Defence`s Feeds

Americas

Lockheed Martin Space won a $128.7 million contract to support the integration of the Trident II (D5) Missile and Reentry Subsystems into the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) for the US/United Kingdom Columbia/Dreadnought Submarine construction programs. The Trident II D-5 is a three-stage, solid propellant, inertially guided FBM with a range of more than 4,000 nautical miles (4,600 statute miles or 7,360 km). Work will take place in Florida, Colorado, California, Utah and Tennessee. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2027.

According to the US Navy, Sailors aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg are among the first to test a stress-mitigation initiative. The Expanded Operational Stress Control, or E-OSC, Program using stress mitigation leveraging techniques with standardized support structures at the command level, according to the Navy. Personnel will be taught to better manage their own stress support their fellow shipmates.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded an approximately $300 million contract by a country in Asia to provide Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft systems. The contract will be performed over a period of five years. Under the contract, the company will supply its Hermes 900 and associated sub-systems, as well as maintenance and support services. The UAS has now been selected by 12 countries, attesting to its competitive edge that combines technological sophistication, reliability, open architecture and solid growth path, according to Elbit.

Europe

A $125 million defense package to Ukraine includes armored patrol boats, radar units and military medical equipment, the Defense Department said on Monday. The funding is part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, planned since 2020 and “conditional on Ukraine’s progress on defense reforms, will provide equipment to support ongoing training programs and operational needs,” a statement in June 2020 from the US Embassy in Kiev said. Another $150 million in supplies will be released when the US State Department certifies that Ukraine has made sufficient progress on key defense reforms this year, as required by the National Defense Authorization Act.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have conducted the maiden flight of the Airpower Teaming System (ATS) loyal wingman aircraft. The maiden sortie involved the unmanned aircraft flying a pre-set course at different speeds and altitudes to assess the design’s flight functionality and performance, says Boeing. A Boeing test pilot monitored the flight from a ground control station at the Woomera test range. “The Loyal Wingman’s first flight is a major step in this long-term, significant project for the air force and Boeing Australia, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the successful test,” said Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, RAAF head of air force capability.

According to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), the assembly of the first prototype of the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) fighter aircraft is almost complete, with manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) set to formally roll out the platform in April. Jung Kwang-sun, head of the KF-X programme at DAPA, said the planned rollout event of the twin-engined multirole fighter will be a “landmark moment” for the country and the aerospace industry.

Today’s Video

Watch: Australia’s First Loyal Wingman Completes Maiden Flight

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has reaffirmed Department of Defense values and ethical conduct in a message to the DOD workforce.

Two U.S. F-35Bs from VX-23 have landed aboard the Italian Navy ITS Cavour aircraft carrier: the “Ready For Operations” campaign has gone live. Two specially instrumented U.S. F-35Bs from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 [...]

The post Two U.S. F-35Bs Have Landed Aboard Italian Navy Aircraft Carrier ITS Cavour To Begin Sea Trials appeared first on The Aviationist.

Americas

CAE USA-Mission Solutions won a $10.8 million contract modification for the F-15E, F-16 and F-22A contract aircrew training and courseware development contract. The modification is for exercising Option Year Four. The Boeing F-15E dual-role fighter is an advanced long-range interdiction fighter and tactical aircraft. The F-15E is the latest version of the Eagle, a Mach 2.5-class twin-engine fighter. The F-16, the mainstay of the Air Force aerial combat fleet, has been adapted to complete a number of missions, including air-to-air fighting, ground attack and electronic warfare. The F-22A Raptor is an advanced tactical fighter aircraft. Work will be performed at Joint Base (JB) Langley-Eustis, Virginia; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina; Shaw AFB, South Carolina; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Nellis AFB, Nevada; Hill AFB, Utah; and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and is expected to be completed March 31, 2022.

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture won a $18.6 million contract modification for support services for the Javelin Weapon System. Javelin is a versatile, man-portable, fire-and-forget weapon system. It is an anti-tank guided munition. According to Raytheon, the weapon can be deployed from multiple platforms and used during the day, at night and in any kind of weather. The program has also demonstrated that Javelin can be fired from a remote launcher mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has completed the development of the ground-based Air Defense version of the I-Derby ER (Extended Range) air-to-air missile last month. Rafael’s I-Derby ER missile is a an over 100 km long-range air-to-air missile with a dual-pulse rocket motor and an active radar seeker. Launched from the ground, the I-Derby ER missile doubles the existing missile range, and allows target interception within a range of up to 40 km without a booster, and 80 km with a booster.

Europe

B-1 bombers flew the first Bomber Task Force mission since deployment to Norway, the US Air Force said on Friday. The two bombers arrived in Norway early last week. Support aircraft and over 200 Air Force personnel arrived at Orland Air Base, where Norway’s F-35 fleet is also stationed, in the first week of February.

An RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft from Royal Air Force 51 Squadron took part in a major US-led demonstration exercise in Europe with other European NATO Allies. RC-135W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed on strategic and tactical missions. Its sensors ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radar and other systems. The aircraft is part of the RAF’s Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Force. The Rivet Joint aircraft joined other aircraft from the US Air Force, US Navy, and The Royal Netherlands Air Force to conduct two exercise scenarios.

Asia-Pacific

According to a report, Vietnam strengthened its outposts in the disputed South China Sea with improved fortifications and infrastructure. Emplacements for anti-aircraft and coastal protection programs have been constructed on reclaimed land at West Reef and Sin Cowe Island, in accordance with the report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, or AMTI, which is a part of the Washington-based Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research. It reportedly made its assessments based on analysis of satellite imagery in cooperation with Simularity. According to Simularity’s website, its software “automatically analyzes geospatial imagery and data to automatically find and classify unusual changes.”

Today’s Video

Watch: Rafael Develops Ground-Based Air Defense Variant of I-Derby ER Missile

The Frecce Tricolori is the Italian Air Force aerobatic display team. It’s the world’s largest military display team. On Mar. 1, 2021 the Frecce Tricolori, the display team of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), [...]

The post The Italian Frecce Tricolori Display Team Celebrate Their 60th Anniversary appeared first on The Aviationist.

For the first time the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik UCAV’s Chief Designer and the ground control station were introduced to journalists after years of strict secrecy. Russia’s state-owned Channel One television aired a report about the [...]

The post TV Report About Russian UAVs Provides New Insights Into The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik UCAV Program appeared first on The Aviationist.

The US embassy in Paris is about to get a new chief, as is usual when there is a change

The European Commission's delegation arrived in Paris in early February to discuss with France's top intelligence and security officials. On the

Honfleur, the French anti-fake news task force whose existence was revealed by Intelligence Online earlier this month (IOL 870), will

In a missive sent on 17 February, Jordan's King Abdullah II urged the boss of the General Intelligence Directorate

Zheng Zehui, an official from the Ministry of Public Security, or Gonganbu, who pushed for increased police use of big

A French officer's appeal against an armed forces ministry reprimand was rejected by the Council of State on 23 February.

Americas

Lockheed Martin won an $8.3 million deal to exercise an option for Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent efforts for the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20.  Under this contract, the Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) develops, integrates, tests and delivers computer program baseline Advanced Capability Builds (ACBs) and supports Technology Insertions – a replacement and/or upgrade of combat system computing hardware and associated middleware/firmware. The Aegis CSEA also develops engineering products to support ship integration, supports developmental test/operational test events, develops training and logistics products and provides field technical support for designated Aegis baselines. Work will take place in New Jersey. Estimated completion will be by December 2021.

Sikorsky won a $53.9 million contract modification for four UH-60M aircraft. UH-60 Black Hawk is a multi-mission helicopter developed by Sikorsky that has been operational in the US Army since 1978. The export version of the UH-60 Black Hawk is designated as S-70A. The primary mission of the Black Hawk helicopter is as a troop carrier and logistical support aircraft, but the helicopter can also be configured to carry out medical evacuation, command-and-control, search-and-rescue, armed escort, electronic warfare and executive transport missions. Work will take place in Connecticut. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Leidos won a $10 million modification for Class V munitions supply support for all ammunition stocks accounted for by 1st Sustainment Command. Class V munitions supply includes ammunition of all types, bombs, explosives, mines, fuses, detonators, pyrotechnics, missiles, rockets, propellants, and associated items.

Europe

An Irish Air Corps PC-9 suffered an in-flight engine failure on February 26 during a training mission in the afternoon. The instructor was able to glide the aircraft for 30km to make a safe landing at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. The two-person PC-9 aircraft was conducting a training mission when its single engine gave out some 30km from Baldonnel. The pilots were unharmed aside from being “slightly shaken”, said a military source.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) says its Sentinel R1 aircraft has carried out the last operational flight from RAF Waddington. The aircraft, which has an Airborne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR) from Raytheon, has been in service for 14 years. The aircraft first saw service during Operation HERRICK in 2008. Five aircraft were acquired and V (AC) Squadron was reformed to operate the aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

Textron recently delivered a Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft equipped with multiple special mission modifications to Japcon Incorporated. The aircraft is destined for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF). The aircraft has a removable, belly-mounted Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) installation, devices for video transmission and infrared night-vision. Textron says the plane will be operated by the Renraku Teisatsu Hikotai, a JGSDF Communication and Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Kisarazu Airfield in the Chiba Prefecture.

Today’s Video

Watch: RAF Sentinel Surveillance Aircraft Retired This Week

American AIM-9G Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missile

Russian TOS-2 Heavy Flamethrower System

Americas

Boeing won an $11.6 million contract modification, which adds scope for engineering services in support of Next Generation Jammer software development. Next Generation Jammer, an external jamming pod, will address advanced and emerging threats alike, as well as the growing numbers of threats. NGJ uses the latest digital, software-based and Active Electronically Scanned Array technologies and will provide enhanced airborne electronic attack capabilities to disrupt and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems. Work will take place in St. Louis, Missouri. Expected completion will be in December 2021.

The first Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) pod has been delivered to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base. AFRL scientists and engineers can now begin the integration of the complete system, to include pod, laser, and beam control, and signals. The main subsystems will be integrated this month while the laser system and the beam control systems will be delivered in July. Testing is scheduled for FY24.

Middle East & Africa

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on February 23 and one of the topics both men discussed was Egypt’s purchase of the Su-35 fighter from Russia. Blinken expressed his concerns over Cairo’s potential purchase of Russia’s Su-35 aircraft, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. “The Secretary raised concerns over… Egypt’s potential procurement of Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia,” Price said in a statement.

Europe

Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a government-to-government agreement with the Israel Ministry of Defense (MoD) for Rafael’s Trophy active-protection system (APS) for installation in German Leopard 2 tanks, the MoD and Rafael announced in separate press releases. The Israel Ministry of Defense said the programme, which is led by its Directorate of Defense R&D (MAFAT) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, covers the supply of systems for a tank company, interceptors, spare parts, and operational and technical training. The systems will be delivered over the next several years, the ministry added.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan’s Oceanic Affairs Council has proposed to the government that the Coast Guard Administration set up a aviation unit. The proposal was to buy four C-130Js and eight Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft along with eight helicopters, Up Media reports. The news report said that the proposal was opposed by the executive yuan, the National Airborne Service Corps and Ministry of Transportation and Communications. All parties then decided to postpone the discussions for three months. It is expected to cost Taiwanese taxpayers $900 million to purchase and modify the fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft.

The head of Pacific Air Forces, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, told reporters during a virtual call that he is pushing to have E-7 airborne early warning aircraft procured immediately to replace the E-2 AWACS. Wilsbach said the E-3 is “harder and harder to get airborne” due to maintenance issues with the aging platform.

Today’s Video

Watch: Next Generation Jammer Mid Band takes to the skies for Growler flight testing

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EDA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have agreed to jointly explore, within their respective remits, all relevant technology and capability opportunities for the gradual evolution and development of Next-Generation Secure Satellite Communication (NGSSC) systems required for the benefit of their respective Member States, user communities and industry. To this end, a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) has just been signed by the two organisations.

The MOI will broaden up the existing ESA/EDA cooperation framed by the Administrative Agreement signed in 2011 and further substantiated by their joint efforts on Governmental Satellite Communications, subject of a dedicated Implementing Arrangement since 2017. Acknowledging the growing strategic importance of satellite communications in security and defence, including in support to Europe’s strategic autonomy, ESA and EDA take the view that additional cooperative steps should be taken to develop secure and resilient satellite communications which respond to Member States’ evolving needs, and also strengthen the competitiveness of the Europe’s industry. 

Secure Satellite Communications – NG SATCOM Infrastructure Exploratory System Studies 

Concretely, the plan is to coordinate both organisations’ activities with the aim of supporting ESA’s ongoing system studies on the Next Generation Satellite Communication solutions that aim in particular to identify systems architectures responding to a wide set of user requirements in the field of secure communications. EDA will be invited to take part in ESA’s study process to provide expertise, information, data and a channel to its user communities which may have a stake in ESA’s exploratory systems study.  Once the study results are available in the course of 2021, ESA and EDA will explore further coordinated steps related to towards the evolution and preparation of NGSSC systems. 

Both parties will also jointly look at how respective user communities may be best serviced, by exploring the relevance of user-segments such as EDA’s EU Satcom Market model and services, as well as EDA’s GOVSATCOM Pooling and Sharing Demonstration project. Furthermore, the two organisations will exploit this new framework to discuss relevant activities in support of EDA’s satellite communications work in the fields of security, guarantee of access and next generation of satellite communications requirements for EU defence, satellite communications training and standardisation. Considering the challenges and stakes, these activities will be synchronised and undertaken in full coordination and transparency with all relevant actors engaged in this domain. The Agencies will furthermore coordinate their views on proposals for GOVSATCOM-related projects in the framework of EU defence initiatives, such as PESCO and the European Defence Fund (EDF). Another objective of the new cooperation is to explore potential joint R&D efforts of relevance to the future implementation of a joint secured satellite communication vision and strategy. Finally, these joint activities will be supported by a security management plan that will cover future cooperation activities and high-level security objectives to be implemented in the context of this cooperation.

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý welcomed the enhanced cooperation with ESA, stating: “Nowadays, neither national nor multinational military operations are anymore conceivable without the support of space-based systems, especially secure and resilient satellite communication, and their importance keeps growing. The Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), which delivered a first ever comprehensive defence review conducted at EU level, specifically underlined the importance of cooperation in space and identified the ‘Defence in Space’ as one of the most pressing, most needed and most impacting areas for cooperation and future investment in EU defence. Therefore, increased cooperation between ESA and EDA in this specific domain will not only be beneficial for our Member States and industry but also contribute to strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities”.

ESA Director General Jan Wörner said: “Over the years, our two Agencies have undertaken no less than eight formal cooperation projects, ranging across most space domains. Our partnership is solid and will support ESA Member States and help ensure a resilient civil infrastructure and robust services for citizens”. 

 

Make the Transition to Civilian Life Easier

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved new and lapsed procurement proposals for “indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM)” military equipment...