Contemporary Wars

Who? The RPG?

Iama

yes, the RPG>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

U.S. Army Sees More Work on Modernizing Aircraft



"ARLINGTON, Va., Jan 6 (Reuters) - U.S. Army helicopters, unmanned planes and other aircraft are performing well in Iraq and Afghanistan, but top Army leaders on Thursday said more work remains in an aggressive drive to modernize the fleet.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, who heads the Army Aviation Task Force, said its No. 1 priority was adding weapons and equipment to protect aircraft from rocket-propelled grenades and other guerrilla attacks.

At the same time, Schloesser said the Army was hurrying to replace older aircraft with new armed reconnaissance, light utility and heavy-lift cargo helicopters.

"We have underfunded our programs in many cases ... for decades," Schloesser said, noting that cancellation of the $14.6 billion Comanche helicopter had freed up funds to pay for more Apache AH-64 helicopters and other programs.

For instance, the Army worked with Lockheed Martin Corp. to develop a new type of blast fragmentation Hellfire II missile that would be more effective in the urban battlefields of Iraq. Hellfire missiles were initially developed to hit tanks, but would pass through concrete block buildings in Iraq without exploding, because they did not contain metal reinforcements.

Army helicopters successfully used the new Hellfire missiles just last week to kill 20 Iraqi insurgents, Schloesser told an Association of the U.S. Army conference.

He gave no details on where the attack occurred, but said 72 Hellfire missiles had arrived in Iraq in November and the Army planned to convert 100 older Hellfires and buy 900 more. It also planned to purchase a so-called thermobaric version for use against deeply buried targets.

Army acquisitions chief Claude Bolton said Army airplanes and helicopters, including CH-47F Chinooks and Apaches, had flown a combined total of 476,936 hours between February and December in Iraq. In Afghanistan, flight hours totaled just over 66,000 hours, he said.

Brig. Gen. E.J. Sinclair, commanding general of the Army Aviation Center, predicted modernization efforts would be largely completed by late 2006 or early 2007. He announced a new review of Army unmanned aerial vehicles in March.

The Army was also working to speed up maintenance of aircraft used in the war.

Defense companies are due to submit proposals this month to build 368 new armed reconnaissance helicopters to replace the Army's OH-58 Kiowa warrior, with a contract likely to be awarded sometime in the third quarter of 2005.

Bell Helicopter, a unit of Textron Inc., which built the Kiowa, is expected to bid for the new helicopter, as is Europe's EADS and possibly Boeing Co., teamed with another company.

Bolton said the Army planned to order a significant number of light utility helicopters, with a preference for commercial technologies, which should speed delivery of the aircraft.

The Army will kick off a competition to build a new heavy-lift helicopter that could carry about 25 tons.

Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp., Bell and Boeing have already done some work on heavy-lift helicopters and will likely vie for that project. "

Iama

In a new concept wars era - antiterrorism, Italy spend money on submarines. Of course, Italy had many enemys... If Cernomorskaia Fleet beat all countrys who had coasts to Black Sea, and enter in Mediteranean Sea (Greece turn to be beaten), Italy had needs to defend against this enemy...

Source-Fincantieri

"Fincantieri Launches the Submarine “Scirè”
Today at Fincantieri’s shipyard at Muggiano (La Spezia) there was the ceremony to launch the submarine “Scirè”, ordered by the Italian Navy within the framework of a programme of cooperation between the Governments and industries of Italy and Germany.

The programme was developed with the German Submarine Consortium and foresees the construction of four U212A class vessels for Germany and two for Italy.

The first, the “Salvatore Todaro”, was launched in November 2003 in the presence of the President of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Fincantieri will also provide the Navy with a complete range of integrated logistical support, including a new, modern training centre for the crews at the Naval shipyard in Taranto.

Present at today’s ceremony were the Minister of Infrastructures and Transport, Pietro Lunardi, the Chief of Staff of the Defence, Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, the Chiefs of Staff of the Italian and German Navies, Admiral Sergio Biraghi and Vizeadmiral Lutz Feltd, the Commander in Chief of the Fleet of the German Navy Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Nolting, the German Ambassador in Italy Michael Gerdts, the President of the Region of Liguria Sandro Biasotti, the Mayor of La Spezia Giorgio Pagano, and the President of the Province, Giuseppe Ricciardi. Fincantieri was represented by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe Bono.

Acting as godmother to the submarine was Mrs. Elisabetta Bianchi, the daughter of Emilio Bianchi, who was awarded military honours as he took part, on the first “Scirè”, in the historic event of Alexandria of Egypt on 18th December 1941. Mr. Bianchi attended the ceremony today.

The two Italian submarines, which will be delivered in mid 2005 and mid 2006, have a standard displacement of 1,450 tonnes, a length of approximately 56 metres, a height of 12 metres, a diametre of 7 metres and a capacity for a crew of 27.

Features of U212A class vessels are the use of cutting edge, innovative technologies which are highly advanced: thanks to Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), fed by fuel cells, the submarines have a high degree of autonomy, moreover the level of acoustic and magnetic signatures is extremely low and the combat system is fully integrated.

In addition to the U212A programme, the order book of the Fincantieri’s Naval Vessel Business Unit comprises the construction of the aircraft carrier, the “Cavour,” and the Italian-French programme for two “Horizon” class frigates.

Moreover, in partnership with French industry and the French Navy, Fincantieri is also drawing up, through its subsidiary, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a programme to build twenty seven multi-mission frigates, of which ten for Italy which will be built in the company’s shipyards in Liguria. "

Waw! With my big respect for advanced technology, some countrys just had "snobism" (sorry for non-english). Libia dont had chances to pretend at Mediteranean suprecmacy, Egipt stay in his place... Also, France is an allyed country. Submarines against who?
Were to fight with this advanced tech. AIP ? Against China? Or India? I think conflicts against 2 powers were to be shorter and verry intense ones. No time to send italians AIP subs. in Pacific, for example.

Iama

Mmm. So should Italy dismantle all her fleet for lack of potential enemies in the foreseeable future ? That might be a way to look for trouble. You know the old adage : if you want peace...

Besides, while Italy itself might not need the subs for a while, the miltary alliance she's part of might see a use for them. Each country contributes the weapons she's more experienced with.

SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM

Ok, but not in this way... You see - Italy, and some other countrys make real preparation for war. Large q-tys of money, new technology... Against who?

And Italy .. is not so experienced with sub's. Even sumarines himself are german designs... Future of the Italy Fleet is storng and beautifull. New capabilites for carrying Harriers/JSFs, helicopters... new frigate, new destroyers, new invasion ships, new auxiliary, new submarines, new...
A relatively new tank, new armoured vechicles, new helicopters and planes...

For what purpose? For peace? I dont believe this...

Iama

Offtopic, that statement isn't probably based on any actual facts. I believe it's enough to say that the first Romanian submarine was built at Fiume, in Italy. As were the several midget subs used in the Black Sea and "inhereted" by the Romanian Royal Navy in September 1943. The Italian Navy has more than enough experience with submarines.

Off-topic:

news with submarines:

Source: US Navy

"USS San Francisco Runs Aground off Guam

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii --- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 711) ran aground while conducting submerged operations approximately 350 miles south of the island of Guam today.

The incident occurred at approximately 4 p.m., Jan. 7, Hawaii Standard Time (12 noon, Jan. 8, Guam Time).

The extent of the injuries and damage aboard San Francisco is still being assessed, but includes one critical injury and several other lesser injuries. The submarine is on the surface and is making best speed back to their homeport in Guam.

There were no reports of damage to the reactor plant which is operating normally. Military and Coast Guard aircraft are enroute to monitor and assist in the situation.

Further releases and announcements will be made as information becomes available."



US Nuclear-Powered Submarine Runs Aground


Source: Voice of America news


An accident has occurred on one of the U.S. Navy's nuclear powered attack submarines in the Pacific Ocean. The Navy says the sub, for reasons not yet known, hit bottom in one of the deepest parts of the Pacific.

The U.S. Navy says the USS San Francisco was on its way to a port visit in Australia when the accident happened in the Pacific Ocean, about 560 kilometers south of Guam.

Petty Officer Alyssa Batarla, a spokeswoman for the Navy's Pacific Fleet in Honolulu, says the nuclear-powered submarine appeared to have hit the ocean floor in the middle of the East Marianas Basin, causing injuries to some of the 137 crew members.

"There is one critical injury and number of minor injuries," she said. "Approximately 20 personnel [were] injured to the point that they are unable to stand watch. The submarine is currently on the surface and making its best speed back toward its home port in Guam."

The Navy says the submarine's hull is intact and the vessel's nuclear reactor has not been damaged.
Military aircraft, a naval submarine tender and a Coast Guard cutter have been dispatched from Guam to escort the crippled submarine back to its home port. Officials say an attempt will be made to airlift the
critically injured sailor from the submarine.

The San Francisco, commissioned in 1981, is a fast-attack submarine which is capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles. It is also designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships.

The last significant accident involving a U.S. naval attack submarine took place in 2001 when the nuclear-powered USS Greeneville surfaced off Hawaii, colliding with a high school's fishing boat from Japan, killing nine Japanese.


Iama

Offtopic, that statement isn't probably based on any actual facts. I believe it's enough to say that the first Romanian submarine was built at Fiume, in Italy. As were the several midget subs used in the Black Sea and "inhereted" by the Romanian Royal Navy in September 1943. The Italian Navy has more than enough experience with submarines.

Yes... but now is just a user with construction facilityes.. Sweden, Spain, France, US, UK, Germany, Russia, China... those are countryes who counts now, in submarine domain. Sure i do not compare Italy with Pakistan, or another...

Iama

Solidica Awarded Navy Contract to Develop Smart Armor


Source: Solidica



"ANN ARBOR, Mich. --- Solidica, Inc., announced today the award of an SBIR Phase I project with the Office of Naval Research, with support provided by Carderock Division Naval Surface Warfare Center, to develop a new approach to provide a means of retrofitting existing military vehicles with ballistic protection that can easily be applied in the field.

The approach includes advanced new embedding technologies that will be capable of placing both ceramic armor plates and threat detection fiberoptics directly within the armor components.

Ken Johnson, Vice President Strategic Development for Solidica states that "this project seeks to directly address some of the immediate challenges in the field for our servicemen and Solidica is honored to be selected to bring our technology into the fight." Solidica's laminated metal deposition technologies hold unique promise in this field due to its ability to both embed objects and diffuse impact energy, similar to that of much higher cost composite layered structures.

Recognizing the potential positive impact within the state of Michigan, this project was also awarded a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation under the SBIR/STTR Emerging Business Fund Matching Fund Program. "MEDC continues to be a great agent for facilitating business growth in Michigan, particularly as it pertains to encouraging new technology development and commercialization," states Dawn White, CEO of Solidica. "If the outcome of this program is ultimately successful, Solidica will quickly look to establish the manufacturing capability to meet this demand right here in our state."

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, Solidica is a rapidly emerging technology company that provides advanced materials and fabrication equipment solutions. "

wood, sail, steam, steel, ..... AEGIS, smart armor

Iama

And Marte is happy! In every day, humans make something, or think at something to kill each other, or for helping to do this... Of course, soon like other military technology, civil market will receive this one....


Northrop Grumman Develops Technologies to Deliver Better Real-Time Reconnaissance Information to Soldiers in Urban Battle Zones


Source: Northrop Grumman


"EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --- Soldiers in urban battle zones could receive more timely and complete information about enemy forces from low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with technologies being developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation under a U.S. Department of Defense contract.

This work could lead to an autonomous system that coordinates the delivery of data from UAVs and other military reconnaissance assets and intelligence sources. For example, a soldier with a handheld computer would request information about suspected enemy positions, and the system would prioritize the requests and direct individual UAVs to obtain the information and deliver it. These technologies could someday be adapted for other military applications and missions.

Currently, soldiers engaged in urban warfare have no direct access to reconnaissance and surveillance data, nor can they control the high-altitude aircraft and satellites that collect it. In addition, those platforms cannot provide information with the detail and timeliness required in a rapidly changing urban combat zone.

HURT technology would allow the warfighter to directly request information critical to individual needs. Northrop Grumman begins work this month on an $11.6 million contract awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to lead the so-called "HURT" program. HURT stands for heterogeneous urban RSTA (reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition) team.

"A HURT system would give the warfighter the ability to ask for reconnaissance imagery unobtainable by high-altitude or fixed sensors," said H.R. Keshavan, Northrop Grumman's HURT program manager. "Low-flying UAVs could see around or even inside buildings to provide more up-to-date information."

During the program's first phase, Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector will serve as prime contractor to demonstrate that "coordinated autonomy" can be achieved. For example, the HURT system must be able to simultaneously order the UAVs to conduct wide-area surveillance while dispatching an individual vehicle to a location requested by a soldier for a close-up look.

Northrop Grumman also will conduct two engineering flight tests during the first phase to demonstrate further capabilities. While these flights will utilize small UAV systems, the technologies developed under HURT could eventually be used with larger unmanned systems such as Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk, RQ-8 Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical UAV and X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS).

Key members of the HURT development team include Honeywell Laboratories, SRI International, Teknowledge Corporation and AeroVironment as well as researchers from NASA, the U.S. Army and academic institutions. "

Iama

From Boeing to Mars God, with love:


Boeing Small Diameter Bombs Hit the Mark in First Live Test


Source: Boeing Co.


"ST. LOUIS --- For the first time, on December 13 and 15, two “live”; Boeing Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), were launched for the first time by the U.S. Air Force at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., scoring direct hits on each target.

“My primary goal is to deliver the SDB capability to the warfighter in 2006 as promised,” said Col. Jim McClendon, U. S. Air Force Miniature Munitions Group commander at Eglin Air Force Base. “This was a big milestone for our program.”

The SDBs were successfully launched from an F-15E aircraft flying at 15,000 feet on December 13 and December 15. One target was a scoring board and the other was a Russian rocket launcher where the SDB sensor detonated the warhead just before impact.

These launches mark the 15th and 16th guided missions for the SDB during the highly successful development program. The launches tested the complete SDB system including logistics, mission planning, pneumatic four-weapon carriage and the enhanced accuracy system currently deployed in the United States.

Development of the SDB Increment II GBU-40 weapon variant for moving targets is planned to start in fiscal year 2006 as the Increment I system goes into production.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis , Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services. "


Iama

Future wars :



This post has been edited by Chandernagore on February 01, 2005 11:11 pm

Why new nuclear weapons? Hey, somebody stop that Bush!



Arms Control Association Vows to Oppose Renewal of New Nuclear Weapons Research


Source: Arms Control Association


"WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Arms Control Association (ACA) and other leading nuclear security experts criticized the Bush administration's decision to renew its funding request for research on new, earth penetrating nuclear weapons, which Congress denied last year. The Department of Energy's fiscal year 2006 budget request includes $4 million for research on the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator. It also envisions spending $14 million on the project in fiscal year 2007. The Department of Defense's fiscal year 2006 budget request also includes $4.5 million for work on the project, and it foresees spending $3.5 million in fiscal year 2007.

"The Bush administration is unnecessarily and unwisely provoking another showdown with Congress over its dangerous ambitions to develop new versions of high-yield earth-penetrating bunker busting nuclear weapons," charged Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of ACA, a non-partisan research and advocacy organization that has been in the forefront of the nongovernmental campaign opposing the project.

After narrowly approving funding requests for research on new weapons for fiscal years 2003 and 2004, Congress denied the administration's fiscal year 2005 request for $27.5 million to enhance the bunker-busting capability of an existing high-yield warhead and redirected the administration's $9 million request to investigate "advanced concepts," such as new low-yield warheads, to the Reliable Replacement Warhead program.

Earth-penetrating bunker busters would produce a high-yield blast too large to avoid dispersal of radioactive debris and fallout around the target, threatening civilians and military personnel. If new, smaller-yield nuclear weapons are used to destroy chemical or biological targets, the fallout would still be significant, and small errors in intelligence and targeting could disperse rather than destroy deadly material. Improvements in specialized conventional munitions offer significant and more practical capabilities without the risk of crossing the nuclear threshold.

"Members of Congress from both parties are opposed to the radical idea of new and 'more usable' nuclear weapons and understand that the pursuit of such weapons makes it harder to convince other states to exercise nuclear restraint," noted Kimball.

"While the Bush administration claims it has no plans to develop new or modified nuclear weapons, the research program could be the next step toward the creation of 'new nuclear weapons capabilities,' as called for in the Defense Department's 2001 Nuclear Posture Review," Kimball said.

"Now is the time to halt new nuclear weapons pursuits and for Congress to engage in a serious reevaluation of the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. defense and security posture," Kimball suggested. "When and if they do, they should realize that nuclear weapons, so long as they exist, should be limited to deterring nuclear attack by another nation and should not be considered for battlefield use," said Kimball.

"The administration's fiscal year 2006 request for new nuclear weapons funding will also undermine efforts to strengthen the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty at the May 2005 Review Conference," Kimball said. The United States, as a nuclear-weapon state, is obligated under Article VI of the treaty to end the nuclear arms race and pursue nuclear disarmament.

"Maintaining and expanding the role of U.S. nuclear weapons not only violates accepted international norms of nonproliferation behavior, but it invites countermoves by former adversaries and would-be nuclear powers," Kimball charged. "Rather than pursue new nuclear weapons, the Energy Department should focus on its primary mission of maintaining the safety, security, and viability of the existing stockpile while rapidly dismantling excess weapons," he urged.

A report in the February 7, 2005 edition of "The New York Times" suggests that the Energy Department may try to use the Reliable Replacement Warhead program to build more reliable warheads to replace existing ones, though it may also be used to help field warheads with new military capabilities. The Energy Department requested $9 million in the latest budget request for this program.

"The Department of Energy should not misuse stockpile stewardship programs to develop replacement warheads with new military capabilities and that might require renewed nuclear testing," Kimball cautioned. "

Iama

Fiscal 2006 Department of Defense Budget is Released


Source: US Department of Defense


"President George W. Bush today sent Congress his fiscal 2006 defense budget. It requests $419.3 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Department of Defense, and represents a nearly five percent increase over fiscal 2005 funding levels.
"This budget represents the latest installment in the President's strong commitment to transforming this department to face the challenges of the 21st century," said Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. "We continue our transition to a more agile, deployable, and lethal force."

Defense spending in fiscal 2006 is 41 percent above fiscal 2001. Military pay has increased about 25 percent. The fiscal budget marks a crucial investment in our nation’s service members, including a 3.1 percent increase in base pay, plus bonuses, and recruiting and retention programs to ensure the Defense Department maintains its professional fighting force.

"We are a nation at war," said Rumsfeld. "The President's budget, together with the supplemental spending proposals the President has made, provides the men and women in uniform what they need to prevail."

The fiscal 2006 defense budget is posted at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2005/d20050207budget.pdf

and

http://www.dod.mil/comptroller/defbudget/fy2006/

(ends)



Pentagon Seeks To Increase Defense Budget Nearly 5 Percent


(Source: US State Department; issued Feb. 7, 2005)


The Defense Department unveiled the president’s proposed defense budget February 7, which requests $419.3 billion to continue the global war on terrorism and efforts to transform the military force structure to meet possible future threats, including those posed by chemical and biological weapons.

The fiscal year 2006 defense budget request would support the Army’s efforts to restructure to meet requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan and to enhance the pursuit of terrorists wherever they may be, but the money for counterterror activities remains outside this budget.

Similarly, senior defense officials say the costs for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will be part of a supplemental budget request that will be submitted to Congress soon.

Because U.S. Special Forces operations are central to the War on Terror, the department is asking for $50 million to retain soldiers trained for these missions and plans to supplement the Special Operations Command structure with 1,200 military and 200 civilian positions.

The new budget request also seeks $1.6 billion in the new fiscal year that begins October 1 for chemical and biological detection and defense. As a measure of how seriously the department views this requirement, it is seeking a total of $9.9 billion in funding through fiscal year 2011.

Although not elaborated upon, a February 7 department release on the proposed budget refers to restructuring the U.S. global defense posture “to better position U.S. forces to strengthen allied and partner nation relationships.” More details will be forthcoming in May when the department submits its recommendations for shifting personnel and closing defense facilities at home and abroad.

Research and development efforts on missile-defense technologies continue in this budget request with the president’s request seeking $7.8 billion. This would buy five additional ground-base interceptors (for a total of 21) and 11 more Standard Missile-3s (bringing that total to 22). Standard Missile-3 is a surface-to-air defense weapon designed to intercept ballistic missiles.

The Navy would using its fiscal 2006 request of $9.4 billion to procure four vessels including a Virginia-class submarine, a LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ship, a Littoral Combat ship, and an auxiliary cargo and ammunition ship.

On the aviation front, the budget request seeks $5 billion for the development and purchase of a new strike fighter for all the services and U.S. allies. Another $3.7 billion is being request for obtaining more C-17 heavy lift aircraft.

With funding in the proposed budget, the Army would focus on abandoning its heavy-division, Cold-War-oriented structure and transforming to a lighter, more mobile-oriented force by buying 249 Stryker Interim Armored Vehicles to form its sixth Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The Army would also procure more helicopter capabilities and Patriot missiles. In addition, the requested funding would increase the number of positions devoted to intelligence, military police and civil affairs functions.

Overall defense spending is projected to climb to $443.1 billion in FY 2007; $462.4 billion in FY 2008; $482 billion in FY 09; and $492.1 in FY 10 before cresting the $500 billion mark in FY 11. The requested increase in defense spending is designed to give the U.S. military what President Bush has described as the necessary tools to win the ongoing, long-term War on Terror.

Following are excerpts of the department’s executive summary of the new budget:


PRESIDENT BUSH'S FY 2006 DEFENSE BUDGET

President Bush's fiscal year (FY) 2006 budget for Department of Defense (DoD) requests $419.3 billion in DoD discretionary budget authority for FY 2006, 4.8 percent above FY 2005, and begins implementation of the FY 2006-2011 Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). The budget supports priorities established by Secretary Rumsfeld to fulfill the President's pledges to defeat global terrorism, restructure America's armed forces and global defense posture, develop and field advanced warfighting capabilities, and take good care of our forces.


I. Supporting the Global War on Terror

The FY 2006 budget supports the Global War on Terror (GWOT) by strengthening U.S. defense capabilities and keeping U.S. forces combat ready. It continues to implement lessons learned from ongoing operations in the war -- including the need for flexible and adaptable joint military forces, strong special operations forces, highly responsive logistics, and the best possible intelligence and communications capabilities.

Restructure ground forces:
The FY 2006 budget accelerates the restructuring of the Army to create a more modular force and the Marine Corps to add more combat and support units. This will increase the number and type of forces needed to fight terrorism. The Army's restructuring is already making more units available for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chemical Biological Defense:
The FY 2006 budget makes a major commitment to developing and fielding capabilities to enable U.S. forces to survive and win when facing chemical or biological agents. This also includes development of better protection against such agents and new detection devices. Reflecting the importance of these capabilities, the Department added $2.1 billion to this program for FY 2006-2011. Total funding is $1.6 billion for FY 2006 and $9.9 billion for FY 2006-2011.

Homeland Defense:
The budget includes $9.5 billion for activities related to homeland security -- such as detection and protection against weapons of mass destruction, emergency preparedness and response, and protection of critical infrastructure.

Funding a high level of readiness:
The budget strongly supports Operation and Maintenance (O&M) accounts, where training, maintenance, and other readiness essentials are funded. FY 2006 O&M totals $147.8 billion, nearly $11 billion above FY 2005. This budget funds the critical readiness requirements such as flying hours and ship steaming days.

Special Operations Forces (SOF):
These forces have been critical to the fight against terrorism, and this is reflected in several initiatives:
-- The Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has been transformed to give it a prominent role in defeating terrorism.
-- In FY 2006, SOCOM will add about 200 civilians and 1,200 military personnel, including 4 SEAL platoons.
-- The FY 2006 budget adds $50 million for programs to boost SOF retention.
-- The realignment of SOF assets will continue in FY 2006 to facilitate their deployment.
Legislative authorities: The FY 2006 budget requests authorities vital to enabling the Department of Defense to fight terrorism and respond rapidly to changing security conditions:
-- Building partner nation security capacity: Authority to provide assistance, up to $750 million, with congressional notification, to military or security forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other designated nations to increase their ability to fight in the Global War on Terror and to support U.S. military and stability operations.
-- Commander's Emergency Response Program: Authority to provide funds to enable military commanders engaged in a contingency operation to respond immediately to urgent humanitarian or reconstruction needs.
-- Logistical support: Authority to provide logistical support, including airlift and sealift, to coalition forces assisting U.S. operations against terrorism.

FY 2005 costs:
Incremental costs for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom continue to be funded through supplemental appropriations. For FY 2005, these costs will have two funding sources:
-- The FY 2005 DoD Appropriations Act provided $25 billion for war-related costs.
-- The President will shortly submit to Congress an FY 2005 Supplemental Appropriations request to fund costs not covered by the $25 billion. It will include basic operational costs of the war, funds to accelerate the restructuring of U.S. ground forces, repair or replacement of damaged equipment, and assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan security forces and partner nations.


II. Restructuring U.S. Forces and Defense Posture

The budget reflects continuing work to restructure U.S. forces, global and stateside basing, and DoD management and support activities. Complementing these efforts are ongoing initiatives to manage the current demand on U.S. forces more effectively.

Restructuring Ground Forces -- Army:
The Department has made a major commitment to restructuring the Army -- adding $35 billion over 7 years (FY2005-2011) to the $13 billion in the Army baseline budget. Costs include procurement of equipment plus added facilities and infrastructure. In FY 2005 and FY 2006, the Department proposes to fund these restructured units through supplemental appropriations, and then in the baseline Army budget beginning in FY 2007. The restructuring of the Army will substantially increase its available combat power. Restructuring will:
-- Increase the number of Active Army maneuver brigades by 30 percent and convert them into brigade combat teams (BCTs) that are capable of independent operations.
-- Restructure warfighting aviation units into multi- functional aviation brigades.
-- Restructure other active and reserve combat and support units as needed.
-- Provide more stability and predictability for soldiers and their families.
The Active Army will expand from 33 maneuver brigades in FY 2003 to 43 BCTs in FY 2007. The Army National Guard is restructuring to reach 34 BCTs by FY 2010.

Restructuring Ground Forces -- Marine Corps:
In FY 2005 through FY 2008, the Marine Corps will add combat and support units to increase its warfighting power and reduce stress on its high demand forces. Changes include:
-- Adding two active infantry battalions, with associated combat and support elements.
-- Adding several reserve combat and support units, to include restructuring of various other reserve units to increase their availability.

Navy:
The new budget supports Navy initiatives to increase its combat power. Of special note, the Fleet Response Plan (FRP) continues to drive improvements in manning, maintenance, and training that increase the naval forces available for deployment. Under FRP the Navy can deploy more aircraft carriers and supporting ships more rapidly than before FRP. The Navy also is transitioning to a new generation of more capable ships and replacing aging ships that are expensive to maintain and more manpower intensive.
These and other initiatives have enabled the Navy to reduce its authorized active personnel strength by nearly 10,000 from FY 2003 to FY 2005, and by another 13,200 in FY 2006. They also enable the Navy to go from 12 to 11 aircraft carriers without diminishing the surge capability that FRP provides. Such reductions in personnel and older ships allow the reallocation of funds to support continuing Navy transformation.

Air Force:
The intense pace of operations over the past three years has validated the restructuring of the Air Force to reflect post-Cold War challenges. At the core of its restructuring are 10 Air and Space Expeditionary Forces (AEFs), which can rapidly provide the right mix of capabilities -- from humanitarian relief to full-scale warfighting -- to U.S. Combatant Commanders across the globe. This structure allows the Air Force to manage the heavy demand on its forces while giving maximum predictability and stability to its airmen.

Managing Demand on the Force
The Department of Defense continues to make progress in alleviating the current high demand on U.S. forces due to operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the broader Global War on Terror. It continues to work to ensure that U.S. forces are optimally organized and manned to:
-- Respond rapidly and decisively to a full range of crises.
-- Limit the need for involuntary mobilization of Reserve and Guard personnel during the early stages of a rapid response operation.
-- Limit involuntary mobilization of Reserve and Guard individuals to reasonable and sustainable rates, ideally no more than one year of mobilized duty in every six years.

The restructuring of U.S. forces -- especially the increase in combat units in the Army and Marine Corps -- is the best example of how the Department is reducing the demand on U.S. forces. The FY 2006 budget supports other actions as well, including:

*Rebalancing forces: This initiative is increasing the units and personnel skills that have been in high demand and reducing those that have been in low demand -- in both Active and Reserve components. For example, the Army is reducing artillery and air defense units, while adding military police and transportation units. The Army, Navy, and Air Force rebalanced nearly 30,000 military spaces in FY 2003-2004, and will rebalance nearly 20,000 in FY 2005. In FY 2006-2011, the Army will rebalance another 50,000 spaces.

*Military-to-Civilian Conversions: The Department is working to return military personnel now doing commercial-like functions back to combat and other core defense functions. In FY 2004, the Department converted over 7,600 military billets to DoD civilian or contractor performance and will convert nearly 24,000 additional billets by the end of FY 2005. The FY 2006 budget includes $1.4 billion to support conversion of over 6,400 billets in FY 2006. More conversions are planned for FY 2007-2011.

These actions -- plus force restructuring -- are increasing the personnel available to meet current deployment demands.


III. Restructuring America's Global Defense Posture

The new budget and FYDP reflects President Bush's plans to restructure America's global defense posture and streamline DoD bases and facilities. These actions will enable the Department to meet global requirements more decisively, manage demand on U.S. forces more effectively, and make optimum use of its funding for facilities and infrastructure.

Global posture: The restructuring of the U.S. global defense posture -- to include overseas bases, personnel, infrastructure, and equipment -- seeks to better position U.S. forces to strengthen allied and partner nation relationships to defeat terrorism and meet other 21st-century challenges. It also will help the Department manage the availability of U.S. forces.

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC): The President's budget includes funds to cover implementation of decisions from the 2005 BRAC Commission, beginning with $1.9 billion in FY 2006 and $5.7 billion in FY 2007. The Department will make its recommendations to the Commission by mid-May, and the Commission will complete its decisions by early September. The previous BRAC rounds eliminated about 21 percent of DoD infrastructure and generated savings of about $7 billion per year.

Transforming DoD Management: Transforming how the Department of Defense conducts business is just as critical as transforming U.S. military capabilities. Reflecting this, the Department has adopted an ambitious plan to overhaul its management processes and systems, and the FY 2006 budget supports continuing implementation. For example, the budget advances implementation of the National Security Personnel System, a much-needed new way of managing DoD civilians. An initial 300,000 civilians will be converted into the new system beginning as early as July 2005.


IV. Developing and Fielding Joint Military Capabilities

The FY 2006 budget and FYDP reflect the Department's strategic choices for developing and fielding new military capabilities that can counter future threats to the nation. Highlighted below are some of the capabilities essential to the transformation and future dominance of America's military forces. The funding shown is total FY 2006 acquisition investment - Procurement plus Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding.

**Missile Defense Agency:
$7.8 billion in FY 2006 will continue development, testing, and fielding of missile defense technologies designed to defeat ballistic missiles of any range during any phase of their flight. The budget also will continue advanced research of technologies that are the most promising for strengthening U.S. missile defenses. The FY 2006 plan will add five Ground-Based Interceptors for a total of 21 and 11 Standard Missile 3 missiles for a total of 22.

**Army modernization:
The modernization of Army capabilities is critical to the future of its new modular force. Most critical is the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, which will develop a family of advanced, networked, air and ground systems -- combat and support, manned and unmanned. FCS funding is $3.4 billion in FY 2006. The program has been restructured in order to deliver transformational technologies to the modular force as soon as they are mature enough, rather than wait until all FCS technologies are sufficiently mature. Through this accelerated fielding of new technologies, the Army will substantially strengthen its forces as soon as possible, while maintaining a bridge to the full set of FCS systems. FCS priorities for development are: (1) networking capabilities, (2) unattended munitions, (3) unmanned systems, and (4) manned ground vehicles.

The Army Aviation Modernization Plan is focused on achieving greater capabilities, reliability, sustainability, survivability, and joint interoperability. It includes acquisition of new light utility and armed reconnaissance helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, and more.

**Navy shipbuilding:
The budget includes $9.4 billion for shipbuilding to continue the shift to a new generation of ships. The FY 2006 budget funds procurement of four ships: Virginia Class Submarine, LPD-17 San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock ship, Littoral Combat Ship, and T-AKE dry cargo and ammunition ship. The Navy's new classes of ships will have increased capabilities, but be less manpower-intensive than previous classes. New generation ships with FY 2006 funding include:
-- CVN-21: $565 million to continue advance procurement. This ship class features an innovative electrical generation and distribution system, larger flight deck, and a smaller crew (by at least 500) than the aircraft carriers it will replace. Construction will start in FY 2008.
-- DD(X): $716 million for advance procurement. The budget also includes research and development funding of $1.1 billion for continued development of this multi-mission surface combatant. The ship will provide precision- and high-volume fires, at sea and in support of forces ashore. The lead ship will be funded in FY 2007, and another 4 funded through FY 2011.
-- Littoral Combat Ship: $613 million, including $249 million in research and development funds for ship construction. This new ship will be a fast, agile, stealthy, relatively small and affordable surface combatant capable of operating in shallow water close to shore. Navy plans include 21 ships for FY 2006-2011.
-- Virginia Class Submarine: $2.4 billion to continue procurement. This new attack submarine has state-of-the-art stealth and enhanced features to support Special Operations Forces and diverse missions in coastal areas. Procurement will be one ship per year through FY 2011.

**Tactical and mobility aircraft:
The FY 2006 budget supports transformation with funding for acquisition of advanced aircraft to increase U.S. capabilities and replacing aging systems:
-- F/A-22 Raptor: $4.3 billion for this next-generation aircraft, designed to penetrate enemy air-space, achieve a first look-first kill capability against multiple targets, and conduct ground attack. Aircraft procurement is funded through FY 2008, to reach a total of 179 aircraft, including 9 test aircraft.
-- Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: $2.9 billion for this multi-mission aircraft, which has enhanced range, payload, and survivability when compared to F/A-18C/D models.
-- Joint Strike Fighter: $5.0 billion for this new strike fighter for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and U.S. allies. It ultimately will replace Air Force F-16s and A-10s, Marine Corps AV-8Bs, and Navy and Marine F/A-18C/Ds.
-- C-17: $3.7 billion to continue fielding this critical airlift asset, advancing toward total procurement of 180 aircraft.
-- Tanker replacement: The Department is analyzing alternatives to replace its aging KC-135 aircraft.
Intelligence, communications, and related systems: Intelligence is key to defeating terrorism and predicting threats. The FY 2006 budget ensures the continued development and fielding of capabilities for collecting, producing, filtering, analyzing, and communicating intelligence. All intelligence capabilities are simultaneously being integrated into all DoD information systems within the secure, trusted Global Information Grid. Programs include:
-- Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Communication System: $1.2 billion for a system that will have much greater capacity than the Milstar satellites being replaced. It will provide more secure and survivable communications. First launch is scheduled for FY 2008.
-- Transformational Satellite Communications: $836 million to continue development of a system based on laser communications and greatly enhanced radio-frequency capability, which would free users from current bandwidth constraints and provide greatly enhanced interoperability and connectivity to support net-centric operations. First launch will be in FY 2013.
-- Other key programs: Space-Based Radar, Space-Based Infrared System High, Joint Tactical Radio System, and Aerial Common Sensor aircraft.
Unmanned systems: Unmanned systems have been invaluable to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and are central to the transformation of U.S. military capabilities. The FY 2006 budget includes over $1.7 billion for continued development and procurement of several types of unmanned systems. Major programs include:
-- Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems: $350 million to continue development of affordable and highly effective systems to fill existing capabilities gaps.
-- Global Hawk and Predator: The FY 2006 budget continues procurement and development of these unmanned aerial vehicles, which have been critical to the GWOT. (ends)


Copies of DoD budget documents are available at the following Internet address: http://www.dod.mil/comptroller/defbudget/fy2006/ . "


Iama

This post has been edited by Iamandi on February 08, 2005 01:09 pm

I have been sometimes accused of being harsh with the neocons however I'm not being half as corrosive as the US liberal media whose latest description of Lord Bush was : "a fascist war pig masquerading as a religious icon".

Thinking about it and looking at those numbers I would tend to agree.

Looking at the idea of subterranean nuclear bunker busting weapons one might add "war criminal". And God knows I don't personaly like or use that expression very often. But use of such nuclear weapons can have so disastrous long term effects for environment and population that nothing can justify it's use. However when people start justifying torture then can justify just about anything so never say never...

Freedom on the march !