Liberty transfer plan surprises Army, Air Force
Army and Air Force officials admitted the proposed transfer of the MC-12 Liberty program surprised each service when it appeared in a bill passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
It is rare that Congress ever surprises military leaders, but the proposal has left both services scrambling to figure out how to transfer the program from the Air Force to the Army. Liberty aircraft have collected aerial battlefield surveillance data over Iraq and Afghanistan since 2009.
“I wouldn’t use the word shocked, but definitely surprised,” said Army Lt. Col. Kodjo Knox-Limbacker, with the Army Intelligence and Security Command’s Aviation and Air Sensors operations directorate.
He said the Army expects to know for sure in the next two months if the service is absorbing the Liberty program. No official date has been scheduled for the full Senate to vote on the 2012 defense authorization bill.
The House Armed Services Committee did not include the proposal in its markup of the authorization bill.
Army officials anticipate the Air Force’s Liberty aircraft will replace the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance Surveillance Systems (EMARSS) aircraft that the Army expected to buy, Knox-Limbacker said.
Funding for EMARSS got slashed in defense authorization markups by the House and Senate Armed Services committees. The House proposed cutting $524 million and the Senate $452 million from the $540 million laid out in the 2012 budget request to buy 18 aircraft.
Army EMARSS aircraft and Air Force Project Liberty MC-12s are both enhanced Hawker Beechcraft Super King Air 350s with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors installed. Each of the twin-engine turboprops costs $17 million, and the Air Force plans a fleet of 37 planes.
“EMARSS and Liberty ships are so similar [that] it makes sense,” Knox-Limbacker said.
The Army had planned to replace its RC-12 Guardrail fleet with the EMARSS. The transfer was supposed to be a gradual process, replacing one Guardrail plane for each EMARSS built. However, if the Army absorbs the entire Project Liberty fleet, then the Guardrail would be phased out much more quickly, Knox-Limbacker said.
It’s still unclear when the transfer would occur even after the vote on the bill. The amendment in the Senate markup requires incoming Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to submit a report by 2013 “to develop and implement a plan for the orderly transfer” of the fleet. Panetta’s report also “must estimate the costs” the government would save by canceling the EMARSS program.
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The Police Department was also granted two smaller Draganflyer X6 aircraft, and it may lease other remote-controlled devices that can cost $2500 to $300000, Bowman said. During the testing phase, Arlington police must follow numerous regulations.
Each of the twin-engine turboprops costs $17 million, and the Air Force plans a fleet of 37 planes. “EMARSS and Liberty ships are so similar [that] it makes sense,” Knox-Limbacker said. The Army had planned to replace its RC-12 Guardrail fleet with the
Al Akromas used to fly crudely-fashioned model airplanes at Veteran's Memorial Park in Norwalk. That was, of course, before an errant radio control plane smashed into the side of a house along the park. "The owner said, 'that's the last time you're
The couple have combined their brewing efforts with Doug's childhood hobby of building radio-controlled planes and his fascination with World War I planes. They're serving three beers right now, but plan more including a seasonal pumpkin ale and a
The capability is to be replaced by the acquisition of three RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, which the RAF will call Air Seekers. The first of these is still undergoing conversion work in the US, and the platform is not due to be operational until 2014.
Planes for Beginners: Indoor, Slow and Park Flyers, RC airplanes
Planes for Beginners: Indoor, Slow Flyers and Park Flyers
Newcomers to the RC flying arena encounter a various designations of aircraft they might start out with in their new hobby. These types of airplanes are commonly referred to as trainer RC planes.
What is meant by an indoor RC plane? Is it the same thing as a slow plane? Are indoor planes similar to Park Flyers?
These questions do come up from time to time.
What is an Indoor RC plane?
Common sense suggests that an indoor plane is usually smaller, lighter and goes more slowly than planes meant to be flown outside. More and more indoor arenas are opening for flying aircraft where wind, weather and traffic are less of an issue.
Often indoor venues place weight limits on indoor planes of around 6 ounces. In addition, they have low wing loadings and less powerful motors. Lithium Metal or Lithium Ion batteries often provide power for indoor RC airplanes .
What is a Slow Flyer?
Common sense rules once again. Slow Flyer RC planes go — slow! (You guessed, didn’t you?)
Seriously, Slow Flyers go faster and have more power than Indoor models. You can fly them inside, of course, if you have a large venue. You may also fly them outside in low wind conditions.
Slow Flyers are made for back yards and smaller places, yet they can fly indoors as long as there is plenty of space.
What determines a Park Flyer?
Most often, Park Flyers are too large or carry too much weight to fly successfully inside. They should be flown in large open areas, free of trees, power lines, traffic, houses or other potential obstacles. A ball field, park, school playground or large field can make an ideal place to fly Park Flyers.
Park Flyers feature motors that are 280 speed and up. Weight is up to 16 – 18 ounces. The more lightweight they are, the larger they can be, depending upon their material.
For more information on Park Flyers, visit the Park Flyer Program or the AMA websites.
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