US Air Force “Orange Flag” and “Black Flag” exercises this week tested mission planning with cross-domain data gathering, the Air Force said. The exercises involved the Air Force Test Center’s 412nd Test Wing, headquartered at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and the 53rd Wing of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in achieving what the Air Force terms All-Domain Command and Control.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin approved a request to extend the deployment of National Guard members in the Capitol through late May, the Department of Defense announced. Per a statement from Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, about 2,300 National Guard personnel will continue to support the mission, a reduction of about half of the current support force in the Capitol. On Monday a national security task force released a report, which said the US Capitol Police were “inadequately trained” to deal with the violent mob attack of Jan. 6.
Middle East & AfricaThe special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR) warned that the withdrawal of US contractors in May will have an enormous impact on the combat capabilities of the Afghan military. John Sopko says the Afghans rely on the Americans to carry out 100 percent of the maintenance work on the C-130 and Black Hawk helicopters. Without those contractors, those aircraft could only fly for a few months after their departure. He added that the departures “will negatively impact Afghan security forces, threaten the Afghan state and imperil own national security interests if Afghanistan should further destabilize.”
EuropeDenmark’s first F-35, L-001, has flown this week. The jet will be delivered to the Royal Danish Air Force in April and will be flown to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, later this year for pilot and maintainer training. Lockheed Martin says the Danish Air Force will bring its F-35s back home in 2023 and be based at Royal Danish Air Force’s Fighter Wing Skrydstrup.
Asia-PacificJapanese media revealed that eight Japanese companies are participating in the development of the F-X fighter. The main contractor will be Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. IHI Corporation will develop the engine, Subaru and Kawasaki Heavy Industries will build the airframe, Mitsubishi Electric will take the electronic warfare system portion while Toshiba, Fujitsu and NEC will design the avionics and radar.
The Philippine Navy chief told Philippine News Agency (PNA) that his service will be acquiring only one battery of the Indian-made BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile. One battery consists of three systems, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo was quoted as saying. Each system has its own launcher with 2 to three missiles each. He added that the purchase is still awaiting approval from by the Commander-in-Chief.
Today’s VideoWatch: F-X Japanese 6th Generation Fighter Jet
How can the findings and recommendations of the first Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) be best used and exploited by Member States in their national defence planning, and notably as regards collaborative capability development? This was one of the key topics discussed at a high-level seminar co-organised this week by EDA and the current Portuguese EU Presidency.
The two-days hybrid event (9/10 March) gathered defence planners from Member States and was opened by EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý and the Portuguese Minister of Defence, João Gomes Cravinho.
In his welcome, Mr Šedivý said the seminar came at a very timely moment, just two weeks after the EU Heads of State and Government, during their 26 February European Council debate on security and defence, had reaffirmed their commitment to increase the EU's capacity to act autonomously and encouraged Member States to make better use of the CARD to this end. “With Europe facing more versatile threats and challenges linked to strategic competitors, moving ahead jointly has become a strategic imperative. This seminar gives us the opportunity to discuss some of the practical aspects of taking this political commitment forward”, he said.
“CARD needs to be followed up with concrete actions”In his keynote speech, Portuguese Defence Minister João Gomes Cravinho praised the added value of the first CARD which “proved to be a very useful pathfinder for cooperation opportunities for joint defence capability development (…) This cooperative approach is the only way forward to have a stronger European defence by dealing with Europe-wide capability gaps”. However, for CARD to be a real added value, “Member States and the EU institutions have to follow up on the recommendations with concrete actions” and better synchronisation in full complementarity with NATO, the Minister stressed. Therefore, the information gathered from the CARD should inform national defence planning and also inform the upcoming 4th way of PESCO proposals as well as the priorities in the upcoming European Defence Fund (EDF), he said. “We can be stronger together. European defence can be stronger by intensifying our cooperation in the development of capabilities. The CARD process and EDA’s work throughout the year represent, in our view, an invaluable contribution for this objective of being stronger together”, the Minister concluded.
Three panel discussionsThroughout the two days, participants witnessed three successive panel discussions, moderated by EDA Capability, Armament and Planning (CAP) Director Martin Konertz, focusing on different aspects:
The seminar was closed by EDA CAP Director Martin Konertz who thanked the Portuguese EU Presidency as well as all participants and attendees. This seminar (the second of its kind following the one co-organised in 2020 with the then Croatian EU Presidency) was extremely useful as it allowed for a fruitful discussion with national defence planners as to how the CARD products and recommendations could be enhanced in the future. CARD is not a top-down exercise but lives with and through Member States’ involvement, Mr Konertz said: thanks to their comments, hints, suggestions and proposals made during this seminar, “CARD will gradually improve” and even better serve its purpose which is to provide national MoDs with a realistic picture of the European defence landscape and support them to find cooperation opportunities. National defence planners will remain in the driving seat but are called to systematically use the CARD tool for the sake of more convergence in European capability development: “Continued dialogue is key to success in this endeavour”. Hence the idea to develop a “defence planners’ community” to improve this dialogue, simplify the process and further encourage Member States to take ownership/leadership on specific capability areas.
What are the next steps and how can EDA support them? First, it will continue to closely monitor the budgetary developments and defence spending in the Member States, Mr Konertz said. Then, EDA’s working groups and bodies will continue to debate the CARD results in their regular meeting and move the practical work forward in support of and together with Member States. Finally, the regular organisation of seminars such as this one would certainly be helpful in keeping up the close dialogue and help build mutual understanding, he stressed.
More informationHuntington Ingalls Industries announced that the Virginia Class submarine Montana was launched into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. The 7,800-ton submarine, which had been in a floating dry dock since being transferred from a construction facility in October, was submerged and moved by tugboats to the shipyard’s submarine pier, for final outfitting, testing and crew certification, it says in a news release. Through the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat approximately 10,000 shipbuilders, as well as suppliers from all 50 states, have participated in Montana’s construction since the work began in 2015. Montana is approximately 92% complete and scheduled to be delivered to the US Navy in late 2021.
Cobham has been given a contract by the US Navy to supply a new oxygen concentrator for its T-45 advanced jet trainer fleet. The new GGU-25 is an upgraded version of GGU-7, which is currently installed on the T-45. The GGU-25 is smart enough to supply the required amount of oxygen to the pilot and also records key operational parameters in real time. The service decided to replace the concentrator after a series of hypoxia events which lead to more than 100 T-45 instructors refusing to fly the jet back in 2017. Investigations found no root cause but it was determined that the oxygen concentrator was not sending out enough air to the pilots in certain flight profiles.
Middle East & AfricaIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (M0U) with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for unmanned loitering munition (LM) systems. Under the MoU, the two companies will partner to provide the LM systems to the Republic of Korea (ROK) military forces. KAI president and CEO Hyun-ho Ahn said that IAI and KAI partnered on many programmes for the past few years. These programmes included defencse and commercial projects. The agreement is aimed at expanding the long-standing cooperation of the two companies to market the loitering munitions as per the requirements of the ROK Army.
EuropeA B-1B Lancer conducted a Bomber Task Force mission in Norway and Sweden earlier this week, according to the Air Force. The B-1B, from the 7th Bomb Wing at Texas’ Dyess Air Force Base, provided support to Norwegian and Swedish joint terminal attack control training. The aircraft also conducted a “warm-pit refuel” at Bodø Air Force Station in Norway and integrated with four Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft. The mission is one of several recent B-1 deployments to the Arctic region.
Asia-PacificThe Philippine Air Force has started training 10 officers since March last year to operate the SPYDER air defense missile system. The Missile System Office Course is being taught at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca town. Rafael is expected to deliver the system to Philippines this year.
A report from Bloomberg says India is to approve the $3 billion purchase of 30 MQ-9B unmanned air vehicles next month. The deal would add to India’s military capabilities as the drones it has now can only be used for surveillance and reconnaissance. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is reportedly expected to visit India this month. The MQ-9B will give the Indian Navy the ability to better monitor Chinese warships in the southern Indian Ocean, and equip the army to engage targets along the disputed India-Pakistan border in the Himalayas.
Today’s VideoWatch: Akula Class Submarine vs Virginia Class Submarine
Honeywell International won a contract worth $476.1 million for the procurement of CH-47 aircraft T55 engines, CH-47 aircraft T55 engine electronic control units, and CH-47 aircraft T55 engine installation kits. The Honeywell T55 is a Family of military turboshaft engines. The most prominent aircraft application is the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and MH-47 helicopters. The new CH-47F uses more powerful Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines that improve fuel efficiency and enhance lift performance. The higher powerful Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines are fitted with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and have a thrust of 3,529kW (4,733shp). The operating range was increased to 609km (329nm) with a mission radius of 370.4km (200nm).
The Missile Defense Agency is again considering a radar defense array in Hawaii, with two sites under consideration, after previously dropping plans to build it because of adverse public reaction. The proposed Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii, which MDA is accepting public comment on through April 12, would face North Korea and have properties similar to the Long-Range Discrimination Radar in Alaska, a facility largely completed with initial operating plans scheduled for the end of 2021.
Middle East & AfricaThe Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman, United Kingdom Royal Navy, France Marine Nationale and US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in exercise Khunjar Hadd 26, February 21-25. During this year’s iteration of the exercise, Omani Lynx helicopters landed on the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), marking the first time this type of Omani aircraft has landed on a US. warship. Practicing these landings, designated as helicopter operations from ships other than aircraft carriers (HOSTAC), ensures partner nation pilots and ship crews can successfully and safely conduct cross-deck helicopter operations.
A US Air Force B-52 bomber joined escort aircraft of Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in a flight over the Persian Gulf, in a show of force aimed at Iran. The B-52, a heavy bomber, from Minot Air Force Base, “flew through the CENTOM AOR [Central Command area of responsibility] March 7. Multiple partner nations joined the bomber at different point of the mission,” a brief statement from US Air Forces Central said. “These missions reiterate the US Air Force global reach capability & commitment to regional security,” the statement concluded. F-15 fighter planes of Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia served as escorts in their respective airspaces until the B-52 returned to the United States.
EuropeAccording to Jane’s, Belgium has received into service its second Airbus Defense and Space A400M Atlas transport aircraft, bringing the number it now operates as a joint unit with Luxembourg to three. Aircraft CT-03 arrived at Melsbroek, the military area of Brussels airport, on March 4. The Belgian Air Component (BAC) will operate a total of seven A400Ms, including one purchased by Luxembourg. Besides receiving seven aircraft of its own, Belgium is also an industrial contributor to the A400M programme, responsible for manufacturing detailed machined wing elements and flight-control surfaces.
Asia-PacificThe Indian Navy is expected to take delivery of its first MH-60R helicopter in June and a total of three rotorcraft are expected to be delivered this year. Financial Express says air crew and maintenance personnel will soon depart to the United States to begin training on the helicopter.
Today’s VideoWatch: 14 Amazing Facts About CH-47 Helicopter, Including Can Land on the Water
According to Lockheed Martin, the US Army’s new extended-range version of its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) had a successful 80-kilometer flight demonstration at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on March 4. Lockheed Martin is the manufacturer of the GMLRS munition and has worked with the Army to double the rocket’s reach through extended-range capability development. The 80-kilometer shot fired from the Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System met the test objectives, Lockheed said in its news release. The release added that the demo “confirmed the missile’s flight trajectory performance, range and validated interfaces with the HIMARS launcher and system software performance.”
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics won a $7.8 million deal for the LongShot, Phase 1. The contract provides for the research, development and demonstration of the LongShot unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The LongShot program is developing an air-launched unmanned air vehicle (UAV) with the ability to employ multiple air-to-air weapons. The objective is to develop a novel UAV that can significantly extend engagement ranges, increase mission effectiveness, and reduce the risk to manned aircraft. Work will take place in California and Florida. Estimated completion will be in February 2022.
Middle East & AfricaAccording to Israel Defense, the Israeli Air Force Training Department, in cooperation with the 133rd Squadron, which is named “Knights of the Twin Tail” developed a new method of air combat training during the last two years. This was the topic of a day of study that was attended by the commanders of all the combat squadrons and the regional control units, and led by the commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin. The head of the Training Department, identified only as “Col. L.”, was quoted as saying “The countries around us are arming themselves with very advanced fighter planes. In an operational scenario, when the surroundings are full of planes and electronic warfare systems, it is possible that missiles will miss (their targets), and planes will reach outside radar range, and then the pilots may find themselves in a tight battle with enemy planes at close range in which they see them with their eyes.” Next month the entire combat array will train according to the new training portfolio that was composed by the Training Department. The head of the Training Department was quoted by Israel Defense: “We are currently considering the advanced and sophisticated weapon and electronic warfare systems that we have, and also those of our enemies. The training takes the air crews a step forward, training them in operating the advanced weapon and in its readiness for the weapon systems of the enemy.”
EuropeThe Sunday Times has reported that the Royal Navy is to receive new vessels as part of the defense review. “The Royal Navy gets new frigates, supply ships and underwater surveillance vessels.” The new frigates are likely to be the Type 32s. The Type 32 was first announced by Boris Johnson in November 2020 as part of a defense investment pledge ahead of the Integrated Review. The review’s first conclusions are reportedly related to the restoration of the United Kingdom as “the foremost naval power in Europe” through the construction of new ships.
All branches of the UK Armed Forces are on average six percent below the target strength set out in the 2015 Strategic Defense and Security Review. A House of Commons library research briefing published on March 8, titled “UK Defence Personnel Statistics“ provides details on how UK military service personnel statistics are measured and discusses current and historic strength levels.
Asia-PacificChina Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) told Global Times that its HQ-17AE mobile air defense missile system is now being offered to foreign countries. The HQ-17 is China’s copy of the Russian Tor system. The HQ-17A is a wheeled chassis variant that first appeared in public back in 2019. The HQ-17AE is the export variant. The system is capable of firing on the move with the vehicle traveling at a maximum speed of 25 kph. It carries a total of 8 missiles and can engage up to 4 targets at the same time.
Today’s VideoWatch: DARPA to Develop Air Launched UAV with Multiple Air-to-Air Weapons Capabilities
The Defense Department’s awarded a contract to Raytheon, which is meant to support integration of AMRAAM missiles with current and future Air Force aircraft. The $74 million deal to Raytheon Missile Systems was announced on Thursday, and provides the “necessary aircraft lab, flight test, flight clearance and simulation support during all integration requirements in AMRAAM for F-15, F-16, FA-18, F-22, F-35 and other current inventory or next generation platforms that may join the Air Force or Navy inventory before the end of fiscal 2029,” the Defense Department announced. The contract is the latest of several awarded by the Defense Department pertinent to the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, a seven-inch-diameter, beyond-visual-range missile capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. Work will be primarily conducted at Raytheon’s Tucson, Arizona, facilities.
The US Air Force says it is preparing to carry out the first booster test flight (BTF-1) of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) following the delivery of the test missile to Edwards Air Force Base on March 1. “The BTF-1 test vehicle is complete and is progressing through ground testing to verify its readiness for flight. The team has successfully dealt with COVID challenges and resolved technical findings not uncommon in a first-of-a-kind weapon system. We have minimized schedule delays while maintaining a laser focus on engineering rigor. Our first BTF will happen in the next 30 days, followed by several additional booster and all-up-round test flights by the end of the year,” said Brig. Gen. Heath Collins, Air Force Program Executive Officer for Weapons.
Middle East & AfricaJerusalem is currently in talks with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates over establishing a four-nation defense alliance, local news reported at the end of last month. Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have discussed expanding cooperation in facing common enemies, an Israeli official familiar with the matter confirmed on March 1. The matter is being “informally discussed,” the source said, adding that the countries are US allies. All four believe a nuclear Iran would be a major threat and have been eyeing the Biden administration’s plan to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal with concern. In an interview with Fox News, defense minister Benny Gantz said on March 4, that Israel is preparing to act independently against Iran and is updating plans for military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites: “If the world stops them [Iran] before, it’s much the better. But if not, we must stand independently and we must defend ourselves by ourselves“.
EuropeThe F3R Standard of the Dassault Rafale fighter jet integrated the Meteor missile. With this, the Standard has reached a new milestone. Developed by MBDA within the framework of cooperation involving France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Spain, and Germany, the Meteor is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The weapon has a range of over 150 kilometers (90 miles) and can reach Mach 4 speed. The French Air Force announced on March 4, that it carried out the first operational flight with a Rafale equipped with combat-ready Meteor missiles.
According to the UK Royal Navy, the HMS Magpie was able to chart the waters around Plymouth purely using regular radar installed on shipping the world over and a specialist computer program which measures wave height. Using that data and information about currents, the software can produce a detailed profile of the seabed in a matter of hours – without the ship or boat having to physically sail over the area being surveyed.
Asia-PacificTaiwan is unlikely to take delivery of the Harpoon Coastal Defense System in 2024 after the United States inform the island that Boeing can only start delivery of equipment in 2025, Up Media reported. Also, the delivery of the missiles will only take place in 2026 and Taiwan will also have to purchase communications equipment that was not included in the original Foreign Military Sale package. The news report added that Taipei had requested to buy the RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER missile but Washington only agreed to sell the RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II. It was also pointed out that the entire purchase, from formulation to approval, took only three months and it was not part of the Navy’s weapon acquisition work plan for 2020. This lead to speculation that the sales contract to Boeing was forced on the Navy.
Today’s VideoWatch: RAFALE FRENCH NAVY PILOTS – CHILLOUT 7
Lockheed Martin won a $38.7 million contract modification, which exercises an option for ordering emerging capabilities and analysis systems engineering to include programmatic and logistics tasks that will analyze the F-35 air system’s ability to meet future operational requirements, investigating cost and weight reduction program options and conducting modeling and simulation activities. Additional assessments may include such efforts as analyzing changes to design life, operational readiness, reliability and air system design and configuration. Work will take place in Fort Worth, Texas. Estimated completion is in December 2021.
The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron recently flew an F-15E carrying six JDAMs on a single side of the fighter to prove a concept for Agile Combat Employment (ACE). The test proves that the Strike Eagle can now carry up to 15 JDAMs, up from nine previously, to a remote location and use those bombs to reload itself or other fighter aircraft. Previously, it took two C-130s to carry the necessary munitions and personnel to a remote location for the loading. And those JDAMs had to be assembled once they arrived. With this new approach, the requirement for onsite bomb building is now longer needed. Only one C-130 will be used instead.
Middle East & AfricaTen rockets were fired March 3 at a military base in Iraq that hosts US forces, the Defense Department said. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the rockets landed at the Ain Ain al-Asad air base. The base, which is located just north of Baghdad, hosts US, Iraqi and coalition troops. No US service members died or sustained injuries in the attack, but a US civilian contractor had a “cardiac episode” while sheltering and died, Kirby added.
EuropeThales UK has won a £98.4 million contract to maintain Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) capabilities for the British Army and Royal Marines. The Ministry of Defense says that SHORAD is made up of “High Velocity and Lightweight Multi-role Missile systems that can intercept air threats including fast jets, attack helicopters and unmanned air systems in a matter of seconds”. Thales UK won the initial contract in 2018, helping to modernize and develop the missile systems as part of the Future Air Defense Availability Project (F-ADAPT).
Asia-PacificPhilippine Defense Undersecretary Raymund Elefante and Indian Ambassador Shambu Kumaran have signed an agreement that will support Manila’s potential purchase of the BrahMos supersonic missile. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who witnessed the signing ceremony, told reporters that the country is buying the BrahMos. The agreement involved the procurement of defense materiel and equipment by the Philippines from India.
Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force will now scramble fighters to intercept Chinese aircraft less frequently and only do so when the planes are threatening to violate the country’s airspace, Kydo News reports. The report says this is in order to reduce the burden on personnel and free up resources in order to conduct more training on the F-35.
Today’s VideoWatch: Indian Navy’s Stealth Destroyer Successfully Test Fired BrahMos Supersonic Missile
The workshop comes only a week after the European Commission published its Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries. The plan lays the ground to deliver concrete policy actions under three headlines: - enhancing complementarity between relevant EU programmes and instruments to increase efficiency of investments and effectiveness of results (the ‘synergies’); - promoting that EU funding for research and development, including on defence and space, has economic and technological dividends for EU citizens (the ‘spin-offs’); - facilitating the use of civil industry research achievements and civil-driven innovation in European defence cooperation projects (the ‘spin-ins’).
EDA’s ANDES project intends to support and promote those efforts by identifying valuable recommendations for the EU’s dual use policy, taking into account the present worldwide situation (e.g. relevant examples are USA and China). A particular focus is dedicated to the Dual Use Technology Transfer Mechanism: there are several possible models but the peculiarities of the defence ecosystem require a facilitator between the institutional stakeholders (e.g. European Commission, Ministries of Defence in Member States, EDA and other relevant EU bodies) on the one hand, and the industrial/academia/research community on the other hand. The ANDES workshop showed the active participation from the institutional/governmental and dual use stakeholders and led to the recognition that a structured EU dual use policy will be beneficial for the European defence and more generally for Europe’s economy, especially now as it is strongly affected by the covid-19 pandemic.
Way aheadBefore the completion of the ANDES project (scheduled for mid-2021), policy recommendations will be submitted to the project management board which, beyond EDA staff, also includes representatives from the European Commission and the European Parliament (think tank), with the objective to support future implementation actions in the EU dual use ecosystem.
More informationBAE Systems was awarded a $58 million contract from Boeing. The deal is to start low rate initial production of the F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System for the US Air Force. “The start of EPAWSS production marks a critical milestone and is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our industry team,” said Jerry Wohletz, BAE’s VP/GM of Electronic Combat Solutions, in a press statement. “Our technology is cutting-edge, our factories are world-class, and our people are innovative and mission-focused.” The all-digital system EPAWSS enables pilots to monitor, jam and deceive threats in contested airspace and combines multispectral sensors and countermeasures, industry-leading signal processing, microelectronics, and intelligent algorithms to deliver fully integrated radar warning, situational awareness, geolocation and self-protection capabilities.
The Wasp Class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk for sea trials Monday, the Navy announced. The crew will test critical systems, operations and personnel requirements needed for deployment. Planned tests include an anchor drop test, a live-fire demonstration using the ship’s close-in weapons system, a small boat recovery evolution, and they will test the aqueous film forming foam fire suppression system.
Middle East & AfricaThe Indian Air Force sent six Su-30MKI fighters, two C-17s and one Il-78 aerial tanker to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on March 3 to participate in exercise Desert Flag. The exercise will take place at Al Dhafra airbase and run till 21st of this month. United States, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain are participating as well.
EuropeRolls-Royce has been awarded funding by the UK Ministry of Defense to further develop and demonstrate the ‘Artificial Chief Engineer’ technology. The tech is essentially an autonomous machinery control system which “allows naval vessels to undertake long endurance missions with less human interaction”. The funding to continue the development, has been awarded under the MoD’s Defense and Security Accelerator ‘Intelligent Ship Phase Two’ programme, which is used to de-risk and evaluate technologies and approaches to enhance the armed forces’ technical advantage.
French company MBDA has been awarded a first contract for Albatros NG, a brand new CAMM-ER based air defense system. According to the company, the first order, from an undisclosed international customer, marks a “further validation of the wide appeal of the CAMM air defense family on the global marketplace and paves the way to further acquisitions by the same customer and other Navies”. The CAMM-ER missile is capable of providing self and local area defense against the evolving airborne threat at ranges exceeding 40km; it will be integrated in the new ground based air defense systems for the Italian Army and Italian Air Force. CAMM family systems have already been delivered to the British Army, to the Royal Navy and to several export nations.
Asia-PacificThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) received three new Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters on February 11, the Australian Department of Defense announced in March. The aircraft, which arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown, north of Sydney, after completing a three-day journey from the United States as part of ‘Exercise Lightning Ferry 21-1’, are the first to join the fleet since the F-35A reached initial operational capability in December 2020. The three F-35As had previously been based at Luke Air Force Base in the US state of Arizona, where they were used for pilot training.
Today’s VideoWatch: USS Kearsarge – US Navy Amphibious Assault Ship
Lockheed Martin Space won a $128.7 million contract to support the integration of the Trident II (D5) Missile and Reentry Subsystems into the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) for the US/United Kingdom Columbia/Dreadnought Submarine construction programs. The Trident II D-5 is a three-stage, solid propellant, inertially guided FBM with a range of more than 4,000 nautical miles (4,600 statute miles or 7,360 km). Work will take place in Florida, Colorado, California, Utah and Tennessee. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2027.
According to the US Navy, Sailors aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg are among the first to test a stress-mitigation initiative. The Expanded Operational Stress Control, or E-OSC, Program using stress mitigation leveraging techniques with standardized support structures at the command level, according to the Navy. Personnel will be taught to better manage their own stress support their fellow shipmates.
Middle East & AfricaIsrael’s Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded an approximately $300 million contract by a country in Asia to provide Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft systems. The contract will be performed over a period of five years. Under the contract, the company will supply its Hermes 900 and associated sub-systems, as well as maintenance and support services. The UAS has now been selected by 12 countries, attesting to its competitive edge that combines technological sophistication, reliability, open architecture and solid growth path, according to Elbit.
EuropeA $125 million defense package to Ukraine includes armored patrol boats, radar units and military medical equipment, the Defense Department said on Monday. The funding is part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, planned since 2020 and “conditional on Ukraine’s progress on defense reforms, will provide equipment to support ongoing training programs and operational needs,” a statement in June 2020 from the US Embassy in Kiev said. Another $150 million in supplies will be released when the US State Department certifies that Ukraine has made sufficient progress on key defense reforms this year, as required by the National Defense Authorization Act.
Asia-PacificBoeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have conducted the maiden flight of the Airpower Teaming System (ATS) loyal wingman aircraft. The maiden sortie involved the unmanned aircraft flying a pre-set course at different speeds and altitudes to assess the design’s flight functionality and performance, says Boeing. A Boeing test pilot monitored the flight from a ground control station at the Woomera test range. “The Loyal Wingman’s first flight is a major step in this long-term, significant project for the air force and Boeing Australia, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the successful test,” said Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, RAAF head of air force capability.
According to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), the assembly of the first prototype of the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) fighter aircraft is almost complete, with manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) set to formally roll out the platform in April. Jung Kwang-sun, head of the KF-X programme at DAPA, said the planned rollout event of the twin-engined multirole fighter will be a “landmark moment” for the country and the aerospace industry.
Today’s VideoWatch: Australia’s First Loyal Wingman Completes Maiden Flight
CAE USA-Mission Solutions won a $10.8 million contract modification for the F-15E, F-16 and F-22A contract aircrew training and courseware development contract. The modification is for exercising Option Year Four. The Boeing F-15E dual-role fighter is an advanced long-range interdiction fighter and tactical aircraft. The F-15E is the latest version of the Eagle, a Mach 2.5-class twin-engine fighter. The F-16, the mainstay of the Air Force aerial combat fleet, has been adapted to complete a number of missions, including air-to-air fighting, ground attack and electronic warfare. The F-22A Raptor is an advanced tactical fighter aircraft. Work will be performed at Joint Base (JB) Langley-Eustis, Virginia; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina; Shaw AFB, South Carolina; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Nellis AFB, Nevada; Hill AFB, Utah; and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and is expected to be completed March 31, 2022.
Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture won a $18.6 million contract modification for support services for the Javelin Weapon System. Javelin is a versatile, man-portable, fire-and-forget weapon system. It is an anti-tank guided munition. According to Raytheon, the weapon can be deployed from multiple platforms and used during the day, at night and in any kind of weather. The program has also demonstrated that Javelin can be fired from a remote launcher mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2022.
Middle East & AfricaRafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has completed the development of the ground-based Air Defense version of the I-Derby ER (Extended Range) air-to-air missile last month. Rafael’s I-Derby ER missile is a an over 100 km long-range air-to-air missile with a dual-pulse rocket motor and an active radar seeker. Launched from the ground, the I-Derby ER missile doubles the existing missile range, and allows target interception within a range of up to 40 km without a booster, and 80 km with a booster.
EuropeB-1 bombers flew the first Bomber Task Force mission since deployment to Norway, the US Air Force said on Friday. The two bombers arrived in Norway early last week. Support aircraft and over 200 Air Force personnel arrived at Orland Air Base, where Norway’s F-35 fleet is also stationed, in the first week of February.
An RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft from Royal Air Force 51 Squadron took part in a major US-led demonstration exercise in Europe with other European NATO Allies. RC-135W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed on strategic and tactical missions. Its sensors ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radar and other systems. The aircraft is part of the RAF’s Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Force. The Rivet Joint aircraft joined other aircraft from the US Air Force, US Navy, and The Royal Netherlands Air Force to conduct two exercise scenarios.
Asia-PacificAccording to a report, Vietnam strengthened its outposts in the disputed South China Sea with improved fortifications and infrastructure. Emplacements for anti-aircraft and coastal protection programs have been constructed on reclaimed land at West Reef and Sin Cowe Island, in accordance with the report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, or AMTI, which is a part of the Washington-based Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research. It reportedly made its assessments based on analysis of satellite imagery in cooperation with Simularity. According to Simularity’s website, its software “automatically analyzes geospatial imagery and data to automatically find and classify unusual changes.”
Today’s VideoWatch: Rafael Develops Ground-Based Air Defense Variant of I-Derby ER Missile
Lockheed Martin won an $8.3 million deal to exercise an option for Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent efforts for the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20. Under this contract, the Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) develops, integrates, tests and delivers computer program baseline Advanced Capability Builds (ACBs) and supports Technology Insertions – a replacement and/or upgrade of combat system computing hardware and associated middleware/firmware. The Aegis CSEA also develops engineering products to support ship integration, supports developmental test/operational test events, develops training and logistics products and provides field technical support for designated Aegis baselines. Work will take place in New Jersey. Estimated completion will be by December 2021.
Sikorsky won a $53.9 million contract modification for four UH-60M aircraft. UH-60 Black Hawk is a multi-mission helicopter developed by Sikorsky that has been operational in the US Army since 1978. The export version of the UH-60 Black Hawk is designated as S-70A. The primary mission of the Black Hawk helicopter is as a troop carrier and logistical support aircraft, but the helicopter can also be configured to carry out medical evacuation, command-and-control, search-and-rescue, armed escort, electronic warfare and executive transport missions. Work will take place in Connecticut. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2022.
Middle East & AfricaLeidos won a $10 million modification for Class V munitions supply support for all ammunition stocks accounted for by 1st Sustainment Command. Class V munitions supply includes ammunition of all types, bombs, explosives, mines, fuses, detonators, pyrotechnics, missiles, rockets, propellants, and associated items.
EuropeAn Irish Air Corps PC-9 suffered an in-flight engine failure on February 26 during a training mission in the afternoon. The instructor was able to glide the aircraft for 30km to make a safe landing at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. The two-person PC-9 aircraft was conducting a training mission when its single engine gave out some 30km from Baldonnel. The pilots were unharmed aside from being “slightly shaken”, said a military source.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) says its Sentinel R1 aircraft has carried out the last operational flight from RAF Waddington. The aircraft, which has an Airborne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR) from Raytheon, has been in service for 14 years. The aircraft first saw service during Operation HERRICK in 2008. Five aircraft were acquired and V (AC) Squadron was reformed to operate the aircraft.
Asia-PacificTextron recently delivered a Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft equipped with multiple special mission modifications to Japcon Incorporated. The aircraft is destined for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF). The aircraft has a removable, belly-mounted Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) installation, devices for video transmission and infrared night-vision. Textron says the plane will be operated by the Renraku Teisatsu Hikotai, a JGSDF Communication and Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Kisarazu Airfield in the Chiba Prefecture.
Today’s VideoWatch: RAF Sentinel Surveillance Aircraft Retired This Week
Boeing won an $11.6 million contract modification, which adds scope for engineering services in support of Next Generation Jammer software development. Next Generation Jammer, an external jamming pod, will address advanced and emerging threats alike, as well as the growing numbers of threats. NGJ uses the latest digital, software-based and Active Electronically Scanned Array technologies and will provide enhanced airborne electronic attack capabilities to disrupt and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems. Work will take place in St. Louis, Missouri. Expected completion will be in December 2021.
The first Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) pod has been delivered to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base. AFRL scientists and engineers can now begin the integration of the complete system, to include pod, laser, and beam control, and signals. The main subsystems will be integrated this month while the laser system and the beam control systems will be delivered in July. Testing is scheduled for FY24.
Middle East & AfricaUS Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on February 23 and one of the topics both men discussed was Egypt’s purchase of the Su-35 fighter from Russia. Blinken expressed his concerns over Cairo’s potential purchase of Russia’s Su-35 aircraft, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. “The Secretary raised concerns over… Egypt’s potential procurement of Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia,” Price said in a statement.
EuropeGermany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a government-to-government agreement with the Israel Ministry of Defense (MoD) for Rafael’s Trophy active-protection system (APS) for installation in German Leopard 2 tanks, the MoD and Rafael announced in separate press releases. The Israel Ministry of Defense said the programme, which is led by its Directorate of Defense R&D (MAFAT) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, covers the supply of systems for a tank company, interceptors, spare parts, and operational and technical training. The systems will be delivered over the next several years, the ministry added.
Asia-PacificTaiwan’s Oceanic Affairs Council has proposed to the government that the Coast Guard Administration set up a aviation unit. The proposal was to buy four C-130Js and eight Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft along with eight helicopters, Up Media reports. The news report said that the proposal was opposed by the executive yuan, the National Airborne Service Corps and Ministry of Transportation and Communications. All parties then decided to postpone the discussions for three months. It is expected to cost Taiwanese taxpayers $900 million to purchase and modify the fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft.
The head of Pacific Air Forces, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, told reporters during a virtual call that he is pushing to have E-7 airborne early warning aircraft procured immediately to replace the E-2 AWACS. Wilsbach said the E-3 is “harder and harder to get airborne” due to maintenance issues with the aging platform.
Today’s VideoWatch: Next Generation Jammer Mid Band takes to the skies for Growler flight testing
EDA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have agreed to jointly explore, within their respective remits, all relevant technology and capability opportunities for the gradual evolution and development of Next-Generation Secure Satellite Communication (NGSSC) systems required for the benefit of their respective Member States, user communities and industry. To this end, a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) has just been signed by the two organisations.
The MOI will broaden up the existing ESA/EDA cooperation framed by the Administrative Agreement signed in 2011 and further substantiated by their joint efforts on Governmental Satellite Communications, subject of a dedicated Implementing Arrangement since 2017. Acknowledging the growing strategic importance of satellite communications in security and defence, including in support to Europe’s strategic autonomy, ESA and EDA take the view that additional cooperative steps should be taken to develop secure and resilient satellite communications which respond to Member States’ evolving needs, and also strengthen the competitiveness of the Europe’s industry.
Secure Satellite Communications – NG SATCOM Infrastructure Exploratory System StudiesConcretely, the plan is to coordinate both organisations’ activities with the aim of supporting ESA’s ongoing system studies on the Next Generation Satellite Communication solutions that aim in particular to identify systems architectures responding to a wide set of user requirements in the field of secure communications. EDA will be invited to take part in ESA’s study process to provide expertise, information, data and a channel to its user communities which may have a stake in ESA’s exploratory systems study. Once the study results are available in the course of 2021, ESA and EDA will explore further coordinated steps related to towards the evolution and preparation of NGSSC systems.
Both parties will also jointly look at how respective user communities may be best serviced, by exploring the relevance of user-segments such as EDA’s EU Satcom Market model and services, as well as EDA’s GOVSATCOM Pooling and Sharing Demonstration project. Furthermore, the two organisations will exploit this new framework to discuss relevant activities in support of EDA’s satellite communications work in the fields of security, guarantee of access and next generation of satellite communications requirements for EU defence, satellite communications training and standardisation. Considering the challenges and stakes, these activities will be synchronised and undertaken in full coordination and transparency with all relevant actors engaged in this domain. The Agencies will furthermore coordinate their views on proposals for GOVSATCOM-related projects in the framework of EU defence initiatives, such as PESCO and the European Defence Fund (EDF). Another objective of the new cooperation is to explore potential joint R&D efforts of relevance to the future implementation of a joint secured satellite communication vision and strategy. Finally, these joint activities will be supported by a security management plan that will cover future cooperation activities and high-level security objectives to be implemented in the context of this cooperation.
EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý welcomed the enhanced cooperation with ESA, stating: “Nowadays, neither national nor multinational military operations are anymore conceivable without the support of space-based systems, especially secure and resilient satellite communication, and their importance keeps growing. The Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), which delivered a first ever comprehensive defence review conducted at EU level, specifically underlined the importance of cooperation in space and identified the ‘Defence in Space’ as one of the most pressing, most needed and most impacting areas for cooperation and future investment in EU defence. Therefore, increased cooperation between ESA and EDA in this specific domain will not only be beneficial for our Member States and industry but also contribute to strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities”.
ESA Director General Jan Wörner said: “Over the years, our two Agencies have undertaken no less than eight formal cooperation projects, ranging across most space domains. Our partnership is solid and will support ESA Member States and help ensure a resilient civil infrastructure and robust services for citizens”.
Naval Air Force Atlantic tested a long-range aerial drone last weekend, the Navy announced. The long-range cargo transport, dubbed Blue Water UAS, is designed to operate with Naval Forces that typically operate in heavy winds over open water and require aircraft to land on vessels that are moving rapidly at sea. The proof-of-concept test was conducted last Sunday by transporting lightweight logistical equipment from the mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center at Naval Station Norfolk on board USS Gerald R. Ford while the carrier was in-port.
Boeing announced that its T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer has entered production at its plant in St. Louis. Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president of T-7 Programs, says technicians will assemble the aircraft with minimal tooling and drilling thanks to the use of full-size determinant assembly. The jet was fully designed using 3D model-based definition and data management systems developed at Boeing during the last 20 years, Boeing said in a press release.
Middle East & AfricaThe Egyptian Navy will be the first international customer for the VL MICA NG (New Generation) air defense system. MBDA says the missile will be used to arm Egyptian corvettes. The VL MICA NG system offers improved capabilities to handle atypical targets (UAVs, small aircraft), as well as future threats characterized by increasingly low observable infrared and radio frequency signatures. Additionally, VL MICA NG will be able to intercept ‘conventional’ targets (aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles) at longer distances.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Matrix have signed an agreement to establish a joint AI excellence centre. The two companies will co-develop AI, machine learning (ML) and Big Data-driven solutions to be integrated into IAI’s: satellite and space systems, defense and attack systems, missiles, homing heads, electro-optical payloads. IAI has been using AI capabilities in its various systems for many years. It will now leverage the development center to work with Matrix Defense on scaling existing capabilities and developing new ones.
EuropeThe Royal Navy announced that HMS Spey has left Portsmouth, beginning the journey to joining her sisters as fully-fledged members of the Overseas Patrol Squadron. When Spey becomes operationally active she will be the eighth Offshore Patrol Vessel vessel in the Royal Navy fleet with HMS Forth, Medway currently on operations in the South and North Atlantic and Mediterranean respectively. The other patrol vessels are active in UK waters.
Asia-PacificSouth Korea’s defense project promotion committee has approved a plan to acquire a new “counter-artillery detection radar-III” to replace the aging AN/TPQ-36/37 weapon-locating radars. The new radar will be develop locally. AN/TPQ-36 is a weapon-locating radar, designed to detect and track incoming mortar, artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for counterbattery fire.
Today’s VideoWatch: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Super Aircraft carrier in action
Raytheon won a $14.9 million contract modification, which increases the scope and provides updates to the CV-22 mission planning system to support the suite of integrated radio frequency countermeasures. Additionally, this modification provides capability defect package problem reports in support of the V-22 software support activity. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. The US Air Force and US Navy variants are equipped with a Raytheon AN/APQ-186 terrain-following, multimode radar. Work will take place in Indiana and estimated completion will be in September 2022.
The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis is to undergo a four-year overhaul at a cost of $2.9 billion. According to the Defense Department, “this effort refuels, overhauls and modernizes USS John C. Stennis to support the second half of its 50-year service life. The ship will be the seventh US aircraft carrier to undergo the Refueling and Complex Overhaul. Plans for the rebuilding began in 2018, when Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding received a $187 million contract to begin engineering-pre-overhaul inspections. The overhaul includes removal of the flight deck and most of the shup’s computer and combat systems, the renovation of tanks and other spaces and refueling its two nuclear reactors, followed by a total reconstruction.
Middle East & AfricaHALCON, a subsidiary of Edge Group, has unveiled its HALCON AntiShip-250 (HAS-250) cruise missile at the International Defense and Exhibition Conference (IDEX) 2021. The missile is guided by Global Navigation Satellite and Inertial Navigation Systems (GNSS + INS) over a range of 250km while flying at Mach 0.8. It is equipped with an active/passive terminal seeker.
EuropeThe Russian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with the Ural Civil Aviation Plant to produce the initial batch of Altius-RU Unmanned Air Vehicles. Altius will reportedly be capable of fulfilling a wide spectrum of reconnaissance missions using optical, radio and radar tools. According to reports, the drone will be equipped with a satellite communications system and artificial intelligence, and will be capable of interacting with manned aircraft.
According to the French defense procurement agency, French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly has launched the Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d’Engins de 3e Génération (SNLE 3G) third-generation strategic ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programme, the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA). The DGA expects the first contract to be awarded in 2021, covering development studies lasting until 2025, the production of the first elements of the SNLE 3G’s hull and nuclear boiler room, and the preparation of Naval Group’s production facilities to build the SSBN. The SNLE 3G program is being conducted by the French armed forces and the DGA, which is responsible for overall project management. It is the subject of a framework agreement with the industry for the development, industrialization, logistics and production of the four SSBNs.
Asia-PacificAirbus has confirmed that it will be participating in Malaysia’s maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) tender by offering the C-295 MPA variant. The C-295 is a stretched variant of the C-235 with new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G engines, Malaysia is an operator of the C-235.
Today’s VideoWatch: French MoD Announces Project to Launch 4 Third-Gen Nuclear Submarines
The US Navy seeks to upgrade its fleet of autonomous underwater sensor gliders, devices used to provide data to attack submarines. The system would improve the current Littoral Battlespace Sensing Glider, which generally deploy from oceanographic survey ships and would measure water conditions in areas to help fleet operational planning or hunt enemy submarines. The request of proposals was announced this week. The new LBS-G drone will be expected to operate for 90 days at a time, dive to 657 feet, spend much of its time at the bottom of the sea, surface when it needs to transmit data to a satellite and take water samples every two seconds.
The first of 17 B-1B bombers to be retired this year took its final flight, to Davis-Monahan Air Force Base, in Arizona last week. It was given to the 309th Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Group at a section of the base known as “the boneyard,” intact but covered in protective coatings pending further disposition, which means it likely will be cannibalized and used for spare parts. Not all 17 Lancers will go to the boneyard, once they retire. One will go to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for testing, although AFGSC did not say if the jet will conduct air or static ground tests.
Middle East & AfricaSaab announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has received its third Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The delivery of the third of the five Bombardier Global 6000 business jet-based platforms that were contracted to the UAE Air Force and Defense (AF&D) under the Swing Role Surveillance System (SRSS) programme came about 10 months after the first was handed over in late April 2020 and five months after the second was delivered in September 2020. The GlobalEye platform is built around the Saab Erieye Extended Range (ER) S-band (2–4 GHz) radar that is housed in the same external dorsal ‘plank’ as the company’s original Erieye system.
Israel inked a letter of acceptance (LOA) with the United States for the procurement of two Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft, and plans further similar agreements to enhance its qualitative military edge (QME) in the region. According to the Ministry of Defense, the LOA for the tankers was signed over the previous weekend. It added that it intends to enter into similar agreements for the standing up of a third squadron of Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir combat aircraft, the replacement of its Sikorsky CH-53D Yasur heavy-lift helicopters, the procurement of advanced munitions, “and more”.
EuropeAccording to Jane’s, the Italian Air Force has showcased for the first time the new multirole mission of its Eurofighter combat aircraft. The service showed a Eurofighter from 36 Wing laden with a mix of air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry. This loadout comprised a pair of IRIS-T short-range and four AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles in the air-to-air role, as well as two Paveway II precision-guided bombs and a Litening targeting pod for the air-to-surface role.
Asia-PacificIndia reportedly started reinforcing its defenses along its north-eastern border with China as military tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors continue in the Himalayas. India is bolstering defenses in the North East with reorientation of existing troops, raising of new armored units to take on the Chinese challenge and a fresh focus on increasing connectivity to ASEAN neighbors.
Today’s VideoWatch: Norway Orders CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
General Atomics won an $11.2 million contract modification, which exercises options to procure Group 5 Unmanned Air System (UAS) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support for outside the continental US (OCONUS) Task Force Southwest and Marine Corps operations using contractor-owned/contractor-operated MQ-9 Reaper UAS. The MQ-9 Reaper has an operational ceiling of 50,000ft, a maximum internal payload of 800lb and external payload exceeding 3,000lb. It can carry up to four Hellfire II anti-armor missiles and two laser-guided bombs (GBU-12 or EGBU-12) and 500lb GBU-38 JDAM (joint direct attack munition). Work will take place in Arizona and California. Estimated completion will be in May 2021.
Raytheon won a $74.2 million deal, which provides 23.4 APY-10 radar system production kits and related support for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft for Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. The AN/APY-10 RADAR system is a multi-mission maritime and overland surveillance RADAR. It is capable of performing long-range surface search and target tracking, periscope detection, ship imaging and classification using synthetic aperture radar and inverse synthetic aperture radar. Work will take place in Texas, Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ontario, Florida and Connecticut. Estimated completion will be in August 2025.
Middle East & AfricaGreece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias says his country is close to signing a Status of Forces Agreement that will allow Greek Patriot air defense missile unit to deploy in Saudi Arabia. The agreement was concluded during a meeting in Athens between Dendias and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in January last year. But the deployment was delayed by the COVID pandemic.
EuropeThe 25th Attack Group began flying the first active-duty operated US Air Forces in Europe MQ-9 Reaper sorties in Romania via remote-split operations as of February 1. Until now, the 25th ATKG specialized in counter-terrorism missions in United States Central Command area of operations. They are now building capacity in the United States European European Command area of responsibility to support great power competition while maintaining a persistent presence in USCENTCOM.
BAE Systems announced that it has received a $50 million order from the Norwegian Army for 20 additional CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, bring its total fleet to 164 vehicles. According to BAE, the order includes a request for 12 engineering and eight multi-carrier CV90 variants which are scheduled for delivery in 2023. Norway is one of seven European countries that uses the CV90. It’s also the latest customer to enhance its fleet of combat-proven CV90s following significant life extension and mid-life upgrade contracts from Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Asia-PacificPhilippine’s Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says he hopes to sign the contract to buy 2 C-130J cargo aircraft by end of this year. The request was for five aircraft but the COVID pandemic took away funds for the purchase. Lorenzana also said he hoped to sign a deal for more Black Hawk helicopters, but he did not elaborate.
Today’s VideoWatch: Norway Orders CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
The exercise was opened on Wednesday by the Estonian Minister of Defence, Kalle Laanet, and EDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Olli Ruutu. In this opening remarks, Minister Laanet stressed the importance of European cooperation in cyber defence because Member States all face the same or similar threats. “Today we can see that at the EU level civilian CERTs have established good community and their cooperation is improved continuously. However, military CERTs, which play vital role in cyber defence, are not communicating with the same methods. This is understandable considering the more sensitive information they are dealing with. Yet, despite these limitations, it is still important to offer opportunities for extending information-sharing practices. And this live-fire exercise does exactly that”, the Minister said. He thanked EDA “without their visionary leadership this event would not have taken place”. The exercise allows to build teamwork at national levels and “will strengthen the resilience of the European societies and Europe as a whole”, the Minister said.
EDA Deputy Chief Executive Olli Ruutu recalled that the Agency has been supporting Member States’ efforts to develop their cyber defence capabilities for a number of years. Today, EDA cyber activities range from defining key priorities at EU level looking at the capability development, R&T and industrial dimensions to facilitate the development of tangible capabilities (such as the Cyber Ranges Federation platform) and the adoption of emerging and disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and 5G. EDA also runs initiatives in support of Cyber Defence training, education and exercises, he said. “We are working in close cooperation with other EU institutions and agencies, including with ENISA, CERT-EU and the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) in the framework of our quadrilateral Cyber Memorandum of Understanding. And we are also contributing to the EU-NATO cyber dialogue and cooperation in the context of the 2016 and 2018 Joint Declaration, working at different levels with the key cyber actors within the Alliance”, Mr Ruutu stressed. Cooperation between military CERTs is a top priority in EDA’s cyber defence programme as reflected in this exercise and the follow-on conference in Lille in June, he said.
The US Air Force has awarded a contract to Silver Arrow to scale down its GD-2000 cargo delivery unmanned air system (UAS). This Small Business Innovation Research contract is to meet specific Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) operational requirements. The glider will deploy from the cargo ramp of the CV-22 and side-door of small fixed-wing aircraft. Silver Arrow says the final product will a eventually be procure on a sole-source basis by the United States government for special operations and tactical resupply as well as humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
BAE Systems announced a $247 million contract with the US Space Force to manufacture an advanced global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The Space and Missile Systems Center of the USSF seeks smaller and lighter receivers capable of jam-resistant M-code, or military code, GPS signals. The technology is designed to provide positioning, navigation and timing capabilities to warfighters to execute missions in challenging electromagnetic environments, BAE Systems.
Middle East & AfricaAmerican destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill has seized illicit shipments of weapons and weapons components from two stateless dhows during a maritime security operation in international waters off the coast of Somalia. Thousands of AK-47 assault rifles, light machine guns, heavy sniper rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and crew served weapons were found. Other weapon components included barrels, stocks, optical scopes and weapon systems.
EuropeThe sale of multiple launch rocket systems to Finland was approved by the State Department. The potential $91.2 million deal, with Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control as its sole contractor, however still requires approval by the US Senate. The sale would include M30A2 and M31A2 Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, quality assurance testing services, and technical and logistical support.
British minehunter HMS Blyth is joining NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Group One. According to the Royal Navy, the hi-tech minehunter has left her native Clyde to take her place with a small force of like-minded warships from across the alliance: Standing Mine Countermeasures Group One. Blyth completed a 6,500 nautical mile voyage home from the Gulf last summer and underwent an extensive maintenance period through the autumn and winter after her three years in the punishing heat/sand/dust of the Middle East.
Asia-PacificAccording to South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, the the US military is preparing for a possible North Korean missile test next month by relocating its missile tracking assets in the north Pacific. A RC-135S Cobra Ball missile tracking aircraft has been deployed from Offutt Air Force Base to Kadena Air Base, Japan. Similarly, USNS Howard O. Lorenzen has been underway in the Yellow Sea this week. The missile range instrumentation ship was previously involved in tracking North Korea long-range missile testing in 2016 and 2017.
Today’s VideoWatch: Big Beautiful Aircraft: Boeing RC-135s And An E-4B Taxiing At Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha