Defense`s Feeds

Americas

Meggitt Defense Systems won a $22.2 million firm-fixed-price contract in support of the Apache AH-64. The deal is for magazine assemblies. Boeing’s Apache is a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit. The helicopter is used by the US Army and an increasing number of international defense forces. The AH-64E is the latest version of the AH-64 gunship, equipped with new sensors, avionics and improved night operation capabilities. The Apache can carry up to 16 Hellfire laser designated missiles. With a range of over 8,000 meters, the Hellfire is used primarily for the destruction of tanks, armored vehicles and other hard material targets. The award is a one-time procurement contract, which includes a quantity option, exercised at time of award. Location of performance is California, with an April 15, 2021, performance completion date.

The US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $68.9 million contract modification for non-recurring engineering and obsolescence management to support delivery of 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye full-rate production Lot 7 – 11 aircraft. Hawkeye is an airborne, all-weather, tactical, early-warning aircraft used by the US Navy. E-2D is the fourth version of the E-2 Hawkeye. The technology and gadgets fitted in this aircraft increase its visibility on targets far away. Notably, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a structurally distinctive design — a rotating rotodome and four vertical stabilizer tail configurations — that provide 360-degree surveillance at all times. In April, the Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $3.2 billion five-year contract modification to buy 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne surveillance aircraft. Work will take place in Florida, New York, Virginia, California, Indiana, Ohio, Italy and France as well as various other locations within the continental US. Estimated completion date is in January 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon won a $10.8 million FMS contract to Kuwait for technical assistance planning, training, maintenance and sustainment of the Kuwait Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) missile weapon systems, associated PATRIOT equipment, and PATRIOT logistics support elements. The company will offer technical assistance, planning, training, maintenance and sustainment to Kuwait, in addition to pertinent equipment and logistics support. Kuwait is equipped with an unknown number of land-based PAC-2 medium range Patriot air defense missiles and PAC-3 ground-based/mobile Patriot missiles. The USA’s MIM-104 Phased Array Tracking Radar Intercept On Target anti-air missile system offers an advanced backbone for medium-range air defense, and short-range ballistic missile defense, to America and its allies. Work will take place in Massachusetts. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2020.

Europe

The DoS approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Hungary of 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) with support for an estimated cost of $500 million. The European country requested to buy one 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), and four spare AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance sections. The proposed sale will also include cryptographic and communication security devices, precision navigation equipment, weapons system equipment, common munitions and test equipment, training, integration and logistics support.

The State Department also approved a FMS to Denmark for nine AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and six hundred AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing system is the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor of US Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. It provides mission-critical capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar features 4-time greater area coverage than current systems, active or passive sonar modes, active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability, generate high power waveforms and many other advanced characteristics.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan will retire its UH-1H fleet on October 30. The UH-1 has been in service on the island for 50 years. It will be replaced by the UH-60. According to local reports, the Army officially confirmed that it will decommission the UH-1H on October 30. The Ministry of Defense will hold decommissioning ceremony. The UH-60 is a four-blade twin-engine medium lift utility helicopter. In 2017, Sikorsky won a $135.4 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract by the Republic of China Army for the manufacture of 24 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters. Taiwan is a mountainous island surrounded by ocean. This helicopter is perfect for rescue mission in the mountains at the altitudes above 2,000 meters or out at sea in nighttime. Its best feature is nighttime reconnaissance.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S NAVY GHOST FLEET WILL BE HAVE LARGE UNMANNED SURFACE VESSELS (LUSV) !!

MH-60R & ALFS,
Bermuda
(click to view full)

The AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) will equip the US Nay’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, serving as their primary anti-submarine sensor. The new FLASH sonar operates using lower frequencies and higher-power waveforms than existing dipping sonars, improving long-range detection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar claims 4x the area coverage of current systems, and includes both active or passive sonar modes to help track, localize, and classify submarines. A winching system with up to 2,500 feet of cable raises and lowers the sonar.

The ALFS system complements the MH-60R’s radar, and works in concert with other equipment including active or passive sonobuoys, signal processing improvements that are especially helpful in shallow water. This Spotlight article highlights ALFS-related contracts from 2002 to the present.

Contracts & Key Events

click for video

ALFS is a cooperative venture between Raytheon Corp. and Thales Underwater Systems, which supplies a modified version of its FLASH wide-band sonar. Thales’ Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH) helicopter-borne dipping sonar is widely popular, and has been chosen by the USA (MH-60R), France (NH90 NFH), Norway (NH90 NFH), Sweden (NH90 NFH), UAE (Naval Cougar), and UK (EH101 MERLIN); it is also currently proposed for the German Navy’s NH90.

Unless otherwise noted, all contracts are issued by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD, to prime contractor Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ Naval Integration Center in Portsmouth, RI. Note that work will be performed in Brest, France generally indicates work done by Raytheon’s major sub-contractor, Thales. The partnership produces an average of 20 AN/AQS-22 systems per year.

FY 2019

September 2/19: Denmark The State Department also approved a FMS to Denmark for nine AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and six hundred AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing system is the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor of US Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. It provides mission-critical capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar features 4-time greater area coverage than current systems, active or passive sonar modes, active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability, generate high power waveforms and many other advanced characteristics.

FY 2015

 

FLASH sonar
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Sept 3/15: Raytheon will get $33 million to make more AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar devices. With options, the contract could be worth as much as $98 million.

FY 2014

 

Sept 26/14: Thales Defense & Security, Inc. in Clarksburg, MD, receives a $7.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to cover repairs of 6 ALFS components. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 Navy budgets.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (62%); Clarksburg, MD (26%); and Johnstown, PA (12%), and work is expected to be complete by Jan 31/16. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement, with 1 offer received by the NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Contracting Department in Philadelphia, PA (N0038313G003F, DO 7007).

Dec 18/13: H-60 Program Manager Capt. James Glass discusses programs to upgrade the fleet with new weapons and systems. They’re pleased with ALFS’ performance, which he describes as 9x more effective, but they’re working to engineer ALFS for more reliability. Sources, Military.com, “Navy Arms MH-60S Helicopter with Gatling Gun”.

Dec 16/13: Australia. Raytheon IDS in Portsmouth, RI receives a maximum $42.6 million sole source, firm-fixed-price contract from the Royal Australian Navy for “the manufacture and delivery” of AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar systems. Australia has ordered 25 systems already (q.v. Dec 22/11), which is more than enough for installation in each helicopter. Spares? Upgrades? Additional reserve units? Raytheon’s Dec 20/13 release is uninformative. If the 2 orders are combined, they total $123.4 million.

Work will be performed in Rhode Island, with a February 2017 performance completion date. The US Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia, PA manages this contract, unlike the 2011 contract which was managed by US NAVAIR (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y-5027).

Nov 4/13: Support. Thales Communication Inc. in Clarksburg, MD receives an $8.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to cover repairs for 6 ALFS items. Based on the geographic spread, a significant portion of the repair work will involve the FLASH sonar modules, as one would reasonably expect.

$6.6 million in FY 2014 working capital funds are committed immediately, and will expire by Sept 30/14. Work will be performed at Clarksburg, MD (28%); Brest, France (54%); and Johnstown, PA (18%), and is expected to be complete Nov 1/15. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) by NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support’s Contracting Department in Philadelphia, PA (N00383-13-G-003F, #7002).

FY 2011 – 2013

FRP-10 & 11. Australia.

MH-60R & ALFS
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Sept 26/13: Thales Communications, Inc. in Clarksburg, MD receives a $15.1 million firm-fixed-price contract to help establish depot level support for the AN/AQS-22 ALFS. They’ll provide depot level specialized test equipment and the relevant technical data in support of the MH-60R/ ALFS combination. All funds are committed immediately.

Work will be performed in Clarksburg, MD (50%) and Jacksonville, FL (50%) and is expected to be complete in May 2015. The contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.SC 2304(c). US NAVAIR in Lakehurst, NJ manages the contract (N68335-13-C-0427).

Sept 17/13: A maximum $45.2 million unfinalized contract for ALFS systems. Work will be performed in Rhode Island, with a November 2017 completion date, using FY 2013 through FY 2017 Navy working capital funds. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia, PA manages this contract (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y, #5026).

Dec 20/12: FRP-10 & 11. A $158.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 48 MH-60R Full Rate Production ALFS systems: 24 for Production Lot 10 and another 24 for Lot 11. It also includes associated program management support.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (59%); Portsmouth, RI (37%), and Johnstown, PA (4%), and is expected to be completed in April 2017. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304c1. All contract funds are committed on award, but $39.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13 (N00019-13-C-0012). Raytheon.

May 31/12: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI received a $12.2 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for specialized test equipment and “golden units” necessary to perform depot level repairs to identified ALFS components. The Navy wants to reduce turnaround time, and improve fleet support.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (82%); Portsmouth, RI (12%); and Arlington, VA (6%), and is expected to be complete in July 2014. $7.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12.

Dec 22/11: Australia. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI receives an $80.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to buy 25 AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) dipping systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s 24 new MH-60R helicopters.

Work will be performed in Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France (68%), as well as Portsmouth, RI (32%); work is expected to be complete in October 2016. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the sale on behalf of its Australian client (N00019-11-C-0077).

Australia

Dec 12/11: Upgrades. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI receives a $10.4 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to integrate an improved ALFS sonar Digital Transducer Assembly into MH-60R helicopters, as Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 6515-E-022, Part II.

Work will include engineering, highly accelerated life test, and integrated logistics services. Work will be performed in Brest, France (64%), and Portsmouth, RI (36%), and is expected to be complete in October 2012 (N00019-08-G-0013).

Sept 27/11: FRP-9. An $81.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for 24 MH-60R ALFS systems, and all associated program management support, as Full Rate Production Lot 9 (FY 2011).

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (20%); and Johnstown, PA (8%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2014. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (N00019-11-C-0077).

Aug 11/11: An unfinalized $6.8 million contract action to provide ALFS consumable spares, with $3.4 million committed immediately. It is expected to be complete by Aug 11/13. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement, and one offer was received by the US Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia, PA (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y).

Oct 12/10: Raytheon’s release cites the $59.7 million March 26/10 contract, but it also cites a second, unannounced $56 million spares contract for fleet-deployed systems.

FY 2008 – 2010

FRP 6 to 8.

MH-60R & ALFS, CVN-74
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July 21/10: Testing. Aviation Week Ares reports that future MH-60R helicopters may abandon their current sonobuoy launchers:

“U.S. Navy program manager for H-60, Capt. Dean Peters… said the aircraft’s Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) worked so well during last year’s deployment of the aircraft there “was not much need for the [sonobuoy] launcher.” The potential exists, he says, to “take out the sonobuoy launcher,” and launch fewer buoys using a different type of launch system. The goal is reduce the amount of cabin space taken up by the launcher… ALFS provides so much range that it might be wise to have another helicopter prosecute the mission and “have the sonar remain in the dip.”… We’re evaluating other options to free up space and reduce cost.”

March 26/10: FRP-8. A $59.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 18 full-rate production Lot 8 (FY 2010) AN/AQS-22 ALFS systems, and 2 sonar transmitter/ receiver weapon replaceable assemblies, for the MH-60R program.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (26%); and Gaithersburg, MD (2%), and is expected to be complete in May 2013 (N00019-09-C-0096).

Sept 22/09: FRP-7. An $81.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar systems Full Rate Production Lot 7 (FY 2009). Under the contract, Raytheon IDS will manufacture, integrate, test and deliver 23 new ALFS systems as well as provide miscellaneous weapons replaceable assemblies for systems under test and helicopter maintenance trainer assets. To date, Raytheon has delivered 26 ALFS systems, and is currently under contract for 80, plus spares for life-cycle support of deployed systems.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (26%); and Gaithersburg, MD (2%), and is expected to be complete in November 2012. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-09-C-0096).

See also the subsequent Raytheon release, which talks up a recent exercise involving ALFS-equipped MH-60Rs from the John C. Stennis carrier battlegroup, in the western Pacific ocean. One would have to know more about the level of realism and operational freedom accorded the submarines in that exercise, in order to form an informed judgment.

April 13/09: An $8.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement to provide intermediate-level support equipment used for a variety of ALFS-related maintenance and testing tasks. Equipment will include reeling machine test benches, reeling machines, and reel and cable assemblies.

Work will be performed in Johnstown, PA (90%) and Portsmouth, RI (10%), and is expected to be complete in January 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ manages this contract (N68335-07-G-0005).

Dec 4/08: A $17.2 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity long term contract for repair overhaul of various weapons replaceable assemblies used on the Airborne Low Frequency Sonar.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, (10%), and Brest, France (90%, Thales’ work). Work is to be complete by December 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-09-D-009F).

April 29/08: Raytheon Co. in Portsmouth, RI receives a $59.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Fiscal Year 2008 Full Rate Production (Lot 6) buy of 14 ALFS systems for the MH-60R. Work will be performed in Brest, France, (61%); Portsmouth, RI (30%) and Gaithersburg, MD (9%), and is expected to be complete in October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-08-C-0051).

March 24/08: $8.1 million for delivery order #5004 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract, covering initial and wholesale spares for various weapons replacement assemblies used in ALFS’ development and deployment. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete by October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-G-011F).

March 24/08: $15.8 million for delivery order #5005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract, covering initial and wholesale spares for various weapons replacement assemblies used in ALFS’ development and deployment. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete by October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-G-011F).

March 17/08: Support, FRP-6? Raytheon announces 2 U.S. Navy contracts with a total value of $89 million for the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar system.

Raytheon will provide whole-life engineering to support AN/AQS-22 systems already in the fleet, and full rate production of AN/AQS-22 has been accelerated since the 2006 initial fielding of the MH-60R helicopter into the U.S. Navy fleet. To date, Raytheon has delivered 14 AN/AQS-22 systems, and is under contract for an additional 28.

FY 2003 – 2007

From LRIP to FRP.

MH-60R: ALFS & Hellfires
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Aug 20/07: ALFS Order. A $15.4 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0013) for the procurement of 3 AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems, an ALFS Sonar Transmitter/Receiver Control Module Technical Refresh effort, as well as an ALFS Automated Test Equipment Procedure Enhancement. ALFS diping sonars are deployed on the US Navy’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete in May 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Raytheon release, Nov 14/07.

Feb 12/07: FRP-5. A $50.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture, qualification and delivery of 19 Full Rate Production Lot V MH-60R AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and related program support.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (60%) and Brest, France (40%), and is expected to be complete in September 2009 (N00019-07-C-0013).

Jan 23/07: Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI received a $5.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-05-C-0012) to provide program sustaining and integrated logistics services in support of the MH-60R Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (60%) and Brest, France (40%), and is expected to be complete in December 2007.

Deploying…
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June 29/06: FRP. A $45 million order for 6 of the AN/AQS-22 ALFS systems. This contract advances the program into full rate production, and is the first accelerated production contract since the initial fielding of the MH-60R helicopter into the U.S. Navy Fleet earlier in 2006. Initial deployment to the fleet scheduled for later in 2006.

Navy Capt. Paul Grosklags, the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters Program manager was quoted as saying that “System performance during operational testing and subsequent exercises has met or exceeded the requirements.” Raytheon release.

Full Rate Production begins

Feb 9/05: Sub-contractors. Thales Underwater Systems announces a $17 million contract from prime contractor Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) for the production of 10 ALFS dipping sonar subsystems for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. Under the contract, Thales Underwater Systems will provide 10 Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH) active dipping sonar subsystems, including the reeling machine, cable and wet end assemblies for final integration and test.

This award comes after the successful completion of an LRIP contract awarded in November 2002, under which Raytheon and Thales worked together to deliver 4 ALFS systems to the U.S. Navy well ahead of schedule – see Oct 12/02 entry.

Nov 30/04: LRIP-2 & 3. A $29.8 million contract to provide 10 Low Rate Initial Production II and III AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems for the U.S. Navy’s MH60R multi-mission helicopter. Under the contract, Raytheon will provide program management, systems engineering, configuration management, and materials procurement for the manufacture, test and integration of the sonar systems, as well as sustaining and integrated logistics support. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (67%) and Brest, France (33%), and is expected to be complete in March 2007. Raytheon release.

July 23/03: R&D. Small business qualifier Digital System Resources, Inc. in Fairfax, VA won a not-to-exceed $25 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for a Phase III Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program under Topic N00-008 entitled “Environmentally Insensitive Active Decluttering” and Topic N00-009 entitled “Multistatic Operation.” The primary objective of this Phase III SBIR Program is to provide engineering services and software products to support performance testing of the AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) production configuration. The contractor will support, maintain, and improve the software tools previously developed and delivered to support testing of the AQS-22 ALFS during laboratory and field tests, implement corrections for deficiencies in the MH-60R acoustics processing, and support planning, definition, conduct, and results analysis of performance testing of the ALFS production configuration.

Work will be performed in Fairfax, VA and is expected to be complete in August 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $134,879 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using SBIR Program Solicitation under Topics N00-008 and N00-009, and 4 offers were received for each. The Naval Air Systems Command Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ (N68335-03-D-0105).

Oct 11/02: LRIP-1. A $16.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for the low-rate-initial-production of 4 MH-60R airborne low frequency sonar systems and associated engineering, testing and program management services. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (70%), and Brest, France (30%), and is expected to be completed in October 2004. Contract funds in the amount of $9.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-03-C-6515).

Low-rate production launched

Additional Readings & Sources

• Raytheon – AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS)

• Deagel.com – AN/AQS-22 ALFS

• Sikorsky – MH-60R Seahawk

• Naval Helicopter Association (2007 Symposium) – MH-60R Capabilities Scenario [dead link]

• Naval Studies Board (2006) – C4ISR for Future Naval Strike Groups, pg. 268

• Thales, via WayBack (April 4/06) – MH-60R Fleet introduction Ceremony : ALFS outstanding performances rewarded by US Navy

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $48 million delivery order for C-130J propulsion long-term sustainment. The Lockheed Martin C-130 is the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The C-130J Hercules features a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. The C-130J is crewed by two pilots and a loadmaster. The new glass cockpit features four L-3 systems with multifunction liquid crystal displays for flight control and navigation systems. The order provides funding for Option II. Work will take place at Robin Air Force Base in Georgia and various other locations. Completion is expected when the last engines are delivered.

The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia awarded Boeing a $27 million delivery order for E-6B repair. The Boeing E-6 Mercury is a command post and communications relay aircraft manufactured by Boeing. The aircraft relays communications for ballistic missile submarine forces and provides airborne command and control for strategic forces. The E-6B features battle staff positions and an airborne launch control system equipped with land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The aircraft is deployed in TACAMO missions. TACAMO connects the National Command Authority with naval ballistic missile forces during emergency operations. The delivery order was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 US Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Boeing will perform work in Oklahoma and estimated completion date is March 1, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The US Air Force awarded Boeing a $500 million contract in support of Qatar’s F-15QA. The deal is for Qatar Emiri Air Force (QAEF) aircrew and maintenance training. In 2017, Qatar placed a $12 billion order for 36 of Boeing’s advanced F-15QA heavy strike fighters. These aircraft were designed as advanced derivatives of the F-15E Strike Eagle deployed by the US Air Force, which itself was derived from the F-15C air superiority fighter with a new emphasis on long range and air to ground capabilities. Boeing will perform work under the new contract in St. Louis, Missouri and will move work to Qatar in 2021. Estimated completion is in August 2026.

Dmitry Shugayev, the head of the Russian Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, told reporters on the sidelines of the MAKS 2019 that he will hold talks with Turkey with regards to the latter’s interest in the Su-35 and Su-57. The MAKS 2019 is the international Aviation and Space Salon. Turkey has been showing interest in Russian fighter jets as the former was removed from the US F-35 program. Erdo?an paid a one-day visit to Moscow to attend MAKS 2019, the annual Russian aviation and space fair, on August 27. The SU-35 are single-seat, twin-engine, super maneuverable aircraft. The SU-57 is is a stealth, single-seat, twin-engine multirole fifth-generation jet fighter.

Europe

Estonia inked an agreement with six countries on the development of the Modular Unmanned Ground Systems (MUGS), financed by the European Defense Fund, local news reports. The project, led by Estonia and including Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, and Spain, want to develop an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), command-and-control system, cyber defense, and integrated sensor network. Participating countries are planning to use a total of $33.8 million in funds from the EDF, to which the countries will add their co-funding. The first system prototype will be demonstrated in 2021.

Asia-Pacific

The US Navy awarded Wyle Laboratories an $8.4 million contract modification, which provides program management services for the F/A-18 Foreign Military Sales program in support of the government of Australia. The Royal Australian Air Force has operated the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft since 1984. The Hornets entered service with the RAAF between 1984 and 1990, and 69 remain in operation as of 2019. The fleet has undergone a major electronic upgrade to ensure effective operations for the next 10 years. Kyle Laboratories will perform work in Maryland, Washington, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia and Australia. Estimated completion date is in August next year.

Today’s Video

Watch: Tension : Indian Defence Updates : Rafale F3R Assembly India,BrahMos ALCM 90° Test,70000 Crores INS Vishal

On 17 October 2019, NATO and the European Defence Agency (EDA) will co-organise for the first time a joint Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) conference in Europe. 

The conference will bring together key decision-makers from the EU and NATO as well as the wider transatlantic and international AAR community, including industry, to discuss current and future challenges and coordinate efforts in this important domain. The global dimension of the solutions at hand to resolve remaining shortfalls and the role of industry will also be debated.

Confirmed speakers include, among many others, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Camille Grand, and the EDA Chief Executive, Jorge Domecq as well as the Chairman of the Aerial Refuelling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG), General John Sams, and high-level representatives from Member States and industry. 

During last year’s first AAR conference organised in Europe by EDA, the focus was on ensuring awareness about remaining shortfalls in AAR. This year’s co-organised event will focus on increasing interoperability and will involve industry/manufacturers to debate their role in this process.

Attendance to the conference is upon invitation only.
 

More information

• aarconference.org
• EDA to organize 1st AAR Conference in Europe 2018 (EDA events page)
• AAR (EDA project page)

Americas

The US Army awarded Triumph Engine Control Systems a $7.5 million firm-fixed contract in support of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The deal is for the overhaul of a minimum of the fuel control main for the chopper. The CH-47D Chinook helicopter transports troops, artillery, supplies and equipment to the battlefield. Other applications include medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search-and-rescue, disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction. 163 CH-47Ds took part in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The CH-47F design features alterations to the airframe structure to reduce the effects of vibration, as well as other structural enhancements to the cockpit, cabin, aft section, pylon and ramp. Estimated completion date is August 26, 2024.

The US Navy contracted Raytheon with a $190 million low-rate initial production contract for ESSM Block 2 missiles featuring a new guidance system with a dual mode active and semi-active radar. Raytheon says in a press release that the award follows the Navy’s decision to shift from development to production on the enhanced intermediate-range, surface-to-air missile, placing the Block 2 variant on track for initial operating capability in 2020. The ESSM Block 2 program is a co-operative effort between the USN and its 11 NATO SeaSparrow Consortium partners to develop an upgraded ESSM ‘front-end’ to counter current and future threat capabilities within the existing envelope. These include anti-ship cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and surface threats.

Middle East & Africa

According to local reports, Israel launched airstrikes on an Iranian Qods Force facility in Syria on August 24 to thwart an armed drone attack that was planned against targets in northern Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The Army said it carried out airstrikes near Damascus to foil ‘imminent’ IRGC plot to hit sites inside Israel with UAVs armed with explosives. Syria claims it downed Israeli missiles. After the strikes, several Military Intelligence units, Air Force squadrons and air defense units were put on high alert. Israel has acknowledged carrying out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, most of them aimed at arms shipments believed to be headed from Iran to its Shiite proxy Hezbollah. Direct clashes between Israel and Iranian forces have been rare.

Europe

Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design will reportedly be picked for the Type 31e Frigate competition. The Telegraph reported that the government is to announce the winner in a major announcement at next month’s Defense & Security Equipment International show in London. The news could mean that Scottish shipyards will be working on 18 vessels in total. Including the five Offshore Patrol Vessels launched on the Clyde since 2014 and the 8 Type 26 Frigates to be built at Govan. The MoD is set to award a contract for the Type 31e frigate, with Babcock, BAE Systems and Atlas Elektronik among the main contenders.

Asia-Pacific

The Trump administration has given the green light for Japan to buy 73 SM-3 Block IIA interceptors. The deal is valued at $3.3 billion. Japan will buy up to 73 of the Raytheon-made SM-3 Block IIA missiles, which are designed to be fired by the ship-board Aegis system to intercept incoming ballistic missiles, the Pentagon said. The sale comes as North Korea is expanding its offensive missile capabilities, having proven over the past two years the ability to launch medium- and long-range ballistic missiles, potentially nuclear-tipped, that could hit both Japan and the United States.

According to the South China Morning Post, China has decided that the the Chengdu J-20 fighter will be developed further to operate from the country’s aircraft carriers. An anonymous military source says the Central Military Commission is favoring the J-20 over Shenyang FC-31. The J-20 was announced combat ready in July. It is listed in China’s latest national defense white paper as one of the new, high-tech weapons the Chinese military has commissioned.

Today’s Video

Watch: Tension : HNLMS Johan de Witt – The Second LPD Amphibious Warship Of The Royal Netherlands Navy

Americas

Raytheon won a $74.1 million contract modification that procures pre-operational support for the Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band pod through the completion of the engineering, manufacturing and development phase as well as development, test and evaluation activities. Procured support includes organizational-level maintenance, repair, supply chain management, and material support for equipment delivered under the EMD contract, and associated peculiar support equipment/test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment to support DT&E. According to the company, Raytheon’s Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band is an advanced electronic attack system that denies, disrupts and degrades enemy technology, including communication tools and air-defense systems. Raytheon delivered the first NGJ-MB pod to the US Navy for testing in July of 2019. The technology can also be scaled to other missions and platforms. It was the first of 15 EMD pods to be delivered to the USN for mission systems testing and qualification. The company will also deliver 14 aero-mechanical pods for airworthiness certification. Under the contract modification, Raytheon will perform work in Mississippi, Texas, California, Massachusetts, and Indiana. Estimated completion date is in December 2021.

The Navy tapped General Dynamics with a $44.6 million modification for low-rate initial production of the Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (SMCM UUV) or Knifefish. The Knifefish program is an ongoing effort to provide a UUV that detects and classifies undersea volume, bottom and buried mines in high-clutter environments. It is part of the Littoral Combat Ship Mine Countermeasures Mission Package and can also be deployed from vessels of opportunity. The Knifefish system, which consists of two unmanned undersea vehicles along with support systems and equipment, uses cutting-edge low-frequency broadband sonar and automated target recognition software technology developed by the Naval Research Laboratory and successfully transitioned to industry. It acts as an off-board sensor while the host ship stays outside the mine field boundaries. The low-rate initial production effort will provide the initial systems for the Navy to test and operate. Work will take place in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Virginia, and Michigan and is expected to be finished by August 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy contracted Physical Optics Corp. with a $27.2 million contract modification in support of the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft for the Navy and the government of Kuwait. The deal exercises an option for data transfer unit production support, 160 data transfer units, 160 ground data transfer units, 14 maintenance access cables, 600 mission data transfer devices, and 459 maintenance data transfer devices in support of the Navy’s F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G program. In addition, this option exercise procures 37 data transfer units, 35 ground data transfer units, 11 maintenance access cables, 122 mission data transfer devices, and 90 maintenance data transfer devices in support of the Kuwait Super Hornet program. Boeing Super Hornets are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The EA-18G Growler is based on the Super Hornet airframe. It is an electronic attack aircraft, which is capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications. Work under the contract modification will take place in California and estimated completion is in August 2021.

Europe

According to local reports, a Spanish Air Force C-101 crashed on August 26, killing the pilot on board. The crash took place at La Manga del Mar Menor and was witnessed by the public. At around 9.38am, emergency services were flooded with hundreds of calls from La Manga, reporting that a plane had fallen into the sea. The aircraft was a two-seater C-101, a model used by Spain’s Patrulla Águila aerobatic display team. The pilot was later reported dead by the Spanish Defense Ministry.

Asia-Pacific

Northrop Grumman won a $9.9 million contract modification, which procures eight E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S interrogators for the government of Japan. The primary role of the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft supplied by Northrop Grumman is as an all-weather airborne early-warning aircraft to the naval task force. In April, Northrop Grumman won a $51.8 million deal for identifying friend or foe technology compatible with the E-2C Hawkeye. It enabled the company to provide services for the delivery, installation and testing of one Japan E-2C Hawkeye compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S interrogator and transponder. Under the modification, Northrop will perform work in Greenlawn, New York, and Melbourne, Florida. and is expected to be completed in September 2023.

The Sri Lanka Navy commissioned a frigate that was formerly in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The vessel, which has been renamed SLNS Parakramabahu, was commissioned on 22 August in Colombo in the presence of the Sri Lankan and Chinese governments and military leaders. It was previously in service with the PLAN as the Jiangwei I (Type 053 H2G) Class frigate, Tongling (542). An official video of Parakramabahu ‘s commissioning ceremony indicates that the vessel has been handed over to Sri Lanka with its primary weapon, a twin 100 mm naval gun system, intact.

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Watch: Tension : Indian Defence Updates : Rafale F4 With 1000 Km Hypersonic,83 Tejas Price Lower,OFB Strike Cancelled

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $2.4 billion contract modification for F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter initial spares. The deal supports the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, non-US Department of Defense participants, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Spares include global spares packages, base spares packages, deployment spares packages, afloat spares packages and associated consumables. The F-35 Lightning is a supersonic, multi-role fighter jet that represents a quantum leap in air-dominance capability, offering enhanced lethality and survivability in hostile, anti-access airspace environments. The aircraft family is comprised of three aircraft variants. The Air Force’s F-35A variant will complement its F-22A fleet and is expected to replace the air-to-ground attack capabilities of the F-16 and A-10. The Marine Corps’ F-35B variant will replace its F/A-18 and AV-8B aircraft. The Navy’s F-35C variant will complement its F/A-18E/F aircraft. Lockheed will perform work within the US, the UK and the Netherlands.

The US Navy awarded General Dynamics a $1.1 billion fixed-price-incentive modification for the procurement of detail design and construction of Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 6 and ESB 7, as well as definitization of ESB 6 long lead time material, pre-production and engineering support. Named after famous names or places of historical significance to US Marines, ESBs serve as a flexible platform and a key element in the Navy’s airborne mine countermeasures mission, with accommodations for up to 250 personnel and a large helicopter flight deck. The ship’s configuration supports special warfare and Marine Corps task-organized units. The ESB Class is based on NASSCO’s Alaska class crude oil carrier, and incorporates a number of changes that make it a highly flexible platform that can be used across a broad range of military support operations. The ESB is optimized to support a variety of maritime-based missions and is designed around four core capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing, equipment staging support, and command and control assets. Work will take place in California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Mexico among other places. Estimated completion date is in January 2025..

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy contracted Rafael with a $13.3 million contract for intermediate level and depot level test equipment, spare parts, fixturing, repairs, training, engineering services and material support services to establish organic US government I-Level and D-Level Toplite family of electro-optic sights. Toplite family of electro-optic systems (EOS) is an advanced multi-sensor, multi-purpose, highly stabilized EO/ISR solution for homeland security and defense applications. It is used for a variety of applications on different platforms for intelligence/data collection, surveillance, reconnaissance and weapon direction. Rafael will perform work in Haifa, Israel and expected completion is in August 2024.

Europe

Portugal chose Elbit Systems to supply a complete Electronic Warfare (EW) suite for the Portuguese Air Forces’ new KC-390 multi-mission aircraft. Elbit Systems said in a press release that the Portuguese Ministry of Defense selected the company and the complete EW suite to be supplied by Elbit Systems. The Air Force’s KC-390 aircraft will be comprised of a Radar and Laser Warning Systems, IR Missile Warning System, Countermeasures Dispensing System as well as the Directional IR Countermeasures (DIRCM) system and Active ECM (AECM) system. The Embraer KC-390 is twin-turbofan-powered and can be refueled in flight. It can be used for in-flight or on-ground refueling of other aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reported to have slashed the price of each Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) from $62.9 million to as low as $34.9 million each. “HAL really has no choice. If we need to sustain our production lines and the employees, we need fresh orders,” an anonymous source was quoted saying in the Times of India. The HAL Tejas is a single-engine, delta wing, multirole light fighter. It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, which began in the 1980s to replace India’s aging MiG-21 fighters.

Jane’s reports that Indonesia chose the BAE Systems 57 mm naval gun for four KCR-60M Class vessels. The country selected Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun system. A contract for the weapon systems has been signed with state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL, which will be involved in the weapon’s installation. Indonesia’s Navy operates a class of four KCR-60M Class fast attack craft. The KCR-60M was originally conceived by Indonesian defense planners as a ‘hit-and-run’ platform that could swiftly deploy guided anti-ship missiles against larger surface combatants, before quickly receding into the archipelagic background. The Bofors 57 mm l/70 naval guns are a series of dual-purpose naval guns.

Today’s Video

Watch: Tension : The Air Force’s AC-130J “Ultimate Battle Plane” Is Ready to Rock

Americas

Raytheon won a $29.9 million order in support of the V-22 Osprey. Th deal provides procurement of the Software Support Activity (SSA) systems and software engineering, avionics integration and testing, software testing, avionics acquisition support, and SSA operations to include classified and unclassified software laboratories, configuration and data management as well as release of avionic software products and related systems. The V-22 Osprey is a multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft jointly developed by Bell helicopters and Boeing after the failure of Operation eagle claw during the Iran Hostage crisis in 1980. It is designed with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities after a requirement for a new long range, High speed, Vertical take off aircraft. Raytheon will perform work under the awarded deal in Indianapolis, Indiana and estimated completion date is in December 2021.

The US Navy contracted Boeing a $23.7 million modification for engineering, logistics, and program management of the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft. The awarded deal is for reducing fleet out of reporting rates and maintenance planning. Boeing’s F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets are twin-engine multirole fighters, which are based on the F/A-18 Hornet. 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 than their predecessor. The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a derivative of the combat-proven two-seat F/A-18 Hornet, It is an airborne electronic attack aircraft which operates from either an aircraft carrier or from land-bases. The Growler aircraft has 11 weapon stations for carrying electronic mission systems and weapons and can then be used to carry out conventional strike missions when the requirements for EA and SEAD sorties are reduced. Boeing will perform work under the contract modification in St. Louis, Missouri and estimated completion is in September 2020.

Raytheon announced that the US Air Force used the company’s GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System, known as GPS OCX, to support the launch of its second GPS III satellite into space. The ground system will spend 10 days maneuvering the satellite into its final orbit, demonstrating GPS OCX’s ability to simultaneously support multiple GPS III spacecraft on-orbit throughout the checkout and calibration process. GPS III SV02 is the newest generation of GPS satellites designed and built to deliver positioning, navigation and timing information apparently with three times better accuracy, and up to eight times improved anti-jamming capability than its predecessor. Prime contractor is Lockheed Martin. The GPS III satellite, also called Magellan, was launched on August 22 after years of delays. United Launch Alliance used a Delta IV rocket to launch the second Global Positioning System III (GPS III) satellite for the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.

Middle East & Africa

Vietnam and South Africa have agreed to strengthen their defense ties, with a view to undertaking joint development and production activities. The countries consider this as a strategic mechanism to promote the bilateral defense partnership and the two countries’ friendship and cooperation, local reports say. The agreement was reportedly reached between Vietnam’s Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and South Africa’s Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula during their talks in Hanoi on August 22. This accord will facilitate deepened engagement in the defense industry, supported by technology transfers from South Africa to Vietnam. Such collaboration would follow agreed defense exports from South Africa to Vietnam.

Europe

General Dynamics won a $64.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract in support of the UK’s second hull of Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines, nuclear, recently named as HMS Valiant, and the UK Software Facility. The Dreadnought Class of submarines are set to gradually replace the four Vanguard Class boats from the early 2030s. Construction on HMS Dreadnought, the lead ship in the class, started in October 2016. The submersibles are 152.9m (501ft) long, displace 17,200 tonnes and will be armed with Trident II D5 missiles. The ships will be fitted with a new lighting system which can imitate night and day, making it easier for crew to get used to normal life after three months submerged. The HMS Valiant is the second Royal Navy Dreadnought Class submarine. Under the new contract, work will take place in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and estimated completion date is August 22, 2025.

Asia-Pacific

Swedish company Saab said in a press release that it has received an order from the Australian Army to extend the support of their Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) and Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems until 2022. Under the contract Saab will provide support for the range of systems forming the GBAD and CRAM solutions, including the Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam (AMB) radars and RBS-70 very short-range air defense weapon system. The contract value is approximately $19.2 million. The contract is intended to ensure the availability of the GBAD and C-RAM systems. The company’s Australian subsidiary upgraded the army’s short-range air defense system with the identification friend or foe Mode 5 standard. The company integrated Giraffe AMB radar into the system and upgraded the missile firing posts and the tactical command and control system.

The DoS approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States or TECRO for the 66 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft as well as related equipment and support. The deal is valued at $8 billion. US lawmakers have been criticizing the Trump administration for delaying the vote to avoid jeopardizing US trade negotiations with China. China has already expressed fears that the latest Lockheed Martin F-16s have the capacity to get past Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) defenses and attack the mainland. It has been lobbying forcefully against the sale to Taiwan which it considers a renegade province. Beijing regards Taiwan as a part of China awaiting reunification, but the island is self-ruled and is a close ally of the United States. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement on August 21 hat it is grateful for the US government’s decision to approve the sale of new-build Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 multirole combat aircraft.

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Watch:Indian Defence Updates : India Russia 1770 T-14 Armata Deal,MWF Metal Cutting,400 Km PL-15 On Su-35

Americas

Boeing won a $999 million ceiling contract for A-10 wing replacements. The deal is for up to 112 new A-10 wing assemblies and up to 15 wing kits. Boeing is teaming up with Korean Aerospace Industries for the effort. The news comes after the recent completion of Boeing’s first re-winging contract, awarded to the aerospace company in 2007. Only 109 A-10s still need to be re-winged. The planes, which entered service in 1976 and have deployed to the Middle East, Europe and the Pacific, have played an outsized role in the air campaign that began in 2014 against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, helping provide close-air support for Iraqi and US partner forces on the ground. Also dubbed the “Warthog” for its aggressive look and often painted with teeth on the nose cone, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the US Air Force’s primary low-altitude close air support aircraft. Boeing will perform work under the nearly $1 billion contract at multiple subcontractor locations in the US and South Korea. Estimated completion date is August 23, 2030.

The Navy tapped General Dynamics-Ordnance and Tactical System with a $20.8 million contract modification that provides for the procurement of 66 M61A2 20 MM Gun Systems in support of F/A-18E/F aircraft production for the US Navy as well as the government of Kuwait. The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is an updated and enlarged variant of the original F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet, using an enlarged airframe, new engines, and updated avionics and weapons systems. It is a twin-engine carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The M61A1 and M61A2 Gatlin guns are externally powered six-barrel 20mm Gatling gun systems that offer lightweight combat support for a variety of air, land and sea platforms. For the production modification General Dynamics will perform work in various locations in the US and Canada. Work is expected to be finished in March 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Russia and the US agree that Israel can strike Iranian targets in Iraq, Israeli Defense reports. Israel has struck Iranian targets in Iraq at least three times over the past few weeks after Russia and the United States gave the green light. Citing Western diplomatic sources, Saudi-owned and London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported that Israel attacked military positions and arms depots of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq after receiving a green light from Washington and Moscow. Moscow and Washington agreed that the Jewish state could conduct these attacks on Iranian targets in order to “ensure Israel’s security,” the source told the London-based newspaper. As part of the reported agreement, Israel would not publicly acknowledge carrying out the strikes.

Europe

Sonalysts won a $9.5 million contract to the German Navy for maintenance of the Dangerous Waters Naval Simulator to meet its simulation and training requirements, including proper levels of integration and interoperability. According to the company the Dangerous Waters Simulator allows total control over multiple air, surface, and submarine platforms in a modern-day naval environment. The SCS – Dangerous Waters allows the player to take control of over 10 of the world’s most potent naval units out of a total of more than 270 civilian and military surface, submarine, and air units included in the game. The awarded contract includes purchases to the Federal Republic of Germany under the FMS program. Work will take place in Germany and the US. Estimated completion date is in August 2023.

Asia-Pacific

The Guardian reports that Australia will become the third country to join the United States in patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has agreed to dispatch troops and a P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft will be in the region for one month before the end of the year. The contribution to the United States-led mission in the Strait of Hormuz is aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Gulf region. The United Kingdom and Bahrain are the only other countries to join the US in the Strait of Hormuz. Australia’s P-8A Poseidon has advanced sensors and mission systems, including a state-of-the-art multi-role radar, high definition cameras, and an acoustic system with four times the processing capacity of the AP-3C Orions.

According to Jane’s, Taiwan’s showcased its Cloud Leopard II M2 prototype last week. The prototype of the next-generation 8×8 Cloud Leopard II armored vehicle was showcased at the 2019 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition. The M2 prototype is the second of two Cloud Leopard II development testbeds built by the 209th Arsenal at the MND Armament Bureau’s Materiel Production Center in partnership with the Hsinchu-based Industrial Technology Research Institute. A major modification carried over from the M1 prototype is a new hydropneumatic suspension system, which replaces the double wishbone suspension of the current Cloud Leopard APCs. The Cloud Leopard II can be used as an armored personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle, fire support vehicle, command and control vehicle and ambulance.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S TEST NEW CRUISE MISSILE AFTER WITHDRAWAL FROM INF TREATY !!

Americas

Boeing won a $154.9 million contract modification for new-build Apache AH 64E helicopters. The AH-64E attack helicopter is the latest version of the AH-64 helo used by the US Army. It is also known as Apache Guardian. Until 2012 it was designated as AH-64D Block III. The helicopter is fitted with more powerful General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, developing 1 994 shp instead of the 1 800 shp on the previous versions. In March 2017, Boeing won the first $3.4 billion multi-year contract for the AH-64E Apache helicopter. Under the first contract, the army was supposed to receive 244 remanufactured Apaches while an undisclosed international customer was to acquire 24 new units. Under the modification, Boeing will perform work in Mesa, Arizona and estimated completion date is December 31, 2922.

The Navy tapped Sikorsky with a $48.3 million firm-fixed-price order in support of the CH-53K King Stallion. The order is to procure spare parts to repair and maintain low-rate initial production Lot Three configuration aircraft. A couple of days ago Sikorsky won a one-year $107.3 million contract from the US Navy for the long-lead items needed to manufacture its fourth batch of six CH-53K helicopters for use by the US Marine Corps. In May, the company received a $1.1 billion contract to produce 12 CH-53Ks and provide aircraft system spares and logistics support services. The King Stallion is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter. Its design features three 7,500 shp engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin than previous CH-53 variants. Sikorsky will perform work under the newly received order in Canada as well as the UK and various parts in the US. Estimated completion date is in August 2024.

Middle East & Africa

DynCorp International won a $32.8 million time-and-materials contract to train, advise and assist the security forces in Afghanistan. Since 2010, DynCorp provides specialized training to strengthen the Afghan national security forces. Under the newly awarded time-and-materials contract DynCorp will perform work in Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of August 19 next year. Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. The US Army Contracting Command in Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois is the contracting activity.

Israeli defense company Elbit announced that Israel’s Ministry of Defense selected Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IFLD), the Company’s Active Protection System for the Eitan new eight-wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicle as well as the D-9 Bulldozer of the Israeli Armed Forces. The Eitan AFV is an Israeli 8×8 armored personnel carrier. At eight meters long and three meters wide, the Eitan weighs in at 30-35 tons and is operated by three crew members – a commander, gunner and driver. It can carry nine fighters in an air-conditioned environment. Its body and suspension system have been improved to maximize crew protection and survivability. Improvements were also made to the steering, electric and control systems. The IFLD uses independent optical sensors, tracking radar, launchers, and countermeasure munitions to defeat threats at a safe distance from the defended combat vehicles. The system provides 360-degree protection coverage for close-range scenarios in both open terrain and urban environments. According to the company, the lightweight system offers versatile high-performance, negligible residual penetration, and ease of integration.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defense started the process to select a Systems Integrator for Project Morpheus, its $3.8 billion program to deliver the major part of the UK’s Land Equipment Tactical Communication and Information Systems program. In early August 2019, the MoD released an invitation to tender, seeking expressions of interest from contractors via a dynamic pre-qualification questionnaire. Morpheus will give access to fully integrated operational information technology that simplifies the user experience, allowing units to focus on the mission. Morpheus is the first installation of Defense as a Platform in the tactical environment. In Spring 2017, Morpheus entered the second Assessment Phase, termed Evolve to Open.

Asia-Pacific

Jane’s reports that Taiwan is preparing its CM-34 IFV for delivery. Officials told the news platform that the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense’s Materiel Production Center is set to deliver the first tranche of 32 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variants of the 8×8 Yunpao armored vehicle family to the Republic of China Army at the end of 2019. The CM-34 is based on the 6×6 CM-31 designed by Timoney Technology Limited of Ireland and is derived from the common 6.35 meter long, 2.7 meter wide, and 2.2 meter high welded steel hull also used by the in-service, the CM-32 and CM-33 Cloud Leopard armored personnel carriers. The CM-34 has a combat weight of 24 tonnes as opposed to the 22 tonnes of the earlier variants.

Today’s Video

Watch: HDMS Iver Huitfeld – The Largest, Most Powerful Warships Ever For Denmark’s Navy

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $13.4 million contract modification to provide US Trident II Strategic Weapon System efforts for the navigation subsystem. The Trident II D5 is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile that can carry multiple independently targeted re-entry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360km. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Navy’s Trident missile prime contractor, developed and produced the missile and support equipment. The company also supplies technical and logistical support at sites where the missiles are deployed. The Trident II D5 LE Program is intended to extend the service life of the weapon system until 2042, to match the hull life of the Ohio Class submarine. Earlier this month Lockheed won an $11.5 million modification for Strategic Weapon System efforts for the navigation subsystem. Work will again take place in Mitchel Field, New York. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2022.

The Naval Air Systems Command tapped Lockheed with a $32.1 million modification for modification and retrofit of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters for the Air Force. The deal procures modification kits and special tooling. The contract will cater to the US Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. The F-35 Lightning is a supersonic, multi-role fighter jet that represents a quantum leap in air-dominance capability, offering enhanced lethality and survivability in hostile, anti-access airspace environments. Currently, it is being used by the defense forces of the United States and 11 other nations. The F-35 is Lockheed Martin’s largest program that generates more than 25% of its total sales. Lockheed will perform work in Fort Worth, Texas and estimated completion date is in June 2025.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that Iran withdrew the S-300 long-range air-defense system. Satellite images show that that system, which was deployed to Asaluyeh in May, has been withdrawn. The S-300s are Russian missile systems. Originally purchased in 2007, Iran’s S-300 order was blocked until April 2015 when the Kremlin lifted its self-imposed ban on the sale due to the international lifting of some sanctions against Iran. The country purchased and received an unknown number of S-300s in 2016, it was fully tested and implemented in 2017. Iran deployed a full S-300PMU-2 battery to an airfield in Asaluyeh from its base near Bushehr, enabling it to cover the central Gulf. The withdrawal could be seen as a sign that Tehran no longer sees an imminent escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

Europe

The crew of the HMS Lancaster moved back on board the ship after a two year overhaul in Devonport, the UK Defense Journal reports. The sip also known as the „Red Rose“ has undergone extensive upgrades mirroring the major changes across the frigate flotilla, such as the new Artisan 3D radar, improved navigational radar and new-generation Sea Ceptor missile system as the ship’s shield against air attack. The Sea Ceptor is a sea-based supersonic missile defense system developed for the British Royal Navy. The system will initially be mounted on Type 23 frigates.The Lancaster will now sail back into her homeport of Portsmouth during December. She will then enter the trials phase. Queen Elizabeth launched the Duke Class Type 23 frigate ship in May 1990.

Asia-Pacific

India gives up its plan to upgrade Jaguar’s engines. The country has decided that upgrading the Jaguar’s engines with Honeywell’s F-125IN is an expensive option and therefore will shelve the idea. Instead, the service could turn to buying more Su-30MKIs. The Print reports that the Rolls-Royce Adour 811 engines of the 1980s vintage twin-engine aircraft have seen 15-30 per cent reduction in thrust. This means the Jaguar cannot carry its full load. “The price quoted by Honeywell and the HAL for ‘re-engining’ is just too high. For the price of two such upgrades, we can get one basic Rafale,” a source said and added: “One plan is to order more Su-30 MKIs to replace those fighters that would be grounded. As far as role is concerned, one Sukhoi can play the same role as two Jaguars“.

The Japanese government is launching satellite to intercept foreign countries’ military satellites in the event of an emergency, the Japan News reports. The plan is part of efforts to strengthen deterrence amid a rapidly increasing military threat in outer space, as seen in the development by China and Russia of satellites that can attack others. The decision is to be made by the end of the fiscal year so it can be launched mid-2020. The government is considering introducing a type of satellite that can disable the operations of other countries’ military satellites.

Today’s Video

Watch: Tour of U.S. Navy’s Norfolk Naval Station and Shipyards – May 2019

New analytical article up at War on the Rocks, co-authored with Kasey Stricklin. Here’s a preview of the introduction.

It is widely acknowledged that general and flag officers are important actors. Senior uniformed leaders are, of course, crucial in determining the trajectory of a country’s military development and in some cases even of its foreign policy. Yet, with vanishingly few exceptions, even those Americans who closely track national and international security focus little on the generals and admirals of other nations’ militaries. In the case of Russia, the U.S. national security community has an almost comical obsession with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, and his eponymous (but largely fictional) doctrine. But that’s where it ends.

American national security analysts and practitioners would be well advised to follow who is rising to the senior ranks of the Russian military. Over the decades, these leaders have been important in shaping the trajectory of a foe that was once America’s most formidable and remains, arguably, its most troublesome. From the decision to avoid developing aircraft carriers in favor of cruisers and submarines during the Cold War to the debate over the primacy of ground forces or strategic rocket forces in the post-Soviet period, Soviet and Russian generals and admirals have played critical roles. Understanding the background and preferences of those who are likely to be the next set of leaders of the Russian armed forces thus can give analysts a better idea of how it will develop over the next two decades.

….

In May 2019, Vladimir Putin announced a transition in the senior leadership of the Russian Navy. Adm. Vladimir Korolev, having served as commander in chief of the Russian Navy for three years, retired and was replaced by Adm. Nikolay Yevmenov, who had served as commander of the Northern Fleet since 2016. Vice Adm. Aleksandr Moiseyev moved from his command of the Black Sea Fleet to replace Yevmenov at the Northern Fleet and Vice Adm. Igor Osipov was appointed as the new head of the Black Sea Fleet. Some commentators were surprised by the appointment, including one analyst who suggested that Moiseyev seemed a stronger candidate on paper. Now is therefore an opportune time to examine the career factors that lead to the selection of Russian naval leaders and to make some predictions about who is likely to rise to the highest positions in the Russian Navy in the coming years.

Our analysis of career trajectories of senior Russian naval officers highlights the career mileposts that increase the likelihood of promotion to the senior-most positions in the Russian Navy. These mileposts also help to explain why Yevmenov was appointed to head the service ahead of Moiseyev. In fact, our initial research, completed in early 2018, highlighted Yevmenov as the most likely candidate to succeed Korolev as commander in chief.

How to Reach the Highest Ranks in the Russian Navy

To develop our findings, we put together a database of Russian Navy flag officers who were active between 2005 and 2016. For this part of the analysis, we examined the career trajectories of 199 officers who had already retired at the rank of rear admiral or higher. Fifteen officers reached the rank of admiral (including two who made admiral of the fleet), 48 officers retired at the rank of vice admiral, and 136 officers retired as rear admirals.

Read the rest here.

Americas

Raytheon won a $199.6 million firm-fixed contract for MK 15 Close-In Weapon System or CIWS upgrades and conversions, system overhauls, and associated hardware. CIWS is a fast-reaction terminal defense against low- and high-flying, high-speed maneuvering anti-ship missile threats. At sea, Phalanx is designed to defeat anti-ship missiles and “close-in” threats that have pierced other lines of defense. On land, as part of the US Army’s counter-rocket, artillery and mortar systems, it detects and destroys incoming rounds. It also helps provide early warning of attacks. The Phalanx weapon system is installed on all US Navy surface combatant ship classes and on those of 24 allied nations. The land-based version is forward deployed and has been used in combat. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $367,195,456.

The US Air Force awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $47.9 million contract for 469 Maverick units. According to the company, the Maverick is a precision-attack missile for the air, naval and marine forces of 30 countries. Maverick is certified for use on more than 25 aircraft, including helicopters, fighters, attack and patrol aircraft. More than 69,000 missiles have been produced to date, and more than 6,000 have been used in combat, with 93 percent accuracy. The missile’s guidance software provides attack capability around-the-clock against fixed high-value targets, high-speed moving and maneuvering armored vehicles, ships and fast boats, and targets of opportunity. Targets of opportunity provide all-altitude point-and-shoot flexibility ideally suited for time-critical strike in urban close air support and maritime operations. Raytheon will perform work in Tucson, Arizona. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Syria claimed it shot down a missile that was fired toward the area of Masyaf in the Hama governorate on Thursday night, Israel Defense reports. The missile was reportedly fired from the direction of northern Lebanon toward the Masyaf area, which has been repeatedly targeted in recent years in attacks attributed to Israel. Israel is thought to have shifted to launching missiles from Lebanon into Syria to avoid Syrian air defenses in recent months. The area around Masyaf, which is thought to be used as a base for Iranian forces and pro-Iranian militias has been repeatedly targeted in recent years in attacks widely attributed to Israel.

Europe

Northrop Grumman won a $7 million follow-on contract for the Royal Netherlands Air Force AN/ALQ-131 (V) electronics countermeasures pod upgrade. Northrop Grumman has fielded more than 1,600 ALQ-131 pods, which used state-of-the-art technology to successfully protect aircrews and aircraft in every conflict since becoming operational in the 1980s, the company states. The AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Countermeasures Pod provides electronic countermeasures protection for USAF, ANG, AFRES, and FMS country aircraft. Northrop will perform work in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Estimated completion date is February 15, 2022. This program is focused on the redesign of the ALQ-131 Digital Receiver Exciter and ALM-256 Intermediate Level Support Equipment. The contract involves 100% Foreign Military Sales to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Ministry of Defense approved the purchase of 42 F-35B fighters. According to Asahi Shimbun, each aircraft is expected to cost $132 million. Funding will be made available for the purchase of 18 jets. The government indicated late last year that it intended to acquire the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft, but no formal decision had been made until now. The F-35B aircraft is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. On May 27, US President Donald Trump said at a press conference following talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Japan plans to buy 105 F-35 fighters. The F-35B is a single-engine fifth-generation fighter aircraft. It is the first aircraft to combine stealth technology with STOVL capabilities and supersonic speeds.

The Australian government handed over a Guardian Class patrol vessel to Samoa. The boat, dubbed the Nafanua II , was handed over to representatives from the Samoan government at Henderson, Western Australia on August 16. The delivery is part of the Pacific Patrol Boat replacement component of the $1.35 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program, which is designed to enhance maritime security cooperation across the South Pacific. Under this program, Australia will deliver 19 Guardian Class patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island countries by the end of 2023. The Police Maritime Wing of the Samoan Police Service will operate the Nafanua II.

Today’s Video

Watch: Laser weapons of the Turkish defense industry technology Turkey able to shoot down drone

AGM-65E onto F/A-18
(click to view full)

Raytheon is restarting its production line to produce AGM-65E2/L laser-guided Maverick missiles, and will also upgrade existing stocks, in response to demand from the front lines. The AGM-65 rose to its greatest prominence during Desert Storm, when many of TV’s missile-eye views of air strikes came from Mavericks. In truth, it was produced in 3 versions: TV-guided (AGM-65A/B/D/H), Imaging Infrared (AGM-65G) guided, and laser-guided (AGM-65E). Production continues for the TV and IIR variants, but the Marines’ AGM-65E laser-guided version had gone out of production.

The AGM-65 Maverick was the first general purpose fire-and-forget tactical air-to-ground missile in service with the U.S. Air Force. The JAGM program initially proposed to replace it, but program changes ensured that Maverick remains the default American option for jet fighter precision-guided missile strikes out to around 20+ km / 12 nmi. While IIR and TV guidance allow precision attacks, laser guidance generally offers the best accuracy of the 3 against ground targets. Likewise, there are circumstances in which a fully-powered missile is a better choice than an unpowered gliding bomb. The following story from Iraq illustrates…

Why Laser Mavericks are Still Needed

I don’t like Mondays…
(click to view full)

“The clock tower in this photo [see above] is located above a crowded marketplace. A sniper was in the tower, and was shooting at people (I don’t know whether he was shooting at civilians or GIs). Someone on the ground called for air support, and a USMC Harrier, carrying the LG Mav arrived on the scene. As you can see from the photo, the LG Mav did a first class job of precisely taking out the sniper’s nest while leaving the surrounding structure intact and keeping collateral damage to a minimum.”

A glide bomb’s unpowered vertical path would not have been very suitable for that operation.

Imaging Infrared guidance works very well against some kinds of targets. It is not an obvious fit in this situation. Targets of this kind, when this level of precision is required, and where heat sources may be hard to distinguish, are not IIR’s forte. Especially when the ability of troops on the ground to pinpoint the exact part of the building involved, in real time, is a priority.

TV guidance could be precise enough to hit a specific part of the building, but its precision level is inferior to laser guidance, and it also lacks the easy adaptability and fire-and-forget qualities of a laser-guided missile.

A smaller laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missile might have worked, but they’re not designed to be fired from fast-moving platforms like jets. That means more waiting time unless an attack helicopter or UAV is already on site – a luxury that may not be present in time-critical situations. The Hellfire missile’s high-explosive warhead may also be too small for some situations, and its AGM-114N thermobaric warhead variant is only used if a building’s collapse is an acceptable outcome. The same issues are present if one replaces Lockheed Martin’s UAV/helicopter fired Hellfire with MBDA’s Brimstone missile, which is designed to be fired from fast jets.

These kinds of dilemmas are not uncommon in the USA’s current conflicts, and the ease with which laser-guided missiles can work with designators from other aircraft, troops, or UAVs sharply multiplies their effectiveness. If the USA’s fast jets want to be involved in the kinds of close support missions that make up most of the fire requests in its current wars, they need a laser guided option.

Industrial Team

Raytheon is the prime contractor, but as is generally the case, they have a number of important sub-contractors. Major suppliers include:

• Alliant Tech Systems in Rocket Center, WVA (rocket motor)
  
• Analog Modules, Inc. in Longwood, FL
  
• BAE Systems in Lexington, MA
  
• Eagle Picher in Joplin, MO
  
• ELCAN Optical Technologies in Midland, Ontario, Canada
  
• Ensign Bickford in Simsbury, CT
  
• Kaman Aerospace in Middletown, CT
  
• MOOG, Inc. in Salt Lake City, UT and East Aurora, NY
  
• Primus Technologies in Williamsport, PA
  
• Reynolds Systems in Middletown, CA
  
• Woven Electronics in Greenville, SC

Contracts and Key Events

F-15E fires Maverick
(click to view full)

Unless otherwise noted, all contracts are issued to Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ.

August 20/19: 469 Units The US Air Force awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $47.9 million contract for 469 Maverick units. According to the company, the Maverick is a precision-attack missile for the air, naval and marine forces of 30 countries. Maverick is certified for use on more than 25 aircraft, including helicopters, fighters, attack and patrol aircraft. More than 69,000 missiles have been produced to date, and more than 6,000 have been used in combat, with 93 percent accuracy. The missile’s guidance software provides attack capability around-the-clock against fixed high-value targets, high-speed moving and maneuvering armored vehicles, ships and fast boats, and targets of opportunity. Targets of opportunity provide all-altitude point-and-shoot flexibility ideally suited for time-critical strike in urban close air support and maritime operations. Raytheon will perform work in Tucson, Arizona. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.

Sept 3/14: Modifications. A $49.5 million firm-fixed-price contract to modify 500 AGM-65A/B guidance control sections to an AGM-65E2 configuration. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 US Navy weapon budgets. In early November, the Marine Aviation Plan 2015 explains:

“To address the operational need for a TACAIR forward-firing missile, 500 legacy AGM-65F Infrared (IR) Mavericks will be purchased from the USAF and converted into modernized AGM-65E2 Laser Mavericks. These conversions will nearly double the current inventory of Laser Mavericks. The AGM-65E2 seeker provides F/A-18F and AV-8B with increased self-designation capability, greater chance of laser spot re-acquisition if lost due to obscurants, and a more accurate laser spot scan than the AGM-65E seeker.”

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ (53%); Williamsport, PA (31%); Orlando, FL (8%); Ontario, Canada (4%); Joplin, MO (3%); and Grass Valley, CA (1%), and is expected to be complete in January 2017. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 by US Navy NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-14-C-0071).

500 swap-in sections

Jan 24/12: Testing. Raytheon announces that the US Navy has completed developmental and operational testing of the AGM-65E2 laser-guided Maverick missile. The Navy fired 4 missiles at moving and stationary targets from F/A-18C/D Hornets, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, and AV-8B Harriers, including 1 shot from a Harrier that hit a moving target, using laser designation from an AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter.

The end of testing clears the way for delivery and use of the missiles.

Dec 19/11: Raytheon Missile Systems in Tuscon, AZ receives a $15 million firm-fixed-price contract for laser maverick missile production. Work is expected to be complete by Sept 30/13 (end of FY 2013). This was a sole-source acquisition, with 1 proposal received by the OO-ALC/GHGKA at Hill Air Force Base, UT (FA8213-09-D-0008, #0004).

Missile production

Feb 9/11: Testing. Raytheon announces a successful series of initial AGM-65E2/L captive carry flight tests, from A-10C, F-16, and F/A-18 aircraft, in Q4 2010. During the tests, the Maverick’s laser seeker locked on to a variety of stationary and moving targets from up to 28 km/ 18 miles away.

May 10/10: Raytheon announces a $34.4 million to continue design work on the newest AGM-65E2 (USN/USMC) and AGM-65L (USAF) laser-guided Maverick missile variants. Under this contract, Raytheon will develop, integrate and test the new guidance and control sections, which will add enhanced laser seekers and new software, in order to improve both accuracy and integration with modern targeting pod laser designators. Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile System’s Air Warfare Systems product line, adds that:

“…we hope to have the newest addition to the Maverick family available for export soon.”

R&D for AGM-65E2

Dec 22/09: Other Mavericks. A $171.2 million contract to provide 200 AGM-65D imaging infrared Maverick missiles, 4 AGM-65D guidance and control sections, 300 AGM-65G imaging infrared Maverick missiles optimized for hardened targets, and 8 AGM-65G guidance and control sections. All funds have been committed, and this contract is managed by the 784th CBSG/PK at Hill AFB, UT (FA8213-10-C-0022).

April 2/09: Raytheon announces a U.S. Air Force contract to restart the laser-guided Maverick production line, and add state-of-the-art laser-seeker technology to existing missiles. The contract will result in the upgrade of up to 450 laser Maverick guidance sections for the USAF and U.S. Navy.

Raytheon plans to deliver the first upgraded guidance sections to the U.S. Air Force in 20 – 24 months, under a contract that uses funds from a General Services Administration (GSA) exchange program, without affecting normal weapon procurement budgets.

Production line restarted, Swap-out 65E contract

March 20/09: The Air Force is awarding an undefinitized firm-fixed-price contract to Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, AZ for an amount not to exceed $23 million. This action provides for production quantities of 70 laser-guided Maverick Missiles, and 1 Guidance and Control Section for a Maverick Missile. At this time, $17.25 million has been obligated by the OO-ALC/LHKC at Hill Air Force Base, UT (FA8217-09-C-0046).

Urgent production: 70

Additional Reading and Sources

• US Air Force – AGM-65 MAVERICK.

• US Navy – AGM-65 Maverick Guided Missile.

• Wikipedia – AGM-65 Maverick.

• Federation of American Scientists – AGM-65 Maverick.

• Flightglobal – USAF orders production revival for upgraded Maverick missile

• Deagel.com – AGM-65 Maverick

• Designation Systems – Raytheon (Hughes) AGM-65 Maverick/a>.

Competition

• DID – APKWS II: Laser-Guided Hydra Rockets in Production At Last. And a fast jet variant is in the works, creating a lower-end competitor/ complementor.

• MBDA – Dual Mode Brimstone Missile. Can use either millimeter-wave radar (MMW) or semi-active laser (SAL) guidance, and is designed to work from fast jets in a 3-per-hardpoint configuration.

Michael Kofman and I co-wrote a short piece on the August 8 explosion in Russia for the Monkey Cage. Here’s a preview.

An Aug. 8 accident at Russia’s Nonoksa missile testing facility left seven dead and caused a brief radiation spike in a nearby town. What went wrong?

Vague and potentially misleading statements by Russian authorities have only added to speculation that scientists were working on a nuclear propulsion system for one of the country’s more secretive weapons projects, possibly the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Accidents happen frequently in the Russian military

Ever since the sinking of the Kursk submarine in 2000, the Russian military has had an image of being accident-prone. There have been at least six fires on Russian submarines since 2006 — and at least three explosions at ammunition storage depots since May. In July, a fire on the Losharik deep-sea submersible in July caused 14 deaths.

Repairs are a dangerous time for the Russian navy, not just with the fires on submarines in dry dock, but also with the accidental sinking of the PD-50 floating dock in 2018, which almost sank and indefinitely disabled the sole Russian aircraft carrier.

But the recent deadly accidents involving nuclear-powered platforms like the Losharik and the Burevestnik missile are particularly dangerous for both the health of Russians in the vicinity and the reputation of the Russian military.

2. And the military looks to cover up the story

The Russian military’s initial reaction to bad accidents is to try to cover them up. Despite evidence from atmospheric monitoring devices in Severodvinsk, the Russian military initially denied that any radiation had been released during the explosion, telling nearby residents that everything was safe and to avoid panic.

Please click here to read the rest of this article.

Americas

Honeywell International won a $110.9 million contract modification to revitalize engines of the US Army’s Abrams tanks. The modification provides spare parts for the Honeywell-made AGT1500 gas turbine engine for the M1 Abrams family of vehicles. Honeywell’s AGT1500 engine provides superior acceleration and mobility to the M1 Abrams, making it the platform of choice for the US Army, Marine Corps, National Guard, and many international allies. The new agreement is part of the Army’s Total Integrated Engine Revitalization or TIGER program to meet the Anniston Army Depot production of the Advanced Gas Turbine 1500 engine for the Abrams tanks and TIGER field repair site requirements. Work will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of February 22, 2022.

Lockheed Martin won a $56 million deal for combat system engineering support on the Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS). Under the contract, the SSDS combat system engineering agent and software design agent primary deliverables will be SSDS tactical computer programs, program updates and associated engineering, development and logistics products. The contract will manage the in-service SSDS configurations as well as adapt and integrate new or upgraded war-fighting capabilities. Lockheed will perform work in Moorestown, New Jersey and San Diego, California. Estimated completion date is in December.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that images have shown at least one Israeli Navy Saar-5 corvette has the new IAI-Elta ELM-2258 Advanced Lightweight Phased Array or ALPHA radar. The radar system is based on unique full digital AESA technology by ELTA Systems Ltd., a Group and Subsidiary of IAI (IAI/ELTA) and is an integral part of the combat systems installed on the missile ships. ALPHA is a rotating AESA radar, capable of producing a large number of simultaneous beams for maritime and aerial targets, and to provide a high quality situation picture in the most extreme marine environment. The radar can perform several tasks at the same time, such as: detection and classification of naval targets, tracking of a large number of targets, and integration into guided missile systems for defense and attack. Israeli Naval sources told Jane’s in 2017 that the Saar 5 corvettes Hanit and Eilat would receive the radar as part of an upgrade that would also see the integration of the new Barak 8 surface-to-air missile.

Europe

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense on August 8 reportedly transferred $1.2 billion to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) for 8 Lockheed F-16 Block 70 fighters and related equipment, Bulgarian media said. Last month, the government gave the nod to the long-pending deal for the procurement of 8 F-16 jets to replace the aging fleet of MiG-29 jets of the Bulgarian Air Force. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by 2023. The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense said the DSCA’s confirmation of receipt marks the related contracts’ entry into force and the beginning of their implementation.

Asia-Pacific

The US Navy contracted Lockheed Martin with a $80 million modification for AEGIS Modernization (AMOD) production requirements. The deal covers the production, test and delivery of multi-mission signal processor equipment sets; electronic equipment fluid cooler; AEGIS Weapon System AMOD Upgrade equipment; Kill Assessment System 5.1 equipment; AEGIS spares; Australia Combat Systems Engineering Development Site; and AEGIS Ashore Japan Sites equipment. The upgrade is for the US Navy as well as the governments of Japan and Australia under the Foreign Military Sale program. The Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system using radar and computer technology to track and guide weapons in destroying enemy targets. The project was started by the US Navy in 1964 to defend ships from missile threats, and with constant upgrades is now a feature on over 100 US and NATO ships, as well as those of Australia, Norway and South Korea. It is also an integral part of NATO’s European missile defense system. Work under the modification is expected to be complete by November 2023.

The Trump Administration approved the F-16 fighter jet deal to Taiwan. The deal is worth $8 billion. According to the Washington Post, the move will likely anger China amid the deepening trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. The DoS reportedly submitted the package to Congress for informal review late Thursday, and it is not expected to meet opposition. This would be the largest and most significant sale of weaponry to Taiwan in decades. The State Department has not yet publicly commented on the proposed arms sale to Taiwan. “We are aware of media reports regarding a possible sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan,” a State Department official said on August 16. “As a matter of policy, the US government does not comment on or confirm potential or pending arms sales or transfers before they have been formally notified to Congress.”

Today’s Video

Watch: Philippine Army Self Propelled System Acquisition Project

Americas

Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions won a $31.1 million contract modification or one E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training System III Weapons Systems Trainer and one Aircrew Procedures Trainer, including technical data. The Hawkeye is an advanced all-weather, carrier-capable tactical Early Warning Aircraft. The Advanced Hawkeye is assigned aboard aircraft carriers and provides airborne early warning and command and control to carrier air wing. The E-2D can act as a sensor to guide the fleet’s weapons onto targets that other aircraft and ships can not locate. Also it warns of incoming anti-ship missile attacks. Rockwell will perform work in Norfolk, Virginia and estimated completion is in April 2024.

The US Air Force announced that the last pair of new wings for 173 A-10 Thunderbolt planes was successfully installed last week. “From a warfighter point of view, bringing this program to a successful conclusion was a significant accomplishment for the entire enterprise team,” said Stephen Zaiser, director of the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The Air Logistics Complex’s 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron swapped wings on 162 A-10s as part of the A-10 Enhanced Wing Assembly replacement program. The remaining 11 were installed at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. The $2 billion project is to remove and replace the wings on the planes.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that Iran unveiled its first indigenously developed mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP) on August 13. According to the magazine the Raad was unveiled in a ceremony held at the Defense Industries Organization in Isfahan and is a more advanced version of the Toufan. The Toufan was developed to provide Iranian forces with a highly mobile vehicle that is capable of carrying out logistics and combat missions in all possible theaters of war. It is ambush protected with ballistic protection to resist land mines, improvised explosive devices, and steel core bullets.

Europe

The first steel to be used in Britain’s HMS Cardiff, an anti-submarine frigate, was ceremonially cut in a Glasgow-area shipyard on Wednesday. It marked the start of construction of the second of eight Type 26 Global Combat Ships, also known as City Class, or C-Class Ships for the British Navy. The cutting-edge frigates for the Royal Navy will replace the current anti-submarine warfare Type 23 frigates and provide advanced protection to the Continuous at Sea Deterrent and Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and offer unrivaled anti-submarine warfare capability.

During a telephone briefing on August 13, General Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of the US Air Force in Europe, Air Forces Africa, and NATO’s Allied Air Command told Journalists that the deployment of a squadron of US Air Force F-35s to Europe “allowed us to integrate this fifth generation platform into various exercises and training sorties with our allies and partners“. The US Air Force in Europe has been preparing to base F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in the UK through a series of activities with NATO countries. In July the USAF together with the UK Ministry of Defense’s Infrastructure Organisation broke ground during a ceremony on a new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II infrastructure at RAF Lakenheath.

Asia-Pacific

After the current protests in Hong Kong, Thailand’s military has prepared a plan to evacuate its citizens living in Hong Kong in case the security situation there deteriorates. Bloomberg reports that the Air Force is ready to deploy two planes, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and an Airbus A340, if the Thai government orders an evacuation. The Hercules is a turboprop transport aircraft. The aircraft is able to land and takeoff from unprepared runways. Hong Kong citizens have been protesting against a bill allowing extraditions to China. The protests are already lasting for 11 weeks and have made headlines due to the police clashing with demonstrators at Hong Kong’s airport. Flights had been cancelled at the beginning of the week, because of the violence of the protests.

Today’s Video

Watch: Mikoyan MiG-35 – The Last Chance For MiG To Find The Glory Of The Past

Americas

Lockheed Martin in Florida won a $99 million deal by the US Air Force for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) Foreign Military Sales production support. The contract provides for lifecycle support for all efforts related to JASSM and any JASSM variants in the areas of system upgrades, integration, production, sustainment, management and logistical support. The JASSM is a low observable standoff air-launched US cruise missile. It is a large, stealth, long-range weapon with a 1,000 pound armor-piercing warhead that entered service in 2009. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida and estimated completion date is in August 24.

The US Marine Corps is moving one step closer towards operating its own MQ-9 fleet with the first two Marines graduating from the Basic Sensor Operator Course on August 9. „The graduation of these two lance corporals is a small step in their training,” Marine Liaison to the 558 FTS Major Matthew Bailey said. “It’s probably lost on them how important it is, but this is a major milestone for the Marine Corps UAS community. The two marines will be assigned as sensor operators for the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System. The MQ-9 Reaper is the primary offensive strike Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for the US Air Force. Given its significant loiter time, wide-range sensors, multi-mode communications suite, and precision weapons, it provides a unique capability to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets. The Marine Corps in March laid out plans to establish their own MQ-9 Force. The Marine Corps has been on a path to expand it’s UAS assets and enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This brings the push for expanding into group five UAS’. Group five UAVs can weigh in above 1320 pounds, normally fly higher than 18,000 feet above sea level, and at any speed. These assets can stay in the air longer, with a much larger payload, and observe a much larger area.

Middle East & Africa

Spartan Air Academy Iraq won a $31.5 million task order for continued Air Academy training in support of the Iraqi Air Force. Spartan Air Academy Iraq, LLC, was formed in 2014 to support the establishment of an air academy in Iraq. The launch of the Iraq Air Academy was held at Balad Air Base February 21, 2018. It was attended by senior officials from the US Government, Government of Iraq, and Spartan Air Academy Iraq, LLC. The US is invested in Iraq’s F-16 program where pilots are trained, and the maintenance and security of the F-16s are carried out by American contractors. Iraq will receive a new batch of F-16 fighter jets over the course of next year. The Spartan Air Academy will perform work at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Estimated completion date is July 8 next year.

According to a press release by Raytheon, Bahrain inked an agreement to purchase the company’s Patriot air and missile defense system. This allows the US government to begin contract negotiations with Raytheon for production of an undisclosed quantity of systems and missiles. “Raytheon’s Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense System will ensure the Kingdom of Bahrain is well equipped to defend against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and manned and unmanned aircraft,” said Ralph Acaba, president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. Patriot is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defense system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. It is in service throughout the US, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Poland, Sweden, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Spain and Taiwan.

Europe

BAE Systems announced in a news release that their ‘revolutionary’ new mission planning software will be rolled out to the Royal Air Force by November 2020. The software, named Sceptre, will be used throughout a mission, from the initial plan, to the execution of it, to the debrief. BAE says it’ll allow users on the ground to “make better, more informed decisions” to support the flight crew. The RAF plans to initially use it primarily to support its Typhoons. BAE Systems developed and funded Spectre internally. The value of the contract with the Ministry of Defense is yet to be released.

Asia-Pacific

India Times reports that India’s Ministry of Defense approved the procurement of locally developed Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (NGMMCBs) and software-defined radios (SDR) for the Indian Navy. The SDR is a complex and state of the art communication system, which has been indigenously designed and developed by the Defense Research Development Organisation, Bharat Electronics Ltd and Weapons Electronics System Engineering Establishment. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) announced that an undisclosed number of NGMMCBs fitted with the BrahMos surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile, would be deployed along India’s coastline. The DAC also approved amendments to the Defense Procurement Procedure, 2016, to make it easier to do business in the defense sector.

Today’s Video

Watch: AMERICA MOVING FAST IN HYPERSONIC WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY !!

Americas

Austal USA won a cost-plus fixed-fee task order in support of the post shakedown availability (PSA) of the Littoral Combat Ship USS Tulsa or LCS 16. The deal provides for accomplishment of advance planning, material procurement and accomplishment of work. It includes 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 also 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 Tulsa is part of the Independence Class Littoral Combat Ships. The ship was commissioned in February. The Tulsa is assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1. The PSA is an industrial activity availability assigned to correct deficiencies found during the shakedown cruise or to accomplish other authorized improvements. Austal will perform work in Seattle, Washington and is expecting to finish work by April next year.

The US Army has signed a contract to buy two sets of Iron Dome missile intercepting units. Defense News reports that the deal for the Iron Dome systems, which will be part of the US Army’s interim cruise missile defense capability, is set in stone. The service had an urgent capability gap for cruise missile defense on an interim basis. The Army will now figure out delivery schedules and details in terms of taking receipt of the systems. The Iron Dome is the world’s most-used system, intercepting more than 1,900 incoming targets with a success rate exceeding 90 percent since being fielded in 2011. Iron Dome detects, assesses and intercepts a variety of shorter-range targets such as rockets, artillery and mortars. It is effective day or night and in all weather conditions including low clouds, rain, dust storms and fog. It features a first-of-its-kind multi-mission launcher designed to fire a variety of interceptor missiles.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Defense reports that Israel asked the US Navy for the price and availability of the V-22 Osprey. An article by Aviation Week says Israel has a requirement for 12 to 14 tilt-rotors. Israel’s Defense Ministry has issued a price and availability request to the US Navy’s international programs office. The Osprey takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter and flies horizontally like a fixed-wing aircraft, and is intended primarily for special operations and forces. The helicopter is self-deployable worldwide, with a ferry range over 2,100nm. Normal operating range is up to 1,100nm. The tilt-rotor aircraft is available in three configurations: the Combat Assault and Assault Support MV-22 for the USMC and the US Army; the long-range special operations CV-22 for US Special Operations Command; and the US Navy HV-22, for combat search and rescue, special warfare and fleet logistic support.

Europe

German defense contractors Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland will build a high-energy laser for installation aboard a German Navy Ship. This marks the first time the German military has entered the arena of laser weapon development. Rheinmetall said in a press release: „Now, for the first time ever, this capability is to be investigated under quasi-operational conditions using a demonstrator installed onboard a German corvette“. The United States first began development of non-lethal lasers for military use in 2014. Rheinmetall also stated that lasers are capable of engaging targets at the speed of light with extreme precision and minimal collateral damage. The two companies agreed to build, integrate, and test a laser demonstrator for the German Navy’s K130 corvette. Rheinmetall and MBDA said they are awaiting the release of the performance specifications by Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-service Support, before determining the details and division of labor.

Jane’s reports that Great Britain awarded Industry teams led by Blue Bear Systems Research, Boeing Defence UK, and Callen-Lenz to complete the preliminary design of a low-cost unmanned combat aircraft that can operate alongside manned fast jets as part of future air power mix. The UK’s Project Mosquito is a Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Air technology demonstrator initiative. It is intended to generate evidence in order to inform a potential future ‘Loyal Wingman’ requirement. The Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Air (LANCA) merged from the 2015 studies undertaken by the UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory to understand how innovative combat air technologies and operating concepts might offer radical reductions in system cost and development time. According to Jane’s, the acquisition strategy for Project Mosquito is split into two phases: Phase I, which lasts for 12 months and covers preliminary system design, and Phase II, which will see a downselect to one or two teams to further mature their designs, complete manufacturing of the technology demonstrator, and complete a limited flight-test program.

Asia-Pacific

Indian media reports that Intelligence Agencies have spotted at least three Pakistan Air Force transport aircraft C-130 bringing equipment to Skardu Air Base. Pakistan is expected to deploy JF-17 fighter aircraft at Skardu Air Base. The Intelligence Agencies are keeping a close watch on the activity at the Base. In the past, Pakistan has used the Air Base to support its Army operations on the border with India. It has been one week since the Narendra Modi government made moves to end special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories and the situation between India and Pakistan is tense.

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Americas

Lockheed Martin announced that the AEHF-5 protected communication satellite is now in transfer orbit. The launch on August 8 was successful and the AEHF-5 is now responding to the US Air Force’s 4th Space Operations Squadron’s commands. According to Lockheed, the squadron began “flying” the satellite shortly after it separated from its United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes after the rocket’s successful 6:13 am ET liftoff. The Advanced Extremely High Frequency 5 or AEHF-5 satellite is the fifth addition to the Air Force’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency constellation. The satellites are built by Lockheed Martin and are used to relay secure communications for the Armed Forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Netherlands. The first AEHF satellite was launched in 2006 and the most recent, the AEHF-4 in October 2018. The sixth and final AEHF satellite is expected to launch later this year.

The Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire is the first guard base to receive a next-generation KC-46A Pegasus refueling tanker plane. The refueling tanker flew into the Pease Air National Guard base late Thursday afternoon. The Pegasus is developed from a Boeing 767 passenger plane. It is replacing KC-135 Stratotankers in the US Air Force fleet of refueling planes. The Air Base will receive three KC-46As per month for four months. The KC-46A can refuel any fixed-wing plane, foreign or domestic made, while both planes are airborne. It can also accommodate a mix of passengers, including patients and cargo. Boeing had been three years behind schedule on the Pegasus program before deliveries began. The Air Force halted deliveries a couple of times due to debris in the plane. Last week, Lockheed received a $55.5 million contract modification for engineering work on a redesign of the plane’s boom telescope actuator.

Middle East & Africa

Elbit Systems will upgrade tanks and supply radio systems for an Army of an unspecified country in South East Asia. The 32-month deal is valued at approximately $80 million. According to Elbit, the company will supply Fire Control Systems and Electric Gun and Turret Drive Systems for tanks and advanced radio systems from the E-LynX family in several configurations, including hand-held and man-packed radios for infantry soldiers and vehicular radios for Armored Fighting Vehicles. The E-LynX tactical solution is a 4TH generation communication solution provided by Elbit Systems. The software-defined radio (SDR) offers a secure and reliable tactical communications solution to all echelons – from the individual soldier on the battlefield to deployed headquarters.

Europe

Craig Hoyle from Flight Global reports that the final Eurofighter Tranche 3 for the UK Royal Air Force has made its second flight and will be delivered to the customer by end of the year. The Royal Air Force has an active fleet of 116 Typhoons, the oldest of which are 14 years old. Under current plans, the type should remain in UK service until 2040, operating alongside its short take-off and vertical landing Lockheed Martin F-35Bs. The same news report also said that Qatar has requested to accelerate the delivery of its own Eurofighters. The jets will start arriving in 2022 and most of the 24 jets on order will be delivered in 2023. The final aircraft will reach home in 2024.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin Australia issued a call for local companies to register interest in participating in its program to develop the combat system for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) fleet of next-generation Attack Class submarines. The company said the call to engage with local industry relates to the preliminary design and research and development phase of the combat system program. Australia’s Future Submarine Program is the largest defense capital investment program in Australia’s history and is a truly national endeavor. Design of the Future Submarine has commenced, with platform construction due to begin in 2022-23 and the first Future Submarine likely to enter service in the early 2030’s. Specific requirements detailed by Lockheed Martin Australia include “novel methods for reliable communications on an unstable platform”; “emerging technologies for improved autonomous celestial navigation”; “distributed underwater sensor networks and their impact on submarine operations”; and “novel methods to integrate compressive sensing techniques”.

Jane’s reports that the relationship between India and Pakistan has been increasingly tense since New Delhi announced on August 5 its decision to scrap the special constitutional status it had granted to its portion of the disputed northern region of Jammu and Kashmir about 70 years earlier. Pakistan has expelled India’s High Commissioner to Islamabad, adding that its own envoy, who has yet to assume the position, would not move to India because of New Delhi’s revocation of Article 370 in the Indian constitution. This statute had granted the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir special powers since the early 1950s to make its own laws and fly its own flag.

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