David didn’t need high technology to defeat Goliath, just some stones and a sling. But in the modern world, David is getting some high-tech help from the likes of Raytheon and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, who are developing a missile defense system called David’s Sling Weapon System (DSWS).
The DSWS is a joint short-range ballistic missile defense program between the US Missile Defense Agency and the Israel Missile Defense Organization. The system is designed to defeat short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets and cruise missiles in their terminal phase of flight.
Raytheon received 2 contracts from Rafael worth more than $100 million to build DSWS components.
The 1st contract was awarded to codevelop the missile component of the DSWS called the Stunner Interceptor. Stunner is a hit-to-kill interceptor designed for use in the DSWS and allied integrated air and missile defense systems.
The 2nd contract was awarded for the development, production and integrated logistics support of the missile firing unit (MFU), the launcher component of the DSWS. The MFU will provide the DSWS with vertical interceptor launch capability for 360-degree extended air and missile defense.
Other joint US-Israel missile defense efforts include coproduction of the Arrow missile defense system interceptors and an initiative to provide Israel an upper-tier missile defense system. According to Defense Update, the United States and Israel have begun development of an upper-tier component to the Israeli Arrow 3 missile defense architecture. According to Arieh Herzog, director of Israel’s Missile Defense Program, the main element of this upper tier will be an exo-atmospheric interceptor, to be jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing.
UpdatesMarch 21/19: Interception Tests Israel’s Missile Defense Organization and the US Missile Defense Agency successfully completed a series of interception tests with the David’s Sling weapon system. Israeli company Rafael carried out the experiments at a test site in southern Israel. During the trials, advanced capabilities of the David’s Sling missile system were tested in a new version developed for a number of scenarios to simulate future threats the system may face during a confrontation. David’s Sling is a joint Israeli-US project, with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems collaborating with US defense contractor Raytheon. The weapon system is also called „Magic Wand“ and became operational in 2017. It is designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets, as well as cruise missiles fired with ranges of 40 to 300 km.
August 10/17: Production of interceptors jointly-developed by US and Israeli industry for the latter’s multi-tiered missile defense system is being ramped up, as three interceptor programs transition from low-rate initial production (LRIP) to full-rate production. The Boeing-IAI developed Arrow-3, and the Rafael-Raytheon developed Stunner—used in the David’s Sling system—and Tamir—used by the Iron Dome—interceptors are built in a large part by US-based firms, with a network of contractors and sub-contractors stretching out across 30 of its 50 states. This is due to congressional mandates and government-to-government agreements which stipulates that at least 50% of the work is produced in the US. Potential exports are also being taken into account, as the Stunner—marketed abroad as the SkyCeptor—is currently being considered by the Polish government for its Patriot active defense system.
April 3/17: Another Israeli missile defense system, David’s Sling, has had its initial operating capability (IOC) declared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a ceremony on April 2. Deliveries of the system’s major components by Israel’s Missile Defense Organization and state-owned Rafael began in early March, followed by integration testing of all system components prior to gaining its IOC. The system was also put through multiple operational simulations as part of the US-Israel Juniper Cobra exercise, a biennial air defense drill aimed at honing interoperability between the two nations.
March 21/17: Israel will declare their multi-tier defense network operational from next month following the deployment of the David’s Sling interceptor system. Developed and manufactured jointly by Rafael and Raytheon, David’s Sling will be responsible for shooting down rockets fired from 100 to 200 kilometers away, such as projectiles fired by the Iranian-backed Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah. The network will include the IDF’s short-range Iron Dome and long-range Arrow missiles.
January 31/17: Israel and the US government have granted Israeli manufacturer Rafael permission to discuss the David’s Sling air-defense system with Poland as part of a wider export push for co-developed interceptor systems. The announcement comes as the anti-ballistic system was recently cleared during a fifth round of trials. Tel Aviv has been developing multi-tiered missile defense system with US and local industry for some years now, with their Iron Dome, Arrow and David’s Sling systems all being offered to foreign customers.
January 30/17: Israel and the US have completed a fifth series of tests on the David’s Sling missile defense system. The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) collaboration was tested at the Yanat Sea Range in Israel, with the system’s Stunner interceptors successfully engaging its targets. The David’s Sling project is for defense against large-caliber rockets and short-range ballistic missiles.
March 4/16: The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has begun to take possession of the David’s Sling Weapon System (DSWS). The first phase of the gradual delivery of components include multimission radar by Elta Systems; Stunner interceptors by Rafael and its US partner, Raytheon Missile Systems; and the Golden Almond Battle Management Center by Elbit Systems Elisra. Once these are in place, an integration testing of all system components will take place prior to a declaration of initial operational capability by the IAF. The DSWS has been developed to bridge the gap between the lower and upper tiers of Israel’s four-layer active defense network, deployed above Israel’s Iron Dome and below the upper-atmospheric Arrow-2 and exo-atmospheric Arrow-3.
In September 2013, Singapore confirmed its much-anticipated intent to upgrade its F-16C/Ds with improved radars and other changes. By January 2014, that was a published DSCA request. There’s no firm timeline just yet, but the proposal is part of wider-ranging military improvements underway in Singapore. It’s also seen as an early example to many other F-16 operators around the world, who respect Singapore’s as a discerning buyer and may wish to do the same thing.
That decision is expected to launch at least 2 fierce competitions. One will be between Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. The other will be between Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
After the 2004 sale to Thailand of the RSAF’s initial handful of F-16A/B fighters, the RSAF became an all Block 52 force, built with fighters accepted between 1998 – 2004. Their planes aren’t entirely standard set. The long dorsal spine on many F-16Ds holds extra electronic countermeasures, and the planes reportedly carry a number of Israeli systems within, including DASH-III helmet mounted displays.
Singapore has about 14 F-16C/Ds based in the USA for training, and another 48 F-16C/Ds in Singapore at Changi AB and Tengah AB. Current plans indicate an intent to upgrade up to 60 planes at about $40.5 million per plane.
Basing will also change. In the near future, they plan to expand Changi and Tengah and consolidate around both facilities, while closing Paya Lebar AB. Paya Lebar’s F-15SGs, upgraded F-5S interceptors, and C-130 transports will go elsewhere, though the 40 or so F-5s are due for phase out in the near future.
RSAF F-16D-52There is some question as to whether the F-5s will be replaced, though a March 2013 announcement that Singapore would buy more F-15SGs seems to indicate at least partial near-term replacement. The rest of that question hinges on Singapore’s timeline for acquiring F-35s. If they’re bought soon, they’ll grow the fleet, effectively replacing the F-5S with some F-16C/Ds. If Singapore postpones their F-35 buy, they will pay less per plane, and the F-35s will become de facto replacements for the F-16+ fleet as they age out. Upgrading the F-16s might suggest to some that Singapore intends to delay the F-35s, especially since they recently elected to expand their F-15SG fleet instead of making an expected announcement about 12 F-35Bs. In his September 2013 statement, Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen would say only that Singapore continues to evaluate the F-35’s suitability “in meeting our long-term security needs to further modernise our fighter fleet and replace our older aircraft.”
Other Changes Aster-30Singapore’s consolidation into just 2 main air bases adds operational risk to their future fleet, but protection is also being improved. Beyond Singapore’s confirmed F-16 upgrades and new F-15SGs, new IAI Gulfstream G550 CAEW jets have improved their advance airborne warning.
On the ground, new mobile Spyder air defense systems from RAFAEL offer a more modern, longer-range complement to the legacy Rapier systems from Britain. At the top tier, MBDA’s long-range Aster-30 missiles will soon replace Raytheon’s MIM-23 I-Hawks on land, offering Singapore the ability to intercept short range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft, cruise missiles, etc. Singapore’s Formidable Class frigates already use a combination of Aster-15 and Aster-30 missiles, so the land-based Aster-30 buy will draw on an existing support network.
None of Singapore’s immediate neighbors can match this array, and Singapore’s qualitative advantage is large enough that it’s very unlikely anyone would test it. The city-state is extremely serious about its defense, with a long history of strong spending in this area. That well-known commitment, and the visibility of its strategic position, ensures that Singapore’s defense choices get attention far beyond their immediate neighborhood.
The Competitions RACRSingapore has a number of options with respect to their F-16s.
Contractor. First of all, Lockheed Martin and BAE can be expected to compete hard for the upgrade work. Lockheed Martin is the manufacturer, but Britain has picked up significant F-16 upgrade wins in the USA and around the world.
AESA. Then there’s the radar question. The new radars will use advanced AESA technology, improving range/ discrimination by 2x – 3x, offering entirely new modes of operation, and sharply reducing maintenance costs.
NGC’s SABRLockheed Martin recently announced that Northrop Grumman’s SABR radar would be the cornerstone of its F-16V offering, which was unveiled at the 2012 Singapore air show. The F-16V can be bought as an upgrade, or as new fighters. Modernized American and Taiwanese F-16s will also use SABR.
On the other hand, South Korea picked Raytheon’s RACR radar for their advanced F-16 upgrade, and Singapore already flies with related Raytheon AN/APG-63v3 AESA radars in its 20 new F-15SGs. If Singapore also picks RACR for its F-16s, in order to take advantage of common software and radar mode development, it will give Raytheon a significant and much-needed boost in the global F-16 refit competition.
There’s also the non-US option of using the Israeli ELM-2052 AESA, but the US reportedly took protectionist measures and threatened to cut off F-16 support if Israel introduced that radar to its own F-16s. Export to Singapore seems unlikely.
Contracts & Key Events RSAF F-16D-52March 21/19: Weapons System Support KT Consulting won an $11.9 million firm-fixed-price task order for F-16 Weapons System support. The contract involves a Foreign Military Sale to Singapore. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine, supersonic multirole fighter. Early fighters could be armed with up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder, heat-seeking, short-range air-to-air missiles (AAM), and radar guided AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range AAMs. The recent versions of the aircraft support AIM-120 AMRAAM. The Republic of Singapore Air Force operates 62 F-16 Fighting Falcons, all of which are advanced F-16C/D block 52 aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of the-art armament, including AIM-120 AMRAAM as well as presumably the Israeli Python 4 missile linked to a DASH-3 Helmet Mounted Sight. Work will take place at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico and is scheduled to be finished by March 31, 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,435,581 and Singapore National Funds in the amount of $34,969 are being obligated at the time of award.
December 3/15: The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $914 million contract to Lockheed Martin to upgrade F-16 aircraft for the government of Singapore. The work is to be carried out at Fort Worth, Texas. The number of aircraft to be upgraded is unknown, but the DoD notified Congress that they had approved the sale of upgrades for 60 fighters in 2014. The Singapore Air Force announced earlier this year that it was planning a major overhaul of its current fleet, with enhancements including laser-designated JDAM munitions, air-to-air weapons, datalink capability and helmet mounted displays, in addition to an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system.
July 6/15: Singapore’s Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) has released more information on its plans to upgrade the RSAF’s fleet of F-16C/D fighters. The upgrades will take place in phases from 2016 onward, with various capability enhancements planned. These include laser-designated JDAM munitions, air-to-air weapons, datalink capability and helmet mounted displays, as well as an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, as per a previous DSCA request. The AESA system is thought to be the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) system. Singapore announced its intention to upgrade its F-16s in 2013, with Lockheed Martin seemingly tipped to win the upgrade contract.
March 19/15: Lockheed tipped to win. Singapore is reportedly close to signing a contract with Lockheed Martin to upgrade its F-16s, after a cancelled deal with BAE in November. The country initially confirmed its intention to upgrade the fleet in September 2013.
Feb 10/14: Boeing? Boeing DSS VP for business development and strategy Chris Raymond says that Boeing would be interested in bidding, if Singapore were to open their F-16 upgrade program to competition. Boeing is an unlikely competitor, given their thin record servicing and enhancing global F-15 fleets. Raymond cites their experience with the QF-16 conversion, and with other fighter and aircraft upgrades. They could also leverage an existing relationship with the RSAF, supporting their F-15SG fighters and AH-64D Apache helicopters.
Lockheed Martin has indicated that NGC’s SABR radar is their preferred choice for upgrades, and for new-build F-16Vs. BAE is tied to Raytheon’s RACR via their South Korean experience. Boeing doesn’t have an official allegiance, but their in-production fighters both carry Raytheon AESA radars, and there’s a RACR variant for F/A-18A-D upgrades. Sources: Aviation Week, “Boeing Could Bid On Singapore F-16s”.
Jan 14/14: DSCA. The US DSCA details Singapore’s official request to upgrade 60 F-16C/D+ Block 52 fighters to something like the F-16V standard, at a cost of up to $2.43 billion ($40.5 million per plane). That’s about 2/3 the cost of buying similar F-16E/F Block 60 aircraft new off of the production line.
Upgrades would include:
They also want a set of test weapons:
Contractors aren’t mentioned specifically, implying that they’re still to be chosen by Singapore. In terms of overall priorities, Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen said recently that the F-16 fleet’s condition and prospective upgrades meant that they were in “no particular hurry” to make an F-35 decision, though it’s a “serious consideration.” Sources: DSCA #13-67 | Defense News, “US: Singapore To Buy Upgrade For Its F-16 Fighter Jets”.
DSCA request: F-16 upgrades
Sept 16/13: Singapore’s Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen’s Parliamentary reply confirms that Singapore has picked MBDA’s Aster-30 as its upper-tier air defense system on land, and will upgrade their F-16s. The planes will be refitted with new electronics and systems, and the RSAF also plans to extend their service lives. Sources: Singapore MINDEF, “Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Relocation of Paya Lebar Air Base”.
Additional ReadingsThe US Navy awarded General Dynamics a $2 billion contract modification to provide additional materials required to build the Virginia Class submarines from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2023. The deal includes additional Long Lead Time Material and Economic Ordering Quantity items for SSN-802 to SSN-811 underwater vessels. The SSNs 802 -811 Virginia Class submarine hull numbers have not been named yet. The Virginia Class is the Navy’s newest undersea warfare platform. Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces, carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, support battle group operations, and engage in mine warfare. The modification falls under a previously awarded sole-source contract. General Dynamics is the lead contractor of the Virginia Class submarine program. In February 2017, General Dynamics won an initial $126.5 million contract by the US Navy for long lead time material for the first two Block V Virginia Class submarines, SSN-802 and SSN-803. The Block V submarines built from 2019 onward will have an additional Virginia Payload Module (VPM) mid-body section, increasing their overall length. Work under the contract modification will take place within the USA.
The Naval Sea Systems Command tapped Raytheon Missile Systems with a $97.8 million modification to obtain materials needed for fiscal 2019 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 low-rate initial requirements. The ESSM is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile that is currently in service with the US Navy and some of the 12 NATO Sea Sparrow consortium nations. Consortium members include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey and the US. The missile is equipped with a tail-control system to obtain high speed and maneuverability. It can operate in all weather conditions and has a length of about 3.64m, diameter of 254mm and a weight of 280kg. The Evolved SEASPARROW Missile program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test, and procure ESSM missiles. Work will take place in Canada, Germany, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Mexico, Greece, Denmark, Turkey, Portugal as well as various sites within the US and is scheduled to be finished by March 2023.
The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $14.6 million contract modification in support of the F-35 Program. The deal provides for 62 low-rate initial production Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Helmet Display Units and spares for the F-35 Joint Strike Aircraft. The contract caters to the US Marine Corps and Navy. The F-35 Lightning is a supersonic, multi-role fighter jet 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 percent of its total sales. OLED panels are made from organic materials that emit light when electricity is applied through them. Since OLEDs do not require a backlight and filters, they are more efficient, simpler to make, and much thinner and in fact can be made flexible and even rollable. Work related to the deal is scheduled to be over by February 2020 and will be carried out in Fort Worth, Texas.
The US Navy ordered thousands of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) kits from BAE Systems, the company stated in a press release. The APKWS guidance kits are the US government’s sole program of record for 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets. They are available in all four military branches as well as to allied nations through Foreign Military Sales. The APKWS kits transform standard 2.75-inch Hydra rockets into guided munitions that provide warfighters with a precision strike capability with limited collateral damage. The APKWS II uses the Distributed Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker technology. This system allows a laser seeker to be located in the leading edge of each of the forward control canards, working in unison as if they were a single seeker. The company announced, it will continue to deliver APKWS guidance kits ahead of schedule and accelerate production rate to meet growing demand.
Middle East & AfricaAccording to reports, Egypt signed a $2 billion contract to buy more than 20 SU-35 multirole fighters from Russia. The delivery of the aircraft, including their weapon systems, will begin as early as 2020-2021. The deal is yet to be confirmed by official sources. The SU-35 is a single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft. With 12 to 14 weapon hardpoints, the SU-35 is able to use K-77M radar-guided missiles that reportedly have a range of almost 200km. The jet is also armed with a 30mm cannon with 150 rounds for strafing or dogfighting. The SU-35 can reportedly carry up to 8,000kg of air-to-ground munitions. It is Russia’s most advanced operational fighter. Its first foreign customer was China, which ordered 24 aircraft in November 2015. Indonesia also signed a contract for the SU-35 worth $1.1 billion with deliveries possibly beginning at the end of the year. Egypt has one of the biggest Armed Forces in the Middle East. Between 1982 and 2013, the Egyptian Air Force received 240 Lockheed Martin F-16s from the US. Egypt ordered and received in FY 2015-2017, 24 Dassault Rafale fighters from France, followed by the MiG-29Ms, which are currently being delivered.
EuropeThe US Naval Sea Systems Command awarded RAM-System, Germany an €81.4 million ($92.4 million) and $1.1 million contract modification for the German Navy’s requirements for Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) MK49 guided missile launching systems. The RAM is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile that together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support equipment, make up the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS). It is designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. The Federal Republic of Germany will fully fund the contract. The RAM MK 31 guided missile weapon system is an international cooperative development, production and in-service program between the U.S. and German governments. The participating governments operate under a series of memorandums of agreement/memorandums of understanding that establish the business principles for program execution along with contracting and financial agreements. The contract also includes associated shipboard hardware and spares. Work will take place in Germany as well as the US and is scheduled to be completed by December 2023.
Orbit Communication Systems received a $3 million order for Maritime TVRO Satcom Systems from a European Navy. Delivery of the spares for Orbit’s widely-deployed AL-7200 series of maritime TVRO is planned in 2019. Orbit’s maritime TVRO satcom systems provide uninterrupted reception of TV and data services for NATO and international naval vessels operating in extreme conditions. The framework agreement will extend the TVRO satcom system’s service life for multiple years. Orbit secured a well-stocked inventory of spares to allow the Navy to maintain its existing TVRO systems well into the future.
Asia-PacificTaiwan requested more than 100 main battle tanks, designated as M1A2X, from the US. The M1A2X is a special configuration of the M1A2C, the latest variant of Abrams tanks in production. The M1 Abrams is a highly mobile main-battle tank for modern armored ground. Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, incorporating improved armament, protection, and electronics with each new model. These improvements and other upgrades to in-service tanks have allowed the vehicle to remain in front-line service. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense plans to acquire US-made Abrams tanks to replace some M60A3 Patton and CM-11 Brave Tiger tanks in service. Washington said it will make a decision on the tanks within 120 days of the application date.
Today’s VideoWatch: UK begins integrating next gen weapons for F 35
The US Air Force contracted Boeing $250 million to integrate the Long Range Stand-Off (LRSO) Cruise Missile on the B-52H bomber platform. This contract provides for aircraft and missile carriage equipment development and modification, engineering, testing, software development, training, facilities, and support necessary to fully integrate the LRSO Cruise Missile on the B-52H bomber. The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, large-payload multirole bomber. It is the Air Force’s strategic nuclear and conventional weapons platform and supports the US Navy in anti-surface and submarine warfare missions. The US Air Force awarded a $750 million, ten-year engineering sustainment program contract to Boeing in June 2009 to provide engineering and technical support services for the B-52H and its components, as well as support and test equipment, and system integration laboratory. The LRSO is a nuclear-tipped air-launched cruise missile that is currently being developed to replace the subsonic air-launched cruise missile AGM-86 ALCM. It is being developed to penetrate and survive integrated air defense systems and strike its targets. Work under the contract will take place in Oklahoma City and is schedules to be completed by the end of December 31, 2024.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awarded Raytheon $21.2 million to retrofit the F-15 fleet. The deal provides for retrofitting the F-15 fleets current Identity Friend of Foe Units. Identification Friend or Foe enables military and civilian air traffic control interrogation systems to identify aircraft, vehicles or forces as friendly and to determine their bearing and range from the interrogator. The Units offer Mode 5 capability for the APX-114 and APX-119 on the F-15 models C/D/E via a hardware retrofit and software upgrade. Per the terms of the deal, these units will provide National Security Agency approved cryptography and robust anti-jam interrogation and reply encryption capabilities. The F-15 is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield. A multi-mission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultrahigh frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system.
The Navy awarded Pratt & Whitney a $71.4 million task order in support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. The United Technologies subsidiary will mature the F-35 propulsion system ahead of service operational use of the fighter aircraft. The company will provide non-recurring services to help address safety and durability challenges, maintain technical performance and advance the engine technology of F-35 jets. The F-35 is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a development and acquisition program intended to replace a wide range of existing, strike, and ground attack aircraft for the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Italy, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and their allies. Work under the order will take place in Connecticut and Indiana and is scheduled to be finished by December 2023.
Middle East & AfricaSudan’s Military Industry Corporation revealed a new wheeled armored personnel carrier, the upgraded Russian BTR-70 8×8 called the Shareef-3, Jane’s reports. The new carrier replaces BTR-70’s original two ZMZ-4905 engines with a more fuel-efficient KAMAZ-7403 V8 water-cooled diesel developing 260hp at 2,600 rpm. This gives a maximum road speed of 80 km/h. The Shareef-3 has an amphibious water speed of 8- 10 km/h. The vehicle carries six dismounts seated on two bench seats in the middle of the troop compartment. Dismounts can exit via roof hatches or side hatches between the second and third road wheels. Additionally, Shareef-3 retains the launcher rail for the Russian 9M14 Malyutka anti-tank guided weapon.
The Israel Defense Forces Intelligence (IDF) Directorate inaugurated a new Targeting Center as part of the establishment of the General Staff Targeting Directorate at the Glilot base. The Center will serve as a focal point for all the units involved in the acquisition of emergency and routine targets in the IDF. The Directorate will enhance the connection with the operational edge in the various commands and branches. The goal is to enable an effective operational process alongside increasing the rate of target acquisition for all sectors according to their importance. The Military Intelligence Directorate’s technologies will be combined in the fields of data science and machine learning in order to acquire targets. The Targeting Center has been operating for about a month.
EuropeBAE Systems handed over the HMS Medway to the British Royal Navy. The HMS Medway is a Batch 2 River Class offshore patrol vessel. On November 6, 2013, the Royal Navy announced it had signed an Agreement in Principle to build three new offshore patrol vessels, based on the River Class design. The Medway is the second Batch 2 River Class vessel to be commissioned. Meanwhile, the Batch 2 River Class HMS Forth and her crew are in the final stages to resume trials and training. Medway will be a couple of months behind Forth in going to sea for a second time. The River Class is a class of offshore patrol vessels. The Batch 2 ships are fundamentally different in appearance and capabilities from the preceding Batch 1. Notable differences include the 90.5 meters (296 ft 11 in) long hull, a top speed of 24 knots, Merlin-capable flight deck, a displacement of around 2,000 tonnes and greatly expanded capacity for accommodating troops. The Batch 2 ships are the first Royal Navy ships fitted with BAE Systems Shared Infrastructure operating system.
Asia-PacificThe US State Department approved the sale of air-to-air missiles to Australia. The proposed deal for AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment is estimated at $240.5 million. The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to 108 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs, six AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Air Vehicles Instrumented as well as six spare AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance sections and associated parts, hardware, engineering support and training. This proposed sale is in support of the Australian Defense Force project LAND 19 Phase 7B for acquisition of a ground based air and missile defense capability.
Today’s VideoWatch: The New F-15X Fighter Jet Will Complement the F-22 and F-35 in Aerial Battlefields
The UK’s forthcoming Ocean Class 90m+ Offshore Patrol Vessels stem from a shipbuilding sector agreement that the UK MoD signed with BAE in November 2013. Britain needed to find an affordable bridge-buy that kept its naval shipyards running in-between completion of existing ships, and delayed construction of the new Type 26 frigates. Rather than paying termination and industrial costs to keep the shipyard idle, the UK government decided to buy 3 OPVs, for delivery by 2017. This would also allow the Royal Navy to retire or gift out the existing River Class OPVs HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey.
As of August 2014, the contract for these new open-ocean patrol vessels is complete…
The new British OPVs will be built at BAE Systems’ facilities in Glasgow, under a GBP 348 million contract announced on Aug 12/14. That brings the total to GBP 368 million, following a GBP 20 million long-lead parts contract announced on March 12/14.
The design based on vessels already sold abroad: Thailand’s HTMS Krabi, and the 3 similar Amazonas Class OPVs that Brazil picked up when Trinidad and Tobago cancelled their deal.
The new ships will be larger and more efficient than Britain’s existing River Class OPVs, with more room for embarked personnel, more storage space, and the addition of a flight deck capable of landing the Royal Navy’s AW101 Merlin medium-heavy helicopters. The Ocean Class are designed for a maximum speed of 24 knots, and a range of 5,500 nautical miles. Sources: UK MoD, “£348 million warship contract delivers Clyde jobs boost” | BAE, “New contract award for Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels” | UK MoD, “£20 million contract for new Royal Navy ships” (March 2014) | UK MoD, “New offshore patrol vessels for Royal Navy” (Nov. 2013).
UpdateMarch 15/19: HMS Medway on her way BAE Systems handed over the HMS Medway to the British Royal Navy. The HMS Medway is a Batch 2 River Class offshore patrol vessel. On November 6, 2013, the Royal Navy announced it had signed an Agreement in Principle to build three new offshore patrol vessels, based on the River Class design. The Medway is the second Batch 2 River Class vessel to be commissioned. Meanwhile, the Batch 2 River Class HMS Forth and her crew are in the final stages to resume trials and training. Medway will be a couple of months behind Forth in going to sea for a second time. The River Class is a class of offshore patrol vessels. The Batch 2 ships are fundamentally different in appearance and capabilities from the preceding Batch 1. Notable differences include the 90.5 meters (296 ft 11 in) long hull, a top speed of 24 knots, Merlin-capable flight deck, a displacement of around 2,000 tonnes and greatly expanded capacity for accommodating troops. The Batch 2 ships are the first Royal Navy ships fitted with BAE Systems Shared Infrastructure operating system.
January 30/18: First Delivery The British Royal Navy has received its first River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS Forth, from manufacturer BAE Systems. In attendance at the handing over ceremony at the firm’s Clyde shipyard in Scotland was the recently appointed Under-secretary of State for Defence Procurement at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Guto Bebb MP. HMS Forth will remain at the Scotstoun yard in Glasgow for a short period to complete some additional work requested by the MoD and on departure will be the first complex warship to leave Glasgow since HMS Duncan in 2013. She will be commissioned into service later this year in Portsmouth. During his visit, Bebb also oversaw the progress in the production of the first vessel to be produced under the Type 26/City Class frigate program, the future HMS Glasgow.
December 9/16: BAE Systems has been contracted by the UK government to build two additional River-class Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Royal Navy. The $360 million deal adds two more manufacturing and support projects to the five-ship program, bringing the total contract value to $797 million. Work on the two vessels, named Tamar and Spey, will involve more than 100 companies from Britain. The designs build on existing River-class ships with variants already used by the navies of Brazil and Thailand.
The US Air Force received a KC-46 Pegasus on March 11 after the aircraft passed a Foreign Object Debris inspection at Boeing’s production facility. The Pegasus is a military aerial refueling aircraft developed by Boeing. The Air Force selected the Pegasus to replace the KC-135 Stratotankers. The first Pegasus was scheduled to be delivered in August 2017 but was delayed until January 2019. Deliveries of the jets were halted last month after foreign object debris was found in one of the aircraft. Boeing had offered to inspect all the aircraft that were accepted by the Air Force. Loose tools and other items were found inside a completed airplane. Subsequent deliveries will occur as Boeing successfully completes each aircraft’s inspections and actions assigned from the review. Boeing plans to deliver 36 of the aircraft this year and about a dozen more are nearing completion.
The US Air Force on Tuesday unveiled a nearly $166 billion budget request for fiscal 2020. The Pentagon plans to buy eight Boeing F-15EX fighters FY 2020 as part of a purchase of 144 total aircraft over an undisclosed number of years. According to the budget request, it will cost $80 million per airframe. However, that cost will rise to approximately $125 million for each of the eight jets to set up the line and account for non-recurring engineering costs in the first year of procurement. The total deal will be priced at more than $1.1 billion and covers production of eight brand-new F-15EX fourth-plus generation fighters. The F-15EX is the latest version of the F-15 Eagle fighter jet. The Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft that has an all-metal semimonocoque fuselage with a large-cantilever, shoulder-mounted wing.
The USS Zumwalt arrived in British Columbia, Canada on March 11 after it left its homeport of San Diego for its first deployment that includes a trip up the West Coast. Zumwalt is the lead ship of the next-generation multi-mission destroyers. It has stealth capabilities with a radar cross-section similar to a fishing boat despite the large size of the ship. The Zumwalt Class was primarily designed to support ground forces in land attacks, in addition to the usual destroyer missions of anti-air, anti-surface, and antisubmarine warfare. The ship is equipped with two Advanced Gun Systems, which are designed to fire the Long Range Land Attack projectile. During the scheduled port visit in BC, Zumwalt will host Canadian Forces, Marine Forces Pacific Commander, Rear. Adm. Bob Auchterlonie, and US Consul General in Vancouver Katherine S. Dhanani.
Middle East & AfricaThe US Army Corps of Engineers awarded ExpFederal Inc. an $11.3 million firm-fixed-price contract in support of the US Forces-Afghanistan. The deal includes electrical safety assessments, repairs program, materials management and control services. ExpFederal operates as an architectural company that provides engineering design, construction management, interior, landscape, urban design, surveying, and master planning services. Work will take place in Bigram, Afghanistan and is scheduled to be finished by March 11, 2021.
EuropeGermany’s chief defense staff, General Eberhart Zorn, reported improvements in the readiness of the country’s military equipment to German parliament defense committee. According to the report, which unlike the past years will from now on be classified as secret, 70 percent of the most important weapon systems of the Bundeswehr, the Unified Armed Forces of Germany, were operational in the past year. The general added that the low availability of Luftwaffe CH-53 helicopters and Tornado bombers was stabilized at the 2017 level, despite the deployment of the former to Afghanistan and the latter to Jordan. In comparison to previous years, Zorn sees the equipment readiness of 70 percent as a positive development.
German defense contractor Rheinmetall anticipates more sales and operating result growth for 2019, the company stated in a press release. This increase is primarily driven by continued dynamic development in the defense sector. The trend toward stepping up the modernization of Armed Forces linked to the rising budgets is already leaving its marks in Rheinmetall’s order books. The Rheinmetall Group generated sales of $6.9 million in fiscal 2018, an increase of 4.3 percent. The defense sector achieved an operating result of $287.3 million, 46 percent above the previous year’s figure of $196.9 million. Sales growth in the defense sector was due to increased deliveries of trucks for the major project Land 121 in Australia and to the fact that series production was being utilized to full capacity for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle for the German Armed Forces. In addition, the start-up of the major project Future Soldier System – together with the German Armed Forces – contributed to a significant increase in sales in the Electronic Solutions division. However, the Weapon and Ammunition division suffered a year-on-year drop in sales of approximately 10 percent or $134.6 million in 2018, owing to the loss of trading sales.
Asia-PacificIndonesia’s Ministry of Defense is leaning towards a variant of the Danish Iver Huitfeldt Class in their plan to acquire two more frigates for the country’s Navy, Jane’s reports. Within the second phase of the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) modernization blueprint, Indonesia acquired two SIGMA 10514 vessels from Damen that now serve as the Martadinata Class. The country requires at least four more hulls in the longer term as part of wider MEF requirements. A piece of unclassified correspondence between the country’s defense minister, Ryamizard Ryacudu, and the cabinet secretary of President Joko Widodo made the case for the Iver Huitfeldt class. The Iver Huitfeldt Class is a three-ship class of frigates. Its main role is air defense. Most anti-air warfare sensors and equipment are similar to the German Sachsen Class frigates as well as the Dutch De Zeven Provincien Class destroyers. The Iver Huitfeldt class frigates have a modular mission payload system.
Today’s VideoWatch: AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Upgrade gives AFSOC Its Most Lethal Aircraft
The US Navy contracted Northrop Grumman Systems $89.5 million in support of the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The deal provides for sustainment and engineering services. The Triton is a high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle that together with its associated ground control station is considered a UAS. The system provides real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions over ocean and coastal regions as well as continuous maritime surveillance, conduct search and rescue missions. They complement the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The drone can descend and ascend through harsh maritime weather environments in order of gaining a closer view of ships an other targets at sea. Last year the Navy announced plans to deploy Triton drones to Guam to assist with Surveillance in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is one of the most contested geopolitical regions on Earth. The current contract procures the technical expertise of field service representatives, logisticians and test support to ensure MQ-4C air vehicles and mission control and operator training systems are fully sustained and mission capable. Work under the deal will take place within the US as well as at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and is expected to be finished by March next year.
The Navy awarded General Atomics a $18.9 million delivery order to provide engineering and diagnostics support for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The deal includes test and evaluation effort for EMALS test site operations, Failure Reporting Analysis and Corrective Actions System, prototype and testing, environmental qualification testing and remediation, electromagnetic interference testing, and training efforts. The EMALS is a type of aircraft launching system designed to replace the steam catapult systems currently used on the Navy aircraft carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford is the first carrier to use EMALS. John F. Kennedy and Enterprise are also scheduled to install and use EMALS. EMALS can launch a wide variety of aircraft weights and can be used on a variety of platforms with differing catapult configurations. Work will take place in New Jersey, Mississippi, and California and is expected to be finished in January 2021.
The US Special Operationa Command (USSOCOM) tapped Barret Firearms Manufacturing with approximately $50 million for the purchase of advanced sniper rifles. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing is an American manufacturer of firearms and ammunition. It was founded in 1982 by Ronnie G. Barrett to build semi-automatic rifles chambered for the powerful .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) ammunition, originally developed for and used in M2 Browning machine guns. Work will take place in Christiana and is scheduled to be finished by March 2024. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $387,234 are being obligated at the time of award.
Middle East & AfricaTurkey will start to deploy S-400 anti-aircraft missile defense systems in October this year. Turkey is acquiring S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia because of the urgent need to ensure the country’s security. The S-400 Triumf is a Russian anti-aircraft weapon system designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles. It can also be used against ground installations. In June 2018, it was announced that Turkey assigned defense enterprises the task of completing the production of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems in May 2019 for their delivery to Turkey. Earlier this month, the United States threatened to cancel Turkey’s participation in the F-35 fighter jet program and also impose sanctions on it if Ankara persists on its planned purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems.
EuropeRaytheon partnered with German sensor specialist Hensoldt to provide integrated air surveillance radars to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and the Deutsche Flugsicherung. The Royal Netherlands Air Force will receive one system that will provide both advanced air traffic control and wind-farm interference mitigation at De Kooy airfield. The Deutsche Flugsicherung, which is a German air navigation provider, will receive three systems to replace aging radars as part of Germany’s airspace modernization efforts. The radars will combine Hensoldt’s next-generation primary airport surveillance radar, the ASR-NG and Raytheon’s Mode S monopulse secondary surveillance radar, the Condor Mk 3. Hensoldt’s multibeam 3D S-band solid-state approach control primary surveillance radar combines fully digital Doppler detection and tracking solution with highly flexible and self-learning clutter and site optimization capabilities.
Norway will house the world’s first licensed service center to service F-16 fighter jets. Lockheed Martin together with AIM Norway will jointly establish the so called „Falcon Depot“ center for the Royal Norwegian Air Force and other regional F-16 customers. AIM Norway provides maintenance, repair and modification services for fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and field equipment for the Norwegian Armed Forces. Lockheed Martin continues to grow its F-16 customer base and sees new F-16 production opportunities totaling more than 400 aircraft. There are approximately 3,000 operational F-16s in service today with 25 countries.
Asia-PacificThe Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully test-fired an indigenously developed range smart weapon from JF-17 multi-role fighter aircraft. The JF-17 Thunder is a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China. The PAF inducted its first JF-17 squadron in February 2010. The Thunder was part of media attention during recent hostility between Pakistan and India. It was recently reported by CNN that a JF-17 fighter jet brought down an Indian warplane in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The report contradicted Indian claims that Pakistan used F-16s to down Indian planes.
Today’s VideoWatch: Say goodbye to the EA-6B Prowler — Here are 5 impressive facts about the EA-6B Prowler
The US Navy awarded Bell Boeing a $85.7 million contract modification to update the MV-22 Osprey aircraft. The joint venture of Boeing and Bell Helicopter will convert four MV-22s into a new configuration. The Osprey is a joint service multirole combat aircraft that combines the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. With its rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, it can convert to a turboprop airplane. Bell Boeing will modify Block B MV-22 Osprey units into Block C vehicles and support a maintenance interval effort for one aircraft through the Common Configuration Readiness and Modernization program. Block C configurations provide mission enhancements and upgraded inherent features onboard the Osprey. The main difference between Block B and C is that it moves the aircraft from a combat-capable aircraft with upgrades to improve maintainability to an aircraft that can be used in multiple combat roles such as those assigned to special operations. In January, the Defense Logistics Agency awarded Bell Boeing a $143.8 million to engineer and provide logistics services to the Osprey. Work under the modification will take place in Pennsylvania and Texas and is scheduled to be finished in March 2021.
The US Air Force awarded Sierra Nevada Corp. a $23.7 million modification to install an Airborne Mission Networking (AbMN) Program on the MC-130J Commando II tankers. The Commando II is an improved variant of the C-130J aircraft and can be deployed for missions requiring clandestine, single ship, formation, low-level in-flight refueling for helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft of the US Special Operation Forces. The MC-130J features extended service life wings and additional elements to meet the requirements of special operations missions. Under the contract modification, Sierra Nevada provides additional hardware and labor necessary to support the AbMN program through flight test for the tankers used by Air Force Special Operations Command. Work will take place in Sparks, Nevada and is expected to be finished by November 16, 2021.
The US Air Force’s Valkyrie UAV demonstrator completed its first flight on March 5. The XQ-58A Valkyrie completed 76 minutes of flight time at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. The Air Force Research Laboratory and Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems developed the Valkyrie based on the „loyal wingman“ concept, which will have the drone accompany fighter aircraft in the future. The idea is, that the drone will fly next to a piloted vehicle that controls it. However, during the test flight, the drone flew on its own. The Valkyrie can carry a small payload of smart bombs, and has a range of just under 2,500 miles. This test flight was the first of five planned flights that will be carried out in two phases. The aircraft will be tested on system functionality, aerodynamic performance, and launch and recovery systems.
Middle East & AfricaIsraeli defense electronic company Elbit Systems won a deal to supply combat suites and perform systems integration for three new patrol vessels of the Hellenic Coast Guard, the National Coast Guard of Greece. Systems to be supplied are electro-optic payloads, radars, navigation systems, Warship Automatic Identification System (W-AIS) as well as Remote Control Weapon Stations (RCWS) with full integration into a Command and Control software. The contract will be performed over a two-year period with warranty and logistic support continuing for an additional five-year period.
EuropeDassault Aviation’s Rafale F4 will include an upgraded version of a Thales/MBDA Rafale Fire-Control Radar Protection and Avoidance System (SPECTRA) self-protection suite, Jane’s reports. The SPECTRA provides long-range detection, identification and accurate localization of infrared, electromagnetic and laser threats. It incorporates radar warning, laser warning and missile warning receivers for threat detection and a phased array radar jammer as well as a decoy dispenser for threat countering. In March 2017 the French government authorized development of the F4 configuration. Last month the French government awarded Dassault a contract to develop the Rafale F4. The F4 standard is part of the ongoing process to continuously improve the Rafale in line with technological progress and operating experience feedback. The Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike as well as nuclear deterrence missions.
Saab won a potential $10.1 million contract with the Finnish Defense Forces to deliver virtual simulators of marksmanship and basic combat training. Initial deliveries will take place this year and the simulators are scheduled to be in full-scale use in 2020. Saab’s newly developed Ground Combat Indoor Trainer is a modular and scalable system that is able to be combined in several configurations to cover a variety of weapons. The contract contains models of the weapons used in Finland, computers with software that creates the virtual environment and provides the basis for analysis after the training. Saab will also be responsible for maintaining the systems.
Asia-PacificThe Japan Maritime Self Defense Force commissioned its second Asahi-class Guided Missile Destroyer last month. The new destroyer was christened JS Shiranui. The Asahi-Class is based on the Akizuki-class, but focuses on anti-submarine warfare. Its ships measure 151 meters in length and reach speeds of 30 knots. Armament includes Mark 41 vertical launch systems for self protection, 62-caliber naval guns, close-in weapon systems and two Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes. The lead ship of the class, the JS Asahi, was laid down in 2015 and commissioned in March 2018. The Shiranui was launched in October 2017 and began sea trials in July 2018. The commissioning ceremony was held at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries subsidiary Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Nagasaki City.
Today’s VideoWatch: Northrop Grumman to Develop Next Generation Missile for Destroying Enemy Air Defenses
The US Navy contracted Northrop Grumman $322.5 million to develop new rocket motors for the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER). The deal provides for engineering and manufacturing development of the AGM-88G variant of the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile. The AARGM is a supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile featuring an advanced, digital, anti-radiation homing sensor, millimeter wave radar terminal seeker, precise Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System guidance, net-centric connectivity, and Weapon Impact Assessment transmit. Work under the contract includes the design, integration and test of a new solid rocket motor for the AARGM-ER for use on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35A/C aircraft platforms. Work will take place in California and is scheduled to be finished by December 2023.
The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $23.9 million contract for support of the Black Hawk helicopter. The H-60 is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter. More than 2,000 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter variants are in service with the US Military. The Black Hawk operates in the US Army since 1978, and variants are operational or have been ordered by 25 international customers: the Argentine Air Force, Royal Australian Army, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Colombian Air Force, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan Self Defense Force, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, People’s Republic of China, Royal Saudi Land Forces Army Aviation Command, the Turkish Jandarma, Spain, The Philippine Air Force, Taiwan, and Thailand. Work under the contract provides engineering, logistics, tooling management support and technical data services for sustainment, operation, maintenance, and training in support of all domestic and foreign H-60 variants. Work will take place in New York and Connecticut, and is scheduled for completion in March 2024.
Middle East & AfricaThe US Navy awarded Harris Corp. a $43.3 million contract modification for additional Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures AN/ALQ-214 A(V)4/5 Onboard Jammer systems for the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter planes of the Royal Kuwaiti Air Force. AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures Onboard Jammer is a next-generation radio frequency (RF) integrated countermeasure system. The system is designed to counter RF guided threats with proven electronic countermeasure techniques that deny, disrupt, delay and degrade launch and engagement sequences. Each threat is identified, prioritized, countered and displayed to the aircrew for situational awareness as well as self-protection. The AN/ALQ-214 is currently deployed on the US Navy’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets. Boeing was awarded a $1.5 billion contract under the Foreign Military Sales program for the production and delivery of 22 F/A-18E and six F/A-18F Super Hornets for the Kuwaiti government. Work under the current modification will take place within the US and is scheduled to be completed by August 2022.
EuropeThales will supply two Coastal Surveillance Radars for the French Defense Procurement Agency. The French company will manufacture two Coast Watcher 100 radars, which according to Thales offer optimal protection for tactical test areas, monitor maritime traffic in and around those areas and detect any intrusive threats. The radar is built around a Modular Solid-State Transmitter permitting high performances and availability. By performing a precise filtering of all environmental clutters, it allows for precise small target detection, discrimination and a low false alarm rate. About 30 of the systems are in service in several countries around the world. The company did not announce the terms of the contract.
Asia-PacificThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will phase out its fleet of PC-9A turboprop training aircraft, Jane’s reports. The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft. The PC-9A are 67 two-seat trainers for the RAAF, the first of which flew on May 19, 1987. Pilot training for Army, Navy, and Air Force aircrew began in 1989. Full retirement of the fleet is expected by the end of the year. It will be replaced by the Pilatus PC-21, which is a turboprop advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit. The RAAF’s acrobatic team undertook its final display in the PC-9A during the Avalon Airshow 2019.
India signed a $3 billion contract for the lease of an Akula-1 class nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia for a period of ten years. The submarine will be ready by 2025 and the contract includes refurbishment of the submarine with Indian communication and sensor systems, spares support and technical infrastructure for its operations. This submarine will replace INS Chakra, a submarine taken on a ten-year lease from Russia in 2012. The existing lease will be extended until the new submarine becomes operational. The so called Chakra III will not be equipped with long-range nuclear missiles because of international treaties and because it is not meant for deterrence patrols. In November last year, India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant, completed its first deterrence patrol. A second nuclear submarine, INS Arighat, will be commissioned later this year, with two more currently under construction.
Today’s VideoWatch: HMS Duncan will be in the Mediterranean working alongside the French Navy.
In July 2012, the US military signed another huge contract with Sikorsky. With production of the Army’s HH/UH-60M, and the Navy’s MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters, all in full swing, there’s no question about the need for future orders. In that environment, multi-year contracts allow efficiencies in purchasing, and security of staffing, throughout Sikorsky’s supply chain. These new helicopter types are also available to Foreign Military Sales class customers, under the American contract’s advantageous pricing and terms. The UH-60M, MH-60S and MH-60R models have already inked export deals, and official requests indicate that more deals are in the pipeline.
The new multi-year 2013-2017 contract could be worth up to $11.7 billion, and follows a 5-year, multi-service “MYP-VII” contract in December 2007. Like its predecessor, it covers UH-60M Black Hawk troop transport and light cargo helicopters, Army HH-60M SAR (Search And Rescue) / MEDEVAC (MEDical EVACuation) helicopters, and the US Navy’s MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
The US Army plans to order 956 UH-60M and 419 MEDEVAC HH-60M Black Hawks through 2026, a total of 1,375 H-60M models. By then, the US Army’s total H-60 Black Hawk fleet, including upgraded UH-60As and UH-60Ls, is expected to reach more than 2,100 helicopters. US Navy production will end much sooner, and beyond about 2018 the only Seahawks built will be for export.
MYP-VIII’s base award covers 653 helicopters from FY 2013 – 2017: 234 UH-60M and 120 HH-60M Black Hawks, 193 MH-60R/S Seahawks, plus 106 helicopters for Foreign Military Sales. Like its predecessor, The 5-year agreement also allows the Army and Navy to order as many as 263 more helicopters within the same contractual terms, either for the USA or for export sales. If exercised, the optional purchases could push the contract value from $8.5 billion to a maximum of $11.7 billion.
Note that this MYP-VIII contract is a price framework agreement, rather than a firm schedule. Orders are planned 5 years in advance at the Pentagon, but annual budgets can and do increase or decrease those numbers. Actual production orders will be determined year-by-year over the life of the program, based on American budgets and foreign orders. Under the terms of the contract, Sikorsky will provide helicopters, technical publications, and changes/upgrades within set terms, while its field service representatives provide technical guidance and on-site training.
The need for replacement is certainly clear. According to FY 2011 budget documents, the USA’s oldest UH-60As are now over 30 years old, and the average age of the UH-60A fleet is 23 years. New UH-60Ms have an 18 month lead time from order to delivery, while the more advanced HH-60M for SAR/ MEDEVAC duties has a 24 month lead time.
In the Navy, the helicopters being replaced by the MH-60S armed utility & mine-warfare helicopter, and by the MH-60R strike and anti-submarine helicopter, date from the Reagan years – or earlier. The MH-60S/Rs are replacing the US Navy’s remaining SH-60B/F Seahawks, HH-60 CSAR(Combat Search and Rescue), CH-46D Sea Knights, and HH-1N Huey SAR helicopters.
The minimum production rate to sustain the H-60 line is 18 helicopters per year, while the maximum is listed in FY 2011 US Army budget documents as 150 per year. American orders are large but don’t push that limit, leaving plenty of room for export production.
Contracts & Key Events UH-60MUnless otherwise specified, all order are placed by US Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL to Sikorsky in Stratford, CT.
Note that a contract for helicopters is not the same thing as a contract for flying, ready-to use helicopters. Many contracts omit key “Government Furnished Equipment” items like engines, sensors, etc., which make the cost of a ready-to-use helicopter higher than the base contract. Sikorsky does sometimes buy items that are usually GFE when filling some Foreign Military Sales contracts. There are still some questions about FMS inclusions within MYP-VIII, and some buys whose structure is unclear. Australia’s Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the MH-60R, for instance, was signed in June 2011, and some contracts have begun. DID will attempt to resolve those questions and details going forward.
Finally, the naval MH-60R strike and MH-60S Seahawk utility/ specialty helicopters have a large array of unique features, and a central place within the USN. We will cover purchases under MYP-8 here, but full details regarding the helicopters, their foreign sakes opportunities, and all of their related contracts can be found in “MH-60R/S: The USA’s New Naval Workhorse Helicopters.”
FY 2015 – 2019Orders: US Army, US Navy.
March 11/19: Engineering and Technical Data Services The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $23.9 million contract for support of the Black Hawk helicopter. The H-60 is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter. More than 2,000 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter variants are in service with the US Military. The Black Hawk operates in the US Army since 1978, and variants are operational or have been ordered by 25 international customers: the Argentine Air Force, Royal Australian Army, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Colombian Air Force, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan Self Defense Force, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, People’s Republic of China, Royal Saudi Land Forces Army Aviation Command, the Turkish Jandarma, Spain, The Philippine Air Force, Taiwan, and Thailand. Work under the contract provides engineering, logistics, tooling management support and technical data services for sustainment, operation, maintenance, and training in support of all domestic and foreign H-60 variants. Work will take place in New York and Connecticut, and is scheduled for completion in March 2024.
December 6/16: Sikorsky has been tapped to provide technical and logistics services for variants of the H-60 helicopter operated by the US Army. Valued at $93.8 million, work carried out by the company includes the provision of engineering services in addition to other weapon system supplies. Helicopters included in the deal include the UH-60 Black Hawk.
March 18/15: Mexico. The DSCA notified Congress of the potential sale of three Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks to Mexico, in a deal potentially worth $110 million. That there are only three Black Hawks in the deal is surprising, as the application appears to have gone in with five requested.
March 18/15: Slovakia. Slovakia is also poised to receive nine of the same model.
March 18/15: Tunisia. Sikorsky saw a $93.3 million contract modification today for eight “Green” UH-60M helicopters for the Tunisian government.
Dec 15/14: Mexico. $56.4 million modification (P00217) to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0008 to exercise an option for 5 UH-60M aircraft for Mexican Navy’s foreign military sales case MX-B-UEU. Estimated completion date is May 30, 2016. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut. Fiscal 2010 funds in the amount of $2,221,115 were obligated at the time of the award.
HH-60MNov 17/14: FY 2015 USA. The US military buys 102 helicopters for the Army and Navy for $1.302 billion, as its FY 2015 purchases.
A $772 million contract modification buys 41 UH-60M helicopters and 24 HH-60M helicopters, plus associated support functions. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2015 Army aircraft budgets. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, and is expected to complete in June 30/15 (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0201).
At the same time, a $535.3 million contract modification funds 29 MH-60R and 8 MH-60S helicopters for the Navy, plus associated sustaining engineering, program management, systems engineering, provisioning, technical publications, other integrated logistics support. There’s also advance procurement funding for program years 4 and 5. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2015 Navy aircraft budgets. Work will be performed at Stratford, CT (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0202).
FY 2015 USA: 41 UH-60M, 24 HH-60M, 29 MH-60R, 8 MH-60S
FY 2014Orders: US Army, Mexico, Saudi Arabia; Requests: Austria, Brazil, Mexico, Tunisia; Unmanned UH-60MU tested; US Navy wants to cancel MH-60R buy without destroying MYP-8 – can they?
UH-60M, Ft. BraggSept 29/14: Mexico. An unfinalized $93.2 million not-to-exceed, undefinitized contract for 8 “uniquely configured” UH-60Ms and other support equipment and services for Mexico’s secretary of national defense. Mexico has now ordered 35 UH-60Ms, with confirmed customers in the Federal Police, Navy, & Air Force. This order didn’t mention the purchasing service, nor did the recent DSCA request (q.v. June 24/14).
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of June 7, 2015; this contract falls under the Foreign Military Sales program. One bid was solicited and one received. Fiscal 2010 other procurement funds are being obligated at the time of the award. With all modifications, the cumulative total of this contract is $7,035,259,311. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal (Aviation), Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0171).
Mexico: 8 UH-60Ms
Sept 15/14: Mexico. Sikorsky receives a $203.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for 18 “green” UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters, plus their conversion to the Mexican Air Force’s designated configuration using contractor-furnished and government-furnished (and paid for) equipment. In other words, this is the entire FAM order mentioned in the April 21/14 DSCA request.
Estimated completion date is May 30/16 (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 00179).
Mexico FAM: 18 UH-60Ms
Sept 9/14: Brazil. The US DSCA formally announces Brazil’s export request for 3 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, equipped for search and rescue. Brazil already has the Army 4th squadron and Air Force 7/8 “Harpia” air group at Manaus, whose H-60L and S-70 Black Hawks/ Pave Hawks perform a SAR/ counter-narcotics role, and are well-equipped for disaster response. These would be Brazil’s first UH-60Ms.
The full request involves 3 UH-60Ms, 8 T-700-GE-701C engines (6 installed and 2 spares), 12 M-134D 7.62mm gatling guns, 8 H765GU Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, and other US government and contractor support. The estimated cost is up to $145 million.
The principal contractors will be United Technologies’ Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT; GE Engines in Lynn, MA; and Dillon Aero Systems in Mesa, AZ. Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of 1 contractor representative to Brazil for up to 3 years to support fielding, maintenance, and personnel training of this new helicopter type for Brazil. Sources: DSCA #14-36, “Brazil – UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters”.
DSCA request: Brazil (3)
June 24/14: Mexico. The US DSCA formally announces Mexico’s export request for 5 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters in standard US government configuration with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), 13 T700-GE-701D Engines (10 installed and 3 spares), 12 Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems (10 installed and 2 spares), 10 M134 7.62mm gatling guns, 5 Star SAFIRE III day/night surveillance turrets, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, AN/ARC-210 RT-8100 series radios, 1 Aviation Mission Planning System, and 1 Aviation Ground Power Unit. Also included are aircraft warranty, air worthiness support, facility construction, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, site surveys, tool and test equipment, and other forms of US Government and contractor technical and logistics support. The estimated cost is up to $225 million.
Mexico has previously ordered 9 UH-60Ms, with 6 going to Mexico’s federal police, and 3 to the Armada for use in land-based operations. These 5 would bring the Mexican Navy’s fleet to 8:
“Mexico intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing naval/maritime support in its efforts to combat drug trafficking organizations.”
The principal contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, CT; and General Electric Aircraft Company (GEAC) in Lynn, MA. Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of 3 more US Government and 5 more contractor representatives in country, as full-time delivery and training support for approximately 2 years. Sources: DSCA #14-25, “Mexico – UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters”.
DSCA request: Mexico (5)
Aug 19/14: UH-60M. Sikorsky in Stratford, CT receives a $30.3 million contract modification for 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, on behalf of the Saudi Arabian National Guard. All funds are committed immediately. This appears to be an initial award, with a follow-on to come that will finalize the buy, modify the helicopters for Saudi use (q.v. March 25/13, Dec 20/13), and bring total announced SANG UH-60M sales to 24 of 72 requested (US DSCA, Oct 20/10) machines.
The estimated completion date is Aug 31/17. Work will be performed in Jupiter, FL and Stratford, CT. US Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the order on behalf of its Saudi client (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0072).
July 24/14: Tunisia. The US DSCA announces Tunisia’s official request for 12 UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters, complete with Battlehawk kits that allow them to be used as attack helicopters. these helicopters will include surveillance turrets with laser designators, laser-guided 70mm rocket capability, Hellfire missiles, various defensive and communications systems, and associated support that may include an infrastructure build-out. The estimated cost is up to $700 million, or about $58.3 million per helicopter with weapons and support. Sources: DID, “Armed & Versatile: Sikorsky’s ‘Battlehawk’ Helicopters” for full coverage | US DSCA #14-23, “Tunisia – UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters”.
DSCA request: Tunisia (12 + Battlehawk kits)
May 20/14: +13. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT receives a $143.4 million contract modification for 13 Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 “other procurement” budgets. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/15 (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0146).
13 UH-60M
May 29/14: A $24 million contract modification to “realign the funding between the fiscal 2014 advance procurement funds and the planned aircraft production funds for fiscal 2015, with no change to the UH-60 or HH-60 contract price.” All funds are committed immediately.
Work will be performed in Stratford, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/15. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0163).
April 22/14: MYP-8. Lockheed Martin ups the pressure on the US Navy, by reminding everyone that they also have a multi-year contract that involves termination fees. CFO Bruce Tanner says that work had already begun on cockpits, radars, and other equipment for the MH-60Rs. He recommends buying them and selling them to allies:
“That would probably be a better deal for the taxpayer than paying close to 100 percent and not getting anything for it…. The cost to terminate partially built helicopters is pretty significant relative to the cost to actually finish those helicopters.”
Sources: Reuters, “Lockheed says costly for Pentagon if it cancels MH-60 helicopters”.
Apr 21/14: Mexico. The US DSCA announces Mexico’s formal request for up to 18 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and associated equipment, at an estimated cost of up to $680 million. The order could also include up to:
The principal contractors will be Sikorsky in Stratford, CT; and GE in Lynn, MA. If congress doesn’t block the sale, and Mexico negotiated a contract, implementation may require the assignment of an additional 3 US Government and 5 contractor representatives, who would be in country full-time for 2 years to support delivery and training. Sources: DSCA #14-10, “Mexico – UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters”.
DSCA: Mexico request (18)
April 15/14: MYP-8. The Pentagon is trying to find ways not to break their MYP-8 multi-year contract with Sikorsky, given the likely effects on the Army’s Black Hawk fleet. Defense News goes a step further, and reports that Sikorsky officials are saying that any cancellation of the Navy buy would cancel the entire contract, destroying multi-year procurement for the US Army. Sources: Defense News, “DoD Looking for Ways Not To Break MH-60R Helicopter Deal”.
Apr 11/14: Unmanned UH-60M. Sikorsky successfully demonstrates autonomous hover and flight operations, using a UH-60MU from the US Army Utility Helicopters Project Office (UH PO). The project is called MURAL (Manned/Unmanned Resupply Aerial Lifter), and uses technology from Sikorsky’s July 2013 Matrix research program and an advanced Ground Control Station (GCS).
Sikorsky began this work in 2007, but they only signed MURAL’s CRADA (Cooperative Research & Development Agreement) with the US Army Aviation Development Directorate (ADD) in 2013. Sikorsky has also been flying its own SARA (Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft) helicopter since July 26/13. The long-term goal is to avoid conceding the unmanned helicopter resupply market to Lockheed Martin’s K-MAX, the MQ-8C Fire Scout, etc. Making their core H-60 helicopters “optionally manned” is a strong competitive position, if they can pull it off. Sources: Sikorsky, “Optionally Piloted Black Hawk Demonstrator Helicopter Takes Successful First Flight”.
April 9/14: MYP-8. Sikorsky director of maritime programs Tim Healy points out that the US Navy’s proposed cancellation of 29 helicopters within the current multi-year deal has consequences. One involves the likelihood of higher prices for US Army Blackhawks, which are still being purchased. The other is more basic:
“This is not a legal issue. This is a confidence issue…. If multiyear contracts are negotiated and then not followed through … industry is back to making year-to-year calculations and investments because you never know when the next year’s contract is going to be canceled.”
That would be the rational approach, but industry enters into these contracts in order to reduce the odds of program cutbacks and cancellation in an irrational political environment. In other words, the contracts are primarily political acts. Our take: cancellation will dent industry’s credence in these contracts, but won’t make much difference. Companies will still rush to sign them, until and unless they see a behavior pattern that destroys their belief in this strategy. Sources: Reuters, “U.S. Navy move to ‘break’ multiyear deal worries industry-Sikorsky”.
March 4-11/14: FY15 Budget. The USAF and USN unveil their preliminary budget request briefings, but it takes another week to release detailed documents. FY 2015 orders are unaffected: 8 MH-60S will end production for the US Navy, and 29 MH-60R helicopters will be bought as planned. On the other hand, the planned FY 2016 close-out order for 29 MH-60R helicopters is gone.
The cut is linked to the planned removal of 1 carrier air wing (to 10) and cap in the number of LCS ships at 32. The problem is twofold. One, the air wing would have to be put back if the Navy does decide to fund USS George Washington’s mid-life RCOH in FY 2016. Two, the 20 subsequent LCS buys are supposed to be replaced by ships with frigate-like capabilities, and those ships will need ASW helicopters. Navy officials said that advance procurement funds for FY 2016 were still present in the FY 2015 budget, and the Navy could reverse course. They’re under a multi-year procurement deal, so unless there’s a resale of some kind that’s allowed within the terms, you’d have to think that the penalty fees for cancellations would be high. Sources: USN, PB15 Press Briefing [PDF] | Defense News, “US Navy Budget Plan: Major Questions Abound”.
Jan 9/14: FY 2014 USN. Sikorsky in Stratford, CT receives a $549.9 million contract modification, funding the base airframes and some integration for 18 MH-60S and 19 MH-60R helicopters, plus advance procurement for years 4 & 5 of the multi-year deal; and associated sustaining engineering, program management, systems engineering, and other support.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, and will be complete by Dec 31/15 (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0126).
USN 2014: 18 MH-60S, 19 MH-60R
Dec 23/13: FY 2014 Army. A $724 million contract modification buys the initial set for program year 3: 33 UH-60M helicopters, 24 HH-60M helicopters, plus the associated associated program management, systems engineering, provisioning, technical publications, and integrated logistics support. Funding to buy long-lead material for the next year is also normal, but this modification includes long-lead funding for years 4 & 5 as termination liability. All funds are committed immediately, using US Army FY 2014 other procurement budgets.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, and the contract runs until June 30/15 (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0127).
33 UH-60M + 24 HH-60M
Dec 20/13: Saudi Arabia. Sikorsky in Stratford, CT receives a $105.3 million contract modification to contract “to modify 8 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters to a General Service Configuration in Support of the Saudi Arabian National Guard.” The contract number indicates that these machines are purchases under the MYP-8 multi-year deal. Essentially, they’re buying 8 UH-60Ms as an initial order under the Oct 20/10 DSCA request to export up to 72 machines.
One bid was solicited with one received. Work will be performed in West Palm Beach, FL and in Saudi Arabia. US Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL acts as the Saudis’ agent (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0089).
Saudi Arabia: 8 UH-60Ms
Dec 5/13: Austria. The US DSCA announces Austria’s formal export request for 3 UH-60Ms and associated equipment, worth up to $137 million. The principal contractor will be Sikorsky in Stratford, CT, with engines from General Electric in Lynn, MA. Austria already has 9 earlier model S-70A-42 aircraft in its inventory. The full request includes:
Austria won’t need any additional foreign support personnel in country. Sources: DSCA 13-69.
DSCA: Austria request (3)
FY 2013MYP-8 signed; USAF and US Army exercise options.
MH-60SSept 27/13: Support. Sikorsky in Stratford, CT receives a 3-year, $84 million cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for support services. They’ll provide incidental H-60 Black Hawk materials for foreign military sales and other government agency customers. Note that the award isn’t restricted to H-60M helicopters.
Funding and performance locations will be determined with each order. The contract was solicited via the Web, with 1 bid received by US Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal (Aviation), Redstone Arsenal, AL, is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-D-0177).
Sept 27/13: MH-60M DVE. The Technical Applications Contracting Office in Fort Eustis, VA issues 3 contracts to develop and field “the degraded visual environments (DVE) system.” DVE will “integrate information from [MH-47E/G and MH-60K/L/M helicopter] sensors,” in order to help aircrews perm their missions through rain, fog, sand brownouts, etc. Dust-driven brownouts are an especially prevalent killer in many operating theaters, and the advanced sensors already on board US SOCOM’s helicopters offer an interesting option for cutting through the clutter. See also: US Army, “Army acquiring ‘brown-out’ assistance for helos” for additional context regarding this area in general. This area is being pursued by a number of US military programs, and by a number of private companies.
The 60-month SOCOM DVE contracts were awarded from 5 offers received in response to the FBO.gov solicitation, and they will run until Aug 31/17. Winners include:
Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, IA wins a maximum $22.4 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost reimbursement contract, with $1.3 million in FY 2013 research, development, test and evaluation funds committed immediately for task order 0001 (H92241-13-D-0008).
Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV receives a maximum $22.6 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee DVE contract, with $624,013 in FY 2013 research, development, test and evaluation funds committed immediately for task order 0001 (H92241-13-D-0010).
Boeing in Philadelphia, PA wins a maximum $23 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee DVE contract, with $2.1 million in FY 2013 research, development, test and evaluation funds committed immediately for task order 0001 (H92241-13-D-0011).
Aug 21/13: No CVLSP. The US Air Force cut their planned UH-1 Huey replacement program from the FY 2013 budget. Now they’re planning to refurbish their existing UH-1N fleet for another 10 years of service in securing nuclear launch sites, and ferrying people around Washington. The Hueys will add night vision compatible cockpit lighting, crash worthy seats, a helicopter terrain awareness warning system, and traffic collision avoidance. The USAF will also pick up about 26 used UH-1Ns from the US Marines, and have begun with 3 helicopters already.
Even the 10 year horizon isn’t fixed, and the service could choose to keep the helicopters running longer. Bottom line: replacement with H-60s is a long way away, unless a Huey crashes with a prominent member of an appropriations committee on board. Defense News, “USAF Planning Decade-Long Huey Extension”.
June 13/13: Army FY13. Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT receives a $244.9 million firm-fixed-price modification to by an unspecified number of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, using FY 2013 procurement funds.
It would appear that the $804.4 million Nov 16/12 buy didn’t fully fund FY 2013’s plan for 71 helicopters, which makes sense given Pentagon cost estimates of around $18 million per machine. $1,049.3 million / 71 = $14.8 million per, which is closer to the mark given the price of added engines, avionics, etc. (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0077).
May 8/13: Thailand. Sikorsky in Stratford, CT an $11.4 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, to buy 1 UH-60M base helicopter and related equipment for Thailand. The cumulative total face value of this multi-year contract is now $4.819 billion. US Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract on behalf of their FMS client (W58RGZ-12-C-0008, PO 0055).
Thailand: 1 UH-60M
April 10/13: FY 2014 Budget. The President releases a proposed budget at last, the latest in modern memory. The Senate and House were already working on budgets in his absence, but the Pentagon’s submission is actually important to proceedings going forward. See ongoing DID coverage.
The UH-60M/ HH-60M budget line is interesting, because it plans for 64 more buys than the base multi-year deal. Instead of 318 helicopters over FY 2012 – 2016, the total becomes 382. The framework is obviously able to handle those planned options, and MYP-8 overall has a top limit of 916 helicopters for the US Army, US Navy and foreign customers.
March 25/13: Saudi. Sikorsky in Stratford, CT receives a $49 million firm-fixed-price contract. This modification will provide engineering and configuration services to 4 utility helicopters for Saudi Arabia. The contract number indicates a MYP-8 purchase, and the amount indicates that there’s a base helicopter order still to come. There are ways that could be done outside the purview of standard contract announcements.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/16. One bid was solicited, with 1 bid received by US Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-12-C-0008).
Saudi Arabia: 4 UH-60Ms?
Dec 11/12: +37 Navy. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT receives a $563.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, which funds the Navy’s 2nd Program Year of the MYP-8 multi-year program. Sikorsky tells us that Year 2 buys 18 MH-60S Production Lot 15 helicopters for delivery in 2013-2014, and 19 MH-60R Production Lot 11 Helicopters for delivery in 2014. The contract also covers sustaining engineering, and the usual set of advance materials for the next production lots.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/16. One bid was solicited, with 1 bid received (W58RGZ-12-C-0008).
Nov 16/12: +71 Army. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT received an $804.4 million firm-fixed-price contract modification. Sikorsky confirms that this fully funds Year 2 of MYP-8: 47 UH-60M and 24 HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, plus associated engineering, program management, provisioning, technical publications, and support.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT with an estimated completion date of June 30/14. One bid was solicited, with 1 bid received (W58RGZ-12-C-0008).
FY 2012 MH-60RSept 25/12: +22 Army. A $242.2 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to buy UH-60M Plus-Up Helicopters, which are over and above the yearly baseline buys under MYP-8. Sikorsky confirms that the contract covers 22 helicopters, but doesn’t include support.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and will run until Sept 16/16. One bid was solicited, with 1 bid received (W58RGZ-12-C-0008).
Sept 25/12: +18 USAF. A $203.4 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, which Sikorsky confirms will buy 18 UH-60M helicopters for the USAF. This appears to be part of the USAF’s Operational Loss Replacement (OLR) program for their HH-60H Pave Hawk combat search and rescue fleet.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/16. One bid was solicited, with 1 bid received (W58RGZ-12-C-0008).
Sept 18/12: UH-60 CPTD. Sikorsky announced the award of a Combat Tempered Platform Demonstration (CTPD) contract from the U.S. Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD). This program will builds upon previous work by Sikorsky Innovations to develop key technologies including: a zero-vibration system, adaptive flight control laws, advanced fire management, a durable main rotor, a more damage tolerant airframe, and better “full-spectrum crashworthiness.” Asked about the program, Sikorsky said that:
“We currently have nothing slated for the next two block upgrades that come from the Combat Tempered Platform Demonstration program. We are testing how components play together.”
Sikorsky Innovations will have more than 15 partnering companies, including Lord Corporation, Phyre Technologies, and Firetrace Aerospace.
July 18/12: #500. Sikorsky delivers the 500th H-60M helicopter since production began in December 2007, which divides up as 400 UH-60Ms (incl. 73 exported) and 100 HH-60M MEDEVAC helicopters. Most of those deliveries which were made under the MYP-VII contract, which ended this month.
Sikorsky adds that the US Army plans to order 956 UH-60M and 419 HH-60M aircraft through 2026, a total of 1,375 H-60M models. By then, the Army’s total H-60 Black Hawk fleet, including upgraded UH-60As and UH-60Ls, is expected to reach more than 2,100 helicopters. Sikorsky.
UH-60M #500
July 11/12: MYP-8. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT receives a firm-fixed-price umbrella contract to buy and provide initial support for up to 916 UH/HH/MH-60 Helicopters for the US Army and US Navy, with Foreign Military Sales options. The Pentagon announces the initial total as $2.828 billion, but Sikorsky puts the base contract’s total value at $8.5 billion. Sikorsky also breaks up the MYP-8 contract into an $8.5 billion base for 653 helicopters, plus options for up to 263 more that could push the contract as high as $11.7 billion. Interestingly, Sikorsky adds that:
“To reach the full baseline value of $8.5 billion, the services are ordering aircraft in the base agreement to be sold via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program. These aircraft include Foreign Military Sale (FMS) UH-60M aircraft for several allied countries and MH-60R SEAHAWK anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy… BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK aircraft deliveries under the new contract will begin this month.”
Those totals compare to $7.4 billion for 537 helicopters in MYP-7, plus 263 additional options that Sikorsky said could push the contract to $11.6 billion for 800 helicopters. Orders ended up falling well short of that total, but the options were there.
Recent DSCA requests indicate that interest in Sikorsky’s helicopters is rising, so MYP-8 looks set to produce more machines. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, but the helicopters themselves are made on 4 separate production lines located in West Palm Beach, FL, and in its Stratford, CT final assembly facility. The contract is announced by the Pentagon as running until Sept 30/16 (end of FY 2016). Sikorsky, on the other hand, cites December 2017 as the end date. Subsequent Pentagon documents continue to insist on FY 2012 – 2016, even though MYP-7 technically ended on Dec 31/12.
The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 1 bid received by US Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-12-C-0008). Since only Sikorsky can make those helicopters, it isn’t surprising that only 1 firm responded. See also Sikorsky.
MYP-VIII Framework
Feb 13/12: The USA’s FY 2013 budget documents include a proposal for the next multi-year deal. Helicopters bought will be in basically the same configuration as MYP-VII machines, and overall savings vs. single year buys add up to $850.3 million:
“This proposed Multiyear Procurement (MYP) covers the purchase of 318 UH-60M/HH-60M BLACK HAWK aircraft and 193 Navy MH-60 helicopter airframes in FY 2012 through FY 2016 under a single, five year fixed price type contract. The MYP strategy is structured to achieve $850.3 Million (TY$) in cost savings over the five year period with $502.9M realized in the Army Aircraft Procurement Appropriation and $347.4M in the Navy Aircraft Procurement Appropriation. This proposed Joint Service multiyear contract for the procurement of Army UH-60M/HH-60M aircraft and Navy MH-60R/S aircraft follows a currently executing (FY 2007 through FY 2011) Joint Service MYP between the Army, Navy, and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for H-60 helicopters. The UH-60M/HH-60M,MH-60S, and MH-60R aircraft .being procured on the proposed multiyear contract are essentially the same configuration as those being procured on the current FY07-11 multiyear contract. The MYP will include a Variation in Quantity Clause allowing for minor fluctuation of aircraft quantity and provide baseline pricing for potential Foreign Military Sales. The U.S. Army and Navy met SECDEF certification requirements on March 1, 2011.”
Additional ReadingsReaders with corrections, comments, or information to contribute are encouraged to contact DID’s Founding Editor, Joe Katzman. We understand the industry – you will only be publicly recognized if you tell us that it’s OK to do so.
Tags: myp-viii, myp-8
The US Navy contracted Huntington Ingalls Industries $118.4 million to perform modernization, repair and maintenance work on the USS Rushmore (LSD-47). LSD-47 is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship that transports and launches loaded amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assaults by landing craft and amphibious vehicles. It can render limited docking repair service to small ships and craft. The Whidbey Island-class was scheduled to be decommissioned during FY 2013-2018, and the remaining ships of the class were scheduled to be retired before the end of their service lives. However, the Navy reversed its plan to decommission Whidbey Island and instead planned to modernize the ships to extend them each to a 44-year total service life. The current deal includes options, which could raise the total value of the contract to $154.2 million. Work will take place in San Diego, California, and is expected to be finished by May 2020.
The US Naval Warfare Center Weapons Division awarded Raytheon a $12.2 million for engineering test support services for the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) currently in development for the Navy EA-18G aircraft. The US Navy selected Raytheon’s ALQ-249 in 2013 to replace ALQ-99 systems used on the EA-18G airborne electronic attack aircraft. The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft that entered operational service in 2009. The Growler is able to perform escort jamming as well as the traditional standoff jamming mission. Services provided under the contract include software support for NGJ pod and integration, including requirements analysis, design, development, integration, testing, training, and tools related to and in support of ALQ-249 and advanced electronic warfare initiatives. Work will take place in California and is expected to conclude in March 2024.
The Missile Defense Agency awarded Raytheon with a $14.2 million contract modification to provide continued support and engineering for the Standard Missile SM-3 Block IB program. The SM-3 is a ship-based missile system used to intercept short and intermediate range ballistic missiles as a part of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The SM-3 Block IB interceptor has an enhanced two-color infrared seeker and upgraded steering and propulsion capability that uses short bursts of precision propulsion to direct the missile toward incoming targets. It became operational in 2014. Work will take place in Tucson, Arizona and is scheduled to be completed by October this year.
The Naval Sea System Command awarded Bath Iron Works (BIW) a $10.9 million contract modification for Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class lead yard services, including engineering and technical assistance for new-construction DDG-51 class ships. The USS Arleigh Burke is a guided missile destroyer designed to be able to fulfill a land strike role with Tomahawk missiles, antiaircraft warfare role with powerful Aegis radar and surface-to-air missiles, antisubmarine warfare (ASW), with towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopter, and anti surface warfare with a Harpoon missile launcher. The modification provides for continued lead yard services for the DDG 51 Class Destroyer Program. Lead yard services include liaison for follow ship construction, general class services, class design contractor services, class change design services for follow ships, and ship trials and post-shakedown availability support. Work will take place in Maine and other locations and is expected to conclude in July this year.
Middle East & AfricaYesterday, Germany extended a temporary ban on arms export to Saudi Arabia until the end of March. Back in October the country froze sales of military equipment to countries involved in the Yemen Conflict, following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. About 10,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the Yemen war since March 2015. However, Germany’s arms export freeze faced criticism by EU partners, including France and Britain, because the ban has impacted joint defense projects such as the Eurofighter and Tornado jets. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas explained that not only will permits no longer be issued but products with permits already granted will not be delivered to Saudi Arabia. Maas said, the decision to extend the ban came after evaluation of the current developments in Yemen.
EuropeThe US Air Force achieved full operational capability of the the MQ-9 Reaper at Miroslawiec Air Base in Poland. The General Atomics-developed remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) have been operating out of Poland since May. The UAV is capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance. The Reaper is a larger, heavier, and more capable aircraft than its predecessor, the MQ-1 Predator. It is planned to be in service into the 2030s. Air Forces in Europe christened a new set of facilities at Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland on March 1 to help accommodate the Air National Guardsmen and contractors operating Reapers there. The Air Force chose Poland for the mission because of its strategic location in Europe. RPA aircraft are now operated by both contractors and US military personnel. The US military now shares control of the Reapers at Miroslawiec during takeoff, flight and aircraft recovery with the contractors.
The US Naval Sea Systems Command awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $91.9 million option to a previously awarded contract for MK 44 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2 guided missile round pack and spare replacement components. RAM is a ship self-defense weapon designed to protect ships of all sizes, ranging from 500-ton fast attack craft to 95,000-ton aircraft carriers. The lightweight, supersonic, quick-reaction, fire-and-forget weapon is designed to attack enemy helicopters, aircraft, and surface craft. RAM Block 2 has a large rocket motor, advanced control section, and an enhanced RF receiver, which is able to detect quiet threat emitters. It is more maneuverable and has longer range than its predecessors. The MK 44 guided missile round pack and the MK 49 guided missile launching system, which hold 21 missiles, comprise the MK 31 guided missile weapon system. An International Cooperative Program between the US and Federal Republic of Germany’s governments co-developed and co-produced RAM Guided Missile Weapon System. Work will take place in Germany as well as various locations within the US and is scheduled to be completed by November 2021.
Asia-PacificNorthrop Grumman finished the 500th center fuselage for the F-35 Lightning II. Designated AU-18, the 500th F-35 center fuselage is for a conventional takeoff and landing variant for the Royal Australian Air Force. The center fuselage is a core structure of the F-35 and is designed and produced on Northrop Grumman’s integrated assembly line. While Lockheed Martin is the industry lead for the F-35 program, Northrop Grumman plays a key role in the development, modernization and sustainment of the F-35. Besides producing the center fuselage and wing skins for the aircraft, the company develops, produces and maintains several sensor systems, avionics, mission systems and mission-planning software, pilot and maintainer training systems, electronic warfare simulation test capability, and low-observable technologies. Northrop Grumman began production on the AU-18 center fuselage in June 2018 and completed work on February 21st.
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will likely adopt a land-based, mobile missile system, capable of firing Poly Defense’s CM-501GA precision-guided missile and CM-501XA loitering munition, a source told Jane’s. The system will reportedly be introduced into the Chinese military in two configurations: on a 6×6 armored personnel carrier, and on the CSK181 series of mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles. The 2 m-long CM-501GA is a non-line-of-sight missile. It is able to engage both stationary and moving targets at a distance between 5 and 40 km. The missile uses a combined TV/imaging infrared seeker for terminal guidance. The 2 m-long CM-501XA loitering munition is designed to engage stationary and moving targets at distances greater than 70 km.
Today’s VideoWatch: U.S. Sent a B-52 Bomber Through the South China Sea for the First Time in Months
The US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $92.9 million contract modification for engineering services on the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The modification also includes interim logistics services, spares and associated material. MUOS is a narrowband military satellite communication system designed to secure ultra-high frequency satcom activities for mobile force. The system employs radio terminals built to link up with the Global Information Grid and support mobile and tactical operations on the ground, at sea or in the air. It supports a worldwide, multiservice population of users, providing modern netcentric communications capabilities while supporting legacy terminals. The MUOS satellite network is expected to achieve full operational capability in 2017 and ensure the availability of UHF narrowband communications for the US Navy past 2025. The MUOS is also expected to serve the Australian defense forces. Work under the modification is scheduled to be finished in October 2020 and will take place in Arizona and California.
The Navy contracted Northrop Grumman $23.3 million in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye System. The deal provides for repair coverage of eight items that are part of the Hawkeye. The Hawkeye is an airborne, all-weather, tactical, early-warning aircraft. The 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. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye features an entirely new avionics suite including the new AN/APY-9 radar, radio suite, mission computer, integrated satellite communications, flight management system, improved T56-A-427A engines, a glass cockpit and later changes should enable aerial refueling by 2020. The award is a three-year contract with no option period. Work will take place in California and New York and is scheduled to conclude by December 2020.
Raytheon won a $63.3 million contract to further develop the Tactical Boost Glide hypersonic weapons program. Work under this contract will be part of a joint development of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Air Force. The program seeks to develop and demonstrate critical technologies to enable an effective and affordable air-launched hypersonic cruise missile. The system enables longer ranges with shorter response times and enhanced effectiveness. A tactical-range boost glide weapon is five times the speed of sound. These systems could provide significant payoff for future US offensive strike operations, particularly as adversaries’ capabilities advance. In 2016, Raytheon won a $174 million contract for the United States for the hypersonic air-breathing weapon concept program.
Middle East & AfricaIsraeli company UVision demonstrated two of its HERO systems to an unknown Asian customer. The HERO systems are a line of loitering munitions systems that can loiter above a target and strike precisely when the opportunity arises. The HERO systems enable forces in the front-line to independently locate time sensitive targets, track and attack to handle different missions ranging from light-weight static or moving targets to larger fortified or heavily armored targets such as Main Battle Tanks and other strategic objectives. The two systems presented to the customer were the multi-purpose warhead and extended-range Hero-400EC and the high-precision, light-weight man-pack portable Hero-30. According to the company the demonstration proved the high precision strike to the target, the tracking and lock-on capabilities of the system on a vehicle in various operational scenarios, mission-abort capabilities, and parachute recovery. UVision is looking to expand its customer base in Asia.
EuropeThe Greek company Theon Sensors announced the opening of German subsidiary Theon Deutschland GmbH in Kempen. This is reportedly a response to the strong demand for night vision and thermal imaging systems in Germany and neighboring countries with the aim to expand business. Theon Sensors was founded in 1997 and has its head office in Athens as wells as offices in Abu Dhabi and Singapore. The company specializes in Night Vision Systems for military and security applications. Theon Deutschland GmbH is part of a phased approach to enhance Theon Sensors’ footprint in the European market. The first stage is a sales office that will establish presence close to customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Benelux region.
Safran Helicopters introduced the Belgian Air Force as its newest customer of the Expert Link, video assistance service. The Expert Link allows the customer to connect, through a secure, live video feed, with Safran Helicopter Engines experts to facilitate technical diagnosis or guide them through a maintenance task. The service was launched last year. Based on a proven video assistance application provided by Librestream, Expert link is available at two service levels. Essential, where Safran Helicopter Engines provides remote technical diagnosis and real-time interactive visual assistance, and Premium adds hands-free support on scheduled tasks using borescopes or smart glasses. The Belgian Air Force works together with Royal Netherlands Air Force for the support of the RTM322 engine. It will benefit from the Premium level of the new Expert Link service for the engine maintenance of its NH90 fleet. The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter developed in response of NATO requirements for battlefield helicopters, which could also be operated in naval environments. In 2007, The NATO Helicopter Management Agency signed contract with NHIndustries to supply Belgium with a total of ten NH90 helicopters.
Asia-PacificAccording to local news, Taiwan officials requested to buy 66 F-16V jets from the US for a total price of $13 billion. The Air Force confirmed it had made a request to the US regarding a purchase of new fighter jets, but declined to say which planes exactly it was hoping to buy. The F-16 Viper is a variant of the General Dynamics F-16 single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft. It features an AN7APG active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a new mission computer and electronic warfare suite, automated ground collision avoidance system, and various cockpit improvements. Taiwan is currently upgrading its 144 F-16 A/B jets to F-16Vs as part of a $3.68 billion project launched by the government in 2016.
Today’s VideoWatch: U.K. Offers Cooperation in Building in Future Fighter Plane Technologies, Aircraft Carriers.
Lockheed Martin recently announced a $339.6-million contract option from the U.S. Navy for the 5th and final planned satellite in the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation. Under the current plan, the 5th satellite would serve as an on-orbit spare, and the capstone of a $3.26 billion acquisition program – though schedule slips have delayed the launch of even the 1st MUOS satellite from 2009 to December 2011.
MUOS will replace Boeing’s 601-based Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) system that built 11 birds, providing a variety of UHF, SHF, EHF, and Global Broadcast Service links. UFO is crashing under the military’s spiking bandwidth demands, however, and Lockheed’s new A2100 based MUOS design will offer about 10 times UFO’s communications capacity.
One way to think of MUOS is as a global service provider that converts a commercial 3G WCDMA cell phone system to a military UHF SATCOM radio system that can carry voice, data, and multimedia to mobile forces. Using the UHF frequency band is very helpful, as the signal is more likely to penetrate obstacles that would filter out conventional wCDMA (which is actually an evolution of the GSM cellphone standard, not CDMA).
The US Navy’s PEO Space Systems in Chantilly, VA and its Navy Communications Satellite Program Office in San Diego, CA manage the MUOS program. Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, CA leads a MUOS team that includes:
The consultancy Accenture has been involved helping the US Navy, and places the program’s overall value at $6.2 billion over its entire lifespan.
UpdatesMarch 7/19: Engineering Services The US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $92.9 million contract modification for engineering services on the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The modification also includes interim logistics services, spares and associated material. MUOS is a narrowband military satellite communication system designed to secure ultra-high frequency satcom activities for mobile force. The system employs radio terminals built to link up with the Global Information Grid and support mobile and tactical operations on the ground, at sea or in the air. It supports a worldwide, multiservice population of users, providing modern netcentric communications capabilities while supporting legacy terminals. The MUOS satellite network is expected to achieve full operational capability in 2017 and ensure the availability of UHF narrowband communications for the US Navy past 2025. The MUOS is also expected to serve the Australian defense forces. Work under the modification is scheduled to be finished in October 2020 and will take place in Arizona and California.
August 17/15: A fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite is being prepared for launch aboard an Atlas V rocket at the end of August. The Lockheed Martin-manufactured satellite will be joined by a fifth satellite, intended to serve as an on-orbit spare for the constellation. Designed to provide next-generation communications capability, the Navy project has been valued at $6.2 billion over its entire lifespan. Last week the Navy ordered MUOS-compatible Digital Modular Radio sets from Northrop Grumman to equip vessels.
Additional Readings and Sources
The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair awarded General Dynamics multiple contracts worth $191 million for post delivery services for the US Navy’s USS South Dakota (SSN 790). The USS South Dakota is a nuclear powered Virginia-Class submarine. The Virginia-Class attack submarine is the U.S. Navy’s newest undersea warfare platform and incorporates the latest in stealth, intelligence gathering and weapons systems technology. The South Dakota is part of the Third Block or “Flight“, which began construction in 2009. Block III subs feature a revised bow with a Large Aperture Bow sonar array, as well as technology from Ohio-Class ships. General Dynamics won a $76 million contract for planning and execution efforts and alterations, $60 million to provide additional support and services, and $55 million for installation of the Stern Area System during USS South Dakota’s (SSN 790) post-delivery work period. Work will take place in Groton, Connecticut and is scheduled to be finished by December 2020.
The USS Charleston entered the Navy’s fleet as the 16th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) during a commissioning ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday. The LCS-18 is an Independent-Class Littoral Combat Ship built by Austal. The ship is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform that can operate in near-shore environments, as well as open-ocean. The Charleston is the ninth Independence-variant littoral combat ship, which consists of even-numbered hulls. It is able to defeat asymmetric anti-access threats, such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The USS Charleston was christened in August 2017 and delivered to the US Navy last year following the completion of acceptance trials. The LCS-18 is scheduled to be homeported in San Diego, California. The Navy still has one LCS contract to award.
Middle East & AfricaThe US Missile Defense Agency contracted Lockheed Martin $945.9 million in the first down payment for a $15 billion buy of missile defense systems by Saudi Arabia. The deal provides for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The THAAD system is designed to shoot down short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, including weapons of mass destruction, in descent or reentry. Lockheed will provide THAAD foreign military sales KSA Phase I long lead items, obsolescence, tooling and test equipment, key personnel, line requalification activities, initial training development, System Integration Lab and testbeds, three-level maintenance concept, exportability and early engineering development. The US State Department approved the sale of the defense system to Saudi Arabia in October 2017. Work will take place within the US and the contract’s performance period is from February 28, 2019 through October 31, 2026.
EuropeRheinmetall completed a series of comprehensive trials with a new weapon station at its test center in Zürich, Switzerland. The weapon station, in combination with a laser, demonstrated its speed and precision in tests conducted in December 2018. Drones and mortar rounds were successfully engaged at operationally relevant ranges. The laser weapon station is part of Rheinmetall’s efforts to transform laser weapon technology into a fully functional weapon system. According to the company, the system consists of four main components: the laser source, beam director with the telescope, and coarse tracker. The mobile weapon station can mechanically point the laser towards the target. During the tests, the laser weapon station was combined with a beam director and advanced lasers. It can also be combined with an upcoming 20 kW laser source. The assemblies are modular and scalable in design and are equally suitable for ground, air and naval operations. Rheimetall also declared, that it now has all of the principal assemblies for a future laser weapon system at its own disposal.
Asia-PacificThe US Naval Surface Warfare Center contracted Corvid Technologies LLC $223.3 million for Navy Sub-Orbital Flight Vehicles. The company will provide hardware, equipment and components needed to produce sub-orbital flight vehicles for the US Navy, other government organizations and Japan. The flight vehicles are exo-atmospheric rocket-based vehicles specifically configured to deliver payloads and test articles into a flight regime of interest for systems under test. Corvid Technologies LLC provides computational physics analysis support to defense and automotive industries. It specializes in computational fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, shock physics, styling and surfacing, and large scale prototyping and development. Japan will provide $8 million at the time of the award through the foreign military sales (FMS) program. Work is scheduled to be completed by February, 2024.
Boeing introduced its newest Unmanned Platform, called the Boeing Airpower Teaming System. Boeing Australia designed the system, which is the company’s largest investment in a new aircraft outside the US. The Australian Defense Minister unveiled a model at the Australian International Airshow. The Boeing Airpower Teaming System will complement and extend airborne missions through smart teaming with existing military aircraft. The Australian Government and Boeing will produce a concept demonstrator called the Loyal Wingman – Advanced Development Program that will provide key learnings toward the production of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System. According to Boeing, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide fighter-like performance, measuring 11.7 meters. It will be able to fly more than 2,000 nautical miles. The System integrates sensor packages onboard to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and electronic warfare. It uses artificial intelligence to fly independently or in support of manned aircraft while maintaining safe distance between other aircraft.
Today’s VideoWatch: “Medusa” : The Upgrade of the “British monster” Challenger 2
The Navy awarded Austal USA a $13.6 million contract modification for the 11th and 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships. The modification provides for the incorporation of a structural bow section engineering change proposal. The Spearhead-Class EPF is a Navy-led shipbuilding program. The class was previously designated as Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). The EPF ships provide high-speed, shallow-draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps and Army. The EPF program received Milestone A approval in May 2006. On 16 September 2016, Austal won a contract to design and construct EPF-11 and EPF-12. In 2015, the USNS Spearhead, the lead ship of the class, experienced bow-damage from rough seas requiring more than a half-million dollars to repair. It was determined that a design change recommended by Austal to the Navy late in the design phase in order to save weight has resulted in a weakened bow structure. The current modification is an undefinitized contract action for implementation of change to the bow structure on EPF 11 and EPF 12 on the DD&C Contract Line Item for each respective ship. Work will take place in Alabama, Mississippi, and Massachusetts and is scheduled to be finished by July this year.
The Navy contracted Chemring Ordnance $10.4 million for the manufacture, assembly, test, and delivery of 57mm High Explosive – Point Detonating (HE-PD) cartridges. The 57mm HE-PD Cartridge is a 57mm/70, electrically-primed cartridge designed to function in the 57mm MK 110 Gun Mount (GM). The MK 110 GM is employed on the Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class as well as the Coast Guard Legend-class National Security Cutters (NSC). The LCS is a fast, highly maneuverable, networked surface combat ship designed to satisfy the requirement for shallow draft vessels. The NSC is the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter designed for the US Coast Guard under the Deepwater program. The contract is to develop and produce 57mm HE-PD cartridges intended for combating surface and ground targets. The cartridge consists of a high explosive projectile with the ability to point detonate, a brass cartridge case loaded with propellant charge, and an electric primer. Chemring Ordnance designs, develops, and manufactures ordnance, pyrotechnic, and other munition components for military, homeland security, and first responders. The company offers 40mm low and high velocity ammunition, pyrotechnic marking, smoking, signaling, and tactical illumination devices, battlefield effects simulators, hand grenade fuses, and other ammunition components. Work under the contract will take place in Perry, Florida and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.
The Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin a $830.6 million contract modification for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) element development and support services. THAAD is an anti-ballistic missile defense system established to shoot down enemy ballistic missiles in their descent phase by intercepting and destroying them. The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, but relies on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile. The program is similar to the Navy’s sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The new contract modification exercises an option for additional incremental development, support to flight and ground test programs, and responsive support to requirements to sustain the Ballistic Missile Defense System throughout its life cycle. Work will take place in Sunnyvale, California, and Huntsville, Alabama. Completion dates for work are expected under future task order awards.
Middle East & AfricaIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) presented the ADA-O, a variant of the ADA system, which addresses GPS jammers to ensure GPS availability for land platforms. ADA is an advanced turnkey solution that hardens avionic systems against GPS jamming. It ensures the availability of GPS- and GNSS-based navigation, communication, and EW systems even under direct, electronic attack from GPS jammers or other methods of interference. The ADA involves the use of advanced digital processing techniques that provide a high-level of immunity in severe and dynamic multi-jammer scenarios. IAI recently won a contract to provide the ADA system for an unknown Asia-Pacific country. With the new ADA-O variant the land platform can be integrated into a range of platforms, providing operational response capabilities for telecom, navigation and C2 systems. The system supports end users such as armored vehicles, artillery, C2 centers, and communication carriers.
EuropeAirbus delivered the first upgraded Tranche 1 Eurofighter to Spain. The company performed the upgrade at its facilities in Getafe near Madrid, Spain. The enhancements included the introduction of hardware modifications, which support the Operational Flight Program 02 (OFP-02) developed by Spain’s Armament and Experimental Logistics Centre (CLAEX). The company also integrated Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 equipment on the aircraft, including a computer symbol generator, digital video and voice recorder, laser designator pod and maintenance data panel. CLAEX will use this first single-seat Eurofighter, to be followed by a second two-seat aircraft currently undergoing the upgrade, as a test aircraft for the qualification of these new capabilities that will be implemented on the Air Force’s fleet of 15 Tranche 1 Eurofighters. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a project with four European nations, the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain as founding members.
Asia-PacificThe US Air Force contracted Polish aircraft manufacturer Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze $19 million to deliver a pair of PZL Mielec M28 short take-off and landing (STOL) light transport aircraft to Nepal. The PZL M28 Skytruck is a twin-engined high-wing strutted monoplane with an all-metal airframe, twin vertical fins and a tricycle fixed landing gear. The Nepalese Army Air Wing already has one M28 in its inventory, which was donated by the Polish Air Force in 2004. The aircraft crash-landed at Kolti Airport in 2017. The award to the Polish aircraft manufacturer covers two of the latest Block 5 aircraft, as well as services and support. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to Kathmandu by December 20. Work will take place in Mielec, Poland.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) prepares to retire its Bell 429 helicopters, Jane’s reports. The RAN progressively transitioned its naval aviation training operations to the Airbus EC-135T2+ helicopter. The EC135 T2+ is a member of the H135 family of light twin-engine helicopters. Airbus delivered the final EC135 T2+ to Australia in 2016. The RAN previously operated a fleet of three Bell 429s to prepare its pilots for the MH-60R Seahawks or the MRH-90 helicopters. These helicopters were leased from a Raytheon-Bell partnership under a $26 million deal signed in September 2011. The final Bell 429 made its last public appearance at the Avalon Airshow 2019.
Today’s VideoWatch: U.S. B-52 Bombers are Getting New ‘Eyes’ that will make them Deadlier
The Legend Class National Security Cutters were the largest ships in the The US Coast Guard’s massive $25 billion Deepwater meta-program, and served as its flagship in more ways than one. The 418 foot, 4,400 ton ships will be frigate-sized vessels with a 21 foot draughts, and are rather larger than the 379 foot, 3,250 ton Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutters (HECs) they will replace. Controversies regarding durability and potential hull fatigue, as well as significant cost overruns, have shadowed the new cutter’s construction. The program has survived, and is pushing toward its end in a few years – but will the number of ships bought be enough to help the USCG?
This DID FOCUS Article covers the Legend Class cutters’ specifications, program history, and key events…
The US Coast Guard is currently operating vessels that date from the 1950s and 1960s, and a fleet-wide recapitalization had become an urgent priority given its new domestic security responsibilities. That effort is being handled as an integrated, multi-year $25 billion meta-project called Deepwater that encompasses everything from long-range patrol aircraft and UAVs, to new communications and computing backbones, to new ship designs.
Deepwater has been fraught with difficulties since the program’s inception. The Coast Guard was guaranteed a rough ride due to the issues with its existing fleet, and lower status than the military services. In fairness, the events of 9/11 changed the Coast Guard’s perceived role, leading to widespread re-evaluation of designs and specifications that have complicated several programs, and raised Deepwater’s overall cost from $17 billion to over $25 billion. With that said, the Coast Guard’s choice of program structure has also received negative reviews (as well as some official reports of improvement) for some time, culminating in a series of failures and scandals that have deeply wounded the overall program. The USCG’s Island Class cutter modification program, and the Deepwater Fast Response Cutter that was supposed to replace it, were especially fraught.
In the wake of these problems, the Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman was replaced as the program’s overall system-of-systems integrator by US Coast Guard personnel. See “US Coast Guard’s Deepwater Effort Hits More Rough Sailing” for more in-depth background.
The National Security Cutters are built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, MS. Lockheed Martin is building and integrating the command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.
The Legend Class National Security Cutters WMSL 750 Bertholf,More akin to a full-fledged warship than a Coast Guard cutter, the 418-foot NSC is designed to be the USCG’s flagship vessel, capable of meeting all maritime national security needs. It will routinely carry a small boat and will be outfitted with an aviation detachment, whose composition will depend on individual mission requirements. The Legend Class cutters will displace 4,400 tons fully loaded, with a 21 foot draught and a crew of 110.
The NSC is powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant known as Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine (CODAG). A pair of 9,925 hp medium speed MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engines will provide regular propulsion, with GE’s ubiquitous LM2500 gas turbine available to offer 29,500 hp for high speed and intercept operations. The ship’s 14 foot controllable pitch propellers will turn at 231 rpm, and can drive the ship to a sustained top speed of 29 knots. A trio of 1360 Kw Ship Service Diesel Generator Sets will also be on board, to power the ship’s electrical and communications systems. With all three engines working together the total combined output of the plant is 36,800 kW (49,350 hp). The propulsion plant and its auxiliaries are all controlled and monitored by an MTU provided automation system. When operating at most efficient speed, the ships will have a range of up to 12,000 nautical miles.
Onboard sensors will include surface search & navigation radars in X & S Band, EADS’ TRS-3D Air Search Radar and the SPQ-9B Fire Control Radar, complemented by a Mk46 Electro-Optical Infrared Sensor for long-range passive surveillance. Legend Class ships will also use an advanced Deepwater communications suite that will allow Legend Class ships act as a flagship and command vessels, HF, VHF & UHF Communications, a radio direction finder, and multiple sensors on board for intelligence collection and sharing. A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) aboard ship makes it easy to process and receive data in place.
Given the kinds of industrial accidents and terrorist aftermaths the Coast Guard is tasked to deal with, it isn’t surprising that sensors to detect chemical, biological and radiological attacks will also be included in the NSC’s package, and a Collective Protection System (CPS) will serve to keep such contaminants out of the ship’s interior. As a greatly appreciated side benefit, CPS systems provide excellent air conditioning.
Mk 110 MOD 0 conceptLegend Class ships will carry several weapons systems, including BAE Systems’ 57mm Mk 110 naval gun. The Mk110 also outfits the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship, and will equip its DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class destroyers and the Coast Guard’s smaller Offshore Patrol Cutters. Its 6-mode programmable ammunition can be used against air threats as well as surface targets, and its offensive and defensive punch will be complemented by the same Mk15 Phalanx Block 1B 20mm gatling gun that offers US Navy ships their last-ditch defense against anti-ship missiles. The Phalanx Block 1B model adds the ability to destroy surface targets as well; its 4,500-7,000 rpm firing rate should give fast attack boats pause. Ancillary .50 cal machine gun mounts and/or remotely-operated weapons can also be expected. A “Slick 32” AN/SLQ-32 system provides electronic jamming, just as it does for the US Navy’s high-end destroyers, and the US-Australian Mk53 Nukla automated decoy system rounds out the NSC’s protective fittings.
A series of ancillary systems will enhance the NSC cutter’s capabilities over its lifetime. The ships are eventually expected to deploy with a multi-mission MH-65 Dolphin helicopter (2 slots each) and 2 vertical unmanned aerial vehicles (1 slot each), though different mixes are possible. The H-60 family of helicopters can also be embarked.
Eventually, the ships are expected to carry aerial UAVs and sea-going UUV/USV unmanned craft. The Deepwater program specified Bell Textron’s tilt-rotor Eagle Eye as the full-size UAV of choice, but that program died without a replacement. The Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter UAV could easily step into that role, but the Coast Guard is in no rush to make a decision. Smaller UAVs like Boeing’s ScanEagle/ Integrator families should also be expected on board eventually.
The NSC cutter’s Stern Launch Ramp for small boats is a vital part of any large Coast Guard ship. The Legend Class can carry up to 2 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs): The Deepwater Short-Range Prosecutor (7m RHIB, speed up to 33 knots) and Long-Range Interceptor (11m RHIB, speed up to 45 knots, can be armed) are currently forecast as typical load-outs, and a starboard davit also exists for the SRP. These slots could also be occupied by future Unmanned Surface Vessels, some of which are based on existing RHIB hulls.
Ships of class include:
Main contract for #7; Long-lead contract for #8; Progress on NSC 4-6.
USCG on NSCMarch 5/19: 57mm HE-PD The Navy contracted Chemring Ordnance $10.4 million for the manufacture, assembly, test, and delivery of 57mm High Explosive – Point Detonating (HE-PD) cartridges. The 57mm HE-PD Cartridge is a 57mm/70, electrically-primed cartridge designed to function in the 57mm MK 110 Gun Mount (GM). The MK 110 GM is employed on the Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class as well as the Coast Guard Legend-class National Security Cutters (NSC). The LCS is a fast, highly maneuverable, networked surface combat ship designed to satisfy the requirement for shallow draft vessels. The NSC is the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter designed for the US Coast Guard under the Deepwater program. The contract is to develop and produce 57mm HE-PD cartridges intended for combating surface and ground targets. The cartridge consists of a high explosive projectile with the ability to point detonate, a brass cartridge case loaded with propellant charge, and an electric primer. Chemring Ordnance designs, develops, and manufactures ordnance, pyrotechnic, and other munition components for military, homeland security, and first responders. The company offers 40mm low and high velocity ammunition, pyrotechnic marking, smoking, signaling, and tactical illumination devices, battlefield effects simulators, hand grenade fuses, and other ammunition components. Work under the contract will take place in Perry, Florida and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.
November 28/17: Milestone-Launch Huntington Ingalls Industries launched last Wednesday, its eighth National Security Cutter vessel, Midgett, for the US Coast Guard. A Legend-class cutter, the vessel was launch at Pascagoula, Miss., ahead of its christening on December 9. It is named after John Allen Midgett, who was awarded the Silver Cup by the UK Board of Trade in 1918. Midgett received the award for rescuing 42 British sailors aboard the British tanker Mirlo after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of North Carolina. The Legend-class is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter and are being procured to replace the service’s legacy Hamilton-class cutters, which have been in service since the 1960s.
Aug 18/14: #4 trials. HII announces that Hamilton [WMSL 753] has successfully completed 2 days of US Navy INSURV sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Hamilton is scheduled for commissioning on Dec 6/14 in Charleston, SC. Sources: HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Completes Acceptance Sea Trials on Fourth National Security Cutter”.
Aug 16/14: #5 christened. HII christens U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter James [WMSL 754], today in front of nearly 1,000 guests. Charlene James Benoit, great-great niece of the ship’s namesake, Capt. Joshua James (q.v. May 6/14), is the ship sponsor. Sources: HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Christens Fifth National Security Cutter, James”.
June 14/14: #8 long-lead. HII announces a 76.5 million fixed-price contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to purchase long-lead materials for WMSL 757 Midgett, the company’s 8th NSC ship. Materials will include steel, the main propulsion systems, generators, electrical switchboards and major castings.
With respect to the rest of the program, WMSL 753 Hamilton will have builder’s sea trials later this summer, WMSL 754 James will be christened in August, and the keel for WMSL 755 Munro will be officially laid later in 2014. Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Option Exercised for Long Lead Time Materials for Construction of Eighth National Security Cutter” | HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded $76.5 Million Advance Procurement Contract for Eighth NSC”.
May 6/14: #5 launched. WMSL 754 James is launched at HII’s Pascagoula, MS shipyard. Note that “launch” doesn’t mean what it does in some movies. It just means that the ship can be moved out of the building on rails to a drydock, then floated to a berth while construction finishes. James is expected to deliver in 2015. So, who is the ship named after?
“Joshua James… was born in Hull, Mass., Nov. 22, 1826. He conducted his first rescue in 1841, at age 15, when he joined volunteers from the Massachusetts Humane Society, then a maritime rescue organization…. By 1886, he had been involved in countless rescue operations and was estimated to have saved over 100 lives.
In 1889, at age 62, James was appointed keeper of the U.S. Lifesaving Service’s newly established Point Allerton Lifesaving Station in Hull, Mass. Despite being 17 years beyond retirement age, his record of lives saved was so impressive that Congress granted him a special dispensation to serve as keeper. He and his crews saved 540 lives during his 13-year tenure at the station. James passed away in 1902, suffering a heart attack following a training exercise at the station. “
Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Fifth National Security Cutter Launched” | HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Launches Fifth U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter”.
March 31/14: #7 bought. HII receives a $497 million fixed-price, incentive-fee contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to build WMSL 756 Kimball, the 7th Legend Class National Security Cutter. Construction is expected to begin in January 2015, and delivery is scheduled for some time in 2018.
When combined with the long-lead contract (q.v. June 14/13), the total reaches $573.8 million.
Ingalls has delivered the first 3 NSCs. WMSL 753 Hamilton is 81% complete and will deliver in Q3 2014; WMSL 754 James is 52% complete and will launch in April 2014; and WMSL 755 is scheduled for launch in the Q4 2015. Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Production Contract Awarded for Seventh National Security Cutter” | HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded $497 Million Contract for Seventh U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter”.
NSC 7 order
October 26/13: #4 Hamilton. WMSL 753 Hamilton, the 4th ship of class, is christened on schedule. It was launched in August and will be delivered in the fall 2014, a couple of months later than originally anticipated.
The ship is named after Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. He’s also known as the 1st Secretary of the Treasury, but he’s also the founder of the Revenue Marine, which became the United States Coast Guard. His direction to his newly-appointed Revenue Marine captains to “always keep in mind that [their] countrymen are freemen” is timeless and refreshing. Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Fourth National Security Cutter Christened” | USCG Compass, “Building the national security cutter: Christening”.
October 7/13: #6 starts. Production of WMSL 755 Munro starts at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. Sources, “Acquisition Update: Coast Guard begins fabrication of NSC 6”.
FY 2013NSC 6 ordered; Long-lead for #7; US naval future & NSC.
Waesche, Java SeaAug 10/13: #4 launched. Hamilton is launched at at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. Sources: “Acquisition Update: Fourth National Security Cutter Launched”.
June 14/13: #7 long-lead. HII announces a $76.8 million fixed-price contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to purchase long-lead materials for WMSL 756 Kimball, the company’s 7th NSC ship. Materials will include steel, the main propulsion systems, generators, electrical switchboards and major castings.
This is actually the 1st of 2 long lead-time contracts. Construction and delivery of the ship will be performed at the company’s Pascagoula, MS facility. USCG | HII.
May 17/13: #5 keel. Keel-laying/ authenticating the keel of WMSL 754 James. USCG.
May 1/13: #6 bought. Huntington Ingalls Industries receives a $487 million, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract to build the 6th National Security Cutter, WMSL 755 Munro. Construction is expected to begin in October, and this could be the last ship of class. Adding the March 20/12 long-lead material buys raises the total cost to around $563 – 574.9 million.
WMSL 753 Hamilton, is currently 40% complete, with launch scheduled for this summer and christening in October. WMSL 754 James is just 17% complete, and will have its keel laid on May 17/13. Launch isn’t expected until spring 2014. HII.
NSC 6 order
Feb 2/13: Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Bob Papp is joined by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert to discuss maritime strategic issues during the WEST 2013 Luncheon Town Hall Address in San Diego, CA. Papp makes this point about the NSC fleet:
“Many years ago the Coast Guard rebalanced its high endurance cutter fleet to the Pacific due to the longer transit distances and harsher weather. But the 12 high endurance cutters are slated to be replaced by only eight national security cutters. “Regardless of how advanced those eight ships are, they can’t be in all the same places that 12 could be, so I’m very hopeful we can continue the construction of all eight and then get into acquisition of our offshore patrol cutters because we need those as well. The Pacific is a big part of what we do.”
Fewer of its largest ships combined with an expanding mission space in the Arctic is making it more challenging for the Coast Guard…”
Well, yes. The program may even end at 6 ships (q.v. Feb 20/12). Wouldn’t the time to think of this sort of thing be before the program begins? US Coast Guard Compass.
FY 2012HII unveils frigate derivatives; USCGC Stratton commissioned, but springs some holes; A challenging rescue and an Arctic patrol; Program to terminate at 6?.
Bertholf & WaescheSept 26/12: #3 accepted. The USCG announces formal acceptance of USCGC Stratton. The ship had already been commissioned, but some defects were found during the shakedown period.
Sept 17/12: Arctic. USCGC Bertholf crosses the Arctic Circle, in the class’ first patrol excursion into the Arctic waters. The waters around Alaska are famously treacherous, and operations in this region face a number of unique challenges as well. USCG.
Sept 5/12: #4 keel. HII and the USCG lay the keel for WMSL 753, the future Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. USCG.
May 8/12: Holy Stratton! Gannett’s Navy Times reports that:
“Capt. Charles Cashin… called in engineers last month when his crew discovered a trio of ‘pinholes’ and a fourth hole ‘slightly smaller than a golf ball’ in the ship’s hull […] in mid-April while the ship was working off the coast of Los Angeles […] patched for now but the Stratton soon will head to a dry dock… The intent is to get out of the water […] We are literally just waiting for a contract.”
The Coast Guard has reportedly concluded that it’s not a design problem, since Bertholf and Weasche haven’t had this issue. Estimated time for dry-dock repairs is 4-6 weeks.
April 2/12: USCG Stratton. WMSL 752 Stratton, the 4th Legend Class cutter, is commissioned in Alameda, CA by First Lady Michelle Obama. She had also christened the ship, back on July 23/10.
The ship is named after The cutter is named after Captain Dorothy Stratton, the first woman to serve in women’s reserve of the Coast Guard in World War II. Pacific patrols are expected to begin later this month. White House | USCG Compass.
NSC 3 commissioned
April 1/12: Rescue me. CGC Bertholf rescues a pair of sailors 250 miles off the California coast, after their yacht got in trouble during an around-the-world race. Bertholf’s executive officer, Cmdr. Dave Ramassini, offers some insight into the Legend Class’ differences from previous HECs:
“All that lay between us and the distressed sailing vessel was about 300 nautical miles and a low pressure system harboring 40 to 50-knot winds and 20 to 30-foot seas… Bertholf landed a Jayhawk helicopter out of Air Station San Diego and then proceeded overnight into the next day directly into the heart of the storm. While unthinkable in our nearly 50-year-old high endurance cutters the national security cutters are replacing, we proceeded with a medium range helicopter secure on our large flight deck making full speed dead into the 20-foot seas… The Bertholf, in this case, proved an extreme endurance cutter giving us the ability to travel twice as fast in howling gale while carrying a larger helicopter that could fly twice as far…”
March 30/12: #6 long-lead. HII’s Ingalls yard receives a $76 million fixed-price contract to buy long-lead materials for a 6th National Security Cutter. If recent budget submissions come to pass, this would be the last. WMSL 755 will be built at the company’s Pascagoula, MS facility, and a 2nd second phase of this advance buy contract could bring the overall value to $87.9 million. The US Coast Guard touts the fact that they saved $1.7 million by executing the contract within 1 year of that for the 5th National Security Cutter, Joshua James. The increased value of the U.S. dollar to the euro also helped.
The contract will buy critical main propulsion and navigation systems, generators, electrical switchboards, and major castings, using $75.9 million in FY 2012 funds appropriated for this purpose. Two sub-contract line item numbers will be established for valves ($2.8 million) and Ships Integrated Control System ($9.1 million). Funding requested in the president’s FY 2013 budget request supports this remaining $12 million, unless funding is made available sooner. USCG | HII.
Feb 20/12: Just 6? The US Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2013 budget documents ask for $658 million to build a 6th National Security Cutter, but they also show an intent to end the program at 6 ships, instead of 8. Congress will decide whether or not they wish to agree to this. Defense Daily Network | Washington Post.
Jan 30/12: Frigate derivatives. HII unveils a pair of Navy patrol frigate designs, derived from the Legend Class. This is a concept the firm has been considering for some time, but the possible early end of the NSC program adds additional motivation. Even so, positioning and sales will be challenging.
Patrol Frigate 4501 are very similar to current NSC ships, though they would displace 4,600 tons instead of 4,400. They are better suited to nations who want long-range coast guard type ships, but may be challenged to compete against sales of used USCG High Endurance Cutters (vid. recent Philippines transfers), or nearly-free transfers of used US Navy FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry frigates (vid. Pakistan’s “Almagir Class”).
Patrol Frigate 4921 adds improved anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, anti-surface and mine-warfare capabilities. The 57mm gun becomes a 76-mm gun, a 12-cell vertical launch system is added to hold a wide variety of missiles and ASROC torpedoes, an anti-ship missile launcher and torpedo tubes give it naval strike punch, a sonar dome helps it detect submarines, and models have shown it with an improved CEAFAR active array radar system. The overall package is reasonable, but the NSC’s base price will place them head to head against high-end frigate options like the Franco-Italian FREMM, Britain’s Type 26, the modular Dutch Sigma Class, etc. All are highly capable ships, built by shipyards whose technology levels make it challenging to compete with them on price. See also Defense Media Network.
FY 2011NSC 4 & 5 ordered.
Stratton sea trialsSept 9/11: #5 ordered. The US Coast Guard formally awards the rest of the contract for the 5th NSC ship, to be named the Joshua James [WMSL 754]. Huntington Ingalls receives a $482.8 million fixed-price incentive contract, raising totals so far to $576.8 million (vid. Jan 17/11 entry). This is the 2nd NSC production contract awarded outside of the original “Deepwater” project’s Lead Systems Integrator framework, under direct management by the USCG’s Acquisition Directorate. Construction and delivery will be performed at HII’s Pascagoula, MS shipyard. The official “start of fabrication” milestone is expected in Q2 2012, with delivery expected in mid-2015.
Captain Joshua James (1826-1902), served in the USCG’s predecessor service, the U.S. Life Saving Service, for nearly 60 years. During his career in Massachusetts, James was credited with saving more than 600 people. USCG | USCG Compass re: Joshua Jones | HII.
NSC 5 order
Sept 2/11: Stratton delivered. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. delivers USCGC Stratton [WMSL 752] to the U.S. Coast Guard, via a shipboard transfer of ownership ceremony. She is the 3rd ship of class to be transferred to the USCG. HII.
Aug 30/11: #4. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. marks the official “start of fabrication” for the 4th NSC ship, Hamilton [WMSL 753]. The shipbuilding milestone signifies that 100 tons of steel have been cut and fabricated at Ingalls’ steel fabrication complex, using a robotic plasma arc cutting machine.
Ingalls only received the contract for this 4th National Security Cutter in November 2010, and says that the ship isn’t scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Coast Guard until the fall of 2014. That’s about 3 years after the 3rd ship of class, Stratton. HII.
Aug 12/11: #3 INSURV. Stratton [WMSL 752], returns to her Pascagoula shipyard after successfully completing INSURV acceptance sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. She received just 2 “starred card” issues, compared to 8 for Bertholf, and 3 for Waesche. USCG | HII.
July 1/11: Testing. Northrop Grumman spinoff Huntington Ingalls Industries announces that the 3rd NSC ship, Stratton [WMSL 752], has successfully completed 3 days of builder’s sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, testing basic operations and electronic systems.
Jan 17/11: #5 long-lead. An $89 million long-lead materials contract for WMSL 754, the 5th National Security Cutter. The contract is actually an option that was part of the Nov 30/10 contract for WMSL 753, and this firm fixed-price contract has options of its own that would increase its potential value to $94 million. US Coast Guard | Northrop Grumman
Jan 12/11: C4ISR for #4. Lockheed Martin announces a $66 million contract from Northrop Grumman to provide the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) system for the 4th National Security Cutter, WMSL 753.
Lockheed Martin also provides the C4ISR systems for the Coast Guard’s HC-130J Hercules and HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft, which will work with the cutters.
Nov 30/10: #4 ordered. Northrop Grumman announces a $480 million fixed-price incentive contract to build WMSL 753, the 4th National Security Cutter. Construction and delivery will be performed at the company’s Pascagoula, MS facility.
At present, USCGC Bertholf [WMSL 750] and USCGC Waesche [WMSL 751] have been commissioned and are executing Coast Guard missions. The 3rd ship in the class, Stratton [WMSL 752], was christened in July 2010, is over 65% complete, and is scheduled for delivery in 2011.
NSC 4 order
FY 2010USCGC Waesche commissioned.
Bertholf & HC-144July 23/10: #3 christened. First Lady Michelle Obama christens the Stratton [WMSL 752]. Stratton is the 3rd NSC ship, and is named in honor of Captain Dorothy C. Stratton (1899-2006), the U.S. Coast Guard’s first female commissioned officer and director of the SPARS (“Semper Paratus – Always Ready”), Women’s Reserve during World War II. SPARS mainly replaced men in shore stations, but as the war progressed SPARS began to work in jobs like parachute riggers, aviation machinists’ mates and air control tower operators. NGC.
May 7/10: USCG Waesche. USCGC Waesche [WMSL 751] is commissioned into Coast Guard service in her home port of Alameda, CA. U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo assumes command as her commanding officer. NGC.
NSC 2 commissioned
April 30/10: SCIF secures secrets. USCGC Bertholf’s Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) gets Authority To Operate. That makes it the service’s 1st onboard SCIF, and indeed the 1st SCIF certified outside of the US military. As the Coast Guard puts it:
“The events of Sept. 11, 2001, caused the nation, as well as the Coast Guard, to dramatically review its security posture. As a result, Coast Guard leadership took a close look at the intelligence capabilities of the yet-to-be-constructed first National Security Cutter (NSC).
Leadership recognized the imperativeness of reserving a space with electrical and air conditioning requirements on the NSC for the [SCIF]. Knowing the requirements and funding for this new initiative were still being developed, it was recognized that the SCIF installation would occur post-delivery of the first NSC, the USCGC Bertholf. The addition of SCIF technology would require a dramatic increase in Coast Guard communications technology…
In September 2009, Bertholf began the last phase of the rigorous installation and testing of the SCIF and its dependent system… including both visual and instrumented Tempest inspections. On April 8, 2010, Certification, Test and Evaluation approval was granted by the Department of Homeland Security. This enabled the Bertholf to have a one-year authority to operate the SCIF’s core capabilities, known as Ship’s Signals Exploitation Equipment (SEEE) and the Sensitive Compartmented Information network systems. By next March, 2011, SEEE upgrades will enable Bertholf’s SCIF authority to operate to be upgraded to a three-year approval.”
mid-January 2010: #2 C4ISR. USCG Waesche is granted Authority to Operate its Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Surveillance (C4ISR) systems, which lets it share communications and data with other local and federal law enforcement agencies, U.S. Coast Guard ships, air and shore stations, and the Department of Defense (DoD), including the U.S. Navy. USCG Director of Acquisition Programs Rear Adm. John H. Korn says that “In nearly all aspects, Waesche is far ahead of where Bertholf was at the same point in time.” Waesche’s ATO authorization was accomplished in just over 2 months after preliminary acceptance, whereas Bertholf, took a year to obtain ATO certification. USCG.
Nov 12/09: #2 INSURV. Gannett’s Navy Times reports that the Waesche [WMSL 751] received only 3 “starred cards” (deficiencies that could affect mission performance) during Navy/Coast Guard INSURV acceptance trials, vs. 8 for the CGC Bertholf. Coast Guard acquisition directorate chief Rear Adm. Ron Rabago told reporters that almost every system showed improvement, saying that the quality of the workmanship has improved, and lessons learned from WMSL 750 are being incorporated. The report adds that:
“Work to complete and certify for operation the new cutter’s complex command-and-control suite, known as TEMPEST assurance, also will be finished significantly sooner than on the Bertholf. That work, which includes requirements for the Navy to install and certify equipment, took about 18 months on the Bertholf. That same work will be done in about eight months on the Waesche… The third ship in the class, the Stratton, is nearly 30 percent complete, Rabago said, with that ship’s christening by First Lady Michelle Obama set for next summer.”
Oct 1/09: Testing. Waesche [WMSL 751] completes a successful Coast Guard acceptance trial, paving the way for her delivery in early November 2009. NGC release.
FY 2009Bertholf – 1st patrol & final acceptance; Whistleblower lawsuit.
WMSL 751 Waesche, trialsAug 17/09: Testing. Waesche [WMSL 751] completes successful Builder’s Trials, after undergoing rigorous testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The trials featured extensive testing of propulsion, electrical, damage control, and combat systems. The ship will return to sea in September 2009 for her acceptance trials, and will be delivered to the Coast Guard in 2009.
Waesche’s keel was laid Sept 11/06, and she was christened on July 26/08. NGC release.
May 8/09: Bertholf accepted. The US Coast Guard’s Final Acceptance of CGC Bertholf [WMSL 750]. In plain English, problems with the ship after final acceptance become the Coast Guard’s budgetary problem, rather than the builders’ contractual problem. The move takes place exactly 1 year after Preliminary Acceptance, and represents the Coast Guard’s assessment that all of the 8 major issues (or “starred” trial cards) have been addressed and closed, along with “the overwhelming majority of the less serious identified issues.”
An iCommandant guest post by RADM Gary Blore, Assistant Commandant for Acquisition (CG-9), states that information assurance and TEMPEST testing has been part of this process.
The ship will now follow its post-delivery plan, including mission systems and weapons testing; follow on manpower and training analysis; and installation of additional communications and sensors.
NSC 1 acceptance
June 2/09: Lawsuit. Deepwater whistleblower and former Lockheed Martin engineer Michael DeKort files a qui tam False Claims Act lawsuit against Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corp. He claims that a series of known deficiencies by the contractors, and acquiescence in the deficiencies of other contractors, has led to major safety, security and national security problems with the entire Deepwater acquisition program. This includes the critical area of communications security, which reportedly extends to the new National Security Cutters due to system re-use. Read “US Coast Guard’s Deepwater Effort Hits More Rough Sailing” for more.
April 2009: Costs. In this month’s issue of the US Naval Institute’s Seapower Magazine, “Economic Realities” reports that the National Security Cutters will cost an addition $60-90 million per ship over their baseline cost, which was expected to be $500 million. High commodity costs in 2008, when materials were purchased, are blamed for the 12-18% increase.
As an example, the Deepwater program appropriated $357.3 million for NSC 4 Hamilton, but actual costs are expected to come in at $560-590 million, leaving the service over $200 million short. Instead of beginning in FY 2009, therefore, an additional FY 2010 funding request will be required in order to begin construction.
The Coast Guard’s HC-144 Ocean Sentry, an EADS-CASA CN-235MPA variant, is also facing sharp cost hikes. That aircraft has been affected by a weakening US dollar exchange rate versus the Euro, and the $1.7 billion program for 36 planes looks set to rise to $2.2 billion. The plane contains 65% American-made parts, but all parts are bought by EADS-CASA, and final assembly takes place in Spain.
March 4/09: USCG Bertholf [WMSL 750] returns to her Alameda, CA homeport, after a successful 8-week underway period that included Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT). The crew tested the ship’s weapon systems’ ability to engage surface and aerial targets, as well as delivering warning shots and disabling fire on target vessels. They also ran full power trials of the propulsion system, and performed the ship class’ first fueling at sea and towing exercises. US Coast Guard, incl. CSSQT YouTube videos.
Nov 16/08: 1st patrol. USCG Bertholf returns to its homeport in Alameda, CA, marking the completion of the cutter’s first operational patrol. Bertholf’s crew conducted a shakedown of the ship’s systems and carried out flight operations, small-boat operations and weapons testing. US Coast Guard.
FY 2008USCGC Bertholf commissioned following “preliminary acceptance”; Serious questions raised re: communications security, overall class issues; GAO Report.
Bertholf & HH-65, MiamiAug 15/08: Radars. EADS Defence & Security (DS) announces a follow-on order from Lockheed Martin MS2 for its TRS-3D radars, bringing the number employed in the Deepwater program to 5. So far, 3 radars have been delivered on time, with 2 more deliveries planned for end of 2008 and summer 2009.
The TRS-3D is a 3-dimensional multimode naval radar for air and sea surveillance, and can correlate target information with the MSSR 2000 I identification system for automatic identification of vessels and aircraft. With this order, the radar has sold 50 units worldwide for ships including the new K130 corvettes of the German Navy, the “Squadron 2000” patrol boats of the Finnish Navy and the Norwegian Coast Guard “Nordkapp” and “Svalbard” icebreakers.
Aug 3/08: USCG Bertholf. USCG Bertholf [WMSL 750] is commissioned in Alameda, CA. Navy Times.
NSC 1 commissioned
July 26/08: Waesche christened. Christening of the Waesche [WMSL 751]. Waesche is named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche, who was the first Coast Guard commandant to achieve the rank of admiral. He led the Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, which is the longest tenure of any USCG commandant. NGC release.
Meanwhile, Bertholf is undertaking a publicity tour along the eastern seaboard.
May 8/08: “Preliminary Acceptance.” The U.S. Coast Guard accepts delivery of the National Security Cutter Bertholf [WMSL 750], via “preliminary acceptance”. USCG Brief [PDF] | NGC release | Defense News’ article “New U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Delivered” includes a detailed list of key issues remaining, and proposed measures.
April 2008: Bertholf INSURV. A Navy Board of Inspection and Survey team (INSURV), went aboard the Bertholf to give the cutter a top-to-bottom assessment. InSurv identified 2,816 points on the ship, listed as “trial cards,” that were incomplete or needed attention; that’s actually a pretty good number for a first-in-class ship. INSURV also highlighted 8 major systems that needed improvement, but reported that overall, Bertholf “was found to be a unique and very capable platform with great potential for future service.”
One issue worth noting is a computer software problem with its Wonderware system, which has forced the ship to rely on backup station control for the main engines, auxiliaries and pumps’ primary controls. Wonderware has been dismissed, and a new contractor, Matrikon, is working to fix the situation by end of May 2008.
The key unresolved issue remains the security of the Bertholf’s command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance suite, commonly known as C4ISR. Much of the information systems gear was not yet installed when INSURV came onboard. The Navy says this issue will be fixed after the ship moves to its homeport of Alameda, CA. Navy Times | Defense News.
March 11/08: GAO on Deepwater. The US Government Accountability Office releases report# GAO-08-270R: “Status of Selected Aspects of the Coast Guard’s Deepwater Program” [Report page | Plain text | PDF, 20 pages]. Key passages related to the NSC program include a very useful cost growth table (reproduced above), and:
Changes to the NSC have had cost, schedule, and performance ramifications. The estimated costs for the first three ships have generally doubled from the initial projected costs due to a number of contributing factors, including requirements changes as a result of September 11, Hurricane Katrina damages, and some program management actions by the Coast Guard. Delivery of the ship could be delayed. An aggressive trial schedule leaves little time for dealing with the unexpected, and most certifications have yet to be completed. Coast Guard officials expect the ship to meet all performance parameters, but will not know for certain until the ship undergoes trials. Further, Coast Guard engineers have concerns that most of the ship’s available weight margin has been consumed during construction, meaning that subsequent changes to the ship will require additional redesign and engineering to offset the additional weight. We have closed two of the five open recommendations from our previous report… Coast Guard has taken actions on the three recommendations that remain open… at this time, the actions are not sufficient to allow us to close them.
…Of the 987 certification standards, ICGS was to submit documentation on 892 for review and acceptance by the Coast Guard Technical Authority. Almost all remain outstanding… Coast Guard officials told us that they requested the [TEMPEST-related] test be done earlier than usual so that issues could be identified and corrected sooner… Coast Guard officials noted, however, that a mitigation strategy is in place and adjustments are being made that will increase the service life weight margin.”
March 11/08: Bertholf issues. In a telephone news conference, USCG Chief Acquiistion Officer Rear Adm. Gary Blore, assistant commandant for acquisition, and Program Execurtive Officer Rear Adm. Ronald Rabago discuss allegations rearding the Bertholf. [vid. Federal computer Weekly | Gannett’s Navy Times]. Key contentions include:
March 3/08: Deepwater choices. After receiving the service’s formal “Deepwater alternatives analysis” in February 2008, USCG Chief Acquisition Officer Rear Adm. Gary Blore forwards recommendations to Coast Guard senior leadership in a formal decision memorandum. Commandant Adm. Thad Allen is expected to approve Blore’s decision in the near future – which includes approval of the way forward for the NSC ships. Part of the Deepwater AoA report, however, suggests that if the Coast Guard can buy more capability in Deepwater’s smaller Offshore Patrol Cutters, it might consider reducing the number of National Security Cutters by 2. Inside the Navy’s March 10/08 report [PDF] offers more details, see also Gannett’s Navy Times.
March 3/08: Systemic problems? Writing in World Politics Review, defense journalist David Axe says in “Cutter Delay is Latest Evidence of Systemic Problems with Coast Guard Ships” that:
“…last week at the Bertholf’s scheduled acceptance, the Coast Guard declined to sign the “DD250” forms that accompany any handover of major defense items from the manufacturer. The refusal to sign is apparently related to the discovery that Bertholf’s electronics are, as predicted by critics, vulnerable to leaks. This was a problem originally identified on the 123-foot boats by Lockheed whistleblower Mike DeKort and initially denied by the Coast Guard, then later acknowledged in the course of congressional and internal investigations… Ron Porter, a civilian Coast Guard employee, four years ago issued waivers to paper over known network problems with the 123-foot boats, according to [April 2007] Senate testimony by Jim Atkinson, a senior engineer with Massachusetts-based consulting firm Granite Island Group. Atkinson is one of the handful of engineers trained to inspect electronics equipment for compliance with the National Security Agency’s “Tempest” emissions standards. Tempest ensures that enemy snoopers can’t tap into U.S. communications…”He waived – accepted – systems with critical security failures that were pointed out by the Navy,” DeKort said of Porter. “Since this is a system of systems design, that meant the NSC had to use common designs, systems and equipment as the 123s. The 123s set the pattern.”… Atkinson likewise told World Politics Review. “As the Coast Guard accepted the flaws in the 123s, the contractor feels that they do not have to resolve the problem that the Coast Guard has already accepted and certified.”
Coast Guard spokeswoman Laura Williams said the Navy will return to do a 3-week inspection on Bertholf before its rescheduled acceptance in April 2008.
Feb 25/08: C4ISR security. USCG Assistant Commandant and Technical Authority for C4IT Rear Adm. David T. Glenn, and Capt. Leonard L. Ritter Jr. from the Office of Cyber Security & Telecommunications, post to the Coast Guard Journal blog re: Bertholf info-security certifications [see also Gannett’s Navy Times article]:
“Before the BERTHOLF becomes part of the Coast Guard’s fleet it must go through a standardized Information Assurance (IA) process based on Federal and Department of Defense (DOD) policies, wherein delivered equipment and installation procedures are certified for compliance by the Coast Guard. This process includes such activities as TEMPEST [DID: Telecommunications Electromagnetic Performance and Emission Standards] testing and inspections of emission security requirements… initial approval is called an Interim Authority to Operate (IATO), which is a “qualified” certification to operate designated C4&IT systems. As Technical Authority, we anticipate authorizing BERTHOLF a limited authority to operate some or all of its systems prior to its special commissioning status to facilitate the vessel’s transit to its new homeport in Alameda, CA.
While the Coast Guard is eager to deploy with the new technological capabilities of the NSC class of vessels, they recognized early on that as a “first in class” they would need to pay close attention to IA issues… began testing and evaluating the systems as early as possible, often before installations were even complete… Full instrumented TEMPEST surveys along with IA scans of the BERTHOLF’s networks and systems will be performed after Acceptance Trials (AT) with TEMPEST and IA status highlighted and documented on our acceptance agreement with the shipbuilder (DD250)… Similar to the process undertaken by the U.S. Navy for its own ships of comparable size and complexity, the Coast Guard has formed a dedicated government-industry working group to resolve or mitigate IA discrepancies aboard BERTHOLF.”
Dec 14/07: Weapons. BAE Systems in Minneapolis, MN received a $7.7 million firm-fixed-price modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-5117), exercising an option for a 57mm MK 110 MOD 0 gun system. Its primary mission is to deliver high rates of fire, with extreme accuracy, against surface, airborne and shore-based threats with proven effective six-mode programmable, 57-mm Mk 295 ammunition.
Work will be performed in Louisville, KY (78%); Karlskoga, Sweden (21%); and Minneapolis, MN (1%), and is expected to be completed by December 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $88,898, will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., issued the contract.
Dec 4/07: Testing. The first-of-class National Security Cutter Bertholf [WMSL 750] sails away from Northrop Grumman’s Pascagoula, MS facility under its own power for the first time, to begin its sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Initial reports from the first 2 days are positive.
The ship will complete 3 sets of trials, including these initial Machinery Trials which will last for about a week. Builder’s Trials are scheduled for early 2008, and Bertholf is scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard following Acceptance Trials in spring 2008. NGC release.
FY 2007Hearings & controversy lead to big shifts in Deepwater program; NSC 3 ordered; C4ISR contract for first 3 ships; Costs keep rising.
WMSL-750 Bertholf,Sept 11/07: Northrop Grumman announces the completion of a pair of construction-related milestones. On Bertholf [WMSL 750], which stands at 90% complete, the two main propulsion diesel engines completed a successful light-off. Following this accomplishment, the stern assembly was erected onto Waesche [WMSL 751], which now stands at 33% complete. NGC release.
Sept 3/07: Costs. A Defense News report mentions both the Bertholf’s expected delivery date, and its final cost. The new delivery date is Feb 26/08; it was set as part of the major program agreement with the Coast Guard announced Aug 8/07. The contract also fixed the total price for the new ship at $641 million – a figure that includes $441 million to build the ship, money to buy government-furnished equipment such as weapons, and future costs for structural improvements and modifications.
See “USCG National Security Cutters: Bad News, Good News” for further details regarding ongoing process improvements, and an explanation of the connections between the two releases.
Aug 9/07: C4ISR contract. Lockheed Martin announces an agreement re: their consolidated contract action (CCA) over the command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems on board the first 3 National Security Cutter ships. Lockheed serves as the NSC ships’ overall integrator for electronics and sensor systems, and the craft’s C4ISR systems are critical to ensuring that the crew can see vessels in distress or targets of interest, collaborate with other Coast Guard platforms of all kinds; and take action on the most current and pertinent information available. The systems also need to be very inter-operable, in order to work with 117 agencies and organizations as part of the Coast Guard’s duties.
The Lockheed Martin portion of the $592 million contract awarded to Integrated Coast Guard Systems on Aug 8/07 is valued at $82.7 million, and includes both new work on the 3rd ship of the Legend Class and resolution of their $12.1 million request for equitable adjustment for post-9/11 changes to NSC 1 (Bertholf) and NSC 2 (Waesche). Those changes included enhanced interior voice communications, added C4ISR systems and equipment associated with classified information handling and messaging, and updated C4ISR system performance specifications as well as modifications associated with government furnished weapons systems.
As of this release date, Lockheed Martin says that development of the NSC’s C4ISR systems is 90% complete. Shipboard integration and test is well underway on NSC 1 Bertholf, leading up to USCG acceptance trials at the end of the calendar year. The crew of the Bertholf has completed initial C4ISR operations training at the Coast Guard’s training center in Petaluma, CA, and is preparing for live shipboard training. Meanwhile, equipment for the NSC 2 Waesche is now available, and is being delivered to the shipyard for installation. Lockheed Martin release via CNN Money.
C4ISR contract
Aug 8/07: #3 ordered. As part of an over-arching agreement with the industry teams involved, the US Coast Guard announces a $337 million award to Integrated Coast Guard Systems for construction of the 3rd national security cutter. Northrop Grumman’s Pascagoula facility has the lead role, and NGC will receive $285.5 million of that amount. The USCG says that its 3rd national security cutter incorporates cost-saving efficiencies and process improvements learned during the ongoing construction of the first two national security cutters, as well as design enhancements to ensure it meets a 30-year fatigue life and all operational requirements.
The agreement also includes $255 million to settle outstanding issues over the first 2 Legend Class ships. In a written statement, Coast Guard commandant Adm. Thad Allen said that: “This agreement resolves more than 192 outstanding technical and contract issues and incorporates plans to complete prudent structural enhancements to the National Security Cutter.” Issues included Northrop’s Request for Equitable Adjustment to reflect the numerous changes made in the first 2 ships since construction of the Bertholf was ordered in 2002, along with material cost changes, damages by Hurricane Katrina and the effects of a recent strike at the Ingalls shipyard. They also included ICGS partner Lockheed Martin’s request for equitable adjustment for changes to the ships’ communications systems (see Aug 9/07 entry).
See: USCG release | NGC release | Sen. Trent Lott [R-MS] statement | South Mississippi Sun Herald article | Gannett Navy Times article.
NSC 3 order + settlement on first 2
Turbine Light-OffAug 7/07: Testing. The Coast Guard fires up the USCGC(US Coast Guard Cutter) Bertholf’s General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines for the first time, as Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Walt Probst presses the switch. The procedure was an initial operational test of the ship’s combined diesel and gas (CODAG) turbine propulsion system, and the next test will be a diesel engine light-off. NGC release | ICGS Deepwater release | Gannett Navy Times article.
July 31/07: Deepwater shifts. By a unanimous roll call vote, the US House of Representatives approved bill H.R. 2722, 426-0. It was introduced by Elijah Cummings [D-MD-7], chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
The bill makes far-reaching changes in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Deepwater program, removing the NGC/ Lockheed Martin Integrated Coast Guard Systems consortium from the project within 4 years, installing a civilian Chief Acquisitions Officer, and imposing a series of deadlines, reports and oversight on its programs. The removal clause may not be that significant, however, as this is a 2007 vote and the ICGS Deepwater contract ends in 2011.
With respect to the NSC ships, Rep. Cummings, said that the bill would require that the designs for cutters 3 – 8 be reviewed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division, which helped identify potential concerns with the hull fatigue life of cutters 1 and 2. That provision, and other components, satisfy Rep. Gene Taylor [D-MS, and chair of the House Armed Services Committee’s Maritime & Expeditionary Forces subcommittee], who had called for the review by the naval experts in an amendment when the bill was approved by the House Transportation Committee in June 2007. The bill would also require that the design and construction be certified by an independent third party. HR 2722 | Mississippi Sun-Herald article.
Big shifts in Deepwater program
July 19/07: Mast stepping. Northrop Grumman Corporation observes a traditional naval custom known as “mast stepping” during the construction of the U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750). “Stepping the Mast” is an ancient custom of placing coins under the step or bottom of a ship’s mast during construction that dates back to Greek mythology. It was thought that if the ship wrecked at sea, the coins would help the sailors pay the wages for their return home. Northrop Grumman and Coast Guard officials permanently affixed $7.50 in coins – to represent the hull number of Bertholf – under the mast. Each coin commemorated a significant date in the life of this ship and its namesake, the USCG’s first Commodore Ellsworth Bertholf.
Other activities related to the Bertholf included removing and re-installing the LM2500 gas turbine engine to demonstrate that those activities could be accomplished within 48 hours, and installation of a Mk15, Block 1B Phalanx 20mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) that can target incoming missiles, helicopters, or even surface boats. NGC’s release adds that Bertholf is 86% complete, with Main Engine Light-Off as the next major test.
March 14/07: Infrastructure. The U.S. Coast Guard today formally opens its new Deepwater shipboard operations training facility at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma. The $26 million facility was equipped by Lockheed Martin with state-of-the-art simulators, radars and electronics equipment to train Coast Guard crews assigned to the new Legend Class National Security Cutters.
In addition to National Security Cutter crews, the facility will train U.S. Navy crews to operate and maintain the TRS-3D air search radar. In exchange, the Navy will train Coast Guard crews to operate the 57mm medium caliber deck gun. Lockheed Martin release, via GlobalSecurity.org.
Feb 14/07: Report. The US House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation holds its “Oversight Hearing on Recent Setbacks to the Coast Guard Deepwater Program.” The NSC is discussed.
Jan 23/07: Report. The US Department of Homeland Security, Inspector General’s Office releases its report: Acquisition of the National Security Cutter, US Coast Guard.
FY 2006From naming to launch for Bertholf; Waesche keel laid.
Bertholf constructionSept 22/06: #1 launch. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems launches the U.S. Coast Guard’s first National Security Cutter, Bertholf [WMSL 750]. NGC release.
Sept 11/06: #2 keel. Keel laying for the NSC 2 Waesche [WMSL 751] takes place.
Nov 11/06: #1 christened. The first Legend Class ship, Bertholf, is christened. Rep. Gene Taylor [D-MS] reminds all present that it will take more than technology:
“In the course of your career, you are going to have some tough times… see another Hurricane Katrina… and generals and admirals have convinced me that you are going to see a major attack on the heartland of America – and you are going to be called upon to respond… So it is fitting that our nation is providing you with a great ship and great training, but at the end of the day it’s going to take the great people that you are, to make those things work.”
Nov 22/05: Naming. NGC relays the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement that the first Deepwater National Security Cutter (NSC) will be named Bertholf in honor of the organization’s first Commandant, Ellsworth Price Bertholf (1866-1921). NGC release.
Footnotesfn1. A ship’s draught measures how deep the water must be for the ship to float, rather than resting on the bottom. Return
fn2. Hurricane Katrina caused considerable damage to the shipyard, but more important, it caused an exodus of experienced workers, forcing contractors to use more overtime hours and disrupting the traditional learning curve. [Return]
Appendix A: The Pitfalls of Being a Legend – NSC Issues & Action Boutwell HEC inThe Legend Class National Security Cutter’s transition from drawing board into service was not smooth, and matters eventually reached a point that put the entire program in doubt. With the passage of legislative bill HR 2722 in July 2007, however, the US Congress decided to move forward with the Legend Class cutters. in exchange, they demanded more stringent monitoring and certification procedures. Barring further difficulties, it appears that the 8 planned NSC ships will in fact be built.
The question is, “at what cost and timeline”?
First-of-class ships are often more expensive, post 9/11 changes did add 1,000 of the final design’s 4,300 tons, and the NSC program compares favorably in many respects with past programs like the US Navy’s current core of AEGIS DDG-51 destroyers and CG-47 cruisers. Even so, that National Security Cutter’s $641 million per ship price tag begins to place the Bertholf Class in the same realm as the new Fridtjof Nansen Class AEGIS air defense frigates that form the high end core of Norway’s navy. In every respect, this is a very high-end ship.
Price tags often decline as more ships are built, but there are also cases like the LPD-17 San Antonio Class, whose $1.7 billion cost and 100% overrun on the first ship appear to have perpetuated throughout the build cycle. The Coast Guard’s existing High Endurance Cutters (HECs) are wearing out, which only adds urgency to the key question: which example will this new NSC ship class follow?
A table from the GAO’s March 11/08 report is instructive. Note that all figures are in millions, that “Economic changes” include, for example, escalation of material/labor following the departure of many shipyard workers post-Katrina, and some costs associated with settling the REA. “Other GFE” includes certifications, tests, and training, and also additional government oversight for NSC 3:
Cost Growth for NSC 1 – 3 NSC 1 NSC 2 NSC 3 Design 67.7 Build 264.4 200.7 189.2 Govt. furnished equipment (GFE) 52.8 50.0 40.0 Initial projected costs (2002) $384.9 $250.7 $229.2 Requirements changes post 9/11 75.9 60.0 60.0 Hurricane Katrina [2] 40.0 44.4 38.7 Economic changes 58.3 69.9 86.8 Structural enhancements 40.0 30.0 16.0 Other GFE 41.5 40.7 73.9 Current projected costs (2008) $640.7 $495.7 $504.6Timing is also important. The original 2006 delivery date for the first-of-class USCGC Bertholf [WMSL 750] slipped. Post-9/11 design changes pushed the date back to August 2007, then a revised 2007 program agreement moved the timeline back to February 2008. Bertholf was delivered via a “preliminary acceptance” procedure in August 2008. The second ship, Waesche [WMSL 751], was commissioned in May 2010.
That’s a long gap, and there’s a reason for that. First-of-class ships often have issues that require fixing before full operational certification is granted, and sea trials frequently last a year or more. After acceptance of WMSL 750, the Coast Guard planned to conduct operational testing at sea for approximately 2 years; March 2010 became the target date for full operational status, but key features like the SCIF only received Authority to Operate in April 2010, and some capabilities like UAVs remain works in progress.
Speculations concerning further progress, or regress, need to consider the program’s history.
As far back as 2002, technical experts for the Coast Guard raised doubts about the ship’s hull, contending that significant flaws exist in its structural design. In 2004, assistant commandant Rear Adm. Errol Brown sent a memo detailing more than 5 design deficiencies to Rear Adm. Patrick Stillman, urging the program officer to resolve any disputes over engineering before proceeding with construction of the first cutter. That apparently did not happen; a 2007 Office of the Inspector General report revealed that hull fatigue was still a concern, and that some USCG specifications still had not been met, even as the ship’s cost had increased by more than 33% since the Deepwater program began.
Worse revelations followed. In 2007, Rep. Henry A. Waxman [D-CA, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee], was quoted in the Washington Post saying that a Navy engineering report in December 2005 included “bottom-line” warnings. Red ink on a pair of Navy engineering briefing slides concluded the cutters would not last the required 30 years. But the warnings were allegedly deleted in a copy of the report given by Coast Guard officials to Department of Homeland Security auditors, and altered in an edited version included in a wider briefing. See “Additional Readings & Sources” for more documents and reporting.
In 2007 testimony to the US Congress, the US Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General said that:
“On the NSC acquisition, the cutter’s performance specifications were so poorly worded that there were major disagreements within the Coast Guard as to what the NSC’s performance capabilities should actually be… The cost of NSCs 1 and 2 is expected to increase well beyond the current $775 million estimate, as this figure does not include a $302 million Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) submitted to the Coast Guard by ICGS on November 21, 2005 [DID: this and other REAs were resolved in July 2007]. The REA represents ICGS’s re-pricing of all work associated with the production and deployment of NSCs 1 and 2 caused by adjustments to the cutters’ respective implementation schedules as of January 31, 2005… The current $775 million estimate also does not include the cost of structural modifications to be made to the NSC as a result of its known design deficiencies. In addition, future REAs and the cost of modifications to correct or mitigate the cutter’s existing design deficiencies could add hundreds of millions of dollars to the total NSC acquisition cost…
The NSC, as designed and constructed, will not meet performance specifications described in the original Deepwater contract. Specifically, due to design deficiencies, the NSC’s structure provides insufficient fatigue strength to achieve a 30-year service life under Caribbean (General Atlantic) and Gulf of Alaska (North Pacific) sea conditions… The Coast Guard’s technical experts first identified and presented their concerns about the NSC’s structural design to senior Deepwater Program management in December 2002, but this did not dissuade the Coast Guard from authorizing production of the NSC in June 2004 or from its May 2006 decision to award the systems integrator a contract extension. Due to a lack of adequate documentation, we were unable to ascertain the basis for the decision to proceed with the production of the first two cutters, knowing that there were design flaws…”
NSC-class Cutter ConceptIn response, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems President Philip Teel outlined the issues as NGSS saw them:
“The NSC is designed to meet a 30 year service life and many of the structural items raised by the Coast Guard have been addressed and were incorporated in the Bertholf and Waesche (NSC 1 and 2) prior to production. For example, upgraded steel, thicker steel, modifications to Fashion Plates and Re-entrant Corners, and the addition of 2 longitudinal Hovgaard bulkheads to provide increased stiffness at the stern were incorporated into the design.
With regard to NSC fatigue life, even the best engineers will have different opinions. Analysis has been performed on the NSC utilizing a relatively new model developed by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (Carderock) utilizing two different approaches. The difference in the two approaches is whether or not the model is benchmarked by calculating the fatigue strength of proven ship designs with similar operational characteristics and hull form that has been at sea for the desired time. This enables the calculation of permissible stress levels that can be applied to test the new design. The results of these two analyses have generated a responsible dialog between the engineers which will lead to final agreement about enhancements to fatigue structure… The American Bureau of Shipbuilding (ABS) certified 14 Systems Level drawings, including structural design drawings. ABS will also certify 35 ship systems during this acceptance process… During the design process, there will be a total of 46 independent third party certifications prior to or as part of the USCGC Bertholf (NSC 1) delivery process… The US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) will conduct the Ship’s Acceptance Trials (AT) when the cutter gets underway later this year.
Cost growth has also been mentioned in the media. Two elements have led to the majority of cost growth on the NSC – increased post 9/11 requirements and the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The NSC that will be delivered to the Coast Guard this year is not the same ship that was first proposed in 1998. Today’s NSC has greatly improved operational capabilities that address post 9/11 requirements including Chemical, Biological & Radiation (CBR) protection, a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and more robust aviation installations so that the NSC, in addition to its normal embarked Coast Guard aviation complement, will be able to launch, recover and operate US Navy, US Government Agency and partner nation manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft. These enhancements have added approximately 1000 tons to the displacement, including a one third increase in electrical power systems, a tripling of air conditioning and ventilation capacity (HVAC), the addition of 25 antennas and a 26% growth in the size of the berthing spaces.
It is true that Katrina delayed the delivery of Bertholf by several months and added cost to the program… Even taking into account Katrina, Bertholf continues to set new lead ship standards in quality and efficiency with, higher performance to standards than both the first or second Arleigh Burke Class (DDG 51) destroyer and labor utilization measures that routinely out perform other programs in our shipyard. Much of what has been done on the NSC program is being transitioned to the rest of the shipyard to other construction programs. In addition to the specific actions as they relate to the NSC program, we are investing $57.3 million dollars of our own money in a new suite of management tools that will increase our visibility, work sequencing capability, material and engineering modeling and capacity and resource planning. These tools will enable the reduction in the number of units we construct to build the NSC. Currently we build the vessel in 45 units and integrate these sub assemblies into 29 erection lifts on the ship. The new tool set will allow us to plan and construct the vessel in less lifts, our target is 16, and as we know the less number of lifts the less cost. We are investing in our human capital, process improvement, and our facilities to reduce the cost associated with building future ships.”
WMSL-751 WaescheAs that last sentence notes, NGSS is taking action to improve the ships over time, as part of a structured improvements process. As each milestone is met, personnel involved in the ship’s construction meet to discuss “lessons learned.” Good practices, as well as opportunities for improvement, are noted and applied to the construction process of the next ship in the series. Through lessons learned on Bertholf, work on the Waesche improved significantly, moving thousands of hours of work out of the integration area where ship sections are joined, and into the shop areas. This allows work to be accomplished earlier in the process, more efficiently, and at a reduced cost to the Coast Guard. As an example, the engine and propulsion install took 8 days on Bertholf, but just 1.5 days on Waesche.
These kinds of lessons and improvements are typical in ship-building programs.
In addition, the Bertholf is the first ship to be constructed using a new shipyard configuration in Pascagoula. The Bertholf and the Waesche were built side by side, making it easy for personnel to access both ships for comparison and/or referencing activities. The new shipyard configuration also allows tests and trials to be conducted on the ships without relocating them. Over time, Northrop Grumman also aims to reduce the number of “block lift” sections required to finish the ship, by improving each block’s level of final readiness and avoiding tricky post-lift installs that may force rework, or encounter difficulties because it’s harder to get access to key areas.
The success of the process improvements outlines above, and resolution of outstanding design issues, will play a large role in determining whether the coast guard’s flagship cutters can make the next transition. A transition from ‘rescued program,’ to a good program that delivers acknowledged value, and begins to place the troubled $25 billion Deepwater modernization program back on track.
Appendix B: Additional Readings Program and ShipsNote that USCG links are forcibly excluded from archiving, and Senate links are likewise blocked. URLs may or may not still work. GAO and DHS links remain reliable.
Strategic Systems Programs contracted Lockheed Martin with a $28.6 million modification in support of the integration of the TRIDENT II (D5) Missile and Reentry Subsystems into the Common Missile Compartment for the Columbia Class and United Kingdom Dreadnought programs. The modification exercises options for engineering efforts. The TRIDENT II D5 fleet ballistic missile is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided missile that can carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360 kilometers. The Trident II D5 guidance system directs the missile on a rectified trajectory counterbalancing for submarine’s awkward position, in-flight effects and internal guidance calibratable parameters, upon launch of the missile. The guidance system works as the reference for maintaining missile stability and activating the reentry body separation for a ballistic trajectory. The Columbia Class submarine is an upcoming class of submarines aimed to replace Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines, whose remaining boats will be decommissioned, one per year, beginning in 2027. The Columbia-class will take over the role of submarine presence in the United States’ strategic nuclear force. The first submarine is scheduled to begin construction in 2021 and enter service in 2031. A total of 12 submarines are planned. Each submarine will have 16 missile tubes, each carrying one Trident II D5LE missile. The UK Dreadnought Class is the replacement for the TRIDENT II D5 Royal Navy’s missile carrying Vanguard Class submarines. Work under the modification will take place in California, Florida, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and is expected to be finished by March 31, 2021.
The Navy awarded L-3 Communications a $21.4 million contract modification to support the Navy T-45 aircraft, aircraft system and related support equipment. The T-45A/C Goshawk is the US Navy’s two-seat advanced jet trainer that was selected to meet the US Navy requirement for an undergraduate jet pilot trainer to replace the TA-4J Skyhawk and T-2C Buckeye. The aircraft is a navalized version of the BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer, selected by the Royal Air Force and flown by the Red Arrows acrobatic display team. It has a single pylon installed under each wing for carrying bomb racks, rocket pods or auxiliary fuel tanks. The Goshawk is powered by a single Rolls-Royce navalized Adour mk871 twin-spool non-afterburn turbofan engine. The contract modification exercises an option for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering support. Support includes services, equipment, tool, direct material, and indirect material required to support and maintain flight, test and evaluation operations. Work will take place in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida and is scheduled to be completed in September this year.
The US Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control with a $13.3 million modification for SNIPER Comprehensive Advanced Targeting Pod. This Targeting Pod provides positive target identification, autonomous tracking, GPS coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges. It is a single, lightweight targeting pod with much lower aerodynamic drag than its predecessors. Due to its image processing that allows aircrew to detect, identify and engage tactical-size targets outside the range of most enemy air defenses, it holds a crucial role in the destruction of enemy air defense missions. The current modification provides for the software enhancements and data for the development of the E4.X Operational Flight Program. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida among other places within the USA and is expected to be finished by February 28, 2021.
Middle East & AfricaThe Egyptian satellite EgyptSat-A, which is owned by Egypt’s National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences and built by RSC Energia, a Moscow-based aerospace contractor, was launched from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. EgyptSat-A is Egypt’s third Earth observation satellite. The country decided to join the world space club, and the decision to build and launch the EgyptSat-A satellite is a significant step to achieve this strategic goal. The Egyptian satellite program has both scientific and military implications. The development and launch of EgyptSat-A boost Egyptian-Russian relations which have been growing closer in many fields. RSC Energia produced the vast majority of components for EgyptSat-A, compared to EgyptSat-2 where 60 percent of the components were manufactured in Egypt. The satellite is prized at about $100 million and weighs more than a ton when fully fueled. A Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat rocket lifted off the EgyptSat-A on February 21, 2019. The Soyuz-2 rockets are modernized vehicles based on the Soyuz-U and its predecessors, with digital flight controls and upgraded engines.
EuropeGermany released tender documents for the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift helicopter (Schwerer Transporthubschrauber, STH). The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support issued the documents on February 28, which set out the performance and programmatic details for the STH requirement to procure 44-60 helicopter for the German Luftwaffe. Back in November, the German government announced, that a newly developed helicopter to replace the 70 incumbent Sikorsky CH-53G/GS/GA/GEs would not be an option. However, the Boeing CH-47E and Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion would be an appropriate purchase for Germany. According to the released tender, parties have until May 14 to respond to the release. A request for proposal will then be issued shortly after.
Asia-PacificThe US Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Division a $10 million contract modification for engineering and design support services for the Aegis Ashore (AA) Japan Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Technical Assistance Case. The modification prepares for the AA Japan Main Case. The Aegis Ashore is a land-based component of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, that provides missile defense against short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. On December 19, 2017, the Cabinet of Japan approved a plan to purchase two Aegis Ashore systems equipped with the Gallium Nitride AESA radar to increase the country’s self-defense capability against North Korea, using SM-3 Block IIA missiles. Work under the modification will take place in New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by October 31 this year.
The US Naval Air Systems Command awarded Boeing a $428.9 million modification for long-lead material and activities in support of 16 P-8A Poseidons. The award includes the complete orders for South Korea and New Zealand. The US government approved the sale of four P-8As to New Zealand in May 2017. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is procuring the aircraft to replace its aging Lockheed Martin P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. South Korea’s procurement was approved in September 2018, with the Republic of South Korea Air Force (RoKAF) also looking to replace its fleet of aging P-3 Orions. The modification covers long-lead material and activities in support of four aircraft for New Zealand and six for South Korea. It also covers six further aircraft for the US Navy. The P-8 Poseidon is a militarized version of the 737-800ERX that conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and shipping interdiction. The aircraft is the U.S. Navy’s next-generation maritime surveillance aircraft. Work under the contract modification will take place within the continental US and is scheduled to be completed in June next year.
Singapore plans to buy an initial four F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. The country is looking to replace its F-16 fleet. Its fleet of around 60 F-16 jets, which first entered service in 1998, will be retired soon after 2030. Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Friday, the Ministry will issue a Letter of Request (LOR) to the US regarding the purchase. The LOR will request an initial acquisition of four F-35s, with the option of a subsequent eight. With Southeast Asia’s largest defense budget, the wealthy city-state is a key prize for global arms companies as it looks to invest in new technology and upgrade its equipment.
Today’s VideoWatch: ROYAL Navy frigate HMS Kent will be flashing off her new weapons
The Navy tapped General Dynamics Mission Systems with a $34.7 million contract modification to help maintain an Austal-built Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Under the two year order General Dynamics will support maintenance of command, control, communications, computers, combat and intelligence systems of the Austal Independence variant LCS. The company will provide resource management, program planning, installation, modernization, training, cost and schedule control and software development services for the LCS. Austal’s Independence variant Ship is a high-speed, agile, multi-mission combatant that delivers superior seakeeping and performance. It is an open ocean capable vessel, but is designed to defeat growing littoral threats and provide access and dominance in the coastal water battlespace. General Dynamics was the prime contractor for LCS 2 (USS Independence) and LCS 4 (USS Coronado). However, Austal has been the Prime contractor for all Independence variant from LCS 6 onward. For the LCS program, Austal teamed up with General Dynamics Mission Systems. As the ship systems integrator, General Dynamics is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the ship’s electronic systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control. Work under the modification will take place in Massachusetts as well as various shipyards and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.
The Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $14.1 million contract modification for the development of the F-35 Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS). The AGCAS is an on-board system that prevents controlled flight into terrain. The system utilizes various sensors that monitor how the aircraft is performing and whether the pilot is still in control of the aircraft. If a pilot loses consciousness, AGCAS kicks in. It uses GPS, terrain data and spatial awareness to recognize when the jet is heading toward the ground or a mountain, and if it gets to the specifically calibrated point at which it is likely too late for a pilot to react to that fact, the system intervenes and pulls the jet up on its own before returning control to the pilot. Work will take place in Fort Worth, Texas and is scheduled to be finished by March next year.
Middle East & AfricaThe US Air Force awarded Collins Aerospace a $47.6 million contract modification that provides Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partner nations Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain an ordering vehicle for the DB-110 Tactical Reconnaissance Pod program. Collins Aerospace designs, produces, and supports communication and aviation systems worldwide. The company offers a certified pod for F-16 and other fast-jet applications. With an integrated DB-110 sensor, this pod offers advantages over competing systems by relying on dual-environmental conditioning systems, to provide robust ground cooling and operations over a wide range of altitudes. The modification includes the following procurement of DB-110 reconnaissance pods, program infrastructure, airborne data link terminals, surface terminal equipment, mobile ground stations, fixed ground stations, transportable ground stations, and data and travel in support of orders. Work will take place in Westford, Massachusetts and has an expected completion date of November 14, 2023.
Israeli company Elbit Systems’ new Terrain Following/Terrain Avoidance (TF/TA) system is operational following extensive flight testing and verification by Special Operations pilots aboard C-130 aircraft. The system is part of the C-130 avionics upgrade program. It enables military transport aircraft to safely conduct low altitude flights in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), significantly extending their operational envelop. The C-130 is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft that is capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings. The C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years, with the updated C-130J Super Hercules currently being produced. The TF/TA system combines high-resolution ground mapping data from an onboard Terrain-Following Radar that is complemented by a Digital Terrain Elevation Database, offering high maneuverability.
EuropeThe Czech Ministry of Defense contracted Saab to expand the Czech’s instrumented Saab GAMER laser based training capability. The order is valued at $11.7 million. Deliveries will start at the end of the year. Saab will modernize the existing system and deliver new crucial functions within soldier-equipped training systems under the contract. The company will also be responsible for vehicle-based systems with ballistic and real-time of flight simulation, as well as solutions related to urban terrain training. With the new upgraded Tactical Training System, the Czech Army and the military police, will receive a large number of additional capabilities in training exercises. The Czech Army acquired the first Instrumented Saab GAMER system in 2011 for the Pandur IFV and performed upgrades during 2016 for laser code interoperability (U –LEIS). The British, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch and US Armed Forces are already using Saab’s laser simulators.
Asia-PacificThe Australian Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin signed an agreement for Australian F-35 Sovereign Sustainment Contracts. This will facilitate Australian industry’s expanded involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program and ensures the long-term sustainment of the country’s F-35A Lighting-II Joint Strike Fighter fleet. The agreement includes details about intellectual property, technical data and software arrangements with Lockheed Martin entities for direct sovereign sustainment contracts. A settled framework will help address the complexities associated with intellectual property, technical data and software under the global F-35 Program. According to the CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia, the new agreement provides a big opportunity for industrial and economic growth.
Northrop Grumman Australia and the Italian company Leonardo are partnering up to build and maintain troop carrier aircraft for New Zealand. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide Leonardo’s C-27J aircraft to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The two companies will jointly bid the Air Force’s incoming Future Air Mobility Capability (FAMC) Program. Through the partnership, Leonardo aims to bring a whole-of-life sustainment approach to the C-27J. Both companies will prepare a roadmap for future modernization and upgrades using reach-back and sovereign capabilities. The RNZAF can utilize the C-27J to perform a wide range of airlift missions in adverse environmental conditions, including humanitarian aid, disaster relief, transport, and search and rescue.
Today’s VideoWatch: Boeing Just Teased A Big Reveal For Australia’s Avalon Air Show, What Could It Be?
The Navy awarded a $25.2 million contract modification to Raytheon for delivery of Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile spares. Under the modification Raytheon will provide All-Up-Round spares to support the recertification effort for the Tomahawk missile system. The company initially won a $303.7 million in 2016 from the military branch to supply Tomahawk Block IV missiles and spares. The Tomahawk is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile that can be launched from a ship or submarine and is able to fly into heavily defended airspace more than 1,000 miles away to conduct precise strikes on targets. The US and its allied militaries used the GPS-enabled precision weapon more than 2,300 times in combat, and flight-tested it 550 times. The recertification program of the Tomahawk will expand the missile’s service life until 2040. Work under the contract modification will take place in various places around the continental US, Canada and the UK. It is expected to be completed by October next year.
Strategic Systems Programs contracted Lockheed Martin with a $846 million modification for large diameter rocket motors, associated missile body flight articles and related support equipment for the Navy Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike Weapon System flight test demonstrations. The modification includes design, development, construction and integration. The system allows the US to strike targets anywhere within an hour. The CPGS weapons are not substitutes for nuclear weapons, but supplement US conventional capabilities and serve as an effort at deterrence. The Navy conducted the first test of the system in 2017 on the Ohio-class submarines. They are nuclear-powered submarines and form the sole class of ballistic missile submarines currently in service with the US Navy. Four Ohio-class underwater crafts have been converted to guided-missile submarines to carry conventional weapons by modifying missile tubes. Work under the contract modification will take place in Littleton, Colorado and is expected to be finished on January 1, 2024.
Northrop Grumman offers to replace the obsolete radar on the US Air Force (USAF) Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers with its AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) system. The USAF wants to upgrade the entire B-52 fleet with a new radar system. It is looking at several options to satisfy its Radar Modernization Program to replace the B-52’s now obsolete Northrop Grumman AN/APQ-166 mechanically-scanned radar. The AN/APG-83 system is also known as the Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR). A version of SABR has been developed for the B-1B fleet. According to Northrop Grumman, SABR provides a reliable, cost-effective, off-the-shelf, low-risk radar upgrade solution for multiple platforms. The Air Force launched the Radar Modernization Program for its 76 aircraft bomber fleet in February 2016. A competition is set to be launched this year.
Middle East & AfricaThe US Air Force contracted Cargo Transport System, Kuwait with a $10 million modification that provides continued stevedoring and related terminal services to the 595th Transportation Brigade. The modification includes vessel loading, vessel discharge, receipt of cargo, disposition of cargo, stuffing/unstuffing of cargo, intra-terminal transfer of cargo, inland transportation of cargo, customs clearance, yard management as well as management expertise. Cargo Transport operates as a freight forwarding and logistics company. It offers export services, such as freight forwarding and logistics, consulting, container stuffing, blocking and bracing, door to door service, export documentation and licenses, freight management, agent network, staging, inventory control, air and ocean charters, letter of credit processing and banking, and cargo insurance. Work will take place in ports of Kuwait from March 9 until September 8.
ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) won a contract with the Israeli Navy to supply four ELM-2248-Star radars for its four new Sa’ar-6 corvettes. The ELM-2248 MF-STAR Multi-Function Digital Radars are based on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. The Sa’ar-6 class corvettes are four German-made warships ordered for the Israeli Navy in 2015. They are tasked to protect Israel’s economic zone and secure its critical naval infrastructure, such as natural gas rigs against missiles, rockets and enemy aircraft. The MF-STAR is to be installed on the ship’s mast. It comprises four conformal phased array S-Band antennas providing 360 degrees coverage. The Israeli Navy expects the German-built corvettes to enter service by 2022.
EuropeBAE Systems delivered the first four BvS10 all-terrain vehicles to Austria. The delivery is part of a contract signed in 2016 for 32 armored personnel carriers. The vehicles were handed over during two ceremonies last week in the Austrian states Tyrol and Salzburg. Austrian Defense Minister Mario Kunasek attended the celebrations alongside representatives of the Swedish government and BAE Systems Hägglunds, the Sweden-based manufacturer of the BvS10. The first set of vehicles will be fielded by the Austrian Armed Forces’ 24th Infantry Battalion, a battalion of the 6th Mountain Infantry Brigade, which plays a leading role in the European Union Mountain Training Warfare Initiative as well as the 2nd Engineer Battalion, which can provide combat support in mountainous terrain. The BvS10 is an All Terrain Armored Vehicle. The Austrian APC variant of the BvS10 is fitted with a number of specific features including a 360 degree Observation Camera System with six Day/Infrared cameras and displays in the front and rear of the cabin for greater situational awareness. Also featured is the latest Remote Controlled Weapon Station, which can be operated by both the Gunner and the Commander. It is foldable to allow for swift transportation in the field. BAE Systems expects final deliveries to conclude later this year.
Asia-PacificCHC Australia completed the roll-out of six new generation Leonardo AW139 aircraft in order of replacing the S-76 SAR helicopter fleet of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The AugustaWestland AW139 is a 5-seat medium-sized twin-engined helicopter purposed for several different roles, such as VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport, fire fighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief, and maritime patrol. The AW139 aircraft are search and rescue configured with four-axis auto hover, allowing them to hover over water at night. The new AW139 aircraft will be in addition to the current AW139 night vision goggle capable, four-axis auto hover machine currently servicing the Australian Navy since May 2017.
Today’s VideoWatch: US Army releases first image of new M1A2C tank with active protection systems
In the aftermath of the START-II arms control treaty, some of the USA’s nuclear-powered Ohio Class SSBN nuclear missile submarines were converted to become long range conventional strike and special operations SSGN “Tactical Tridents.” Four ultra-stealthy Ohio-class SSBNs had their 24 Trident II D-5 nuclear ballistic missiles removed. They were replaced with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus space in the sub for 66-102 special forces troops, special attachments for new Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) or older Seal Delivery Vehicle (SDV) “mini-subs,” and a mission control center. Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, and even UAVs for aerial operations, are expected to become equally important options over the SSGN fleet’s career.
…to theseThese modifications provide the USA with an impressive and impressively flexible set of conventional firepower, in a survivable and virtually undetectable platform, which can remain on station for very long periods of time. As surveillance-strike complexes make the near-shore more and more hazardous for conventional ships, and the potential dangers posed by small groups continue to rise, America’s converted SSGN submarines will become more and more valuable. This updated, free-to-view article covers their origins and timeline, the key technologies involved, contracts from the program’s inception to the present day, with all 4 submarines back in service.
These SSBN to SSGN conversions were originally sparked by the 1992 START II Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which limited the number of strategic missile submarines to 14 as of the year 2002. Rather than decommissioning the USS Ohio [SSBN 726], USS Michigan [SSBN 727], USS Florida [SSBN 728] and USS Georgia [SSBN 729] Ohio Class submarines, why not change ther mission, and modify them to the “Tactical Trident” Configuration described above? Strong support for this idea was quickly forthcoming from Senators Dodd [D-CT], Inouye [D-HI], Lieberman [D-CT], and Pell [D-RI].
These submarines’ obvious usefulness in the Global War on Terror, and the program’s previous bipartisan popularity, were potent political assets. The US Senate mandated and funded conversion of all 4 Tactical Trident SSGNs in the FY 2002 defense appropriation bill, even though President Bush had requested only enough money to convert 2 subs.
ASDS CutawayTo create a Tactical Trident submarine, 2 of the Ohio Class SSBNs’ 24 large vertical missile launch tubes are converted to lockout chambers, enabling underwater exits from the hull without sinking the submarine. Dedicated accommodations and facilities exist for 66 Special Operations personnel, generally Navy SEALS – though some sources note an upper limit of 102 troops in emergencies.
It was hoped that Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) mini-subs could also be attached to the top of the SSGN, in order to deliver SEALs or MARSOC members inshore in a dry environment, reducing fatigue. Unfortunately, the ASDS program suffered from serious development problems, and was eventually canceled. ASDS-1 was used until it was destroyed in a shore fire. Unless an alternate system is developed and deployed, existing Seal Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) will remain the mainstay.
SDV in actionLike the new Virginia Class submarines (SSN-744) whose estimated costs range from $1.7-$2.3 billion billion each, these 4 converted SSGNs will extend US special forces’ underwater insertion capability. The decommissioning of the 1960s-vintage Benjamin Franklin Class [SSBN 640] submarines USS James K. Polk [SSN/SSBN 645] in 1999, and USS Kamehameha [SSN/SSBN 642] in 2002, was offset by the subsequent modification of the SSN-688I improved Los Angeles Class subs Charlotte [SSN 766] and Greeneville [SSN 772], and by the capabilities of each Virginia Class submarine. Even so, the sheer number of SSGN troop berths and dedicated facilities will give the new Tactical Trident subs a level of SOF capability and flexibility that will set it apart. Given the new global environment, the lead role that has been assigned to SOCOM for prosecuting the Global War on Terror, and the USA’s increased emphasis on threats and warfare in shallow water and near-shore littoral zones, the SSGNs bring an extremely important capability to the table.
The havoc that 102 Navy SEALs and/or MARSOC Marines can create is not to be underestimated. Nevertheless, the converted subs’ most powerful strike capability still lies in their missiles. That’s where the submarine’s other 22 vertical launch tubes come in to play, thanks to rotary launchers that let each tube fire up to 7 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
BGM-109 TomahawkBGM-109 Tomahawk missiles have played major roles in U.S. military operations, from Desert Storm through current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Flying close to the ground at just under the speed of sound, they can deliver a 1,000 lb. conventional explosive warhead with pinpoint accuracy via GPS/INS and terrain matching navigation. A datalink even allows them to be reprogrammed among any of 15 pre-programmed alternate targets, while still in the air. In the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom alone, U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea launched 320 Tomahawks.
JINSA notes that the majority of Tomahawk cruise missiles are currently launched by Navy surface vessels, such as the Ticonderoga Class (CG-47) cruisers and Arleigh Burke Class (DDG-51) destroyers. The later series of Los Angeles Class (SSN-688I) and the newest Virginia Class (SSN-744) attack submarines are armed with 12 dedicated Tomahawk launch tubes each, while earlier Los Angeles boats and the newest Seawolf Class (SSN-21) have to sacrifice some of their stored torpedoes to carry and launch Tomahawks through their torpedo tubes.
SSGN ChangesAgain, numbers matter. The ability to arrive unnoticed with up to 154 long-range land-attack missiles, launch Tomahawks, and then slip away silently beneath the waves, will make the new Tactical Trident SSGNs the US Navy’s premier future strike platform next to its carrier fleet. This Special Forces/Strike Mission flexibility, and the new SSGNs extreme underwater stealth, may even make them more important and useful in a number of future conflict scenarios. Indeed, if anti-shipping missile technologies and related systems continue to advance faster than defensive improvements, the SSGN fleet’s survivability may vault them into the #1 position as America’s primary strike platform, with special emphasis near a number of key global choke points like the Straits of Hormuz, Straits of Malacca, etc.
The last mission of the SSGN fleet will be one of innovation. An August 2003 Seapower article also suggested that these vessels will perform as seagoing test beds for the submarine fleet, trying out new technologies and testing new tactics for other classes of submarines. sub-launched UAVs, UUVs, and other new equipment are likely to see their first testing and live-use trials aboard these ships.
In the past, when trouble struck in a global hotspot, it has been said that one of the first questions an American President asks has been “Where are the carriers?” In future, that question may often change to “Where are the Tactical Tridents?”
SSGN Coversion: Timelines & Program Contractors SSGN 726, sea trialsAn Oct 17/05 General Dynamics press release noted that If all options are exercised and funded, the overall SSGN conversion contract would be worth a total of $1.4 billion. They were.
Naval Technology reported that USS Ohio [SSGN 726] began conversion in November 2002, and would rejoin the fleet in November 2005. Conversion was declared complete on Jan 9/06, and the submarine spent 2006 and part of 2007 in testing and training. Ohio deployed to the Pacific on active operations in 2007, and Jan 11/08 saw the first active crew swap take place in Guam.
USS Florida [SSGN 727] began SSGN conversion in July 2003, and was expected to rejoin the fleet in April 2006. She left the shipyard at Norfolk in April 2007, and participated in at-sea testing before being sent on active missions. She was the 1st Ohio Class SSGN to fire cruise missiles in combat, during 2011 hostilities over Libya.
USS Michigan [SSGN 728] arrived for conversion in February 2004. The contract noted December 2006 as the expected end of construction and beginning of renewed sea trials; a Return to Service ceremony was hosted on June 12/07.
USS Georgia’s [SSBN 729] plan stipulated September 2007 as the expected end of construction and beginning of renewed sea trials, but a May 2007 NAVSEA release would say only “late 2007.” That date, too, appears to have slipped. In the end, the submarine was returned to service on March 28/08.
A passing operational evaluation (OPEVAL) grade appears to have been granted to the new class, leading to full certification for combat operations, and the beginning of a potent new weapon for American seapower.
With respect to key contractors:
Unless otherwise specified, contracts are awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, CT, by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.
February 28/19: CPGS Strategic Systems Programs contracted Lockheed Martin with a $846 million modification for large diameter rocket motors, associated missile body flight articles and related support equipment for the Navy Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike Weapon System flight test demonstrations. The modification includes design, development, construction and integration. The system allows the US to strike targets anywhere within an hour. The CPGS weapons are not substitutes for nuclear weapons, but supplement US conventional capabilities and serve as an effort at deterrence. The Navy conducted the first test of the system in 2017 on the Ohio-class submarines. They are nuclear-powered submarines and form the sole class of ballistic missile submarines currently in service with the US Navy. Four Ohio-class underwater crafts have been converted to guided-missile submarines to carry conventional weapons by modifying missile tubes. Work under the contract modification will take place in Littleton, Colorado and is expected to be finished on January 1, 2024.
Oct 18/11: Reports surface that the US Navy is investigating Virginia Class submarines as a potential successor to the SSGN fleet, which still has about 15 years of service left.
The Virginia Class Block III bow already uses 2 large “six-shooter” rotating tubes, for storing BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles and compatible payloads. Their system is derived from the Ohio SSGNs, but the tubes are a bit shallower and narrower, due to the SSN’s smaller size. The new Virginia design they’re investigating would add a 94-foot section behind the sail, hosting 4 full Trident size “7-shooter” tubes, and bringing the submarines up to 40 cruise missiles each. That’s much smaller than the SSGNs’ 154 launcher maximum, but a fleet of 10 or so boats could be in many more places than a fleet of 4. The Virginia Class can already launch special forces, and can be fitted with adapters to mount underwater special forces vehicles. AOL Defence | Aviation Week | StrategyPage.
March 19/11: Combat Debut. The USS Florida [SSGN 727] fires most of Operation Odyssey Dawn’s initial wave of Tomahawk missiles, as combat over Libya begins. It represents the 1st combat firing of tomahawks by an Ohio Class SSGN – though it may or may not have been the first time an SSGN was used in a combat operation. King’s Bay Periscope.
July 8/10: The US Navy almost never publicizes the activities or locations of its SSBN nuclear missile submarines, beyond the occasional at-sea or home port photo. Now that the converted SSGNs aren’t carrying enough nuclear warheads to end a civilization, however, American naval diplomacy has some additional options in this area. South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo takes notice of publicly-released US Navy pictures of the USS Michigan, docked at South Korea’s Busan naval base over the last week following joint exercises with the ROK Navy. The move comes after China’s proxy North Korea sank the South Korean corvette Cheonan with a submarine-fired torpedo. The paper adds:
“Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post on Sunday said the nuclear-powered [SSGN] submarines Michigan, Ohio and Florida surfaced in Busan, Subic Bay in the Philippines and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean around the same time… The sub can also carry South Korean special forces troops for infiltration operations into North Korea in the event that a regime collapse in the North heightens the chances of nuclear weapons and missile theft or a full-blown war. The submarine apparently took part in joint military exercises with South Korea in the past carrying the South’s special forces units.”
See: Chosun Ilbo | US Navy photo.
June 9 – June 28/10: USS Florida [SSGN 728] makes a scheduled port visit to Diego Garcia in the central Indian Ocean, to undergo routine maintenance and make a scheduled crew swap. The submarine conducted a fast checkout cruise in Diego Garcia after the crew exchange, then left following the 1st voyage repair period of her 2nd deployment. US Navy arrival | departure.
June 24/10: The US Navy releases a photo of USS Ohio Gold Crew commander Capt. Dixon Hicks, explaining basic operations of the Dry Dock Shelter and Seal Delivery Vehicles to visiting Filipino security officials during a routine port visit to Subic Bay.
Subic Bay was once an American naval station, but is now simply a foreign port. Even so, it’s more than just a waypoint. The Philippines have a long-running Islamist insurgency in their southern islands, which has been a focus for a lot of work by American special forces in recent years.
March 9/10: USS Florida [SSGN 728] arrives for a routine port visit to the island of Crete, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. US Navy.
USS Georgia off ItalyAug 29/09: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan for a routine port visit. The visit to Yokosuka marks the beginning of a one-year deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet for Ohio. US Navy.
Aug 5/09: A US Navy photo and caption offer a glimpse into the SSGNs’ work:
“The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) transits the St. Marys River on her first operational deployment as a converted Guided-missile submarine. Georgia will deploy for approximately one year to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility before returning to homeport at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.”
Follow-on photos show USS Georgia on the surface with an attached SDV, arriving in Souda Bay, Crete, passing by Italy’s Mount Vesuvius and leaving after a port visit to Naples.
Oct 27/08: Information Dissemination relays a Defense Daily report quoting The Director of the new US Navy Irregular Warfare Office, Rear Adm. (sel.) Mark Kenny. He apparently told the Submarine Naval League Symposium in Virginia:
“The first two deployments, the Ohio and Florida, were groundbreaking deployments… The ships work as advertised, brought home the bacon. And I wish I could give you the briefs in detail, because they are eye-watering… These ships are the Navy’s premiere counter-terrorism tool, no doubt about it.”
March 28/08: USS Georgia returns to service in a ceremony at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, GA. CBS News 4 | Navy News Service.
Feb 22/08: StrategyPage reports that “The U.S. Navy has completed the conversion of the last of four Ohio class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), to cruise missile submarines (SSGN).”
Jan 10/08: The US military no longer sails its ships home every time it needs to swap crews – instead, it brings new crews to the ships. USS Ohio [SSGN 726] is completing the first underway period of a 1 year deployment to 7th Fleet, and is spending its time in the Western Pacific. On this day, the submarine arrived in Guam. Its original “Blue Crew” was relieved on Jan 11/08 by the follow-on “Gold Crew,” but will remain for about 3 weeks to put the sub in tip-top shape before they fully turn it over and fly home.
Ohio will treat Guam as its home base until have 3 crew swaps have passed; then it will return to its official home port in Bangor, WA. US Navy release.
USS Ohio into PearlOct 22/07: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] arrives at Naval Station Pearl Harbor to take on supplies before continuing on their maiden deployment to the Western Pacific. US Navy Photo & caption.
June 12/07: USS Michigan [now SSGN 727] holds her return to service ceremony at Bremerton Delta Pier, WA. US Navy release.
May 17/07: FY 2007 strike trials underway. NAVAIR announces that 4 US Navy Tomahawk Cruise Missiles (2 Block III, 2 Block IV) were launched from the USS Florida [SSGN-728] while underway in the Gulf of Mexico recently. The tests were the first Tomahawk launches from the new SSGN Class submarine as part of the SSGN’s strike operational evaluation (OPEVAL). All tests were successful. NAVAIR release | NAVSEA release.
Jan 11/07: Oceaneering International Incorporated’s Marine Services Division (OII-MSD), Chesapeake, VA received a $10.9 million firm-fixed-price contract to furnish materials, tools, equipment and required support to perform manufacture and installation of Special Operation Forces walking flats and canisters on SSGN Class hulls. OII-MSD shall provide the necessary personnel and equipment to support multiple simultaneous manufacture and installation of units.
Work will be performed in Chesapeake, VA and is expected to be complete by February 2009. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Internet, with 2 proposals received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-07-C-0005).
Nov 20/06: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] moors at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, marking the first SSGN visit to the port. The boat is conducting training exercises and work-ups in the Hawaiian islands in preparation for its maiden deployment as an SSGN in 2007. US Navy Newsstand release.
Oct 6/06: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] returns to her homeport in the Hood Canal portion of Puget Sound, WA after becoming the first Ohio-class submarine to complete sea and hydrodynamic trials with recently installed dual drydeck shelters (DDS) for Special Operations Forces. US Navy Hi-Res photo.
USS Florida leaves NorfolkMay 25/06: USS Florida [now SSGN 728] officially rejoins the fleet, marked by a Return to Service ceremony at Naval Base Mayport, FL. GDEB release | US Navy.
April 8/06: The USS Florida departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard, VA, where her conversion to an SSGN was performed, en-route her new homeport of Naval Submarine Base King’s Bay, GA. US Navy Newsstand hi-res photos.
Feb 7/06: USS Ohio (now SSGN 726), the first of four SSGNs, rejoins the fleet in a return to service ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, WA. See US Navy release.
Jan 9/06: General Dynamics Electric Boat completes its conversion of USS Ohio [SSBN 726], the first of four Ohio-class submarines to be reconfigured. EB President John Casey noted that the conversion – comprising design, manufacturing, installation and at-sea testing – was completed only three years after the Navy decided to move forward with the program (DID: 3 years for the sub from Dec. 18/03, but it’s 4 for the program). “That’s a remarkable achievement,” he said.
He also said that USS Florida is on track to follow the lead-ship sea trial by only 3 months, which would result in delivery of the 2nd SSGN over a shorter-than-normal timeframe, and at a conversion cost lower than the lead ship’s. Read the GDEB corporate release.
Dec 19/05: The USS Ohio takes a significant step towards rejoining the fleet when it arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, WA with a broom atop its sail – signifying a clean sweep of its initial sea trials. US Navy photo.
Ohio, back to PugetOct 14/05: A $162.4 million modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-02-C-2901) for conversion of the USS Georgia from Ohio Class ballistic missile submarine SSBN 729 to Ohio Class guided missile submarine SSGN 729. The conversion will be conducted concurrently with the ship’s engineered refueling overhaul being performed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and work is expected to complete by September 2007.
May 19/05: A $14.7 million Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract modification to previously awarded contract for the Procurement of Long Lead Time Material for the Conversion of Ohio Class SSBN Submarines to Ohio Class SSGN Submarines (N00024-02-C-2901). DID covers it.
Feb 1/05: Fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Georgia [SSBN 729] passes downtown Norfolk, VA, as it heads to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA for its conversion. Georgia is the 4th and final Ohio Class submarine to undergo conversion, and will join USS Florida [SSGN 728] at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. US Navy.
January 28/05: A $150 million cost-reimbursement modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the conversion of USS Michigan [SSBN 727] to SSGN 727. The USS Michigan’s conversion will be conducted concurrently with the ship’s engineered refueling overhaul being performed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Work is expected to be complete by December 2006.
January 10/05: An $8.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee material order under a previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-2100) for procurement of SSGN 727 and SSGN 728 long lead time material (LLTM, in this case ships’ service turbine generator sets). Work will take place in Groton, CT and is expected to be complete by May 2007.
SSBN-727 arrivesMay 5/04: A $5.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee material order under a previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-2100) for procurement of SSGN 727 and SSGN 728 long lead time material (LLTM, in this case ships’ service turbine generator sets). The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, USN in Groton, CT issued the contract modification.
March 3/04: A $149.4 million cost-reimbursement modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the conversion of USS Florida [SSBN 728] to SSGN 728; and conversion installation planning for the conversion of USS Georgia [SSBN 729] to SSGN 729. Both conversions will be conducted concurrently with the ships’ engineered refueling overhaul being done at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and work is expected to be complete by September 2007.
Feb 6/04: A $15.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-02-C-2901) for procurement of long lead-time material for the conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.
Feb 2/04: USS Michigan [SSGN 727] arrives at Puget Sound, to begin its conversion. US Navy.
Dec 18/03: A $221.8 million cost-reimbursement modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for FY 04 conversion of SSBN 726 (USS Ohio) to SSGN 726, and long lead time material and conversion installation planning for conversion of USS Michigan [SSBN 727] and USS Georgia [SSBN 729] to SSGN 727 and SSGN 729.
Dec 11/03: A $30.1 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to exercise an option under previously awarded contract N00024-02-C-2901 for installation planning and manufacturing of long lead time material for conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.
Ohio during conversionSept 16/03: A $33.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for conversion installation planning re: conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.
May 23/03: A $24.1 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the procurement and manufacturing of long lead-time material for conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.
Dec 20/02: A $54.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the procurement of long lead time material (LLTM) for the conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to Ohio Class SSGN submarines. LLTM includes material acquisition, vendor oversight, manufacturing, inspections, test, storage, preservation and vendor assistance in troubleshooting and resolving operational problems. Work will be performed in Groton, CT and is to be complete by September 2007.
Dec 13/02: A $38.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 to exercise an option for the procurement and manufacturing of long lead time material for conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.
Sept 26/02: US Naval Sea Systems Command awards a $442.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00024-02-C-2901) to General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. to provide a complete, accurate, and producible ship detail design for the conversion of up to 4 Ohio-class SSBN submarines to Ohio-class SSGN submarines.
Work will cover detail design, procurement and manufacturing of Long Lead Time Material (LLTM), and associated LLTM tasks including material acquisition, vendor oversight, manufacturing, inspections, test, storage, preservation, and vendor assistance in troubleshooting and resolving operational problems. Work will be performed in Groton, CT; and in Quonset and Newport, RI; with completion expected by September 2007. See also NAVSEA release.
SSGN Tactical Trident: Ancillary Program Contracts and Timelines Pointer UAV, SSGN OhioThere’s a lot that goes into a program like this, including ancillary contracts that aren’t directly part of the program, but which are required for effective operation. Finding and keeping track of these contracts is difficult, but DID will present and add as many as we can find. Tips from readers are always appreciated (tips@ourdomain…).
Dec 9/11: BAE Systems in Rockville, MD receives a $58.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide Systems Engineering Integration support for the TRIDENT II D5 Strategic Weapon System (SWS) Program, the SSGN Attack Weapon System (AWS) Program, and the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) Program. Options could bring the contract’s total value to $123.3 million.
Work will be performed in Rockville, MD (70%); Washington, DC (20%); St. Mary’s, GA (5%); Bangor, WA (4%); and Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed Sept 30/12, or Sept 30/13 if the options are exercised. $38.3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. This contract was not competitively procured (N00012-C-0009).
Dec 2/11: Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems – Marine Systems in Sunnyvale, CA, received an $83.2 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide FY 2012 support for the TRIDENT II D-5 launchers, submarines, and next-generation development efforts. This contract contains options, which could bring its total value to $123.1 million.
Northrop Grumman will provide services to help with existing SSBN/SSGN Underwater Launcher Systems; Engineering Refueling Overhaul shipyard support; spares procurement; United States and United Kingdom launcher trainer support; Vertical Support Group E-mount and shim procurement; TRIDENT II D-5 missile tube closure production; Launcher Initiation System (LIS) Critical Design Review and Nuclear Weapons Safety and Security Review; TRIDENT II D-5 missile hoist overhauls; underwater launch technology support; U.S. and U.K. Strategic Systems Programs alterations and non-compliance report projects; gas generator refurbishment and case hardware production; LIS Trainer Shipboard Systems Integration Increment 11 conversion; and ancillary hardware and spares.
Technical engineering services and container production restart efforts for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will also be included, as will technical engineering services to support the Advanced Launcher Development Program and Common Missile Compartment concept development and prototyping efforts for the U.S. and U.K.
Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, CA (80%); Bangor, WA (10%); and Kings Bay, GA (10%); and will end with the fiscal year on Sept 30/12, whereupon $45.3 million of these funds will expire; or it will end on Sept 30/14 if all options are exercised. The contract was not competitively procured (N00030-12-C-0015).
Nov 25/11: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc. in Pittsfield, MA receives a $96 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price incentive contract to provide FY 2012 and FY 2013 engineering support to United States and United Kingdom Trident II SSBN Fire Control Subsystems, Ohio Class SSGN Attack Weapons Control Subsystem, and the Common Missile Compartment for the USA and UK’s next-generation nuclear missile submarines. This contract contains options which could bring its total value to $225 million over almost 4.5 years.
Work will be performed in Pittsfield, MA, and could run to April 14/16 with all options exercised. $35.1 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. This contract was not competitively procured by the US Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, DC (N00030-12-C-0006).
Jan 28/11: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA receives an $11.3 million option to manufacture Acoustic Rapid Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Insertion (ARCI) hardware, supplying a System Improvement and Integration Program for the USS Ohio and USS Georgia SSGNs; and for the Virginia Class SSN 781 fast attack boat, which will become the USS California around 2013. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (70%) and Clearwater, FL (30%), and is expected to be complete by April 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
The A-RCI program improves existing sonar systems by upgrading processors and back-end electronics, allowing significant improvements without having to replace the expensive sonar arrays.
Dec 1/09: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Sunnyvale, CA receives a $720.1 million modification to a cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide TRIDENT II (D5) and TRIDENT I (C4) missile subsystems. In addition to a long list of TRIDENT II (D5), and TRIDENT I (C4) missile subsystem requirements, they will also perform some SSGN-related efforts, including:
Work will be performed in California (42%); Georgia (11%); Utah (16%); Florida (9%); Washington (8%); Virginia (3%); Tennessee (2%); New Jersey (1%); Massachusetts (1%); Illinois (1%); Maryland (1%); other (5%), and is expected to be complete in September 2012. $285.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/09 (N00030-08-C-0100, PZ0001). See also March 26/08 entry.
Nov 19/08: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA received a $52.3 million contract modification for FY09-FY11 U.S. and U.K. TRIDENT II (D5) fire control system (FCS) work, and to a much lesser extent, U.S. SSGN attack weapon control system (AWCS) support.
Work will be performed in Pittsfield, MA, and is expected to be complete on April 1/11. $25.8 million will expire at the end of current fiscal year, on Sept 30/09 (N00030-08-C-0041, P00013).
Sept 28/09: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA receives a $152.8 million cost-plus-incentive fee contract, with 2 parts to it. General Dynamics will perform the work in Pittsfield, MA, and expects to complete it by December 2012. The US Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs in Arlington, VA manages the contract (N00030-10-C-0005).
One part provides for FY 2010 and FY 2011 production and deployed systems support for the US and UK SSBN fire control system (FCS) and the SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS). GD AIS will provide annual and other periodic procurements of support equipment and SSP alterations (SPALTs) necessary to sustain the SSBN FCS and the SSGN AWCS, including engineering support, performance evaluation, logistics, fleet documentation, reliability maintenance, engineering services, and training.
In addition, this contract includes the FY 2010 and FY 2011 US and UK Sea Based Strategic Deterrent (SBSD) Strategic Weapons System (SWS) fire control subsystem efforts necessary for the concept development, prototyping, and initial design efforts for a common missile compartment (CMC), prior to and following, the initiation of a ACAT 1D class program to replace the SSBN Ohio class.
Jan 11/08: A ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the completion of upgrades to Bravo Wharf at Naval Base Guam, providing the capability to host the Navy’s new SSGN submarines. The $50.7 million military construction (MILCON) project was awarded to Black Construction Corp. in 2006, and entailed dredging of the channel and turn basin at inner Apra Harbor, strengthening of existing wharf foundations, extending the wharf to accommodate SSGNs, as well as upgrading the fire protection, lighting, anchoring and water distribution systems. The newly improved wharf can also accommodate ships as large as a CG-47 Ticonderoga class cruisers.
The capability to host and provide a complete range of shore services to the SSGN on Guam allows for longer-term submarine presence, as well as a more robust range of sub-surface mission packages available in the Pacific theater of operations. The project was executed and managed in Guam by NAVFAC Marianas, under former submarine officer Cmdr. Matt Suess.
A complimentary Alpha Wharf improvement adjacent to Bravo Wharf is scheduled to be completed in summer 2008. US Navy release.
Nov 16/07: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems of Pittsfield, MA received a $91.3 million Cost Plus Incentive Fee Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) Contract (incentives on Cost, Performance, and Schedule) based on a sole source acquisition under N00030-08-C-0041. They will provide the FY 2008 through FY 2009 U.S. and U.K. Fire Control System, and the U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS). Specific efforts include U.S. and U.K. operational support, repair, installation, and checkout; Mod 6/7 development and production; Mod 8/9 development; Engineered Refueling Overhaul Support; Training Unique Development; AWCS; Auxiliary Systems Tech Refresh; AWCS Mod 0 updates; Conventional TRIDENT Modification (CTM) development; and Mk 6 Life Extension development.
The period of performance is Oct 1/07 – April 2/11, and the place of performance (100%) is General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA. The funding profile is as follows: $3 million FY2007 UK (3.3%), $35.6 million FY2007 OPN (39.0%), $2.3 million FY2008 SCN (2.5%), $27.9 million FY2008 O&M,N (30.5%), $10 million FY2008 UK (10.9%), $9 million FY2008 OPN (10.0%), $3.5 million FY2008 WPN (3.8%). The award contains $27.9 million of FY2008 O&M,N funding which would expire at the end of the current fiscal year (FY2008). Strategic Systems Programs in Arlington, VA is isued the contract.
Aug 21/07: From a Raytheon release:
“The U.S. Navy has recommended Raytheon Company’s (NYSE: RTN) advanced submarine combat control system, AN/BYG-1, for fleet introduction on the SSGN Ohio Class and SSN-21 Seawolf Class attack submarines after favorable tests and evaluations. The recent Follow-on Operational Test & Evaluation reports highlighted several performance enhancements and confirmed the operational effectiveness and suitability of the AN/BYG-1[V]6 and [V]7 for the SSN-21 and SSGN platforms.
AN/BYG-1 exploits the power of sonar, electronic support measures, radar, navigation, periscopes, communication, command and weapons to provide a fully integrated submarine combat system. The system was designed using commercial off the shelf (COTS) equipment and open standards that provide interoperability, portability, scalability and supplier independence for all hardware and software components. The AN/BYG-1 system allows for rapid COTS insertion to accommodate and integrate additional functionality, sensors and/or weapons.”
March 30/07: DGM21 LLC in Montrose, CO received a $31.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for the FY 2007 consolidated construction projects for U.S. Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories. This is a design-build project is for wharf improvements and Shore Support Facilities related to the new SSGN submarines, with performance and prescriptive requirements provided by the Government. See DID coverage, with map.
Work will be performed in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories, and is expected to be complete April 2009. This contract was competitively procured with 17 solicitation packages distributed and 1 proposal received by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Construction Contracts Branch (N62742-07-C-1313).
Dec 5/06: BAE Systems Applied Technologies Inc. in Rockville, MD received a $71.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee/ cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide systems integration support for TRIDENT II (D5) Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program and the SSGN Attack Weapon System Program. This contract contains options, which if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $77.9 million.
Work will be performed in Rockville, MD (89%); Kings Bay, GA (7%); Mechanicsburg, PA (3%); and Bangor, WA (1%), and is expected to be complete September 2009 (September 2010 with options). Contract funds in the amount of $55.9 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded based on a sole source acquisition by the Strategic Systems Programs in Arlington, VA (N00030-07-C-0009).
June 12/06: Kollmorgen Corp. Electro-Optical Division in Northampton, MA received a $17.2 million fixed-price incentive and firm-fixed price modification under previously awarded contract N00024-05-C-6241, exercisinge an option for production of 7 integrated submarine imaging systems (ISIS), including associated on-board repair parts and installation-checkout spares for the SSN 688 class submarine; and 1 ISIS SSGN class production system, including associated on-board repair parts and installation and check-out spares. Work will be performed in Northampton, MA (70%); Waterford CT (15%); Manassas, VA (12%); and Brattaboro, VT (3%), and is expected to be complete by December 2008. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC issued the contract.
The integrated submarine imaging system will provide mission critical, all weather, visual and electronic search, digital image management, indication, warning, and platform architecture interface capabilities for SSN 688 Los Angeles Class, SSN 21 Seawolf Class, and SSGN class submarines.
Dec 22/05: Raytheon Co. in Tucson, AZ received an $8.8 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-04-C-0569) for the manufacture of 135 B Kits and assembly of the SSGN modification kit for the Composite Capsule Launching System (CCLS) capsule. The CCLS is for the Tomahawk cruise missiles specifically, and is compatible with the SSGN submarine Multiple AUR Canister (MAC) noted in the January 29, 2002 contract. The B Kits provide the components that complete the umbilical cable and aft end for the CCLS. Work will be performed in Joplin, MO (33.3%); Huntsville, AL (33%); Tucson, AZ (23.3%); and Camden, AR (10%), and is expected to be complete in July 2007. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.
Dec 19/05: International Marine and Industrial Applicators, LLC in Irvington, AL won a $42 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for the painting and preservation of the USA’s Ohio Class SSBN nuclear missile subs and SSGN special ops & strike submarines. DID’s “Painting Ohio” has the remaining details.
Feb 21/05: Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) Inc. in Alexandria, VA receives a $7.15 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide systems engineering and program support for Nuclear Weapons Security (NWS) Program and SSBN Superstructure Modification. SPA will examine alternative approaches for SSBN security to the baseline SSBN superstructure modification program and will work to insure total system integration of all elements on SSBN and SSGN related programs required to perform technical, operational, and programmatic tradeoffs. Work will be performed in Alexandria, VA, and is expected to be complete in November 2005. This contract was not competitively procured by the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, DC (N00030-05-C-0015).
Dec 16/02: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA receives a $90 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the FY03 Fire Control Omnibus Contract, which includes FBM Fire Control Production, Operational Support, Field Engineering Services, Repair and Return effort, and Development and SSGN Attack Weapons Control System (AWCS) design and production (N00030-03-C-0008)
Feb 21/02: General Dynamics Defense Systems in Pittsfield, MA receives a $5.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide for the fiscal year 2002 Nuclear Powered Cruise Missile Submarine (SSGN) Attack Weapons Control System (AWCS). The effort includes management and engineering services to develop the preliminary proof of concept system design for AWCS, proof of concept system architecture design review and development of preliminary planning for fleet documentation. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, MA, and is expected to be complete by December 2002. This contract was not competitively procured (N00030-02-C-0017). It is followed by other contracts which include this component as part of their total.
Jan 29/02: Northrop Grumman Marine Systems in Sunnyvale, CA receives $16.6 million to exercise an option contained in previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00030-01-C-0071) to provide for Ship, Submersible Guided Missile Nuclear (SSGN) Multiple-All-Up-Round Canister (MAC) Subsystem demonstration and validation (DEMVAL). The MAC allows 7 Tomahawk cruise missiles to be carried in and launched from each Trident misile tube. This contract represents a win for NGMS against a competitor, after 2 initial contracts were awarded in May 2001. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, CA, and is expected to be complete by July 2003.
Oct 26/01: BAE Systems Applied Technologies Inc. in Rockville, MD received $58 million cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-award-fee contract to provide fiscal year 2002 fleet ballistic missile (FBM) system integration and logistics support for the U.S. and United Kingdom Trident Programs. While not part of the SSGN program per se, the effort also includes Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) and SSGN systems integration, and advanced systems studies, as part of its scope (N00030-02-C-0019). This is followed by other contracts which include this component as part of their total.
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