin, in Fiscal Year 2013, a program to provide digital or glass cockpits for the Service's UH-60L Blackhawk helicopters. The digitization effort, as described, is to address obselence issues, provide
an integrated digital moving map to enhance situational awareness, enhance capability to operate in degraded visual environments,
increase commonality with other Army assets, and provide integrated displays and performance planning. In short, the
effort would provide the "Lima" with similar capabilities to the UH-60M. According to the Program Office, the Army has been engaged
in preliminary market research for the effort and has briefed contractors (including at AAAA), but has not formally engaged
industry. "We have developed a Contracts Requirements Package to
solicit industry for additional information via the AMCOM Logistics Support Facility (LSF) contract." As a next
step, the Army's support contractor (SESI) will solicit industry for information via a solicitation and consolidate the responses into a Market Analysis Report. The PMO anticipates contract award with the Logistics Support Facility in
mid-May. Given a couple of weeks for a kickoff meeting with the PMO and development of their RFI, they expect a formal program
solicitation in late May or early June. The Army notes that the results of this "Request for Information" will help
the USG refine the Statement of Work for a follow-on effort and the UH-60L Digitization program can commence in earnest.
General Mark A. Welsh III is Nominated for
Chief of Staff of the Air Force - Gen. Mark A. Welsh III was born in San Antonio, Texas and can give a helluva speech. He entered the Air Force in June 1976 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has been assigned to numerous operational,
command and staff positions. Prior to his current position, he was the Associate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
for Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C. To replace General Walsh, the White House announced Friday that current Vice Chief of Staff General Philip Breedlove
would become the new Commander for USAF-Europe (USAFE) and USAF-Africa (USAFA). Replacing General Breedlove as USAF
Vice Chief will be Lt. Gen. Larry Spencer, who will receive a fourth star. Defense Systems Video
President Obama From Afghanistan - President Obama addressed the American people from Bagram Air Base, outside Kabul, where he landed on May 1st on an unannounced visit. As observed by the Washington Post's Michael Gerson, the President spoke of the war’s end, the withdrawal of additional troops and a turn toward domestic renewal. The
news of the speech – embodied in the framework agreement Obama signed with President Karzai – was a serious, long-term
America commitment to the Afghan government. While reaffirming the 2014 turnover of full security responsibility to Afghan
forces, Obama specified two America military roles that will continue well beyond that deadline: counterterrorism and training.
America will no longer be patrolling territory, but a substantial American military commitment to the stability of the Afghan
government will remain in place. “As you stand up,” Obama assured the Afghans, “you will not stand alone.”
For at least ten more years, Afghan security forces will be “backed by the United States and our allies.” Defense Systems Event
IDGA Exhibitions’ 4th Annual Soldier Equipment & Technology
Expo & Conference is your opportunity to examine the immediate and future needs
of Warriors, particularly Special Operations, whose demand has quadrupled since 9/11, and to strategize with military, academia
and industry to ascertain ways to ensure Soldiers are properly equipped with clothing, individual equipment and protection,
small arms and ammo, special munitions, power, electronics, communications and more. This is your opportunity to meet with key decision makers and top-notch innovators responsible for producing battle
ready Soldiers. |
