#ALCE ADVANCED

[englishexamsinfo]

ALCE C1 C2

[englishexamsblog]

ALCE C1 C2

[agglikaonline]

ALCE C1 C2

[egnosis]

ALCE C1 C2

[emathisis]

ALCE C1 C2

[agglikaenilikes]

ALCE C1 C2

[emultilingual]

ALCE C1 C2

[usafphantom2]

AIM-174B Loadout Brings Back U.S. Navy’s Cold War Roots

The U.S. Navy's return to VLRAAMs offers a glimpse into the envisioned strategy to overcome the 'tyranny of distance' in the Pacific.

Carter Johnston

AIM-174B

Another sighting of the AIM-174B, this time at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, is offering a look at what the future of naval aviation air warfare operations could look like in a high intensity conflict, bringing back hints of the U.S. Navy’s past in great power competition.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9), the primary test squadron for the AIM-174B, was spotted by father-son Instagram duo Mark and Taj of @point_mugu_skies. Fully loaded, the F/A-18F was carrying four CATM-174Bs, three CATM-120Ds, two CATM-9Xs, and a centerline fuel tank with the IRST-21 infrared-search-and-track system.

Operationally, this would offer a Super Hornet unparalleled capabilities for long-range engagements with four AIM-174Bs, backed up by AIM-120Ds that are reportedly approaching the threshold range for AIM-260 JATM range requirements–potentially up to 190 kilometers (120 miles).

The U.S. Navy’s investment into these advanced capabilities and longer ranges is another example of the evolving Carrier Air Wing concept heading into the late 2020s. Naval News previously reported on concept that was highlighted at this year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise. The debut of operational AIM-174Bs in the U.S. Navy, which received significant press coverage during their appearance at RIMPAC 2024, marks a significant change in carrier air power.

Air Wing Of The Future

A VFA-97 ‘Warhawks’ F-35C Lightning II and VAW-113 ‘Black Eagles’ E-2D Advanced Hawkeye prepare for flight operations aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). The F-35C and E-2D provide the backbone of sensor coverage to the USS Carl Vinson and all of Carrier Strike Group One.

Return of the Outsized Giants

Through the mid-2010s and early 2020s, the U.S. Navy worked on a viable return to the fleet defense fighter concept, this time centered around the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Testing of an airborne RIM-174 ERAM may have started as far back as 2015 under the ‘Future Capability Demonstration’ (FCD) testing program. There are no public details of FCD but it featured captive carried airborne and land-based tests.

Testing continued through the 2010s under the same name, likely part of a larger Special Access Program (SAP). A captive carry RIM-174 was first spotted in 2021 painted in an orange test scheme, flying with a VX-31 Test and Evaluation Squadron Super Hornet. It was spotted again in early June 2024, this time flying with a VX-9 Test and Evaluation Squadron Super Hornet.

Naval News was first to break the story on the missile’s operational capacity in the U.S. Navy. On July 4th, a U.S. Navy Spokesperson declared the AIM-174B ‘SM-6 ALC’ as “deployed in the Navy today”. In the following days, the missile had a very public debut at RIMPAC 2024 with VX-9 and the USS Carl Vinson‘s CVW-2 Advanced Air Wing.

The AIM-174B likely boasts a range exceeding 400 km given the size of the missile itself alongside the unclassified performance numbers of the surface-launched RIM-174 ERAM. It is the first dedicated VLRAAM in U.S. Navy service since the retirement of the AIM-54C Phoenix in 2004.

The U.S. Navy also has another up-and-coming long-range AAM, the AIM-120D3 AMRAAM, the latest AMRAAM variant in the family. According to an Air and Space Forces interview with John Norman, Raytheon vice president for requirements and capabilities for air and space systems, the AIM-120D3 is approaching threshold range for the AIM-260 JATM program, specifically that it is “beyond parity” with the AIM-260.

The VX-9 Super Hornet spotted near Point Mugu would offer four missiles, AIM-174Bs, that could hit targets 400+ kilometers (248+ miles) away with an additional three missiles, AMRAAMs, that could hit targets 200+ kilometers (124+ miles) away. All seven of those missiles having a longer range than the Cold War’s AIM-54 Phoenix.

History of the U.S. Navy’s Very Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile (VLRAAM) Family

Upon the cancellation of the U.S. Air Force XF-108 and YF-12 high-altitude interceptors and their unique long-range AIM-47 Falcon air-to-air missiles, the United States was faced with a critical range gap against up-and-coming threats from Soviet bomber regiments and their advanced anti-ship missiles going into the 1960s.

The U.S. Navy was working on their own fleet defense fighter, the Douglas F6D Missileer, alongside a dedicated air-to-air missile, the AAM-N-10 Eagle. Both programs were shuttered in late 1961 following arguments against the aircraft due to system complexity, lack of self-defense capabilities, and impending budget cuts.

An artist rendition of the Bendix AAM-N-10 Eagle fired by a Douglas F6D Missileer. Both were cancelled in December 1961. U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News.

Despite the loss of the Missileer, the U.S. Navy still wanted a carrier-based, fleet defense oriented fighter aircraft with long reach and very long-range air-to-air missiles. One that could engage large, non-maneuvering targets from outside the range of opposing escort aircraft. To meet the need, the developer of the AIM-47 Falcon, Hughes, pitched the missile to the U.S. Navy as the AAM-N-11 Phoenix. The dedicated radar needed for the missile, the AN/ASG-18, was also modified and pitched to the U.S. Navy as the AN/AWG-9.

Many eyes looked to the TF-X program and F-111B to fill the role of a fleet defense fighter. That development effort also ran into obstacles through the 1960s. The F-111B was plagued by excessive weight, poor performance on carrier takeoffs and landings, and lack of engine power. It was cancelled in May 1968 and only seven aircraft were delivered.

The first two U.S. Navy General Dynamics/Grumman F-111B fighters (BuNo 151970, 151971) in flight over Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts (USA). 151970 made its first flight on 15 May 1965 and was stricken on 3 December 1969. 151971 crashed on 11 September 1968 into the Pacific Ocean 160 km west of Point Mugu, California. The test pilots Barton Warren and Anthony Byland were killed. U.S. Navy photo.

The U.S. Navy’s decade long effort to extend their fleet defense envelope ended with the rapid development and introduction of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. The fighter came with its own problems, partially due to the requirement of the large AN/AWQ-9 and outsized AIM-54 Phoenix, but also due to the TF30’s turbine blade reliability as and a compressor stall risk at high angles of attack.

The F-14 served into the 2000s, with iterations throughout its life that made the F-14 more reliable and made the AIM-54 even more potent in long-range engagements. The AIM-54 was retired in 2004 with the U.S. Navy’s AIM-120C AMRAAM entering widespread use. The F-14 retired two years later in 2006 after 32 years of flying, replaced by the Super Hornet.

20 years after the retirement of the AIM-54, the U.S. Navy has returned to its former days of long-range air-to-air missile concepts and practices. The culmination of AIM-174B development has brought that capability back to the U.S. Navy’s Carrier Air Wings into the late 2020s and 2030s.

@NavalAirNews.com

[dougdimmadodo]

Moose (Alces alces)

Family: Deer Family (Cervidae)

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

By far the largest species of deer, Moose (singular and plural) can grow to be more than 1.8 meters (6ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh over 635kg (1,400lbs.) Found in boreal environments throughout much of northern North America, Europe and Asia, both sexes live alone (unlike most deer species in which females and young males live in herds) and feed on a wide range of both terrestrial and aquatic plants (uniquely among deer, Moose can seal their nostrils to keep water out when feeding.) During the spring male Moose develop, large, broad, velvety antlers (which differ considerably in shape from the branch-like antlers of of most deer) which are use both to fight with rival males and advertise their health to females: large, strong, symmetrical antlers indicate that a male is fit and healthy, while malnutrition, illness or advanced age may lead to the development of more fragile, asymmetrical antlers. As is true of almost all deer, males shed their antlers at the end of the mating season (around early December), and are sometimes seen gnawing on their own detached antlers to re-cycle some of the nutrients that went into forming them. Bears, foxes, otters, opossums, squirrels, mice and porcupines have also been observed consuming abandoned Moose antlers, as they are high in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was recently given a “Winter Animals” advent calendar, which gives me a new animal associated with the winter each day until Christmas. I plan to write a small post about each day’s animal - they’ll probably be a little bit shorter than what I usually post, but hopefully a lot more frequent!

Image Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/522193-Alces-alces

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Investigating arc erosion performance of Ag-Ta₂AlC, a new electrical contact material

Relays are extensively utilized in accelerators, satellites, rockets, and various advanced technology sectors. They play crucial roles in signal transmission, long-distance control implementation, and protection circuits, directly impacting the safety of aerospace and defense equipment systems. The selection of electrical contact material in a relay is crucial for its performance. Arc discharge, characterized by high temperature, heat, and energy, is a common occurrence during operation. Consequently, the arc erodes the electric contact material, causing craters, spattered particles, compositional changes, and a decrease in performance. Traditionally used silver-based electrical contact material, such as AgCdO and AgSnO2, suffer from chromium toxicity or poor wettability and severe temperature rise. Therefore, it is necessary to find a new reinforcement phase material to replace CdO and SnO2 materials.

Read more.

[walkingthroughthisworld]

FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 16, 2014) -- As students from the 19K Armor Advanced Leader Course get closer to graduation, their final field training exercise April 8-11 on Harmony Church tested their knowledge and abilities to serve as future platoons sergeants. Part of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the AR-ALC conducts field training exercises to train and educate NCOs from various installations to conduct land operations through a combination of offensive and defensive tactics. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Ditzler, assistant branch chief for the AR-ALC, said the seven-week course includes classroom instruction on tank defensive and offensive operations. During the culminating exercise, students established reconnaissance to identify the enemy's attack time and location, occupied a screen-line position along dominating terrain and conducted mass direct and indirect fire. "When they're out in the field, they apply everything that they have learned in those areas," Ditzler said. "They remember certain things through written exams and they move into the application of what they have learned through hands-on training."

(via Armor NCOs learn platoon tank operations | Article | The United States Army)

[multiversetravelingjournalist]

Language Construction Kit and The Art of Language Invention. A personal comparison

First off, this is not an Essay by definition of my high school. This is a rambling thought dump from a man who still feels novice in the craft of artificial languages. that said, I have recently read both Mark Rosenfelder's series to (somewhat) completion and David J. Peterson's book. I will say again that this is a personal opinionated take rather than an objective critique. I also invite both authors and readers to give their opinions as well. That said, let me compare.

The Language Construction Kit (LCK) was the first book I read on the subject of conlanging. at the time I was even more of a Novice so most of the terms flew over my preteen head. but after exposing myself to linguistic material of all types, I can say for certain that it is a good explanation of the technical terms one would stumble across in their research for inspiration. not only that but it being the first in a series of (so far) four other books means overall that there is a lot of ground to cover. those other three being the Advanced Language Construction (ALC), Conlanger's Lexipedia, and Syntax construction. However, it can be inconvenient to need all four books to experience the full range of advice the author has to offer (especially if one relies on Library Loan-outs, like myself).

Personally, I favor the Lexipedia because it is the only Rosenfelder book that my Library owns (for now). showing me the full range of semantics and meanings to make my conlangs' vocabulary unique. a close second would be the Syntax Construction Kit, for the one list that shows all the different ways grammar could be marked on a language. The LCK and ALC are also good for going through the overall basics of ones own conlang. however I have found sources online that cover some of the subjects in the same way. still nice to have around for a check list though.

The Art of Language invention is the second book I have read on the subject. What feels to me like a personal exploration of language creation from a creative view rather than a technical one. also covers things I feel are missed in the Rosenfelder series, one of those subjects being grammatical evolution which personally interests me. the book also goes over some (hopefully not dated) real world references as examples or inspiration. Such as explaining the creation of words from old ones like calling a pizza topping that falls off at the last moment a "DiCaprio". Or how a certain hotel has lead to "-gate" deriving as "a scandal associated with the word". I feel that these references work for approaching unusual features in a language in a way that makes sense. the conclusion at the end is also inspiring for comparing language construction to art, in that art can have many genres. Naturalism being used for paintings and certain conlangs leading to the questions of what a cubist conlang would be like? then asking if a popular piece of media had its own (sets of) conlang(s). I am glossing over most of it.

The biggest strength of the Art of Language construction, though, in my personal opinion, would be that of the four chapters dividing the book, each one ends with an example of the author's own process of approaching said subject from their own works. The phonology of Dothraki, the Vocabulary of Irathient, the Grammar of High Valyrian, and the Writing system of Castithan. reading these sections makes me feel that I too can find a way to approach whatever obstacles arise from my own works.

That is all I have to say, each book has its strengths and weaknesses, but I consider all of them to be useful in the self-education of conlanging. I do recommend them; I also recommend searching through linguistic sources mentioned in the books as further education.

Thanks for reading, and till next time... ;).

[dr-med]

Updates:

- finally my PhD is registered (backwards from 1 January on) and it’s going fine, I’ve submitted first paper already, it’s under revision and I will submit a couple pretty soon

- I would like to mention that work with cell cultures is amazing

- I have two months of full time research left, after that I’m back to diagnostics and will do research as usual in my free time. Advanced time management skills required but it’s not the first time :)

- I’m doing quite ok! I didn’t have any alc since last august (it wasn’t even a problem, just fun fact) and I didn’t have any w33d since last september so my mental health improved A LOT. I’m quite stable now, even though my sleep schedule and eating habits could be better. I have a gym subscription and going there every now and then, when I feel no sleep deprivation.

- I got a lot of plants and they are doing well, I understood that I’m missing green - on my street there are no trees at all, so it got at least be green inside.

- I lost my art website and I’ve blocked my ex in October, now I have even more peace of mind after his rage writing has stopped. I still got to monitor when my domain gets free so I can take it over without contacting him.

- Climate crisis, microplastics and endocrine disruptors make me doubt what kind of future I want, so there are a lot of thoughts

Hope you all doing well

xoxo

02-05-2024

[essarcon]

The ALC Block Manufacturing Process: A Comprehensive Guide

The ALC block manufacturing process is a sophisticated yet streamlined method for producing high-quality, lightweight construction materials. Essarcon, a pioneer in this industry, leverages advanced technology to ensure precision and efficiency in every step. Here’s a detailed look into the process.

Raw Material Selection

The journey begins with selecting high-quality raw materials, which include:

Ordinary Portland Cement

Quicklime

Gypsum

Fly Ash or Fine Sand

Aluminum Powder

Water

Careful selection and proportioning of these materials are critical, as they determine the strength, weight, and thermal properties of the final product.

2. Mixing

In the ALC block manufacturing process, the raw materials are mixed in a specially designed batching system. The addition of aluminum powder creates a chemical reaction, releasing hydrogen gas. This reaction forms tiny, uniform air bubbles, giving ALC blocks their characteristic lightweight and insulating properties.

3. Molding and Pre-curing

The aerated mixture is poured into molds to form large cakes. These molds undergo pre-curing at ambient temperature, allowing the hydrogen bubbles to stabilize within the slurry. This step is essential in the ALC block manufacturing process, as it establishes the blocks’ cellular structure.

4. Cutting

Once pre-cured, the cakes are precisely cut into blocks of the required dimensions using advanced cutting machines. The cutting process ensures minimal waste while achieving consistent sizes, a key factor in efficient construction.

5. Natural Curing

Unlike autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), the ALC block manufacturing process employs natural curing methods. The blocks gain strength over time under natural conditions, eliminating the need for high-pressure steam curing. This makes the process cost-effective and suitable for smaller production facilities.

Advantages of ALC Blocks

The ALC block manufacturing process results in products that offer:

Lightweight construction, reducing load on the foundation

Superior thermal insulation, reducing energy costs

Soundproofing, enhancing living comfort

Eco-friendly production, with reduced energy consumption

Essarcon’s expertise in the ALC block manufacturing process ensures that clients receive top-notch machinery and guidance to produce blocks that meet market demands. With over 14 years of experience, Essarcon is your trusted partner for innovative, sustainable construction solutions. For more details on ALC Block Manufacturing Process visit Essarcon’s official page on ALC Block Manufacturing Process.

[forerunner-technologies]

Adrich Collaborates with Molex to Revolutionize Smart Label Manufacturing and Launches New Trial Program

Pittsburgh, PA – October 25, 2024 – Adrich, a leader in smart consumer products, is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with Molex, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, to revolutionize the mass production of Adrich's patented smart labels using cutting-edge printed electronics. Leveraging Molex’s 80 years of expertise in advanced manufacturing, flexible electronics and printed circuit boards, this partnership will enable Adrich to scale production at unprecedented speeds. The collaboration will drive down costs while enhancing the performance of Adrich’s IoT-powered labels, accelerating the adoption of connected solutions and delivering real-time consumer insights across industries. "Our collaboration with Molex allows us to scale like never before, pushing the boundaries of smart label technology and unlocking new possibilities for connected consumer products," said Adhithi Aji, CEO & Founder of Adrich. “Molex has successfully utilized its design and manufacturing expertise in flexible electronics to enhance the manufacturability of Adrich's smart label design,” said Todd Skibinski, business development manager for Molex. In addition to this collaboration, Adrich is launching a new trial program starting November 5, 2024, offering market research firms and consumer brands the opportunity to experience its cutting-edge platform firsthand. This cost-effective trial will allow participants to explore Adrich’s latest smart label solutions, which include flexible, self-adhesive labels designed for liquid and solid products, the Adrich App for real-time data viewing, and the Adrich Communication Platform for interactive, in-the-moment engagement with consumers. "Our goal is to put the latest and most advanced technology directly into the hands of our customers," said Aji. "This trial program offers brands an unparalleled opportunity to digitally capture consumption data, enabling them to refine product strategies and gain deeper insights into consumer behavior." Adrich’s smart labels have already achieved significant success with global brands across industries such as beverages and alcohol (Bev-Alc), cleaning products, beauty and wellness, and food and beverage. The ability to capture unbiased, real-time consumer usage data has enabled these brands to improve product design, optimize supply chains, and enhance consumer engagement. Adrich’s technology has proven to be a game-changer for brands looking to stay competitive in today’s fast-evolving marketplace. For more information or to sign up for the trial program, please visit adrich.io. About Adrich: Adrich is a leader in smart consumer insights and replenishment technology, utilizing its patented Smart Label platform powered by AI and IoT to help brands in industries like beverages, cleaning products, beauty, and food enhance consumer engagement and drive sustainability.

[playdeepcf]

Today in 2010, the Texas #Rangers defeated the New York Yankees in the #ALCS and advanced to their first ever #WorldSeries. 🍁🍂⚾️🍁🍂