Lockheed Martin and USAF Mark Successful Sniper ATP Site Activations at A-10C Units

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UNITED STATES - 3 JUNE 2009

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and the U.S. Air Force have successfully completed Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) A-10C site activations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ, and Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.

Sniper ATP site activations involve pod installation, maintenance and aircrew training. Coordinated with the Air Force Precision Attack Systems Project Office and Air Combat Command, Sniper ATP site activation efforts ensure maintainers are prepared to fully support the system in theater and that aircrews are proficient with pod operations and capabilities.

“The Sniper ATP represents a significant improvement in combat capability,” said Lt. Col. Michael Millen, commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB. “With the addition of the Sniper ATP, the A-10C has realized a quantum leap in its ability to locate, identify, track and ultimately defeat targets across the modern battlefield. The A-10C with Sniper ATP is an incredibly lethal combination.”

In its first month with Sniper ATP, 354th Fighter Squadron Airmen successfully utilized the new combat capability during two separate military exercises. During Exercise Emerald Warrior at Hurlburt Field, FL, A-10C pilots with Sniper ATP successfully supported a range of special operations forces missions. During Exercise Green Flag East, the crews successfully supported Army ground forces conducting urban combat training at the Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA.

“In both exercises, Sniper ATP proved a tremendous asset due to its enhanced ability to track moving targets, as well as its capability to downlink full-motion video so that Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on the ground could fully assist in positive identification of all targets. In the final analysis, the A-10C with Sniper ATP truly delivered precision engagement,” said Lt. Col. Millen.

Competitively selected as the Advanced Targeting Pod for the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, the Sniper ATP provides critical long-range, positive identification of both moving and stationary air and ground targets. It also possesses a video down link equipped with the widely used Rover ground receiver to relay high-resolution streaming video to forward-deployed forces for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and rapid target coordination.

“The Sniper pod delivers true precision engagement while increasing standoff, allowing for both greater lethality and increased survivability in a hostile combat environment,” said Lt. Col. Millen.

Designed, developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the Sniper ATP provides unrivaled precision engagement through its high-resolution, mid-wave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and TV sensors, which operate in conjunction with a dual-mode laser, permitting eye-safe operation and precise geo-location in urban environments.

Sniper ATP is currently site activated at operational U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard F-16 Block 30/40/42/50/52, as well as all F-15E and B-1 bases. It is deployed in combat operations on F-16, F-15E, B-1 and Harrier GR7 and GR9 aircraft. At the close of 2008, over 500 Sniper pods were delivered or on order to the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and 10 international air forces, including coalition partners.

Sniper ATP A-10C site activation efforts are scheduled to continue this summer at Moody AFB, GA.

With advanced integration across U.S. Air Force and multinational F-16, F-15, B-1, F-18, Harrier, A-10, B-52 and Tornado aircraft, the Sniper ATP’s common software and hardware interface design enables users to “plug and play” across services and multiple platforms, providing a common software and hardware configuration across aircraft fleets for greater interoperability.

Source: Lockheed Martin


Archive Photo: An U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II



Archive Photo: U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt


General Characteristics: U.S. Air Force A-10 THUNDERBOLT II

*User: U.S. Air Force
*Primary Function: A-10 -- close air support, A-10C - airborne forward air control
*Power Plant: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
*Thrust: 9,065 pounds each engine
*Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches (17.42 meters)
*Length: 53 feet, 4 inches (16.16 meters)
*Height: 14 feet, 8 inches (4.42 meters)
*Weight: 29,000 pounds (13,154 kilograms)
*Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,000 pounds (22,950 kilograms)
*Fuel Capacity: 11,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms)
*Payload: 16,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms)
*Speed: 420 miles per hour (Mach 0.56)
*Ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,636 meters)
*Armament: One 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pound (225 kilograms) Mk-82 and 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) Mk-84 series low/high drag bombs, incendiary cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, mine dispensing munitions, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 2.75-inch (6.99 centimeters) rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

 

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Boeing Receives U.S. Air Force A-10 Sustainment and Integration Contract
UNITED STATES - 11 JUNE 2009

ST. LOUIS --- The Boeing Company has been awarded a four-year U.S. Air Force contract to sustain the A-10 Thunderbolt II weapon system and integrate current and future upgrades into the aircraft’s avionics, mechanical and structural systems. Boeing is one of three contractors that will fulfill A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support (TLPS) task and delivery orders for the Air Force.

The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity TLPS contract will allow the Air Force to authorize up to $1.6 billion of aircraft support activity.

“We are honored to support the A-10 fleet to help ensure America’s men and women in uniform have the capability they need, when they need it,” said Bill Moorefield, A-10 program manager for Boeing.

This is the second A-10 contract the Air Force has awarded to Boeing, which won the $2 billion A-10 Wing Replacement Program (WRP) in June 2007. The WRP program includes engineering services and the manufacture of up to 242 A-10 wing sets. The work remains on schedule as Boeing develops the 3-D models that provide the engineering foundation for production of the new wings. The models also allowed Boeing to help the Air Force quickly resolve wing-crack issues that temporarily grounded the A-10 fleet last year.

“Boeing’s TLPS solution will allow us to provide the timely and critical support the Air Force has come to expect. We look forward to building on an already strong relationship and, through our TLPS and WRP efforts, keeping the A-10 fleet flying for another two decades,” said Steve Waltman, director of Aircraft Sustainment & Maintenance, a subdivision of Boeing Global Services & Support’s Maintenance, Modifications & Upgrades division.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, was first introduced into the Air Force inventory in 1976. The twin-engine aircraft provides close-air support of ground forces and employs a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general-purpose bombs. The simple, effective and survivable single-seat aircraft can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The aircraft is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.


Source: Boeing Co.

 

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Lockheed Martin Receives $17.8 Million Contract Award for A-10 Software Upgrade
UNITED STATES - 20 NOVEMBER 2009

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $17.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for a software upgrade that integrates critical communications and situational awareness capabilities into the A-10C close air support fighter.

The software upgrade will provide improved pilot vehicle interface and enhanced weapons delivery. Also included with the upgrade are software baselines for the helmet-mounted cueing system that increase situational awareness through improved visual cues for the pilot, and the lightweight airborne recovery system that integrates search and rescue capability.

“This software upgrade is another critical achievement in the continued modernization of a proven weapon system. Armed with these latest enhancements, A-10C pilots can more quickly access the information they need to prevail on the battlefield,” said Roger Il Grande, A-10 program director at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY.

The software upgrade is the third in an annual series planned for the A-10 and is scheduled for release in May 2011. The earlier two upgrades were also performed by Lockheed Martin; the first was fielded on schedule in May 2009 and the second is on target for release in May 2010.

The upgrades will be integrated in Lockheed Martin’s A-10 Systems Integration Lab in Owego, NY. The lab is used by engineers and pilots to prototype software and hardware upgrades for operational validity before flight, to fully integrate aircraft avionics modifications to reduce development risk and cost, and to aid in pilot and maintainer familiarization of newly-deployed systems. Lockheed Martin leads an A-10 industry team that includes Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX and Northrop Grumman, St. Augustine, FL.


Source: Lockheed Martin

 

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U.S. A-10 Thunderbolts receive wing modification
UNITED STATES - 22 DECEMBER 2009

DAVIS-MONTHAN U.S. AFB, ARIZ. | The A-10 Thunderbolt II will continue flying close-ground-support missions for the next two decades because of a reinforcement process wing replacement specialists call "Hog Up."

The phrase originated about a decade ago during an upgrade of the aircraft's avionics system, partially because of the A-10's "Warthog" nickname. Specialists in the 309th Maintenance Wing's Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Hill Air Force Base, Utah, install steel straps and stronger fittings to the wings that give the A-10 an additional 8,000 flying hours and extend the life of the aircraft for another 20 years, said Dave Roe, a 309th AMARG structural engineer.

"The modifications we're giving the wing will double its service life and allow it to carry the additional load the wings are expected to carry," Mr. Roe said. "By putting on these additional straps, we're basically beefing up the structure."

The A-10 is a twin-engine jet aircraft designed for close-air support of ground forces. Its main use is for ground attack against tanks, armored vehicles and installations. The aircraft flies with a range of 800 miles and with high endurance and maneuverability at low speeds and altitudes that allow accurate targeting and weapon delivery.

"Nothing else in our inventory can do the job the A-10 can do, especially in close-ground support," Mr. Roe said. "It also has a long loiter time over friendlies or over the target if necessary."

The reinforcements are intended to keep the A-10 fleet flying until the aircraft receives new wings through a contract awarded to Boeing in 2007. The contract calls for 242 new wings for installment on the thin-skinned A-10 airframes by 2011. About 100 A-10 airframes won't need new wings because they were built with a stronger "thick-skin" structure in the 1980s. Thick-skinned A-10s were rated for 16,000 flying hours, which should keep them flying until about 2030. The original A-10s were rated for 8,000 hours, but were extended with depot repairs in the 1990s. The new wings should also keep the original A-10s flying through the next 20 years.

"This is an interim fix to keep the A-10s flying while the new wings are being built," said Daryl Neel, the 309th AMARG center wing shop supervisor.

 

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U.S. Air Force officials take step toward cleaner fuel, energy independence
UNITED STATES - 25 MARCH 2010

EGLIN U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Force officials, embracing the national priorities of cleaner fuel and energy independence, took a step toward a greener, energy independent future when an A-10C Thunderbolt II here took to the air March 25 fueled with a blend of Hydrotreated Renewable Jet, or HRJ, and JP-8.

This first-ever feasibility flight demonstration was using HRJ, a hydrocarbon synthetic jet fuel, created from animal fats and plant oils. The flight was conducted by members of the 40th Flight Test Squadron, a developmental test squadron that is part of the Air Armament Center here.

"The Air Force is committed to reducing our reliance on foreign oil," said Terry Yonkers, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics. "Our goal is to reduce demand, increase supply and change the culture and mindset of our fuel consumption."

Although mission data has yet to be analyzed, just by leaving the ground the demonstration was considered a success. It proved an Air Force aircraft can be flown using a synthetic fuel blend.

A big indicator came from the test pilot, Maj. Chris Seager, after the flight. Immediately upon stepping out of the aircraft, he approached the fuel certification officials saying (the flight) "felt great, no problems whatsoever."

"This sortie was pretty uneventful and predictable ... that's a good thing," said the test pilot, who focused on monitoring his gauges and engine performance during the flight. "It was a real privilege to be part of this ground-breaking demonstration."

After hearing from the pilot, the certification officials, who traveled here from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, breathed a little easier, but had no doubts about the demonstration and its potential.

"We weren't concerned at all about the flight," said Jeffrey Braun, director of the Alternative Fuels Certification Office. "We knew it would take off and we're thrilled this project is moving forward."

The fuel used for the demonstration was from the camelina plant, a weed-like plant that needs little to flourish and isn't used as a food-source. The refining process as well as the emissions of the HRJ fuel is cleaner than conventional fuels, according to Alternative Fuels Certification officials.

The Air Force is the largest user of jet fuel in DOD, consuming 2.4 billion gallons per year. The goal is to switch half of the continental U.S. jet fuel requirement to alternative fuels by 2016. A short-term goal is to have all Air Force aircraft certified to fly using alternative fuels by 2012, according to Mr. Yonkers.

The 40th FTS's two-month build up to the pioneering flight was focused on safety and risk mitigation. The week of the flight, ground tests were performed and the A-10 flew with the fuels split into its two separate fuel tanks.

The A-10 has the ability to segregate its fuel system so one set of fuel tanks can be paired to one engine while the other set can be paired to the other engine without mixing fuel between systems. This makes the A-10 a perfect platform to begin testing fuel blends, according to Capt. Andrew Radzicki, a test engineer with the 40th Flight Test Squadron.

"To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy," said President Barack Obama.

The Air Force plans for a second feasibility demonstration this summer using an F-15 Eagle to test performance parameters. A C-17 Globemaster III will be tested because of the amount of fuel it consumes and an F-22 Raptor test is planned because of the aircraft's complexity. The latter two tests are scheduled to occur later this year.


An A-10C Thunderbolt II takes off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 25, 2010, marking the first flight of an aircraft powered solely by a biomass-derived jet fuel blend. The A-10 was fueled with a 50/50 blend of Hydrotreated Renewable Jet and JP-8.



An A-10C Thunderbolt II from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., flies along the coast of Florida March 25, 2010, during the first flight of an aircraft powered solely by a biomass-derived jet fuel blend. The A-10 was fueled with a 50/50 blend of Hydrotreated Renewable Jet and JP-8.

 

[nomi007]

why Pakistan is not buying them.USA these war dogs are also use in Afghanistan

 

[jagjitnatt]

why Pakistan is buying them.these war dogs are also use in Afganistan

pakistan isn't buying them. chill.