Converting sea water to Navy jet fuel

Navy scientists and researchers say they are close to a breakthrough toward turning seawater into jet fuel.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is working to extract the carbon dioxide and produce hydrogen gas from the seawater. The key is then converting the carbon dioxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons that can then be used to develop JP-5 fuel stock.

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P-5 is what fuels Navy jet fighters and results in multiple fuel transfers to aircraft carriers to maintain their onboard fuel stock. Producing that fuel from the abundant sea water would save the Navy from executing those sometimes risky transfers.

“The potential payoff is the ability to produce JP-5 fuel stock at sea reducing the logistics tail on fuel delivery with no environmental burden and increasing the Navy’s energy security and independence,” said Heather Willauer, a research chemist with NRL.

Navy officials estimate the process used to convert the seawater to fuel would cost the Navy between $3 and $6 per gallon.

Of course, this supposed breakthrough comes as the Republicans in Congress have fought against the efforts by the Navy to develop alternative fuels. Republicans claim the Navy can’t afford to attempt to create fuel out of seawater or cooking oil when the defense budget is getting slashed.

Navy and Marine Corps leaders have said they can’t afford not to considering the advances the Marine Corps has made in operational energy in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://defensetech.org/2012/10/02/converting-sea-water-to-navy-jet-fuel/#ixzz28F0g2zSp 
Defense.org 

Indonesia Seeks to Buy 8 AH-64D Attack Helicopters

Deal to include various equipment and 140 Hellfire missiles.

DSCA Announces Possible $1.42Bn Sale of Apache Block III Helicopters

WASHINGTON | The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress September 19 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Indonesia of 8 AH-64D APACHE Block III LONGBOW Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support. The estimated cost is $1.42 billion. 

The Government of Indonesia has requested a possible sale of 8 AH-64D APACHE Block III LONGBOW Attack Helicopters, 19 T-700-GE-701D Engines (16 installed and 3 spares), 9 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors, 4 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronics Units (Longbow Component), 4 AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometers, 10 AAR- 57(V) 3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) with 5th Sensor and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser, 10 AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets, 10 AN/APR-39A(V)4 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, 24 Integrated Helmet and Display Sight Systems (IHDSS-21), 32 M299A1 HELLFIRE Missile Launchers, and 140 HELLFIRE AGM-114R3 Missiles. 

Also included are Identification Friend or Foe transponders, 30mm guns and ammunition, communication equipment, tools and test equipment, training devices, simulators, generators, transportation, wheeled vehicles, organizational equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.42 billion. 

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in Southeast Asia. 

The proposed sale provides the Government of Indonesia with assets vital to protect and deter both external and other potential threats. Indonesia will use these APACHE helicopters to defend its borders, conduct counterterrorism and counter-piracy operations, and control the free flow of shipping through the Strait of Malacca. 

The materiel and services under this program will enable Indonesia to become a more capable defensive force and will also provide key elements required for interoperability with U.S. forces. 

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. 

The prime contractors will be The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona; Lockheed Martin Corporation in Orlando, Florida; General Electric Company in Cincinnati, Ohio; Lockheed Martin Millimeter Technology in Owego, New York; and Longbow Limited Liability Corporation in Orlando, Florida. 

Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of five U.S. contractor representatives and three U.S. Government representatives in country full-time for equipment checkout, fielding, and technical support. 

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. 

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. 

South Korea Interested in Procurement of AH-1Z and AH-64D Helicopters

An AH-1Z during weapons testing at NAVAIR Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

DSCA Announces Two Requests for Attack Helicopters Valued at $2.6 Billion and $3.6 Billion

WASHINGTON | The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress September 21 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Korea for 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion. 

The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters, 84 T-700 GE 401C Engines (72 installed and 12 spares), 288 AGM-114K3 HELLFIRE Missiles, 72 AIM-9M-8 SIDEWINDER Missiles, integrated missile launchers, AN/AAQ-30 Target Sighting Systems (TSS) and AN/ALQ-136 Radar Frequency Jammers. The electronic warfare systems include the AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, AN/ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer, APX-123 Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode-4 and AN/ALE-47 Chaff and Flare Decoy Dispenser, communication and support equipment, spare engine containers spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $2.6 billion. 

The Government of Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. 

The proposed sale of the AH-1Z COBRA helicopters will improve South Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats. The sale of these AH-1Z helicopters will improve its close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, strike coordination/reconnaissance, forward air control (airborne), and aerial escort capabilities while enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces. 

The proposed sale of this system and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. 

The prime contractors will be Bell-Textron Corporation in Amarillo, Texas, and General Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. 

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Korea involving U.S. Government or contractor representatives on a temporary basis for program and technical ort, and management oversight. 

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. 

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. 

AH-64D APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTERS 

Further, the DSCA notified Congress September 21 of a possible FMS to the Government of Korea for 36 AH-64D APACHE Longbow Block III Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $3.6 billion. 

The Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of: 
• 36 AH-64 D APACHE Longbow Block III Attack Helicopters 
• 84 T-700-GE-701D Engines (72 installed and 12 spares) 
• 42 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors 
• 36 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radar (FCR) with Radar Electronics Unit (Longbow Component) 
• 36 AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometers 
• 42 AN/APR-39 Radar Signal Detecting Sets 
• 45 AN/AVR-2B Laser Warning Sets 
• 43 AAR-57(V) 3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) with 5th Sensor and Improved Countermeasure Dispensers 
• 42 AN/APX-123 Transponders 
• 120 Improved Helmet Display Sight Systems (IHDSS-21) 
• 81 Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation 
• 38 30mm Automatic Chain Guns (Aircraft Component) 
• 90 AN/ARC-201E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) Radios 
• 90 AN/ARC-231 Radios 
• 42 AN/ARC-220 Radios 
• 80 M299 HELLFIRE or Missile Launchers 
• 400 AGM-114R1 HELLFIRE Missiles Semi-Active Lasers (SAL) 
• 438 STINGER Block I 92H Missiles 
• 774,144 30 mm Cartridge HEDP High Explosive Dual Purpose M789s 
• 11,020 2.75 Inch HYDRA Rockets (Unguided) 
• 108 APACHE Aviator Integrated Helmets (AAIH) 

Also included are training devices, simulators, generators, transportation, wheeled vehicles and organizational equipment, tools and test equipment, communication equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $3.6 billion. 

The ROK is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. 

The ROK intends to use new attack helicopters to more effectively secure its borders and littoral waters, as well as conduct counter-terrorism/counter-piracy operations. The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea Army’s close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, strike coordination/reconnaissance, forward air control (airborne), and aerial escort capabilities while enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces. 

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. 

The prime contractors will be The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona; Lockheed Martin Corporation in Orlando, Florida; General Electric Company in Cincinnati, Ohio; Lockheed Martin Millimeter Technology in Owego, New York; and Longbow Limited Liability Corporation in Orlando, Florida. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. 
Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of additional U.S. contractor and U.S. Government representatives in country full-time. Contractor Field Service Representatives will be in country for post production support for an estimated three years with anticipation of a future follow on support contract or an additional Foreign Military Sales contract for support. Also, U.S. Government representatives will include a U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM) field office for technical and logistical support for three years. 

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. 

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.