Monthly Archives: October 2019

Among the new modernization priorities that have become cross functional teams, the top priority listed by top Army leadership was the long range precision fires work.

The Army has become, by its own admission, overly reliant on a permissive air environment and the blessings that unfold with close air support, Air Force long-range strike and golden hour capable casualty evacuation.

Those decades of uncontested airspace that previous generations of soldiers enjoyed can no longer be counted upon.

And its not just in the close fight that air is challenged. Advanced, interlocking networks of air defense strung along the borders and beyond by near-peer competitors such as Russia and China mean that at times the joint force can be hamstrung in even gaining access, leaving the Army far from the fight.

To get after that problem set, Brig. Gen. John Rafferty has his team looking at everything from increasing range and accuracy of the tried-and-true base of the artillery 155mm to a new Precision Strike Missile and hypersonic that will put the Army back in the strategic fires game for the first time in a long time.

Rafferty spoke recently with Army Times about those developments and what is headed to fires formations in the coming years.

First, the newly promoted brigadier general had to tip his hat to a combination of efforts in both structure, new organizations such as the CFTs and Army Futures Command, and focused centers that are finding new ways to solve the distance and accuracy problems of expanding how the fires community contributes to the maneuver fight.

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Shortly before an interview with Army Times, Rafferty had just been briefed by the Readiness and Analysis Center at AFC at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. They provided a lethality analysis of near peer threats in fires. While he couldnt disclose details of the briefing for obvious reasons, he did say that the renewed efforts on tactical, operational and strategic fires are meeting previously identified gaps.

Conclusions? Were in the right place and (Artificial Intelligence) and sensor investment could improve that, he said.

Rafferty said that developments by adversaries to negate U.S. advantages have meant the development of coastal defense, long range air defense and extremely long range artillery.

The U.S. solution has multiple answers.

Strategic fires include the Armys Space and Missile Commands Long Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Strategic Long Range Cannon.

And while putting steel on target is one method, the future will likely combine the kinetic with cyber and electronic warfare to both disable enemy systems and combine to create windows of opportunity for the kinetic strike and maneuver.

Over the past year, Rafferty said, the joint forces science and technology community has been working with commercial industry and NASA on some specific tech challenges. The Armys Science Board has deemed what theyre trying to do in the hypersonic arena as entirely feasible. Tests coming soon at White Sands will try to get through an early technology gate.

Those efforts could result in a full-fledged Army program before 2023, he said.

He couldnt speak to specific ranges, due to security concerns, but said that hypersonics are looking at ranges in the thousands of kilometers, while the strategic cannon is in the hundreds of kilometers range.

Operational-level fires is focused on the Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM.

The existing Army Tactical Missile System has its limits. It has been in service since the 1980s. While its been upgraded several times and will continue to be upgraded under a service life extension program to keep it in the inventory for another decade, it is seeing the horizon of its usefulness.

And theres the range. The ATACMS pushes out to about 300km. Which was fine under past conditions but cant keep up with current competition.

The PrSM will push its range out past 500km now that the United States no longer has to restrain its systems to under that range due to the break of the INF Treaty.

The PrSM will be cheaper to produce than the ATACMs and provide two missiles per pod where now its only one per pod with the ATACMs, Rafferty said.

That helps logistics, the number of launchers needed for certain mission sets and flexibility for commanders on how to load out their force. They expect initial fielding of some of those systems by 2023, with another add-on technology spiral two years later that will add in ways to hit precision emitting targets and operate more effectively in maritime environments and more contested areas.

Tests later this year will establish which companies will continue to the end of the competition. The next wave of development will push the missiles range past the 650km range, he said.

Were committed to the shape and size and keeping two per pod, Rafferty said. But we have to be a little bit patient with the technology.

Thats, in part, because the pre-existing INF treaty didnt just limit fielding but also limited investment in research and development for improving those systems, especially long range propulsion.

Down at the tactical level, where most soldiers get to hear things go boom, is work on Extended Range Cannon Artillery. The ERCA program is putting a lot of changes to both the self-propelled howitzer system and the round it uses.

The big project is one thats been moving along for more than a year now, thats Paladin Integration Management. The PIM program is modernizing the self-propelled howitzer with a robust chassis, safety improvements, electrical system improvements, an auto-loader and longer cannon for longer ranges.

Rafferty announced that shift earlier this year. The cannon will push from a 39 caliber to a 58 caliber length, extending the barrel from 20 feet to 30 feet. Cannon calibers are also a function of length, unlike with rifle caliber barrels.

And the Paladin now has a sliding block breech, like what the tanks use. That means it can withstand more powerful charges in its round and a higher rate of fire without breaking.

Essentially, its an indestructible type of breech, Rafferty said.

But whats inside that breech is what makes the impact.

The 155mm round is undergoing changes it likely hasnt seen in decades. New propellants, precision guidance kits and other technologies are pushing the round out to the 70km range in testing, thats more than double the standard limit of about 30km.

Rafferty said the team expects the first battalions worth of the new system fully fielded by 2023.

But, there are hurdles. Pushing the limits of physics comes with its own set of challenges.

Theyre having to do more gun hardening work to help the systems withstand the increased pressures and stresses.

Even precision guidance brings novel obstacles to overcome. For example, by firing such long ranges, the 155mm rounds are reaching altitudes they had not previously reached.

That means that their guidance kits mush bear the temperature changes and also move through thinner air, which changes the calculus by which theyre set to hit their targets.

And new propellants are pushing muzzle velocities and chamber pressures to numbers that theyve not had to operate before.

Were on the margin of what cannon artillery can do but were going forward with those margins, he said.

And all of these tech changes are having their own ripple effects as far reaching as how the Army fights.

We view fires as essential to (multi-domain operations), Rafferty said. It absolutely changes whats possible for the Army to do and what fires can do to enable that.

Read the original post:

The team that is transforming Army fires leads the service's priorities - ArmyTimes.com

National 4-H week was Oct. 6-12, and the Lake County 4-H group was honored to have National 4-H Week recognized by the Lake County Commissioners on Oct. 8.

Since its inception over 100 years ago, 4-H has become the largest youth development organization in the nation. The mission of Florida 4-H is the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible, productive citizens. The mission is accomplished by creating safe and inclusive learning environments, involving caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of the University of Florida and the nationwide land grant university system.

4-H serves youth in rural, urban, and suburban communities in every state reaching nearly six million participants in the United States. In 4-H youth gain life skills by completing record/project books. Youth participate in areas such as health, science, animal science, horticulture, environmental education, and civic engagement. Youth are reached through programs such as school enrichment, community/after school clubs, and 4-H camps.

In Lake County 4-H, over 5,600 youth were reached last year through school enrichment. School enrichment programs include the 4-H/Tropicana Speaking Contest. This program is a partnership between Lake County 4-H, Tropicana and the Lake County School Board. Youth in the program learn how to write and deliver a speech in the classroom with winners moving onto the school competition and winners at the school level move onto the county competition which is held at the Lake County Extension Office. The winning youth at the county competition earn a full scholarship to 4-H camp. Other school enrichment programs include Embryology, Water Conservation and Bees are the Buzz. Youth involved in school enrichment programs develop communication skills, environmental awareness, and scientific procedures.

The community and after school clubs are the foundation of the 4-H program. Each 4-H club has two screened organizational leaders who manage the club. In Lake County 4-H there are over 450 youth members who participated in a community or after school club. Youth in the club setting participate in a variety of project areas, participate in community service projects, complete demonstrations, and participate in the Lake County Fair through livestock projects or exhibits. Youth involved in a community club develop skills such as problem solving, keeping records, setting goals, cooperation, communication, empathy, responsibility and so much more.

The 4-H camping program supplements the county 4-H program. Campers can participate in outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, archery, boating and swimming. Campers are also able to participate in arts and crafts, recreational games, and campfires. 4-H campers are provided the opportunity to improve themselves through mastery, independence, generosity, and belonging. Through participation in the camping program, campers can think about what they have learned and apply it to real-life situations. The program provides youth with a sense of resiliency and purpose to make improvements in their lives and well as the lives of others. Youth involved in the camping program develop independence, decision making, sharing, teamwork, personal safety, and social skills.

Every aspect of the 4-H program develops youth into contributing, productive members of society. If you are interested in supporting the 4-H program, visit your local Tractor Supply Saturday and Sunday. Tractor Supply has an official partnership with the National 4-H Council and helps fund 4-H project supplies. Lake County 4-H clubs will be represented at Tractor Supply to increase programmatic funds.

Dallas Daniels is the 4-H agent for the Uf/IFAS Lake County Extension. Email hendersond@ufl.edu.

See more here:

From the Extension: Visit Tractor Supply this weekend to support 4-H - Daily Commercial

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Washington Wizards Bradley Beal (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Bradley Beal extension is good for just about everyone in the Washington Wizards organization. Its good for Ted Leonsis, its good for Tommy Sheppard, its good for Bradley Beal, its good for his teammates, and its good for Wizards fans.

Its good for pretty much everyone except all the thirsty fanbases that were photoshopping Bradley Beal into their teams jersey because theres just no way he would want to stay in Washington.

Well, he does.

Its a great time to be a Wizards fan, as we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. The 26-year-old All-Star shooting guard fresh off the franchises first-ever 25-point, five-assist, five-rebound season isnt going anywhere. At least not for now.

This is Beals team now. Theres no question about that. Beal sets an outstanding example as a leader both on and off of the court. It is one of the great things about having him at the helm for this rebuild.

He gets his money, and the team gets the All-NBA caliber leader they need. Its a win-win for everyone.

But, like most things in life, the Beal extension will affect everyone differently. Some will benefit more than others. So lets take a look at which of Beals teammates will benefit most from his extension. Who is happiest to see the shooting guard stick around?

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3 Washington Wizards that benefit most from Bradley Beal extension - Wiz of Awes

Tern Alpha (file image courtesy TAQA)

By The Maritime Executive 2019-10-15 15:56:04

On Monday, a fire broke out at TAQA's Tern Alpha platform, located about 90 nm to the northeast of the Shetland Islands in the UK North Sea. One worker was injured and medevaced by helicopter to Lerwick for treatment.

According to local media, a small fire started on Tern Alpha on Monday afternoon. The platform shut down temporarily and the fire was quickly extinguished. One worker suffered an arm injury due to the fire, prompting a medevac request to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. An HM Coastguard helicopter out of Sumburgh flew to Tern Alpha to carry the injured worker to shore.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is under way, and production was expected to resume Tuesday. TAQA told media that the worker has already been discharged from the hospital.

The Tern platform was built by Shell in the late 1980s, and it handles production from its own reservoir and from the nearby Hudson, Kestrel, Cladhan and Falcon fields. It was operated under a joint Shell / Exxon license until 2008, when it was sold to Abu Dhabi state oil company TAQA.Tern and the nearby Eider, North Cormorant, South Cormorant, Kestrel and Pelican fields were in decline, and Shell offered them to TAQA as a package for about $680 million. At the time of sale, the fields produced a combined 25-40,000 bpd, down from a peak of 200,000 bpd in the early 1990s.

TAQA has been investing in both plug-and-abandonment work and life extension measures for its North Sea holdings, including a conversion of the aging Eider production platform to a "utility" support role. Today, the firm's entire European portfolio produces about 40,000 bpd.

Fire breaks out on Heather Alpha

In a separate incident Monday, a fire broke out on EnQuest's Heather Alpha platform, a 1978-built installation about 25 nm south of Tern Alpha. The fire was quickly put out, EnQuest told media, but two workers were injured and had to be evacuated. Both have already been discharged from the hospital.

Last March, several gas detectors were triggered on Heather Alpha after a release from a flare system which was extinguished during operation. Gas detectors picked up the leak, triggering an immediate automated shutdown.The UK Health and Safety Executive determined that the incident exposed 131 workers on Healther Alpha to the risk of a fire or explosion.

See the original post:

One Injured in Fire on Tern Alpha Platform - The Maritime Executive

A grandmother has been left with a leaking roof and a half-built extension - after paying a builder almost 13,000 to create a room fit for her dying friend

Sandra Robinson says she spent her life savings and her funeral pot to provide 56-year-old pal Andy Hey with an en-suite bathroom and balcony at her Glan Conwy home.

But she says she's been left with water flowing through her unfinished roof, damaging her kitchen and disrupting the electrics, and a builder who is no longer answering her calls.

The 79-year-old formersecretary said she was now unable to sleep because of the "nightmare" but help is at hand after her plight went viral on socialmedia.

A fundraising page received 800 in hours and several horrified local tradesman have volunteered to repair and finish the work for free.

Mrs Robinson said all she wanted was an en-suite bathroom to make life a little easier for former cancer sufferer and live transplantee Andy, whom she cares for. She also wanted a small balcony so Andy could enjoy some fresh air as he is largely housebound.

She said in August she employed a building firm who she had found recommendations for online.

But she's been left with a half-finished extension covered by tarpaulin.

Mrs Robinson, who helped bring up her two grandchildren following her daughter's death to cancer at the age of 28, said: "All my money has gone, as has my daughter's and Andy, whom I'm caring for. He used money inherited from his mother so I feel just awful."

"The builder quoted me at first 10,000 then it became 11,000, and then I had to use my own funeral pot to find almost another 2,000 to get to the stage it has got to."

She says she was then asked for another 1,000 but the bank refused because she was overdrawn.

Since Mrs Robinson couldn't withdraw the extra money, her builder hasn't come back to complete the job and she said he is no longer returning her calls.

"It's a nightmare of the worst kind, I can't sleep as I'm constantly worried," she added.

However after calling a local bricklayer David Spencer to review the situation there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Mr Spencer was so horrified by what he saw, he took photographs and posted them on social media telling people what had happened.

Within hours he was contacted by scaffolders, plumbers and plasterers and others from the building trade - all offering their services for free. He also launched a fundraising page which raised 800 for Mrs Robinson in just hours.

He said: "I couldn't believe the state the housewas in. I felt so sorry for her and I wanted to help.

"When I put the post on Facebook my phone started going mad with people wanting to help and we are determined to sort this in as SOS rescue kind of way."

He added: "But this goes to show you shouldn't pay in advance for a job like this."

Read more:

Gran paid 13k for an extension and her home was left like this - Daily Post

Montreal community members crowded into the Redpath Museum Auditorium on Sept. 27 for a Freaky Friday lecture. In the talk, Professor Joe Schwarcz, Director of the McGill Office for Science and Society, discussed humanitys historical attempts to delay aging.

Nobody looks forward to getting old, Schwarcz said. Historically, there has been this search for the Fountain of Youth, and, over the years, many anti-aging regimens have been developed.

One such regimen consisted of bathing in sour donkey milk and was practiced by Queen Cleopatra in the first century BC. Modern science suggests that, since sour milk contains lactic acid, the remedy could have had a slight rejuvenating effect. Lactic acid belongs to a class of compounds called alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that speed up the turnover of skin cells and are now marketed in cosmetic face creams.

In the 19th century, physiologist Charles Brown-Squard observed that eunuchs suffered from medical problems and hypothesized that a substance present in the testes was the key to health and longevity. He injected himself with extracts from dog testes, inspiring other researchers to further investigate gland transplants.

This tradition continued into the early 20th century when John Brinkley, a charlatan without medical credentials, made a fortune by transplanting the testicles of goats into the scrota of aging men.

He had very few complications because he never connected the goat testicles to anything, but he had plenty of men saying how happy they were, [] undoubtedly due to the placebo effect, Schwarcz said. Although we look back on these ventures as being virtually comical, [] this really was the beginning of hormonal therapy.

Attempts to exploit the gullibility of the public persisted, even as legitimate science advanced. Human growth hormone (HGH), the production of which declines as a person ages, became a widely promoted remedy after a 1990 study observed that HGH treatments increased lean mass and bone density in elderly men.

HGH, at the time, was very difficult to come by, Schwarcz said. But there were clinics that popped up [] that were offering HGH injections for much less than [the expected price], so no one knows what they were actually injecting.

When public awareness caught up, companies instead began marketing an HGH secretagogue, a substance that supposedly stimulates the secretion of raw materials to form HGH proteins inside the body. However, HGH levels decline because of the reduced activity of enzymes that assemble raw materials into proteins, not because of a shortage of raw materials.

Supplying these secretagogues is like supplying bricks and windows and doors and hoping that they will assemble themselves into a building, which will not happen because the builder is missing, Schwarcz said.

Schwarcz also noted that the manipulative tactics of advertisers are present in many modern anti-aging products.

Marketing very often uses clever words such as It may help [] and, as soon as you do that, you are protected legally, Schwarcz said.

Some companies push this principle above and beyond. Based in Arizona, the Alcor Life Extension Foundation specializes in cryonics, a pseudoscience that insists on freezing human corpses in the hope of resurrecting them in the future.

It [costs] at least $100,000, Schwarcz said. This is of course nonsense. When you are cold and dead, you are dead.

While some make expensive bets on futuristic technologies, Schwarczs recommendations for prolonging life are a lot less flashy. Okinawa Island in Japan is home to more centenarians than any other place in the world. The lifestyle of this population is characterized by a high consumption of fish, vegetables, and fruit, a low consumption of red meat and processed food, and high levels of activity.

Eating a proper balanced diet, [] exercise, and [genetics] are a few keys, but these are not highly marketable, Schwarcz said. There constantly are these miracle solutions, but there are no miracles.

The rest is here:

Searching for the Fountain of Youth - McGill Tribune