Cause of 2023 Miyakojima JGSDF helicopter crash remains elusive

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) continues to grapple with the unsolved mystery surrounding the tragic UH-60JA helicopter crash that occurred on Apr. 6, 2023, off the coast of Miyakojima, Okinawa. The accident, which claimed the lives of all ten personnel on board, including Lieutenant General Yuichi Sakamoto, commander of the 8th Division, remains the deadliest involving a JGSDF aircraft.

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44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team trains with M-LIDS Counter-Drone System

Soldiers from the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recently conducted a critical live-fire exercise at McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico, showcasing the capabilities of the M-LIDS (Mobile-Low, Slow, Small-Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System). M-LIDS is a mobile counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) designed to detect, track, and neutralize drone threats encountered during deployments.

The 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Base Defense Operations Center crews observed a mobile-low, slow, small, unmanned aircraft integrated defeat system live-fire to instill confidence in kinetic systems capable of shooting down one-way UAS attacks during pre-deployment Green Sands training Continental United States at McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico March 4. Unmanned aerial system attacks are an emerging threat United States Army Central seeks to counter in its two-part Green Sands training initiative. The first part, Green Sands “CONUS,” held stateside Feb. 9- Mar. 5, builds the foundation of Base Defense Operations, and the second part, Green Sands “Heavy,” is a final rehearsal held subsequently overseas.

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Lockheed Martin’s Extended-Range GMLRS successfully completes double-shot test

The U.S. Army has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of its next-generation Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) during a recent operational test conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.


Image: Lockheed Martin

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Utah National Guard Apache Longbow down in training mishap

A Utah National Guard AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter involved in a landing exercise crashed at the South Valley Regional Airport on Monday, Feb. 12, at approximately 1:20 PM. While both pilots (one is from the 419th Fighter Wing) onboard sustained injuries, they are reported to be in stable condition. No other casualties were reported.

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U.S. Army procures 600 Coyote 2C Interceptors

In a move echoing the urgency exposed by the recent attack on U.S. forces in Jordan, the U.S. Army awarded a $75 million contract to RTX Corporation on Jan. 16 for the production of 600 Coyote 2C Interceptors. This swift action, leveraging the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s rapid acquisition authority and completed within 30 days, underscores the critical need to strengthen counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capabilities following the tragic loss of three American soldiers on Jan. 28.

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