Fuerza Aérea de EE.UU. (USAF)

[Orel]

Muy interesante el informe del GAO sobre el T7A, gracias champi.

Me sigue llamando la atención el tiempo de desarrollo y el bajísimo precio.
Menos de 10 años desde el inicio del desarrollo hasta la producción a plena cadencia y a un coste inferior a 25 millones.

Claro, gracias al "digital engineering" en que es pionero, y después el B-21, y después el NGAD .

[Orel]

Del informe del GAO estadounidense, que habla de todo pero sobretodo de programas aeronáuticos porque son los que acumulan más retrasos y sobrecostes. No sólo de la USA, también del USArmy, USNavy y USMC, pero lo pongo aquí:

More than half of major defence programmes behind schedule: GAO
9 June 2022

Suppliers of military hardware in America are experiencing significant delays in delivering new equipment.
The GAO reviewed 29 Major Defence Acquisition Programmes (MDAPs) and their performance since January 2021. Of those, 17 – 59% – were experiencing contract-delivery delays of between two months and one year. Nine of those programmes noted further delays as of January 2022.

New aircraft development programmes and other aviation-related contracts featured prominently on the list.

Six are actively reporting delays since 2021, including the Sikorsky [Lockheed] CH-53K King Stallion, Boeing T-7A Red Hawk, Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton, Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, Boeing KC-46A Pegasus and Sikorsky [Lockheed] VH-92A presidential helicopter.

Delays have not yet been officially reported, but are expected on an additional four aircraft development contracts – Boeing’s VC-25B presidential aircraft, Sikorsky’s [Lockheed] HH-60W Jolly Green II, Boeing’s MH-139A Grey Wolf and its CH-47F Chinook upgrade.

Leading the aircraft procurement field in overall delays are the KC-46A refueller, CH-53K maritime heavy-lift helicopter and MQ-4C unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft, respectively behind schedule by 55, 80 and 92 months.

numerous... Boeing programmes... cited by the GAO as being behind schedule, including the VC-25B, KC-46A, T-7A, MQ-25 and others.

...Boeing’s recently unveiled T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet is already 12 months behind schedule, according to the GAO.

...The GAO concludes that recent Pentagon efforts at accelerating the development and delivery of new capabilities have largely failed to generate results.
“We continue to find that the department misses opportunities to gain appropriate knowledge before making significant investment decisions,” the report states.
It goes on to say that defence officials and Congress continue to have “limited insight” as to whether specific programmes are likely to succeed in delivering on promised capabilities.
The GAO notes it has made hundreds of recommendations over the preceding 20 years for how the Pentagon can improve the acquisitions process, but many have never been implemented.

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/mo ... 39.article

[Vorlon]

Todo muy digital y tal, pero no paséis por alto que el F15EX no sustituirá a nada a este paso, comprando cada año menos.

saludos

[Vorlon]

El comité de servicios armados del Senado no permite la retirada de los 33 Raptor propuestos.

Agrega 7 Lighting al pedido.

Permite retirar algunos A10.

https://www.airforcemag.com/senate-pane ... not-f-22s/

Saludos

[Milites]

Esta claro que no pueden sostener el nivel de inversión de las mega 3 fuerzas aéreas (dos de ellas las mayores del mundo), al menos las cantidades tope que se alcanzaron hace alguna década, ni como sustitución. Lo pueden dar las vueltas que quieran pero el número top que llegaron de F16 por ejemplo no se va a repetir, ni de cerca.

Enviado desde mi SM-J610FN mediante Tapatalk

[Milites]

El comité de servicios armados del Senado no permite la retirada de los 33 Raptor propuestos.

Agrega 7 Lighting al pedido.

Permite retirar algunos A10.

https://www.airforcemag.com/senate-pane ... not-f-22s/

Saludos

Es curioso como en USA los políticos le ponen condiciones a las fuerzas armadas.

Aquí alguien dijo "más artilleria" y se le respondio: es cosa del JEMAD, nosotros chitón.

Enviado desde mi SM-J610FN mediante Tapatalk

[Orel]

El A-10C tendrá un nuevo ordenador de misión común, el COSMC: Common Open Secure Mission Computer.
Es trasladable a cualquier otra aeronave, lo cual denominan "platform agnostic".
https://www.raytheonintelligenceandspac ... rnize-a-10
https://alert5.com/2022/06/18/a-10c-get ... more-94323

Y
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/us ... 40.article

[champi]

Contrato para ocho unidades adicionales del ARTS-V2 ("Advanced Radar Threat System – Variant 2", 21/6/2022): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3069357/

...
IR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, has been awarded a $130,527,339 modification (P00032) to contract FA8210-17-C-0001 for the Advanced Radar Threat System – Variant 2 (ARTS-V2) systems. The contract modification is to provide for the exercise of Options 3 and 4 for an additional quantity of eight ARTS-V2 systems being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, and is expected to be completed June 16, 2024. Fiscal 2021 and 2022 other procurement funds are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $589,806,917. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.
...

[champi]

Contrato muy importante en el área de los misiles balísticos intercontinentales (24/6/2022): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3073993/

...
AIR FORCE

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Rockville, Maryland, has been awarded a $12,000,000,000 cost-plus-award-fee contract for Integration Support Contract (ISC) 2.0. The main function of ISC 2.0 is to support the government as the lead systems integrator and augment government resources for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system systems engineering and integration and professional services. Work will be primarily performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 24, 2040. This award is the result of a competitive request for proposals through publication on the Federal Business Opportunities website and five offers were received. The Air Force Nuclear Weapon Center, Hill AFB, Utah is the contract activity (FA8207-22-D-0001).
...

[champi]

Contrato para el mantenimiento de los actuadores de diversos aviones de la USAF (27/6/2022): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3075854/

...
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Parker-Hannifin Corp., Irvine, California, has been awarded a maximum $444,418,734 firm-fixed-price, requirements contract for performance-based support of A-10, E-3, F-15, F-16, and KC-135 actuators. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. The performance completion date is June 30, 2027. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2027 Air Force working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Ogden, Utah (SPRHA1-22-D-0001).
...

[champi]

La USAF escoge un nuevo prototipo de casco para pilotos: https://www.airforcemag.com/air-force-p ... ew-helmet/

The Air Force has selected LIFT Airborne Technologies to continue with prototype development of a new helmet for fixed-wing aircrew. Shown is LIFT’s AV 2.2 helmet. LIFT Airborne Technologies graphic.

Es más ligero y con más ventilación. El primer contrato de producción se espera en 2024, y los primeros podrían ir para el F-15EX. No se estima necesario para el F-35.

[champi]

Contrato relacionado con instalaciones para el B-21 (30/6/2022): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3081211/

...
Federal Contracting Inc. dba Bryan Construction, Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded a $92,367,302 firm-fixed-price contract for a B-21 Combined Mission Operations Planning Facility and Field Training Detachment Facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 7, 2024. Fiscal 2022 military construction, Air Force funds in the amount of $92,367,302 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-22-C-0025).
...

[champi]

Contrato relacionado con el JADC2 (1/7/2022): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... e/3082010/

...
AIR FORCE

ADDX Corp., Alexandria, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B009); Capella Space Corp., San Francisco, California (FA8612-22-D-B007); AT&T Corp., Oakton, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B008); Applied Information Sciences Inc., Reston, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B010); Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates LLC, Louisville, Colorado (FA8612-22-D-B011); Credence Management Solutions LLC, Vienna, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B012); Edge Technologies Inc., Arlington, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B013); EOS Defense Systems USA Inc., Huntsville, Alabama (FA8612-22-D-B014); Exfo America Inc., Richardson, Texas (FA8612-22-D-B015); Hermeus Corp., Atlanta, Georgia (FA8612-22-D-B016); Ierus Technologies Inc., Huntsville, Alabama (FA8612-22-D-B017); Cyberspace Solutions LLC, Herndon, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B018); Labelbox Inc., San Francisco, California (FA8612-22-D-B019); Nalej Corp., New York, New York (FA8612-22-D-B020); OST Inc., McLean, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B021); Praeses LLC, Shreveport, Louisiana (FA8612-22-D-B022); Real-time Innovations Inc., Sunnyvale, California (FA8612-22-D-B023); Riverside Research Institute, New York, New York (FA8612-22-D-B024); Saber Astronautics LLC, Boulder, Colorado (FA8612-22-D-B025); Shared Spectrum Co., Vienna, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B026); Shield AI Inc., San Diego, California (FA8612-22-D-B027); Skylight Inc., Sarasota, Florida (FA8612-22-D-B028); Sparkcognition Government Systems Inc., Austin, Texas (FA8612-22-D-B029); Tenet 3 LLC, Dayton, Ohio (FA8612-22-D-B031); Trace Systems Inc., Vienna, Virginia (FA8612-22-D-B032); Ultra Electronics Advanced Tactical Systems Inc., Austin, Texas (FA8612-22-D-B033); and BrainGu, Grand Rapids, Michigan (FA8612-22-D-B034), have been awarded a $950,000,000 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). These contracts provide awardees the opportunity to compete for efforts that support the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. The locations of performance are to be determined at the contract direct order level and are expected to be complete by May 28, 2025. These awards are the result of fair and open competition. Air Force Life Cycle Management, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
...

Es una apuesta más por la arquitectura abierta y por las empresas relativamente pequeñas.

[champi]

RFI para renovar la aviónica del T-6A: https://sam.gov/opp/ee4f97bf8a2b45999d1 ... 470ee/view

Lista de los componentes obsoletos: https://sam.gov/api/prod/opps/v3/opport ... ad?&token=


En la RFI también se refleja el cambio a arquitectura abierta: https://sam.gov/api/prod/opps/v3/opport ... ad?&token=

...
3.1 Required Capabilities

a. Retain Current Capabilities. The avionics system must enable the T-6A to retain its current capabilities relative to aeronautic performance and meet all statutory regulations and compliance standards.
b. Open System Architecture. All components delivered as part of the avionics replacement must be interoperable and contain a flexible software convention capable scalability and incorporating new components.
c. Integrated. The mission computer shall integrate the operations of all avionics components.
d. Adaptive Mission Computer (AMC). A digital, integrated, open system architecture shall enable the AMC to rapidly adopt emerging hardware/software technology combinations to ensure enduring utility for the T-6A and the replacement avionics system.
e. Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS shall be Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliant and support all capabilities required by the T-6 flying operations manual, Air Force Instruction (AFI) 11-2T-6.
f. Multi-functional Displays (MFD). Graphical avionics information generated by the AMC shall be displayed on flexible, and customizable digital displays.
g. Moving Map and Tactical Situation Display.
h. Standby Attitude / Heading Indicator
i. Updated Radio Suite.
j. Data Entry Keypad.
k. ADS-B-In.
l. Controlled Flight Into Terrain-Prevention (CFIT-P).
...

Como cada año, la Air Force Magazine publica los números de la USAF: https://www.airforcemag.com/app/uploads ... ssue-1.pdf

Por ejemplo, gastos en investigación y desarrollo en los principales programas:


Adquisiciones:


Inventario y su evolución:



Disponibilidad:

[Orel]

Gracias champi
300 Reapers y 30 GlobalHawks, con una vida media de 6 y 11 años respectivamente.
Detalle, la mayoría de sus aviones de combate tienen más de 30 años de vida media, y cerca de un millar de ellos (F-16C + F-15C/E) se están alargando para durar casi 50 años.