-Caveat Lector- WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! 0018. F-22 aircraft No. 4005 completes successful first flight WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force's F-22 program soared past another milestone with the first flight of an F-22 Raptor equipped with combat-capable avionics, according to Air Force officials. The successful first flight of Raptor 4005 from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga., took place Jan. 5. The flight incorporated Block 3.0 software components, which provide functions such as radar processing and sensor fusion, electronic warfare and countermeasures, communication, navigation and identification, and pilot/vehicle interface. It was one of three remaining tasks required before a decision to start F-22 low-rate initial production. "Flying Raptor 4005 with the Block 3.0 (software) represented the program's current most technically demanding challenge," said Brig. Gen. Jay Jabour, F-22 System program director. "This successful flight, in addition to our other recent achievements, demonstrates the program is ready for low-rate production." The F-22 is the next step in the Air Force's transformation to the expeditionary aerospace force of the future. Fielding the Raptor in sufficient numbers will help guarantee future U.S. air dominance, said officials. As a force enabler, it will reduce the risk to U.S. and friendly forces in conflicts of all sizes and lead to dramatically fewer allied casualties, he added. "Block 3.0 is the software that provides and controls the 'first look, first shot, first kill' warfighting capability of the F-22 Raptor," said Tom McDermott, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' F-22 avionics product manager. "Block 3.0 provides the multi-sensor fusion Raptor pilots will need to accurately acquire, track, identify and engage multiple targets." Besides Block 3.0's ability to launch and guide multiple weapons -- such as the AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air intercept missiles -- this software package enables the aircraft to automatically detect and defeat incoming missiles by initiating the Raptor's countermeasures, according to McDermott. The Boeing Company integrates and tests the Raptor's avionics at the Avionics Integration Lab in Seattle and on a modified aircraft known as the Flying Test Bed. Both the AIL and FTB are helping reduce avionics risks and contain development costs by enabling extensive evaluation and troubleshooting before full avionics are installed on the F-22. The decision to enter low-rate initial production rests with the Defense Acquisition Board. The DAB, previously scheduled for Jan. 3, has been postponed until next week. Weather was the driving factor in postponing the meeting. "The good news is the F-22 is the most tested aircraft the DOD has ever developed. It features proven technology that promises to give America the most-advanced fighter aircraft in the world," said Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters. The Air Force is confident the F-22 program will meet all performance requirements while delivering all production aircraft within the congressional funding cap, the secretary added. Peters and other senior Air Force officials are interpreting Congress' recent approval of bridge funding to keep the F-22 on track as a sign of its belief in the value of the program and the aircraft. Last year, the F-22 program faced the challenging task of completing 11 DAB criteria needed to satisfy a low-rate initial production decision by Dec. 31. Despite several delays, including recent snowstorms, it is now within days of completing the final two. The Raptor contractor team, consisting of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.; Boeing Co., Seattle; and Pratt & Whitney, Hartford, Conn.; produce the F-22. Eleven major subsystem suppliers from across the country developed the Block 3.0 software. The F-22 will replace the F-15 as the Air Force's next air superiority fighter aircraft. The F-22 program is managed by the F-22 System Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. 0019. Air Force needs $38M to keep Airborne Laser program on track WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force officials said Jan. 5 they will request congressional approval to reprogram $38 million in fiscal 2001 funds to keep the Airborne Laser program, the world's first laser-armed combat aircraft, on track for a live-fire demonstration in 2003. The money is needed to cover contractor tasks that must be conducted now but are not budgeted for until later years, officials said. The extra funds will also cover unforeseen technical adjustments that arose during the program's current development phase. Additionally, the ABL contractor team of Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and TRW will each contribute $20 million this year with the expectation that the Air Force will reimburse them next year. "This program is too important and we intend to keep the program on track for its 2003 missile shoot-down," said Gen. Michael Ryan, Air Force chief of staff. The ABL is scheduled to shoot down its first missile in a test over the Pacific Ocean in late 2003. The extra funds will be used to help ensure the program meets this schedule. The project will be set back 15 to 20 months if the money is not reprogrammed, said ABL Col. Ellen M. Pawlikowski, program director. Although the program has seen technical challenges typical of the type most programs encounter when they move from paper design to production and integration, it has encountered no "show-stoppers," and has met or exceeded every technical requirement. "I'm delighted with the Air Force and contractor team decisions," Pawlikowski said. "It demonstrates the confidence the Air Force has in our program and reflects the value our leaders place on developing a system designed to protect the American troops in the field from theater ballistic missile attacks." The ABL program in its current configuration began in November 1996 when the Air Force awarded $1.1 billion to the three contractors to build the system. Boeing is currently developing the software to power the battle management system of a modified 747-400 freighter, while TRW builds the multimegawatt chemical oxygen-iodine laser, and Lockheed-Martin builds the optical system, which includes a 1.5 meter telescope that serves as the lens for the laser beam. 0016. Air Force offers up to $17,000 bonus for January enlistment RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force is offering an additional bonus for people enlisting into select career fields and reporting for active duty between now and Jan. 31. This bonus is in addition to any standard enlistment bonus currently offered for those career fields. Six-year enlistment bonuses for the combat control and pararescue career fields, currently at $12,000, will also offer a $5,000 "kicker." Other additional bonuses range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on career field chosen and term of enlistment. "This is a wonderful management tool for our recruiters out in the field," said Brig. Gen. Duane Deal, Air Force Recruiting Service commander. "It not only offers an additional monetary incentive for young people seeking an Air Force opportunity, but it also balances our training class seats available throughout the year." The Air Force has opportunities in nearly 200 career fields, with special emphasis this year in mechanical and technical career fields, as well as officer opportunities. People interested in finding out more about Air Force opportunities and enlistment bonuses should contact their local Air Force recruiter or visit www.airforce.com online. 0015. Air Force unit fights San Diego fire CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. (AFPN) -- The 146th Airlift Wing, a California Air National Guard transport unit, sent 30 people and two transport aircraft to aid in the fire-fighting effort Jan. 3 against a wildfire burning east of San Diego. The Guardsmen began aerial fire-fighting operations against the Viejas fire in San Diego County shortly after a launch order was received late that morning. The airlift wing is operating two C-130E Hercules cargo aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System. Each MAFFS unit has a capacity of 3,000 gallons of retardant. Retardant drops are generally made from an altitude of 150 feet. The Department of Defense, U.S. Forest Service and the forestry departments of three states jointly run the MAFFS program. 0017. U.K. pilot flies X-32 Joint Strike Fighter EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Paul Stone recently became the first United Kingdom pilot to fly Boeing's X-32A Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator. Boeing is competing, along with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, for the right to build at least 3,000 Joint Strike Fighters for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps along with the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Stone made a 50-minute flight from Edwards, becoming the fifth test pilot to fly the X-32A since it first took to the air Sept. 18. He is a fighter pilot with nearly 2,400 flight hours under his belt, 1,350 hours of which are in the short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing Harrier. After his flight in the X-32A, Stone praised the airplane's handling qualities. "When you spend so much time in the simulator before actually flying the X-32," he said, "you have very high expectations of how it will perform. In this case, it was precisely what I expected based on all the evaluations in the simulator before flying the aircraft." Stone will play a lead role in flight testing the Boeing X-32B, which will demonstrate its short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing characteristics beginning in early 2001. Because of its long involvement and financial investment in the JSF program, the United Kingdom will help determine the winner of the JSF competition next fall. (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service) 0014. A-10 Thunderbolt: Weapon of choice for combat rescue by Staff Sgt. Jim Verchio Operation Northern Watch Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFPN) -- Built around a 30 mm cannon, the A-10 Thunderbolt remains the Air Force's mainstay for close-air support some 24 years after its arrival into the inventory. Although close-air support continues to be an important role for the A-10, its mission has evolved into the fixed-wing weapon system of choice for combat search and rescue. The aircraft's ability to fly "low and slow" allows the pilot to loiter in the rescue area for long periods of time and vector rescue helicopters to the right spot or use the plane's armament if need be. The job of employing the A-10 in the CSAR mission falls to the Air Force Reserve Command's 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and 926th FW, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, La. Airmen from Whiteman's wing began deploying here in early December. While overseas they belong to the 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. Reservists from the New Orleans unit replace them here in late January. According to the airmen who fly and work on the Thunderbolt, its ability to survive in almost any hostile environment is a true testament to its longevity. The cockpit of the Thunderbolt is completely surrounded by titanium, making it almost impenetrable to enemy fire. A nice feature considering the A-10 accomplishes its missions at low altitudes and slow speeds. "I've been working this aircraft for more than 12 years," said Tech. Sgt. Todd Chapman, a crew chief with the 303rd EFS. "I've heard people say it's ugly; however, after all this time, I'm just as excited to come to work today as I was 12 years ago. I think it's beautiful." "What makes the A-10 an outstanding aircraft is its ability to survive and return home even after taking several hits from heavy armor emplacements," said "Rags," an A-10 pilot assigned here with the 303rd EFS. For security reasons, A-10 pilots flying in Operation Northern Watch are not identified by their real names. The A-10 is not new to the CSAR mission at all: a mission that calls for expert planning and a high level of situational awareness. The missions here are called "sandy" missions, which are not tied specifically to the A-10 so other aircraft can fill the role. When the aircraft are in the area of responsibility, there is a mission commander who directs all the action. When a pilot is downed, the job of mission commander switches to the lead sandy pilot. The commander not only must be able to fly and defend his own aircraft; he must orchestrate all other aircraft toward the common objective -- getting downed crew member back home. Even though each mission is carefully planned, it's never in the plan for a plane to go down, according to Rags. "When a pilot goes down it's busy and chaotic up there," said Rags. "The sandy mission commander must know the capabilities of all the other aircraft in the AOR; he must know everything from how much fuel they hold to what kind of armament they take. It's a difficult task, but it's a task that sandy mission commanders train for over and over again." The mission of the A-10 can vary day to day, but when senior leaders know there's a CSAR job to be done, the Thunderbolt fits the bill. (Courtesy of AFRC News Service) *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! 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