Research, development and acquisition investments have declined 37 percent because the fiscal year 2012 budget planning cycle, said the G-8. Historically, the research, development and acquisition, or RDA, account averaged about 22 percent of the Army’s obligation authority. But for fiscal year 2015, the RDA account is at 17 percent or about $20 billion, Lt. Gen. James O. Barclay III told members of the home Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, today. Yet, despite slashing RDA, “it’s essential that the military ensure every Soldier deployed is provided to gain decisive overmatch,” he said, outlining the stairs being... Read More »
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a likely Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for Phase 1 upgrades of 134 KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The Republic of Korea has requested a potential sale for Phase 1 of an upgrade of 134 KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft to be completed in a possible two-phased approach. Phase 1 entails the sale of U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services to support the initial design and development for the whole upgrade... Read More »
The newest version of the Army’s 3D virtual training game, Virtual Battle Space 3, allows players to personalize their avatar in the simulation and the scenes and scenarios look much more real to boot. Using new human dimensioning modeling within Virtual Battle Space 3, called VBS3, Soldiers using the educational will installed personal characteristics, including their very own height, weight, Army Physical Fitness Test scores or even their weapons qualifications scores, “so then the avatar will only be as capable because the individual Soldier,” said Robert Munsey, an analyst with U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Capability Manager — Virtual... Read More »
The RAF has begun training at the Puma Mk2 helicopter following a £260 million upgrade programme. Pictures released today show crews from 33 and 230 Squadrons finishing up training flights of the upgraded aircraft from their base at RAF Benson in Oxford. The multi million pound upgrade implies that the helicopters take pleasure in new engines which provide them 35 per cent more power and improved fuel efficiency so they can fly faster and twice so far as the Puma Mk1. In addition they have state-of-the-art digitised glass cockpits and upgraded LCD instruments. The Puma Mk2 can fit right into... Read More »