Fuerza Aérea de EEUU (USAF)
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No hay mejor resumen que el almanaque.
[https://www.airandspaceforces.com/app/uploads/2024/06/Almanac2024_Fullissue_V3-1.pdf]
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Informe sobre el accidente del F-15D que se salió de pista en mayo del año pasado: https://www.afjag.af.mil/Portals/77/AIB-Reports/2023/15MAY23 AETC F15 Kingsley Field AIB Report.pdf?ver=SS_19ZscXmeh2w20fJCpEA%3D%3D
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Interesante entrevista con un piloto de F-15EX: https://www.twz.com/sponsored-content/what-its-like-to-fly-the-f-15ex-according-to-a-boeing-test-pilot
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- El B-52J retrasa su IOC tres años hasta el 2033: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/gao-b-52j-initial-operational-capability-three-year-delay/
Supone otro programa en el que Boeing es el integrador con importantes sobrecostes, lo que ha llevado a reprogramar la fase de diseño. La noticia sale de este documento del GAO: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-106831.pdf
According to program officials, delays to critical design are a result of underestimating the level of funding needed to complete the detailed design activities. Specifically, as the B52 prototyping effort was extended from preliminary design to critical design, program officials received a proposal for the detailed design work. Program officials stated that the proposal cost exceeded the program’s available funding, and that they asked Boeing to slow its level of work to align with available funding. They also noted that an associated materials contract could not be awarded, causing additional delays.
Además, se la vuelven a jugar con el comienzo de la producción antes de terminar la fase de pruebas:
However, the program does not plan to conduct integrated, systems-level testing in an operational environment prior to production, which could provide additional knowledge into how key systems will perform and reduce production risk. Our prior work found that conducting fully integrated testing prior to production allows users to verify performance and can uncover problems that were not apparent when subsystems were tested earlier. Specifically, the program plans to begin flight testing a production representative prototype with users about 6 months after the first low-rate initial production decision.
También se le va a cambiar el radar, montando un derivado del APG-79 del Super Hornet. Aunque es una tecnología madura, las primeras 11 unidades de producción no llegarán con la versión definitiva del software y ya llevan un 12,6% de sobrecoste. Este debería instalarse antes del cambio de motor:
Since our last assessment, the program delayed its low-rate production dates by an additional 6 months and other future dates by an average of 3 months. The program has moved its two low-rate production decisions to the baseline threshold—placing the program at risk for a schedule breach. Decision point 1, planned for March 2025, would approve procurement for the first 11 units. Decision point 2, planned for September 2025, would approve all remaining units. Program officials stated that delays with the display and sensor processor are the primary cause. Specifically, the processor’s fiber optic converter—which provides communication between processors—did not work in testing. Program officials stated that the contractor expected to rectify the issue by October 2023 and deliver processors by November 2023.
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B-52 RMP continues to track software completion and integration as a moderate schedule risk. Program officials stated that they will not test version 1.0 capabilities in a realistic environment until after they order the first B-52 RMP production units. According to program officials, software version 0.5, which will support decision point 1, will provide minimal capability required to display imagery from the radar; decision point 2 will be supported by version 1.0, which will provide additional capabilities. The program office noted that the first decision point concerns hardware suitability, and that software immaturity has no bearing on that decision. However, the program’s plan to approve low-rate production of 11 units at decision point 1—at a cost of $156 million—will be based on less mature software functionality, increasing the risk of costly and time-intensive software fixes if the program discovers issues later.
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B-52 RMP declared a cost breach in September 2023 due to issues with lab testing. Costs grew by 12.6 percent since the program’s initial estimate in 2021 due to additional hardware and labor for three integration labs, installation of test equipment, and an additional year of contractor support. The program plans to update its baseline with new costs by decision point 1.-
Otra novedad es que perderá los característicos bultos del AN/ASQ-151 Electro-Optical Viewing System (EVS), con lo que tendrá una apariencia más limpia: https://www.twz.com/our-first-look-at-what-fully-upgraded-b-52-bombers-will-look-like
Boeing via Air & Space Forces Magazine -
Por supuesto, la cabina también será rediseñada: https://x.com/bizjetsofwar/status/1582467627318145029?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1582468492028039168|twgr^8ddde52b7bc1e34372e25f0e860eaa9599aaf34e|twcon^s2_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Four-first-look-at-what-fully-upgraded-b-52-bombers-will-look-like
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Por último, también está intentando mejorar la habitabilidad. Recordemos que no es la primera vez que realizan vuelos de más de 30 horas: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2024/06/19/b-52-bomber-crews-could-get-more-comfortable-under-house-legislation/
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El coste estimado, unos $48.600 millones para tenerlo actualizado como mínimo hasta 2050: https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/02/12/the-new-b-52-how-the-air-force-is-prepping-to-fly-century-old-bombers/
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En el F-15EX las cosas van un poco mejor, pero aún así hay casi un año de retraso: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-106831.pdf
Ese sobrecoste del 32% es debido a que se van a adquirir más unidades de las previstas inicialmente, pasando de 78 a 104. Sobre los retrasos:
Program officials said the recent production issues are because of Boeing’s new forward fuselage manufacturing process. Boeing is using new, automated manufacturing processes to drill holes prior to assembling the forward fuselage. Korea Aerospace Industries built the forward fuselage for earlier aircraft. According to program officials, Boeing has experienced increased quality deficiencies after switching to this new manufacturing process, including improperly installed tubing and wires that required timeconsuming rework.
While Boeing developed quality improvement plans for specific risk items, officials noted that rework continued in other areas of the forward fuselage. Recent Boeing data suggest that the cost of rework has more than quadrupled over the past year. Boeing is still refining the forward fuselage’s new, automated manufacturing process, which could result in increased rework costs and additional schedule delays. To mitigate future rework costs, program officials stated that Boeing plans to increase training and transfer experienced manufacturing staff from other product lines, such as the F-18.
El EPAWSS lo analizan aparte. A este programa le han metido las tijeras y muchos de los F-15E (y todos los C) que lo iban a montar se quedarán sin él, pasando de las 413 unidades inicialmente previstas a tan sólo 206, incluyendo las que van para el F-15EX.
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C champi referenced this topic on
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- La USAF llega a un acuerdo para elevar el precio del primer lote de 19 B-21: https://simpleflying.com/us-air-force-clears-higher-price-tag-northop-grumman-b-21-bombers/
Recordemos que anteriormente anunciaron pérdidas de $1.560M, las cuales repartirían en los primeros lotes.
- La USAF está intentando estabilizar sus horas de vuelo, en caída en los últimos años: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-flying-hours-hold-steady-execution/
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El NGAD necesita un rediseño para abaratar su coste: https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/07/01/next-gen-fighter-not-dead-but-needs-cheaper-redesign-kendall-says/
En principio podrían sacar del proyecto el motor adaptativo, diseño que también descartaron para el F-35, cambiándolo por uno convencional con algo menos de potencia y que ocupe menos volumen. También quieren una mayor integración con los CCA y un diseño más rápido. Sin embargo, siguen apostando por una plataforma tripulada.
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No se podía saber, el escuadrón de cazas llevándose todo el presupuesto anual de defensa...
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El Senado quiere a mayores del presupuesto más repuestos ($906M), 18 F-15EX ($690M) y 35 LRASM ($105M): https://www.airandspaceforces.com/senate-ndaa-2025-air-force-adds/
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La USAF prueba el ALIA CTOL, un prototipo eléctrico para cargas ligeras: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3834945/all-electric-fixed-wing-aircraft-offloads-cargo-at-jb-mcguire-dix-lakehurst/
BETA Technologies’ prototype, ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft prepares for takeoff at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 9, 2024. A team from the 305th Maintenance Squadron’s Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory loaded the aircraft with 222 pounds of cargo for delivery to Dover Air Force Base, Del. BETA partnered with AFWERX Agility Prime to test the capabilities of moving cargo between bases in a safer, cleaner and more cost-effective way. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joseph Vigil)
Posit Moyer, test pilot, and Ross Elkort, test engineer, prepare BETA Technologies’ prototype, ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft, for takeoff at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 9, 2024. A team from the 305th Maintenance Squadron’s Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory loaded the aircraft with 222 pounds of cargo for delivery to Dover Air Force Base, Del. BETA partnered with AFWERX Agility Prime to test the capabilities of moving cargo between bases in a safer, cleaner and more cost-effective way. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joseph Vigil)No se trata de la versión definitiva, porque la versión CTOL no llevará los brazos delante de las alas. Por lo que se ve han utilizado el cuerpo común con la versión VTOL pero sin los rotores: https://www.beta.team/aircraft/
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Seguramente, pero el Rhino tiene además una RCS muy bajita,por lo cual el primer o segundo puesto está en duda.
Las dos derivas verticales en ángulo recto deben ser un faro en la oscuridad radar.
El Silent Eagle algo modificaba,pero no compensaba parece.
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Con vistas a la futura baja del A10 en Corea del Sur, la USAF aumenta los F16 del otro escuadrón del 51 Wing... Contara con 31 aparatos.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-osan-super-squadron-f-16s-north-korea/
Hace una década se hizo exactamente lo mismo en Europa con el 52FW. -
La ANG de Oklahoma recibe los dos primeros OA1K para comenzar los. Entrenamientos.
Oklahoma Air National Guard Receives First AT-802U, Begins Training for OA-1K Sky Warden
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command’s Light Attack becomes a reality, with the start of the training for the Sky Warden in both active duty and ANG units.
The Aviationist (theaviationist.com)
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Vuelve a incrementarse ligeramente el precio del EPAWS del F-15 (07/08/2024): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3864859/
The Boeing Corp., St. Louis, Missouri; and Nashua, New Hampshire, was awarded a $14,837,411, bilateral modification (P00058) to previously awarded FA8634-21-C-2702 for the F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System Low-Rate Initial Production. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $843,901,630. Work will be performed at Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $14,837,411 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Fighter and Advanced Aircraft Directorate, F-15 Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
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Como parte de las principales medidas de la Fuerza Aérea para reoptimizar el servicio para la Competencia de Grandes Potencias , el 13.º Escuadrón de Base Aérea de Combate se activó durante una ceremonia de asunción del mando, el 5 de agosto, en la Base Aérea Luke .
El 13.º CABS es el primero de su tipo en la Fuerza Aérea y sentará las bases para el futuro del modelo de despliegue de Generación de Fuerzas de la Fuerza Aérea en un esfuerzo por que el servicio se adapte e innove en respuesta a los crecientes desafíos globales.
Air Force activates 13th CABS at Luke AFB
The 13th CABS is the first of its kind in the Air Force and will set the stage for the future of the Air Force’s Force Generation deployment model in an effort for the service to adapt and innovate in
Air Force (www.af.mil)
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Contrato para el E-7 (09/08/2024): https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3868384/
AIR FORCE
The Boeing Co. – Boeing Defense, Space, and Security, Boeing Military Aircraft, Tukwila, Washington, has been awarded a $2,560,846,860 modification (PZ0014) to previously awarded undefinitized contract action (UCA) FA8730-23-C-0025 for E-7A Rapid Prototyping. The modification is for the definitization of the UCA. Work will be performed in Tukwila, Washington, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 28, 2029. There are no funds being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,560,846,860. Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.
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No entiendo, esto debe ser algo global. El avion esta en servicio, pero a ellos no les vale asi.
Hay que retrasarlo, encarecerlo y complicarlo.
Como si no fuera mil veces mejor actualmente que el Sentry. -
Con 24 KC46. La 305 AMW de McGuire en Nueva Jersey es la primera unidad en activo en completar plantilla ( en realidad recibira dos o tres mas en backup)
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El C-5M sigue arrastrando problemas de poca disponibilidad debido a la falta de piezas: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/c-5-mission-capable-rate-parts-upgrades/
Ha pasado de un 52% de MCR ("Mission Capable Rate") en 2022 a un 46% en 2023. El objetivo, cuando se hizo la actualización de los 52 aparatos por $10.000M la cual terminó en 2018 (cambio de motores y aviónica), era alcanzar un 75%. Mientras tanto, están estudiando la manera de alargar la vida de los C-17 hasta más allá de 2050.
