This selection is the first step in the development of a Prototype Laser Weapon System by the Office of Naval Research. This developmental effort will pave the way for a future Navy program that will integrate laser weapon systems on existing and future ships.

“Lasers provide the Navy a more affordable means of defending ships in harm’s way. Under this contract, Northrop Grumman will complete a conceptual design for a complete laser weapon system to be integrated onto a destroyer or other suitable surface ship,” said Steve Hixson, vice president, directed energy, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.

“In 2011, Northrop Grumman worked with ONR to demonstrate the first high-energy laser at sea in the Maritime Laser Demonstration. This proved the basic physics and demonstrated that the core technologies were where they needed to be. ONR’s selection of Northrop Grumman for this next step will enable us to help the Navy mature the weapon system for use by sailors in the real world,” Hixson said. “That means addressing engineering challenges such as reliability and ship integration, and showing we can do so affordably.”

Northrop Grumman has decades of experience in developing, integrating and field testing laser weapon systems. In 2012, Northrop Grumman introduced Gamma, a military laser that made generational advances in packaging solid-state laser technology into much smaller, lighter, more reliable and more affordable units for operational use.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Boeing is progressing with the expansion of the U.S Defense Department’s highest capacity communications satellite constellation, recently shipping its sixth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite, pictured here in the company’s El Segundo, Calif., facility, for a scheduled launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., later this year.

Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Air Force on WGS-6, the Australian Defence Force will have global access to the WGS on-orbit constellation.

This is the second WGS satellite Boeing has delivered for launch this year. WGS-5 is ready to launch on May 22.

WGS-6 will undergo tests, fueling and integration in Titusville, Fla., before being launched. Once in service, the satellite will expand bandwidth capacity, coverage and flexibility for American and allied military forces.

We’ve all experienced it; some more than others. With the continuing budget shortfalls, uncertainty of sequestration furloughs, a pending compliance inspection and the upcoming summer move cycle, many of us are feeling much more stress than usual. The key is how we deal with that stress.

Bev Klug, director of Mindfulness-Based Programs at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, notes that there are two distinct types of stress – chronic and acute. Acute stress is temporary and can often be motivating, such as nearing a deadline. Chronic stress continues to build and can lead to long-term problems. We all have different thresholds for stress, but there are a few tools we can all use to help prevent chronic stress from taking effect.

First, realize that whatever you might be going through is probably temporary and you are probably not the only one experiencing it. Although it may not seem like it at the time, whatever challenge you are facing will eventually pass and if you share what you’re going through with a friend or co-worker, you’ll likely find you’re not alone.

Second, strive to have a positive attitude. Don’t dwell on a problem or event that happened in the past. Instead, try to learn from the event and move on in a positive direction. The Air Force’s Comprehensive Airmen Fitness program identifies “The 5 Cs of positive behavior” – care, commit, connect, communicate and celebrate. The 5 Cs essentially take the idea of a positive attitude and apply it to our daily lives. Care for our wingmen by showing respect and support, commit to excellence in all we do, connect with others, communicate in a positive way, and celebrate positive results and accomplishments. A good attitude really is contagious.

Third, if your objective seems out of reach, set smaller, more attainable, interim goals that will lead you to that overall objective. Doing so will make the path less overwhelming and help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Several years ago, I completed an Ironman distance triathlon: a 2.4 mile open water swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. A 140.6 mile physical challenge can seem overwhelming to anyone, but if you focus on one challenge at a time and strive to reach the next checkpoint along the way, the path seems more achievable and you will eventually reach the finish line, as did I.

Fourth, focus on maintaining balance across your pillars of resiliency. The Air Force’s CAF philosophy identifies these as physical, social, mental and spiritual but I prefer to think of them as work, family, mind, body and spirit. Being mentally and physically fit will help you combat stress. Just as importantly, you need to balance work and family. However you define your individual pillars of resiliency, if they fall out of balance, stress will build up over time. Unless you refocus your priorities, the building will collapse.

Periods of mental or emotional strain are inevitable. Use the tools at your disposal to prevent chronic stress. Prepare yourself by being mentally and physically fit, maintain a positive attitude, realize the current situation is only temporary, and focus on achievable goals. If you do, you will reach the finish line and be stronger for doing so.

Applications are due to AFPC by June 10. Program orientation is slated for August and the first event will be held in October, said Master Sgt. Teresa Dixon, AFPC officer developmental education superintendent.

This program is designed specifically for highly motivated officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability, commitment to public service and integrity, and who have an interest in moving into senior management positions, she said.

Participants function in a simulated environment where they focus on real-life situations that involve short deadlines and require thoughtful decision-making, Dixon said.

Candidates must be receptive to a unique training methodology, able to assume responsibility for their own learning, and be able to conceptualize and analyze problems effectively, she said.

The course requires intense self-discipline and self-study, she explained. Military members remain in their current assignments throughout the program, with the exception of 95 days that are spent in training, briefings and trips to learning environments.

Because participation is not associated with a permanent change of station, those selected will not incur an additional active duty service commitment.

In addition to grade requirements, applicants must have completed Squadron Officer School and intermediate developmental education, and must have successfully commanded a flight or higher level organization. For complete application instructions, go to the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil and enter ìPSDM 13-43î in the search window.

The memberís home unit is responsible for travel and per diem costs, so applications must include a recommendation statement from the first colonel or equivalent in the chain of command acknowledging awareness of that fact.

For more information about developmental opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil.

The satellite, ViaSat-2, will provide high-speed satellite broadband services to subscribers of the ViaSat Exede® Internet service, as well as address its growing mobile broadband businesses. The companies also will cooperatively offer the system to other satellite providers. Contract value is not being disclosed.

“The ViaSat-2 architecture vastly increases the capacity of Ka-band satellite communications for customers who require faster data delivery while also providing for an extensive coverage area,” said Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of ViaSat. “Cooperatively selling the architecture with Boeing will benefit future Boeing satellites through an increase in the mix of capacity and coverage, and we expect it to enable us to further expand the range and capabilities of our broadband services.”

When it joins ViaSat’s three other satellites on orbit, ViaSat-2 will enable ViaSat to expand coverage in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and a small part of northern South America. Key transportation routes between the North America and Europe also will benefit.

“This first order from ViaSat follows another commercial satellite contract Boeing received just last week,” said Craig Cooning, chief executive officer of Boeing Satellite Systems International. “Our product strategy is solid, and industry is responding favorably.”

Northrop Grumman photograph

April 18, Northrop Grumman completed a ground demonstration of a communication system that would allow the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 stealth bomber to operate with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite network. A new Northrop Grumman-developed active electronically scanned array antenna, shown in the photo, was the technological centerpiece of the demo.

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. -†Northrop Grumman has successfully completed a ground demonstration of a communication system that would allow the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 stealth bomber to operate with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite network.

The end-to-end tests prove the maturity of the technologies required to begin full-scale development of a new satellite communications system.

Northrop Grumman conducted the demo April 18 at its Space Park facility in Redondo Beach. It included a prototype active electronically scanned array antenna developed by the company, a government-furnished Navy Multi-band Terminal and an AEHF engineering model payload.

Northrop Grumman is the Air Force’s prime contractor for the B-2, the flagship of the nation’s long-range strike arsenal, and one of the world’s most survivable aircraft.

“Our tests suggest that once a B-2 is equipped with our new antenna and an extremely high frequency [EHF] radio, communication will occur accurately and securely with the AEHF satellite network during all phases of the aircraft’s mission,” said Maria Tirabassi, Northrop Grumman’s product manager for B-2 EHF antenna systems. “This capability would allow it to operate more effectively in anti-access/area-denial environments.”

The company conducted the tests at EHF frequencies using secure transmission techniques, added Tirabassi. Her test team plans to repeat the laboratory demos in the near future using other B-2 satellite terminal candidates, including a government-furnished Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminal.

The AEHF engineering model payload is representative of EHF satellite payloads currently on orbit. It is used by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army to test new EHF satellite terminals prior to testing them with operational satellites.

Earlier this year, Northrop Grumman validated the performance of the AESA antenna on instrumented test ranges. The tests verified the antenna’s performance over its entire transmit and receive frequency band, and over its required range of scan angles. The AESA antenna will allow the B-2 to send and receive battlefield information at data rates significantly faster than its current satellite communications system.

Following completion of the current AEHF laboratory demos, Northrop Grumman plans to demonstrate the ability of the AESA antenna and a terminal to communicate directly “over the air” with an operational AEHF satellite.

The B-2 is the only long-range, large-payload U.S. aircraft that can penetrate deeply into access-denied airspace, and the only combat-proven stealth platform in the current U.S. inventory. In concert with the Air Force’s air superiority fleet, which provides airspace control, and the Air Force’s tanker fleet, which enables global mobility, the B-2 can help protect U.S. interests anywhere in the world. It can fly more than 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours.

The IIF offers improved navigational accuracy and anti-jamming resistance, along with a stronger military signal and longer design life. Boeing has been a prime GPS contractor since the first satellite launched in 1978, and has made 41 of the 63 GPS satellites sent into orbit to date.

The launch, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, occurred at 5:38 p.m., EDT, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Approximately three hours and 25 minutes later, Boeing personnel in El Segundo confirmed that the satellite was performing as expected.

This was the first GPS IIF launch on an Atlas V and the first under the Launch and On-Orbit Support contract that Boeing received from the Air Force in late 2012. The Air Force will declare the satellite operational after checkout is completed.

Boeing is on contract for 12 IIF satellites. The first three, launched in 2010, 2011 and 2012, are performing well. Of the remaining eight, Boeing will complete three this year, while five others are ready for call-up and launch as needed.

Northrop Grumman image

This figure shows a preliminary sketch of the minimalist ascent pod with surface habitat concept packaged in a five-meter diameter payload fairing. The pressurized compartments and propellant tanks easily fit in the available space. Ascent thrusters are mounted on outriggers that are folded up to fit in the payload fairing and the landing gear is folded inward. Also shown are initial side and top views of the ascent pod “Pumpkin” and the surface habitat with crew members in pressure suits.

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. -Northrop Grumman has completed a feasibility study for a new commercial lunar lander for the Golden Spike Company.
The study confirmed the viability of lander concepts for Golden Spike’s human lunar expedition architecture and conceived a novel new, low-mass ascent stage concept dubbed “Pumpkin.”

Northrop Grumman’s study for Golden Spike conducted the following tasks:

• Reviewed GSC’s level one requirements and synthesized a set of study ground rules and assumptions emphasizing automated operations, simplicity and low cost.
• Established propulsion requirements for lunar orbit loiter, descent to the lunar surface, ascent to low lunar orbit and rendezvous with a crew vehicle for pragmatic lunar landing sites.
• Developed current and stretch factors to reflect the improvement in relevant technologies since the completion of the Apollo program.
• Evaluated 180 lunar lander cases for various options and sensitivities including loiter, staging, propellants, engines, surface duration, surface cargo and technology basis.
• Established a pragmatic design trade space for future more detailed analysis and development.

The study determined that for GSC’s mission architecture, there are many more options for all cryogenic propellants compared with storable propellants, but that multiple storable propellant options are possible. Cryogenic propellants have higher performance, but are more difficult to contain for the GSC mission duration than storable propellants such as those used in the Apollo program.

A novel set of options using a minimalist pressurized ascent pod and descent stage with a surface habitat was also studied and shown to be viable. Layout sketches of this concept show that it can be packaged within a five-meter diameter fairing payload envelope.

Three-dimensional solid models with representative crew members established target pressurized volumes for the ascent pod and surface habitat. This unique approach has a good chance of meeting GSC’s objectives with all-storable propellants, which reduces development risks and costs.

Martin McLaughlin, Northrop Grumman’s study lead, said, “This concept has significant operability advantages for surface exploration since the surface habitat can be segmented to isolate lunar dust and provides more space for living and for selecting the most valuable lunar return samples.
We affectionately call the minimalist ascent pod ‘Pumpkin’ because of its spherical shape and because it returns the crew to orbit after the surface exploration party.”

Alan Stern, president and chief executive officer, GSC, said, “Northrop Grumman has done an exemplary job and helped advance Golden Spike’s technical approach to renewed human lunar exploration. The study’s results are very exciting and will help enable a new wave of human lunar exploration that Golden Spike plans.”

Northrop Grumman and its legacy companies ñ Grumman Aerospace and TRW – designed and built the Apollo Lunar Module and Lunar Module Descent Engines.

Capt. Richard McNell, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing sexual assault response coordinator, jousts against Wolf, American Gladiator, April 2, 2013, at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Service members were able to compete against American Gladiators in similar games played on the TV show. McNell is deployed from Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., and is a native of Antioch, Calif.

The 702MPs will deliver reliable, affordable and high-capacity data transmission that Intelsat customers can tailor to their needs.

“Intelsat became our first customer for the 702MP in 2009, and we are thrilled that our satellite will carry the Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput platform,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. “We are committed to providing the same level of quality, on-time performance with this new order that we achieved with our prior Intelsat deliveries.”

The first EpicNG satellite, Intelsat 29e, was the fourth spacecraft and the last one still in production from Intelsat’s previous order. It is on track for launch in 2015 and will serve the Americas and the North Atlantic. The new contract adds four more EpicNG satellites to the Intelsat fleet, starting with Intelsat 33e to be launched in 2016.

“Through the use of exclusive Boeing technology, our forward-thinking EpicNG design allows us to offer a highly differentiated service for our customers, enabling them to establish their network architecture for the next decade,” said Dave McGlade, Intelsat chairman and chief executive officer. “Today’s agreement will allow us to implement further our global vision for the EpicNG fleet, delivering the most efficient satellite solutions over an open architecture, backward compatible platform for a range of fixed and mobile mission-critical customer applications. We are pleased to rely on Boeing for this next phase of our collaboration.”