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The Philippines announced on Friday that Washington has accepted its draft for a new agreement granting the U.S. military greater access to bases in the Southeast Asia country.

In a press conference on Friday, Undersecretary of Defense Pio Lorenzo Batino said that consensus has been reached and just the final details are being hammered out. “Consensus was arrived at on many provisions of the draft agreement,” Batino said according to Reuters, adding that the deal was 80 percent done.

The Philippine Inquirer summarized Batino as saying that the “U.S. had accepted the Philippine draft of the proposed Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation.” It went on to quote him as explaining that the draft “more comprehensively articulated the Philippines’ positions, notably its consistency with the Philippine Constitution and relevant laws, as well as mindfulness of the country’s historical experiences.”

Manila has greatly limited the U.S. military’s operations in the Philippines since kicking it out of Subic Bay—the headquarters of the 7th Fleet at the time—in 1992. For the most part, Washington’s been limited to assisting in counterterrorism operations in the Philippines, and only then since 9/11. However, Manila’s rising tensions with China over parts of the South China Sea has renewed its interest in granting the U.S. military greater access to bases like Subic Bay.

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Navy researching a Google Glass of its own
By Allison Barrie
Published March 13, 2014 | FoxNews.com
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Get ready, sailor. You could be wearing Google-style glasses soon.

The Office of Naval Research is creating a special display that will superimpose computer-generated information onto a sailor’s view of the real world.

Dubbed the Head Worn Display Augmented Reality, the Navy intends to use it for military training – and then possibly expand into wearable cameras, computers and hands-free gizmos.

The multinational eyewear company Vuzix has received a Small Business Innovation Research grant to integrate Google Glass-ish optics into a standard pair of military goggles. The company is partnering with rugged military heads-up display-maker Six15 Technologies to adapt its technology for defense use.

Augmented tech augments reality -- meaning a sailor will be able to insert virtual characters, objects and effects generated by a computer into his field of view.

Ideally, sailors would have access to high-definition displays that can be incorporated into very thin lenses similar to those in normal eyeglasses. The head-worn display will need to be comfortable and operate for a long time – much longer than civilian standards – without needing to be recharged.

Through the glasses, a sailor would see and be able to train in a virtual simulation of a warzone or combat arena without actually going there; it could help keeping the military fighting fit in an era without the resources for conventional training methods.

The Navy isn’t the only government entity looking into smart glasses: Ever increasing budget restrictions mean the military is looking for creative solutions to meet its requirements. Virtual training environments are a smart option.

The Army Contracting Command recently issued a Sources Sought notice looking for technology it can use for training at home bases. The Army is seeking augmented reality technology for individual soldiers and units smaller than a company.

Others in defense and security are looking into this sort of tech as well. First responders like the New York Police Department, which is beta-testing Google Glass, have been eager to explore the tech potential.

For the military and first responders, the interactive head tracking and integrated HD camera, combined with connection to the cloud or an in-field network, would provide hands-free information access, communication and augmented reality applications.

The technology actively connects the digital world to the real one. And Vuzix already makes video eyewear and smart glasses for a range of purposes, from entertainment to consumer and commercial.

Civilian version
On display at CES this year, Vuzix says its M100 smart glasses are the world's first commercially available, hands-free display and wearable computer with cloud communications.

The M100 contains a virtual display with an integrated camera and a powerful processing engine. As a hands-free wearable device, it runs the Android OS and has most smartphone features – but without a cellular radio.

It has an HD camera for still pictures and video that can be streamed live or stored onboard. The integrated head tracking and GPS system can provide apps with the user’s location, direction and current angle of view.

It gives the user hands-free access to data, direct and remote video capabilities and direct onboard processing of video capture for lag-free augmented reality. It’s also compatible with thousands of Android apps, links to your phone, manages your calendar and tracks timed events.

Bluetooth 4.0 makes it easy to partner with another Android device or connect to Wi-Fi.

The M100 received the Consumer Electronics Show Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award BEST OF INNOVATIONS and Best Technology in the Wireless Handset Accessory category.

Ballet dancer turned defense specialist Allison Barrie has traveled around the world covering the military, terrorism, weapons advancements and life on the front line. You can reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @Allison_Barrie.

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Special Forces 'Iron Man' suit prototypes arrive in June
By Joey ChengFeb 14, 2014
Futuristic suits like those seen in the Marvel comics may not be as far off as they seem, as the military continues to push for the development of an “Iron Man suit” that provides full body armor protection and enhanced capabilities.
The primary goal of the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, or TALOS, is to provide Special Operations Forces light and efficient ballistic protection and fire resistance. And the military will get its first peek at them soon.
Three unpowered prototype suits are being assembled and will be delivered by June, Adm. Michael McRaven, leader of Special Operations Command (SOCOM), said at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Special Operations/Low Intensity conference, as reported by Breaking Defense. The first fully operational suit is expected to be completed by August 2018.
The usual route to developing the technology would be to pick a prime contractor that would then come up with a solution, but McRaven has taken an unorthodox approach to the multisystem suit — bringing in dozens of universities, the Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, national laboratories such as Los Alamos, Sandia, and Lawrence Livermore, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and any private company that can contribute.
DARPA Warrior Web
DARPA's Warrior Web program is developing technology similar to what TALOS could have.
In total, some 10 national laboratories, 13 universities, 16 government agencies, and 56 corporations are working on the program, reports Defense Tech.
"In this case, the government will be the lead integrator and we'll look to work with traditional or non-traditional partners in industry and academia who are innovative," McRaven said late last year. "We'll leave no stone unturned."
Although TALOS’ full capabilities in the future are unclear, the suit is envisioned to have embedded computers and antennas, increasing information sharing and situational awareness. Additionally, integrated heaters and coolers will maintain body temperature, monitored by sensors capable of detecting skin temperature, heart rate, body position and hydration levels. The suit may even be capable of administering oxygen or hemorrhage controls when the user is injured, according to Armed With Science. The weight of these systems would be offset by a mechanical exoskeleton that will supplement muscle movements. (And despite being dubbed the Iron Man suit, TALOS will not provide flight capabilities to users.)
“The intent is to have this fully integrated system so you can provide the most capability at the lowest impact to the soldier,” Michael Fieldson, TALOS project manager said. “We think there is some efficiency to be gained if all the equipment is fully integrated as opposed to different components that are simply assembled on the human.”
Supplying power through batteries is the suit’s greatest challenge, and the Pentagon may be willing to pay good money for solutions. McRaven has reportedly spoken to Frank Kendall, undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, about the possibility offering a cash prize to a person or company that makes major contribution to the suit.
With the delivery of the three prototypes in June, McRaven will soon be able to see the early results of his efforts in fostering private- and public-sector cooperation.

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Karzai says Afghanistan doesn't need U.S. troops
Mar. 15, 2014 - 11:22AM |

By Kathy Gannon and Rahim Faiez
The Associated Press
FILED UNDER
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World News
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — In his final address to Afghanistan’s parliament Saturday, President Hamid Karzai told the U.S. its soldiers can leave at the end of the year because his military, which already protects 93 percent of the country, was ready to take over entirely.

He reiterated his stance that he would not sign a pact with the U.S. that would provide for a residual force of U.S. troops to remain behind after the final withdrawal, unless peace could first be established.

The Afghan president has come under heavy pressure to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement, with a council of notables that he himself convened recommending that he sign the pact. The force would train and mentor Afghan troops, and some U.S. Special Forces would also be left behind to hunt down al-Qaida.

All 10 candidates seeking the presidency in April 5 elections have said they would sign the security agreement. But Karzai himself does not appear to want his legacy to include a commitment to a longer foreign troop presence in his country.

Karzai was brought to power in the wake of the 2001 U.S.-led invasion and subsequently won two presidential elections __ in 2004 and again in 2009. But he has in recent years espoused a combative nationalism, with his hour-long speech Saturday no exception.

“I want to say to all those foreign countries who maybe out of habit or because they want to interfere, that they should not interfere,” he said.

Karzai said the war in Afghanistan was “imposed” on his nation, presumably by the 2001 invasion, and told the U.S. it could bring peace to Afghanistan if it went after terrorist sanctuaries and countries that support terrorism, a reference to Pakistan.

Pakistan has a complicated relationship with the Taliban. It backed the group before their 2001 overthrow, and although now it is at war with its own militants, Afghan insurgents sometimes find refuge on its territory.

Karzai told parliament, which was holding its opening session for this term, that security forces were strong enough to defend Afghanistan without the help of international troops.

Karzai steps down after next month’s presidential elections. Under Afghanistan’s constitution, he is banned from seeking a third term.

He came to power in December 2001 following an international agreement signed in Bonn, Germany, and was confirmed by a Loya Jirga, or grand council, that selected a transitional government to rule while preparing for nationwide elections.

Relations between Karzai and the U.S. have been on a downward spiral since his re-election in 2009, in which the U.S. and several other countries charged widespread fraud. Karzai in turn accused them of interference.

In his speech, Karzai again urged Taliban insurgents to join the peace process, while accusing Pakistan of protecting the Taliban leadership. He suggested that Pakistan was behind the killing earlier this year of a Taliban leader who supported the peace process. No one has taken responsibility for the attack.

Throughout his speech, Karzai spoke of his accomplishments over the past 12 years, saying schools were functioning, rights were being given to women, energy projects were coming online and the Afghan currency had been stabilized. Karzai said that when he first took power, his country was isolated and nothing was functioning.

“I know the future president will protect these gains and priorities and will do the best for peace in the country and I, as an Afghan citizen, will support peace and will cooperate.”

Afghanistan’s current parliament plans to tackle a number of key issues, including a controversial law on the elimination of violence against women.

Meanwhile the Taliban released two Afghan army personnel, captured during last month’s deadly raids on two military checkpoints, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement Saturday. The men were freed after elders in the region interceded on their behalf and the military agreed to hand over to the Taliban the bodies of their colleagues left behind on the battlefield.

The attacks on Feb. 23 left 21 Afghan army personnel dead. Several insurgents were also killed.

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Pentagon sending MREs to Ukraine
Mar. 14, 2014 - 01:27PM |


By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press
FILED UNDER
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World News
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say the Pentagon is sending 25,000 cases of military prepackaged meals to Ukraine, in response to a wide-ranging request from that country for some rifles, ammunition, medicine and other supplies for its troops.

The officials say the MREs have not yet been delivered but are in the pipeline.

The U.S. also is keeping the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush in the Mediterranean Sea for several more days, as part of the U.S. effort to reassure allies in the region in the wake of Russia’s military intervention into Ukraine’s Crimea region.

The moves come as the U.S. continued to condemn Russia’s action while also steering clear of any direct military assistance or involvement in the crisis.

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Carrier Bush's stay in the Med extended amid Ukraine crisis
Mar. 14, 2014 - 03:45PM |
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The French navy frigate FS Cassard passes alongside the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush during a scheduled exercise March 13 in the Mediterranean Sea.
The French navy frigate FS Cassard passes alongside the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush during a scheduled exercise March 13 in the Mediterranean Sea. (Cmdr. Tom Winkler/Navy)

By David Larter
Staff writer Navy Times
FILED UNDER
News

Kerry: U.S. won't recognize Crimea vote
The carrier George H.W. Bush will be extended for “several days” in the Mediterranean Sea as the political crisis in Ukraine continues, according to the Defense Department.

The delay comes just days before a vote in Crimea that could result in the peninsula breaking away from Ukraine and joining the Russian Federation.

The U.S. has said it will not recognize the results if Crimea votes to join Russia, as many expect.

The Bush, which deployed in February, is in the Mediterranean on its way to relieving the carrier Harry S. Truman in 5th Fleet. Its escorts include the destroyer Roosevelt, the cruiser Philippine Sea and the destroyer Truxtun, which is currently steaming in the Black Sea.

Navy officials say the Truman, which is in the Gulf of Oman, is still on schedule to return from its deployment, which began July 22.

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Why Congress May Let Air Force Retire The A-10
By COLIN CLARK on March 14, 2014 at 5:30 PM
A-10 retirement chart

CAPITOL HILL: Aside from Sen. Kelly Ayotte, the reaction from Capitol Hill to the Air Force plan for retiring the ugly and beloved A-10 has been relatively muted and may remain so. Why would Congress, beloved for going slightly nuts whenever the military tries to retire a ship, aircraft squadron, or anything else that means jobs in their districts or states, not rail against this sweet plane going quietly into the night? They will be replaced at most A-10 bases by F-16s, C-130Js or KC-135s so few or no jobs or money will be lost.

The Air Force has crafted a plan in stark contrast to its efforts last year to trim assets. And the reaction to this one has, so far, been quite muted. The slide above, which depicts the shifts and their timing, was part of a detailed briefing to professional staff and Military Legislative Aides in the last week that included classified assessments of the various tradeoffs the Air Force considered to save the $3.7 billion the Air Force expects to save. Among the scenarios gamed: sending the entire B-1 bomber fleet to the boneyard; pushing 40 F-35 As to the far out years; and retiring 356 F-16s. The Air Force, Chief of Staff Mark Welsh told me after today’s House Armed Services Committee hearing, ran war games to assess the impacts of each action. The retirement of the A-10 fleet was found to be the least disruptive to America’s global capabilities.

A-10 gunMembers did discuss the A-10 today at today’s House hearing, including Rep. Vicky Hartzler. Whiteman Air Force Base, home to an A-10 Reserve unit, sits in her district. She was not convinced by the Air Force’s arguments saying she did not ”agree that a B-1″ can do the same job as an A-10. The Air Force argues that precision weapons have replaced the need for the A-10′s depleted uranium cannon shells. Hartzler said she believes ground troops “want to see the A-10 coming over that horizon.”

Several other members voiced what sounded like pro-forma objections to the A-10′s retirements. When Welsh answered their objections they appeared to accept his explanations. Gen. Welsh brings a certain authority to the issue, having been an A-10 pilot himself.

Here’s how the transfers will work. In 2016, for example, the National Guard A-10 unit at Selfridge will switch to KC-135s. And Hartzler’s Reserve A-10 unit at Whiteman would receive F-16s from Hill. So the bases will switch missions and aircraft, but few people or money will be lost. Those are deals to which Congress may well agree.

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asif iqbal said:

Ok here is the total of all types of aircraft US is going to purchase

Over 5 years that's 2289 aircrafts of all 20 type I made this table I think it's very informative

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asif iqbal said:

Ok here is the total of all types of aircraft US is going to purchase

Over 5 years that's 2289 aircrafts of all 20 type I made this table I think it's very informative

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

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Holt_Allen said:

I would really like to see a dedicated thread for tracking the overall status of the Air Force (eg. How many F-15s are active in the US Air Force, which model, average air frame age in years, how many have AESA radars and HMDs and so on).

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asif iqbal said:

I will not take full credit for the work because I used Air International but it had mistakes and I then did my own table in Excel spreadsheet after checking the updates

I think that table as good ad it's gets through

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AIN Online said:

This week Bell redelivered the 37th and last AH-1W “Whiskey” Cobra light attack helicopter to be remanufactured to the new AH-1Z Viper, or “Zulu” configuration. From now on, all AH-1Z production will be completely new-build aircraft. The U.S. Marine Corps has a program of record covering 189 AH-1Zs, and already has two squadrons converted from the AH-1W. A third is due to complete its conversion by the end of this year.

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