Today’s consumers enjoy both a typical feel and look and interoperability between their computers, tablets and smartphones. Through recent advances within the Common Operating Environment, generally known as the COE, the military is definitely on its approach to providing these same capabilities to Soldiers. Whether accessing information on secure handheld devices, vehicle mounted systems or command post screens, Soldiers are starting to see a “plug and play” experience the same as what has become the norm in daily home and office environments. While technical, security and procedural challenges remain before the military can fully mirror the simplicity of the economic... Read More »

One of the Romanian Air Force’s C-27Js would be the first aircraft in Europe to apply an innovative firefighting system. Within the several past weeks, Alenia Aermacchi conducted intense operating and coaching tests at the aircraft, which included the brand new fire-fighting system onboard. Alenia Aermacchi recently completed an experimental campaign in a Romanian mountain range with a C-27J that operates with the Fortele Aeriene Române —the Romanian Air Force. The target of the campaign was to check the innovative firefighting system called Caylym Guardian. The system allows C-27Js to drop as much as six large cardboard containers on bushfires;... Read More »

With help from the Army’s new in-flight internet and mission command capability, commanders of worldwide Response Force units would be capable of plan missions within the air, while their Soldiers receive operational updates and watch full-motion video of upcoming drop zones before their parachutes ever open. “The ability to grasp a situation can provide the facility to take appropriate action, and if the GRF (Global Response Force) can understand a situation before they get to their drop location, then they are often more practical from the instant boots hit the bottom,” said Lt. Col. Joel Babbitt, product manager for Warfighter... Read More »

Ukraine’s militia are on “full combat alert” against a likely Russian invasion, Kiev said Wednesday, as authorities admitted they were “helpless” to avoid pro-Kremlin insurgents tightening their grip at the increasingly chaotic east of the rustic. Rebels stormed the regional police building and city hall within the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, local officials told AFP, adding to greater than a dozen locations already under their control. The new seizure followed clashes in nearby Lugansk on Tuesday, as hundreds of professional-Russia protesters spearheaded by a heavily armed mob attacked the police station. On Wednesday, the rebels lifted their siege of... Read More »

Boeing and Saab AB have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to jointly develop and build a brand new advanced, cost-efficient T-X Family of Systems training solution for the impending competition to exchange the U.S. Air Force’s aging T-38 aircrew training system. The JDA, with Boeing because the prime contractor and Saab AB as primary partner, covers areas including design, development, production, support, sales and marketing. “Teaming with Saab will collect our companies’ formidable technical expertise, global presence, and willingness to provide an adaptable and affordable advanced pilot training solution,” said Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick. “Boeing and Saab... Read More »