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US Army’s LRPF Program May Get Anti-Ship | Japan & China Battle for Influence in East Africa | Australia Hedging Their Bets on JSF Program

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:58
Americas

  • The US Army’s Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) program could come with an anti-ship capability. While the requirement wasn’t initially included in the missile’s spec, service brass have called for ship-killing capability in general terms. Furthermore, the weapon’s range will still be under 500 kilometers to comply with the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty. Contractor Raytheon has deemed the subtle requirement as entirely doable.

Middle East & North Africa

  • Militants from the Islamic State have used booby-trapped UAVs to attack forces fighting the jihadists in Iraq. The drone, rigged with explosives, attacked north of the IS-held city of Mosul and left two Kurdish fighters dead and two French soldiers fighting for their lives. Media reports said the drone was shot down and it only exploded when the soldiers approached it. Few units have the equipment to dispose of such threats effectively.

Africa

  • Plans are underway for Japan to increase their presence in East Africa by the expansion of their military base in Djibouti. Additional land will be leased to accommodate the expansion and there is also the possibility of Japanese C-130s joining a contingent of currently deployed P-3 surveillance aircraft. Earlier this year, Tokyo announced that $40 billion extra would be added to ongoing investments in African infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects. Meanwhile, China has pledged $60 billion in similar programs as the East Asian rivals battle for influence and resources on the continent.

  • A number of USAF F-16s and KC-130s have been deployed to the Horn of Africa in anticipation of potential violence in South Sudan against American interests. The request was made by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) based at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, the US counterterrorism hub in the region. In July, AFRICOM dispatched about 50 combat-equipped troops at the order of President Barack Obama to protect US diplomatic personnel amid widespread violence and civil unrest in South Sudan.

Europe

  • Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense has altered the criteria of their fighter acquisition program, lessening the importance of an aircraft’s lifespan to just 5% of the evaluation. The previous weightage of 25% was seen to favor Saab’s Gripen but this advantage has now shifted to second-hand F-16s. Bulgaria had wanted to buy used F-16s from Portugal but the plan was abandoned following the collapse of the government of Boykko Borissov in 2013.

Asia Pacific

  • A recommendation has been made by Australia’s Senate committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade that its defense department implement a “hedging strategy” against any delay with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program by 2019. While the committee stated that it had received evidence criticizing the F-35 and calls for participation to be scrapped, its members judged the F-35 as “the only aircraft able to meet Australia’s strategic needs for the foreseeable future.” The Australian Strategic Policy Institute told the committee the most sensible hedge would be procuring additional F/A-18F Super Hornets.

  • Lockheed Martin has offered to collaborate with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) on jointly developing a new fighter for Japan. LM President Marillyn Hewson made the disclosure saying the company will participate in a second round of Request For Information by Japan’s Ministry of Defense next year. Set to be the replacement for Tokyo’s current fleet of F-2s, other potential collaborators who have responded to the initial RFI include Boeing.

  • Basler Turbo Conversions of the USA have offered their BT-64 gunship to the Philippines as a replacement for their Rockwell OV-10 Broncos. A twin-turboprop conversion of the Douglas DC-3 Dakota, the BT-67 has been fitted with updated systems such as digital avionics, a night-vision goggle-compatible cockpit, weather radar, and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor. Other PAF requirements filled by the aircraft include running transport, surveillance, aero medical evacuation, and maritime patrol missions.

Today’s Video

Taiwan’s anti-drone research:

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RPO-A Shmel

Military-Today.com - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:55

Russian RPO-A Shmel Thermobaric Rocket Launcher
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Bulgaria Reviewing Options for MiG Modernization

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:53
SPRP MiG-29
(click to view full)

Like Poland, Bulgaria bought its MiG-29s back when it was a strategic buffer on the side of the Soviets. Which makes hardware upgrades a bit awkward today. Sending the old fighters off to Russia for refurbishment is awkward at a time when NATO is attempting to roust the impression of additional asset rotations through Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria, where a dozen U.S. F-15s were lately exercising in Graf Ignatievo.

Poland, back in 2011, used their own state-owned Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze facility in Bydgoszcz to start processing 16 of its own MiG 29s, successfully swapping out avionics, mission computers, a NATO-compatible databus and hardened GPS. This wasn’t gold plating. They opted out of helmet-mounted displays, state-of-the-art counter measures and fitment for western weapons. The thinking was that if they could get one of their squadrons in the air until 2030, that would do.

So it makes perfect sense that Bulgaria would think about contracting with Poland’s WZL to refit.

Bulgaria, aside from the awkwardness and the very real threat of sending their hens to be repaired by the fox, understands the inherent problems in dealing with Russian service providers. It has also been a problematic client, with financing issues shorting many of its ambitious acquisition programs. While it is likely happenstance, the public nature of Bulgaria’s considering options (the minister of defense talked about it on national TV) could be a negotiating ploy to get a better deal with the Russians’ RSK MiG, whose maintenance contract runs out in September, or it could even be that Bulgaria is killing time until it can afford to have one or the other actually start work.

Bulgaria has also been looking to replace its MiG-21s, and has shortlisted three offers out of fifteen received, according to Air Recognition. Pakistan also wants to offer its own JF-17, manufactured with China.

Updates

October 17/16: Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense has altered the criteria of their fighter acquisition program, lessening the importance of an aircraft’s lifespan to just 5% of the evaluation. The previous weightage of 25% was seen to favor Saab’s Gripen but this advantage has now shifted to second-hand F-16s. Bulgaria had wanted to buy used F-16s from Portugal but the plan was abandoned following the collapse of the government of Boykko Borissov in 2013.

April 18/16: April 18/16: The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $22 million contract external link to produce Archerfish mine neutralizers. Flown on board the MH-60S, Archerfish is a remotely-controlled underwater vehicle equipped with an explosive warhead to destroy sea mines. Deliveries of the systems are expected to begin in September 2017. The contract also includes further options which, if exercised by the DoD, could bring the total value to over $55.3 million.

January 27/16: Bulgaria will acquire new fighters to replace its older Soviet-era MiG-25s by 2019. The procurement will see Sofia purchase retired F-16s, the Gripen or the Eurofighter Typhoon as it moves away from its reliance on older Russian technology. The country’s 2004 joining with NATO saw them vow to have their MiGs retired and purchase eight new fighters by 2016. The last three of their MiG-25s were retired last December and an announcement on their replacement is expected by March of this year.

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Lockheed & Mitsubishi’s F-2 Fighter may be replaced with ATD-X (X-2)

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:45

Mitsubisihi F-2s
(click to view full)

Japan already produces F-15J Eagle aircraft under license from Boeing, and in 1987 they selected Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet as the basis for a “local” design that would replace its 1970s era F-1s. The aim was to produce a less expensive fighter that would complement its F-15s, provide a bridge for key aerospace technology transfers, and give Japan’s aerospace industry experience with cutting-edge manufacturing and component technologies.

The F-2’s increased range is very useful to Japan, given their need to cover large land and maritime areas. Nevertheless, a combination of design decisions and meddling from Washington ensured that these fighters ended up costing almost as much as a twin-engine F-15J Eagle, without delivering the same performance. As a result, production ended early, and the 2011 tsunami made Japan’s fleet even smaller. The remaining fleet will continue to receive upgrades, in order to keep them combat capable for many years to come.

Japan’s F-2 Program F-2: The Aircraft

MHI’s F-1 w. ASMs
(click to view full)

Japan’s Mitsubishi F-1 heralded the revival of Japanese fighter design, but it was never really a front-line air combat fighter. Rather, it was derived from a trainer, and given secondary strike capabilities.

Japan’s F-2 aimed to take the next step, and become a full front-line fighter. While it looks like the F-16 from which it was derived, it’s noticeably bigger. Changes include a 17″ longer fuselage, larger horizontal tails, 25% more wing area, more internal fuel storage, and 2 more weapon store stations than the F-16.

F-2A vs. F-16C
(click to view full)

The aircraft is powered by GE’s uprated F110-129 engine generating 17,000 pounds of thrust, or 29,600 pounds with afterburners on. The centerline and inner-wing hardpoints are “wet,” and can carry drop tanks with up to 4,400kg of fuel for long range combat air patrols.

Mitsubishi Electric supplies a locally-designed X-band J/APG-1 AESA fire control radar, and a J/ARG-1 AESA datalink transmitter. Weapons carried include the AIM-9L Sidewinder and MHI AAM-3 short range air-air missiles, license-built AIM-7F/M Sparrow medium range air-air missiles (built until 2010), MHI’s Type 89 ASM-1 and ASM-2 anti-ship missiles, rocket launchers, and bombs that can include GPS-guided JDAM weapons.

Upgrades are underway.

Mitsubishi’s AAM-4B active-seeker medium range air-to-air missile is being added, along with a radar upgrade to APG-2 status. Together, they’ll give the F-2 the ability to attack multiple aerial opponents from medium range. They’ll also allow the fighters to fire and leave, if desired, instead of having to close into visual range while providing a radar lock for the AIM-7 Sparrow.

F-2: The Program

F-2A & F-4J Kai
(click to view full)

As noted above, the point of the F-2 program was to produce a cheaper fighter to complement its F-15s, provide a bridge for key aerospace technology transfers, and give Japan’s aerospace industry experience with cutting-edge manufacturing and component technologies. Unfortunately, the US Congress proved to be a significant program obstacle, raising many questions about technology transfer issues. That delayed the program by at least 2 years, and the resulting changes led to a better but more expensive design.

In the end, the F-2 delivered on its techno-industrial promises. Mitsubishi’s heavy use of graphite epoxy and co-cured composite technology for the wings encountered some teething problems, but proved to be a leading-edge use of a technology that provides weight savings, improved range, and some stealth benefits. This technology was then transferred back to America, as part of the program’s industrial partnership.

2003 Guam exercise
(click for video)

On the flip side, the ambitious goal of developing a fighter that used so many new technologies exacted a price. At a reported $108 million per plane in 2004 dollars, the F-2 is as expensive as the F-15s it seeks to supplement. Unfortunately, its overall performance, smaller radar size, and single engine make it a less capable aircraft. As a result, a program originally intended to field 130 fighters ceased production at 94.

At least 18 F-2s were damaged in the 2011 tsunami, leaving a reduced fleet. That fleet will continue to receive upgrades, including upgrades to their Japanese radars, improved missiles, avionics improvements, and other required upgrades over time. Japan is also moving to try and rehabilitate and upgrade up to 13 of the 18 damaged planes.

Upgraded F-2s will continue flying alongside Japan’s F-15Js, and Japan’s next-generation F-35A fighters. With the JASDF’s F-4J and RF-4J Kai(zen) Phantom IIs slated for retirement, and China bent on aggressive moves in and around Japan, every fighter will count.

F-2: Industrial Partnerships

The government of Japan has overall F-2 program responsibility, and funds the program. Under the agreement, Japan is responsible for producing approximately 60% of the aircraft and the other 40% is produced in the USA. The Japanese defense ministry’s Technical Research and Development Institute is also involved in designing ongoing upgrades, in collaboration with program partner firms.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is the prime contractor and has design responsibility for portions of the airframe and avionics, the digital flight controls, the active phased array radar, and certain support equipment. MHI is also responsible for overall systems integration, and all components are assembled by at their Komaki South Plant near Nagoya, Japan. MHI delivered the first production aircraft to the Ministry of Defense in September 2000.

Composite wing
(click to view full)

Key Japanese subcontractors include Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). FHI is responsible for developing the aircraft nose cone, the composite upper skin for the wing, and the horizontal and vertical tail assemblies. KHI is responsible for the center fuselage. The aircraft’s fly by wire system is a co-development with Japan Aviation Electric and Honeywell. Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (IHI), another Japanese participant, produces the F110-GE-129 engines under license to General Electric of the United States.

Lockheed Martin provides about 40% of the overall fighter: all the aft fuselages, wing leading-edge flaps and stores management systems; 80% of all left-hand wing boxes; and other avionics and avionics support equipment. They also support MHI and the JASDF as they incorporate new weapons like Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), and aid in other support activities. Lockheed Martin components are shipped to MHI’s Komaki-South facility, where they are assembled with other components by MHI to form the F-2.

Contracts & Key Events 2011 – 2016

Tsunami destroys 18 F-2s; Upgrade plan & budgets; Some damaged F-2s to be restored.

F-2 with AA-3s
(click to view full)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is the prime contractor for the F-2. Lockheed Martin is the major subcontractor under the terms of their partnership.

October 17/16: Lockheed Martin has offered to collaborate with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) on jointly developing a new fighter for Japan. LM President Marillyn Hewson made the disclosure saying the company will participate in a second round of Request For Information by Japan’s Ministry of Defense next year. Set to be the replacement for Tokyo’s current fleet of F-2s, other potential collaborators who have responded to the initial RFI include Boeing.

July 29/16: Plans for October? Mitsubishi’s X-2 stealth demonstrator is to go on public display at Gifu Air Base, Japan, on October 30. This will be one of the first times regular punters can get up close and personal with the new jet following its maiden flight in April. For those rushing to check those dates, authorities have advised to leave the cars at home and come via rail.

July 21/16: Industry partners already lining up for the Japanese F-3 program include US giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The new program is set to replace the existing F-2 fighter with a next generation stealth fighter based on the X-2 Shinshin experimental aircraft. With the F-3 planned for 2027, any partners taken into the development program stand to earn from a $20 billion project.

April 28/16: After numerous delays in its maiden flight which occurred last week amid much excitement from manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the X-2 stealth demonstrator will have a year long test campaign involving around 50 flights. With the maiden flight described as “ordinary” by Hirofumi Doi, manager of Japan’s Future Fighter Program at the defence ministry’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), future testing will help ATLA gather data on advanced fighter technologies such as stealth, thrust vectoring, data links, and other areas. Depending on this data, flight testing of the X-2 could easily be extended, leading the way for a potentially busy period for the demonstrator.

April 25/16: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has announced the successful maiden flight of its X-2 stealth demonstrator. The test flight now makes Japan the world’s fourth nation to test-fly a stealth aircraft. After performing a number of basic maneuvers, the X-2 left Nagoya Airport and landed at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Gifu Air Base. In development since 2009, the X-2 program has seen MHI cooperate with 220 domestic companies alongside Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to develop the necessary technologies.

April 14/16: Mitsubishi’s X-2 stealth demonstrator has moved one step closer to its first flight after a series of taxi and runway tests since January. The aircraft has now moved into the Vr stage whereby the aircraft accelerated to rotation speed, and the pilot pulled the nose wheel off the ground. Testing took place at the Nagoya Airfield on April 9, and precedes the plane’s maiden flight, expected by the end of the month.

April 13/16: The first flight of Mitsubishi’s X-2 (formally ATD-X) stealth demonstrator is expected to take place toward the end of this month. Initially scheduled for February, the maiden flight was pushed back by the developers out of caution, but the jet has been spotted undertaking runway and taxiing tests over the last number of weeks. The X-2 is being developed to lay the basis for a Japanese made replacement of Mitsubishi’s F-2, due to be retired in 2028.

March 24/16: The Japanese government has opened talks with western fighter manufacturers such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, over their participation in helping to build the country’s next F-3 series of fighter jets. Talks come as the Mitsubishi developed ATD-X experimental stealth aircraft prepares for its first test flights within the next few days. The indigenous ATD-X would be part of any attempt by Japan to develop their own F-3 fighter, with analysts expecting such a program to cost at least $40 billion. While this may prove too costly, Japan is anxious to continue developing its stealth technologies as it tries not to fall behind regional rival China.

March 8/16: Mitsubishi’s X-2 has been performing well in taxi tests according to Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA). The agency was happy with the progress it was making, saying they were “proceeding with tests, performing very careful maintenance, and making some minor adjustments.” However, the agency hasn’t commented on the jet’s future flying schedule, or how many test flights will take place in 2016. The maiden flight had been originally planned for February.

February 12/16: The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin was recently photographed while out for its first taxi test at Nagoya airport. After its unveiling to the public just last month, a maiden flight for the stealth demonstrator, formally known as the ATD-X, is just weeks away, bar any upcoming technical problems. The Shinshin, which means “spirit of the heart,” is Japan’s first foray into developing experimental stealth technologies and will form the basis for its fifth generation F-3 fighters planned for 2027.

January 29/16: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has unveiled to the press their latest ATD-X stealth fighter prototype at their plant in Komaki. The fifth generation stealth fighter was developed alongside Defense Ministry’s Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) with the aim of seeing if an indigenously produced stealth fighter could be developed in Japan along with researching the technologies required. With its first test flight due this year, full scale production could be under way as early as 2018. The new jet will replace the aging Mitsubishi F-2 and F-15, while complementing its F-35 acquisition as Japan looks to take more responsibility over defending it’s territory and population.

December 29/15: Mitsubishi’s ATD-X stealth fighter is to make its maiden flight in February 2016 according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The indigenous fighter is set to complete taxiing and ground trials in late January prior to the voyage. The demonstrator model is Japan’s first attempt at developing an entirely domestically produced stealth fighter, but has been suffering from delays. It is hoped that the ATD-X program will eventually lead to their own F-3 fighter to be produced by 2027.

December 7/15: Japan has made plans to test its very own fifth generation stealth jet, making it only the fourth country in the world to do so. The maiden flight of the ATD-X will take place in the first quarter of 2016 and aims to replace the current F-2 fighters in service. The development program is the most expensive in Japan’s history, costing $324 million. Japan’s announcement comes at a time when President Abe is modernizing the Japanese Self-Defence Force and new laws to send Japanese troops abroad. The re-militarization has received much chagrin from neighbours China and South Korea as well as domestic protests against Japan’s resurgent ultra-nationalism.

Dec 19/13: Lockheed Martin announces that they’ve delivered the first F-2 aft and leading edge flaps as part of a “restoration plan to replenish Japan’s F-2 fleet,” in cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

Discussions with Lockheed Martin confirmed that Japan will try to repair and refurbish up to 13 of the 18 fighters damaged in the 2011 tsunami. With initial F-35 price soaring over $120 million per plane, this is a much cheaper way to try and increase the JASDF fleet. If it works, of course. Sources: Lockheed Martin, “Lockheed Martin Supports Japanese F-2 Restoration Program”.

Dec 12/13: Budget. Japan’s 5-year military budget features a slight increase, with political cover provided by an aggressive new Chinese “Air Defense Identification Zone” that includes Japanese territory. Japanese moves will include shifting a 2nd squadron of F-15Js to Naha Air Base in Okinawa, but they’ll need to cover the territory that the shifted F-15s are leaving.

They’re also moving to begin some F-15 and F-2 upgrades, beginning with trials for some features. F-15 improvements top out at YEN 17.58 billion, while F-2 upgrades could total up to YEN 24.3 billion (about $240 million). That includes 30 sets of APG-2 radars (YEN 9.4 billion), 12 “fuselage upgrades” (YEN 3.8 billion), adding JDAM capability to 4 planes as an initial step (YEN 4.4 billion), and an integration & testing trial with an unspecified targeting pod, which could become a mass upgrade (YEN 6.7 billion). Sources: Japan MoD, “Defense Programs and Budget of Japan: Overview of FY2014 Budget Request” and “Defense of Japan 2013” annual white paper in Additional Readings | Asahi Shimbun, “A lot of new equipment purchases in latest 5-year defense plan” | Taiwan’s Want China Times, “Japan increases defense budget in wake of ADIZ controversy”.

Feb 25/12: Radar & Missile upgrades. Aviation Week reports that Japan is planning to spend YEN 36 billion (about $468 million) to upgrade about 60 F-2 fighters with the Mitsubishi Electric Corp. AAM-4B missile, and improve their J/APG-1 fire control radar to a new APG-2 standard.

The AAM-4B will be the same size as the AIM-7 Sparrow missile, but it will have an AESA radar seeker head, in order to allow active homing and lock-on after launch. These abilities allow the launching fighter to leave the area or shift attention to other targets, instead of having to remain vulnerable while homing in on the target until impact. A reported 20% range improvement over the AIM-7M Sparrow, and a 40% improvement in autonomous guidance distance over the AIM-120B AMRAAM, would really improve the F-2’s overall air-to-air performance. Japan might get similar improvements from buying the latest AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, though it’s hard to tell. What’s certain is that they wouldn’t get the same design and production experience.

The J/APG-2 involves J/APG-1 upgrades. Despite AESA technology’s natural advantages, Aviation Week points out that the APG-1 is not seen as a top of the line radar. It was an early AESA example, and many features were limited to “best we could do at the time” technologies. Upgrades seem to revolve around improvements to radiated power and signal processing. All the JASDF will say, is that the APG-2 and AAM-4B will give F-2As a new ability to engage multiple targets from medium range.

The new systems were developed by the Japanese defense ministry’s Technical Research and Development Institute with considerable help from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (missile integration) and Mitsubishi Electric (radar upgrades). Sources: Aviation Week, “Japan’s Air-to-Air Upgrades”

Fleet upgrades

April 20/11: Tsunami aftermath. Japan seems willing to try and repair some of the 18 Matsushima F-2s damaged in the tsunami, though they’re concerned that with the final F-2 delivery scheduled for this autumn, a parts shortage is a real possibility.

Repairs and parts production could keep the production line busy longer than expected. Still, as Kyle Mizokami points out, inundation with seawater can’t be good for the planes’ electronics and structures. New Pacific Institute | Sankei Shimbun [in Japanese].

Post-tsunami
(click for video)

March 12/11: Tsunami! With nuclear plants in danger of full meltdown, and thousands dead in the wake of a 1-2 punch from an 8.9 earthquake and its tsunami, losing 18 F-2 fighters is a minor cost in the overall scheme of things. Still, Japan’s low military spending levels, and its need to finance reconstruction, mean that the JASDF has taken a significant hit. IAF News:

“The Sendai airport authority in Miyagi Prefecture said the airport’s runways were submerged by tidal waves. The Air Self-Defense Force’s Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi was inundated with seawater, damaging 18 F-2 fighters and a number of other aircraft possibly permanently, the Defense Ministry said.”

Strategy Page points out that the 21st Fighter Training Squadron at Matsushima was also the site of most F-2 pilot training. Flight International (incl. photos/ video) | Liveleak video | IAF News | Strategy Page.

Tsunami takes out 18 F-2s

2002 – 2010

Confirmed contracts for 49, as total F-2 orders rise to 94.

F-2B
(click to view full)

April 8/08: +8. Lockheed Martin announces the 12th and final contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), valued at approximately $250 million. Lockheed Martin will manufacture all of the aft fuselages, wing leading-edge flaps and stores management systems; 80% of all left-hand wing boxes; and other avionics and avionics support equipment, for 8 additional F-2 production aircraft.

This award brings the total aircraft under contract to 94, which is the total that the Japan Government has authorized for production. Lockheed Martin is also working with MHI to define appropriate post-production support arrangements. Lockheed Martin release.

March 31/07: +5. Lockheed Martin receives a $150 million contract from MHI to manufacture components for 5 additional F-2 production aircraft. Lockheed Martin release.

March 31/06: +5. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $145 million to manufacture components for 5 additional F-2 production aircraft. This is the 10th annual contract for F2 production, bringing the total aircraft under contract to 81. At this point, more than 60 F-2 fighters are in service in Japan. Lockheed Martin release.

March 31/05: +5. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $125 million to manufacture components for 5 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award brings the total aircraft under contract to 76. Lockheed Martin release.

March 31/04: +6. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $130 million to manufacture components for 6 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award brings the total aircraft under contract to 71. Lockheed Martin release.

April 27/03: Industrial. Lockheed Martin announces a new 3-year labor agreement with District Lodge 776 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest union at its Fort Worth, TX aircraft manufacturing facility. The new contract will allow the union members to report to work as usual on Monday, April 28/03, and resume their production of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, major portions of the F/A-22 Raptor, and components for Japan’s F-2 fighter, among other projects.

March 31/03: +8. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at $160 million to manufacture components for 8 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award brings the total aircraft under contract to 65, with 36 total F-2s delivered by the end of the month. Lockheed Martin release.

March 29/02: +12. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $200 million to manufacture components for 12 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award is the 6th annual contract under the MHI-LMCO partnership, and brings the total aircraft under contract to 57; by the end this month, 28 F-2s had been delivered to the JDA. Lockheed Martin release.

1995 – 2001

From prototype delivery to 1st deployment.

F-2 fighter

October 2001: Deployment. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force deploys the first F-2 to Misawa AB in northern Japan. Source.

Deployed

April 20/2000: Industrial. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s military aircraft design and production facility in Fort Worth, TX is awarded the coveted Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Named after internationally acclaimed industrialist Shigeo Shingo of Japan, the Shingo is sometimes referred to as the Nobel Prize of manufacturing.

Lockheed Martin ‘s release says that they are the largest single company, and the first aerospace prime contractor, ever to receive the award. It adds that they earned the award for several outstanding achievements, including substantial progress in implementing lean manufacturing principles in the production of the F-16, F-22 and Japan F-2 fighter aircraft. Other award criteria included the company’s successful partnering with customers and suppliers, application of innovative product development, et. al. Lockheed Martin release.

February 24/98: Industrial. Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems has implemented an automated control process to streamline its procedures for documenting non-conforming material in the factory that produces the F-16 and major components for the F-22 and F-2 fighters. The change is one aspect of a lean manufacturing and quality improvement initiative that began in 1992.

Under the new process, 7 steps are streamlined into 4. The Quality Assurance Inspector enters the Quality Assurance Report (QAR) QAR directly into the PAAC data management system via computer. It is then reviewed by personnel who enter the QAR disposition into the system, which automatically performs transactions and creates rework or repair orders based on disposition. A laser printed paper QAR copy is routed with parts and then sent to the Quality Assurance Inspector who closes the QAR.

The old process took between 20 to 30 days to complete. With the automated system, up to 10 days can be cut from the cycle. By 2001, by 2001, Lockheed projects project net cumulative savings of over $1 million from this system, plus significant cycle time improvements and lower QAR rates. The automated process has already been successfully implemented in the F-22 program, and is scheduled to be implemented in the F-2 program by the end of February 1998. It will be fully implemented in the F-16 program by the end of 1998, and will be applied to future programs such as the Joint Strike Fighter. Lockheed Martin release.

October 1995: 1st flight. First flight of F-2 prototype aircraft.

March 1995: Delivery. Delivery of the first prototype F-2 aircraft.

Additional Readings Background: F-2 Fighter & Program

News & Views

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SMART High Reliability Solutions -Secure and Reliable Solid-State Drives for the Naval Industry

Naval Technology - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:00
SMART HRS ensures that all of its solutions are as secure as possible by employing rigorous testing and quality materials for its customised designs.
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UK Royal Navy hosts marine robotic systems demonstration, Unmanned Warrior

Naval Technology - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:00
The UK Royal Navy is hosting the world’s first large-scale demonstration of marine robotic systems, called Unmanned Warrior 16.
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US Navy commissions latest Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Zumwalt

Naval Technology - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:00
The US Navy has commissioned its latest Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) at North Locust Point in Baltimore, US.
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Engility wins task order extension for US Navy’s tactical afloat network

Naval Technology - Mon, 17/10/2016 - 01:00
Mission-critical services provider Engility has been awarded a $16m task order extension by Space and Naval Warfare Systems (SSC) Atlantic to provide technology to support the US Navy’s tactical afloat network.
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AH-6 Little Bird

Military-Today.com - Sun, 16/10/2016 - 01:55

American AH-6 Little Bird Gun Light Attack Helicopter
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Russian carrier works up for Syria deployment

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 17:42
Russia's only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov , is nearing the end of a work-up period outside the port of Murmansk before heading for the eastern Mediterranean, reportedly to begin air operations against targets in Syria. The first combat deployment of Kuznetsov was announced by Russian
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Singapore, Australia progress on agreement to expand defence training facilities

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 17:04
Key Points Singapore has secured access to military training space in Australia about ten times its own size Access grants the Singapore Armed Forces room to hone its more sophisticated warfighting capabilities The governments of Singapore and Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding
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Likely accession of crown prince to Thai throne will have little impact on unresolved political conflict

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 15:00
Key Points King Bhumibol is likely to be replaced by Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, despite rumours in recent years that the Privy Council would attempt to sideline the crown prince. The succession is unlikely to lead to political turmoil, as the military-led government appears to support
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Cubic unveils Atlas imagery exploitation system

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 14:00
Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) has integrated products from three recent acquisitions to produce Atlas, a single system that can provide imagery-derived intelligence at the tactical level and which meets a US customer's Urgent Operational Need. Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions, told
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L-3 set to demonstrate SOM smokescreen generator

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 14:00
L-3 Linkabit announced at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) annual convention in Washington in October 2016 that it had been awarded a contract for the System and Demonstration (SID) phase of the Screening Obscuration Module (SOM) programme. The SOM is described as a "modular, soldier
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PLAN invests in new training ships

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 14:00
China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) appears to be investing in new training capability, according to images posted online. The PLAN's website has published details of a three-masted sail training ship in build; work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017. The 85 m ship will
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Radionix readies podded Omut jammer for flight trials

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 14:00
Ukraine's leading electronic warfare (EW) design and production company, Radionix, will begin flight testing of a podded version of its Omut airborne self-protection system in November 2016. These test flights will validate and expand on earlier ground-based and simulated tests. Radionix engineers
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Ultra Electronics showcases CombatConnect soldier data and power system

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 14:00
Ultra Electronics displayed its CombatConnect dismounted soldier power and data system at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) annual convention in Washington in October 2016. The system is the basis for the company's proposal for the power and data elements of Project VIRTUS, the UK MoD's
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USAF ICBM replacement competition takes shape as Lockheed Martin reveals industry team

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 14:00
Key Points Lockheed Martin is the first competitor for the GBSD contract to reveal its industry team Boeing and Northrop Grumman are also competing for the work Lockheed Martin became the first competitor on 13 October for a US Air Force (USAF) contract to design the next US intercontinental
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ASV Global collaborates with UK companies for Unmanned Warrior

Naval Technology - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 11:29
The Royal Navy’s Unmanned Warrior exercise, taking place this October, will see over 40 participants from industry, academia and defence operating unmanned and autonomous vehicles. Katie Woodward speaks to ASV Global sales and marketing director, Vin…
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Iskanders in Kaliningrad spooks Eastern Europe

Jane's Defense News - Fri, 14/10/2016 - 03:00
Russia's Ministry of Defence (MoD) deployment of Iskander-M (SS-26 'Stone') short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) to its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, which lies between Poland and Lithuania, has prompted widespread concern in the region. The deployment of the Iskander-M, which has a range of 500
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