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GA-ASI Displays Future of Uncrewed Airpower at AFA ASC 2024

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Air Force Conference Will Feature Actual XQ-67A OBSS and Full-Scale CCA Model

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD – 16 September 2024– Are you ready to see the future of uncrewed air power? General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announces major displays during the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Sept. 16–18, 2024. During the show, just outside Washington, D.C., GA-ASI will exhibit:

• The Air Force Research Laboratory’s XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station(OBSS) – the actual operational aircraftwill be parked for static display at GA-ASI’s booth #734.

• A full-scale model of GA-ASI’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), on display at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s booth #1834.

Journalists and other AFA conference attendees are encouraged to view these and other GA-ASI exhibits to get the latest on how the company’s leadership in aircraft hardware, autonomy software, and other cutting-edge capabilities make it the strongest contender to build the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the U.S. and its allies.

OBSS

GA-ASI built the XQ-67A OBSS as part of an Air Force Research Laboratory effort. The aircraft flew for the first time in February 2024 and completed its initial round of flight testing in June. To demonstrate the maturity of its unmanned air-to-air platforms, GA-ASI engineers performed an Agile Combat deployment to the Gaylord Convention Center of the actual operational aircraft, using common commercial support equipment, to booth #734.

CCA

In addition, GA-ASI is showcasing a full-scale model of its CCA aircraft at booth #1834. In April, GA-ASI was selected to build a production CCA for the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. Large numbers of these highly capable autonomous warplanes will fly alongside, and well ahead of, legacy human-piloted fighters to enhance their sensing, networking, and combat capabilities.

“We’re excited to show our industry colleagues what the future force will look like,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, Tradeshow, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Displays Future of Uncrewed Airpower at AFA ASC 2024

Air Force Realigns to Ensure Readiness, Future Competitiveness

Sunday, September 15th, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Air Force is organizing its major commands, or MAJCOMs, into Institutional Commands, responsible for organizing, training, and equipping Airmen, and Service Component Commands, responsible for preparing Airmen for warfighting in a combatant command’s area of responsibility.

The changes are part of the Department of the Air Force’s Great Power Competition initiative.

“Over the last three decades, our Air Force has incrementally become more fragmented,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “This gradual diffusion was the result of decisions made in the context of a different strategic environment. After some deep introspection, it has become clear that to dominate in this challenging strategic environment, we must have a force structure that is better aligned, clearly understood, and agile enough to exploit the rapid pace of change.”

The current major command structure has significant variances in how the U.S. Air Force organizes, trains and equips, and how it presents forces. Some MAJCOMS have the responsibility of capability development (e.g., Air Force Materiel Command), some strictly for presenting forces as a service component to a combatant command, and some MAJCOMs have both responsibilities. Some service component commands are also Numbered Air Forces, or NAFs, that report through MAJCOMs, while other service component commands are themselves MAJCOMs.

While this has been made to work in practice, it has evolved with new entities being bolted on, instead of baked in. Through the Reoptimization initiative, the U.S. Air Force has the opportunity to reset both definitionally and structurally. The foundation of the senior command structure in the Air Force will consist of two types of commands: Institutional Commands and Service Component Commands.

Institutional Commands will serve as enterprise integrators for capability modernization, acquisition and sustainment, developing human capital and generating readiness, while Combatant Command-aligned Service Component Commands will employ operational forces in pursuit of Combatant Command missions.

Institutional Commands will include the existing commands with the following modifications:

– Air Education and Training Command is expected to evolve into Airman Development Command, which will train and develop Air Force personnel across the entirety of their career.

– The new Integrated Capabilities Command is planned to accelerate force modernization by aligning capability development efforts to a singular, prioritized demand signal for future airpower capabilities, aligned with the Force Design. The transition of capabilities development into one institutional command will enable the service component commands to focus on readiness.

– Air Combat Command will integrate readiness for CONUS-based service-retained forces and prepare and present mission-ready forces to combatant commands.

– Air Force Materiel Command will consolidate and establish new centers to rapidly develop, procure, field and sustain a pipeline of competitive capabilities to deliver decisive advantages to the force.

– Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard will provide strategic and operational depth and surge capacity by developing and managing an experienced, modernized and accessible Reserve Force.

Service Component Commands project air power to the joint force combatant commands through theater-assigned and rotationally allocated Air Force units in each of the CCMDs.

To streamline how the Air Force presents force offerings to Combatant Commanders, the Component Numbered Air Forces listed are planned to become Service Component Commands, reporting directly to the Secretary of the Air Force through the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. This alignment ensures the Air Force better prepares, presents and generates airpower effects for the Joint Force and enables service component commands to focus on preparation and presentation for their combat missions.

– Activate Air Forces Southern

– Activate Air Forces Central

– Activate Air Forces Northern and Air Forces Space

– Elevate and redesignate Air Forces Cyber. Note: The ultimate makeup and structure are still being finalized.

Pacific Air Forces; U.S. Air Forces in Europe – U.S. Air Forces Africa; Air Force Special Operations Command; Air Mobility Command; and Air Force Global Strike Command will be considered SCCs and will retain their current Combatant Command force alignment and readiness-related roles, responsibilities and authorities.

Streamlining Air Force organizations into either Institutional Commands or Service Component Commands will allow them to focus solely on developing Airmen, generating readiness and sustaining and delivering capabilities, or projecting airpower to the Joint Force, respectively.

Air Forces Southern, or AFSOUTH, will become the first Service Component Command under the new construct. AFSOUTH’s operational mission as the Air Force Component to USSOUTHCOM will not change. However, as a Service Component Command, AFSOUTH will be better positioned to advocate for service-related matters such as personnel, administration and unit training.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on Air Force Realigns to Ensure Readiness, Future Competitiveness

GAO Issues Summary of Armed Overwatch Reports

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

Last week the Government Accounting Office released “Special Operations Forces: Summary of Armed Overwatch Reports” which summarizes a series of previous reports on USSOCOM’s offer to acquire and field the OA-1K aircraft which they have selected for the Armed Overwatch role. This summary includes data from a restricted report entitled “Special Operations Forces: DOD Should Reassess Its Need to Acquire Armed Overwatch Aircraft, GAO-24-106993C, September 4” which is based on a classified study.

The initial plan was to field 75 of the AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft to conduct Close Air Support, precision strike; and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions. The aircraft were to be operated by Air Force Special Operations Command and organized into five squadrons, four operational and one for training.

But based on a GAO report from last December, DoD directed SOCOM to justify their planned number of 75 aircraft and they have since dropped the number to 62, almost a full squadron’s worth of capability, but have claimed it is due to budgetary realities and not Congressional direction. To be sure, USSOCOM is a very expensive aviation force, but they haven’t had a dedicated ground attack capability, aside from AC130 gunships, since the Vietnam war.

Congress is still shrill about the program, under some sort of impression that we aren’t going to conduct anymore low intensity conflicts in the future. DoD has the same notion, relegating anything short of major theater war to just “countering violent extremist organizations.” This remains short sighted and requires systems intended for Large l-Scale Combat Operations (aka war) to be expended against threats which they are way overmatched against.

From the summary report:

RELEVANT GAO WORK

GAO issued two reports on the Armed Overwatch program and identified issues to support decision-makers in Congress and the Department of Defense.

Analysis of needs. GAO found in December 2023 that SOCOM did not complete analyses of its operational needs to justify its purchase of 75 Armed Overwatch aircraft. SOCOM reduced that amount to 62 aircraft in March 2024, but as of September 2024 had not completed these analyses.

Plans for divested aircraft. SOCOM plans to divest two ISR platforms. Subsequently, some personnel and resources from the platforms will be used to support Armed Overwatch. However, GAO found that SOCOM has not taken steps to plan for, or add, critical ISR capabilities provided by soon-to-be divested aircraft. Also, SOCOM has not addressed risks associated with the loss of these capabilities if the new aircraft does not provide them.

Operational challenges. Special operations commands identified logistical and operational challenges that could inhibit SOCOM’s ability to effectively deploy and operate the aircraft as intended. Users said that the Armed Overwatch aircraft may not meet their mission needs because of these challenges.

Based on these reports, GAO made seven recommendations to the Department of Defense to address challenges that face the Armed Overwatch program.

Of the seven recommendations, DoD has concurred on one and partially concurred on the other six.

Meanwhile, the Armed Overwatch program continues to slip to the right while we remain engaged with violent extremists around the world.

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, SOF | 1 Comment »

70 Years of Flight: The C-130’s Legacy, Future

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) —

Since its first flight Aug. 23, 1954, the C-130 Herculeshas proven to be one of the most versatile and active aircraft in the Air Force’s fleet, having carried troops and supplies from the tundra of Antarctica, to the deserts of the Middle East, to the tropical islands of the Pacific, and nearly everywhere in between.

Robins Air Force Base, host of the C-130 70th Anniversary celebration, has played a key role in keeping the C-130 fleet not just flying, but equipped with the technology and modernizations that make it a critical component of the contemporary Air Force fleet.

“It’s the greatest airplane ever built, and it’s stained honorably with American blood, sweat and tears,” said Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command. “That airplane is a monument to everyone that flies, fixes, and supports it … From the assembly line, to the flight line, to the depot line, it’s the hands that touch it that make it so powerful.”

The Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins AFB is the central hub for depot maintenance and modernization of the C-130. With 12 different C-130 models spread across seven major commands and the Air National Guard, totaling 436 aircraft in the Air Force fleet, effective and efficient maintenance is vital to keeping the mission running – especially in an era of Great Power Competition.

“We’re the best at what we do here,” said Ben Stuart, 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron director of operations. “The first flight was in 1954, and we’ve been doing depot maintenance on C-130s at Robins since 1964.

We’ve got mission partners with the program office, engineering, the Defense Logistics Agency and Lockheed Martin,” Stuart continued. “That combination is what makes us the best in the business, and we have been doing it for 60 years. Nobody else in the world does the repair and overhaul work that we do here at Robins.”

Around 50 of the aircraft come through each year for maintenance, to include planned depot maintenance, unplanned depot-level maintenance like battle damage repair, and modifications.

While Robins does significant C-130 work on the installation, the scope of its mission does not stop at the gates.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s C-130 engineering team regularly receives Engineering Technical Assistance Requests, where in-unit maintenance teams run into issues they are not able to solve on station. In 2023, the AFLCMC team received almost 3,500 ETARs, many of which resulted in the aircraft being grounded. In responding to these, Robins AFB coordinates with the home units to find a solution. When needed, engineers will deploy to the aircraft’s location to resolve the issue, keeping the global C-130 fleet flying and active.

As the Air Force calls on its members to reoptimize for Great Power Competition, the C-130 is being prepared for its next chapter. The call for reoptimization, the emphasis on Agile Combat Employment and the challenges of the Pacific theater mean that the C-130 will need to continue evolving.

“To survive and operate in that environment, it will absolutely be on the backs of our C-130s,” said Michael Beasley, the Mobility Directorate C-130 Hercules division senior materiel leader and retired maintenance officer.

According to Beasley, one of the biggest challenges in reoptimizing for GPC is the logistical hurdles that come with the change in area of responsibility.

Beasley spoke on how flights in the Middle East were often short range, only lasting a few hours, with less concern for fuel and range management.

Moving to operations in the Pacific, with major hubs often thousands of miles apart with nothing but ocean in between, that sentiment has changed.

“In the past we never had to worry about that, right? We’re just flying from Ramstein Air Base, (Germany), down to Iraq,” Beasley said. “We didn’t have to worry about that long term, or that margin at the end of the flight that says, ‘Man, I need to squeeze just another hour and a half out of this airplane.’ GPC has us thinking about how we can do that.”

From increases in engine power and efficiency, to new propellor technologies and weight reduction efforts, the modernization efforts of the C-130 are a series of upgrades that not only provide individual benefit but work in tandem to make the aircraft as effective as possible.

“We’re trying to squeeze out every bit of performance out of this airplane we can, because we know that we’re probably the bedrock of that ACE concept,” Beasley said. “Once we get everything in theater and we’re in the battle, what’s going to keep that battle alive are the C-130 tactical transports, getting that stuff from island to island.”

The C-130 has also seen a number of avionics upgrades aimed at increasing effectiveness in a connectivity-contested environment.

Two technologies being utilized are the Real-Time in Cockpit and Dynamic Retasking Capability systems. These allow the C-130 to receive key information from command-and-control communication systems, or C2CS, prior to entering a battle space and provides the ability to forward this information off to advance commanders. Not only does this increase the awareness of the air crew, but also acts as a force multiplier in expanding the reach of C2CS.

With 70 years of history as one of the most versatile and battle-tested aircraft in the Air Force fleet, the C-130 looks to enter its next era in the reoptimization for Great Power Competition – and just as Robins AFB has kept the aircraft flying the last seven decades, it will be sending out the aircraft to maintain air dominance for years to come.

By Patrick Sullivan, 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post, History | 1 Comment »

Cubic Awarded U.S. Air Force Production Order for Encrypted Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI)

Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

Delivering proven solutions for real-world operations, training and test

SAN DIEGO September 9, 2024 – Cubic Defense, the world’s leading provider of advanced air combat training, announced the first production order for its encrypted Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) upgrade from the U.S. Air Force. The modernization allows 4th Gen aircraft to train seamlessly with 5th Gen aircraft, enhancing the overall operational readiness for the Combat Air Force.

“ACMI delivers “Truth in Training,” allowing aircrew to perform mission exercises from anywhere while generating ultra-precise information on their performance.,” said Paul K. Averna, VP and GM, Advanced Training Solutions for Cubic Defense. “The successful completion of the System Security Upgrade (SSU) contract and the subsequent production order for encrypted ACMI is a testament to the expertise of our team and dedication to the warfighter.”

The first-ever production order for SSU kits marks a significant achievement for Cubic Defense. These kits represent a significant leap providing a vital capability to encrypt sensitive maneuvering data for a substantial percentage of the U.S. Air Force P5 pod fleet assets, ensuring that country-specific proprietary material can now be protected.

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (Air Force photo by Daniel Asselta, www.dvidshub.net). Cubic’s P5 pod tucked under the F-15E’s wing.

Cubic was awarded the firm-fixed-price contract for the P5 Combat Training System (P5CTS) SSU program in 2022 and executed on ‘First Time Right’ engineering process. The team was able to complete software and firmware integration within two months. This was achieved through Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) testing without white wires or redesign. The team completed Factory System Integration Test (FSIT) and Physical Configuration Audit (PCA) in month nineteen of the program. The customer’s comment: “it was the smoothest FSIT I’ve ever witnessed.”

www.cubic.com/industries/training/air-combat

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on Cubic Awarded U.S. Air Force Production Order for Encrypted Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI)

1 SOCES BEEFs Up Training

Sunday, September 8th, 2024

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron hold a defensive position during Prime Base Engineer Emergency Training at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 20, 2024. Prime BEEF training consists of tactical convoy operations, radio communications etiquette, establishing security and defensive fighting positions to enable Airmen to set up a bare base – any time, any place.

By U.S. Air Force Amn Joey Weis-Petticord, 1st Special Operations Wing

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF, Training | Comments Off on 1 SOCES BEEFs Up Training

Bass Pro Shops Becomes Official Outdoor Gear Provider for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service

Saturday, September 7th, 2024

Partnership expands on never-ending commitment to veterans and active-duty military members, with tax-free shopping and all exchange earnings going to support military communities

Bass Pro Shops is excited to announce an agreement has been signed to become the official outdoor gear retailer for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, launching this year at ShopMyExchange.com.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, the Department of Defense’s largest military exchange, operates nationwide and in more than 30 countries. Later this year, all active-duty service members, dependents, retirees, Department of Defense civilians and retirees and honorably discharged Veterans who have confirmed their eligibility through ShopMyExchange.com/vets will be able to reel in deals on the best outdoor gear from Bass Pro Shops.

“We can never adequately thank our nation’s heroes for the sacrifice shown in service to our great country, we are all deeply grateful for what they do every day to protect the freedoms we are blessed to enjoy here in the USA,” said noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “To be named the Official Outdoor Gear Provider for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service makes this one of the proudest days in the history of our company.”

Veterans, active-duty service members and their dependents will have the opportunity to shop the leading outdoor brands from Bass Pro Shops tax-free, and the prices they see on the shelf will have the 10 percent Legendary Salute military discount Bass Pro Shops is known for already built in. Additionally, 100 percent of Exchange earnings support the military community, including critical quality-of-life programs. This will bring outdoor experiences to our nation’s heroes, with the convenience and savings they deserve.

“Nature leads to healing, to adventure and a lifetime of the best memories,” said Tom Shull, Director/CEO of AAFES. “Together, Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops and the Exchange will help service members and Veterans enjoy the wonder and healing nature offers. Team Exchange looks forward to connecting heroes with the land they fiercely fight to protect.”

Bass Pro Shops’ Commitment to Veterans and to the U.S. Army Community

This partnership is an extension of the support shown by Johnny and Bass Pro Shops – North America’s premier outdoor retailer and three-time honoree as America’s Best Outdoor Retailer by Newsweek – for our heroes in the armed forces.

This commitment stems in part from the respect Johnny holds for his father, John A. Morris, a decorated World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

For decades, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s has been committed to hiring those who have served our nation. Currently, nearly 3,000 veterans or active-duty military personnel are employed as Outfitters.

Legendary Salute Discount

For over 25 years, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s have offered discounts to veterans and active-duty military members as a token of appreciation for our true heroes.

The Legendary Salute Discount offers 10 percent off on almost everything in all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations in the United States and Canada, offered to veterans, active military, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and fish and wildlife officers.

Veterans Tower at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena

One of the most striking features of the new not-for-profit Thunder Ridge Nature Arena is the Veterans Tower, inspired by historic national park and forest service fire and wildlife viewing towers. The breathtaking 12-story tower serves as a tribute to honor of all of our veteran heroes, including John A. Morris.

During the recent Rolling Stones concert, Bass Pro Shops hosted over 1,000 veteran Outfitters and their families from 22 states.

Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops Recipient of The National Service Award

The U.S. Army’s Highest Civilian Award

In 2022, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops received the U.S. Army’s highest civilian honor, the prestigious National Service Award, from the Association of the United States Army. This award was presented in recognition of exemplary service and demonstrated enduring support to the American Soldier and the United States Army community, honoring a decades-long commitment to supporting veterans.

The award was presented during a special gathering at the Association’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., attended by more than 40,000 soldiers from across the country and around the world, representing allied armies from 200 nations.

Helping a Hero 100 Homes Challenge

Partnering with the organization Helping a Hero, Bass Pro Shops is improving the lives of disabled American veterans and their families across the country.

Through this partnership, Bass Pro Shops paid the mortgage on 10 specially adapted homes for disabled veterans and issued a challenge grant to fund 25 percent of the construction cost on the next 100 homes built by the organization.

To date, 28 homes have been awarded to deserving veteran heroes, with another 11 planned by the end of 2024.

Folds of Honor

With the support of customers from across the United States, Bass Pro Shops made a $300,000 donation to Folds of Honor in 2021, supporting an organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen U.S. soldiers.

Since the organization was formed in 2007, more than 52,000 educational scholarships have been awarded to the families of American fallen or disabled military and first responders.

Patriots Park

Through charitable donations from Bass Pro Shops and its Legends of Golf tournaments, Patriots Park at College of the Ozarks was created to honor fallen military members. Donations funded Missouri’s Vietnam, Korean and Gold Star Families memorials located there.

Patriots Park sits near the entrance of the College of the Ozarks campus, where The Missouri Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the 1,410 servicemen and women from Missouri who gave their lives during the war. Built and designed by students, this memorial serves as Missouri’s official Vietnam memorial.

Camp Homefront

Bass Pro Shops is proud to sponsor and support Tom and Jen Satterly with the All Secure Foundation. Its mission with Camp Homefront is to provide Special Operations warrior couples with workshops specializing in results-driven tools and tactics to help them reconnect after living through the effects of war trauma and countless deployments apart.

More than 5,000 Special Operations warriors and spouses have been through programs and training with the All Secure Foundation, with more than 450 individuals attending Camp Homefront.

Other Support

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s also hosts a variety of diverse programs and events to support active-duty military members and veterans, including annual Fishing Dreams outings, serving as a primary sponsor for the Shadow Warrior Project’s golf tournaments, the 2021 Missouri Veterans Fishin’ Contest that connected veterans with outdoor experiences, and providing a free day away annually to hundreds of soldiers at Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood, with a visit to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium for those unable to be with their families during holiday block leave.

To learn more about the Exchange program, please visit ShopMyExchange.com.

Posted in Air Force, Army, Industry, Off-Duty, Press Release | 2 Comments »

SOARescue Accepting Army & Air Force COOL Grants

Wednesday, September 4th, 2024

SOARescue is proud to announce that we are now able to assist with and accept Air Force and Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line Grants.

This change will allow our military students who are serving in the National Guard, Reserves, or Active Duty units to have access to our courses with fewer obstacles to manage. We hope to broaden the opportunity to the remaining branches soon.

Need help navigating the COOL process? Our admin and training team is here to help! We can answer any of you questions (or at least point you in the direction of someone who can) and get you everything you need for a successful COOL application.

Our decision to move forward with becoming an agency who partners with COOL was fueled by our desire to make our training as accessible as possible to the practitioners who would most benefit from it. We know our students come from many walks of life and having the capability to further their education and skills can only benefit them as individuals and practitioners.

We know that our training can be a substantial investment for students paying their own tuition, so we’ve made every effort to keep our pricing as fair and transparent as possible. Pricing for all courses is available on our website and easily found next to the class on the schedule. We also offer payment plans and multi-student discounts for agencies. We’ve collected an instructional cadre that have incomparable real-world experience in the topics they are teaching and make every effort to provide each of our students with invaluable training.

SOARescue quality is the best in the industry and cannot be bested elsewhere.

www.soarescue.com/fed-gov-mil

Posted in Air Force, Army, Guest Post, Medical, Training | Comments Off on SOARescue Accepting Army & Air Force COOL Grants