Defence`s Feeds

Americas

The US Air Force is designating its hypersonic research rocket. Formerly known as GOLauncher1, the vehicle now carries the official military designation of X-60A. The rocket is flown by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Aerospace Systems Directorate, High Speed Systems Division and is being developed by Generation Orbit Launch Services. The X-60A is an air-dropped liquid rocket designed for hypersonic flight research, including testing of technologies like scramjet propulsion, high-temperature-resistant materials and autonomous control. The X-60A is a research vehicle designed to capture data complementary to AFRL’s ground testing capability. The captured data helps the laboratory to better understand how material and other technologies behave while flying at more than 5 times the speed of sound. According to the Air Force, the X-60A “enables faster development of both our current hypersonic weapon rapid prototypes and evolving future systems.” The single-stage liquid rocket is powered by Hadley rocket engine and is designed to provide affordable and regular access to high dynamic pressure flight conditions between Mach 5 and Mach 8.

The Canadian government is requesting the purchase of three King Air 350ER aircraft in their ISR configuration. The State Department is determined to approve this possible FMS with a value of $300 million. The King Air 350ER is a multi-mission, twin-engine turboprop aircraft, which can be deployed to conduct SAR, ISR, transport, and monitoring operations. The aircraft is a derivative of the King Air 350 and incorporates advanced technology and a unique and flexible mission package. It is highly reliable and can last for more than 12 hours with extended range. Canada’s unique customer post-modifications for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations include three WESCAM MX-15D EO/IR sensors, three AN/AAR-47B(V)2 MWS, three AN/ALE-47 CMDS, three VORTEX Dual RF Ku LOS Transceivers and a number of different transponder sets. The DSCA release states that “the proposed sale improves Canada’s capability to meet current and future threats; strengthen its homeland defense and the combined defense of North America; and support coalition partners overseas.” Principal contractor will be Beechcraft (Textron Aviation).

The Marine Corps is experimenting with an innovative slew of ways to make its HIMARS more capable. During a recently held test, one of the USMC’s F-35Bs was able to connect with a HIMARS shot for the first time. According to Lt,. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, the F-35 used sensors to create a data link, and then pushed data about the location of the target to a HIMARS system. HIMARS is a highly-mobile artillery rocket system with the purpose to engage and defeat artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor and personel carriers. The Marine Corps is currently working on improving and extending its ability to rapidly move the HIMARS by air and destroy a target once landed. A tactic that could prove to be an advantage in the Pacific theatre where Marines will likely be fighting as a distributed force across ships, islands and barges.

Jane’s reports that the Brazilian Air Force is contracting Portuguese aerospace maintenance and aircraft modernisation specialist OGMA to maintain 12 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. OGMA, a subsidiary of Embraer, will provide the Air Force with depot maintenance, replacement and repair of equipment and parts. The deal is valued at $98.9 million and covers work on eight C-130H, two C-130H2 and two KC-130H aircraft. The Brazilian Air Force is the biggest air force in Latin America; it operates more than 600 aircraft and has more than 50.000 personnel. The Hercules is its main heavy transport aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

The Marine Corps is gaining its first experiences with using the F-35B in combat. One of its JSFs recently conducted its first combat mission over Afghanistan. The F-35 is part of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 currently embarked on the USS Essex, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship. The USMC was the first service to integrate the F-35 into its fleet, when it declared the aircraft operational in 2015. Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th MEU told Military Times that “the opportunity for us [now, is] to be the first Navy, Marine Corps team to employ the F-35B in support of maneuver forces on the ground, demonstrating one aspect of the capabilities this platform brings to the region, our allies, and our partners.” The B variant of the F-35 allows for short takeoff and vertical landing which is a key requirement for the Marine Corps. Earlier this year, Israel confirmed that it used its F-35A ‘Adir’ for strikes in Syria.

Europe

French shipbuilder Naval Group confirms that the French Navy will soon receive a new anti-air warfare (AAW) frigate. The AAW configuration includes the PAAMS (E) area air defense system with the Aster 30 long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM). The Frégates de défense aérienne will feature an ASW sensor fit but will not be able to fire naval cruise missiles. The Alsace is set for launch in the first half of 2019 and will, together with its sister ship Lorraine, replace two F70 AA frigates. The new FREDAs are the last of eight Aquitaine-class FREMM frigates for the French Navy. The first six ships are configured to conduct anti-submarine warfare and land-attack missions. The Aquitaine class is a class of multi-mission stealth frigates. The general characteristics of the class is a displacement of 6,000tons, a length of 142m, a beam of 20m, a maximum speed of 28knots and a range of 6,000n.m. with a cruising speed of 15knots. International customers include the Royal Moroccan Navy and Egyptian Navy.

Asia-Pacific

The Russian defense ministry is planning to launch a trainer competition. The ministry wants to procure up-to 230 turboprops for its flight schools. Government officials have yet not disclosed which platform they prefer, however General Alexander Akhlyustin told Mil.Press Today that the Yak-152 has good chances of winning the upcoming tender. The Yak-152 is new-generation primary trainer aircraft developed by Irkut. The aircraft is intended to provide primary pilot training, professional selection, and occupational guidance for future military fighter pilots. The aircraft performed its maiden flight on September 29, 2016. Irkut received a contract from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) in June 2015 to supply approximately 150 Yak-152 aircraft by 2020.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense will develop its own “cooperative engagement capability” (CEC) system to strengthen its net-centric warfare capabilities. A CEC sensor netting system allows ships, aircraft, and even land radars to pool their radar and sensor information together, creating a very powerful and detailed picture that’s much finer, more wide-ranging, and more consistent than any one of them could generate on its own. With this system troops can share enemy information in real time and carry out joint counterattacks against enemy weapons. The ministry has earmarked about $60 million for the development of high-speed, high-capacity communications devices necessary for a CEC system in tis FY19 budget request. Japan’s Self-Defense Force plans to have a prototype system by 2022 and conduct its first operational tests in 2023. Japan is part of the US CEC system which is integrated on its two latest Maya-class destroyers. The decision to develop a Japanese system stems from concerns about the US system’s hefty price-tag.

Today’s Video

Watch: First Time in History US Air Force F 15C Eagle fighter jets arrive in Ukraine

MC-12 arrives
(click to view full)

Despite all of the high-tech fighter hours flown in theater, Hawker Beechcraft’s twin-propeller King Air 350 continues to gain traction as an affordable, long-endurance option for light cargo delivery in remote areas – and effective manned battlefield surveillance and attack. Iraq’s Air Force was the first to order them, and an initial 6-plane UC-12W order from the US Marines/Navy followed in July 2008.

Former US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates pushed hard to improve ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) capabilities on the front lines, and one of those planned purchases involved about 30 King Air 350/ C-12 aircraft for the Army. These “MC-12s” have proven to be very useful as a component of the Army’s Task Force ODIN, which has combined the respective advantages of UAVs and manned aircraft to improve aerial surveillance and response over Iraq. ODIN is credited with a number of successes on the ground, and the concept is being exported to Afghanistan. Part of that process involves buying new, updated aircraft, and the US military continues to buy KA350 turboprops for use in different configurations.

Project Liberty, and the MC-12

C-12 near Washington
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The new King Air 350s are called “MC-12W Project Liberty special mission turboprop aircraft” by the US Air Force. The old C-12/UC-12 is also known as the Huron, and was derivative of the civilian Beechcraft King Air 200. It can land on airfields under 3,000 feet in length, and is normally used for VIP and light transport duties. These short-field capabilities, coupled with the small size of many urgent needs on the front lines, have pressed many C-12s into service in theater.

Secretary Gates gave the green light to buy 37 MC-12 aircraft by the end of 2009, as part of the Project Liberty program. Project Liberty is part of the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ ISR task force, which was set up to provide enhanced ISR capabilities to U.S. Central Command.

The new MC/UC-12 orders are King Air 350s, however, a slightly larger aircraft with 23.5% more engine power, improved speed and rate of climb, and slightly more load-carrying capacity. Another advantage they’ll have over their predecessors is built-in protective systems. In contrast, American UC-12s have often had their in-theater flights limited or at risk due to their their lack of protection against shoulder fired ground-to-air missiles like the SA-7.

350-ISR layout
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Taking off with full fuel and payload, an MC-12 can perform medium-altitude surveillance over a designated area for more than 7 hours, fly back 100 nautical miles to base, and still land with more than 45 minutes of fuel on board. That’s significantly less time than an MQ-1B Predator UAV’s 30 hours, but the plane can carry more gear, and has a much wider general field of view.

The MC-12 aircraft are equipped with signals intelligence (SIGINT) electronic interception capabilities, and carry L-3 Westar’s MX-15i surveillance turrets. The first 8 MC-12s were restricted to an infrared pointer, which allowed the aircraft to signal an object or building to soldiers wearing special goggles. It took until September 2013 to begin working with a full laser targeting designator that could mark targets for helicopter or UAV-fired Hellfire missiles, laser-guided AGM-65 Maverick missiles fired from manned fighters, and the laser-guided 70mm rockets that many vendors are currently developing.

Contracts and Key Events

The US military also lets service contracts for King Airs, but those contracts also include existing legacy B200/C-12 aircraft. They are not covered here. Unless otherwise noted, contracts are issued to Hawker Beechcraft Corp. in Wichita, KS.

FY 2014 – 2018

USAF divests the fleet to US Army; Crash.

MC-12W, Bagram
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October 9/18: Canadian order The Canadian government is requesting the purchase of three King Air 350ER aircraft in their ISR configuration. The State Department is determined to approve this possible FMS with a value of $300 million. The King Air 350ER is a multi-mission, twin-engine turboprop aircraft, which can be deployed to conduct SAR, ISR, transport, and monitoring operations. The aircraft is a derivative of the King Air 350 and incorporates advanced technology and a unique and flexible mission package. It is highly reliable and can last for more than 12 hours with extended range. Canada’s unique customer post-modifications for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations include three WESCAM MX-15D EO/IR sensors, three AN/AAR-47B(V)2 MWS, three AN/ALE-47 CMDS, three VORTEX Dual RF Ku LOS Transceivers and a number of different transponder sets. The DSCA release states that “the proposed sale improves Canada’s capability to meet current and future threats; strengthen its homeland defense and the combined defense of North America; and support coalition partners overseas.” Principal contractor will be Beechcraft (Textron Aviation).

February 23/18: FMS-Kuwait The possible foreign military sale (FMS) of four King Air 350ER Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft has been cleared by the Trump administration to the government of Kuwait. An announcement posted by the US State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) estimate the sale at $259 million, with the package to include enhanced PT6A-67A engines, AN/AAQ-35 WESCAM MX-15HDi Electro-Optical & Infrared Imaging Sensor Turrets, Selex Seaspray 7500E Active Electronically Scanned Array Radars (AESA), AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (MWS), AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems, as well as other systems, training and support. Furthermore, one of the four aircraft will be further modified to accommodate VIP/senior leadership personnel for transport and Med Evac capability or command and control,and other related elements of logistical support. Sierra Nevada Corp will act as lead contractor on the sale.

February 25/16: Iraq is to receive a $350 million five-year sustainment package for its KA-350 fleet after the sale was approved by the US Congress. The six King Air aircraft were purchased from manufacturer Beechcraft in 2007 with five possessing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The latest package will include provision of operational and intermediate depot level maintenance, spare parts, component repair, publication updates, maintenance training, and logistics. The majority of the aircraft have been used in supporting Iraqi military operations against Al-Qaeda affiliates and Islamic State militants in the country.

Nov 12/14: Transferred. After an initial period that transferred some USAF MC-12W ISR aircraft to US Army control, the USAF announces that they’re divesting the entire fleet to a combination of the US Army, and Air Force Special Operations Command.

“…so it can invest in capabilities suited for highly contested operations. Even so, the MC-12 will be regarded as an extraordinarily successful program. During the 400,000 combat hours flown, the MC-12W Liberty aided in the kill or capture of more than 8,000 terrorists, discovered more than 650 weapons caches, helped divert convoys around improvised explosive devices, provided over watch for large numbers of coalition forces, and saved coalition lives.”

By 2015, only the Army will own the aircraft, and USAF crews will augment Army personnel. The Air Force will also provide the back-end processing, exploitation and dissemination of MC-12W information until FY 2016, at which point Army personnel will take on the whole mission. Sources: USAF, “ISR aircraft hones in on strategic agility”.

Transfer to US Army/ SOCOM

Jan 10/14: Crash. An MC-12 crash near Baghram Airfield in eastern Afghanistan kills 2 US soldiers and a civilian. Officials denied that enemy action was responsible. Sources: Defense News, “2 soldiers, civilian killed in Afghanistan MC-12 crash”.

Crash

FY 2012 – 2013

Company goes bankrupt, almost bought by China; 5 ordered; MC-12Ws add laser designators.

USMC UC-12W
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Sept 12/13: Target! MC-12W Liberty planes have traditionally needed to pass targets on to Joint Terminal Attack Controller troops, who would then direct fire from aircraft, artillery, etc. They can still do that, but a USAF release says that the MC-12Ws at Beale AFB, CA have added laser designators to their sensor systems, and are training with nearby A-10 and F-15E units.

It’s an obvious benefit to front line troops, who asked for “buddy lasing” capabilities in a recent Tactics Improvement Proposal. That seems to have pushed the USAF to move on something that had been an envisioned upgrade for years. Sources: USAF, “MC-12W airframe now boasts ‘Buddy Lase’ capability”.

Oct 18/12: No boat to China. Hawker Beechcraft, Inc. announces that it couldn’t reach an agreement with Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd., and will go through normal Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures instead. They do keep the $50 million deposit, and the plan remains the same: exit jets, keep the rest. They expect to emerge from bankruptcy in Q1 2013 as Beechcraft Corp. Reuters says that:

“At a conference in New York on Thursday, Hawker CEO Steve Miller said China-bashing by U.S. presidential candidates may have contributed to failure of the sale talks, which involved many complex issues. “Global politics may have interfered,” said Miller, who was in Beijing last week trying to sell the firm.”

Hawker Beechcraft’s legal representative is Kirkland & Ellis LLP; its financial advisor is Perella Weinberg Partners LP; and its restructuring advisor is Alvarez & Marsal. The Ad Hoc Committee of Senior Secured Lenders’ legal representative is Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz. Credit Suisse serves as agent for the lenders under Hawker Beechcraft’s secured pre-petition and DIP credit facilities. Credit Suisse’ legal representative is Sidley Austin LLP and its financial advisor is Houlihan Lokey. The Unsecured Creditors Committee’s legal representative is Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and its financial advisor is FTI Consulting, Inc. Hawker Beechcraft | Reuters.

No Chinese sale, regular Bankruptcy instead

July 27/12: +4 used. L-3 Communications’ Mission Integration Division in Greenville, TX receives a $12.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for 4 used King Air Model 350 basic aircraft platforms for the US Army, including Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated avionics systems.

Work will be performed in Greenville, TX and is expected to be complete in August 2012. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the FAR 6.302-1 by the Naval Air Warfare Center in Lakehurst, NJ (N68335-12-C-0338).

4 used King Air 350ERs

July 20/12: +1. A $7.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for 1 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft with program support. Work will be performed in Wichita, KS with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/14. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 1 bid received by Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-12-C-0117).

1 King Air 350ER

July 17/12: Chinese negotiations. HBC announces that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved HBC’s motion to enter into exclusive negotiations with Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd., giving them up to 45 days of exclusive negotiations.

As part of the exclusivity agreement, Superior will make an initial deposit of $25 million, with a second $25 million deposit payable within 30 days. Any definitive agreement reached with Superior would be subject to approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other regulatory agencies. In addition, any definitive agreement with Superior will be subject to termination if another potential purchaser succeeds in the mandatory competitive auction overseen by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

July 9/12: Chinese ownership? Hawker Beechcraft, Inc. signs an exclusivity agreement that may lead to a buyout by China’s Superior Aviation Beijing Co. for $1.79 billion. The Chinese firm had approached Hawker Beechcraft “several years ago” with the same intentions, but there are 3 reasons for HBC’s new receptiveness:

1. Superior intends to maintain Hawker Beechcraft’s existing American operations, saving thousands of jobs.

2. Their proposal was the best the company saw in its ongoing review of strategic options, and includes both additional investment and continuing to operate as a standalone entity.

3. HBC believes that this combination would give Hawker Beechcraft greater access to the Chinese business and general aviation marketplace, which is forecast to grow more than 10% a year for the next 10-15 years.

This deal explicitly excludes Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC), which would remain a separate entity. That would keep the T-6 and AT-6 out of China’s Hands, but the USA is mostly done with its JPATS trainer buys, so HBDC’s stand-alone survival would be questionable. Superior seems to think so, too, and if HBDC is sold, up to $400 million will be refundable to Superior. Meanwhile, the base King Air 350 would be owned by a Chinese company.

If negotiations with Superior fail, HBC will go back to the Joint Plan of Reorganization it filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on June 30/12, and wind down the company’s jet-related businesses.

Chinese bid

July 9/12: Special Mission Sales. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) reports that over the past 5 years, markets outside of the United States accounted for 68% of its special mission aircraft sales. Their definition is fairly broad, and includes air ambulances, trainer aircraft, and even weather modification planes, which are apparently popular in the Middle East. The split is about 33% USA, 34% for Europe, the Middle East and Africa combined, 26% Asia/Pacific and 7% Latin America. VP Special Missions, Jay Gibson, adds that:

“In particular, we expect to see an increase in demand for ISR globally and maritime surveillance aircraft in Africa and Latin America as countries there look to increasingly secure their borders – both on land and at sea.”

May 3/12: Bankruptcy. Hawker Beechcraft, Inc. and “a significant number of its senior secured lenders and senior bondholders” agree to the terms of a financial restructuring plan that will eliminate approximately $2.5 billion in debt and approximately $125 million of annual cash interest expense. The next day, the company’s entry into bankruptcy begins:

“Hawker Beechcraft, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has granted approval of the company’s “First Day Motions” as part of the company’s voluntary filing for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code… [including] approval to continue to pay employees, and to pay all vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course for goods and services delivered after the commencement of the Chapter 11 case. The company will utilize a commitment for $400 million in Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) financing, negotiated as part of the prearranged restructuring, to meet these obligations.”

Bankruptcy begins

The company’s legal representative is Kirkland & Ellis LLP, its financial advisor is Perella Weinberg Partners LP, and its restructuring advisor is Alvarez & Marsal.

March 27/12: Financial. Hawker Beechcraft, Inc. CEO Steve Miller has a blunt assessment of his company core problem: “the company is operating with a debt load that is restricting its ability to succeed.” As an immediate step, the firm announces:

“…an agreement with certain lenders that will provide the company with approximately $120 million of additional liquidity through an incremental term loan facility under its existing credit facility. The company intends to use the proceeds of this loan to fund its ongoing operations as Hawker Beechcraft continues working with its lenders toward a comprehensive recapitalization. As part of the agreement, lenders currently holding approximately 70 percent of Hawker Beechcraft bank debt have agreed to defer the company’s obligation to make certain interest payments on the company’s senior secured revolving and term loans when due, and have granted the company relief from certain existing loan covenants. This forbearance agreement is scheduled to expire on June 29, 2012.”

See: Hawker Beechcraft | Wichita Eagle.

March 27/12: Support. Hawker Beechcraft Corp. in Wichita, KS receives an $8.5 million dollar firm fixed price contract for 6 months of contractor logistics services. Effort includes total maintenance, logistics for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and associated ground support equipment. The location of the performance is Wichita, KS. Work is expected to be complete by Sept 30/12. ASC/WINK, Wright Patterson Air Force Base is the contracting activity (FA8620-11-C-3000 P00012).

FY 2011

Orders begin under a new contract (4); LIDAR?; Electric power boost option; L-3’s similar Spydr.

L-3’s Spydr
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July 13-18/11: L-3’s Spydr. L-3’s Mission Integration Division (MID) displays a Spydr King Air 350-ISR surveillance plane, similar to the popular MC-12W Liberty, but a technological step ahead. L-3 is the technology integrator for the MC-12W, but the firm tells Defense News that they’re working on versions built with key technologies from non-American suppliers, in order to avoid ITAR issues. SELEX Galileo’s PicoSAR radar, optics from Zeiss, and other choices yet to be announced are specifically designed to minimize export clearance requirements.

The Spydr Spiral 1 unveiled by L-3 at the UK’s RIAT featured a fuselage-mounted electro-optical/infrared turret, a fuselage pod with a 100-pound payload, a tactical data link, satellite communications, a full signals intelligence system, 4G cellular, and other options. Spiral 2 will add 2 feet to the plane’s nose, to house a 2nd sensor turret. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seen as potential customers in the near term, and L-3 expects to compete in other locations as well (incl. the USA) against offerings from Raytheon, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. Like Lockheed’s Dragon family of systems, L-3 sees its equipment suite as transferable to a number of different aircraft types. L-3 MID | Defense News | defpro re: PicoSAR selection.

June 21/11: Power up. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation announces an upgraded electric power system for its late model Beechcraft King Air 350 turboprops, designed to add more power for special mission needs. It includes two 400 amp starter generators with paralleled output of 760 amps, an additional mission electrical bus with cockpit control, and automatic load shedding. Overall, it provides another 190 amps of 28 VDC power for late model King Air 350s (serial FL-500 and on) as an aftermarket kit, and is available as an option for on new production special mission King Air 350 aircraft.

The company expects FAA certification in Spring 2012, but has begun accepting orders.

June 16/11: +2 A $15.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for 2 King Air 350ER aircraft. Work will be performed in Wichita, KS, with an expected completion date of Dec. 29/11. Six bids were solicited with two bids received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (W58RGZ-11-C-0133).

2 King Air 350ERs

March 9/11: 2 + LIDAR. A pair of FBO.gov pre-solicitations cover 2 KA-350ER aircraft, and their LIDAR sensors. Because of its characteristics, LIDAR is especially useful at seeing through foliage.

The first pre-solicitation is for 2 KA-350 ER aircraft, bought as a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract (amount not mentioned) from HawkerBeechcraft under FAR Part 12, for delivery L-3 in Greenville, TX within 150 days from the date of Award. (FBO# N0016411RJQ95)

L-3 Communications Corp. in Greenville, TX received the sole-source, cost plus fixed fee contract (amount not announced) to integrate the Tactical Operations Light Detection and Ranging (TACOP LIDAR) quick reaction capability aircraft, “…to avoid the significant duplication of cost. Integration required to be completed 12 months from award of contract.” (FBO# N0016411RJQ96)

Dec 2/10: +2. Hawker Beechcraft Corp. in Wichita, KS receives a $15.2 million contract for 2 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350ERs. At this time, all funds have been obligated. The 645th AESG/SYK at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH (FA8620-11-C-4008).

When asked about this order, Hawker Beechcraft said these were US Army planes, to be delivered in a configuration “similar” to the MC-12W Liberty surveillance variant. Note that most of the gear that could make it a surveillance aircraft would be delivered under separate contracts.

2 King Air 350ERs

FY 2010

More orders under the base contract; MC-12W fielded in Afghanistan; MC-12Ws become communications relays; Sensor contracts; USMC UC-12W rolls out; Study showing UAVs and manned aircraft are complementary.

MC-12: 1st combat mission
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Aug 17/10: Comms. ViaSat Inc. announces that it has deployed airborne communications-on-the-move (COTM) terminals onboard “several dozen” MC-12W aircraft, using the ArcLight Ku-band mobile broadband system, configured in this application for data rates up to 1 Mbps off the aircraft. ViaSat.

July 23/10: Sensors. L-3 Communications announces that its WESCAM subsidiary announces a $200 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the USAF. It will buy MX-15Di high-definition surveillance and targeting turrets for MC-12W Project Liberty ISR planes, and MX-20D HD surveillance and targeting turrets for “an undisclosed customer.”

The contract is the 3rd in a series of US military contracts over the last 18 months, worth of to $400 million and covering 6 different surveillance turret types. WESCAM’s L-3 parent is also the prime contractor and systems integrator for Project Liberty. L-3 Communications.

June 1/10: A USA Today article offers some useful background regarding the MC-12W Liberty program. Hyperlinks added by DID:

“MC-12 crews have flown more than 2,000 missions in Iraq, Air Force records show. The first aircraft arrived in Afghanistan last December. The Air Force plans to spend $100 million to train airmen on using the aircraft’s spy technology over the next two years, Air Force budget records show… The Air Force initially bought seven used planes from private businessmen and retrofitted them. It now buys new planes… In April, the Air Force narrowed candidates vying to be the official MC-12 base to facilities in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Virginia, Georgia and Missouri. The final decision will be made next year, the Air Force said in a statement.

Col. Dan Johnson, who commands the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing… interviewed, researched and wrote a paper for the Air Force exploring whether drones or manned planes were better at spying on insurgents. “It turned out that we need both,” he said in an e-mail.”

May 18/10: USMC UC-12. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation officially rolls the first UC-12W Operational Support Airlift King Air 350 for the United States Marine Corps. The plane is 1 of 6 ordered in July 2008, with additional options that would let the Marines replace their remaining 6 previous-generation UC-12/ King Air 200 light cargo aircraft. Hawker Beechcraft release [PDF].

UC-12W rollout

March 19/10: Sortie #2,000. The USAF announces that its MC-12W program has completed its 2,000th combat sortie. Capt. Ryan Woodman of the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, at Joint Base Balad in Iraq:

“A year ago the commander and I were learning how to start the new aircraft, and now the program just flew its 2,000th mission… Given what this program accomplishes for the troops on the ground, it is a great feeling.”

Many USAF programs spend over 10 years in development, and operational ramp-up is often a more measured process, so Capt. Woodman’s summary is more than just PR.

2,000 MC-12W sorties

Dec 27/09: Afghan arrival. Bagram Airfield welcomes its first USAF MC-12W aircraft to Afghanistan. US Military DVIDS | USAF.

Oct 19/09: +6 MC-12W. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation announces [PDF] that the USAF has exercised a $45 million option for 6 additional MC-12W special mission aircraft in support of Project Liberty, per the original November 2008 contract. The company adds that the first 23 planes have all been delivered, on or ahead of schedule. See also Flight International.

FY 2008 – 2009

Base contract for 23-29 MC-12Ws, and orders; $17 million price broken down; Britain’s “Shadow R1s”.

SecDef Gates speaks to
MC-12W production line
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Sept 15/09: Price breakdown. A comment at the US Air Force Association’s Air & Space Symposium helps clarify the price breakdown of an MC-12W. Lionel G. Smith, L-3’s director, Strategic Development Special Programs, is quoted as saying that:

“It costs about $7 million [per plane] from Hawker Beechcraft, and about $10 million in modifications. From [initial] contract to [deployment in] combat was about eight months.”

July 28/09: +3. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation in Wichita, KS receives a $21.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of 1 King Air B350 aircraft, and 2 King Air B350Cs in the air ambulance/medical evacuation, with cargo door options. There are also 6 one-month options for storage of the aircraft.

Work is to be performed in Wichita, KS, with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/11. One was bid solicited with one bid received by U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, CCAM-RD-F at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-09-C-0087).

June 16/09: Export potential. Defense News reports that Iraqi and American buys may be the forerunner of a much larger trend:

“…in the coming decade [L-3 and HawkerBeechcraft] saw a potential domestic market for up to 75 of the [King Air 350 ISR] aircraft at a value of $1.3 billion. [L-3 VP Allison] Hartley said Africa, the Middle East and other regions were all potential markets. The international market could be worth double that in platform sales with a value of about $2.5 billion… She specifically named the United Kingdom as a potential sales opportunity. The British have already ordered a handful of King Airs for the ISR mission. One has been delivered.”

As of 2012, Britain operates 5 “Shadow R1” planes.

June 10/09: The first MC-12 Liberty combat mission is flown from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, by the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. The specialty reconnaissance aircraft flies a 4-hour mission, after arriving at Balad on June 8/09. Air Force Report: MC-12

| Pentagon DVIDS re: arrival | Pentagon DVIDS re: combat mission.

MC-12W in combat

April 8/09: The USAF announces their acceptance of the first MC-12 from Hawker Beechcraft. Deployment will take place in May 2009.

Dec 24/08: +2. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation in Wichita, KS received a $12.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of 2 Super King Air Model 350 aircraft. Work will be performed in Ozark, AL, with an estimated completion date of July 31/09. One bid was solicited and one bid received by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-09-C-0087).

Nov 21/08: L3 Communications Integrated Systems in Greenville, TX received a firm fixed price commercial contract for $7.5 million. This action will provide for 1 Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft. L3 does not make the aircraft, but it does perform integration for the ISR version, which will use their MX-15 line or surveillance and targeting turrets.

At this time, the entire amount has been obligated in advance by 645 AESG/SYK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (FA8620-09-C-3021)

Civilian 350
(click to view full)

Nov 18/08: Hawker Beechcraft Corp. in Wichita, KS receives a firm-fixed commercial contract for 23 Beechcraft King Air 350ERs, with an option for 6 additional aircraft. The contract’s value is $171.5 million, and the entire amount has already been obligated.

The 645 AESG/SYK at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH manages this contract (FA8620-09-C-3020). Hawker Beechcraft’s subsequent release [PDF] confirms that these are “special mission” ISR variants.

23-29 MC-12W

July 10/08: USMC. Hawker Beechcraft Corp. in Wichita, KS receives an estimated $48.8 million firm-fixed-price contract from the US Navy for 6 “C-12 replacement aircraft.” The USMC’s UC-12 fleet, based on the King Air 200, is more than 25 years old.

The USMC’s new planes, based on the King Air 350ER, are eventually given the designation “UC-12W.”

Work will be performed in Wichita, KS and is expected to be completed in February 2011. This contract was competitively procured via electronic request for proposal by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-08-C-0057).

6 USMC UC-12W

Additional Readings

• Beechcraft – King Air 350i.

• Beechcraft – Special Missions: Surveillance.

• L-3 Communications – MX-15. The MC-12W’s electro-optical surveillance and targeting turret.

Similar & Related

• DID – Task Force ODIN: In the Kingdom of the Blind….

• DID – MARSS: Quasi-Civilian Spy Plane Service Ordered by Pentagon, Canada. The Canadian order involves King Air 300s, modified for the ISR role.

• Aerial Surveillance Systems, Inc. – SkyEye 350. A private venture based on the King Air 350, similar in concept and equipment to the MC-12W.

News & Views

• US NAVAIR (March 28/13) – Light lift; heavy load: Small aircraft pull their weight.

• DoD Buzz, via WayBack (Oct 2/12) – Army seeks commonality in fixed wing fleet.

• USA Today, via Google Cache (June 1/10) – Newest manned spy plane scores points in war effort.

• Pentagon DVIDS, via WayBack (Sept 1/09) – Gates to MC-12 Workers: Your Work Is Saving Troops’ Lives.

• Defense News, Paris Airshow 2009 (June 16/09) – Beechcraft May Add Weapon-Carrying Capability to King Air [dead link]. They haven’t, yet, but by 2013 they had added laser designation.

• DID (July 16/08) – $48.8M Buys 6 King Air 350s for US Marines.

5 Benefits for Serving in the Army for Your Future Education

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I was back on the Blog Talk Radio show Midrats this week, talking about Russian foreign policy, the military, its relations with the United States and China, and the like. The recording is now available on the show’s website. The show description is as follows:

Episode 457:Russia’s Red Banner Year

From its largest exercise since the end of the Cold War, to Syria, to a revival of covert direct action and  intermediate nuclear weapons as an issue – Russia continues to claw back her place on the international stage.

As we approach the last quarter of the 2018 calendar year, what message is Russia trying to give the rest of the world and what should we expect through the end of the decade?

 

Americas

The US Air Force is ordering a large batch of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) from Lockheed Martin. The firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract is valued at $390.8 million and covers the delivery of 360 JASSMs, three FMS separation text vehicles and one FMS set consisting of a flight test vehicle, tooling and test equipment. The 2,000 lbs. AGM-158 JASSM is a stealthy, inexpensive cruise missile costing about $1 million per unit. The JASSM is currently integrated on a variety of platforms ranging from B-1B Lancer bombers to F-16 Block 50 fighter jets. Work will be performed at Lockheed’s facility in Orlando, Florida and is expected to be completed by October 31, 2021.

General Dynamics is being contracted to upgrade more Strykers for the US Army. The awarded contract modification is priced at $366.9 million and covers the conversion of several Stryker flat-bottom vehicles to the Double V-hull configuration. The V-hull configuration was the Army’s answer to vehicle’s poor performance during IED attacks. The new design channels blast force away from the vehicle and its occupants thus drastically enhancing soldier protection. The Army plans to acquire 742 Stryker DVH vehicles, as retrofits and as new production vehicles. That’s the full extent of the current plan, which was a major step beyond the program’s initial plan of 450 Stryker DVHs. Work will be performed at GD’s factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and is scheduled for completion by April 30, 2021.

Boeing is currently in talks with Brazil’s Embraer to set up a KC-390 assembly line in the United States. This round of talks follows a July agreement between the two companies that resulted in Boeing gaining a 80% stake in the Brazilian company’s commercial business. Boeing and Embraer established agreements in 2012 and 2014 that allow the US firm to have a hand in global marketing and logistics support of the KC-390, but a defense related joint venture would allow for a more intensive collaboration. The KC-390 is designed to be a jet-powered rival to compete with Lockheed Martin’s C-130J. The multi-mission aircraft is capable of in-air refueling operations, cargo transport and SOF deployment.

Middle East & Africa

The government of the United Arab Emirates is ordering more attack helicopters for its armed forces. Boeing will provide the Middle-Eastern country with a total of 17 Apache AH-64E aircraft. The $242.1 million contract modification covers the remanufacture of eight, and the production of nine newly build Apaches by Boeing. The AH-64E Guardian Block III is the platform’s next big-leap forward. The upgraded attack helicopter incorporates 26 key new-technology insertions which keep his 1980s airframe at the leading edge of technology. Work will be performed at Boeing’s factory in Mesa, Arizona. Production of the aircraft is estimated to be completed by February 28, 2023.

Iraq is requesting the purchase of five additional Bell 407GX helicopters to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations. The FMS contract has a value of $82.5 million and is currently pending approval by Congress. The possible deal covers the delivery of all helicopters armed with M240 7.62mm Machine Guns. In addition the order also includes options for five M3P .50 caliber machine guns, five M260 rocket launchers in APKWS configuration and five GAU-19 .50 caliber machine guns. The helicopters would be equipped with MX-15Di EO/IR sensors and RF-7850A secure communications radios. Self-Defense measures include the AN/ALE-47 airborne countermeasure dispensing system and AAR-60 MILDS detectors. Installed systems include the Pathfinder MMS, the ARES WMS and MCAS. The DSCA notes that “the addition of five Bell 407GX helicopters will help compensate for the combat loss of seven IA407 helicopters in recent years and increase the Iraqi Security Forces’ combat effectiveness against ISIS and other terrorist elements in Iraq.”

Europe

Jane’s reports that Swedish defense contractor Saab and Raytheon are currently co-developing a new round for the Carl-Gustaf reloadable weapon system. The new round would be the first guided one for the 84 mm recoilless weapon and is designated as Guided Carl-Gustaf Munition (GCGM). The Carl-Gustaf, which the Army calls the M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS), entered service in 1991 and has been a staple infantry support weapon in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MAAWS has similarities to the AT4 shoulder-fired, anti-tank system. But the MAAWS is unique in that the system itself is not disposable, which means it can be used more than once. Jane’s notes that “the GCGM development is effectively an evolutionary progression of the earlier Saab Ultra Light Munition concept, which, under the teaming agreement with Raytheon, has been matured and defined in terms of capability and performance requirements.”

Northrop Grumman confirms that the Italian Air Force successfully completed operational testing of the company’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). The missiles are integrated on Italy’s Tornado fighter jets. A series of flight tests ended with two direct hits on critical air defense targets, this milestone allows for the transition of the AARGMs into operational squadrons. Italy and the US signed a MoU in 2005 to cooperatively develop the AGM-88E AARGM missile. The AARGM is a medium range, supersonic, air-launched tactical missile whose primary job is to attack and kill enemy radars. Italy currently plans to buy a total of 250 AARGMs.

Asia-Pacific

Japan’s ATD-X (X-2) program is taking a new turn. The Japanese Ministry of Defense is determined to develop a new fighter jet, that will eventually replace its fleet of F-2s. Proposals from three American and British companies failed to meet Japan’s costs and capability requirements, hence the decision to indigenously develop a new fighter jet. The companies made offers to upgrade their existing models, Lockheed for the F-22, Boeing for the F-15 and BAE for the Typhoon. Development of the new aircraft could cost trillions of yen and could be a major financial burden on Japan’s defense budget. To mitigate the overall cost the ministry has an eye on a joint development with foreign companies. The government is looking towards British or German-French partners as they are also looking into developing next-generation jets. Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force currently operates 92 F-2s which will begin to reach the end of their service life in the 2030s.

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