The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) is a medium range, supersonic, air-launched tactical missile whose primary job is to attack and kill enemy radars. AARGM is a US Navy major acquisition program, with around 1,750 expected orders from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Italian Air Force is expected to buy up to 250 of these successors to the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile, and Germany may also join.
So, why is AARGM a big deal? Perhaps the story of how a Serbian unit using an antiquated SA-3 battery managed to survive the 1999 NATO air campaign – and shoot down an F-117 Nighthawk stealth plane – will help put things into perspective. DID recounts those events, explains the new weapon, and offers updates on contracts and key milestones.
eDefense Online tells the story of Col. Dani Zoltan. In 1999, he was a Serbian commander of the 3rd battery of the 250th Missile Brigade near Beograd, when NATO intervened in the Kosovo War. The Serbs were equipped with 1960s era SA-3 SAMs:
“In addition to technical modifications to increase the probability of successful engagement of low-RCS targets, Col. Dani also trained his unit to fight against the NATO air armada. Engagements using the shortest possible radiation of the fire-control radar were practiced over and over, and Col. Dani indicated that they focused on engaging targets well within the possible launch zone to reduce the time of flight of the missiles and, therefore, the reaction time available to the target aircraft…”
Nighthawk Down, 1999The story – which is well worth reading in full as a testament to the importance of the human factor in war – adds:
“Beyond frequent relocation, RF discipline contributed to the 3rd battery’s eventual survival, and the unit suffered no human or materiel losses at all. Radiation time of the fire-control radar was kept to a minimum, although with the P-18 they could be more liberal, as this VHF radar – according to their experiences – could not be targeted by NATO’s High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs). Even with this precaution, though, they were forced to cease radiation and/or missile control 23 times when it became evident from the target-return fluctuations or other indications that a HARM had been launched at them. False transmitters in the vicinity of the battery’s location were also used to spoof the anti-radiation missiles. Dani added that the survivability of the VHF P-18 is the single biggest reason for the command-guided Neva[1] system’s success compared to the semi-active Kub [SA-6] system…”
Moving systems, decoys, intermittent radar emissions, and radars that are outside the missile’s target profile all make life difficult for ARMs that home in on enemy radars.
Fortunately, an age of advanced reconnaissance systems and UAV offers other ways of finding such targets, which may eventually include UAV swarms. Growing trends toward persistent surveillance are even offering the ability to track, remember, and distinguish between found objects. The design question is how to translate those opportunities into a new missile.
AGM-88E AARGM: Addressing the Gaps ATK: AARGMOne obvious improvement option is 2-way communication throughout the missile’s flight, but that won’t always be reliable or possible on the battlefield. It’s nice to have, but not enough by itself. The ability to head to a precise area, and to find vehicles independent of their radar emissions, would also add important new ARM capabilities.
The AGM-88E AARGM adds all 3 of these features in order to counter radar shutdown tactics, and adds advanced capabilities that would foil many of Col. Zoltan’s other stratagems. It’s touted as a missile that can pick out and engage a variety of strike targets in addition to enemy air defenses, while providing near real-time Weapon Impact Assessments (WIA) to commanders.
AARGM production to date has involved the conversion and upgrades of existing Raytheon AGM-88B HARM missiles, which are currently used by American and allied fighters. It uses the existing HARM rocket motor and warhead sections, but swaps in a modified control section, and a new guidance section.
AARGM Block 0. Initial fielded variant. Incorporates a datalink, and GPS point-to-point weapon navigation so it can be directed toward known and last-seen targets. On top of that, its multi-sensor system includes passive digital Anti-Radiation Homing with an increased field of view and increased detection range, counter shutdown algorithms that remember where radars were, active Millimeter Wave radar guidance for final attack, and a Weapon Impact Assessment transmitter datalink that sends information back at appropriate times.
AARGM Block 1. Full combat capability. Corrects a number of classified deficiencies, and adds a netted targeting real-time feed via Integrated Broadcast System (IBS) prior to missile launch. The IBS Receiver interfaces lets the system receive national intelligence data directly.
AGM-88E AARGM: The ProgramAARGM’s production phase may total up to $1.478 billion for 2,121 missiles, to equip the US Navy & US Marine Corps (1,871: 1,750 active missiles + 121 no-motor CATMs for training), plus up to 250 missiles for the Italian Air Force. Production could expand further if the partnership formally expands to include Germany, for instance, or other export sales materialize. Australia is about to buy EA-18Gs, and has placed some initial orders for AARGM training missiles.
The AGM-88E AARGM was developed by ATK with the US Navy’s AARGM Integrated Product Team, led by the Navy’s Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Program Office (PMA-242). The team also includes members from the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake, CA; the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, MD; the Italian Air Force, the US National Reconnaissance Office, and industry partners.
Initial Operational Capability involves F/A-18C/D Hornets only. In time, AARGM operational status on the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and Tornado IDS/ECR fighters will follow. AARGM is also being designed for compatibility with the US Navy and USMC’s older EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft, with USAF F-16CJs, and with allied F-16s.
Early Funding AM Tornado IDSDeveloping these capabilities required assistance from a number of different funding sources. AARGM’s guidance section technology was developed under a series of Phase-I, II, and III US Navy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract awards from 1990 – 1995. Its missile radome, precision radome machining techniques, and radar gimbal also come from other SBIR or science and technology research initiatives.
SBIR funding is limited, however, and ends at Phase III once the specific technologies being studied are deemed ready for use in commercial designs. Funding for that overall commercial design and development came through the “Quick Bolt” Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator (ACTD) program, which began in 1999. ACTD concluded in 2003 with very positive a Military Utility Assessment (MUA) from United States European Command (EUCOM), which described AARGM as “a resounding success for the warfighter and the DoD.” By 2006, the program had even secured foreign participation from Italy, and was in talks with Germany.
Timeline & DelaysDespite that promising beginning, AARGM’s subsequent development has been slower than expected.
By February 2011, the US Navy’s 2012 RDT&E Budget Item Justification [PDF] placed IOC at Q3 FY 2011, but Operational Evaluation started late, and was halted early. AARGM didn’t begin IOT&E testing until June 2010, then suffered 6 operational mission failures during captive-carry tests. The problems were traced to poor software and parts quality, and ultimately traced back to management of the program and engineering specifications by ATK. In September 2010, the Navy de-certified AARGM from IOT&E, and the Pentagon rescinded approval for the program’s operational test plan. IOT&E didn’t restart until August 2011, and the back stock of early-production AARGM missiles have had to be individually certified as fit for service.
The program was looking to achieve Initial Operational Capability on just the F/A-18C/D Hornet in Q2 2012, but Full Rate Production (FRP) was been forced back from early 2010 to Q4 2012, and Full Operational Capacity (FOC) was moved back from Q4 FY 2013 to Q3 2014. Even then the missiles aren’t completely fit for purpose. They have (classified) deficiencies that the Navy hopes to fix with software upgrades, at the very end of the testing and evaluation periods.
AARGM Contracts & Key Events AARGM on EA-18GAARGM is a Department of the US Navy major acquisition program under PEO-W, the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons & Unmanned Aviation. US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, MD manages the contracts.
Note that All-Up-Rounds are live missiles, including their storage containers. Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM) have the seeker and electronics, but remove the warhead and rocket motor in favor of ballast that maintains the same weight distribution.
FY 2015 – 2017Italian Tornado ECRs to be upgraded by end 2015; Negative Pentagon DOT&E report.
F/A-18D launchOctober 20/17: A $18.2 million US Navy contract modification has been awarded to Orbital ATK to undertake conversion work of high-speed, anti-radiation missiles into advanced medium-range air-to-ground guided missiles with counter-enemy shutdown capability for the Italian government. The previous firm-fixed contract award called for the procurement and transition of AGM-88B High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), to the latest generation of AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). Differences between the two munitions is that the AARGM has an advanced guidance section and control abilities that use a multi-mode seeker to counter enemy shut-down capability, as well as an onboard Weapons Impact Assessment subsystem that supports battlefield commanders in conducting after-action battle damage assessments. It can also relay impact assessment data prior to the impact on target. The majority of the contract’s work will take place in California, with some to take place in Istrana, Italy. Contract conclusion is scheduled to March 2019.
September 29/17: Orbital ATK has announced the award of a $359 million contract from the US Navy to continue full-rate production of AGM-88E advanced anti-radiation guided missiles (AARGM). The initial contract includes a $157 million award for Lot Six full-rate production, as well as an option for Lot Seven, and covers all-up round missiles and captive air training missiles for the US Navy, Italian Air Force and other allies through Foreign Military Sales orders. The missile is integrated into the weapons systems on the FA-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft, and is anticipated to achieve Initial Operational Capability on the Italian Air Force’s Tornado ECR aircraft in 2018.
April 27/16: Orbital ATK has been awarded a $121.3 million contract by the US Navy to provide conversion services of old stocks of US government-provided AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missiles. The conversion will see the munitions turned into 145 full-rate production Lot 5 advanced anti-radiation guided missile all-up-rounds, and 12 captive air training missiles, including related supplies and services necessary for manufacture, sparing, and fleet deployment of the missiles, for the Navy and the government of Italy. Completion is expected by September 2018.
April 13/16: Orbital ATK’s production of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) was ceased for five weeks due to bad resistors supplied by a sub-contractor. The supplier quality issue will likely result in delays to the delivery of the company’s second and third full-production contracts. Developed as an improvement on the HARM missile, the AGM-88E contains a more modern homing receiver and navigation system to detect the radar signals of both stationary and mobile air-defense systems.
March 29/16: Orbital ATK is to keep producing AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) multi-mode seekers until 2023. The extended orders were made by the US Navy, which requires 556 additional units. The addition, among some other changes, has caused a bump in the program’s cost by $484.8 million to over $2 billion. Jointly developed by the USA and Italy, the missile modification aims to improve the effectiveness of legacy Raytheon AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) variants against fixed and relocatable enemy radar and communications sites, particularly those that shut down to throw off incoming anti-radiation missiles.
September 25/15: The Navy and Orbital ATK successfully conducted a test-firing of the Block 1 AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) in August, the company announced on Thursday. A Super Hornet was used to launch the missile, which struck a moving ship target. Further tests are planned before the upgrade is rolled out. The US Marine Corps and Navy currently operate the missile, with the Italian Air Force scheduled to employ the weapon on its Tornado ECR attack aircraft from 2017.
FY 2013 – 2014
April 23/14: FRP-3. ATK Defense Electronic Systems in Northridge, CA receives an $83.4 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for AARGM Full Rate Production Lot 3: conversion of 110 AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missiles to a combination of AGM-88E all-up-rounds and captive air training missiles, plus include related supplies and services. An Aug 11/13 ATK release places the total contract value at $96.2 million instead.
All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 US Navy budgets. Work will be performed in Northridge, CA (90%); Fusaro, Italy (8%); and Ridgecrest, CA (2%), and is expected to be complete in December 2016. US NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0162). See also ATK, “ATK’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Earns Third Full-Rate Production Award from U.S. Navy”.
FRP Lot 3
March 4-11/14: FY15 Budget. The US military slowly files its budget documents, detailing planned spending from FY 2014 – 2019. From FY 2014 – 2016, the Navy has removed 221 AARGM missiles, compared with previous plans. See above for key charts etc. The new projections imagine that they’ll be able to buy 77 more missiles than planned in FY 2017 – 2018, but those kinds of future increases have a way of evaporating. Detailed budget documents add:
“The prior year quantity should be 186 due to the program procuring 10 additional missiles with FY 2012 funding at Full-Rate Production-2 (FRP-2) contract award in September 2013…. All-Up-Rounds (AURs) and Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs) modification kit procurement quantity reduced in FY 2013 – FY 2016 due to Italian Air Force budget/funding restructuring, effects of sequestration reduction in FY 2013 through Future Years Defense Program and funding adjustments for other Navy priorities. Quantity increased in FY 2017 – FY 2019 in order to meet program of record. The quantity in FY 2015 is higher than FY 2014 due to the missile cost, which now includes Integrated Broadcast Service-Receiver (IBS-R) capability in FY 2015 and out years.”
Jan 28/14: DOT&E Testing Report. The Pentagon releases the FY 2013 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). AARGM is included, and the verdict remains the same: changes have made it operationally suitable (usable/ maintainable), but not operationally effective due to classified deficiencies.
All relevant parties have agreed to a framework that will adequately test the AARGM Block 1 Upgrade, but funding reductions are pushing planned FOT&E testing out of FY 2014, and into FY 2015 or even FY 2016. When that’s all taken care of, the Navy intends to conduct software upgrades of all Block 0 FRP missiles to Block 1, conducted at the squadron level.
Sept 25/13: FRP-2. ATK Defense Electronic Systems in Woodland Hills, CA receives a $102.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for AARGM Full Rate Production Lot II. They’ll convert Raytheon’s AGM-88B HARM missiles to AGM-88E all-up-round operational missiles and captive air training missiles (CATMs) for the US Navy (97/ $80.3M/ 78%) and the Government of Italy (15/ $12.8M/ 13%), plus related supplies and services. As an export sale, They’ll also convert AGM-88B HARM missiles to AGM-88E AARGM CATMs for the Government of Australia (8/ $9.3M/ 9%), and provide related supplies and services.
All funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Northridge, CA (90%); Fusaro, Italy (8%); and Ridgecrest, CA (2%), and is expected to be complete in December 2015. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD, is the contracting activity (N00019-13-C-0162).
FRP Lot 2: USA, Italy, Australia
Aug 5/13: #100. A ceremony Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, CA marks the 100th AARGM missile delivery. Sources: US NAVAIR, Aug 8/13 release.
#100 delivered
May 31/13: Australia. The US Navy signs an agreement with the Australian Government to provide training related to Raytheon’s AGM-88 HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and ATK’s AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile), as part of the RAAF’s EA-18G Growler buy. They’ll be able to support whichever missile the RAAF chooses, though AARGM seems to be the target.
While it’s just a training capability, its the 1st Foreign Military Sales agreement with any country regarding AARGM. Italy is something else: a co-development partner. Sources: US NAVAIR, June 18/13 release.
Australia agreement
Tornado ECR MLUMay 9/13: Italian upgrades. Alenia Aermacchi, BAE Systems, and EADS Cassidian delivered the 1st upgraded Italian Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat/ Reconnaissance air defense suppression variant) to the Italian Air Force. Alenia Aermacchi is the technical and program leader for the program, which will upgrade 15 planes to “Tornado ECR MLU” standard for service to 2025, and possibly beyond.
The upgrades begin in the cockpit, using an array of color, night-vision compatible LCS displays to replace key instruments. The new communication and identification system improves communications security, and add Link-16 battlefield situational awareness system via a MIDS box that integrates TACAN navigation functionalities. An integrated IN-GPS navigation system, supported by a Multi-Mode Receiver (MMR) system for approaches and ILS blind landings.
GPS awareness extends to sensors and weapons, with ELS multi-ship ranging and other software improvements added to improve pickup, identification, and localization of enemy radar emitters. Ordnance-related software changes allow the aircraft to carry new sensors, and adds GPS-guided weapons like AARGM and JDAM. Alenia.
March 11/13: Italian upgrades. NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) signs the MET 27 contract annex with the Panavia Tornado consortium. The contract will integrate the AARGM missile and the GPS-guided GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb onto the Aeronautica Millitare’s Tornado RET 7 and RET 8 configurations.
This effort builds on a larger upgrade effort, which began in December 2010. Implementation will take 3 years plus flight test activity, and is expected by by December 2015 thanks to some advance work. Alenia.
Jan 17/13: DOT&E Report. The Pentagon releases the FY 2012 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). AARGM is still rated as “not effective,” as “the current [Block 0] weapon configuration has multiple performance shortfalls that largely negate its ability to accomplish its mission.” 2012 was mostly about making fixes, many of which involved communications between the control sections and guidance section. The USN expects AARGM Block 1 to provide Full Operational Capability, with testing scheduled in FY 2014.
That’s after the Navy will be asked to make a decision to buy FRP Lot 2, in late FY 2013. DOT&E’s other concern is that the testing will cost more than the program has in reserve, and notes that a shortage of AARGM telemetry kits is already identified as a potential problem. Finally, this quote bears mention:
“Immediately preceding a February 2012 test event involving two other live-missile shots, the Navy notified DOT&E that the planned threat scenario would likely result in mission failure due to a classified AARGM deficiency (details available in the classified DOT&E IOT&E report). Without DOT&E consent, the Navy modified the approved test scenario to alleviate the classified deficiency and proceeded with live-missile testing. DOT&E disagreed with the adjusted threat representation and subsequently assessed these events as operational failures.”
FY 2011 – 2012IOC delayed by testing problems, low quality parts; Full-Rate Production approved – conditionally; LRIP-3 multinational order.
F/A-18E test w. HARMsSept 24/12: ATK’s Defense Electronic Systems in Woodland Hills, CA received an $8 million cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order under AARGM’s basic ordering agreement for AARGM Block I software changes, improvements, and enhancements. It also covers other enhancements to the basic system, “implement [the] deferred Capability Production Document,” and change Common Munitions Built-in Test Reprogramming Equipment boxes 4 and 6 to correct Initial Operational Test & Evaluation deficiencies.
Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, CA, and is expected to be complete in January 2015. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12 (N00019-11-G-0014).
Sept 10/12: FRP-1. ATK Defense Electronics Systems in Woodland Hills, CA receives a $70.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for AARGM Full Rate Production Lot 1. ATK will convert 53 AGM-88B HARM missiles provided by the US government, turning them into 49 AGM-88E AARGM All-Up Rounds for the US Navy, and 4 missiles for Italy. ATK will also provide 23 AGM-88E Captive Air Training Missile systems for the US Navy, which have seekers but no rocket motors, along with all related supplies and services.
Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, CA (90%); various locations in Italy (8.1%); Ridgecrest, CA (1.7%), and Clearwater, FL (0.2%), and is expected to be complete in December 2012. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($65.0M / 92.06%) and the Government of Italy ($5.6M / 7.94%). US Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-12-C-0113).
FRP Lot 1: USA, Italy
Aug 29/12: FRP. US NAVAIR announces that the Department of the Navy has authorized Full-Rate Production (FRP) for AARGM. What they misleadingly fail to say is that only the first lot of FRP missiles are approved, with any other orders depending on a program review by the end of FY 2013.
The Navy plans to award an 81-missile FRP contract to ATK later in 2012: 72 missiles for the USN, and 9 for the Italian Air Force, to be delivered in late 2013. See also Everett Herald Business Journal, which questions the authorization in light of testing problems. The Pentagon’s DOT&E 2012 report subsequently explains the limited nature of that approval.
FRP
April 4/12: Block I fix. ATK Defense Electronic Systems in Woodland Hills, CA receives a $10.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order for the AARGM Block I upgrade. They’ll handle AARGM Block I software changes, improvements, and enhancements that will enable the AGM-88E, as well as the common munitions built-in test reprogramming equipment boxes 4 and 6, to correct initial operational test and evaluation deficiencies, implement deferred capability product documentation capability, and add capability enhancements.
Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, CA, and is expected to be complete in April 2015. All funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-G-0014).
March 30/12: GAO report. The US GAO tables its “Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs” for 2012, which is very critical of ATK’s program management:
“[AARGM] entered production in September 2008 with its critical technologies mature and design stable, but without demonstrating its production processes were in control. The Navy halted operational testing in September 2010 after a series of missile failures… caused by both hardware and software issues. The hardware failures involved multiple subcontractors and were primarily attributed to poor parts quality… supplier assessments conducted in the aftermath of the program’s test failures found several problems with the prime contractor’s management of its suppliers. For example, not all program requirements had flowed down to the subcontractor level, nor had subcontractors received updated drawings as design changes were made.”
Recoverry from that situation has been rocky, but it’s making progress:
“…in July 2011, Navy test officials evaluating the program’s readiness to reenter operational testing reported that the reliability of the missiles coming out of the factory had not improved. The Navy has implemented additional controls to identify missiles of poor quality, in particular, requiring each missile to be flight tested for 3 hours before accepting them… the Navy noted that the AARGM program continues to pursue should cost initiatives, awarding low-rate production contracts within should cost targets for planned quantities… The Navy stated that reliability continues to improve and is now over twice the threshold requirement.”
Jan 17/12: DOT&E test report. The Pentagon releases the FY 2011 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). AARGM is included. The program restarted IOT&E testing in August 2011, using low-rate initial production (LRIP) missiles per the restart approval. They expect to finish in Q2 2012, and deliver a report in Q3 2012 that will affect the program’s approval for full-rate production. How did they get here?
“AARGM commenced IOT&E in June 2010, but during initial captive-carry flight tests, it suffered six operational mission failures. In September 2010, the Navy subsequently de-certified AARGM from IOT&E, and DOT&E rescinded approval for the program’s operational test plan… DOT&E assessed that [4 / 6] operational mission failures encountered during the first IOT&E period were discoveries developmental testing should have identified. IT and dedicated IOT&E is appropriately scoped and resourced with 10 live-fire LRIP missiles, along with captive-carry, reliability, and compatibility testing in operational environments against threat-representative targets.”
Oct 31/11: LRIP-3. Alliant Techsystems in Woodland Hills, CA receives a $54.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for AARGM Low Rate Initial Production Lot 3. The LRIP-3 contract involves the conversion of 51 AGM-88B HARM missiles from the US government into 51 AGM-88E AARGM missiles: 44 all-up-round (AUR) and captive air training (CATM) missile systems for the U.S. Navy ($47.15M/ 87%); and 7 AURs/CATMs for the government of Italy ($7.25M/ 13%), including related supplies and services. LRIP-3 brings the total number of ordered AARGM missiles for the U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force to 115 so far.
AARGM remains in the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) phase and has undergone more than 300 hours of missile flight testing and multiple live fires. When IOT&E ends in early 2012, AARGM will achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the FA-18C/D Hornet, and Super Hornet family and Tornado ECR fighters will eventually follow.
Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, CA (89.2%); Fusaro, Italy (7.5%); Ridgecrest, CA (1.7%); Piacenza, Italy (1.4%); and Clearwater, FL (0.2%). Work is expected to be complete in May 2013, and $517,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, as the AARGM Italian Cooperative Program follows the Production Sustainment and Follow-On Development Memorandum of Agreement between the U.S. Navy and the Italian Ministry of Defense (N00019-12-C-2005). See also ATK release.
LRIP Lot 3: USA, Italy
August 2011: IOT&E resumes.
Aug 12/11: IOC delayed. AARGM Initial Operational Capability (IOC) faces a further 9-month delay to February 2012. Costs aren’t expected to rise significantly. DefenseNews.
May 25/11: EA-18G. AARGM successfully completes its 1st EA-18G Growler test, during a captive-carry flight at China Lake, CA. Work with the electronic attack fighter will continue, in parallel with the ongoing AARGM Integrated Test & Evaluation phase using FA-18C/D Hornets.
The test squadrons have also used Super Hornets, and Cmdr. Chad Reed, deputy program manager for Anti-Radiation Missiles within the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike program office (PMA-242), says that F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler testing since November 2010 totals 25 flight hours, compared to over 150 flight-hours on F/A-18C/D Hornets. US NAVAIR | ATK.
April 27/11: Back on track? Serious quality issues that had stopped AARGM combat testing and threatened a full production decision have supposedly been resolved. US Navy program manager Captain Brian Corey told Bloomberg News that:
“The anomalies experienced in the first operational test period have been corrected and verified… The weapon is performing very well and the team has been able to meet the affordability goals… We are confident we will successfully complete [combat testing/OpEval].”
The revised AARGM missile has flown more than 160 flight hours on aircraft since February 2011 to assess its readiness to resume combat testing. The Navy plans 100 flights to evaluate the missile’s effectiveness, with initial flights assessing missile guidance, internal diagnostics, and pre-launch communications with the pilot. See also Sept 3/10 entry.
FY 2008 – 2010Milestone C approval; 1st delivery and LRIP orders; But testing failures force halt.
Stop.Sept 3/10: Testing. The US Navy halts AARGM IOT&E testing, after 6 software or circuit-card failures in the first 12 trials. This is not a common occurrence. Later reports say that the hardware failures involved multiple subcontractors, and involved poor quality parts. Source.
Tests halted
July 30/10: LRIP-2. Alliant Techsystems (ATK) Mission Systems Group’s Defense Electronics Systems Division in Woodland Hills, CA receives a $50.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for AARGM Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot II manufacturing. This contract provides for the conversion of 37 government furnished AGM-88B HARM missiles into AGM-88E AARGM All-Up Round (AUR)/Captive Air Training (CATM) missile systems for the US Navy (33, $38.1 million, 76%) and the government of Italy (4, $11.9 million, 24%), including related supplies and services.
Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, CA (75%); Rocket Center, WVA (11%); Piacenza, La Spezia, Italy (6%); Rome, Italy (6%); Clearwater, FL (2%), and is expected to be complete in February 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-10-C-0065).
LRIP Lot 2: USA, Italy
July 14/10: Acceptance. ATK announces that the US Navy has accepted its 1st deliveries of AGM-88E AARGM production missiles. The missiles were handed over at ATK’s Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) facility in Rocket Center, WVA.
1st delivery
Aug 7/09: Test. The 8th and final development test (DT) firing of the AGM-88E AARGM takes place at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, CA. It used the final missile hardware and software configuration, intended for Navy Independent Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) later in 2009.
The test shot was launched from a US Navy FA-18C Hornet in a scenario designed to test the missile’s capabilities to maneuver and perform in a short time-of-flight profile under heavy enemy counter-measures. During missile flight, AARGM successfully detected, identified, and located an enemy air defense unit (ADU) using its anti-radiation-homing (ARH) receiver. It then demonstrated its designed ability to minimize collateral damage and friendly fire by navigating clear of pre-planned impact avoidance zones. In the terminal phase, AARGM used its multi-mode sensor suite to overcome advanced target countermeasures, accurately guiding towards and directly hitting the enemy target. ATK’s Sept 3/09 release.
July 30/09: The House addresses Rep. Jeff Flake’s [R-AZ-6] proposed amendments to the FY 2010 House defense budget, including “H.Amdt. 402: An amendment numbered 439 printed in Part B of House Report 111-233 to prohibit funding for AARGM Counter Air Defense Future Capabilities.”
The amendment fails, 348-78. Its failure is bipartisan, with Republicans and Democrats both opposed in numbers, but almost all of its supporters are from the Republican Party. Flake’s district is actually near Phoenix, AZ. The 2 House members whose districts are most closely tied to AARGM competitor Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ, actually voted against this amendment: Raul Grijalva [D-AZ-7] and Gabrielle Giffords [D-AZ-8]
April 13/08: Test. A successful test firing at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake marks the 12th successful live fire test, on top of 200 flight tests, and 58 “captive carry” tests of the guidance systems and receivers. This test is similar to the Aug 11/08 test, but adds discrimination among multiple targets, prioritization of the most important target, and a last-minute send-back transmission for use in battle damage assessment. ATK release.
Dec 22/08: LRIP-1. Alliant Techsystems Mission Systems Group, Advanced Weapons Division in Woodland Hills, CA received a fixed price incentive fee contract with a not-to-exceed value of $55.1 million for the low-rate initial production of AGM-88E AARGM missiles – to include conversion of 27 existing AGM-88B HARM missiles into 27 AGM-88E AARGM All-Up-Round (AUR)/Captive Air Training (CATM) missile systems. CATMs contain seekers, but no rocket motors.
Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, CA (87.5%); Rocket Center, WVa (11%); and Clearwater, FL (1.5%), and is expected to be complete in March 2011. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages this contract (N00019-09-C-0026).
LRIP Lot 1
Sept 30/08: Milestone C. The AGM-88E AARGM successfully completes its Milestone C review, paving the way for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). Mr. Sean J. Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, signed the Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM), following AARGM’s Operational Assessment (OA) in August 2008. NAVAIR release | ATK release.
Milestone C
Aug 11/08: Test. A 2nd test firing takes place at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, this time designed to test the missile against enemy “shutdown tactics.” Launched from an F/A-18D Hornet, the AARGM detected, identified, located, and guided toward the emitter target using its Anti-Radiation Homing (ARH) receiver. After target radar emissions were purposely shut-down during the missile’s flight profile, AARGM utilized its GPS/INS to guide to the final ARH cue-point. For final approach, it successfully employed active Millimeter Wave (MMW) radar tracking to pinpoint and target the air defense site. The firing was the 4th of 8 planned developmental firings, and the final missile live-fire event leading to a Milestone C LRIP decision for AARGM. ATK release.
Aug 3/08: Test. A successful test at China Lake marks the first of two “Operational Assessment” firings supporting a Milestone C Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) decision later in 2008.
The AARGM was launched off-axis at medium altitude from an FA-18D Hornet. In this realistic scenario, AARGM successfully picked out the air defense system target in a cluttered environment, using its precision navigation to stay clear of designated impact avoidance zones (which prevents strikes in sensitive, neutral, or friendly regions), and guiding itself to lethal range. ATK release.
FY 2003 – 2007Development contract; Italy joins; Germany signs MoU but doesn’t join.
F/A-18D fires AARGMJuly 20/07: Germany. Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announces a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MBDA LFK-Lenkflugkorpersysteme GmbH, to assess potential work share opportunities with the German Ministry of Defense (MoD) on the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). The MOU focuses on identifying opportunities for Germany in the production and product improvement phase of the AARGM program, as well as opportunities for additional derivatives of its predecessor the AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM).
This isn’t an MoU with the German government, but it’s the kind of activity usually precedes procurement decisions in multi-national projects. See our entries below, for instance, to observe that Italy became the first international partner of ATK and the U.S. Department of Defense when its Ministry of Defense signed a work share agreement in 2005. If the German MoD joins the AARGM cooperative team, LFK would be integrated into this industry team. ATK release.
May 25/07: 1st firing. The first Developmental Test (DT) firing of an AARGM missile takes place from an F/A-18 aircraft on the China Lake test ranges. The missile successfully achieves safe separation from the aircraft, navigates over an extended range to the designated target, and guides to a direct hit. The successful flight test meets all test objectives. These included AARGM’s compatibility with ATK’s Common Munitions Built-in-test/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE), compatibility with the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) and AWM-103, compatibility with the F/A-18C/D 21X Software Configuration Set, and the successful integration of AARGM hardware and software with legacy AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) components.
The missile also achieved 7 successful flights firing the Quick Bolt Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) and AARGM Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) phases of the program. A series of additional launches is planned during the SD&D phase.
April 5/06: CDR. The AARGM passes a Critical Design Review. During a CDR, all elements are reviewed to ensure that the weapon system’s predicted performance will meet warfighting requirements and that the program remains on schedule and on cost. The CDR was also the first major review attended by the Italian Air Force since signing a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to participate in AARGM development. See ATK release.
CDR
AM Tornado IDSFeb 3/06: Italy in. ATK Missile Systems Co. LLC in Woodland Hills, CA received a $19.3 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. It covers risk reduction efforts and production of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) for the Government of Italy under a Memorandum of Agreement.
Efforts to be provided under this specific contract include a point-to-point firing; modification of an aircraft to perform additional captive flight tests; real and surrogate targets for use during captive flight test program; development of software models of specific targets; and establishment of an Italian source to assemble common control sections. Work will be performed in Mantova, Italy (37%), Pratica di Mare, Italy (25%), La Spezia, Italy (6%), and Woodland Hills, CA (32%); and is expected to be completed in April 2009. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD issued the contract (N00019-03-C-0353).
November 2005: Italian MoU. The Italian Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the joint development of the AGM-88E AARGM missile, which will equip their Tornado strike aircraft. Italy is providing $20 million of developmental funding as well as several millions worth material, equipment and related services.
Italy joins
June 19/03: SDD contract. ATK Missile Systems Co. LLC in Woodland Hills, CA receives a $222.6 million ceiling-priced, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the system development and design of the AGM-88E advanced anti-radiation guided missile (AARGM). The scope of the contract is the design, development and demonstration of a multi-mode AGM-88E AARGM seeker that will include an anti-radiation homing receiver, global positioning system/ inertial measuring unit and terminal radar to meet current Navy operational requirements. In addition, the contract provides for 7 special test units; 9 engineering, development models for developmental testing and operational assessment; and 15 production representative AGM-88E AARGMs. The whole program through the production phase was valued at $1.55 billion.
Work will be performed in Woodland Hills, CA (88%); San Diego, CA (7%); Van Nuys, CA (2%); Santa Barbara, CA (1%); Torrance, CA (1%); and Bourges Cedex, France (1%), and is expected to be completed in September 2008. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD (N00019-03-C-0353). See also Deagel.
System Design & Development
Footnotes1. Note that the SA-3 is known by more than one designation. SA-3 Goa is the NATO designation. S-125 is the Russian designation, and they call it the Neva or (if it’s the 2000 upgrade) S-125 Pechora.
Additional ReadingsThe 707-based E-3 aircraft forms the backbone of American, British, French, and NATO airborne early warning and control (AWACS), monitoring large swathes of airspace from an elevated position to detect incursions by enemy fighters, missiles, and even UAVs. When coupled with communications systems that allow it act as an airborne relay and command post for the aerial fight, it becomes a uniquely valuable weapons system. Under the 1981 – 1986 “Peace Sentinel” program, Saudi Arabia bought 5 E-3 AWACS(Airborne Early Warning and Control) planes and 8 KE-3A aerial tanker and cargo aircraft. Up to 3 of the KE-3s were later converted to RE-3A TASS(Tactical Airborne Surveillance System) electronic eavesdropping planes, leaving 5 E-3As, 3 RE-3As, and 5 KE-3 tankers.
Most E-3s around the world are well over 20 years old, and American, British, French, and NATO aircraft have received ongoing upgrades. Like Boeing’s US, British, French, and NATO customers, the Saudis are now seeking upgrades to keep their aircraft up to date. Broadly speaking, Saudi jets are getting 3 kinds of upgrades.
The 1st set of upgrades is the most basic, and the most necessary. Saudi E-3 avionics need to be upgraded, in order to comply with international aviation rules. Those are often referred to as CNS/ATM (Communications & Navigation Systems/ Air Traffic Management) upgrades.
A 2nd kind of upgrades involves military communications, which can be improved by adding high-bandwidth transmissions, and better transmission security. The RSAF’s E-3As and RE-3As have no peers among the Gulf Cooperation Council states, and integration that let them work with the UAE’s new command and control infrastructure would create a powerful regional resource. The parties involved aren’t discussing that aspect.
The 3rd kind of upgrade involves surveillance electronics. Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kit upgrades improve the AWACS radar by boosting its sensitivity, toughening it against jamming, and improving its reliability. Related enhancements to the plane’s passive listening electronic support measures (ESM) system can help the plane detect, identify and track electronic transmissions from ground, airborne and maritime sources, in order to determine radar and weapons system types within its surveillance range.
A recent proposal would perform in-depth upgrades on the plane’s electronics, bringing the Saudi fleet all the way to the current E-3 Block 40/45 standard flown by the USA and France. Under those upgrades, mission computing hardware and software shifts from mainframe-based computing to a set of networked servers and modern displays. This provides the computing horsepower to automate some existing tasks, such as Automatic Air Tasking Orders and Airspace Coordination Order updates. It also makes future upgrades easier. Corresponding software and hardware upgrades replace existing buttons and switches with a point-and-click user interface and drop-down menus. RISP-upgraded radar equipment will be complemented by “multisource integration capability” that provides a coherent single picture from the radar, ESM emission detectors, Link-16, and other sources, creating a single picture view for detecting and identifying targets.
Contracts & Key Events 2011 – 2017RSIP installation; Block 40/45 upgrade
Workstation: BeforeOctober 19/17: Boeing has been awarded a $240.2 million US Department of Defense (DoD) contract for the provision of an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). The fixed-price-incentive firm contract calls for the provision of AWACS mission computing, navigation and communication upgrades and enhanced target acquisition systems to rapidly distinguish between friend or foe. Work will take place at Oklahoma City, Okla., with a scheduled completion date of February 2019. The sale comes under the first phase of of the RSAF’s AWACS recapitalisation program.
July 31/15: Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft have begun receiving new Interrogator Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, as part of the fleet’s Block 40/45 upgrade program. The $60 million upgrade will see the new IFF system rolled out across the Air Force’s fleet of 31 E-3s. The AN/UPX-40 systems include Mode 5 enhancements, with the Saudis also requesting Block 40/45 upgrades in August 2014, including 20 of the new IFF systems. France has also upgraded it’s E-3 fleet with Block 40/45 enhancements.
Aug 12/14: Block 40/45. The US DSCA announces Saudi Arabia’s official export request for E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System modernization to the most current Block 40/45 status, at an estimated cost of up to $2.0 billion.
The request includes 5 Block 40/45 open architecture Mission Computing Upgrade system sets at its core, including computers, servers, and new interactive displays. This will be accompanied by 20 Next Generation AN/UPX-40 Identification Friend or Foe systems. Ancillary products and services include communication equipment, an updated Mission Planning System, spare and repair parts, support equipment, repair and return services, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, and other forms of US government and contractor support.
These upgrades are a continuation of efforts to maintain interoperability with US and coalition forces, including Britain’s E-3Ds, and the E-3F/G Block 40/45s flown by France and the USA. Implementation of this proposed sale won’t require any extra US Government or contractor representatives in Saudi Arabia. Sources: US DSCA #14-11, “Saudi Arabia – AWACS Modernization Program”.
DSCA request: Full E-3 Block 40/45 upgrade
June 5/12: RSIP Installation. Boeing in Seattle, WA receives a $66.8 million (face value) firm-fixed-price foreign military sales contract, exercising priced options for the installation and check out of Group A and B RSIP kits in the Saudi fleet of 5 E-3s. That seems to bring installation costs to $107.2 million, or $21.45 million per plane.
Work will be performed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (50%), Seattle, WA (30%); and Baltimore, MD (20%). Work is to be complete by June 15/15. ESC/HBSK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (F19628-01-D-0016, Delivery Order 0080).
Dec 14/11: RSIP Installation. Boeing in Seattle, WA received a $50.4 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time-and-material contract for installation and check out of Group A and B RSIP kits in the Saudi fleet of 5 E-3s. Work will be performed in Seattle, WA, and is expected to be complete in Oct 28/13. This was a sole-source acquisition, managed by the ESC/HBSK at Hanscom AFB on behalf of their Saudi client (F19628-01-D-0016, Delivery Order 0080).
2008 – 2010RSIP installs; Requests: CNS/ATM and Communications upgrades.
RSAF E-3Aug 20/10: Hardware upgrade. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD receives a $9.8 million contract which will replace narrow band klystron power amplifiers with wide band klystron power amplifiers in Saudi Arabian and French E-3 AWACS fleets. At this time, all funds have been committed by the Electronic Systems Center’s HBSKI at Hanscom AFB, MA (FA8704-10-C-0007).
June 30/10: RSIP IIA kits. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems in Seattle, WA receives a $73 million contract for the Saudi RSIP program’s Phase II-A production requirements, totaling 5 aircraft. At this time, the entire amount has been committed by the 551st ELSG/PKI at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA (F19628-01-D-0016; Delivery Order 0070).
See Aug 7/08 for the RSIP’s phase 1, and Dec 7/07 for the original DSCA request to buy. With respect to the 2-phase CNS/ATM upgrades mentioned in the August 2009 DSCA release, a Boeing spokesperson told DID that his understanding “is that it’s still in the proposal stage.”
Aug 6/09: CNS/ATM request. The USA’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Saudi Arabia’s formal request to buy equipment related to a 2-phased upgrade to the Communication Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management systems for the Royal Saudi Air Force’s fleet of 13 E-3 aircraft. The upgrade could run up to $1.5 billion, and will enhance the Saudis’ ability to use a common architecture for efficiently communicating the gathered electronic data within the RSAF and with other regional coalition forces.
Phase 1 will include Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, 8.33 kHz Very High Frequency radios, Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems, Mode S Transponders, Mode 4/5 Identification Friend or Foe Encryption, High Frequency radio replacements, Multifunctional Information Display Systems for Link 16 operations, Have Quick II radios, Satellite Communications and Common Secure Voice encryption.
Phase 2 will include digital flight deck instrumentation and displays, flight director system/autopilot, flight management system, cockpit data line message and combat situational awareness information.
A U.S. prime contractor will be chosen after a competitive source selection, and will also have responsibility for spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publication and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment to include flight simulators, U.S. government and contractor engineering support, technical and logistics support services, and other related support.
DSCA: CNS/ATM civil compatibility
Aug 6/09: Comms. request. The USA’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Saudi Arabia’s formal request to buy a second set of equipment that aims to give RSAF the ability to use a common architecture for efficiently communicating the gathered electronic data, within the RSAF and with other regional coalition forces. The estimated cost is up to $530 million, and includes:
The principal contractor will be L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Company in Greenville, TX. Implementation of this sale will involve up to 6 U.S. government and four contractor personnel to participate in program reviews at the contractor’s facility every 6 months. There will be approximately 6 contractors in Saudi Arabia providing technical assistance on a full-time basis until the system is integrated into the operational units.
DSCA request: Comms.
Aug 7/08: RSIP installs. Boeing in Kent, WA received an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, fixed-price delivery order contract not to exceed $42 million. In return, they will install the Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) capability on 5 Royal Saudi Air Force AWACS jets. At this time $27.3 million has been committed. 551 ELSG/PKS at Hanscom AFB, MA manages the contract (F19628-01-D-0016, #0062).
This first phase includes a study to determine which parts are obsolete and no longer available, then locating and testing parts obtained from new sources. Phase one also includes purchase of many long lead parts and the start of software design. The next phase involves production and installation of the Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits, software integration and testing, and crew training. Phase 2 was intended to be part of a 2009 follow-on contract, but actually arrived in June 2010.
The RSIP kit is built principally by Baltimore-based Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems under subcontract to Boeing. It consists of a new radar computer, a radar-control maintenance panel, and software upgrades to the radar and mission-system programs. Boeing release.
2001 – 2007Link-16 upgrades; Repairs required; RSIP radar upgrade request.
Feb 28/07: Support. Ongoing maintenance is also part of the US-Saudi AWACS relationship. The RSAF’s 6th Flying Wing brings an E-3A aircraft to Tinker AFB, OK for repairs, and the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron’s E-3 Maintenance Flight replaces a bearing between the rotodome and aircraft. A 6th Wing aircrew will perform aerial tests before returning the aircraft back to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tinker AFB, OK sustains the RSAF Peace Sentinel fleet (E-3A and KE-3A aircraft) through a Letter of Offer and Acceptance and the 557th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron’s Mid East Support. USAF release.
Dec 7/07: RSIP request. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced [PDF] Saudi Arabia’s official request for 5 sets of Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Command, Control and Communications (C3) mission equipment/Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) Group B kits for subsequent installation and checkout in all 5 of its E-3A Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). In addition, this proposed sale will include spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, contractor engineering and technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $400 million, and the prime contractor will be Boeing Aerospace Company in Seattle, WA.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately four contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia to provide technical assistance to integrate the aircraft into the operational units. Also, this program will require U.S. government and contractor personnel to conduct annual, one-week Program Management Reviews in Saudi Arabia. The DSCA adds that:
“Saudi Arabia needs this additional mission equipment to continue its development of an extended Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability, as well as enhanced command, control and communications (C3).”
While other Saudi weapon requests are drawing fire, the E-3 program is unlikely to find itself caught in that vortex due to the routine nature of the request, its non-offensive nature, and the value to the US of having additional AWACS surveillance assets to maintain key “orbits” in the region.
DSCA request: RSIP.
Nov 13/06: Link 16. Saudi Arabia purchases JTIDS Link 16 systems, which quietly transmit a shared picture to participating aircraft and ground stations. A contract to install them in the RSAF’s E-3 AWACS fleet was issued in September 2007. See “Link 16 for Saudi E-3 AWACS” for full details.
August 2001: Hardware & displays. Boeing began installing new mission computers and other hardware and software on the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) AWACS fleet, as part of a contract worth $60 million. Under the contract, Boeing upgraded the aircraft’s mission computer and software to the same level currently in use by the U.S. AWACS fleet and train Royal Saudi Air Force operators. That project was completed in 2003.
Additional ReadingsThe USA’s E-6 Mercury (aka. TACAMO, as in TAke Charge And Move Out) “survivable airborne communication system” airplanes support their Navy’s SSBN ballistic missile submarine force and overall strategic forces. With the advent of the new “Tactical Trident” converted Ohio Class special operations subs, their unique capabilities become even more useful. The E-6B version also has a secondary role as a “Looking Glass” Airborne National Command Post, and in recent years they have seen use as communications relay stations over the front lines of combat.
Delivery of the first production E-6 aircraft took place in August 1989, with delivery of the 16th and final airplane coming in May 1992. This is DID’s FOCUS Article concerning the E-6 system, which includes details concerning the capabilities and associated contracts. The latest contracts involve important fleet upgrades, as the Navy tries to drag the jet’s systems into the 21st century.
The U.S. Navy has a total fleet of 16 E-6B aircraft deployed from Tinker AFB, OK. The 707-300 derivatives have a range of about 5,500 miles, and can easily carry 23 crew members. FAS reports that in the TACAMO role, the E-6 flies independent random operations from various deployed sites for approximately 15 day intervals. Each deployed crew is self-supporting except for fuel and perishables, and the mission requires a 24 hour commitment of resources (alert posture) in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.
The term “Looking Glass” referred to the aircraft’s ability to “mirror” the underground US STRATCOM command center, in the event that it’s destroyed or becomes disabled. The aircraft use their very-low-frequency (VLF) dual trailing wire antenna system to permit one-way, emergency communications to submerged submarines. That gives the Pentagon a vital link to the fleet from national command authorities, without forcing the subs to reveal their positions. In an emergency, the E-6 fleet will also provide an Airborne National Command Post (ABNCP) for United States Command in Chief for Strategic Forces and theater CINCs, including an Airborne Launch Control System capable of launching U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.
In the ABNCP role, as directed by US STRATCOM, 2 aircraft would be flown to Offutt Air Force Base (AFB) to embark the battle staff and the airborne launch control system (ALCS) components, then placed in alert status.
The first E-6B aircraft was accepted in December 1997, and the E-6B assumed its dual operational mission in October 1998. The E-6 fleet was completely modified to the E-6B configuration in 2003, and maintenance of the systems is performed by the standard complement of squadron ground and in-flight technician personnel. The Block I upgrades provide the next big step forward for the fleet, and Full Operational Capability was declared in spring 2012.
E-6B Upgrade Efforts MCS-10 systemE-6B Block I. This upgrade program began in 2004, as a collaborative effort between the Navy and industry. It adds open system architecture electronics via its new MCS-10 computers; a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Intercommunications System; and an on-aircraft, multi-level secure network for message processing. That electronic architecture also lays the groundwork for future upgrades, by making it much easier to insert new electronics. Rockwell Collins was the prime contractor, with ARINC as their sub-contracted installer. A related Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) effort worked to improve the plane’s uplink/downlink speeds.
The MCS-10 is at the heart of all strategic data communication links aboard the E-6B, and makes it possible to receive and transmit Emergency Action Messages to deployed US Strategic (nuclear) Forces. It will also help the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) mission by automating 2-way messages between the MCS-10 and battlestaff mission equipment, which frees crew members from unnecessary administrative duties of processing, verifying, and then re-typing complex data messages. This saves time and crew in critical situations, while removing the ever-present possibility of human error.
Full Operational Capability (FOC) was declared for the 15 modified E-6Bs and 3 training devices (including at least 1 737) in spring 2012. Since then, the program office has delivered 1 software update, all spares, updated the MCS-10 test bench, and submitted final Emergency Action Message (EAM) certification to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for approval.
E-6B Block II. The follow-on Block II program kicked off in earnest in June 2012. With this program, the E-6B begins to take full advantage of the Block I upgrades. Modifications like the dual line of sight/ satellite MR-TCDL datalink will let the TACAMO fleet connect to secure U.S. Department of Defense networks, at high data rates, while still in flight. That might seem like an elementary function for a national-level command aircraft, but the age of the planes made it a long slog to get there. For people on board, these Block II change will dramatically broaden the type and quality of information they can receive. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for Block II.
E-6B SLEP. In parallel with the communications refits, E-6Bs are also receiving Service Life enhancement Program modifications, designed to take the airframes from 27,000 safe flight hours to 45,000, and give them another 20 years of service life. The refit involves inspecting and replacing up to 15,000 fasteners on the aircraft’s wings, and widening and strengthening fastener holes. That means up to 28,000 man-hours per plane, as the Navy prefers a cold-working process to strengthen the fastening holes, which involves the physical removal and inspection of each fastener as well as rework of the holes.
While the Navy leads that SLEP process, most of the work is being performed by the USAF Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center’s 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who have a lot of experience with the USAF’s similar E-3 Sentry AWACS planes. The SLEP is estimated to cost over $3 million per aircraft, and the 16th and final E-6B is scheduled to roll out of the SLEP hangar in 2015.
E-6 Mercury: Contracts and Key Events FY 2013 – 2017Block I FRP; TCDL datalink.
Bringing it in
October 06/17: Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins have both received USAF contracts ($81 and $76 million respectively) for the technology maturation and risk reduction phase of the Airborne Launch Control System Replacement (ALCS-R) program—the development of an airborne command-and-control system that makes it possible for the USAF to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile even if launch control centers on the ground are destroyed. The program will support intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operations until 2075, meaning it will work with both the current Minuteman III system and its eventual replacement, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, which will come online in the late 2020s. During ALCS-R, the service intends to replace all of the airborne mission equipment onboard the 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft equipped with the current ALCS system, as well as ground-based radios in 450 launch-control centers, which haven’t been updated since the 1960s.
June 4/14: Training. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an $11.9 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to upgrade of the E-6B Mercury Weapon System Trainer, and keep it consistent with changes to the plane.
All funds are committed immediately, using Navy FY 2012-13 aircraft budgets. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (60%) and Binghamton, NY (40%), and is expected to be complete in February 2017. US NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004).
June 2/14: FAB-T contract. Raytheon in Marlborough, MA receives a $298 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for 84 FAB-T Command Post Terminals (CPT), which will allow broadband-speed reception from the USAF’s hardened, secure new AEHF satellites. FAB-T CPTs will equip E-4B NAOC and E-6B Mercury Block II command post aircraft, as well as some ground and mobile locations. After FAB-T reaches Milestone C, Phase 2 production contract options for Low-Rate Initial Production and beyond will open up for Raytheon, expanding the contract considerably.
It’s a sharp blow to prior incumbent Boeing, but not entirely unexpected. Buying FAB-T terminals for USAF B-2 and B-52 bombers, RC-135 SIGINT/ELINT aircraft, or other planes, would require another procurement process.
Work will be performed in Marlborough, MA and Largo, FL, with the Florida location serving as the assembly point. USAF FY 2013 through 2019 budgets will fund FAB-T buys over time, with just $31,274 committed immediately. Two bids were solicited and two received. The USAF Life Cycle Management Center/HNSK at Hanscom AFB, MA, solicited 2 bids, and received 2 (FA8705-13-C-0005, PO 0002). Sources: Pentagon DefenseLINK | Raytheon, “Raytheon awarded $298 million for US Air Force FAB-T satellite terminal program” | Defense News, “Space Fence, FAB-T Awards Show an Emboldened DoD”.
Feb 25/14: New dome? The Aviationist passes along an interesting observation:
“On Feb. 14, Military Radio Comms Expert Allan Stern took a photograph of E-6B TACAMO 164407 landing at Patrick Air Force Base and several people noticed that there is a new dome on the aircraft, clearly visible before the tail.”
It’s about the same size as wifi antennas on commercial passenger jets, but that doesn’t tell us much. Until there’s an official explanation, the mystery continues. Sources & picture: The Aviationist, “E-6B Mercury “Doomsday plane” with brand new dome”.
Nov 27/13: Rockwell Collins Inc. in Richardson, TX receives a $10.8 million fixed-firm-price contract for E-6B sustaining engineering services, including the Mission Avionics System, the Long Trailing Wire Assembly (~5 miles, for VLF transmission), the Short Trailing Wire Assembly, the High Power Transmit Set and the Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase 4 system.
$2 million in Navy FY 2014 operations and maintenance funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (60%) and Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, OK (40%) and is expected to be complete in November 2014. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. US NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-14-C-0027).
Nov 14/13: Block I. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $46.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to deliver and install 2 E-6B Block I modification aircraft kits, including Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase III and very low frequency transmit terminals (VTT). They’ll also deliver and install 4 VTT retrofit modification kits, while providing field support, differences training for existing technicians, software licenses and agreements, and updates to an Operational Flight Trainer.
All funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (56%); Oklahoma City, OK (43%); and San Antonio, TX (1%), and is expected to be complete in May 2015. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004).
Nov 5/13: Support. DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Gaithersburg, MD receives a $50.9 million firm-fixed-priced contract modification, exercising an option for E-6B support and spares, including the procurement and repair of operational, depot and Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures spares and associated shipping and data.
$13.3 million in FY 2014 O&M funds are committed immediately, and will expire on Sept 30/14. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Offutt AFB, NB (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%); and is expected to be complete in November 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).
Nov 5/13: TCDL. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Herndon, VA receives an $18.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to build, install and test E-6B related modifications to the Multi-Role TCDL’s [PDF, Tactical Common Data Link] Ku-band Line-of-Sight and Ka-band satellite communications systems. It also funds systems integration laboratory work, and aircraft development and operational test support.
$18.5 million in FY 2014 Navy aircraft procurement funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Greenville, TX (50%), Patuxent River, MD (35%), and San Diego, CA (15%), and is expected to be complete in November 2015. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-12-C-0096).
July 1/13: FAB-T. Raytheon Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA receives a $34 million contract modification to continued development and testing of air (E-4, E-6) and ground fixed and transportable command post terminals with presidential and national voice conferencing. The systems are a parallel project award under the Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program, which leverages new AEHF secure, hardened broadband satellites.
Work will be performed at Marlborough, MA, and is expected to be complete by October 2013. Fiscal 2012 Research and Development funds are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/HNSK, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA manages the contract (FA8307-12-C-0013, PO 0013).
April 15/13: Block II: IPBE. US NAVAIR announces that the E-6B’s Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) upgrade was recently installed on its 4th aircraft (3 operational, 1 test), during a service life extension program (SLEP) overhaul. It was delivered back to the Navy’s VQ-4 Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron at Tinker AFB, OK on March 14/13. Twelve more E-6Bs are scheduled to get the IPBE upgrade, with the last installation scheduled for completion in mid-fiscal 2019.
The E-6 Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) describes the IPBE upgrade as an ultra-high frequency line of sight digital data feed used while operating over the USA, and a commercial Inmarsat satellite feed for use when operating outside the USA. Besides offering much higher bandwidth, IPBE has the advantage of removing more than 5,000 pounds of backup equipment from the aircraft.
Nov 27/12: Block I FRP. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $53.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for 3 E-6B Block 1 modification aircraft kits, 3 E-6B Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase III modification kits, and 4 very low frequency transmit terminal kits for the Block 1A engineering change proposal. Since VLF waves penetrate about 40 meters into salt water, they’re used for military communication with submarines. An accompanying trainer upgrade will keep the mission avionics systems trainer in sync. Rockwell Collins later reveals that there are also $241 unexercised options, which could upgrade up to 11 aircraft before all is said and done.
Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, OK (55%); Richardson, TX (35%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%), and is expected to be complete in February 2014. $51.4 million is committed on award. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004). See also Rockwell-Collins.
Block I Full-rate production
Nov 19/12: Support. Finmeccanica subsidiary DRS C3 and Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA received a $50 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B Mercury, including common aircraft spares support for 2 CNATT E-6B Mission Avionics System trainers, an Integrated Avionics Trainer, 2 VQ-7 Operational Flight Trainers, an E-6B P2 Lab, and the E-6B System Integration Laboratory.
In addition, this option provides limited services for residual spares taken from retired 707 derivatives, including the VC-137 (command aircraft, incl. Air Force One) and C-18 (other specialty 707-320B derivatives).
Work will be performed at Tinker AFB, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in November 2013. $15.1 million will be obligated on this award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/12. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).
Nov 2/12: MR-TCDL. Northrop Grumman Information Systems’ Network Communication Systems subsidiary in San Diego, CA receives a $20.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to integrate the Multi-Role Tactical Common Data Link (MR-TCDL) into the E-6B aircraft. That’s going to require for ancillary equipment, hardware, and software changes to add the new data standards, flows, and interfaces. The MR-TCDL includes 2 Ku-band line-of-sight channels and 1 Ka-band satellite communications channel, with the accompanying power conditioning, cooling, electrical and network distribution, etc. that are part of the Block II B-kits.
Work will be performed in San Diego, CA (75%), Waco, TX (20%), and Patuxent River, MD (5%) and is expected to be complete in October 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-12-C-0096).
Oct 3/12: Replace? The Lexington Institute releases “Modernizing the Air Force’s Electronic Aircraft Fleet” [PDF]. It advocates replacing all current USAF 707 and C-135 derivatives with off-the-shelf or nearly OTS 737 military derivatives, restoring the fleet while saving on rising maintenance costs. KC-135 aerial tankers, which are being replaced with a Boeing “KC-46A” 767 variant, were excluded from their analysis, leaving just over 70 planes to replace. The Institute believes that the savings could amount to $3 billion per year once full replacement is accomplished, over an expected service life of 30 years. Unfortunately, they do not show their cost model.
It’s an unlikely outcome, but if the USAF did choose this option, the recently-modernized E-6 fleet would probably be the last aircraft phased out. These low-hours airframes that are fresh from an upgrade, and the USAF/USN would have to either design a new internal electronics architecture from the ground up, or convert and then fit the E-6B’s systems into a slightly shorter 737-800/900 ER jet. That would add expenses and time, and introduce technical risks. What it probably wouldn’t do, is significantly increase capabilities when compared to an E-6B Block II.
FY 2011 – 2012Block I FOC, Block II development.
Gonna buy me a Mercury…Sept 10/12: Broadband SATCOM. The Raytheon Co. Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA, is being awarded a $70 million firm fixed price contract for development, testing and production of FAB-T engineering development models of air (E-4B NAOC, E-6B), ground fixed and transportable Command Post Terminals with Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC). FAB-T terminals are designed to work with the US military’s new AEHF hardened broadband satellites.
The location of the performance is Marlborough, MA. Work is to be complete by July 2013. The AFLCMC/HSNK at Hanscom AFB, MA manages the contract (FA8307-12-C-0013).
July 17/12: US NAVAIR discusses the new open architecture MCS-10 mission computer for the E-6B fleet, which was installed on 15 E-6B aircraft and 3 training devices, as a key part of the Block I upgrades.
June 26/12: Block II development. Northrop Grumman Corp. announces a $44.3 million contract from the Us Navy to begin the E-6’s Block II upgrades, which build on Block I’s enabling architecture. Northrop Grumman will design and produce networking and communications systems, first integrating them into the E-6B Systems Integration Laboratory and then onto a single E-6B aircraft. Under the US NAVAIR contract, Northrop Grumman will also provide testing, logistics and training to support operational fielding.
With the Block II Modification, the E-6B aircraft will be able to connect to secure U.S. Department of Defense networks at high data rates while still in flight. The upgrade will enable users on board the aircraft to access mission-essential, near-real-time information from worldwide sources, without impacting the operational performance of the aircraft. If all goes well, the Navy intends to field Block II capability to the entire E-6B fleet through a follow-on contract.
Block II SDD
Spring 2012: Block I FOC. Full Operational Capability (FOC) is declared for the 15 modified E-6Bs and 3 training devices. Source.
Block I done
Dec 1/11: Support. Finmeccanica’s DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA receives a $48.5 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for management of government-owned inventory and material support of E-6B aircraft. This option provides for residual spares from past 707-derivative programs, including the VC-137 (former Air Force One) fleet, and the C-18 range of specialized monitoring and communications aircraft.
Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis Air Force Base, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NE (10%); and is expected to be complete by November 2012. $6.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).
Dec 1/11: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA is being awarded a $45.4 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to exercise an option to develop and produce A-kits and B-kits for the Block I modification of 3 low rate initial production E-6B aircraft, plus associated training and support to achieve Initial Operational Capability.
Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, OK (50%); Richardson, TX (40%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-10-C-0067).
June 23/11: Them’s the Brakes. General Atomics Systems Integration, LLC in Kaysville, UT wins a $25 million firm-fixed-price requirements contract to design, evaluate, test, install, and provide spares for lighter brakes, wheels, radial tires and a Brake Temperature Monitoring System for the E-6B fleet.
The E-6B fleet wouldn’t be the first military planes to find advantages in modern brake systems, which often use carbon fiber assemblies. Benefits include fewer parts, longer life, lower maintenance requirements, and lower weight that translates into fuel savings. The WBSI brake replacement program for the USAF’s KC-135 fleet, which uses a similar base airframe, was estimated to save a total of $583 million over the life of the program.
Work will be performed in Kaysville, UT (65%); Oklahoma City, OK (25%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2015. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals, with 2 offers received by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-11-D-0005).
Feb 14/11: Block I. The Carlyle Group’s ARINC, Inc. in Annapolis, MD announces a sub-contract from Rockwell Collins to install their Block I upgrades in E-6B TACAMO and Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) aircraft (vid. Nov 22/10 entry).
ARINC will perform comprehensive removal, upgrading, and replacement of the receivers, transmitters, communications racks, and operator stations that support the aircraft’s Communications Central and Battle Staff suites. The same Block I modifications will be made to an existing Mission Avionics Systems Trainer currently used at Tinker AFB, OK.
Work will take place over 26 months at its Aircraft Modification and Operations Facility in Oklahoma City, OK, with personnel from NAVAIR PMA-271 and Rockwell Collins on hand to supervise and assist. ARINC recently began building a 2nd hangar at the facility, which will more than double available hangar space when it opens in June 2011. Induction of the first upgraded E-6B aircraft is scheduled for July 2011, with final delivery by September 2013.
Nov 23/10: JDME Award. NAVAIR announces that its E-6B Mercury Fleet Support Team has received the 2010 Joint Depot Maintenance Excellence Award (Team category) at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Tampa, FL. Capt. Bob Roof, the E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications (PMA-271) program manager:
“The E-6 aircraft is a national asset. With only 16 aircraft in the fleet, we could not send them through the normal time lined depot maintenance cycle and still maintain the aircraft readiness level necessary to meet its mission… our Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, fleet support team solved this problem through collaboration with the Air Force using a process called Enhanced Phase Maintenance.”
Under EPM, the depot comes to the aircraft. Air Force artisans work side by side with Navy maintainers, in Navy hangars, to complete the required depot maintenance in as little as 6 weeks.
Nov 22/10: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a not-to-exceed $60.5 million addition to a previously awarded but unfinalized $38.8 million contract (N00019-10-C-0067, vid. July 22/10). In exchange for this $99.3 million award, the firm will develop and produce A-kits and B-kits for 3 Low Rate Initial Production E-6B Block I modifications, along with “associated training and support systems to achieve initial operational capability.”
Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas (70%; Waco, TX (20%); and Oklahoma City, OK (10%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2013.
Nov 18/10: Support. Finmeccanica subsidiary DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA wins a $43.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for logistics services in support of E-6B aircraft, to include management of government-owned inventory and material support.
Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NE (10%). Work is expected to be complete in November 2011, and $214,500 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. This contract was competitively procured via a request for proposal, with 2 offers solicited and 2 proposals received (N00019-11-C-0011).
November 2010: Testing. Month-long Fleet Introduction Team (FIT) checks at Tinker AFB, OK for operational evaluation of the final product with US STRATCOM. Source.
Oct 14/10: Rear. Adm. Donald Gaddis of the US Navy’s Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft approves the ACAT-II level E-6B Block I Modification Program’s move into Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E).
The E-6B Mercury Block I Program entered into System Development and Demonstration (SDD) following Milestone B in March 2004. US NAVAIR.
Block I to IOT&E
FY 2009 – 2010Block I Milestone C, production.
Routine maintenanceSeptember 2010: Testing. Final developmental testing completed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-20 personnel. Source.
July 22/10: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an undefinitized, not-to-exceed $38.8 million contract. The firm will develop and produce an A-kit and B-kit for Block I modification on 1 low-rate initial production E-6 aircraft, as well as associated training and support systems to achieve initial operational capability.
Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (70%); Waco, TX (20%); and Oklahoma City, OK (10%). Work is expected to be complete in July 2011. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-2 (N00019-10-C-0067).
July 12/10: Block I. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $43.7 million modification for prototype upgraded systems in the government’s E-6 systems integration laboratory, and on pre-production Block I modification aircraft. This order finalizes a previously awarded contract (N00019-09-C-0056) as a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, and covers design, development, integration, installation, and test work.
Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (75%), and Patuxent River, MD (25%), and is expected to be complete in September 2013.
June 15/10: The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271), teamed with the USAF Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center’s 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (566 AMXS) at Tinker AFB, OK, and the In-Service Support Center in Jacksonville, FL, has completed their first Service Life Extension Program modification of an E-6B Mercury, extending its originally planned service life of 27,000 flight hours to 45,000 flight hours.
NAVAIR says that the first SLEP modification took 6 months to complete, which would mean that it started late (December vs. September 2009). Contractors included Boeing and Andromeda Systems, Inc., who helped narrow the original list of more than 100 critical rework locations to just the 14 locations reworked on the first SLEP aircraft. The SLEP crew at 566 AMXS replaced original fasteners with interference-fit fasteners and cold-worked 14,383 holes, while performing the 12 individual modification directives. Fatigue Technology, Inc., also provided critical engineering, tooling, and training for the actual cold-working process. Although the modification was similar to work typically done by the 566 AMXS, the cold-working process directed by the Navy to strengthen the fastening holes required additional work and inspections.
The 566 AMXS will perform the same modification on the remaining 15 Mercury aircraft at Tinker AFB with the last SLEP finishing in 2015, vs. the original estimate of 2013. See also Aug 28/09 entry. NAVAIR.
1st E-6B SLEP done.
June 8/10: Milestone C. The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) completes a Gate 6 / Milestone C review for the E-6B Modification program, and the E-6B Block I Program enters the Production and Deployment phase:
“The purpose of the Block I Program is to correct E-6B Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) Follow-on Test & Evaluation deficiencies and replace equipment that is obsolete or degrades mission performance by modifying aircraft, ground training systems, and the Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL)… The Prime Contractor for the Block IA Program is Rockwell Collins located in Richardson, Texas. Rockwell Collins, teamed with subcontract L-3 Communications, supports successful aircraft modifications in Waco, Texas.”
On NAVAIR’s side, the Block I IPT leads were Cmdr. Jaime Engdahl and Amy Houle Caruso. The E-6B Mercury Block I Program entered into System Development and Demonstration (SDD) following Milestone B (MS B) in March 2004. The SDD contract will be complete in Q1 2011 (Q2 FY11), but the Milestone C decision is expected to lead to an E-6B delivered for operational use in Q4 2011 (Q1 FY12), with the other 3 aircraft completed by Q4 2012 (Q1 FY13). NAVAIR.
Block I into production
Dec 17/09: Training. L-3 Link Simulation & Training announces a 1-year, $11.2 million contract option to continue to provide support for the U.S. Navy’s E-6B Aircrew Training System (ATS). Additional annual contract options could extend L-3 Link’s flight crew training support through 2015. L-3 Link has won 3 consecutive competitions since 1993, in order to remain prime contractor on the program.
The ATS contracts provide E-6B TACAMO pilots, navigators and flight engineers with instructor-led, computer-based and simulator training. Both academic and simulator aircrew instruction delivered by L-3 Link supports initial qualification, instructor upgrade, refresher, re-qualification, instrument ground school and crew resource management training. L-3 Link also operates and maintains all program training devices, including a new FAA Level D equivalent Operational Flight Trainer that enabled key training events to be moved from the aircraft to far less expensive simulators. The E-6B ATS schoolhouse is located at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. and the FAA Level D equivalent E-6B Operational Flight Trainer is housed in an adjacent L-3 Link facility.
E-6B Mercury landingAug 28/09: SLEP. Workers from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at tinker AFB, OK are preparing to begin E-6B SLEP(Service Life Extension Program) work in September 2009. The refit will involve inspecting and replacing up to 15,000 fasteners on the aircraft’s wings, and widening and strengthening fastener holes. The SLEP is estimated to cost just more than $3 million per aircraft, and the 16th and final aircraft is scheduled to roll out of the hangar in the spring of 2013.
The 566th AMXS performs enhanced phase maintenance on the E-6 in addition to its main duties in refurbishing the similar USAF E-3. One difference is that the Navy prefers a cold-working process to strengthen the fastening holes, which involves the physical removal and inspection of each fastener as well as rework of the holes. That means an estimated 28,000 man hours of work for each aircraft, which is still slightly less than the 35,000 hours required to refurbish an E-3 during depot maintenance. USAF.
May 4/09: SLEP. Boeing in Wichita, KS received a $6 million cost plus fixed price delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the supplies and services necessary to plan, manage, and execute engineering support for the U.S. Navy’s E-6B aircraft Service Life Sustainment effort.
Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK, and is expected to be complete in September 2011.
April 30/09: Avionics. Boeing in Wichita, KS received a $15.5 million modification to a previous a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an option for 15 Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorders, 15 Flight Data Recorders, and associated technical data and spare and repair parts for E-6B Mercury aircraft.
Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK, and is expected to be complete in September 2012 (N00019-09-C-0051).
April 14/09: Avionics. Boeing received a $20.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for one Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorder and one Flight Data Recorder (CSFIR/FDR) for E-6B Mercury Aircraft. In addition, this contract provides for 2 modification kits for the Operational Flight Trainer (OFT); one modification kit for the OFT Replay Debrief Station Trainer, one for the Integrated Avionics Trainer; one for the Part Task Trainer, and one for the Forward Lower Lobe Device Trainer; and interim spare parts and technical data.
Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK and is expected to be complete in April 2011. This contract was competitively procured under an electronic request for proposals, with 2 offers received by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-09-C-0051).
March 12/09: IPBE. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Richardson, TX received a $10.3 million “fixed firm price contract” for approximately 37,250 man-hours of engineering, installation, and testing in support of Phase 4 of the E-6B TACAMO’s Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE). In addition, a total of 3 options with a total value of $7.7 million are being exercised at time of award, for an additional 40,900 man-hours of non-recurring engineering, installation, and testing. This brings the totals to $18 million and 78,150 hours.
IPBE Phase 4 will install the Digital Northstar System on the E-6B aircraft, giving it the proper configuration to communicate and work with DNS ground sites in the US military’s global communications network.
Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (69%); Cedar Rapids, IA (18%); and Phoenix, AZ (13%), and is expected to be complete in March 2011. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-09-C-0035).
Feb 25/09: NAVAIR’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications program office (PMA-271) accepts the first modified E-6B Mercury Block I from Rockwell Collins and L-3 Integrated Systems Group during a ceremony at the L-3 Integrated Systems facility in Waco, TX.
PMA-271 program manager Capt Bob Roof says that the E-6B Block I modification program addresses operator workload sharing, deal with electronics obsolescence issues, makes future upgrades easier, and corrects deficiencies identified during the E-6B Airborne Command Post modification operational test. US NAVAIR.
1st Block I delivered
Oct 30/08: Support. L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $28.7 million modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0011) to exercise an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B TACAMO aircraft fleet.
Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Oct 30/08: Training. L-3 Communications Corp.in Arlington, TX received a $9.6 million modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract, exercising an option for training support and up to 2,000 flight instructor hours on a Boeing 737-NG aircraft to serve as an E-6B in-flight trainer.
Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK; and is expected to be complete in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $9.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-05-D-0012).
FY 2007 – 2008IPBE
E-6B MercuryJune 23/08: IPBE. Boeing Aerospace Operations in Oklahoma City, OK received a $28.9 million cost-plus fixed-fee contract for non-recurring engineering, installation, and test of the Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) Phase 1 on one (1) E-6B aircraft. The purpose of the IPBE Phase 1 is to install commercial satellite and line of sight radio equipment, allowing improved data capabilities and global Communications/Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) on the E-6B aircraft.
Work will be performed in Wichita, KS (84%); Oklahoma City, OK (14%); and Seattle, WA (2%), and is expected to be complete in March 2010. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-08-C-0053).
Aug 10/07: Gonna buy me a Mercury, and cruise it up and down Iraq. The USAF’s “Sailors help bridge gap for Soldiers in Baghdad” article describes the recent work of E-6 crews over Iraq:
“In the Middle East, the “Take Charge And Move Out” flies over Iraq to serve as the last means of communication between ground forces… The TACAMO has the capability of staying in the air for long periods of time, so the team flies over Iraq daily, for 12 to 14 hours providing communication.”
Combat
March 2008: Block I. Initial contractor and developmental testing of E-6B block I completed, creates list of “prioritized deficiencies”. NAVAIR also introduced new requirements to improve the airborne command post mission, and a 2nd round of tests took place in May 2009. Source.
April 13/07: Block I. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $45 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide additional funding for the E-6B Block I modification program, including the design, development, installation, and testing of a fully integrated airborne command and control communication system.
Work will be performed in Waco, TX (80%) and Richardson, TX (20%), and is expected to be complete in December 2009 (N00019-04-C-0101).
Oct 26/06: Support. L-3 Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $28.5 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0011), exercising an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B fleet. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in October 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $17.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Oct 26/06: Training. L-3 Communications Link Simulation & Training in Arlington, TX received a $13.7 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0012), exercising an option for up to 2,000 flight instructor hours on a Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft to serve as an E-6B In-Flight Trainer. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK; and is expected to be complete in October 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $13.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
FY 1990 – 2006 2003 mods beginJan 24/06: Support. L-3 Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $27 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for logistics services in support of the E-6B Mercury fleet. With the exercise of 4 more 1-year options, the total value of the contract could reach $142.3 million.
Services will be provided to the Commander, Strategic Communications Wing ONE (CSCW-1), and three TACAMO squadrons at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%). Support for operations will be given at Travis AFB, CA (10%); Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, MD, including the Systems Integration Lab (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and are expected to be complete in October 2006. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; one offer was received by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-06-D-0011). Sources: DefenseLINK,
Oct 18/05: Support. Boeing Aerospace Operations in Oklahoma City, OK received an estimated value $8.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, time and materials, cost-reimbursement contract (N00019-01-C-0066) for the repair services and procurement of spare parts for the E-6 platform. The aim is to reduce the existing repair backlog and replenish of wartime spare kits to proper wartime sparing levels. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK and is expected to be complete in December 2005.
Oct 18/05: Training. L-3 Communications Link Simulation & Training in Arlington, TX received a $13.4 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0012). The modification exercises an option for up to 2,000 Flight Instructor hours on a Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft, to serve as an E-6B In-Flight Trainer. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK and is expected to be complete in October 2006.
March 30/04:Block I. The Rockwell Collins Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $79.5 million cost-plus-award-fee contract for the system development and demonstration of the E-6B’s Block I modification. Block I aims to:
“…correct follow-on operational test and evaluation, deficiencies, readiness degraders, and obsolescence issues. This effort includes design, development, installation, and testing of the fully integrated system modifications in a systems integration laboratory and a production representative aircraft.”
Work will be performed in Waco, TX (37%); Richardson, TX (36%); Manassas, VA (11%); San Antonio, TX (9%); Cedar Rapids, IA (4%); and Sacramento, CA (3%), and is expected to be complete in September 2008. This contract was competitively procured through a Request for Proposals; 2 firms were solicited and 2 proposals were received by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-04-C-0101).
Block I SDD
Dec 1/03: Avionics. Boeing’s Wichita Modification and Developmental Center in Wichita, KS received a $20 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-99-C-1228), exercising an option for the purchase of 7 Multifunction Display System (MDS) kits, and installation of 6 MDS kits, for the cockpit of the E-6 aircraft. MDS kits will increase the mean time between failures, reduce spares, and provide substantial life cycle savings over 20 years in operations and support. Work will be performed in Cecil Field, FL (90%), and Wichita, KS (10%), and is expected to be complete in November 2004.
Oct 1/1998: The USAF retires the EC-135, but its Looking Glass role remains with the Navy’s E-6 fleet. USAF.
Looking Glass shifts
July 24/1990: USAF “Looking Glass” aircraft cease continuous airborne alert, but remain on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. USAF Strategic Air Command initiated the Looking Glass airborne command post on Feb 3/1961 using the EC-135, whereupon flying shifts kept a Looking Glass aircraft in the air at all times 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for more than 29 years, accumulating over 281,000 accident-free flying hours.
The name “Looking Glass” referred to the aircraft’s ability to “mirror” the underground SAC (now U.S. Strategic Command) command center in the event it was destroyed or became disabled. USAF.
Additional Readingshttps://youtu.be/WnPq52oEWa4>
Indonesia’s turn toward Russian fighters stemmed partly from necessity. Its 12 remaining F-16A/Bs and 16 remaining F-5E/F fighters experienced severe maintenance problems in the wake of a US embargo, triggered by the Indonesian military’s widespread human rights abuses in East Timor. Its 30+ single-seat Hawk 209 sub-sonic light combat aircraft, derived from the trainer jets the TNI-AU also operates, were the country’s only fighter alternative.
A $192 million contract began to address that in 2003, by buying 2 SU-27SK single-seat and 2 SU-30MK twin-seat multi-role fighters from Russia. Indonesia submitted a formal request to buy 24 used F-16s in 2011, but it isn’t backing away from its high-end Flanker fleet. In fact, the TNI-AU has steadily added more. Now, they’re reaching out to their neighbors for training and support.
Indonesia’s TNI-AU has now ordered 16 SU-27 family fighters: 2 SU-27SK, 3 SU-27SKM, 2 SU-30MK, and 9 SU-30MK2.
The SU-27SKM and SU-30MK2 export variants are the result of parallel upgrade programs. They share many modifications, including the addition of digital cockpits with updated avionics, additional wing hardpoints, carrying capacity upgrades to 8,000 kg of weapons, a wider variety of weapon options, upgraded radars and ECM (Electronic CounterMeasures to jam enemy radars etc.), and in-flight refueling capability.
These modifications change the SU-27SK from a dedicated air superiority fighter to a multi-role fighter and attack aircraft. The SU-30, which has always been multi-role, is simply improved. Both of the new variants share the Sukhoi Flanker family’s combination of long range, large payloads, and air to air performance that can match any American fighter except the F-22A Raptor.
Those capabilities, and Russia’s policy of avoiding political conditions on its weapon sales, nudged Indonesia into a tilt toward Russia as a weapons supplier. A $192 million contract began to address the problems created by the US embargo in 2003, by buying 2 SU-27SK single-seat air superiority fighters and 2 SU-30MK twin-seat multi-role fighters through Rosoboronexport.
The TNI-AU’s tily toward Russia continued, despite the lifting of the US embargo in November 2005. Russia’s MAKS air show doesn’t have quite the international clout of Farnborough or Le Bourget, but the price and quality of modern Russian fighters ensures its place on the international circuit. For MAKS 2007, its top military contract came on opening day. Rosoboronexport State Corporation and the Republic of Indonesia signed a $355 million Memorandum of Understanding for 3 SU-27SKM and 3 SU-30MK2 Flanker family fighters, building on the 2003 deal, and taking the country’s ordered fleet to 10 planes.
A month later, that purchase was followed by a $1.2 billion wish list of Russian submarines, armored vehicles, and armed helicopters. That wish list didn’t fully materialize, but the end of 2011 saw another 6 SU-30MK2s bought from Russia, bringing the fighter deals’ totals to 16 fighters and about $1.02 billion.
Simulator training is currently a co-operative venture with the Chinese, but by 2014, Indonesia expects to have its own virtual training infrastructure.
It’s all part of an oil-fueled modernization drive, backed by increased military spending. For more on the strategic and procurement issues tied up in this purchase, see the Additional Readings section, below, for UPI analyst Martin Sieff’s “Jets for Jakarta: A Whole New Strategic Game For Australasia”, and Air Power Australia’s “Sukhoi Flankers: The Shifting Balance of Regional Air Power”.
Contracts & Key Events FY 2016 – 2017TNI-AU F-5s
July 28/17: After two years of talks and negotiations, Indonesia has confirmed that it will purchase 11 Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia. The fighters will replace its F5 E/F Tiger II warplanes, which have been in service with the Indonesian Air Forces since 1980s, and deliveries could commence from as early as next year. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu made the statement to media outlets following a recent cabinet meeting, adding that the government is also looking into purchasing Chinese UAVs that will have an attack capability as well as the ability to be customized to Jakarta’s specifications.
February 19/17: An official from the Russian state-owned Rostec said that he believes that contracts for the Su-35 with the government of Indonesia will be signed “in the coming months.” Jakarta is in the midst of an investigation into their procurement of the Leonardo AW101 helicopter, with the first delivered unit currently being stored in a hangar at the Indonesian capital’s Halim Perdanakusuma air base pending the completion of the investigation. Photos of the plane have shown the helicopter surrounded by police tape.
October 9/15: Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin is marketing the company’s F-16V to Indonesia as the country plans to replace its fleet of aging F-5E fighters. The company dispatched a cockpit demonstrator to the country this week in an effort to swoon the country’s Air Force chiefs, who appear particularly set on acquiring the Sukhoi Su-35. The Indonesian Air Force already operates 24 F-16s, with deliveries of these beginning last July.
FY 2015
September 8/15: Indonesia again indicated continued interest in purchasing Su-35s to replace its long-in-the-tooth F-5Es. Indonesia already has some earlier models, the Su-27, which appears to have been a positive influence over others being considered, such as the F-15 and F-16, of which the country already owns eight.
FY 2014
Oct 7/14: Su-35 favorite? Indonesian Military Commander General Moeldoko tells Republika Online that they’re leaning toward the Su-35 as their F-5 replacement, with the JAS-39 in 2nd place and the F-16 a distant 3rd:
“Menurut dia, jet tempur buatan negeri Paman Sam itu sudah tidak layak pakai lantaran teknologinya sudah ketinggalan zaman…. “Untuk udara, ada pengajuan penggantian F-5. Sukhoi Su-35 menjadi pilihan pertama, Saab JAS 39 Gripen pilihan kedua, dan pesawat F-16 pilihan ketiga,”…”
This isn’t the end, because negotiations, budgets and other considerations will still come into play. If that pick does stand, it would keep the Flanker family as the backbone of the TNI-AU, but the fleet would also be fragmented among 3+ types with partial commonality at best: 5 Su27SKM, 11 Su-30 (2 MKs, 9 MK2s), and 16 Su-35SK. The Su-27SKM and Su-30MK fighters will retire first, which will simplify matters, but that’s unlikely to happen before 2025 or so. Sources: ROL, “Helikopter Apache dan Sukhoi Su-35 Segera Perkuat TNI”.
Jan 7/14: Competition. Indonesia wants to replace its 11 remaining F-5E/F Tiger II light fighters with 16 modern aircraft. Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro confirmed that they “have received proposals from several jet fighter manufacturers,” and are evaluating them. Indonesian Military Commander General Moeldoko added that the TNI-AU has studied the SU-35, F-16, F-15, and JAS-39 Gripen.
Moeldoko wants the requisition plan included in Indonesia’s Strategic Plan II for the 2015 – 2020, but the air force’s choice will also depend on available funds. The F-15 is significantly more expensive than other options, and if the air force wants 16 fighters, the state of Indonesia’s economy will influence what they can buy.
There are always extraneous considerations in Indonesia. Still, if commonality matters, the F-16 is the only fighter currently in Indonesia’s inventory. The F-15 and JAS-39 are used by its neighbors, and have Asian support networks in place. Picking the SU-35 seems odd, as it would leave Indonesia vulnerable to becoming the 1st export customer, while worsening the fragmentation within an already-split Flanker fleet. Still, the existing SU-30MK fleet is a known quantity, which means the SU-35 is the only variant would require study for a full consideration of their options. Sources: Antara News, “Defense Ministry looking to replace aging F-5 tiger fighter aircraft”.
2011 – 20136 more SU-30s bought, financed, delivered. US DSCA request for 24 used F-16s.
Pitch Black 2012Sept 5/13: Delivery. The final 2 of 6 Su-30MK2s ordered in 2011 have been delivered at Sultan Hasanuddin Air Force Base, along with 13 technicians to help with assembly. This brings the fleet to 16, once they’re re-assembled and tested. Xinhua reports that:
“Indonesia’s Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, who witnessed the last delivery of Sukhoi Su-30 Mk2 at the air forces’ base, said that the nation has spent a total of 1.17 billion U.S. dollars to buy all of those 16 planes as well as on ammunitions, pilot training programs and logistic.”
Sources: Jakarta Post | Xinhua, “Indonesia receives last delivery of Sukhoi Flanker fighter jets, completing full squadron”.
All ordered Su-30MK2s delivered
May 17/13: Delivery. Su-30MK2 fighters #3-4 arrive at Sultan Hasanuddin Air Force Base, aboard an An-124 and in disassembled condition. They’re actually a bit early, and had been expected in June.
11th Squadron currently has 12 active fighters: 5 single-seat SU-27s, and 7 twin-seat SU-30s. Once these 2 are assembled and tested, the squadron will grow again. Jakarta Post | Flight International.
March 20/13: 12-16 more wanted. The Jakarta Globe quotes Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, who says that Indonesia’s $15 billion, 5-year military modernization plan will add another squadron of Sukhoi fighters. Other officials placed the number of additional Sukhois at 16 planes, which would double the TNI-AU’s Flanker force.
This purchase would be undertaken in addition to planned F-16 fleet buys and upgrades.
March 1/13: KFX/IFX. Indonesian Defense Ministry official Pos Hutabarat confirms that the KF-X joint fighter project with South Korea has been delayed by 18 months, while South Korea decides whether or not to continue. A decision is expected by June 2014, but Korean studies indicate that a 1st flight is unlikely before 2020, which means fielding rather later than 2022.
Worse, UPI says that the KFX/IFX fighter’s purchase price has already risen to $50-$60 million per aircraft, and this is before a prototype even exists. That sum is already comparable to ordering SU-30MK2s, which provide similar capabilities right now. That price, and the IFX’s delays, are good news for Sukhoi. Read “KF-X Fighter: Pushing Paper, or Peer Program?” for full coverage.
Feb 22/13: Delivery. Two out of the 6 Sukhoi Su-30MK2 jet fighters ordered in December 2011 arrive at Sultan Hasanuddin Air Force Base in Makassar, on the isle of Sulawesi. Volga-Dnepr’s AN-124-100 delivered the planes in standard condition: wings, tails, nose, etc. all removed, and no engines.
A shipment of 12 engines will arrive on Feb 27/13, and the 17 KnAAPO technicians that arrived with the planes will take about 2 weeks to assemble the first 2 fighters into flyable condition and test them. Another 2 batches of 2 fighters each are expected in June and July 2013. Jakarta Post, incl. updates on other aircraft plans.
Dec 21/12: Financing. Russia’s Vnesheconombank (VEB) won a tender from the Indonesian government, and will provide $399.5 million in financing over a 7-year term. The loan will finance 6 SU-30MK fighters and related equipment (vid. Dec 31/11 entry). BSR Russia.
Oct 17/12: Support from India. During his visit to Jakarta, Indian Defence Minister A K Antony agrees to train and support the Indonesian Air Force’s Flanker fleet. India flies a large fleet of SU-30MKIs, and is conducting manufacturing and final assembly work in India at HAL. They’ve already leveraged that base to provide similar support to Malaysia’s fleet of SU-30MKM fighters, though there are some items like engines that still need to be handled by Russia.
Note that this isn’t a contract just yet. Indonesia needs to firm up its requirements, and a India high-level Indian Air Force team will be sent to finalize the training and spares support package. The move will have an importance that goes far beyond its dollar value, as it’s part of a wider set of enhanced defense cooperation agreements the 2 countries are reportedly pursuing. Indonesia isn’t looking to antagonize China, but China’s aggressive claims in the South China Sea are contrasting poorly with India’s support for freedom of navigation, and for multilateral resolution of the disputes under international law. The result is an important Indonesian tilt toward more cooperation with India, which fits very well with India’s own strategic priorities. India MoD | Indian Express | The Jakarta Globe.
Sukhoi support: a the tilt toward India?
Dec 31/11: 6 more. It seems that the F-16 pursuit hasn’t replaced Indonesia’s desire for more Flankers. The Jakarta Post reports that Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense has ordered 6 more SU-30MK2 jet fighters, and quotes Deputy Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin: “We handed over the contract yesterday. We have another contract still in progress”.
Amounts were not mentioned, but by Jan 10/12, Russia’s RIA Novosti says that Russian “defense and diplomatic sources” had confirmed a $470 million contract for the new planes, for delivery beginning “after 2013.”
The purchase would give Indonesia a total of 5 SU-27SKM and 11 SU-30MK2 fighters.
6 Flankers
TNI-AU F-16ANov 17/11: F-16 request. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces Indonesia’s official request for 24 ex-USAF F-16C/D Block 25 fighters.
This doesn’t change Indonesia’s interest in more Russian aircraft, but it will bolster TNI-AU fleet numbers if a contract is signed.
F-16 request to USA
March 23/11: Chinese competition? The Jakarta Post reports that Indonesia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China regarding joint military procurement, technology transfer, and joint-development and joint-marketing.
There’s a lot that isn’t set yet, including cost, proportional shares, intellectual property rights, and of course which weapons systems are covered; China does make a J-11 Flanker copy. Exact coverage and purchases usually wait until all other aspects are finalized, however, as the point of the MoU is to provide a ready-made umbrella agreement for such projects as they arise. The 1 item specifically mentioned by the Post is that Indonesia is very interested in jointly producing “C-907 missiles”, which it supposedly bought for its Flankers in 2009-2010. Unfortunately, that designation doesn’t correspond to any commonly-known Chinese missile.
2007 – 20106 more SU-30s bought and delivered (a bit late); Weapons buy; Interest in more Flankers; Don’t drink the moonshine, tovarisch.
SU-30MK2 OrdnanceNov 10/10: Weapons. Russia and Indonesia sign a $54 million “contract on the delivery of munitions for Sukhoi-family fighters in service with the Indonesian armed forces.” Weapon types were not specified. BNO News | RIA Novosti.
Weapons
Sept 16/10: 6 more? Indonesian Air Force Air Force chief of staff Marshal Imam Sufaat says that they plan to buy 6 more Flanker family jets, as the 10 jets bought from Russia since 2003 aren’t enough to cover its territory. He also cites Malaysia’s 18 next-generation SU-30MKMs, and Singapore’s 20 F-15SGs. At the moment, however, there is no budget or definite time frame.
Ultimately, it depends what Indonesia wants to do. If control of territory is the goal, its 30+ Hawk 209 light combat aircraft serve that role well, and so will the EMB-134 Super Tucano light attack planes it’s buying to replace its OV-10 Broncos. Over the longer term, Indonesia has signed up with South Korea to develop a “KF-X” fighter by 2022. It’s intended to be an F-16C/D equivalent, and Indonesia has made noises about buying 50 or so. The debate thus comes down to whether the country needs a high-end gap filler as a hedge against the KF-X’s schedule, and its development risks. Jakarta Post | Jakarta Globe.
Sept 16/10: Deliveries done. The last Su-27SKM arrives in Makassar for service with Squadron 11, along with 3 Sukhoi warranty technicians to replace their poisoned colleagues. Jakarta Post | Voice of Russia.
2007 order delivered
Sept 13/10: 3 KnAAPO maintenance technicians are found dead in Indonesia, and 2 more are hospitalized. Some media outlets speak of deliberate poisoning, but the deaths turn out to be from ethanol – which means they poisoned themselves with drinking alcohol.
Liquor is prohibited at Sultan Hasannudin AB, so an investigation is underway regarding the liquor’s origins. Smuggling is the theory mentioned in the media reports, though maintenance technicians for multi-million dollar aircraft would also have the skills required to set up a basic moonshine still. Jakarta Post | Jakarta Post re: investigation | RIA Novosti.
Don’t drink the moonshine
Sept 8/10: The fighter delivery to Sultan Hasannudin Airbase in Makassar is canceled when the transporting Antonov AN-124-100 air craft breaks down. Tempo Interactive.
Sept 6/10: RIA Novosti reports that Russia will deliver the last of 6 contracted fighters to Indonesia on September 7th and 16th, flying 2 SU-27SKs in via AN-124 heavy transport planes to the Makassar air base. That will make 3 SU-27SK single-seat fighters, and 3 SU-30MK2 2-seat fighters, under the current contract; the last SU-30MK2 was delivered in January 2010.
The planes are supposed to be sent to Indonesia earlier than scheduled, following a request by the Indonesian military authorities, who didn’t want to miss yet another October 5th Armed Forces Day military parade.
Dec 26/08: Deliveries. RIA Novosti reports that Russia has delivered the first 2 jets under the contract: a pair of SU-30MK2s. Another Su-30MK2 jet is reportedly due for delivery in early 2009, and 3 Su-27SKM fighter jets are due to be delivered by 2010. Russia’s RIA Novosti | Singapore’s Straits Times.
Sept 19/08: Financing. While 3 of the Sukhois were expected to arrive in Indonesia by Indonesian Defense Forces Day on Oct 5/08, the September 2007 loan agreement for their purchase has not been approved yet by Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR). Without that approval, Bank Indonesia cannot take up the loan and issue the letter of credit.
Indonesia’s DPR is not deliberately delaying the purchase, and political figures have promised to give the issue priority. Even so, resolution and delivery in time for the Oct 5/08 Armed Forces Day parades would appear to be unlikely. Philippines’ Balita Pinoy news report.
Russian SU-27SKAug 21/07: On the opening day of the 8th International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS 2007), Rosoboronexport State Corporation and the Republic of Indonesia have sign a $355 deal to deliver 3 Su-27 SKM and 3 Su-30MK2 fighters. This would bring Indonesia’s fleet to 5 aircraft of each type. ITAR-TASS | DefenceTalk.
6 Flankers
Additional Readingshttps://youtu.be/8iEIpJQ4Hhk>
A 5-year, $17 billion deal will build 10 Virginia Class Block IV fast attack submarines for the US Navy, bringing production to 2 boats per year at long last. The USA’s nuclear submarine fleet gives it unmatched flexibility, but it’s confronted with rising submarine numbers in China and around the Pacific, even as its Los Angeles Class submarines are beginning to exit the fleet. Aircraft carriers may dominate in peacetime, but as anti-ship missiles gain longer reach and greater lethality, and sensors improve, some analysts are coming to see submarines as the key to wartime naval power…
The US Navy has taken delivery of 10 of the 7,800t Virginia Class submarines since 2004 (SSN 774 – 783), with 8 more currently under construction. They’re derived from the lessons of the SSN-21 Seawolf Class, an extremely advanced submarine whose expense per boat ended production at 3. The Virginias achieved excellent flexibility and a reputation for extreme quietness, but changes have continued since the first boat, as the US Navy tried to drive costs down.
Block III submarines (SSN 784 – 791) took a big step forward by replacing the 12 vertical launch tubes with a more flexible “6-shooter” approach, and swapping a water-backed, horseshoe-shaped LAB sonar array for the existing air-backed spherical array.
The Block IV is the next increment, and so far, few details have been released. PEO Submarines Rear Admiral David Johnson has said that the new design would reduce the submarine’s lifetime number of major maintenance visits from 4 to 3, raising full-length deployments during their lifetimes from 14 to 15.
Beyond that, a number of improvements have been discussed over the years, from stretched versions to a new composite sail with space for more special forces. Other clues to possible future changes come from the Pentagon’s FY 2013 DOT&E report, which seem to stress special warfare and arctic operations.
For special operations, the Navy modified the SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Auxiliary Life Support System (ALSS) to handle increased air pressure, allowing longer missions. Unfortunately, the Virginia Class needs to upgrade its air supply system before it can support those pressures. This is an important mission in the present environment, which makes this shortcoming a good Block IV improvement candidate if it can be done at reasonable cost.
In the Arctic, the Virginia Class needs better methods of removing carbon dioxide and hydrogen waste gas, insulation improvements to avoid “excessive condensation” that can interfere with electronics, and a hardened sail that can handle the same ice thicknesses as Improved Los Angeles Class and Seawolf Class SSNs. This isn’t a crisis yet. In the short term, it’s easy to just bias Virginia Class deployments toward locations like the Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Oceans, leaving the Los Angeles and Seawolf boats to spend more time up north. As Virginia Class submarines become a larger and larger share of the US Navy’s submarine force, however, those kinds of gaps will begin to matter more. It’s be up to the US Navy to decide when that day comes.
The Contract Co-production
July 20/17: Two Tomahawk vertically-launched cruise missiles have been successfully test-fired from the Virginia-class submarine USS North Dakota. The test aimed to verify the capabilities of the recently installed Block III Payload Tubes, designed to replace the original Virginia-classes 12 vertical launch missile tubes. Integration of the tubes are part of upgrades to the class’s missile launch systems—which includes the Virginia Payload Module launch system—and will triple the capacity for Tomahawks and allow greater flexibility for installing other vertical launch weapons systems. Improved Tomahawk Block IV missiles are expected to be deployed from 2019 and will be in the US Navy inventory beyond 2040.
March 23/15:
Navy officers are pushing for improved firepower for the Virginia-class submarines through the addition of four vertical launch tubes, representing a 76% increase in strike capability.
April 28/14: General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, CT received the $17.646 billion fixed-price incentive multi-year contract, which runs from FY 2014 – 2018 to order submarines 792 – 801. HII Newport News, VA will remain as the sub-contractor, and options for on-board repair parts in support of each submarine could bring the cumulative value to $17.828 billion. SSN 801, the last boat under this contract, is scheduled for delivery in 2023.
Work on this contract will be performed in Newport News, VA (24%); Groton, CT (18%); Quonset Point, RI (16%); Sunnyvale, CA (8%); Cheswick, PA (1.7%); Annapolis, MA (1.2%), and various sites throughout the United States (31.1%). Work is expected to be complete by August 2024.
This contract was procured sole source from Electric Boat Corp., pursuant to 10 United States Code 2304 (c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. US NAVSEA in Washington, DC manages the contract (N00024-12-C-2115). See also GD, “General Dynamics Awarded $18 Billion by U.S. Navy for 10 Virginia-Class Submarines” | Reuters, “General Dynamics, Huntington win huge U.S. Navy contract”.
Additional Readings
Turkey’s tank fleet is currently made up of American M-48s and M-60s, some of which have been modernized with Israeli cooperation into M-60 Sabra tanks, plus a large contingent of German Leopard 1s and Leopard 2s. That is hardy surprising. America and Germany are Turkey’s 2 most important geopolitical relationships, and this is reflected in Turkey’s choice of defense industry partners. The country’s industrial offset requirements ensure that these manufacturers have a long history of local partnerships to draw upon.
In recent years, however, a pair of new players have begun to make an impact on the Turkish defense scene. One was Israel, whose firms specialized in sub-systems, upgrades, and UAVs. The other is the Republic of [South] Korea, who has made inroads in the Turkish market with turboprop training aircraft, mobile howitzers… and now, main battle tanks.
Turkey’s new tank is named after Gen. Fahrettin Altay, a cavalry commander in Turkey’s War of Independence. The tank will use a 120mm smoothbore gun, with the usual 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a pintle-mounted 12.7mm machin gun up top. Compared to the ROK’s K2 Black Panther, the Altay is reportedly longer, with an added road wheel and a slightly modified turret. It may also carry heavier armor.
The 2008 System Development deal includes the production of 4 prototypes worth $70 million dollars, and technology transfer worth $330 million dollars.
AltayOnce development is complete, a second set of production contracts will be signed. The Turks’ official goal was to design, test, and build the first Altay tank in 6.5 years, which would place the event in early 2015. So far, 2015 remains the target date for production to begin.
Turkey reportedly plans to produce 200-250 of the tanks locally.
IndustrialUnder this $400 million development deal, The Republic of Turkey will own all design and intellectual property rights to the final vehicle. Turkey’s Otokar will build the tanks in cooperation with various sub-contractors, including:
Foreign companies are reportedly under consideration for key items beyond the engine, including armor and complex systems integration.
Contracts and Key EventsROK governments have been building a formidable local defense industry as a matter of policy, and those efforts are beginning to win export sales around the globe. The Altay project is just the latest payoff.
Relations with Turkey have been especially warm, owing in part to the Turks’ heroic combat record in the Korean War. In recent years, that combination of warm relations and solid products has led to Turkish orders worth hundreds of millions of dollars for KT-1 turboprop training aircraft, and K-9/K-10 derived “Firtina” mobile howitzers. In July 2007, South Korea’s inroads became undeniable, as discussions began concerning a deal to develop Turkey’s next generation tanks. That was a major upset, but it had yet to coalesce into a deal. By the end of July 2008, however, the ink was dry on a deal that made Korea’s new XK2 the basis of Turkey’s co-produced Altay tank.
2016 – 2017 Altay unveiledJuly 20/17: Three Turkish defense firms will be asked to submit proposals to Turkey’s Altay tank program, which could reach beyond $10 billion. BMC, Otokar and FNSS—all private companies—will bid to secure a contract for the serial production of an initial batch of 250 Altay tanks, with Turkey planning to produce a total of 1,000 units. Ankara’s decision to include three bidders in the program comes after Otokar produced and successfully completed qualification tests of an Altay prototype, including mobility and endurance testing on rough terrain and climatic conditions, firing tests with various scenarios, and survivability testing. However, last month, the Turkish procurement agency deemed Otokar’s serial production sole-source offer as too expensive, instead opening up the competition to include other bidders.
June 16/17: Turkey has decided to ditch its sole-source negotiations with manufacturer Otokar for the serial production of the Altay tank, instead favoring to start an open bid for the same contract. Four prototypes were built by Otokar for developmental tests— successfully completed earlier this year—and clauses within the developmental allowed the firm, without competition, to make an offer for the serial production contract. However, Turkish procurement officials familiar with the Altay program, said that Otokar’s best and final offer failed to qualify for a single-source serial production contract. New bids are expected to be solicited by the end of the year, with FNSS and BMC expected to join Otokar in the new competition.
April 13/17: Despite issues with gaining certain technology transfers for the Altay, Turkey could begin serial production of the main battle tank as early as this May, according to Defense Minister Fikri Isik. Pakistan and some Gulf nations are believed to be lined up as potential customers for the vehicle. Talk of potential delays to the Altay surfaced when local contractor Tümosan was unable to continue working on providing a domestic diesel engine for the tank, after Austria’s AVL List GmbH, which it had as a technical support partner, ceased working with the Turkish firm amid concerns that the Turkish government were sliding on human rights issues. It now looks like Ankara may instead turn to Ukraine for help, with the Altay possibly adopting the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau’s (KMDB) 1,500 hp 6TD-3 diesel engine.
March 5/17: The Turkish government has cancelled an engine development contract for the Altay main battle tank (MBT) with Tümosan after the company’s failure to secure a new design and development partner to replace AVL List GmbH from Austria. Tümosan’s need to find a new partner came about in January after they were forced by Ankara to cancel the deal with AVL List GmbH due to Turkey’s concerns with emerging political and regulatory issues in Austria, namely the Austrian government’s insistence on issuing export licenses with conditions. Speaking on the announcement, Tümosan cited reluctance from supplier governments to transfer technology and intellectual property and Turkey’s post-coup political events as major challenges in their ability to secure a new partner.
March 1/16: The Turkish government has granted land to defense firm BMC to relocate and build a new plant. The 222-hectare site will see $430 million invested by the company into the expansion with the plant believed to be operational within two years. BMC is currently bidding for the serial production of the indigenous Altay battle tank, which has been developed by rival company Otokar. While the bidding process has yet to begin, the winners would see a contract to produce up to 1,000 Altays after an initial run of 250 for the Turkish Army.
January 21/16: Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) has announced that a number of parties have expressed interest in purchasing their indigenous new generation main battle tank, the Altay. Those that may look to make purchases are regional allies, including a number of Gulf countries and Pakistan. Saudi Arabia in particular has been expressing keen interest after officials from these countries were invited to observe firing tests of the tank. While still in development, and a manufacturer for serial production is yet to be announced, the interest seemingly generated may lead to some big business for Ankara in the coming years.
2011 – 2014Nov 18/14: XK-2. South Korea’s WON 2+ trillion (about $1.84 billion) XK-2 tank project, which served as the basis for Altay, has experienced delays due to technical difficulties. Acceleration performance has been a particular issue, and the ROK plans to field it with a locally-made engine and transmission by 2017. So far, about 100 K-2 Black Panther tanks have been deployed in Korea. Sources: Yonhap, “S. Korea to put K-2 combat tank into full service by 2017”.
Feb 27/14: Engines. While talking to reporters about Airbus’ A400M contract, Undersecretary for Defense Murad Bayar mentions that:
“Turkey’s Altay tank’s engine must be made in the country. There are also proposals from two Turkish companies to produce the engine in Turkey.”
It’s a blow to initial engine provider MTU Friedrichshafen. Whether it ends up affecting the tank depends on whether Turkish firms produce an engine in time, with adequate performance, efficiency and reliability. Sources: Anatolia News Agency, “Airbus and Turkey Dispute Over A400M Military Aircraft”.
Nov 14/13: Industrial shift? SSM’s chief, Murad Bayar, tells Defense News that they’re looking at a different approach to Altay’s production contract. Koc-owned Otokar is very likely to remain the main manufacturer, but they’re reportedly considering a consortium/ cooperative approach composed of Turkish and even foreign firms. Politics is playing a strong role:
“Otokar is owned by Turkey’s biggest business conglomerate, Koc Holding, whose defense business may be a casualty of a row between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and one of its top executives after a month of civil unrest that battered the Turkish government. In one incident during June demonstrations, protesters tried to escape police tear gas and pepper spray by taking refuge in a posh Istanbul hotel, Divan, owned by Koc. Hotel management admitted the protesters to its lobby, but police fired more tear gas and pepper spray into the hotel lobby, although it is illegal to fire these chemicals into indoor spaces.”
The Erdogan government’s response was to relax the laws regarding police conduct, while calling the youthful protesters “terrorists” and promising to punish firms that helped them in any way. Koc has already lost a contract to build “Milgem” corvettes, so suspicions of a political motive over Altay are well founded. Defense News, “Turkey Mulling ‘Big Team’ for Tank Production” | Hurriyet Daily News, “Koc’s defense business a casualty of feud with government?” | Wikipedia, 2013 Protests in Turkey.
Nov 15/12: With about $500 million invested in development to date, Otokar officially rolls out its first 2 Altay tank prototypes at its Sakarya plant. Prototype #1 is already in use for mobility tests, with over 2,000km of mileage under its treads. Prototype #2 will be used for firing tests. Any changes will feed back into the design and construction of prototypes #3-4.
Kudret ONEN, Head of Koc Holding Defence Industry Group and Otokar’s Chairman of the Board, says that the project currently has 550 engineers (260 at Otokar), and nearly 100 subcontractors. Mass production is still promised for 2015. Otokar [in Turkish].
Rollout
June 11/12: Update. While announcing its vehicle lineup for Eurosatory 2012, Otokar provides a project update:
“The first phase of the project, ‘Conceptual Design Process’, has been completed in 2010. And we presented the full-scale model, which reflects the concept design of ALTAY, at IDEF Exhibition, last year. In scope of the ‘Detailed Design Process’ which is the second and the most critical phase of the project, ‘Preliminary Design Phase’, has been successfully completed by the last quarter of 2011. During this phase, manufacturing of prototypes took start in line with this process. Following the completion of the Second Phase, we’re planning to start the ‘Prototype Development and Qualification Phase’ which is the third and the last phase. In scope of the project plan we continue investing in the first prototype of the ALTAY tank which will be ready for testing by the last quarter of this year. In addition to our existing facilities within Otokar plant, we have recently established a new Tank Test Center with an investment of USD 10 million.”
March 27/12: SSM’s plan. Turkey’s SSM procurement agency has unveiled their new 5-year strategic plan, with timetables for key acquisitions. The plan commits to begin deliveries of the Altay tank by 2015. Hurriyet Daily News
2005 – 2010 XK2, firingJuly 6/09: US Pressure on Israel. The Jerusalem Post reports that the USA had pressured Israel out of Turkey’s tank competition, in order to give American firms better odds. Israel would have entered the competition with a strong position to build on. Turkey’s existing M-60 tanks were heavily modernized by Israeli firms, based on the same “Sabra” modification set that Israel used on its own M60s. Beyond Sabra, Israel’s current Merkava family tanks are purpose-built for the needs of warfare in the Middle East, with unique features for urban warfare and counter-terrorism conflicts.
Within a couple of years, worsening relations between Turkey’s Islamist government and Israel made any such project unthinkable anyway.
July 30/08: Representatives of the Turkish and South Korean governments sign the $400 million System Design & Development Memorandum of Understanding, making the Altay tank project a reality. This contract does not include the mass production process. The South Korean Defense Ministry added that:
“The signing of the contract on the ROK-Turkey technology cooperation in tank development is expected to greatly help boost the cooperation between the two countries in the defense industry sector, while the Ministry of Defense and the DAPA plan to provide full support to ensure smooth technology cooperation throughout the entire process of tank development from designing to production and testing.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Lee held ministerial talks with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara on July 28/08, in which the two agreed to continue building a cooperative relationship between their militaries…”
See: ROK Ministry of Defense | Otokar Aug 1/08 release | KOIS | Korea Times |Turkish Daily News (beforehand) | Turkish Daily News (post-deal) | Today’s Zaman (Turkey) | Aviation Week Ares | Agence France Presse.
Altay Development MoU
March 2007: According to a resolution adopted at the meeting of the National Defence Executive Committee, the Turkish government decides to begin contract negotiations with Otokar, as the nominee for prime contractor.
February 2007: Bid evaluation process, aiming to appoint the prime contractor, is completed in February 2007.
July 2006: RFP bids are submitted by Otokar’s team, and by the BMC-FNSS Consortium.
FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.S. makes some of Turkey’s armored personnel carriers; it is a joint venture between BAE Systems and the Turkish Nurol Group. BMC Sanaye Ve Ticaret A.S. makes wheeled vehicles and trucks for the Turkish armed forces, and is part of the large Turkish conglomerate Cukurova Holding.
February 2006: SSM issues the project’s Request for Proposals.
RFP
April 2005: Feasibility study complete. The path forward is defined as “designing and development of the main battle tank inside Turkey by getting technical support and assistance from abroad whenever required.”
2005: The Turkish SSM defense procurement agency charges a 3-firm Turkish industrial consortium with a feasibility study to determine the production pattern for the Turkish National Main Battle Tank Project.
Additional Readings