Defence`s Feeds

Key Points India and Singapore have taken steps to improve naval engagements between the two countries The move comes amid a wider plan by New Delhi to enhance defence partnerships with countries in Southeast Asia The Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) have established a

Key Points SNC is using an Army helicopter exchange programme for its USAF UH-1N replacement offering It could acquire newer L-model Black Hawks through the programme for faster delivery Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) will utilise a US Army used Black Hawk helicopter exchange programme in its pursuit

Military exports have been highlighted as a priority by South Korea as part of continuing efforts to advance the capabilities of the domestic defence industry. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) outlined the emphasis on 31 May following a meeting on the same day

The European Defence Agency (EDA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Austria and the Multinational Capability Development Campaign (MCDC), will organize next week CYBER PHALANX 2018, a combined cyber course & exercise designed to train military planners and staff of CSDP missions and operations to better cope with cyber threats.

To be held from 4-8 June in Wals-Siezenheim near Salzburg (Austria), CYBER PHALANX 2018 aims to strengthen both Member States’ and the EU’s resilience against cyber threats in the context of CSDP operations and missions. A particular focus will be put on cyber defence decision-making and planning processes. 

The combined course/exercise will allow staff and planners from Operational Headquarters (OHQ), Force Headquarters (FHQ) or Mission Headquarters (MHQ) to better understand the crucial importance of cyber situational awareness in missions and operations, to enhance cyber resilience, to increase interoperability and to cope with concrete cyber threats.  It will also help them to get familiar with existing European structures and cyber stakeholders and their respective roles. 

Practically speaking, CYBER PHALANX 2018 will take the format of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) containing elements of a Table Top Exercise (TTX). Both the course and the exercise concept will be continuously adapted and refined with lessons learned as they unfold.

Canadian Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan announced on 30 May a new initiative to help improve the way the Department of National Defence (DND) collaborates with industry and details its spending to Canadians. Speaking at the CANSEC 2018 defence exhibition in Ottawa, Sajjan said the

Key Points The agency aims to become more agile to support full-spectrum operations DLA is taking steps to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities to cyber and other threats As the US Department of Defense shifts its focus from counter-terrorism towards a potential high-end fight against a peer

Looks like Top Gun sequel may feature the Super Hornet instead of the F-35. Tom Cruise has just teased the long-awaited Top Gun movie sequel (expected in July 2019) with an interesting photo posted on Twitter with the text “Feel the need” and #Day1. The image, that marks the beginning of filming and production work, […]

British Blowpipe Man-Portable Air Defense Missile System

Americas

• Raytheon Self Protect Systems is being awarded a contract in support of a radar upgrade. The $90 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract provides for the fabrication, integration, testing and delivery of the AN/ALR?69A digital radar warning receiver system in use with the Japan Defense Forces. The ALR-69A is the world’s first all-digital radar warning receiver. The design of Raytheon’s system allows cross-platform commonality, improved spectral and spatial coverage and easy integration with other ECM or radar systems. Without any hardware modifications, the ALR-69A(V) can now offer aircrews more options with its single-ship geolocation capability. The system dramatically enhances aircrew survivability, providing “sensors forward” situational awareness at a substantially lower cost than competing systems. It features capabilities such as: suppression of enemy air defenses, easy cross-platform integration, enhanced spectral and spatial coverage for high-sensitivity detection in dense signal environments. The radar is currently tested on F-16 fighter jets. Work will be performed in Goleta, California and Forest, Mississippi. It is expected to be completed by May 2023.

• The Navy is contracting Philadelphia Gear Corp. in support of its future DDG-51 class guided missile destroyers. The $70.8 million contract modification enables the company to exercise options for two shipsets of Main Reduction Gears (MRGs). The MRGs is the set of gears that transmit the power from two main propulsion gas turbines to the propulsion shaft. Each DDG-51 class destroyer has two gear sets, one for each propulsion shaft. The destroyers are powered by four GE LM 2500 gas turbines, each rated at 33,600hp with a power turbine speed of 3,600rpm, driving two shafts, with controllable pitch propellers. The MRGs to be purchased under this procurement are for installation in DDG-128 and DDG-129. Work will be performed at various locations, including Santa Fe Springs, California and St. Augustine, Florida, and is scheduled for completion by November 2020.

• Raytheon is being tapped for further production of two sets of kits in support of the Tomahawk cruise missile. The $19.2 million contract modification provides for the procurement of nine mid-body range safety subsystem (MRSS) kits and flight test (FT) kits for the Navy and three MRSS and FT kits for the United Kingdom. The MRSS is installed into flight test configured missiles, one of its key components is the PCM Encoder, which Encoder samples the flight test missile guidance and avionics telemetry data stream, encodes and formats the data, and provides the telemetry information to the ground monitoring station. Block IV Tomahawk is the current generation of the Tomahawk family of cruise missiles. It adds innovative technologies that improve combat flexibility, while dramatically reducing the costs to buy, operate, and support these missiles. The Block IV missile is designed to engage targets 1,000 miles away from maritime platforms, a characteristic the manufacturer says can help keep deployed sailors out of harms way on the battlefield. Work will be performed at multiple locations, including Tucson, Arizona; Boulder, Colorado and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, among others. This effort combines purchases for the Navy ($15,6 million); and the government of the United Kingdom ($3,5 million).

Middle East & Africa

• The Israeli company Tactical Robotics has recently demonstrated its Cormorant vertical take-off and landing unmanned air vehicle’s capability to carry out medical evacuation duties. The Cormorant is an unmanned air vehicle designed and developed to meet the requirements of the Israeli Defense Forces. The Cormorant was developed during the war in Lebanon in 2006 as a way of transferring troops and medical equipment. Powered by a single Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine, the UAV can be operated in remote areas, where helicopters and traditional rotorcraft cannot function properly. The drone is intended for cargo transport, medical evacuation and troop supply missions. The payload bays, which are being incorporated in the vehicle, will double the rescue cabin space for wounded soldiers. In the civil market, Cormorant also offers all of the benefits of combined heavy payload and unlimited access. Whereas small civilian drones such as quadcopters can only provide “eye in the sky” photographic surveillance or, at best, deliver light packages Cormorant can deliver up to 1000 pounds of cargo or equipment in both commercial and emergency response scenarios.

• Kazakhstan has announced that it will boost its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters. 25 fighter jets of this type are either already in use with Kazakh Armed Forces or are currently being constructed. Multipurpose Su-30SM, also known as Flanker-H, is designed to win air supremacy and strike at grounds and water surface targets. It has frontal horizontal tailing and steerable thrusters which make it super maneuverable. Su-30SM carries the multifunctional Bars radar. The set of weapons includes a wide range of armaments, including air-to-air missiles and precision guided air-to-surface missiles. The Su-30SM is based on the Su-30 MKI export version, an aircraft jointly developed by Russia with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. The Kazakhstan Air Force also operates 12 single-seat Su-27s.

Europe

• Jane’s reports that Belgium made the decision to replace its M-frigates with two new multirole frigates. The deal is valued at over $1.2 billion. The new frigates will be designed, developed, and built under a joint program led by the Netherlands. Belgium’s M-frigates, or Karel Doorman Class frigates were built by the De Schelde Group in Flushing and have been operational since 1996. They are equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and surface warfare roles. Belgium acquired its current M-frigates from the Netherlands in December 2005. The frigates are equipped with a variety of weaponry and defense systems, including Harpoon anti-ship missiles and CIWS, and can carry a Sea-Lynx helicopter for anti-submarine warfare. The Council of Ministers also authorized the signature of memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands on the M-frigate replacement as well as on a joint program led by Belgium to replace the two countries’ mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs).

Asia-Pacific

• According to recent reports Republic of Korea Navy’s second Dokdo-class helicopter carrier will deploy an indigenously developed weapon referred to in the country as Korean Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile. The ROKS Marado has been equipped with a Korean developed vertical launching system that will deploy those new missiles. The K-SAAM is a 3.07 m long ship-based anti-air projectile that employs inertial mid-course guidance and a dual microwave and imaging infrared seeker for terminal guidance. Development of the missile began in 2011 with first initial flight-tests conducted in 2013. The K-SAAM is a medium-range missile designed as a Close-in Weapons System (CIWS). As such, it acts as close protection for the ROKN warships. K-SAAM is set to replace Raytheon’s Rolling Airframe Missile, the current system operated by the South Korean Navy.

Today’s Video

• A pair of Su-57s participate in Aviadarts-2018

How can naval capabilities mitigate hybrid threats against European harbours? What steps could and should be taken to improve resilience of European harbours and which kind of cooperation is best suited to achieve this? These and many other questions were discussed at a joint workshop on ‘Harbour protection under hybrid threat conditions’ organized by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid C0E) today at the EDA premises.

Picture: Bundeswehr

Presentations and discussions focused on the broad multifaceted nature of the harbour protection and the implications on capability development in support of force protection and mobility.  The workshop took place in the context of the implementation of the EU-NATO Joint Declaration, aiming to promote a coherence between the EU and NATO in bolstering resilience. The EDA and the Hybrid Centre of Excellence cooperate to promote the effective implementation of the Joint Declaration in areas of common interest and notably on bolstering hybrid resilience.

In his opening speech, EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq stressed the economic and strategic importance of harbours in Europe, including in the military domain. “We cannot omit their huge role in providing mobility and sustainability of military forces. It’s not a surprise that civilian harbours play a significant role in the security system of individual Member States, but also in the European system. None of the CSDP missions or operations could be conducted without free and safe access to the seaports. Hybrid attacks on seaports can have serious consequences, leading to disruptions to travel and supply chains”, Mr Domecq stated.

He welcomed the timing of the workshop as the revision of the European Capability Development Plan (CDP), scheduled to be accomplished end of June, is now on the home straight. “The outcome of this workshop, which will be presented in the form of a report to the Capability Directors in June, will have a positive impact on maritime capability development in the nearest future”, he stressed.

In his speech, the Director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, Matti Saarelainen, put a particular emphasis on the need for international cooperation in this crucial domain. "As international interdependency increases, it is necessary to assess and develop security more comprehensively than in the past. Hence, all stakeholders should be equally aware of the nature of the hybrid threats and share the level of awareness among them. What is essential is cooperation between and among individual countries, the EU and NATO, and sharing of experiences and best practices among them", he stated.

 

 

Two Su-57s flying in formation as seen from a drone. An interesting video was shared online by the Russian “Zvezda ” TV channel. It shows, two Su-57 fighter aircraft flying in close formation and executing what appears to be a formation turn (rather than a “combat turn”) during the Russian “Aviadart 2018” drills. According to […]

USAF deploys its MQ-9 Reaper Drones to Poland. USAF issued a short release, suggesting that the service has deployed MQ-9 Reaper UAV systems to Poland. The drones would be stationed at the Mirosławiec Air Base, which is the Poland’s airbase dedicated to host the unmanned platforms. The release issued by the Americans reads as follows: […]

Americas

• The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization is procuring services in support of the Army’s Mounted Family of Computer Systems (MFOCS) II program. DRS Network & Imaging Systems LLC, a subdivision of Leonardo, will provide a number of hardware in support of the program. The MFOCS is a modular family of computing platforms which integrates networked-battle command information system capabilities onto a common computing platform. MFOCS supports situational awareness, command and control, and maneuver capability using next-generation computing and display hardware at multiple configurable levels. Leonardo DRS will provide dismountable tablets, processor units, keyboard units, removable solid-state disk storage, display units, and cabling designed for various platforms. All are ruggedized for continuous operation in a wide range of military and combat environments. MFOCS II deftly executes the software necessary for a range of applications, ranging from Command and Control to Maneuver, and Logistics and Situational Awareness. In addition, it can run multiple software packages at full speed, simultaneously, and is engineered to accommodate future software demands. The contract ceiling is $841 million. Work will be performed at a DRS’s facility in Melbourne, Florida. The ordering period for the initial five-year base period is from May 2018, through May 2023.

• Northrop Grumman Systems is being tapped to exercise a one-year option for production and associated provisioned items of the Navy’s WSN-7 navigation system. The $10.9 million contract see for the procurement of the new AN/WSN-7(V) RLGN system, which is replacing the gyrocompasses installed onboard Navy surface ships and submarines. The AN/WSN-7 is a self-contained, ring laser gyro inertial navigation system that senses ship motions, computes the ship’s precise position, velocity, attitude, heading, and rates in digital and analog formats, and forwards the data to other vital ship systems. The passive shipboard navigation system calculates and indicates the ship’s position, attitude, heading and velocity in relation to the earth’s rotation. It senses motion, gravity, and Earth rotation, and receives externally supplied GPS updates and ship’s speed through the water. Work will be performed in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by December 2019.

• Lockheed Martin has successfully tested its newly developed Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM). The test was conducted over the Sea Range of Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. Two missiles were launched from a B-1B bomber, after making their way through several waypoints the missiles successfully hit a moving vessel. The LRSAM is the Navy’s answer to a growing problem that threatens its freedom of the seas. The missiles are a new generation of anti-ship weapons, offering longer ranges and better odds against improving air defense systems. The LRASM is designed to detect and destroy specific targets within groups of ships using its sensors, encrypted communications and a digital anti-jamming GPS. The missile can be launched from the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the B1-B Lancer, the F-35 Lightning II and from a vertical launch system on a Navy destroyer. It is designed to be used in battle against the surface ships of advanced foes, such as China or Russia.

Middle East & Africa

• A deal between the Israeli defense contractor Elta Systems and the Czech Republic may fall through due to missing certifications. The $163.5 million deal between the European nation and the subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries sees for the purchase of eight ELM-2084 multi-mission radars. The ELM-2084 is an advanced three-dimensional, S-Band radar, that incorporates modular and scalable architecture. It is designed to simultaneously perform hostile weapon locating, friendly-fire ranging and air surveillance. This radar is able to detect rockets, artillery and mortars at long ranges, and can simultaneously engage a large number of targets, and is used with the SPYDER-MR, Iron Dome, Arrow 3 and David’s Sling air defense systems. The Czech defense minister, Karla Slechtova has ordered the military police to launch an investigation into the pending purchase, after Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency declined to approve the documentation for the acquisition due to concerns over the system’s interoperability with NATO’s air-defense system.

Europe

• Jane’s reports that the French Army is set to launch its 4×4 Vehicule Blinde Multi-Role-Light by 2019. The vehicle is produced by the French defense contractor Nexter Systems. France is currently conducting a major procurement program that intends to rationalize a hodgepodge of aging land vehicles and systems while preserving France’s industrial base. The company is currently developing three variants of the VBMR-L. The Army is set to receive up to 385 units of the 10-ton 4×4 vehicle. Deliveries between 2021 and 2025 should reach 200 vehicles.

Asia-Pacific

• The Indian Navy has recently commissioned its fourth ship of the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk-IV class. The LCU MK-IV ship is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of main battle tanks, armored vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore. The vessels can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations, search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant islands. The ship has been designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, which is based in Kolkata. The ship has a displacement of 830t and is equipped with an integrated bridge system and integrated platform management system. The ship has a complement of five officers, 41 sailors and is capable of carrying an additional 160 soldiers. Four more vessels of this class are currently constructed and are expected to launch by the end of 2019.

Today’s Video

• The Israel Defense Force recently showcased its autonomous Cormorant drone, capable of evacuating wounded and delivering cargo.