Future AUS: A Soldier’s Best Friend
Unmanned Aircraft Systems / By COL Paul A. Cravey: To meet the demands of the future strategic environment the Army must be able to achieve an enduring requirement: rapidly deploy task-organized combined arms forces able to transition quickly and conduct operations of sufficient scale and ample duration to achieve strategic objectives. During the Vietnam era, to do this, the Army innovatively integrated an emerging technology of the time, rotary wing platforms, with ground maneuver forces and fire support to increase its reach, protection, and lethality. As it was in the 1970s, to dominate in today’s and tomorrow’s multi-domain environment, the...
Learn MoreWhat Are the Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft?
AMRDEC Tech Talk / By Mr. Dan H. Beck: It is difficult to keep up with how to legally operate a small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS). It is one of those subjects that you might get several different answers on what is legal and what is not. An RQ-11 Raven hand-launched remote-controlled unmanned aircraft system. / AMRDEC AED PHOTO I am going to step through a couple of different scenarios that will help explain the Army rules, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and how they should be applied to your operations. DefinitionFirst off, let’s talk about SUAS basics. All Army...
Learn MoreAdvanced Composite Training
128th Aviation Brigade / By SSG Joshua Hankins: In the continuing quest to find better and faster ways to repair and return aircraft to full mission capable status while offering a stronger, lighter, and cheaper alternative to traditional sheet metal materials, the Army has fully embraced advanced composite structures. Students get hands on experience with the vacuum bag required for advanced composite repairs. / 128th AVN BDE PHOTO Recognizing the advantages of advanced composites in specific aircraft components such as the horizontal stabilators on the UH-60M and the AH-64E, we proceeded without a clear concept or capability to repair in...
Learn MoreMarquis Training…
Reserve Components / By COL J. Ray Davis: Greetings again from your Army National Guard (ARNG). It’s been a few months since I’ve had the chance to share some observations, but even though the following is somewhat dated, it’s still relevant. Arizona Army National Guard AH-64 Apache helicopters at a task force field site at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA, June, 2016./ ARIZONA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO In late June, I had the opportunity to visit the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA and observe the ARNG Aviation Task Force that was supporting Minnesota’s 1-34th Armored Brigade...
Learn MoreGetting UAS Warrant Officer Training Right
Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch / By CW5 Joseph B. Roland: The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Warrant Officer (150U), while not new, is still relatively immature. Our ability to fully capitalize and leverage our UAS capabilities is directly related to the level of training and development we invest in our 150U community. An RQ-7 Shadow Unmanned Aircraft System launches at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. / U.S. ARMY PHOTO A CW2 150U serves as an intermediate level expert who is technically and tactically proficient at leading, training, managing, maintaining, sustaining, and advising the commander on all assigned unmanned systems. He...
Learn MoreThe Army’s New Teaching Aid
128th Aviation Brigade / By SFC James R. Journigan Jr.: The Virtual Interactive Environment (VIE) is a tool used throughout the Army today. Although simulators have been used in the Army for many years, the VIE is the next generation of equipment in the simulation evolution. SFC Frank C. Rich, an instructor with Co. C, 2nd Bn., 210th Avn. Regt., Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA, uses the VIE to go over the T700 airflow theory of operation to a class of 15B Powerplant Repairer students. / 128th AVN BDE PHOTO BY SFC JAMES R. JOURNIGAN, JR For today’s infantry, it bridges...
Learn MoreOperation Family Caregiver
AAAA Family Forum / By Judy Konitzer and Chelsea Collins: After the tragedy of 9/11, legions of service members, Active Duty, National Guard, and Reservists were sent into battle. As they continue to transition home, however, many of these brave men and women face daunting circumstances. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter addresses attendees at the Uniting Forces To Support Military Caregivers Summit, July 29, 2016, at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia / RCI COURTESY PHOTO Of the more than 2.5 million deployed, more than 50,000 have been wounded in action. Additionally, severe effects of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic...
Learn MoreAviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) Update
Aviation Support / By LTC Kirk M. Ringbloom: Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) is a critical enabler for Army Aviation. The AGSE workforce takes great pride in being known as “The Crewchief’s PM” and delivers on the promise of the “right tools, right time, right place.” Aligned with the Chief of Staff of the Army’s #1 priority, readiness, our ultimate objectives are continuously improving Army Aviation readiness while reducing burden on maintainers. There are three core elements to the AGSE strategy: Sustain and Reset fielded systems to maintain combat power in the current fight. Modernize systems to mitigate obsolescence and...
Learn MoreBattle Damage Collection
Aviation Survivability / By CW3 Mark Chamberlin and Mr. Jeff Whitmire: Since World War I, military aviators have recognized the importance of collecting and analyzing battle damage in order to support aircraft upgrades, improve new aircraft design, and develop better survivability measures. During World War I, the role of aviation evolved from simple scouting to include more complex offensive operations. Scout planes, such as the French Blèriot XI, were gradually supplemented by planes designed to engage the enemy with direct fire, like the British Avro 504k. Both aircraft were quickly upgraded to improve their effectiveness. By collecting and analyzing battle...
Learn MoreRefocusing Army Aviation Survivability
Aviation Survivability / By CW5 Christopher A. Johnson: Evolution is required for today’s Army Aviation enterprise to succeed in the contemporary spectrum of conflict. In order to maintain precision support of U.S. Army ground forces, aviation elements must remain agile, adaptable, and adept. Hybrid warfare and the global security environment have reintroduced “Decisive Action” challenges to the Aviation enterprise. These include providing reach, protection, and lethality dominance to the nation’s premier land-warfare operators. To meet these demands, Army Aviation and the Survivability track will need to transform organizational roles; refocus combat readiness programs; pursue advanced acquisition technologies; and improve professional...
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