Defense`s Feeds

Americas

General Electric won a $1.3 billion modification for T700 engine deliveries in support of the Army H-60 and AH-64 programs, Navy H-60 programs, Air Force programs, Foreign Military Sales and other government agencies. General Electric’s T700 turboshaft engine was initially bench-tested in 1973, passed military qualification in 1976, and went into production in 1978, according to published reports. In 2016, General Electric won a five-year contract to service the turboshaft engines powering the US Army’s Sikorsky Black Hawk and Apache ground-support combat helicopters. Estimated completion date for work under the modification is December 31, 2024.

The US Navy awarded Boeing a $127.2 million contract modification, which increases the ceiling of the contract to continue service life modifications to extend the operational service life from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours of up to 23 F/A-18E/F aircraft. The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, flew for the first time on November 29, 1995. The Super Hornet is about 25% larger than its predecessor, the F/A-18C/D, but contains 42% fewer structural parts. The single-seat F/A-18/E and the two-seat F/A-18/F fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, have more powerful engines and provide greater survivability. Work will take place in Texas, California and Missouri. Expected completion will be in May, 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Navistar Defense won a $26.7 million firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sale to Somalia for two commercial Medium Tactical Vehicle Variants, the 6×6 General Transport Truck and the 6×6 Wrecker Vehicle Recovery Truck, and spare parts. Bids were solicited via the internet. Work locations as well as funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is in November 25, 2022.

Afghanistan received the last of 60 MD Helicopters Inc. MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light attack and reconnaissance rotorcraft that have been delivered from 2011. The final five Cayuse Warriors, which were part of a follow-on batch of 30 helicopters ordered by the US Army under a wider $1.4 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) effort for allied nations, were delivered to Kandahar via a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft on October 27. The manufacturer announced the arrival on November 24. All five helicopters have now been reassembled and are now in operational service with the Afghan Air Force. All AAF MD 530Fs are fitted with the Enhanced Mission Equipment Package. The baseline Mission Equipment Package comprises the FN Herstal Heavy Machine Gun Pod that features the company’s M3 12.7 mm (.50 calibre) machine gun. The HMP, which is carried on external weapons planks, has a rate of fire of 1,100 rds/min and a 400-round ammunition box.

Europe

The US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark is asking the country to buy more F-35s and that Denmark should fulfill three-year-old promises to strengthen defense and surveillance in the Arctic. Denmark currently has ordered 27 F-35As and at least five will remain in the US for training purposes. Ambassador Carla Sands is concerned that NATO’s aircraft power and surveillance capacities are not enough in the Arctic and that Denmark should fulfill three-year-old promises to strengthen defense and surveillance there. Sands referred to a report from the Ministry of Defense on the tasks in the Arctic from 2016, which show concern about the presence of Russian soldiers in the Arctic. Sands also believes the report shows that the lack of satellites means that Denmark does not monitor Greenland’s skies or waters well enough.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Ministry of Defense introduced a policy to support long-term orders of defense equipment from state-owned enterprises in order to stimulate industrial efficiencies and reduce reliance on imports, Jane’s reports. The ministry said, the new framework for placing long-term orders for the indigenization by defense public sector undertakings and the Ordnance Factory Board support purchase orders for a period of up to 10 years. This would make it economically attractive for industry to invest in its development/indigenization. The policy aims at at enabling local industry to replace imported components and spares.

Today’s Video

Watch: BRP GABRIELA SILANG – PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD OPV – On its way home very soon!

Americas

Raytheon won a $14.8 million modification to exercise an option for the AN/SPY-1 radar solid-state switch assembly mod kit. The contract modification is for the production of solid-state switch assembly ordnance alteration kits for the Navy to support AEGIS modernization efforts. The heart of the AEGIS systems is an advanced, automatic detect and track, multifunctional phased-array radar, the AN/SPY-1. This high-powered radar is able to perform search, track and missile guidance functions simultaneously with a capability of over 100 targets. The AN/SPY-l radar system is the primary air and surface radar for the Aegis Combat System installed in the Ticonderoga (CG-47) and Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) Class warships. Work under the modification will take place in Massachusetts, Virginia and is expected to be finished by April 2023.

The US Air Force awarded Raytheon a deal worth $72 million for advanced medium range air to air missile (AMRAAM) technical support. The contractor will provide technical services and analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. AMRAAM is a continuation of the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series. The missile is faster, smaller and lighter, and has improved capabilities against low altitude targets. It incorporates an active radar with an inertial reference unit and a microcomputer system, which makes the missile less dependent on the aircraft’s fire control system. Once the missile closes on a target, its active radar guides it to intercept. This allows the pilot to aim and fire several missiles simultaneously at multiple targets. The pilot can perform evasive maneuvers while the missiles are guided to their objectives. Raytheon will perform work in Tucson, Arizona. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2025.

Middle East & Africa

The US Army tapped Boeing with a $10.7 million Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia. The deal provides for the integration and retrofit of 23 AH-6i aircraft with DVR, equipment stowage, and APKWS II capabilities. One bid was solicited with one bid received. AH-6i can be used to conduct light, precision, anti-armor, close combat attacks. The rotorcraft can also support reconnaissance, and combat search and rescue missions. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is a combat-proven, laser-guided 70mm rocket system designed and manufactured by BAE Systems in collaboration with the US Government. The weapon system is currently deployed by the US Military Forces. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2022.

Europe

The coastguard arm of the German Federal Police commissioned its third and final Potsdam Class offshore patrol vessel, FGS Bad Düben (BP 83), Jane’s reports. The ship was commissioned during a ceremony in in Cuxhaven, Germany, on November 20. The 86 m OPVs were built under a contract awarded to Fassmer shipyard in December 2016. The design is derived from Fassmer’s proven OPV 80, with modifications including a hybrid propulsion system and exhaust treatment system to meet Tier III/ECA standards.

Asia-Pacific

The US States Department approved a possible sale of five Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft to New Zealand, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Wednesday. The possible Foreign Military Sale would have an estimated cost of $1.4 billion. US lawmakers were notified of the approval of the possible sale on Wednesday as well. “The proposed sale will improve New Zealand’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its current airlift capability,” the release added. The proposed sale would include five C-130J aircraft along with their associated support equipment, including engines, navigational systems, communications systems, sensors, flares, decoys, and computers.

The DoS approved the Australian Government’s request to buy jammers for protection from improvised explosive devices (IED). Australia is looking to purchase 850 Northrop Grumman-produced Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Increment 1 Block 1 (JCREW I1B1) systems and associated equipment for $245 million. The US will sell 533 vehicle-mounted and 317 dismounted variants of the JCREW I1B1. In addition, the sale package will include support and test equipment, spare parts, and engineering, technical and logistics support services. The proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : Meteor On 83 Tejas MK1A,25Bn BrahMos Approved,INS Vikrant Early Delivery

13 morts. Il s'agit du bilan humain le plus lourd pour les opérations extérieures de l'Armée française depuis 36 ans. Le 23 octobre 1983, 58 soldats français avaient été tués lors de l'attentat du Drakkar à Beyrouth (Liban). L'accident de lundi dépasse le bilan de l'embuscade d'Uzbin en Afghanistan, le 18 août 2008, où dix Français avaient perdu la vie.

Tag: Mali

EDA today launched its new ‘B2B Platform’, an online tool which aims to facilitate cross-border partnerships between European defence industry stakeholders by allowing them to quickly and easily search for potential partners for defence-related projects and programmes. The platform responds to a demand by industry for improved networking possibilities as a result of the new EU defence initiatives which also impact and benefit the wider European defence-related industry. 

The platform is in line with one of EDA’s core missions, namely to help strengthening the European defence industry and increase industry engagement in defence. It enables all registered stakeholders to post their specific and customised demands for partners, and also to reply to such requests. As the public search for partners can be commercially sensitive, the platform also offers the possibility to publish anonymous requests. 

All information submitted throughout the application process will be notified only to the project owner who published the related request for partners as well as to EDA’s administrator. From there, interested parties can get in touch directly and discuss the way ahead. EDA’s service is limited to offering access to the platform without implication in the subsequent discussions and setting up  of the partnerships.
 

How to get active

Interested entities can quickly and easily register HERE (via Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox). The user-friendly platform is also accessible under the Industry Info portal on the EDA’s website. The whole process of registration, publishing requests for partners or replies to these requests takes only a few minutes. 

More practical information on how to use the platform can be found on this new EDA factsheet explaining the B2B Platform.

 

Americas

Boeing won a $43.8 million delivery order that provides for the manufacture, test and delivery of 48 Trailing Edge Flap retrofit redesign kits in support of the F/A-18E/F aircraft. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the US Navy’s primary strike and air superiority aircraft. It is an updated version of the F-18C/D, featuring a 20 percent larger airframe, 7,000 lb heavier empty weight, and 15,000 lb heavier maximum weight than the original Hornet. The Super Hornet carries 33 percent more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41 percent and endurance by 50 percent over the earlier Hornet. On November 23, Quartz reported that the US Navy lacks the parts and materials it needs to keep hundreds of fighter jets operational. Reason for this report was an audit released last week by the Department of Defense Inspector General, which focuses on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Work will take place in Missouri, Switzerland, California and Arkansas. Estimated completion is in June 2022.

The US Navy awarded Boeing a $24.1 million delivery order, which exercises the option to procure 34 Group A-1 retrofit kits, 34 Group A-2 retrofit kits, and 34 Group B retrofit kits for incorporation of the Distributed Targeting Processor-Network into the EA-18G aircraft for the Navy. The EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, a derivative of the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter, is manufactured by Boeing. The aircraft is intended to provide tactical jamming capabilities and protection to Australian ground, air and sea forces against enemy electronic warfare systems. The EA-18G Growler measures 18.3m-long and 4.9m-high and features large wings with a span of 13.7m. Its empennage consists of a horizontal stabilizer and two vertical tailfins that are canted outward. The aircraft accommodates two crew members in tandem seat configuration with pilot in front and electronic warfare officer at rear. Boeing will perform work in Missouri, California and Washington. Estimated completion date is in June 2022.

Middle East & Africa

The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sales for Morocco for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.25 billion. Morocco is requesting 36 Apaches after announcing its intention to purchase the American-made helicopters in 2018. The country was considering both the AH-64 and the Turkish-made T129 ATAK helicopter. The pending deal includes 24 new Apache helicopters with an option for 12 more, as well as 79 T700-GE-701D engines and 36 AN/ASQ-170 modernized target acquisition and designation/AN/AAR-11 modernized pilot night vision sensors, plus fire control radars, radar electronic units and onboard capabilities for manned-unmanned teaming. The country plans to buy 551 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and 60 AGM-144L Hellfire missiles, 588 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits, and AIM-92H Stinger missiles.

Europe

The US Army Contracting Command awarded Boeing a $128.7 modification to Foreign Military Sales for the Royal Netherlands Air Force uniqueness on 11 Apache Attack Helicopter (AH)-64E aircraft, recurring and non-recurring scope, version six integration, integrated logistics support, product assurance, longbow crew trainers and initial peculiar ground support equipment. The Boeing AH-64 Apache is an American twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a crew of two. It features a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2025.

Asia-Pacific

The Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile will be integrated on Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-X fighter. MBDA has been awarded a contract from Korea Aerospace Industries for the integration. The deal also includes integration support to KAI, transfer of know-how and manufacture of test equipment for the KF-X integration and trials campaign. Meteor is the world’s most advanced air-to-air missile, and has a unique ramjet propulsion system that allows it to fly further and faster than any other air-to-air missile – allowing it to defeat maneuvering targets even at extreme ranges.

The DoS approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of up to thirteen (13) MK 45 5 inch/62 caliber (MOD 4) naval guns and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1 billion. India’s $1.021 request includes 3,500 D349 Projectile, 5-inch MK-92 (MOD 1) ammunition, as well as other ammunition and related equipment, spare parts and technical, training and logistics support. The MK-45 naval artillery gun is intended for surface-to-surface either on land or water, and can also be fired against air targets. “The MK-45 Gun System will provide the capability to conduct anti­-surface warfare and anti-air defense missions while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces,” a release by the State Department read.

Today’s Video

Watch: Milipol Paris 2019 TV Day 2 Homeland Security and Safety Exhibition France News Show Daily Video

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $86.4 million contract for the repair, upgrade or replacement of the MK-41 Vertical Launch System. MK 41 is a fixed, vertical, multi-missile storage and firing system that lets Navy vessels launch significant firepower. The capability of VLS to simultaneously prepare one missile in each half of a launcher module allows for fast reaction to multiple threats with concentrated, continuous firepower. The Vertical Launching System (VLS) Mk 41 is a canister launching system which provides a rapid-fire launch capability against hostile threats. The missile launcher consists of a single eight-cell missile module, capable of launching SEASPARROW missiles used against hostile aircraft, missiles and surface units. Primary units of the VLS are two Launch Control Units, one 8-Cell Module, one 8-Cell System Module, a Remote Launch Enable Panel and a Status Panel. Work will take place in California, Florida, Maryland, and Mexico. Estimated completion will be by November 2024.

BAE Systems won a $15.8 million modification to provide services for the US and United Kingdom Trident II D5 strategic weapon system programs, US SSGN attack weapon systems, nuclear weapon surety and future concepts. The Trident II D5 is the latest generation of the US Navy’s submarine-launched fleet ballistic missiles. The Trident II Strategic Weapon System is deployed aboard Ohio Class submarines and consists of: the Trident II (D5) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile; Reentry System; and supporting Shipboard Systems. It is a three-stage, solid-fuel, inertially-guided missile with a range of 4,000 nautical miles capable of carrying multiple W76-Mk4/Mk4A or W88-Mk5 reentry bodies. The missile is launched by the pressure of expanding gas within the launch tube. When the missile broaches the waterline, it enters the boost phase, expending its first, second, and third-stage rocket motors. Following third-stage motor separation, the missile deploys the reentry bodies. Expected completion date is September 30, 2020.

Middle East & Africa

According to media reports, Senegal has signed a contract with French company Kership to procure three OPV 58 S Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). Kership is a joint venture between Piriou and Naval Group. The contract was announced on November 17. Construction will start in early 2020, and all three OPVs are expected to be completed by mid-2023. The deal includes follow-on support in Senegal. Kership’s OPV 58 S design is based on a steel and aluminium hull with an overall length of 62 m and a displacement of 550 tonnes. It features a 360° vision bridge and an aft ramp for the rapid launch and recovery of two rigid-hull inflatable boats. Innovative features include a ‘C-Sharp’ (Combined-Speeds Hull with All-Round Performances) hull shape jointly developed by Piriou and Kership that increases the ship’s endurance and seagoing capabilities.

Europe

Russia’s Military expects to receive the first batch of 12 Armata T-14 Main Battle Tanks in the next weeks. The first 12 T-14 main battle tanks will reportedly be delivered to the Russian Army in late 2019 or early 2020. According to sources within the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), 12 T-14 MBTs and four T-16 armored recovery vehicles, also known as Armata ARV or BREM-T, are expected to be delivered to the service by the end of 2019. The construction of the assembly lines for serial production of the state-of-the-art main battle tank is now in its final stages, Sergey Chemezov, the head of the Rostec defense conglomerate announced on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday. The equipment had already been used to build the pilot batch of the T-14 tanks, which is now awaiting deployment so that the tanks could be tested in the conditions of actual military service.

Asia-Pacific

Australia announced on November 20 that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will be participation in Exercise PITCH BLACK from 2020. The Minister of Defense of Japan, Mr. Kono Taro, and Australian Minister for Defense, Senator Linda Reynolds, committed to driving bilateral defense cooperation forward during Minister Reynolds’ first official visit to Tokyo on 20 November 2019. They emphasized that as Indo-Pacific security dynamics became more challenging, the strategic logic underpinning Japan-Australia cooperation was only getting stronger. The ministers also declared that they will accelerate defense cooperation in the next years including in the fields of military exercises, personnel exchanges, space and cyber policy, defense science and technology. In a joint statement, they also announced that Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s will participate in the exercise PITCH BLACK commencing in 2020 in Australia, and the fighter exercise BUSHIDO GUARDIAN in Japan.

Leonardo has identified an opportunity to sell its M-345 basic jet trainer to the Royal Thai Air Force. The defense company believes there will be a program to replace the RTAF’s PC-9 over the next two years. The light attack role of the jet can give the Thai Air Force extra capability. The move is supported through Leonardo’s expanding profile in Thailand, demonstrated by a new contract awarded to the company to provide the RTAF with its RAT 31DL/M air- defense radar system. The company said the M-345’s ability to perform a light attack role will provide additional capability to the RTAF above those offered by a traditional basic trainer platform.

Today’s Video

Watch: Future weapons of Israel 2019

Today, the OCEAN2020 project, managed by a 42 partner consortium from 15 EU countries, has successfully launched its first sea demonstration in the Gulf of Taranto, Italy. The OCEAN2020 Live Sea Demonstration involves a total of 9 unmanned assets and six naval units from Italy, Spain, Greece and France. The deployment of manned and unmanned systems, when integrated with satellite and communication networks, aims to enhance overall maritime situational awareness and build a comprehensive picture of developing situations for military decision-makers.  

Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director General, DG GROW - European Commission, said, “Today Ocean 2020 is demonstrating its technical achievements, but also that joint research and development at the EU level works. With the preparatory action on defence research we started small. But it helped us to gain valuable experience for the fully-fledged European Defence Fund in place in 2021 to further strengthen the competitiveness of our defence industries.” 

Led by Leonardo, the OCEAN2020 (Open Cooperation for European mAritime awareNess) maritime initiative brings together technical specialists in the maritime domain covering the observing, orienting, deciding and acting operational tasks. In the Mediterranean Sea Demonstration, OCEAN2020 brings together data and information from a variety of sources; 9 unmanned assets – four aircraft, three surface and two underwater, six naval units, five satellites for communication and surveillance, four National Maritime Operations Centres (MOC), two ground communication networks and a prototype of a European Maritime Operations Centre (EU MOC) to build a comprehensive maritime picture.

The two-day live demonstration is the latest phase in the ambitious project which aims to demonstrate enhanced situational awareness in a maritime environment through the integration of legacy and new technologies for unmanned systems.  OCEAN2020 aims to achieve operational and technical objectives, these range from enhanced situational awareness, autonomy, cost effectiveness and increased interoperability for joint missions also using protocols compatible with NATO standards. The variety of assets involved in OCEAN2020 highlights how collaborative autonomy between multi-domain unmanned vehicles can provide a force multiplier.

Giovanni Soccodato, Chief Strategic Equity Officer at Leonardo, speaking on behalf of OCEAN2020 Consortium, said: “OCEAN2020 is an incredibly ambitious project. To deliver it, we are bringing together a pan-European team of experts, each of which is contributing its own area of world-class capabilities. Operationally, this project is important demonstrating the possibility to enhance maritime surveillance – of vital interest to European defence – integrating unmanned platforms with traditional systems. More broadly, OCEAN2020 demonstrates the potential and the true spirit of  European collaboration in the defence sector, having enabled a real partnership of large and small industry, academia and defence ministries from across the continent.”
 

Jorge Domecq (EDA Chief Executive), Pierre Delsaux (Deputy Director General, DG GROW), Giovanni Soccodato (Chief Strategic Equity Officer at Leonardo)

 
From sea to EDA: EU MOC prototype in Brussels

To highlight the capability of OCEAN2020 to a wider audience, a prototype of an EU MOC was installed at EDA in Brussels. Today, a demonstration took place offering an opportunity for OCEAN2020 consortium members, project stakeholders and members of the press to discuss the impact of the project and follow the exercise taking place in Italy live via the EU MOC.

Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive, said, “Today’s demonstration is proof of the added-value of EU supported defence research. In deploying 9 unmanned assets, naval assets and integrating them with an extensive satellite and communication networks, OCEAN2020 takes the aims of PADR and puts them into the operational domain where the benefits of European defence cooperation are confirmed.”
 

First sea demonstration 20-21 November 2019

Today’s Mediterranean Sea Demonstration, led by the Italian Navy, tests how the fusion of data and information collected from the assets deployed in the area of operations can be integrated to create a Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP). OCEAN2020 aims to show how multiple information sources can be integrated with Combat Management Systems (CMSs) to create a RMP, while equally highlighting how collaborative autonomy between multi-domain unmanned vehicles can provide a force multiplier. The demonstration runs two scenarios; a threatening vessel interdiction and interception of a mine laying vessel before an amphibious operation.
 

Baltic Sea 2020

A second Live Sea Demonstration will take place in Summer 2020 in the Baltic Sea and will be led by the Swedish Navy.
 

Background

Funded from the European Union’s Preparatory Action on Defence Research under grant agreement No 801697, OCEAN2020 received funding of €35.48 Million. Since its launch in April 2018 the project has undertaken extensive research and technology work to reach the point of undertaking a live sea demonstration. The consortium have been involved in a significant amount of solution analysis, system design, technical development and system integration of individual assets and trials.

Information on the 42 consortium members can be found on the OCEAN2020 website and factsheet.
 

Further information

• OCEAN2020 Factsheet
• OCEAN2020 Website 
• @OCEAN2020 Twitter account
• #OCEAN2020 on social media
• EC Press release IP/19/1717 European Defence Fund on track with €525 million for Eurodrone and other joint research and industrial projects (19 March 2019)
• News OCEAN2020 kick-off meeting at EDA (10 Apr 2018)

  EDA press contacts:

Elisabeth SCHOEFFMANN
Head of Media & Communication
T+32 470 87 01 65

Paul QUINN
Media & Communications Officer 
Tel:  +32 2 504 28 24

         
OCEAN2020 consortium press contacts:

Fiorella LAMBERTI
OCEAN2020 Communications Manager – Leonardo
Tel: +39 06 32 47 39 30

Flavia NEGRETTI
Media Relations Manager - Leonardo 
Tel:  +39 33 46 37 84 22

 
EC press contacts:

Mirna TALKO
Team Leader – Press and Social Media team
Tel: +32 2 29 87278

Olga JABLONOWSKA
Information and Communication Officer 
Tel:  +32 2 29 95113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

Raytheon won a $84.8 modification to exercise options in support of the fiscal 2020 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 low rate initial production (LRIP) requirements. The deal will procure the remaining materials in support of the ESSM FY20 LRIP Lot 3 all up rounds and spares requirements. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed and manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems. The missile is currently in service with the US Navy and some of the 12 NATO Sea Sparrow consortium nations. The ESSM surface-to-air missile is an upgrade to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missile. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort supported by the NATO Sea Sparrow consortium nations including the US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Norway, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands. Estimated completion for work under the contract modification is by June 2023.

BAE Systems was tapped with an $11.2 million contract modification to exercise options for the USS Billings (LCS 15) post-shakedown availability. Post-shakedown availabilities (PSA) are accomplished within a period of approximately 10-16 weeks between the time of ship custody transfer to the Navy and the shipbuilding and conversion funding obligation work limiting date. The PSA encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, non-standard equipment and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish the PSA. Work will include correction of government-responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA and incorporation of approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period which are not otherwise the building yard’s responsibility under the ship construction contract. The USS Billings is a Littoral Combat Ship. It is designed to operate close to shore in shallow water. The Navy commissioned the ship in August this year. Work under the modification will take place in Jacksonville, California and estimated completion will be by January 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy awarded Kellogg Brown and Root Services a $56.3 million modification to exercise the second option period for base operating support services at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Work will provide for all management and administration, public safety, galley, ordnance, air operations, fire and emergency services, bachelor quarters, housing, pest control, integrated solid waste, base support vehicles and equipment, custodial, electrical, water, wastewater, port operations, supply, morale-welfare-recreation, facilities investment and environmental services to provide base operating support services. Work will take place at various installations in Djibouti, Africa, and other areas within Africa. Estimated completion is in November 2020.

At this year’s Dubai Airshow, the UAE surprisingly announced that it will acquire two more GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and three Airbus A330 MRTT tankers. The Dubai Airshow started on November 17 and will continue through November 21. The United Arab Emirates’ Air Force and Air Defense is reportedly in the closing stages of negotiations with Saab for an additional two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, as well as a further three Airbus A330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) aircraft. The procurement for the two GlobalEye aircraft is valued at $1 billion, and comes as Saab is moving ahead with the program for three aircraft on order for the UAEAFAD. The first two aircraft were ordered at the 2015 Dubai Airshow, with an order for a third being placed in early 2017. The first aircraft was rolled out in February 2018, undertaking its first flight in March 2018. Testing and evaluation continued throughout 2018 and 2019. Saab officials told Jane’s that the certification flight testing has been concluded, with the aircraft currently under modification to final status.

Europe

Norway declared initial operational readiness for its F-35 readiness, local media reports. In a ceremony at Rygge Air Defense Base last week, Major General Skinnarland underlined that this declaration represents a milestone in the process of integrating the fifth generation aircraft into the Norwegian Air Force. The Norwegian Defense Minister, Frank Bakke-Jensen, congratulated the country’s Air Force on achieving this important operational capability. In November 2017, the first Norwegian F-35 aircraft landed in Norway. Today the Norwegian Air Force has 15 fighter aircraft in the country and another seven in the United States. All aircraft are undergoing thorough tests, flights and evaluations to ensure they are mission-ready.

Asia-Pacific

During the DSEI Japan defense exhibition this week, Taurus Systems disclosed that is offering its KEPD 350E air-to-surface cruise missiles for Japan’s F-2 and F-15J, Jane’s reports. Japan’s Mid-Term Defense Program has a requirement for an air-launched stand-off missile. A company official told Jane’s at the 18-20 DSEI Japan defense exhibition in Chiba that Taurus is looking to meet a requirement for air-launched stand-off missiles outlined in Japan’s Mid-Term Defense Program, which was approved in December 2018. “We have provided information to officials from the Japanese Ministry of Defense about the KEPD 350E and are waiting to intensify discussions about operational requirements and local industry involvement,” the magazine quotes the official, adding that the acquisition of the KEPD 350E would enhance Japan’s national defense capabilities.

Today’s Video

Watch: SSB Turkish Defense and security industry at Defense and Security Bangkok Thailand 2019 Exhibition

Americas

Vigor Marine LLC won a $20 million contract for a 75-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry-docking of USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9). T-AKE 9 is a Lewis and Clark Class dry cargo ship. The USNS Lewis and Clark is the first-of-class T-AKE dry cargo and ammunition ship and is part of the more than 40 ships within the US Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force. The ships, which are not armed and are classified as non-combatant ships, are capable of operating independently for extended periods at sea while providing underway replenishment services and contribute to the US Navy’s ability to maintain a forward presence. The deal includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $20,217,869. Work will take place in Portland, Oregon and is scheduled to be complete by March 16, 2020.

Hamilton Sundstrand won a $10.1 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure non-recurring engineering and equipment for system integration lab activities in support of the V-22 aircraft Constant Frequency Generator Control Unit design improvement effort for the Navy, Air Force and the government of Japan. The Osprey is a multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing, and short takeoff and landing capabilities. The V-22’s propulsion system consists of dual counter rotating proprotors attached to gearboxes driven by Allison AE 1107C turboshaft engines. The engines, proprotor gearboxes, tilt-axis gearboxes, proprotor controls, and infrared (IR) suppressors are all housed in the rotating nacelle on the end of each wing. An interconnecting drive shaft transfers power from each nacelle to the mid-wing gearbox. This is the heart of the tiltrotor technology. Work will take place within the US. Estimated completion date is in October 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Shipyards will design the Israeli Navy’s new Reshef Class to replace its aging Saar 4.5 vessels. The class will be based on the S-72, which it described as a “proven design”, even though none have been ordered as yet, and would be able to “successfully withstand the new and evolving threats and challenges” facing the Israeli Navy. The vessels will be used to protect Israel’s exclusive economic zone, including oil and gas facilities. The news follows a November 6 announcement in which the Israeli Ministry of Defense said it had ordered a floating dock from Israel Shipyards as part of a $25.8 million agreement that also covers the design and construction of future naval vessels that were not identified.

Europe

Even though the country faces sanctions from the US, Russian arms sales are on pace to match 2018’s export revenue of about $13.7 billion, the head of Russia’s state-owned defense export company said Monday. Sergei Chemezov, chief executive officer of Rostec, said at the Dubai Air Show that Russia has confirmed sales of $11 billion so far this year, and expects to end 2019 with between $13.5 billion and $13.7 billion in defense-related exports. He acknowledged that Rosoboronexport, which is the country’s arms agency, must accelerate its work until the end of the year to meet the goal. The annual sales totals have become a key marketing point in Russia’s response to US sanctions imposed in 2017 in retaliation for Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and meddling in the US elections in 2016.

Asia-Pacific

Mongolia is now the newest operator of the MiG-29 with two UB two-seaters being delivered recently, local media reports. They will be officially inducted into service on November 26. “As of now, Mongolia has no military aviation but for helicopters. Now it will have two MiG-29 jets,” a spokesman said, adding that the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces had already confirmed the date of the official handover ceremony. The Ministry of Defense of Mongolia plans to purchase four to five new MiG-29 aircraft.

Japanese company IHI unveiled an autonomous underwater mine-detection system at the DSEI Japan 2019 defense exhibition in Chiba, held between November 18-20. Jane’s reports that the system, which comprises two different unmanned vehicles, is designed to acquire, process, classify, and relay information about “mine-like objects, among other things, to the mother ship. One of the elements that comprises the system is a 5 m-long autonomous underwater vehicle, which can reach a top speed of 4 kt, has an endurance of up to 24 hours, and can operate at maximum depth of 200 m, 600 m or 3,000 m, depending on the configuration. The standard configuration is equipped with a side scan sonar, a multi-beam sonar, and a digital video camera, but additional systems and sensors are also available depending on the requirement,

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : Indian Starts Naval AMCA,Helina ATGM Trial,30 Predator-B & NASAMS-2 Deal

Around 50 helicopter tactics specialists from 11 EDA participating Member States as well as representatives of the Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC), the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), and European Helicopter industry met recently in the Air Manoeuvre, Training and Exercise Centre (AMTEC) situated in Celle, Germany, for the 10th Helicopter Tactics Symposium, organised under the EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP). 

This annual event proved once more to be a unique occasion for European helicopter crews to discuss and share expertise and best practices related to helicopter tactics and to learn about  training opportunities under the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP).

A central part of the symposium was devoted to drawing the tactical lessons from recent EDA helicopter exercises, such as ‘Dark Blade 19’ held at Namest 22nd Helicopter Air Base, Czech Republic, in May 2019 (see EDA webnews here). Other sessions addressed the lessons learned from operation MINUSMA in Mali as well as the experiences made by helicopter pilots in Iraq and Libya. Furthermore, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) shared his experience and feedback on working with helicopters in operations as well as EDA exercises.

Symposium attendees also received detailed information on helicopter tactics such as aerial gunnery, personnel recovery, air assault/airmobile operations and its planning cycle, NVG training and Attack Helicopter Tactics. A representative from Sweden briefed on the country’s new Helicopter Tactics Training Concept which will include courses given under the umbrella of EDA such as HTC and HTIC.
 

Electronic Warfare

A new topic on the annual EDA Helicopter Tactics Symposium was Electronic Warfare (EW). In that context, participating Member States' experts also provided briefings on evasive training and EW threats. Another new topic raised at the symposium was ‘Non-Technical Skills in Weapon Instructor Training” which was presented by a senior Dutch aviation psychologist and instructor pilot.
Industry was also present during the symposium with a speaker on ‘Rotary Wing developments to meet future operational needs’.

Looking ahead, symposium participants were briefed on upcoming HEP exercises, including Swift Blade 2020 (to be held in The Netherlands and Belgium) which will focus on helicopter Composite Air Operations (COMAO) and national training required by the participating member states. In 2021, the annual HEP exercise will take place in Portugal under the label ‘Hot Blade’.

 

More information:

• Helicopter initiatives (EDA project page) 

 

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $67.1 million requirements contract for supplies related to the upgrade of the T-56 engine from series 3.0 to series 3.5. The Rolls-Royce T56 is a single-shaft turboprop engine with a 14-stage axial flow compressor driven by a four-stage turbine. The gearbox has two stages of gear reduction and features a propeller brake. The gearbox is connected to the power section by a torque meter assembly. Other engine modules are the can-annular type combustor and the accessory drive housing. The Series 3.5 upgrade, allows T56 engines to operate at greatly reduced temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22 percent. The upgrades also provide improved “hot and high” performance. The Series 3.5 package can be installed on T56 engines on either C-130 or P-3 legacy aircraft. Work will take place in Indiana and performance completion date is September 30, 2024.

Raytheon won a $61.5 million delivery contract for Global Positioning System-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Services (GPNTS) software support. GPNTS is used to receive, process and distribute three-dimensional position, velocity, acceleration, attitude, time and frequency in the formats required by shipboard user systems. The software support will include development, integration and test of improvements, correction of deficiencies, preparation and delivery of engineering interim/final software builds and inputs for the GPNTS software requirements and configuration baseline. The delivery contract includes a base ordering period of five years, with a subsequent three-year option and a final two-year option for a total of 10 years should all options be exercised. Raytheon will perform work in San Diego, California and is expected to be finished by November, 2024.

Middle East & Africa

South Korean ammunition manufacturer CNO Tech signed a technology transfer agreement on November 14 with the Public Authority for Privatization and Partnership (PAPP), which manages offset programs in Oman. Under the agreement, CNO Tech will transfer production-line technologies to the Oman Munition Production Company (OMPC), which was established with French company Manurhin in 2014 as an indigenous supplier to the Omani Armed Forces and security services. OMPC manufactures NATO-standard 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 9 mm caliber ammunition.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defense confirmed a deal awarded to Babcock for the design and build of the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 general-purpose frigate. Signed on November 15, the deal covers the delivery of five ships at an average production cost of approximately $323 million each. The frigates will be assembled at Babcock’s Rosyth facility and involve supply chains throughout the UK in line with the UK’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, the company said in a regulatory announcement to the London stock exchange. Babcock-led Team 31, which also includes Thales, OMT and BMT, was confirmed as preferred supplier for the Type 31 program back in September. The team had proposed the Arrowhead 140 design, which is based on the Iver Huitfeldt Class platform already in service with the Royal Danish Navy.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Navy lost a two-seat MiG-29KUB on November 16 after the jet took off from INS Hansa Air Base and had a bird strike. The aircraft’s left engine flamed out and the right engine was on fire. Forcing both pilots to eject. Both the pilots, who are trainees, have ejected safely and a search and rescue operation is on. A flock of bird caused a MiG 29K fighter jet of the Indian Navy, which was on a training mission, to flameout and crash shortly after taking off in Goa on Saturday, local media reports.

Images have emerged in Chinese state-owned media showing at least two People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) J-15 fighters equipped with what appear to be the KD-88 air-to-surface missile and either the YJ-91 anti-radiation or YJ-91A anti-ship-missile, Jane’s reports. This is an indication that China has enhanced the multirole capabilities of this carrier-borne fighter. Since the J-15s shown in the image feature three-digit serial numbers – unlike the latest ones displayed during the October 1 parade in Beijing that feature two-digit serials – it is possible that the video was taken some time ago, meaning that the fighters may have been fitted with this armament several months ago. The J-15, which has an estimated maximum weapon load of 6,500 kg, had been previously spotted fitted with the YJ-83K anti-ship missile but the CCTV report marks the first time images of the fighter armed with the KD-88 and the YJ-91 missiles have been released.

Today’s Video

Watch: Incredible: Air Force Downs Several Drones With New Athena Laser WP System

T56 turboprop engine
(click to view larger)

There’s a lot of focus on the latest programs and purchases. It’s certainly justified given the sums at stake, but it can lead casual observers to ignore a major source of funding and profits: service and support for existing equipment.

In September 2013, Rolls-Royce Corp. in Indianapolis, IN received a 6-year, maximum $406 million fixed-price contract to support the T56 turboprop engines that equip many US military C-130 Hercules transports, as well as Navy P-3C Orion sea control planes, EP-3 Aries ELINT planes, E-2C Hawkeye AWACS aircraft, and related C-2 Greyhound carrier cargo planes. Some of those planes have served for well over 30 years. In this case, C-130B/E/H operators Poland, Jordan, and the Philippines are also part of the contract.

This contract was a sole-source acquisition, with an economic-price-adjustment clause to cover any sharp jumps in costs for raw materials. Work will be performed in Indiana until Sept 30/19, the end of FY 2019. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Richmond, VA manages this contract (SPE4A2-13-D-0003).

 

Contracts & Updates

November 19/19: 3.5 Update Rolls-Royce won a $67.1 million requirements contract for supplies related to the upgrade of the T-56 engine from series 3.0 to series 3.5. The Rolls-Royce T56 is a single-shaft turboprop engine with a 14-stage axial flow compressor driven by a four-stage turbine. The gearbox has two stages of gear reduction and features a propeller brake. The gearbox is connected to the power section by a torque meter assembly. Other engine modules are the can-annular type combustor and the accessory drive housing. The Series 3.5 upgrade, allows T56 engines to operate at greatly reduced temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22 percent. The upgrades also provide improved “hot and high” performance. The Series 3.5 package can be installed on T56 engines on either C-130 or P-3 legacy aircraft. Work will take place in Indiana and performance completion date is September 30, 2024.

Thanks, GPNTS
(click to view full)

At the end of June 2010, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in San Diego, CA received a 4-year, $32.2 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to design, develop, test and deliver the Global Positioning System Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Service (GPNTS). If all options are exercised, work could continue until June 2021, and run the contract to $77.1 million. $4.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. Work will be performed in San Diego, CA (88%), and Fairfax, VA (12%), while the competitively procured contract will be managed by US Space and Naval Warfare Command in San Diego, CA (N00039-11-C-0089).

The DoD description said that “…GPNTS will support mission critical real-time positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data services for weapons, combat, navigation, and other C4I systems requiring PNT information.” That’s technically true, but misleading. Discussions with Raytheon confirm that GPNTS systems will replace existing NAVSSI integrated navigation systems on board US Navy ships. They receive GPS data from the ship’s receivers, and act as a shipboard navigation data distribution hub. That could mean loading current coordinates from the ship into an aircraft or a GPS/INS-guided weapon, working with an aircraft carrier’s precision GPS landing system, or just handling routine navigation and reporting systems on board.

Contracts & Updates

November 19/19: Software Support Raytheon won a $61.5 million delivery contract for Global Positioning System-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Services (GPNTS) software support. GPNTS is used to receive, process and distribute three-dimensional position, velocity, acceleration, attitude, time and frequency in the formats required by shipboard user systems. The software support will include development, integration and test of improvements, correction of deficiencies, preparation and delivery of engineering interim/final software builds and inputs for the GPNTS software requirements and configuration baseline. The delivery contract includes a base ordering period of five years, with a subsequent three-year option and a final two-year option for a total of 10 years should all options be exercised. Raytheon will perform work in San Diego, California and is expected to be finished by November, 2024.

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $1.2 billion contract, which provides sustainment support of the V-22 AE1107C engine at various V-22 aircraft production, test and operating sites. Sustainment support includes program management, integrated logistics support, sustaining engineering, maintenance, repair, reliability improvements, configuration management and site support. The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical performance of a helicopter and speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft, including the ability to convert to a turboprop plane and accomplish high-speed, high-altitude flight. The US Navy in June 2018 exercised an option for Rolls-Royce to deliver 15 production AE1107C engines, including seven for the Marine Corps, six for the Navy and two for the Air Force, by May 2019. Work will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana and various other locations within and outside the continental US. Estimated completion is in February 2025.

The US Navy awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a $15 million contract modification for the purchase of additional Ford CVN 78 Class shore based spares in support of the Ford Class. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first new design for an aircraft carrier since USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The ship is equipped with two newly-designed reactors and has 250 per cent more electrical capacity than previous carriers. These features will allow the ship to load weapons and launch aircraft faster than ever before. The design and construction of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier requires highly technical and specialized knowledge of the ship’s mission, design, systems and nuclear reactor plants. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. HII-NNS is the nation’s only designer and builder of nuclear powered aircraft carriers. HII-NNS has developed a unique capability encompassing all aspects of aircraft carrier design, construction, modernization, repair and technical and engineering support which, because of its uniqueness, cannot be acquired elsewhere. Work will take place in California and Virginia and is expected to be complete by May 2022.

Middle East & Africa

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces is using the 11 m Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC) made by the British company Holyhead Marine, Jane’s reports. Held on the coast of Ras al-Khaimah on November 1, the demonstration featured a wide variety of the UAE’s air and land platforms, but also a few maritime assets, including the previously unseen raiding craft and a swimmer delivery vehicle that emerged from the water to be used as a sniper platform by its two-man crew. The 11 m ORC is an enlarged version of the 9 m ORC in service with the UK’s Royal Marine Commandos. Holyhead Marine says the baseline craft can be easily reconfigured into two versions: the Troop Carrier Variant that can accommodate 12 soldiers and two crew and the Fire Support Platform with four machine gun mounts and higher armor, which protects against 7.62×39 mm bullets at 20 m.

Europe

The RBS 98 air defense missile system has been test-fired at the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration’s (FMV) test site in Vidsel on November 5. The Swedish Army is fielding a ground-launched version of the IRIS-T, designated RBS 98, to replace the RBS 70 missile system. Four missiles are carried on a special version of a BV 410 tracked armored vehicle.

Asia-Pacific

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) conducted a joint maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise for the first time recently. A SLAF Bell 412 landed aboard SLNS Sindurala for first time during the exercise. Each MI 17 and Bell 412 conducted speed synchronization rounds prior to the landing and the Bell 412 made 3 successful landings while the ship was underway. After the Bell 412 landing, the ship proceeded 50 nautical miles away from the land to conduct rest of the operation with MI 17. Similarly, MI 17 also made 3 successful VERTREPs with landing a dummy man on the helideck.

India’s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has launched another 105 m improved Sankalp Class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ordered for the Indian Coast Guard, Jane’s reports. The vessel was reportedly launched on November 14 at GSL’s facilities in Goa. It will be the 11th vessel in the Sankalp Class, which is referred to in India as the Samarth Class after the program’s third ship, which features a longer beam than its predecessors. The OPV is part of a five-vessel, $275 million contract approved by the Indian government in August 2016. This contract is also referred to in country as the Samarth Class Flight II project.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : MMRCA Linked With Kaveri & AMCA,AGNI-II Night Test,10 Heron TP Deal Final

HMS Prince of Wales, second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy will be formally commissioned on December, 10 2019.

Tag: HMS Prince of Wales

On 7 November, European Defence Agency (EDA) hosted two high level meetings on RPAS Air Traffic Integration and the future of Single European Sky (SES). EDA welcomed senior representatives from European aviation organisations including, EASA, SESAR Joint Undertaking, European Commission (DG MOVE) and Eurocontrol. 
 

High Level Group on the implementation of Single European Sky 

The European Defence Agency was delighted to host the meeting of the High Level Group on SES. The aims of this event were to take stock the outcomes of the High Level Conference on the Future of SES (11-12 September) and to discuss the way ahead regarding the concepts promoted by the Airspace Architecture Study and the Wise Persons Group Report, in view of the Transport Council on 2 December 2019.  During the discussions, EDA Chief Executive, Jorge Domecq,  recalled that the military community recognises the need to collaboratively address the modernisation of the European Air Traffic Management (ATM) system for the benefit of all users, ensuring that some key military principles, in particular linked to ATM Data Service Provision (ADSP) and Airspace Management, which is a national prerogative, are duly considered.
  

4th High Level Coordination Mechanism Meeting

EDA also  hosted the 4th high level meeting on the Coordination Mechanism between the European Commission, EASA, SJU and EDA for the development and implementation of a joint civil-military Roadmap towards drone Air Traffic Integration. Eurocontrol was also  invited to this important EU coordination mechanism which aims to align  workstreams in the regulatory, technical and standardisation domains with the overall objective of supporting the Accommodation of a European MALE-type RPAS in the 2020-2025 timeframe, with full integration as of 2025.

The coordination efforts are of particular importance given the limitations to use military RPAS in a non-segregated airspace as this harms the effectiveness of the systems.
 

Guidelines for the  accommodation of military IFR MALE type RPAS under GAT airspace classes A-C

Finally, EDA Chief Executive, Jorge Domecq and EASA Executive Director, Patrick Ky, presented the “Guidelines for the accommodation of military IFR MALE type RPAS under GAT airspace classes A-C”. This document is the result of a task force jointly launched and chaired by EASA and EDA, with valuable contributions from several representatives of military and civil organisations.

These guidelines propose a basis for Member States and their ANSPs to conduct their own safety assessment and to develop their operational procedures and processes in compliance with European ATM/ANS Regulation.

 

Americas

The US Department of Defense is „focused on China and its growing projection of power” as Beijing seeks to assume a global leadership role in the coming decades based on its “authoritative socialist model”, Chad Sbragia, the US deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, said on November 13. China’s 2019 Defense White Paper, published in July, discusses growing capacity to acquire a “strategic dagger,” he said, meaning the capacity to project power in a sophisticated way on a global scale. „We need diplomatic, economic and security efforts to respond to China’s Belt and Road activities, and they have to be integrated in ways that in the past haven’t been done as well as they should,” Sbragia said. A whole-of-government approach that includes interagency cooperation and working to strengthen alliances and partnerships is key to the US response, he added.

General Dynamics won a $7.7 million contract modification for the operation, maintenance and protection of the floating dry dock Shippingport (ARDM-4). Shippingport (ARDM-4) is an ARDM-4 Class US Navy Medium Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock. Sie is one of the Navy’s two medium Auxiliary Dry Docks and was the first floating dry dock built for the USN since World War II. With a displacement of 5400 tons, this floating dry dock had a lifting capacity of 7800 tons. Shippingport has two 25 ton portal gantry cranes on tracks, one running along the top deck of each hulls side superstructure. She is a government owned, private contractor operated, restored and certified drydock used to execute submarine repairs. Work under the contract modification will take place in Groton, Connecticut and estimated completion will be by November 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Israel announced a ceasefire with Islamic Jihad after two days of fighting, local media reports. Some 450 rockets were launched from Gaza toward Israel since the killing of senior PIJ commander Baha Abu al-Ata early Tuesday morning that sparked the escalation. “Operation Black Belt achieved all of its objectives,” the Israeli Defense Forces said. After 48 hours of heavy fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a ceasefire officially went into effect, the IDF and the terror group confirmed Thursday morning. During the operation, Israeli Forces struck dozens of PIJ targets across Gaza, including rocket caches, underground terror infrastructure, sites for manufacturing long-range rockets, training compounds, the headquarters of the Khan Younis Brigade, and others.

Europe

The United Kingdom has sent fighter aircraft to Iceland for the first time since a diplomatic spat between the two countries over the Nordic nation’s banking crisis scuppered a previous planned deployment in 2008. An undisclosed number of Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s from 1 (Fighter) Squadron and 100 personnel were deployed from their home station of RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to Keflavik Air Base on November 13. According to the UK Ministry of Defense, the aircraft will spend the next month protecting the airspace as the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Icelandic Air Policing Mission, returning to Scotland in mid-December. The RAF deployment to Iceland was announced by the then-Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson in June 2018, at which time he said four Typhoon aircraft would be sent to the island. The announcement came a decade after the last scheduled deployment was called off after Iceland’s banking system collapsed owing billions of pounds to UK savers. In 2016, the UK Treasury announced that it had received the final compensation payment from Iceland, resetting the relationship between the two countries.

The Council of the European Union has approved the TWISTER (Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER surveillance) capability project, MBDA announced on its website. TWISTER is an endo-atmospheric interceptor that deals against intermediate-range ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles or gliders and conventional air-breathing targets. “In addressing this capability gap, the interceptor component of the TWISTER project will ultimately become a key element in the contribution made by European countries to NATO’s territorial, population and Armed Forces defense mission while meeting the European Union’s level of ambition in the field of missile defense,” claims MBDA. Thanks to its inclusion within the PESCO, the program is now eligible to receive an investment from the European Defense Fund, whose budget for 2021-2027 should amount to €13 billion or approximately $14.3 billion. It is the second MBDA project supported by the fund, after the Beyond Line Of Sight capability program (BLOS), selected in 2018

Asia-Pacific

Head of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, took a flight on the indigenous HTT-40 trainer on November 13 at Bengaluru to assess its capabilitie, India Times reports. Bhadauria is a test pilot himself who has flown 27 types of fixed-wing aircraft. The HTT-40 is a basic fixed-wing aircraft, designed and developed by the HAL, which can be used by the IAF for training and aerobatic purposes too, apart from night flying. With a maximum range of 1,000 km and a top speed of 450 mph, the tandem-seated aircraft has been designed to replace IAF’s fleet of HPT-32 Deepak basic trainers, which have already been grounded following a series of accidents.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : Naval Tejas MK2 Production,550 Robots For Army,Supreme Court Rafale Review

Americas

BAE Systems wants to create an interim advanced radar jamming technology until next summer for helicopters and UASs, that is lighter and smaller than systems available now. The company published a statement November 12 announcing, the US Army awarded it a research and development contract to bring the technology to bear. The system “aims to improve air survivability and mission effectiveness” for aircraft “by detecting and defeating complex and unknown threats in electronic combat,” the statement read. BAE plans to demonstrate the technology in July 2020. The technology is under development within BAE Systems’ FAST Labs and combines adaptive radio frequency jamming and sensing capabilities into one system, the company statement noted. As the Army looks to modernize its capabilities to fight across multiple domains in highly contested environments, the technology, the company said, will enable the aircraft to fly closer to threats and remain protected.

The US Air Force has reportedly approved a retrofit to prevent cargo locks on an aerial refueling tanker from coming undone midflight. Will Roper, the Air Force’s top acquisition official, told Defense News he’s confident the KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tanker’s malfunctioning cargo locks will be fixed within months. In September, after a flight where cargo locks on the bottom of the aircraft’s floor became unlocked midflight, the tanker was restricted from carrying either cargo or people in the back of the aircraft. So far Boeing has paid more than $3.5 billion of its own money to fund corrections to ongoing technical issues, of which the cargo issue is the fourth. The company has also paid to address the tanker’s remote vision system, which provides imagery that in certain lighting conditions looks warped or misleading; instances of the boom scraping against the airframe of the receiver aircraft; and a requirement to redesign the boom to accommodate the A-10 plane.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that the Turkish Naval Forces conducted the first ship-launched firing of the Atmaca (Hawk) Anti-Ship missile (ASM) from the TDK Ada Class corvette TCG Kinaliada (F-514) at an undisclosed location in the Black Sea on November 3. Evolved within the scope of the MILGEM Project, which is Turkey’s national warship program, Atmaca is the country’s first indigenously developed dedicated above-water ASM system, and is intended to replace the Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon ASM in TDK surface platform service. Atmaca is an autonomous, all-weather, low-signature, super sea skimming ASM. Resistant to countermeasures, the missile features a mission planning system with 3D routing, and a target update, re-attack, re-target, and mission abort capability via a commercial off-the-shelf two-way datalink.

Europe

Belarusian Defense Minister Andrei Ravkov has confirmed that two Su-30SM fighters ordered by the country will land at Baranovichi aerodrome this afternoon, Tass reports. Two more jets are expected to be home this year. The country has ordered 12 Su-30SMs. The Defense Ministry of Belarus signed a contract with Russia’s Irkut Aviation Corporation in 2017 on the delivery of 12 Su-30SM fighters in 2018-2020. Belarus was expected to receive up to four planes a year. The Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet.

The Czech Ministry of Defense has submitted a document to the government on its plan to purchase 8 UH-1Ys and 4 AH-1Z attack helicopters. Minister of Defense Lubomir Metnar said that he hopes to sign the contract by this year in order to receive the aircraft in 2023. The AH-1Z Viper is the latest in the long line of Huey family helicopters. The twin-engine attack helicopter is based on the AH-1W SuperCobra developed for the US Marine Corps and features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, upgraded avionics and a new target sighting system. The Bell UH-1Y Venom is another recent member of the Huey helicopter family. Sometimes called the Super Huey, it is a twin-engine, medium-sized utility helicopter, built for the US Marine Corps. It entered service in 2008, and was planned to replace the USMC’s fleet of 1970s-vintage UH-1N Twin Huey light utility helicopters, which were retired in 2014.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippine Air Force has taken delivery of a C295M at Clark Air Base on November 11. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was the guest of honor at the handover and blessing ceremony. The aircraft is part of the command-and-control fixed-wing turboprop acquisition project of the AFP’s modernization program. It is a new addition to the three operational C295 aircraft in the Air Force. The Air Force is expecting another command-and-control aircraft, the Gulfstream G280, by August next year.

Today’s Video

Watch: First Sukhoi Su-57 PAK FA fifth-generation fighter aircraft ready for delivery to Russian Air Force

Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Damir Krstičević, paid a visit to EDA on 12 November for talks with the Agency’s Chief Executive Jorge Domecq.

The main topics discussed during the meeting included the current state of play and way ahead in the implementation of the EU defence initiatives (PESCO, CARD, European Defence Fund), the implementation of the revised EU Capability Development Priorities adopted in June 2018 and Croatia’s current and potential participation in EDA projects and programmes.  Particular focus was put on the CBRN Surveillance as a Service (CBRN SaaS) project, a PESCO project in which Croatia participates (together with Austria, Slovenia and Hungary) and for which EDA has been asked to support the implementation (see related EDA webnews). CBRN SaaS will provide a rapidly deployable 24/7 chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) surveillance capability. Deputy Prime Minister Krstičević was also presented with detailed updates on several other ongoing projects, including on Military Mobility and the Agency’s work related to cyber defence. 

Deputy Prime Minister Krstičević said he expected the Agency to continue to be a strong factor in strengthening the coherence of European defence initiatives.

Mr Domecq and Deputy Prime Minister Krstičević also discussed the defence and security priorities of the upcoming Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (first semester 2020). Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and strengthening Europe's defence, technological and industrial base will be one of Croatia's EU Presidency priorities in the field of defence. They also discussed the follow-up of their recent successful meeting in Zagreb last September (see related webnews) as well as of the workshop in the Croatian Chamber of Commerce which was organised in cooperation with the Agency. 

Americas

The US reportedly awarded Israeli company Rafael follow-on orders for the advanced precision targeting pod and an EW system. The company received orders from the US as well as an Asian customer, totaling approximately $55.8 million, Israeli Defense reports. The company will supply Litening electro-optic precision targeting pods for the use of US Air Force fighter jets, in collaboration with the American Northrop Grumman Company. Rafael also received an order for an electronic warfare system from an undisclosed country in Asia. Both are follow-on orders for already operational systems.

The US Air Force announced plans to test a secure data link between its F-22 and F-35 stealth fighter planes without identifying the planes’ locations, Defense One reports. The first test will be in December. It is an element in the US military’s goal of a comprehensive Multi-Domain Command and Control network encompassing the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace domains. Part of the challenge is figuring out what precisely an F-22 and F-35 should say to each other, and what pilots and their commanders should do with that information. The multirole F-35 was designed to integrate lots of data from various other sensors and drones across the battlefield. The F-22, designed primarily for air dominance, was not. Each pilot’s view of the battlefield and everything in it is very different.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that the Burundian contingent serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has taken delivery of 10 Springbuck Heavy Duty mine-resistance ambush-protected vehicles. AMISOM announced on November 6 that the Burundians received at least 20 combat vehicles. It did not identify the vehicles. However, it released photographs of 10 Springbuck HDs and at least 10 Egyptian-made Fahd wheeled armored personnel carriers at its base around Mogadishu airport. The Springbuck is a South African built ballistic and landmine protected all-terrain vehicle.

Europe

German defense company Rheinmetall announced the Artec consortium, led by Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defense to produce more than 500 Boxer 8×8-wheeled armored vehicles for the British Army. The total current value of the order is approximately $2.9 billion. The Boxer vehicles ordered by the British Army will be supplied in several different configurations, including an armored personnel carrier, command vehicle, specialist carrier and field ambulance. Delivery of the vehicles is expected to start from 2023. Most of the production will take place in the UK. Full-scale production will begin in Germany, but 90% of the Boxer vehicles destined for the British Army will be produced in the UK, principally at plants operated by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and KMW’s subsidiary WFEL.

Indra announced that the Spanish Army is to receive a rapidly deployable portable chemical laboratory from the company. It is due to be delivered in August 2020 to the ‘Valencia’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, based in Paterna near Valencia. The army had until now sent teams on VAMTAC tactical and BMR 6×6 reconnaissance vehicles to collect samples to be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will consist of two 6 meter containers that can be carried by truck, boat, or aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

The Republic of Singapore’s Air Force ceased operating its four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft in June, with the new A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport taking over its roles in providing air-to-air refueling, airlift support, and aeromedical evacuation for the Singapore Armed Forces, service officials revealed during a media briefing held at 112 Squadron. Singapore acquired four ex-United States Air Force KC-135A Stratotanker aircraft in 1996. The deal is said to have been worth approximately $280 million at the time. Singapore purchased the aircraft to complement its existing air-refueling tanker fleet of four Lockheed Martin KC-130Bs and one KC-130H Hercules platform. The Stratotankers were upgraded to the KC-135R configuration by Boeing following reactivation from storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group and delivered to the RSAF at its newly stood up Peace Guardian training detachment at the USAF’s McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas from 1999.

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