Defense`s Feeds

Here’s the second in a series of policy briefs on Russian strategic culture and leadership decision-making, written for a collaborative project organized by the Marshall Center with support from the Russia Strategy Initiative. This one is on Russian strategic goals in a Nordic crisis. With permission from the Marshall Center, I am posting the full text here, though please go to the Marshall Center website if you would prefer to read a PDF version. The first of these briefs, focusing on the Baltics, was posted last April.

Executive Summary

• This policy brief examines how Russian strategic culture operates in the distinct geographic and geopolitical environment of the Nordic region. This analysis is based on a model of Russian decision-making in crisis situations that describes Russian leaders as prospect theory players who take greater risks to prevent anticipated defeats than they do to pursue potential opportunities. They seek to prevent foreign policy defeats that could translate into a loss of power in the region, a loss of great power status, or, in some cases, political defeats at home.
• Russia’s strategic objectives in the Nordic region are thus focused primarily on maintaining the status quo rather than changing the strategic environment or expanding Russian influence in a significant way. The primary objective is simply to maintain Russian influence in the region. Russia is also working to prevent the formal admission of Sweden and Finland to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and to deter Sweden and Finland from joining NATO in fighting against Russia in the event of a conflict.
• We can expect Russia to act cautiously in the Nordic region because it is not facing a loss situation. Russian leaders will tend to pursue their goals through nonmilitary means and will be careful to avoid unintended escalation. The one exception to their preference for nonescalation would occur in the event of an attack on Russian territory, which would create a loss situation for Russia and therefore allow for a robust defense and/or counterattack.

Introduction

 This policy brief, the second in a series that addresses how Russian strategic culture can explain Russian foreign policy behavior, examines how Russian strategic culture operates in the distinct geographic and geopolitical environment of the Nordic region. The Nordic region is presented as a case study to generate conclusions with regard to the drivers of Russian strategic behavior, especially the factors that incentivize or constrain risk-taking.

Overview of Russian Strategic Decision-Making

This analysis is based on a model of crisis decision-making developed by the Russian analysis team at CNA. As an abbreviated version of this model has already been presented in a previous article in this series, what follows is a brief summary. The model presents Russia as a prospect theory player on the international scene that takes greater risks to prevent anticipated defeats than it does to pursue potential opportunities.

Russian strategic objectives are rooted in and derived from the following three principal Russian foreign policy motivations:

• Maximizing security, which results in the pursuit of extended defense and has been the main driver for Russian aggression in its near abroad and Russia’s military modernization at home.
• Russia’s desire for a privileged sphere of influence as an effort to achieve regional hegemony based on the goal of maximizing its overall power.
• Maintaining great power status in the international system by ending U.S. primacy and thereby upending the unipolar nature of power distribution in the international system in favor of a multipolar one. However, this motivation does not necessarily mean that Russia wants to challenge the United States directly, given the power disparity.

Russian leaders prefer to achieve their political goals through coercion and threats of violence, rather than actual violence. Russian strategy in a conflict seeks to establish escalation dominance over potential adversaries by convincing them that Russia is able and willing to use force in pursuit of its objectives. When pressed to use force, Russia tends to use the minimum amount of force required to achieve its objectives in order to minimize losses and costs. This approach also allows Russia to maintain the threat of bringing in additional force if the adversary does not accept Russian objectives. Russia is happy to use force multipliers, such as local militias and mercenaries, to absorb the bulk of combat losses. Ambiguity is used to maintain plausible deniability and thereby slow adversary decision-making. Finally, Russia seeks to deter external actors from interfering in a conflict in order to prevent escalation.

Russia’s Strategic Assessment of the Nordic Region

Russia’s strategic calculus suggests that in the event of a crisis in the Nordic region, Russia will focus on the geographic and political environment in the region in determining its strategic objectives and minimum and maximum goals for the situation.

The geography of the Baltic Sea would play a particularly important role in Russia’s assessment of a potential maritime conflict scenario. The geography of the Baltic Sea in many ways mirrors that of the Black Sea, except that the geography favors NATO and its partners, rather than Russia. Like the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea is enclosed, with passage restricted by the Danish Straits. Although the Oresund and Fehmarn Belt are considered international straits, as governed by the Copenhagen Convention of 1857, they could easily be closed by NATO forces in the event of a conflict, effectively preventing Russia from bringing naval reinforcements to the Baltic Sea from the Northern Fleet or the Mediterranean. In addition, a series of islands can provide effective control over the sea itself. Bornholm (controlled by Denmark), Gotland (Sweden) and the Aland Islands (Finland), can be used to control the sea lanes in the Baltic Sea as well as the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia. These islands thus can play the same role in the Baltic as Crimea does in the Black Sea. Furthermore, Estonia and Finland effectively control entrance to the Gulf of Finland and therefore to St. Petersburg.

Although Western analysts often paint Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave as a militarized territory that threatens the security of the NATO member states in the region, Russian planners view the region as a vulnerable outpost surrounded by potentially well-armed NATO states. As a result of these factors, Russia feels that the region’s geography is relatively negatively set up for Russian forces to act in the event of a conflict with NATO and its partners.

Russia’s political assessment also emphasizes the potential challenges of a military conflict in the region. Although Sweden and Finland are ostensibly neutral, Russian leaders fully expect them to be involved on the side of NATO in any conflict between NATO and Russia. They point to statements that the two countries have made, such as the European Union (EU) solidarity clause and the EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) effort joined by Sweden and Finland in 2017, that strongly imply such a scenario. They also note that the two countries have been strengthening their military forces in recent years and have increasingly integrated these forces with NATO. Both Sweden and Finland have increased their frequency of participation in NATO exercises. These developments are seen in Russia as clear signals that neither country will stay out of the fight in the event of a conflict.

On the other side, Swedish planners fear that Russia might preemptively attack Gotland in a conflict in order to take control of the middle section of the Baltic Sea. They have responded by placing troops on the island for the first time in over a decade. Although the force is only the size of a regiment, it is meant as a symbol of Swedish intent in combination with the reintroduction of military conscription. Russia has decried this move as a step toward the further militarization of the region.

Finland’s history of relations with Russia makes its leaders cautious about exacerbating tensions with Moscow. They point to their losses in previous wars with the Soviet Union in the 1930s and 1940s, which resulted in the policy of “Finlandization” that effectively meant that Finland did not have full control over its foreign policy orientation until the end of the Cold War, a period of over 40 years. As a result, Finnish leaders have generally avoided hostile rhetoric against Russia while retaining more contacts with Moscow than other countries in the region. Furthermore, most of the Finnish population remains opposed to their country joining NATO. Although Finland has supported EU sanctions against Russia in the aftermath of the Ukraine crisis, it has retained significant trade relations and has a sizable expatriate Russian population in Helsinki. Russia has proved adept at using trade links and expatriate Russian populations in other European countries to undermine anti-Russian policies. Similar tactics could be used in the Nordic region.

Russia’s Strategic Objectives

Russia’s strategic objectives in the Nordic region are thus focused primarily on maintaining the status quo rather than changing the strategic environment or expanding Russian influence in a significant way. The primary objective is simply to maintain Russian influence in the region. To this end, Russia has undertaken a propaganda effort to show the citizens of these countries that Russia does not threaten them. Russia has pursued political influence operations to prevent the growth of negative political attitudes toward Russia. To this end, there are concerns that it has used the Russian expatriate population and other pro-Russian activists in the region, especially in Finland, as a supportive element. It has also provided support to political parties and societal organizations critical of the EU and especially of NATO as a way of limiting the trend toward closer cooperation between NATO and the two nonmember Nordic states. Russia has also sought to maintain and enhance economic linkages with Nordic states, most notably through the strategic use of its role as an energy supplier to Finland. It is estimated that forty percent of Finland’s energy comes from Russia, and Russia has taken steps in recent years to make the import of electricity cheaper for Finland in order to maintain that connection.

In regard to military issues, Russia has worked to prevent the formal admission of Sweden and Finland to NATO. To this end, it has used a classic carrot-and-stick approach. Russian media has highlighted popular opposition to NATO membership within these countries, noting the likelihood of negative political consequences for any government that chooses to pursue NATO membership. Russian officials have threatened political, economic, and military consequences for Sweden and Finland should they choose to formally join NATO. The implicit threat is that not only would cheap energy supplies end and trade be negatively affected, but Russia could use tactics it has pursued elsewhere, such as cyberattacks and funding of antigovernment groups, to undermine political stability in these countries. Russian media have also suggested the possibility that Russia might offer inducements to Sweden and Finland for remaining neutral or at least not joining NATO formally.

In the event of a regional crisis, Russian leaders would seek to deter Sweden and Finland from joining NATO in fighting against Russia. They would seek to preempt the threat by neutralizing Nordic militaries through a Russian military buildup in the region combined with the threat that Russia would target these countries’ territories should fighting break out. Russia’s minimum goal in a Nordic crisis is thus to maintain and exacerbate existing divisions in the Nordic states that prevent them from seeking to join NATO and to inhibit further integration of their military forces with NATO forces short of membership. Russia’s maximum goal is to reverse the existing close integration of the military forces of the Nordic states with those of the United States and NATO and ideally to have these states recommit to neutrality in deed as well as in word.

Russia’s Vulnerabilities

Russia’s vulnerabilities in a Nordic crisis are to a large extent the same as its vulnerabilities in other regions, though there are some aspects particular to this region. The Russian military has relatively few forces in northwestern Russia because its main focus in recent years has been on securing the Caucasus, reinforcing its border with Ukraine, and building up forces in the Arctic and the Far North. Russian forces in northwestern Russia are not equipped for a short-notice conventional conflict, with relatively few mechanized units and a command structure not set up to fight a war in this region. As noted above, the geography of the region makes a maritime conflict relatively complicated for Russia, though that disadvantage may be mitigated in a broader engagement due to the Nordic region’s proximity to Russia and the relatively long border with Finland.

Russia is hampered by its lack of allies in the European theater. Although Belarus is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and a Russian military partner, it would be unlikely to actively participate in a Russian military campaign. It might, however, reluctantly allow Russia to use its territory as a staging area in a conflict with NATO. Recent political tensions about the extent to which Belarus can be expected to integrate with Russia have highlighted the limits of the relationship between Moscow and Minsk. Other allies are even less likely to get involved. Neither Russia’s other CSTO allies nor China will want to get involved in a fight with NATO and (with the exception of China) would not be able to contribute significantly to the effort.

As with any conflict with a powerful but distant adversary, Russian leaders would be concerned that the overall force balance between Russia and NATO would become highly unfavorable in a longer-term conflict. For this reason, they would want to keep the conflict short and ensure that any conflict in the region would not result in horizontal escalation, which could expose Russian territory to defeat by the much larger and stronger U.S. military in a regional or even global conflict. They would be particularly concerned about the possibility that the conflict could spread to other theaters, especially the Mediterranean, which would cause Russia’s forces to be stretched thin in a fight on multiple fronts.

Finally, Russian leaders may be concerned about the impact of any kind of extended or costly intervention on Russian domestic politics. They will want to make sure that they avoid costly and long-lasting entanglements that might result in the Russian public turning against the intervention. Such a situation would be especially likely if Western states pursued strong economic countermeasures that had a direct negative effect on the Russian economy or on Russians’ ability to travel to Europe. In particular, this scenario would be a problem in a conflict that the Russian public might see as a war of choice rather than of necessity, especially one that becomes costly in either financial or human terms. For this reason, Russian leaders will seek to avoid both defeat and long-term entanglement in a Nordic conflict, as these circumstances would increase the likelihood of a strong negative effect at the domestic level.

Red Lines and (De-)Escalation Drivers

As in the Baltics, Russian leaders would view a crisis in the Nordic region primarily as a potential opportunity to realize strategic gains rather than as a threat to Russia’s vital interests. As a result, they would consider the stakes to be relatively low in most situations. This assessment would lead to a strategy of managing the crisis carefully in order to keep costs low and avoid triggering a vigorous response by NATO. Although it is important for Russia to keep Sweden and Finland out of NATO, Russia would not be likely to mount a military response if the two Nordic states take steps toward that goal. Concerns about the vulnerabilities described above, especially the danger of horizontal escalation to other theaters and the risk of loss of popularity at home due to high casualties or serious financial impact from a conflict, would encourage Russian leaders to de-escalate hostilities in the event of a crisis in the Nordic region.

The one exception to this calculus would occur in the event of a NATO attack on Russian territory. Such an attack would lead to escalation as it would pose a direct threat to the homeland and regime survival while uniting the Russian population in defense of their homeland. The Russian people have shown repeatedly that they are far more likely to accept sacrifices to defend the country than to engage in a war of choice, so Russia should be expected to escalate any conflict where control of its own territory is at stake.

Conclusion

Russia’s main peacetime goals in the Nordic region involve preventing further military integration of the Nordic states with NATO. The primary means to carry out these goals are political and cyber in nature, rather than military. In a conflict, Russia’s main goals would be similar: to keep the Nordic states out of any conflict with NATO or to keep NATO out of any conflict with a Nordic state. Escalation poses serious risks to Russia, so Russian leaders would be unlikely to initiate a conflict in the region. Russia would be much more willing to defend itself if threatened or attacked but otherwise would limit itself to using indirect means to weaken the Nordic states and to undermine their unity with their NATO partners.

Americas

BAE Systems Norfolk won a $11.9 million contract modification for additional growth requirements, including actions taken during Hurricane Florence, identified during the execution of the USS Tortuga Fiscal 2018 Modernization Period Chief of Naval Operations availability. USS Tortuga was originally commissioned in November 1990 and has been part of the US Navy’s LSD / CG-class modernization program since 2016. The keel on the vessel was initially laid on 23 March 1987. At the start of the Tortuga modernization process in May 2016, BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard was awarded a $17.7 million contract. The Tortuga or LSD 46 is a Whidbey Island Class dock landing ship. Work will take place in Norfolk, Virginia and estimated completion will be in November this year.

A US Navy Littoral Combat Ship, carrying the new Naval Strike Missile capable of sinking a ship, deployed to the Pacific Ocean last week. The USS Gabrielle Giffords left San Diego on Tuesday. The vessel is relatively small and built for shallow-water maneuverability. The USS Gabrielle is carrying missiles noted for precision, quick enemy detection and a range of over 100 nautical miles. Giffords is the second LCS to deploy this year. The LCS Montgomery also deployed from San Diego in June after a 19-month lapse in LCS deployments as the Navy reworked the way it mans and trains crews for the ships. Defense News reports that a Navy official speaking on condition of anonymity said the USS Gabrielle was deploying to the Indo-Pacific theater. The official did not elaborate on the ship’s schedule.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Iran had been developing nuclear weapons at a secret site near the city of Abadeh. At a brief news conference on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the existence of a previously-unknown nuclear weapons development site in Iran. The prime minister’s address follows an announcement by the IAEA that Iran has violated the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement by installing advanced centrifuges to enable it to increase the enrichment level of its uranium stocks. “A year and a half ago, we exposed Iran’s secret nuclear archive which revealed that Iran was developing five nuclear warheads as early as 2003,” Netanyahu said Monday. “Last year, we exposed Iran’s secret nuclear warehouse in Turquzabad, which Iran used for storing materials and equipment for its secret nuclear program.”

Europe

Saab announced that it will exhibit a serial production standard Giraffe 1X, at the DSEI exhibition for the first time. The Giraffe 1X 3D solid-state radar will reportedly be located at the East outdoor display area 23. According to the company, the Giraffe 1X will provide a live demonstration of its capabilities by viewing the airspace from its position at the show. Visitors will be able to talk to Saab experts about its unique features and see for themselves the high quality situational awareness users can expect. The Giraffe 1X is a compact, lightweight high-performing 3D radar perfect for the ground based air defense role as well as for civil applications such as airports and site protection as well as naval applications for all types of vessels. The system is designed to deliver key capabilities as part of short-range surveillance and Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD). Saab’s Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe 1X are two short-range radars. The Sea Giraffe AMB is installed on the US Independence Class Littoral Combat Ships.

Russia is reportedly developing two indigenous engines for Ka-62 and Ka-226. The chief designer from United Engine Corporation says two projects are underway to replace the existing French power-plants on the Ka-226 and Ka-62 helicopters. The engine for the Ka-226 is designated as VK-650V while the VK-1600V is destined for the Ka-62. “We have launched two other projects with the designers of these engines — UEC-Klimov. The first one is the VK-650V engine for Ka-226. Based on the solutions for this engine, a branch of power systems between 500 and 700 horsepower can be created. The second project is VK-1600V. This is the main engine that will be installed on Ka-62 helicopters,” Yuri Shmotin said. He is the company’s chief designer.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Air Force is expected to reactivate 17 Squadron at Ambala Air Force Station. The unit is also expected to be the first to operate the Rafale. The ‘Golden Arrows’ 17 Squadron was commanded by Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa during the Kargil war in 1999. The squadron, which operated from Bhatinda Air Base, was disbanded in 2016 after the IAF started the gradual phasing out of Russian-origin MiG 21 jets. The IAF has already completed preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots, to welcome the fighter aircraft. The sources said the first squadron of the aircraft will be deployed at Ambala Air Force Station. It considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF. The border with Pakistan is around 220 km from there.

Today’s Video

Watch: US Military has sent 47.000 more troops and vehicles for Attention to Military Bases in Middle-East

LSD 43 off Haiti
(click to view full)

The LSD MSMO was developed to provide extended dry docking, modernization, upgrades, and repairs to the LSD-41 Whidbey Island and related LSD-49 Harpers Ferry Classes of amphibious landing ships, which were commissioned between 1985-1998. The classes are highly similar, but the slightly larger Harpers Ferry Class reduces the number of onboard LCAC hovercraft from 4 to 2, in exchange for more cargo capacity. Two ships of these classes are being upgraded each year through 2013, and the last ship will be modernized in 2014. LSD MSMO aims to keep all 12 remaining ships of these classes in service and mission-capable to 2038.

These 186-190m, 14,460-14,850 tonne US Navy LSD ships are designed to carry Marines and equipment close to shore, then land them by launching onboard craft from their well decks. They’re similar in size to the earlier Austin/Cleveland Class LPDs, but are much smaller than either the new LPD-17 San Antonio Class, or the carrier-size LHA-1 Tarawa and LHD-1 Wasp Classes. Despite these characteristics, or perhaps because of them, their flexibility and numbers have made them among the US Navy’s most-used ships for several years running.

Contracts & Key Events

LSD 43 & CH-46s
near Sumatra
(click to view full)

LSD MSMO Work will include normal repair and refurbishment, as well as major alterations to several ship systems. This includes improvements to the ships’ diesel engines, onboard networks, engineering control systems, and power management, and improved capacity for air conditioning and chilled water distribution. The biggest long-term change, however, will involve the replacement of high-maintenance steam systems with all-electric functionality.

Under the LSD MSMO program, ships homeported on the East Coast will undergo upgrades at Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA. Ships based on the West Coast will receive upgrades at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, CA. After October 2011, the distinction vanishes, because GD NASSCO bought MMC.

September 11/19: LSD 46 BAE Systems Norfolk won a $11.9 million contract modification for additional growth requirements, including actions taken during Hurricane Florence, identified during the execution of the USS Tortuga Fiscal 2018 Modernization Period Chief of Naval Operations availability. USS Tortuga was originally commissioned in November 1990 and has been part of the US Navy’s LSD / CG-class modernization program since 2016. The keel on the vessel was initially laid on 23 March 1987. At the start of the Tortuga modernization process in May 2016, BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard was awarded a $17.7 million contract. The Tortuga or LSD 46 is a Whidbey Island Class dock landing ship. Work will take place in Norfolk, Virginia and estimated completion will be in November this year.

July 26/12: LSD 51. A $115 million contract modification for amphibious landing ship USS Oak Hill’s MSMO.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by June 2013. $65.9 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. This contract was competitively awarded using a formal source selection process. The US Navy’s Norfolk Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages the contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

Oct 31/11: MMC bought. General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, CA completes its purchase of Metro Machine Corp., a leading East Coast surface-ship repair company that supports the U.S. Navy fleet in Norfolk, VA. The value of the cash transaction has not been disclosed.

Metro Machine Corp. now becomes part of the shipbuilding and repair operations of San Diego-based General Dynamics NASSCO. Among other things, this means that NASSCO will handle all of the LSD MSMOs. GD NASSCO.

Sept 21/11: Buyout. General Dynamics announces that they’ve entered an agreement to acquire Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA. MMC is a privately held company which employs approximately 400 workers, and has been conducting U.S. Navy ship repair and conversions since 1972. They service and upgrade combat and support ships for the U.S. Navy, including frigates (FFGs), dock landing ships (LSDs) and amphibious transport ships (LPDs).

May 17/11: LSD 48. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives a $7.4 million contract modification for additional repairs and preservation of 33 ballast tanks on board USS Ashland.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by February 2012. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. The US Navy’s Norfolk Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages the contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

May 9/11: LSD 48. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives a $78.8 million contract modification for the USS Ashland’s [LSD 48] MSMO life extension and modernization. In April 2010, Ashland found herself in the news after destroying a Somali pirate skiff that was crazy enough to fire on her.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by Jan 25/12. $45.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. The US Navy’s Norfolk Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages the contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

May 28/10: LDSD 43. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives a $114 million contract modification to exercise the US Navy’s multi-ship multi-option (MSMO) mid-life extension of USS Fort McHenry [LSD 43]. The ship recently spent time on station as part of Operation Unified Endeavor in Haiti.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be complete by May 2011. $68.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, On Sept 30/10. The Norfolk Naval Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages this contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

Post-refit LSD 44:
APS-West, off Ghana
(click to view full)

May 21/09: LSD 44. USS Gunston Hall [LSD 44] successfully completes sea trials, becoming the Navy’s first dock landing ship to complete its comprehensive midlife modernization availability. Work on the ship began in July 2008 at Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA.

Naval Sea Systems Command’s Surface Warfare directorate (US NAVSEA SEA 21) manages the complete life cycle support for all non-nuclear surface ships, and is responsible for the maintenance and modernization of non-nuclear surface ships currently operating in the fleet. The SEA 21 group also oversees the ship inactivation process, including transfers or sales to friendly foreign navies, inactivation and or disposal. US Navy.

Jan 20/09: LSD 42. General Dynamics NASSCO announces an initial $26.3 million contract to modernize the amphibious assault ship USS Germantown [LSD 42], by upgrading her electrical generation and power distribution systems. The contract follows a $100,000 award to NASSCO in July 2008 for preparatory work, and additional contracts are expected for other hull, mechanical and engineering work on the ship.

Modernization work aboard the Germantown began in December 2008, and is scheduled to end in August 2009. The 610-foot-long ship was commissioned in February 1986, and is homeported in San Diego, CA. GD NASSCO.

Aug 8/08: LSD 44. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives an $80.9 million contract modification for LPD Multi-Ship Multi-Option (MSMO) Mid-Life extension work on the USS Gunston Hall [LSD 44].

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by March 2009. $62.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/08. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center in Norfolk, VA manages this contract (N00024-08-C-4406).

Oct 25/07: Woodward Governor Co. in Fort Collins, CO received an $11.9 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for 52 Power Management Platforms, and 100 Control Actuators. They will be installed in the Generator Control and Distribution Control Subsystems of the Electrical Plant Generation and Distribution Systems for USS Whidbey Island Class ships, in support of the LSD Midlife Program.

Work will be performed in Fort Collins, CO, and is expected to be complete in October 2012. The contract was not competitively procured by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-08-D-0001).

Sept 26/07: Kato Engineering, Inc. in Mankato, MN received a $24 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for an estimated 55 ship service generators to replace the existing generator end of the current ship service diesel generator for USS Whidbey Island [LSD 41], in support of the LSD 41/49 Midlife program. The ship service generators increase electrical generating capacity, and increase reliability, maintainability and efficiency.

Work will be performed in Mankato, MN, and is expected to be complete in September 2012. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Internet, with 2 proposals received by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-07-D-0022).

Sept 11/07: LSD 44. L3 Communications Henschel Inc. in Newburyport, MA received an $11.3 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. They will provide various quantities of Digital Ship Control Systems, Remote Displays and Navigation Converters in support of LSD 44’s Midlife Program. The contract will also provide engineering and technical services related to all LSD Ship Control Systems and associated hardware.

Work will be performed in Newburyport, MA, and is expected to be complete by September 2012. This contract was competitively procured and advertised on the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 3 proposals received by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-07-D-0019).

Additional Readings

• US Navy – Fact File: Dock Landing LSDs

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $266.2 million contract for special tooling and special test equipment in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The deal benefits the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps as well as non-US DoD participants. The Department of Defense is developing and fielding a family of fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft integrating stealth technologies with advanced sensors and computer networking capabilities for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, eight international partners, and four Foreign Military Sales customers. The family is comprised of three aircraft variants: The F35A, F35B and F35C. Work under the new contract will take place in various places within the US as well as the UK, Norway, Canada and Australia. Estimated completion will be by July 2022.

Raytheon published the first images of the Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band on the EA-18 Growler. According to the company the NGJ-MB is a high-capacity and high-power airborne electronic attack weapon system. It will protect Air Forces by denying, degrading and disrupting threat radars and communication devices. In July, the jamming pod was the first of 15 EMD pods to be delivered to the USN for mission systems testing and qualification on the Boeing EA-18G Growler, the service’s carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

The US Army awarded PAE Government Systems a $26 million contract modification to a Foreign Military Sale to Afghanistan. The deal provides for Maintenance Strategy Ground Vehicle Support effort. In May 2019, PAE Government Systems won an $8.1 million National Maintenance Strategy Ground Vehicle Support effort deal and in August 2018 a deal worth $10.1 million. Fiscal 2019 Afghanistan Security Forces, Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. Work will take place in Kabul, Afghanistan. Estimated completion date is March 1, 2020.

Europe

Four Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft touched down at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania on August 29, 2019 to take over the lead of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing from the Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 fighter aircraft. The Belgian Air Force, which back in 2004 was the first ally to start NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in the region, will be the lead nation for the last four months in 2019. The official handover-takeover ceremony of the mission took place at Šiauliai Air Base on the 3rd of September 2019. “It is great for Belgium to be back here in the Baltics,” said Major Simon Gerard, Detachment Commander of the 60-strong Belgian F-16 detachment.

Asia-Pacific

The US Army contracted Motorola Solutions a $10.2 million modification to upgrade and expand the Pacific Japan and Korea land mobile radio system, connect sites to the current joint Japan land mobile radio system and to upgrade the Army backup core infrastructure in Japan. A land mobile radio system (LMRS) is an individual-to-individual voice correspondence system comprising of two-way radio handsets which can be mobile, introduced in vehicles, or convenient. Work locations and funding under the contract modification will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is May 24, 2023.

Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) says it has received six separate inquiries on the Mi-28NE attack helicopter. Tass reports that these countries are from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and CSTO members-states. Six foreign customers have sent in requests for purchasing Russia’s Mi-28NE attack helicopter since 2015. Mi-28NE is an all-weather attack helicopter. Its main tasks are the elimination of armored vehicles and low-flying low-speed air targets, air reconnaissance and identification of targets for combat helicopters and planes. It is armed with guided and unguided missiles and a 30-mm gun.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : 83 Tejas MK1A By L&T, Massive China-Pak Air Exercise,ISRO Locates Lander

Belgian F-16
(click to view full)

Belgium is embarking on minor but useful modernization of its remaining F-16 fleet, which is expected to serve until at least 2022, and could easily end up serving past 2030. Under Belgium’s 2000-2015 Modernization plan, the Belgian Defense Forces plan to keep just 60 F-16s in the fleet, creating a total of 48 operational aircraft (46 for NATO duties and 2 for domestic air defense).

BAF F-16s & AdlA C-135FR
(click to view full)

The F-16.net database shows a current active fleet of 49 F-16As and 10 F-16B trainers/ fighters, with likely delivery dates from 1982-1991. A Mid-Life Upgrade modernization was ordered in 1997 – 1998, which included a full Aircraft Structural Integrity Program.

This upgrade will help the F-16s remain useful for deployments like Kandahar, Afghanistan and Baltic air policing, but it won’t substantially change the fighter’s core capabilities. The AN/APG-66(V)2 radar remains, for instance, instead of being replaced with the APG-68(V)9 or something equally modern. Belgium’s addition of JHMCS helmet-mounted displays in recent years was more consequential.

On the other hand, the M6 OFP adds the Universal Armament Interface, which will make it much easier and cheaper for the Belgian Air Force to add new weapons to their F-16s. This upgrade may be one that becomes consequential with the passing of time.

Updates

September 10/19: Baltic Air Policing Mission Four Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft touched down at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania on August 29, 2019 to take over the lead of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing from the Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 fighter aircraft. The Belgian Air Force, which back in 2004 was the first ally to start NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in the region, will be the lead nation for the last four months in 2019. The official handover-takeover ceremony of the mission took place at Šiauliai Air Base on the 3rd of September 2019. “It is great for Belgium to be back here in the Baltics,” said Major Simon Gerard, Detachment Commander of the 60-strong Belgian F-16 detachment.

January 13/16: The Belgian government has approved a plan to modernize its airforce by 2030, but at a cost of a reduction in personnel. $10 billion will be made available for upgrades to equipment and machinery, however it will necessitate a decrease in the military and civilian workforce from 32,000 to 25,000. While no preferences have been made as to what will be bought, the investment will see thirty-four fighter bombers bought to replace the fifty-six aging F-16s in service. This will go alongside two new frigates, six minesweepers and two new UAVs. Brussels is also considering participation in the Tanker Aircraft Program.

May 12/14: The US DSCA announces Belgium’s official export request for upgrades to its F-16A/B Block 15 Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) aircraft with:

• Operational Flight Program (OFP, core mission software) tapes S1, M5 and M6.
  
• 69 LN-260 Embedded Global Positioning System-Inertial Navigation Systems (GPS-INS).
  
• 8 Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receivers IV (ROVER IV) terminals, which greatly improve coordination with ground forces.
  
• 62 BAE AN/APX-125 Transceivers (AN/APX-125 Air Identification Friend of Foe Radios), with the latest NATO Mode 5/ Mode S capabilities so they can operate with other NATO countries. IFF Mode 5 needs the M6 OFP software to work.
  
• 43 AN/ARC-210(V) RT-1990(C) Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency (UHF/VHF) radios. They need the M5 OFP tape to work.
  
• 32 KIV-78 encryption devices.
  
• 1 Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS).
  
• 4 BRU-61/A Carriage Systems, used for the GPS-guided GBU-39 Small Diamater Bomb I. SDB-I needs the M6 OFP software to work.
  
• Plus spare and repair parts, support equipment, repair and return services, software development/ integration, test and equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, and other forms of US Government and contractor support. The estimated cost is up to $113 million.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Orlando, FL, and implementation of any negotiated sale won’t require any additional US government or contractor personnel in Belgium. Sources: US DSCA #14-13, “Belgium – F-16A/B Block 15 Aircraft Mid-Life Upgrade”.

DSCA request: Belgium

Americas

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $29.3 million contract modification for performance based logistics support on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System. The General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS. It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the United States Army as an upgrade of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator. The Gray Eagle unmanned combat vehicle has a maximum altitude capability of 29,000 feet and can take-off and land without operator assistance. The drone’s payload includes advanced sensing gear, four GBU-44/B Viper strike bombs, and up to four Hellfire missiles or eight AIM-92 Stinger missiles. At the beginning of August it was reported that a Gray Eagle drone has crashed near Bagdad in Iraq. General Atomics will perform work under the modification in Poway, California and estimated completion date is September 4, 2020.

Pacific Shipyards International won a $32.1 million deal for upgrades of the USS Michael Murphy or DDG 112. According to the DoD, Pacific Shipyards International is to execute the fiscal 2020 selected restricted availability of the Michael Murphy, which includes a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair. The Arleigh Burke Class ship, commissioned in 2012 and named after a Hawaii-based Navy SEAL member who died in Afghanistan and posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor, will undergo unspecified maintenance, modernization and repair. The ship participated in UNITAS, a two-week multinational maritime exercise, with 11 other nations. The vessel rescued five stranded Peruvian mariners off the coast of Ecuador, who had gone without food for five days and water for three days. It also aided the US Coast Guard contain a speedboat found to be carrying 2,100 pounds of cocaine, leading to the arrest of three alleged smugglers. Work under the new contract will take place in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and estimated completion will be in April 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Ace Precision Machining won a $25 million firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales contract to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The FMS is for hot section parts for the Advanced Gas Turbine-1500 tank engine. The Honeywell AGT-1500 is the main is the main power plant in the M1 Abrams series of tanks. The low-weight, high-power turbine engine lets the M1 move faster and maneuver better than most comparable tanks. Estimated completion date for work under the new contract will be September 4, 2024.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has committed to providing financial support to the country’s UAV sector as part of the country’s efforts to further develop its own capabilities and platform export markets. Bloomberg reports that Baykar Makina, the private Turkish drone maker with family ties to the president, will receive government support to expand output. Under Presidential Decree 1506, announced on September 4, the Turkish government is to provide support valued at $105.5 million for the development of the Baykar Bayraktar TB2 UAV and Akinci armed UAV, including the development and manufacture of avionics, ground control stations, and other subsystem components.

Europe

Slovakia is preparing to send six pilots to the United States for F-16 training this autumn, local media reports. Another six more are currently undergoing training in the country. The armed forces are planning on employing 22 F-16 pilots. The Defense Ministry has also allocated money to reconstruct Slia? airport, because the F-16 jets bought by the ministry will be placed there. The decision comes after the Defense Ministry rejected a $116.8 million investment from the USA to modernize two of its military airports back in March. The airport modernization, split into three parts, should be completed by the time the 14 US F-16 jets arrive in Slovakia in 2022 and 2023.

Asia-Pacific

Jane’s reports that China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has released images showing seven Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group J-20 fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft in the air. This is the largest number of J-20s to be publicly shown flying in close formation. It is not known when and where the pictures were taken. However, the maneuvers are believed to have taken place as part of rehearsals for a military parade set to take place on 1 October to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Today’s Video

Watch: Philippine Navy Missile Frigate BRP Antonio Luna – Weapons and Armaments

The EDA Steering Board approved end of August the way ahead for the new Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) to be established in Sintra, Portugal. The European Defence (EDA) together with 18 of its Member States will now develop the technical arrangement (TA) for the opening of this new advanced tactical helicopter training facility by the end of 2022. 

Approval for the centre marks the latest milestone in a long line of important helicopter projects managed by the Agency since 2009.  EDA currently hosts three collaborative helicopter programmes, which fill a helicopter training capability gap in Europe and are a key component of operational capacity building. The three programmes are aimed at improving European interoperability and increasing standardisation of helicopter aircrews through the adoption of common training activities and the use of common Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs). All tactics are developed refined and tested before being included in the Helicopter Exercise Programme Standard Operating Procedures (HEP SOP).
 

Tactics Courses

The Agency’s helicopter work includes a Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) and a Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC).  The first project focusses on improving the tactical ability of crews through an integrated training course of classroom and simulator instruction that is currently conducted at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in the United Kingdom. The HTC provides a solid foundation for whole crew training and was later developed into the Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course, which takes experienced aircrew and further develops their skills in a “Train the Trainer” course, delivering advanced helicopter tactics and the Helicopter Tactics Instructor (HTI) qualification. The HTIC includes a ground phase delivered in the UK, and a live flying element conducted in Sweden.
 

Helicopter Exercise Programme

The third element of EDA’s helicopter activities is the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP) which brings together multinational helicopter crews and an array of assets (fixed wing, Electronic Warfare, ground troops, Special Forces, etc) in an annual multinational training exercise covering the performance of complex missions in demanding environmental areas. The exercises are conducted under the BLADE banner. The next exercise will be SWIFT BLADE, to be delivered in Belgium and the Netherlands in April 2020.

However, EDA does not have the vocation to be a long-term training provider, but rather a catalyst for cooperative training. The Agency launches initiatives that can provide added value to Member States and when these are consolidated and have reached a sufficient level of maturity, the Agency encourages Member States or multinational organisations to take over the administrative and organisational responsibility of the activities, allowing the EDA to free-up resources and focus on developing new initiatives.
 

Multinational Helicopter Training Centre

EDA has been successfully managing the three helicopter programmes for over a decade, and during the next five year period, they will progressively be transferred outside EDA to the future Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC).

The MHTC will consist of office space for the technical, administrative and training delivery  staff, simulator facilities and a dedicated accommodation block. In addition, it will also develop a more coordinated approach to European helicopter training and will try to harmonise national approaches and drive synergies with NATO doctrine.

The concept development phase of the project was concluded in January 2019 and has now gained ministerial approval to develop the legally binding Technical Arrangement (TA), which will define the objectives, benefits, roles and capabilities of the centre together with agreement on budget and manpower allocation.  The first MHTC project team meeting will be held at EDA in September with the signature of the Technical Arrangement targeted for the end of 2020.

Americas

General Electric Aviation won a $143.7 million contract modification for 24 low rate initial production Lot 3 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines and three Lot 2 T408-GE-400 engines for the CH-53K helicopter. The deal also provides for associated engine and programmatic support, logistics support, peculiar support equipment and spares. T408 engines provide enough power to the aircraft to carry a 27,000lb external load over a mission radius of 110nm in the navy high / hot weather conditions. The three-stage power turbine is capable of generating 7,378-rated shaft horsepower. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is a large, heavy-lift cargo helicopter. General Electric will perform work under the modification in Lynn, Massachusetts, and estimated completion will be in December 2022.

The US Air Force awarded Raytheon an $8.4 million modification for field team support services for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) development test mission support including, test planning, test operations, test reporting and telemetry analysis. The contract modification provides for exercise of the third option for an additional 12 months of services to support ground tests, captive flight tests and live fire tests conducted for developmental purposes up to and including operational test readiness reviews. The effort also includes management and maintenance of AMRAAM separation test vehicles and other assets used for the test programs. The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM is in service with the US Air Force, US Navy, and over 25 US-allied nations. Work will take place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and estimated completion date is September 5, 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), which is a leader in the production of combat-proven small arms for law enforcement agencies, governments, and armies around the world, announces the new lightweight, multi-caliber assault rifle, a highly efficient and modular battle rifle ? the ARAD, based on the AR15 platform. According to local reports, the new lightweight, modular assault rifle is offered in two variants: 5.56X45mm and .300 AAC Blackout. The ARAD was designed to address the needs of Special Forces as well as the various infantry forces. It includes several advanced features that enable operational flexibility. The rifle consists of a short-stroke gas piston with a regulator in two positions, which allows proper operation in all environmental conditions. A two-step enhanced trigger ensures both comfort and shooting accuracy. Additional features include a hard-anodized monolithic aluminum MIL-STD 1913 rail in the upper receiver.

Europe

Jane’s reports that five Czech Air Force JAS 39C fighters began a four-month rotation of NATO’s Baltic air policing mission on September 1 in their first operation with their new Rafael Litening 4i laser targeting pods. The aircraft are reportedly armed with their usual cannons: the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs). On 14 June 2004, it was announced that the Czech Republic was to lease 14 Gripen aircraft, modified to comply with NATO standards. In September 2013, the Defense and Security Export Agency announced that a follow-up agreement with the Czech Republic had been completed to extend the lease by 14 years, until 2029.

Asia-Pacific

Vietnam is looking at acquiring the T-6 Texan II. The sale is reportedly at an advanced stage with the US Air Force helping Vietnam to find a suitable location to bed down the aircraft. Vietnam is pursuing the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft for their Air Force, “which is interesting because most of the stuff they have right now is from Russia,” Gen. Charles Q. Brown, commander of Pacific Air Forces, said. Pacific Air Forces is moving to distribute its fleet more broadly across the theater to both enhance flexibility and reduce vulnerability as a target, the PACAF commander said on Tuesday.

The Philippines have been forced to push back the delivery of two AH-1s from Jordan as the personnel are still undergoing training in Jordan. The original date was supposed to be this month but Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez announced the new date is early next year. He added that the training of its pilots is still underway. The Jordanian government pledged last year to donate two US-built Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters, and President Rodrigo Duterte had mentioned this in some of his speeches. The AH-1 Cobra is a two-blade, single-engine attack helicopter.

Today’s Video

Watch: MSPO 2019 International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce Poland Day 1 Video show daily news

On 5 and 6 September 2019 the kick-off meeting of the TALOS project is held at the European Defence Agency (EDA). TALOS is one of the three projects selected in the 2018 call for proposals for the EU Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) in the field of defence research. A grant agreement for TALOS worth €5.4 million was signed on 26 July 2019 between EDA and the winning consortium led by CILAS.

The Research Action on the topic ‘Toward a European high-power effector’ called TALOS (Tactical Advanced Laser Optical System) was selected following an EU-wide call for proposals organised by EDA closing on 28 June 2018. The action focuses on a research and technological development (R&T) project to design and build a European high power laser effector, to become available for defence applications within the next decade. The winning consortium encompasses a total of 16 participants from nine countries. (More information on the consortium can be found in the TALOS project page.)  

EDA Chief Executive underlined at the kick-off meeting that the scope of the TALOS project was in line with the 2018 Capability Development Plan priorities. In addition, the relevance of the topic is further confirmed by a dedicated Technology Building Block on Laser Weapon Systems, in the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA). 

The TALOS project is part of the Preparatory Action, aimed at testing the mechanisms that can prepare, organise and deliver a variety of EU-funded cooperative defence research and technology development (R&T) activities to improve the competitiveness and innovation in the European defence industry and to stimulate cooperation amongst R&T actors in the EU Member States. 

The signature of this grant agreement continues the path towards EU defence integration and paves the way for developing a future European Defence Fund, especially its research dimension, as part of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027).  

The PADR implementation is run by the European Defence Agency (EDA) following the mandate via a Delegation Agreement between the European Commission and EDA signed on 31 May 2017. By this agreement the European Commission entrusts EDA with the management and implementation of the research projects to be launched within the PADR.  

TALOS kick-off meeting © EDA

 

More information: 

• Financial decision
• 2018 calls for proposals published for PA on Defence Research (EDA webnews, 15 March 2018)
• Factsheet ‘Preparatory Action for CSDP-related research’
• Preparatory Action for Defence Research (EDA project page) 
• PADR TALOS project page

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $50.3 million contract modification for the Aegis Weapon System (AWS). The deal is for ship integration and test of the AWS for AWS Baselines through Advanced Capability Build 16. The contract provides for Aegis shipboard integration engineering, Aegis test team support, Aegis modernization team engineering support, Ballistic Missile Defense test team support, Aegis ashore support and AWS element assessments. This contract will cover the AWS ship integration and test efforts for nine new construction DDG 51 Class ships and the major modernization of seven DDG 51 Class ships. It will additionally cover the integrated combat system modifications and upgrades for all current ships with all AWS Baselines up to and including ACB 16. A few days ago Lockheed won a contract for Aegis BMD 6.0 Capability. The Aegis Combat System (ACS) is an advanced command and control and weapon control system that uses powerful computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. AWS, the heart of Aegis, comprises the AN/SPY-1 Radar, MK 99 Fire Control System, WCS, the Command and Decision Suite, and SM.2 Standard Missile family of weapons. Lockheed will perform work under the contract modification in Romania and in various places in the US. Estimated completion will be in September 2024.

Progeny Systems won a $10.7 million modification to exercise Option Year Two for the production of MK54 MOD 1 lightweight torpedo proof of design components, test equipment, associated production support material, spares, and engineering and hardware support services. The MK54 is a standard 324mm torpedo. The MK 54 Mod 1 hardware upgrades the torpedo’s sonar array from 52 to 112 elements, providing higher resolution. Associated software upgrades are designed to exploit these features to improve target detection, enhance false target rejection, and correct previously identified deficiencies. The modification combines purchases for the USN as well as one percent for the government of the UK. Work will take place in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia and is scheduled to be finished by March 2022.

Middle East & Africa

British Royal Air Force Typhoons based at Coningsby have left for a four-month tour of the Middle East and the Far East to participate in exercises. The first stop for the multi-role Typhoon jets will be Oman, the Royal Air Force announced in a statement. There, pilots from both nations will test their skills in a two week ‘live’ weapons exercise in the desert. The Royal Air Foce of Oman also operates the Typhoons and has a long history in training with the UK. The exercises prepare personnel performing support functions to become familiar with operating in tough conditions away from home. The jets will then be flying on to a multi-national exercise in Malaysia at the end of September. Meanwhile Typhoons, which have been deployed to Estonia under Operation Azotize have returned to the UK.

The United States imposed sanctions on Iran’s civilian space agency and two research organizations on Tuesday, saying they were being used to advance Tehran’s ballistic missile program. The US Treasury sanctions targeted the Iran Space Agency, Iran Space Research Center and the Astronautics Research Institute. “The United States will not allow Iran to use its space launch program as cover to advance its ballistic missile programs,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. Meanwhile, allies reach out to Iran. France said this week it was considering a $15 billion line of credit to Iran to finance new oil exports, and Russian officials pushed a plan that would open the ports of Crimea on the Black Sea to Iranian oil shipments, the Washington Post reports.

Europe

BAE Systems won a contract by the German federal police force „Bundespolizei“ to supply three Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun systems for three of its new 86m Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The company announced this in a press release. The contract also includes accompanying fire control systems as well as systems integration support. The first unit is scheduled for delivery in 2020. According to the company, the 57 Mk3 is a flexible, highly versatile gun system designed to react quickly for close-to-shore operations. The 57 Mk3 naval gun is also in use with the allied navies and coast guards of eight nations, including Canada, Finland, Mexico, and Sweden, as well as the United States, where it is known as the Mk110 naval gun.

Asia-Pacific

According to local reports, Dutch shipbuilder Damen has launched the second of two 2,300-ton corvettes on order for the Pakistan Navy at its facilities in Galati, Romania. The deal for the two platforms, which the PN has also referred to as offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), was inked in June 2017. The first ship, which was launched at the same shipyard on May 17, is expected to enter service by the end of 2019, and the second one is set to be delivered by mid-2020, according to the Navy. Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Ather Mukhtar, who spoke at the ceremony, emphasized the importance of corvettes in the maritime domain.

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Americas

Lockheed Martin announced that its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target on August 30 in a missile defense test. The test was led by the US Missile Defense Agency with support provided by the US Army. During the test, the THAAD system located at US Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a threat representative target using a THAAD launcher that was positioned at distance from the other THAAD end items, the company said. The THAAD system, made by Lockheed Martin, is designed to intercept threats from inside and outside the Earth’s atmosphere. It has had 16 consecutive successful launches and interceptions, but the test early Friday demonstrated the capability of engaging the system remotely with a government-developed remote launcher kit.

Airbus announced on August 30 that it along with the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense is withdrawing from Canada’s effort to acquire a new fighter aircraft. Airbus Defense and Space, which was pitching the Eurofighter Typhoon, notified the Liberal government Friday that it was not going to bid. The decision was made after a detailed review of the tender issued by the federal government in mid-July. The move leaves only three companies in the $19 billion contest: Lockheed Martin Canada with its F-35; Boeing with the Super Hornet; and Saab, which is offering an updated version of its Gripen fighter.

Middle East & Africa

Iran unveiled a new high-precision reconnaissance and attack drone dubbed „Kian“. Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard displayed the unmanned aerial vehicle at a ceremony in the capital, Tehran, saying it can fly more than 1,000km and climb to an altitude of 5,000 meters. The drone comes in two models capable of “surveillance and reconnaissance missions and continuous flight for precision missions,” state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying. The newly launched UAV can reportedly carry different munitions and can climb to an altitude of 5,000 meters.

Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has added four more Belgian companies to its industry team that will support the planned provision of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAVs by Belgium. GA-ASI is the leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft systems, radars, electro-optic and related mission systems. In January it announced that it had teamed with five Belgium-based businesses as part of an industrial collaboration effort with the Belgian aerospace and defense industry. AeroSimulators Group (ASG), AIRobot, ALX Systems and Hexagon will join Team SkyGuardian, which already includes the following five Belgium companies: SABCA, Thales Belgium, Esterline, Newtec and DronePort.

Asia-Pacific

Kyodo News says Moscow is planning to deploy the Bastion coastal anti-ship missiles on Paramushir and Matua in the Kuril Islands northeast from Hokkaido, Japan. The News Platform was shown an internal Russian government document. Missiles have been deployed on Etorofu and Kunashiri since 2016 and a separate document says more missiles are to be deployed in the area in 2020. The installed missile systems were moved from Kamchatka Peninsula to Paramushir and Matua islands in the island chain. The chain includes four Japan-claimed islands. The plan reportedly indicates Russia places strategic importance on the Kuril Islands in defending the Sea of Okhotsk and its nuclear force stronghold against the United States. The Bastion is a land-to-ship missile that has a range of more than 300 kilometers. The Kurils are a chain of small islands that run from the Japanese island of Hokkaido at the southern end and the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula at the northern end. They form an island border that separates the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean.

Eight US made Apache AH-64E attack helicopters joined the Indian Air Force fleet today in Pathankot. This is seen as a very big boost to India’s combat capabilities. A priest performed rituals in front of a helicopter, which was also given a water cannon salute at the Pathankot Air Force Base. India’s Air Force will be receiving 22 Apache AH-64E(I) helicopters in all in a $1.1-billion deal with Boeing. The contract was inked in September 2015. The Apaches are equipped with hellfire missiles and rockets. Each helicopter has the capacity to carry eight such missiles. It also has a canon gun that can fire 1,200 rounds at a time, with which two missile pods carrying 19 missiles each can be fixed.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : India’s S5 SSBN Design,MIRV Capable K6 SLBM,New 3rd Layer To BMD Program

Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive, travelled to Zagreb for meetings with Damir Krstičević, Coatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mirko Šundov, Chief of the General Staff, Croatian Armed Forces and other high-level representatives in the Croatian Ministry of Defence. 

The main topics discussed during the bilateral meetings at the Croatian Ministry of Defence included the current state of play and way ahead in the implementation of the various EU defence initiatives (PESCO, CARD, European Defence Fund), the implementation of the revised EU Capability Development Priorities adopted in June 2018 and Croatia’s current and potential participation in EDA projects and programmes.  

Mr Domecq and Deputy Prime Minister Krstičević also discussed the defence and security priorities for the upcoming Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

“The focus in the defence range during the Croatian presidency will be placed on implementation of defence initiatives such as PESCO, CARD and military mobility, with the emphasis on their coherence and complementarity, as well as on the industrial dimension of defence (European Defence Fund) and on the enhanced NATO-the EU co-operation and further EU efforts in southeast Europe“, said Minister Krstičević, who also announced a defence industry conference with the partners from the EU, during the Croatian presidency. 

“EDA is deeply committed to supporting all its Member States, irrespective of their size. The current and upcoming Presidency are opportunities to further advance the embedding of the EU defence initiatives in the national defence plans and programmes with the aim of achieving a more collaborate, efficient and interoperable European defence”, Jorge Domecq said. In particular, Mr Domecq confirmed the Agency’s interest to support the organisation of a high-level defence industry conference in the first half of 2020. 

Mr Domecq also had the opportunity to meet among others with with Robert Hranj, Vice Admiral, Director of the General Staff, Croatian Armed Forces, Zdravko Jakop, State Secretary, and Luka Barilović, President of Croatian Chamber of Commerce.

Americas

Meggitt Defense Systems won a $22.2 million firm-fixed-price contract in support of the Apache AH-64. The deal is for magazine assemblies. Boeing’s Apache is a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit. The helicopter is used by the US Army and an increasing number of international defense forces. The AH-64E is the latest version of the AH-64 gunship, equipped with new sensors, avionics and improved night operation capabilities. The Apache can carry up to 16 Hellfire laser designated missiles. With a range of over 8,000 meters, the Hellfire is used primarily for the destruction of tanks, armored vehicles and other hard material targets. The award is a one-time procurement contract, which includes a quantity option, exercised at time of award. Location of performance is California, with an April 15, 2021, performance completion date.

The US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $68.9 million contract modification for non-recurring engineering and obsolescence management to support delivery of 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye full-rate production Lot 7 – 11 aircraft. Hawkeye is an airborne, all-weather, tactical, early-warning aircraft used by the US Navy. E-2D is the fourth version of the E-2 Hawkeye. The technology and gadgets fitted in this aircraft increase its visibility on targets far away. Notably, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a structurally distinctive design — a rotating rotodome and four vertical stabilizer tail configurations — that provide 360-degree surveillance at all times. In April, the Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $3.2 billion five-year contract modification to buy 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne surveillance aircraft. Work will take place in Florida, New York, Virginia, California, Indiana, Ohio, Italy and France as well as various other locations within the continental US. Estimated completion date is in January 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon won a $10.8 million FMS contract to Kuwait for technical assistance planning, training, maintenance and sustainment of the Kuwait Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) missile weapon systems, associated PATRIOT equipment, and PATRIOT logistics support elements. The company will offer technical assistance, planning, training, maintenance and sustainment to Kuwait, in addition to pertinent equipment and logistics support. Kuwait is equipped with an unknown number of land-based PAC-2 medium range Patriot air defense missiles and PAC-3 ground-based/mobile Patriot missiles. The USA’s MIM-104 Phased Array Tracking Radar Intercept On Target anti-air missile system offers an advanced backbone for medium-range air defense, and short-range ballistic missile defense, to America and its allies. Work will take place in Massachusetts. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2020.

Europe

The DoS approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Hungary of 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) with support for an estimated cost of $500 million. The European country requested to buy one 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), and four spare AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance sections. The proposed sale will also include cryptographic and communication security devices, precision navigation equipment, weapons system equipment, common munitions and test equipment, training, integration and logistics support.

The State Department also approved a FMS to Denmark for nine AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and six hundred AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing system is the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor of US Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. It provides mission-critical capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar features 4-time greater area coverage than current systems, active or passive sonar modes, active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability, generate high power waveforms and many other advanced characteristics.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan will retire its UH-1H fleet on October 30. The UH-1 has been in service on the island for 50 years. It will be replaced by the UH-60. According to local reports, the Army officially confirmed that it will decommission the UH-1H on October 30. The Ministry of Defense will hold decommissioning ceremony. The UH-60 is a four-blade twin-engine medium lift utility helicopter. In 2017, Sikorsky won a $135.4 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract by the Republic of China Army for the manufacture of 24 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters. Taiwan is a mountainous island surrounded by ocean. This helicopter is perfect for rescue mission in the mountains at the altitudes above 2,000 meters or out at sea in nighttime. Its best feature is nighttime reconnaissance.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S NAVY GHOST FLEET WILL BE HAVE LARGE UNMANNED SURFACE VESSELS (LUSV) !!

MH-60R & ALFS,
Bermuda
(click to view full)

The AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) will equip the US Nay’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, serving as their primary anti-submarine sensor. The new FLASH sonar operates using lower frequencies and higher-power waveforms than existing dipping sonars, improving long-range detection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar claims 4x the area coverage of current systems, and includes both active or passive sonar modes to help track, localize, and classify submarines. A winching system with up to 2,500 feet of cable raises and lowers the sonar.

The ALFS system complements the MH-60R’s radar, and works in concert with other equipment including active or passive sonobuoys, signal processing improvements that are especially helpful in shallow water. This Spotlight article highlights ALFS-related contracts from 2002 to the present.

Contracts & Key Events

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ALFS is a cooperative venture between Raytheon Corp. and Thales Underwater Systems, which supplies a modified version of its FLASH wide-band sonar. Thales’ Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH) helicopter-borne dipping sonar is widely popular, and has been chosen by the USA (MH-60R), France (NH90 NFH), Norway (NH90 NFH), Sweden (NH90 NFH), UAE (Naval Cougar), and UK (EH101 MERLIN); it is also currently proposed for the German Navy’s NH90.

Unless otherwise noted, all contracts are issued by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD, to prime contractor Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ Naval Integration Center in Portsmouth, RI. Note that work will be performed in Brest, France generally indicates work done by Raytheon’s major sub-contractor, Thales. The partnership produces an average of 20 AN/AQS-22 systems per year.

FY 2019

September 2/19: Denmark The State Department also approved a FMS to Denmark for nine AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and six hundred AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing system is the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor of US Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. It provides mission-critical capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar features 4-time greater area coverage than current systems, active or passive sonar modes, active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability, generate high power waveforms and many other advanced characteristics.

FY 2015

 

FLASH sonar
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Sept 3/15: Raytheon will get $33 million to make more AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar devices. With options, the contract could be worth as much as $98 million.

FY 2014

 

Sept 26/14: Thales Defense & Security, Inc. in Clarksburg, MD, receives a $7.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to cover repairs of 6 ALFS components. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 Navy budgets.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (62%); Clarksburg, MD (26%); and Johnstown, PA (12%), and work is expected to be complete by Jan 31/16. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement, with 1 offer received by the NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Contracting Department in Philadelphia, PA (N0038313G003F, DO 7007).

Dec 18/13: H-60 Program Manager Capt. James Glass discusses programs to upgrade the fleet with new weapons and systems. They’re pleased with ALFS’ performance, which he describes as 9x more effective, but they’re working to engineer ALFS for more reliability. Sources, Military.com, “Navy Arms MH-60S Helicopter with Gatling Gun”.

Dec 16/13: Australia. Raytheon IDS in Portsmouth, RI receives a maximum $42.6 million sole source, firm-fixed-price contract from the Royal Australian Navy for “the manufacture and delivery” of AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar systems. Australia has ordered 25 systems already (q.v. Dec 22/11), which is more than enough for installation in each helicopter. Spares? Upgrades? Additional reserve units? Raytheon’s Dec 20/13 release is uninformative. If the 2 orders are combined, they total $123.4 million.

Work will be performed in Rhode Island, with a February 2017 performance completion date. The US Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia, PA manages this contract, unlike the 2011 contract which was managed by US NAVAIR (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y-5027).

Nov 4/13: Support. Thales Communication Inc. in Clarksburg, MD receives an $8.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to cover repairs for 6 ALFS items. Based on the geographic spread, a significant portion of the repair work will involve the FLASH sonar modules, as one would reasonably expect.

$6.6 million in FY 2014 working capital funds are committed immediately, and will expire by Sept 30/14. Work will be performed at Clarksburg, MD (28%); Brest, France (54%); and Johnstown, PA (18%), and is expected to be complete Nov 1/15. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) by NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support’s Contracting Department in Philadelphia, PA (N00383-13-G-003F, #7002).

FY 2011 – 2013

FRP-10 & 11. Australia.

MH-60R & ALFS
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Sept 26/13: Thales Communications, Inc. in Clarksburg, MD receives a $15.1 million firm-fixed-price contract to help establish depot level support for the AN/AQS-22 ALFS. They’ll provide depot level specialized test equipment and the relevant technical data in support of the MH-60R/ ALFS combination. All funds are committed immediately.

Work will be performed in Clarksburg, MD (50%) and Jacksonville, FL (50%) and is expected to be complete in May 2015. The contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.SC 2304(c). US NAVAIR in Lakehurst, NJ manages the contract (N68335-13-C-0427).

Sept 17/13: A maximum $45.2 million unfinalized contract for ALFS systems. Work will be performed in Rhode Island, with a November 2017 completion date, using FY 2013 through FY 2017 Navy working capital funds. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia, PA manages this contract (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y, #5026).

Dec 20/12: FRP-10 & 11. A $158.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 48 MH-60R Full Rate Production ALFS systems: 24 for Production Lot 10 and another 24 for Lot 11. It also includes associated program management support.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (59%); Portsmouth, RI (37%), and Johnstown, PA (4%), and is expected to be completed in April 2017. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304c1. All contract funds are committed on award, but $39.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13 (N00019-13-C-0012). Raytheon.

May 31/12: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI received a $12.2 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for specialized test equipment and “golden units” necessary to perform depot level repairs to identified ALFS components. The Navy wants to reduce turnaround time, and improve fleet support.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (82%); Portsmouth, RI (12%); and Arlington, VA (6%), and is expected to be complete in July 2014. $7.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12.

Dec 22/11: Australia. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI receives an $80.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to buy 25 AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) dipping systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s 24 new MH-60R helicopters.

Work will be performed in Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France (68%), as well as Portsmouth, RI (32%); work is expected to be complete in October 2016. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the sale on behalf of its Australian client (N00019-11-C-0077).

Australia

Dec 12/11: Upgrades. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI receives a $10.4 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to integrate an improved ALFS sonar Digital Transducer Assembly into MH-60R helicopters, as Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 6515-E-022, Part II.

Work will include engineering, highly accelerated life test, and integrated logistics services. Work will be performed in Brest, France (64%), and Portsmouth, RI (36%), and is expected to be complete in October 2012 (N00019-08-G-0013).

Sept 27/11: FRP-9. An $81.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for 24 MH-60R ALFS systems, and all associated program management support, as Full Rate Production Lot 9 (FY 2011).

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (20%); and Johnstown, PA (8%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2014. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (N00019-11-C-0077).

Aug 11/11: An unfinalized $6.8 million contract action to provide ALFS consumable spares, with $3.4 million committed immediately. It is expected to be complete by Aug 11/13. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement, and one offer was received by the US Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia, PA (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y).

Oct 12/10: Raytheon’s release cites the $59.7 million March 26/10 contract, but it also cites a second, unannounced $56 million spares contract for fleet-deployed systems.

FY 2008 – 2010

FRP 6 to 8.

MH-60R & ALFS, CVN-74
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July 21/10: Testing. Aviation Week Ares reports that future MH-60R helicopters may abandon their current sonobuoy launchers:

“U.S. Navy program manager for H-60, Capt. Dean Peters… said the aircraft’s Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) worked so well during last year’s deployment of the aircraft there “was not much need for the [sonobuoy] launcher.” The potential exists, he says, to “take out the sonobuoy launcher,” and launch fewer buoys using a different type of launch system. The goal is reduce the amount of cabin space taken up by the launcher… ALFS provides so much range that it might be wise to have another helicopter prosecute the mission and “have the sonar remain in the dip.”… We’re evaluating other options to free up space and reduce cost.”

March 26/10: FRP-8. A $59.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 18 full-rate production Lot 8 (FY 2010) AN/AQS-22 ALFS systems, and 2 sonar transmitter/ receiver weapon replaceable assemblies, for the MH-60R program.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (26%); and Gaithersburg, MD (2%), and is expected to be complete in May 2013 (N00019-09-C-0096).

Sept 22/09: FRP-7. An $81.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar systems Full Rate Production Lot 7 (FY 2009). Under the contract, Raytheon IDS will manufacture, integrate, test and deliver 23 new ALFS systems as well as provide miscellaneous weapons replaceable assemblies for systems under test and helicopter maintenance trainer assets. To date, Raytheon has delivered 26 ALFS systems, and is currently under contract for 80, plus spares for life-cycle support of deployed systems.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (26%); and Gaithersburg, MD (2%), and is expected to be complete in November 2012. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-09-C-0096).

See also the subsequent Raytheon release, which talks up a recent exercise involving ALFS-equipped MH-60Rs from the John C. Stennis carrier battlegroup, in the western Pacific ocean. One would have to know more about the level of realism and operational freedom accorded the submarines in that exercise, in order to form an informed judgment.

April 13/09: An $8.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement to provide intermediate-level support equipment used for a variety of ALFS-related maintenance and testing tasks. Equipment will include reeling machine test benches, reeling machines, and reel and cable assemblies.

Work will be performed in Johnstown, PA (90%) and Portsmouth, RI (10%), and is expected to be complete in January 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ manages this contract (N68335-07-G-0005).

Dec 4/08: A $17.2 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity long term contract for repair overhaul of various weapons replaceable assemblies used on the Airborne Low Frequency Sonar.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, (10%), and Brest, France (90%, Thales’ work). Work is to be complete by December 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-09-D-009F).

April 29/08: Raytheon Co. in Portsmouth, RI receives a $59.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Fiscal Year 2008 Full Rate Production (Lot 6) buy of 14 ALFS systems for the MH-60R. Work will be performed in Brest, France, (61%); Portsmouth, RI (30%) and Gaithersburg, MD (9%), and is expected to be complete in October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-08-C-0051).

March 24/08: $8.1 million for delivery order #5004 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract, covering initial and wholesale spares for various weapons replacement assemblies used in ALFS’ development and deployment. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete by October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-G-011F).

March 24/08: $15.8 million for delivery order #5005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract, covering initial and wholesale spares for various weapons replacement assemblies used in ALFS’ development and deployment. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete by October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-G-011F).

March 17/08: Support, FRP-6? Raytheon announces 2 U.S. Navy contracts with a total value of $89 million for the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar system.

Raytheon will provide whole-life engineering to support AN/AQS-22 systems already in the fleet, and full rate production of AN/AQS-22 has been accelerated since the 2006 initial fielding of the MH-60R helicopter into the U.S. Navy fleet. To date, Raytheon has delivered 14 AN/AQS-22 systems, and is under contract for an additional 28.

FY 2003 – 2007

From LRIP to FRP.

MH-60R: ALFS & Hellfires
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Aug 20/07: ALFS Order. A $15.4 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0013) for the procurement of 3 AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems, an ALFS Sonar Transmitter/Receiver Control Module Technical Refresh effort, as well as an ALFS Automated Test Equipment Procedure Enhancement. ALFS diping sonars are deployed on the US Navy’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete in May 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Raytheon release, Nov 14/07.

Feb 12/07: FRP-5. A $50.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture, qualification and delivery of 19 Full Rate Production Lot V MH-60R AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and related program support.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (60%) and Brest, France (40%), and is expected to be complete in September 2009 (N00019-07-C-0013).

Jan 23/07: Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI received a $5.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-05-C-0012) to provide program sustaining and integrated logistics services in support of the MH-60R Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (60%) and Brest, France (40%), and is expected to be complete in December 2007.

Deploying…
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June 29/06: FRP. A $45 million order for 6 of the AN/AQS-22 ALFS systems. This contract advances the program into full rate production, and is the first accelerated production contract since the initial fielding of the MH-60R helicopter into the U.S. Navy Fleet earlier in 2006. Initial deployment to the fleet scheduled for later in 2006.

Navy Capt. Paul Grosklags, the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters Program manager was quoted as saying that “System performance during operational testing and subsequent exercises has met or exceeded the requirements.” Raytheon release.

Full Rate Production begins

Feb 9/05: Sub-contractors. Thales Underwater Systems announces a $17 million contract from prime contractor Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) for the production of 10 ALFS dipping sonar subsystems for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. Under the contract, Thales Underwater Systems will provide 10 Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH) active dipping sonar subsystems, including the reeling machine, cable and wet end assemblies for final integration and test.

This award comes after the successful completion of an LRIP contract awarded in November 2002, under which Raytheon and Thales worked together to deliver 4 ALFS systems to the U.S. Navy well ahead of schedule – see Oct 12/02 entry.

Nov 30/04: LRIP-2 & 3. A $29.8 million contract to provide 10 Low Rate Initial Production II and III AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems for the U.S. Navy’s MH60R multi-mission helicopter. Under the contract, Raytheon will provide program management, systems engineering, configuration management, and materials procurement for the manufacture, test and integration of the sonar systems, as well as sustaining and integrated logistics support. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (67%) and Brest, France (33%), and is expected to be complete in March 2007. Raytheon release.

July 23/03: R&D. Small business qualifier Digital System Resources, Inc. in Fairfax, VA won a not-to-exceed $25 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for a Phase III Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program under Topic N00-008 entitled “Environmentally Insensitive Active Decluttering” and Topic N00-009 entitled “Multistatic Operation.” The primary objective of this Phase III SBIR Program is to provide engineering services and software products to support performance testing of the AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) production configuration. The contractor will support, maintain, and improve the software tools previously developed and delivered to support testing of the AQS-22 ALFS during laboratory and field tests, implement corrections for deficiencies in the MH-60R acoustics processing, and support planning, definition, conduct, and results analysis of performance testing of the ALFS production configuration.

Work will be performed in Fairfax, VA and is expected to be complete in August 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $134,879 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using SBIR Program Solicitation under Topics N00-008 and N00-009, and 4 offers were received for each. The Naval Air Systems Command Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ (N68335-03-D-0105).

Oct 11/02: LRIP-1. A $16.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for the low-rate-initial-production of 4 MH-60R airborne low frequency sonar systems and associated engineering, testing and program management services. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (70%), and Brest, France (30%), and is expected to be completed in October 2004. Contract funds in the amount of $9.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-03-C-6515).

Low-rate production launched

Additional Readings & Sources

• Raytheon – AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS)

• Deagel.com – AN/AQS-22 ALFS

• Sikorsky – MH-60R Seahawk

• Naval Helicopter Association (2007 Symposium) – MH-60R Capabilities Scenario [dead link]

• Naval Studies Board (2006) – C4ISR for Future Naval Strike Groups, pg. 268

• Thales, via WayBack (April 4/06) – MH-60R Fleet introduction Ceremony : ALFS outstanding performances rewarded by US Navy

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $48 million delivery order for C-130J propulsion long-term sustainment. The Lockheed Martin C-130 is the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The C-130J Hercules features a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. The C-130J is crewed by two pilots and a loadmaster. The new glass cockpit features four L-3 systems with multifunction liquid crystal displays for flight control and navigation systems. The order provides funding for Option II. Work will take place at Robin Air Force Base in Georgia and various other locations. Completion is expected when the last engines are delivered.

The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia awarded Boeing a $27 million delivery order for E-6B repair. The Boeing E-6 Mercury is a command post and communications relay aircraft manufactured by Boeing. The aircraft relays communications for ballistic missile submarine forces and provides airborne command and control for strategic forces. The E-6B features battle staff positions and an airborne launch control system equipped with land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The aircraft is deployed in TACAMO missions. TACAMO connects the National Command Authority with naval ballistic missile forces during emergency operations. The delivery order was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 US Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Boeing will perform work in Oklahoma and estimated completion date is March 1, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The US Air Force awarded Boeing a $500 million contract in support of Qatar’s F-15QA. The deal is for Qatar Emiri Air Force (QAEF) aircrew and maintenance training. In 2017, Qatar placed a $12 billion order for 36 of Boeing’s advanced F-15QA heavy strike fighters. These aircraft were designed as advanced derivatives of the F-15E Strike Eagle deployed by the US Air Force, which itself was derived from the F-15C air superiority fighter with a new emphasis on long range and air to ground capabilities. Boeing will perform work under the new contract in St. Louis, Missouri and will move work to Qatar in 2021. Estimated completion is in August 2026.

Dmitry Shugayev, the head of the Russian Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, told reporters on the sidelines of the MAKS 2019 that he will hold talks with Turkey with regards to the latter’s interest in the Su-35 and Su-57. The MAKS 2019 is the international Aviation and Space Salon. Turkey has been showing interest in Russian fighter jets as the former was removed from the US F-35 program. Erdo?an paid a one-day visit to Moscow to attend MAKS 2019, the annual Russian aviation and space fair, on August 27. The SU-35 are single-seat, twin-engine, super maneuverable aircraft. The SU-57 is is a stealth, single-seat, twin-engine multirole fifth-generation jet fighter.

Europe

Estonia inked an agreement with six countries on the development of the Modular Unmanned Ground Systems (MUGS), financed by the European Defense Fund, local news reports. The project, led by Estonia and including Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, and Spain, want to develop an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), command-and-control system, cyber defense, and integrated sensor network. Participating countries are planning to use a total of $33.8 million in funds from the EDF, to which the countries will add their co-funding. The first system prototype will be demonstrated in 2021.

Asia-Pacific

The US Navy awarded Wyle Laboratories an $8.4 million contract modification, which provides program management services for the F/A-18 Foreign Military Sales program in support of the government of Australia. The Royal Australian Air Force has operated the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft since 1984. The Hornets entered service with the RAAF between 1984 and 1990, and 69 remain in operation as of 2019. The fleet has undergone a major electronic upgrade to ensure effective operations for the next 10 years. Kyle Laboratories will perform work in Maryland, Washington, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia and Australia. Estimated completion date is in August next year.

Today’s Video

Watch: Tension : Indian Defence Updates : Rafale F3R Assembly India,BrahMos ALCM 90° Test,70000 Crores INS Vishal

On 17 October 2019, NATO and the European Defence Agency (EDA) will co-organise for the first time a joint Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) conference in Europe. 

The conference will bring together key decision-makers from the EU and NATO as well as the wider transatlantic and international AAR community, including industry, to discuss current and future challenges and coordinate efforts in this important domain. The global dimension of the solutions at hand to resolve remaining shortfalls and the role of industry will also be debated.

Confirmed speakers include, among many others, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Camille Grand, and the EDA Chief Executive, Jorge Domecq as well as the Chairman of the Aerial Refuelling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG), General John Sams, and high-level representatives from Member States and industry. 

During last year’s first AAR conference organised in Europe by EDA, the focus was on ensuring awareness about remaining shortfalls in AAR. This year’s co-organised event will focus on increasing interoperability and will involve industry/manufacturers to debate their role in this process.

Attendance to the conference is upon invitation only.
 

More information

• aarconference.org
• EDA to organize 1st AAR Conference in Europe 2018 (EDA events page)
• AAR (EDA project page)

Americas

The US Army awarded Triumph Engine Control Systems a $7.5 million firm-fixed contract in support of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The deal is for the overhaul of a minimum of the fuel control main for the chopper. The CH-47D Chinook helicopter transports troops, artillery, supplies and equipment to the battlefield. Other applications include medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search-and-rescue, disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction. 163 CH-47Ds took part in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The CH-47F design features alterations to the airframe structure to reduce the effects of vibration, as well as other structural enhancements to the cockpit, cabin, aft section, pylon and ramp. Estimated completion date is August 26, 2024.

The US Navy contracted Raytheon with a $190 million low-rate initial production contract for ESSM Block 2 missiles featuring a new guidance system with a dual mode active and semi-active radar. Raytheon says in a press release that the award follows the Navy’s decision to shift from development to production on the enhanced intermediate-range, surface-to-air missile, placing the Block 2 variant on track for initial operating capability in 2020. The ESSM Block 2 program is a co-operative effort between the USN and its 11 NATO SeaSparrow Consortium partners to develop an upgraded ESSM ‘front-end’ to counter current and future threat capabilities within the existing envelope. These include anti-ship cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and surface threats.

Middle East & Africa

According to local reports, Israel launched airstrikes on an Iranian Qods Force facility in Syria on August 24 to thwart an armed drone attack that was planned against targets in northern Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The Army said it carried out airstrikes near Damascus to foil ‘imminent’ IRGC plot to hit sites inside Israel with UAVs armed with explosives. Syria claims it downed Israeli missiles. After the strikes, several Military Intelligence units, Air Force squadrons and air defense units were put on high alert. Israel has acknowledged carrying out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, most of them aimed at arms shipments believed to be headed from Iran to its Shiite proxy Hezbollah. Direct clashes between Israel and Iranian forces have been rare.

Europe

Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design will reportedly be picked for the Type 31e Frigate competition. The Telegraph reported that the government is to announce the winner in a major announcement at next month’s Defense & Security Equipment International show in London. The news could mean that Scottish shipyards will be working on 18 vessels in total. Including the five Offshore Patrol Vessels launched on the Clyde since 2014 and the 8 Type 26 Frigates to be built at Govan. The MoD is set to award a contract for the Type 31e frigate, with Babcock, BAE Systems and Atlas Elektronik among the main contenders.

Asia-Pacific

The Trump administration has given the green light for Japan to buy 73 SM-3 Block IIA interceptors. The deal is valued at $3.3 billion. Japan will buy up to 73 of the Raytheon-made SM-3 Block IIA missiles, which are designed to be fired by the ship-board Aegis system to intercept incoming ballistic missiles, the Pentagon said. The sale comes as North Korea is expanding its offensive missile capabilities, having proven over the past two years the ability to launch medium- and long-range ballistic missiles, potentially nuclear-tipped, that could hit both Japan and the United States.

According to the South China Morning Post, China has decided that the the Chengdu J-20 fighter will be developed further to operate from the country’s aircraft carriers. An anonymous military source says the Central Military Commission is favoring the J-20 over Shenyang FC-31. The J-20 was announced combat ready in July. It is listed in China’s latest national defense white paper as one of the new, high-tech weapons the Chinese military has commissioned.

Today’s Video

Watch: Tension : HNLMS Johan de Witt – The Second LPD Amphibious Warship Of The Royal Netherlands Navy

Americas

Raytheon won a $74.1 million contract modification that procures pre-operational support for the Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band pod through the completion of the engineering, manufacturing and development phase as well as development, test and evaluation activities. Procured support includes organizational-level maintenance, repair, supply chain management, and material support for equipment delivered under the EMD contract, and associated peculiar support equipment/test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment to support DT&E. According to the company, Raytheon’s Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band is an advanced electronic attack system that denies, disrupts and degrades enemy technology, including communication tools and air-defense systems. Raytheon delivered the first NGJ-MB pod to the US Navy for testing in July of 2019. The technology can also be scaled to other missions and platforms. It was the first of 15 EMD pods to be delivered to the USN for mission systems testing and qualification. The company will also deliver 14 aero-mechanical pods for airworthiness certification. Under the contract modification, Raytheon will perform work in Mississippi, Texas, California, Massachusetts, and Indiana. Estimated completion date is in December 2021.

The Navy tapped General Dynamics with a $44.6 million modification for low-rate initial production of the Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (SMCM UUV) or Knifefish. The Knifefish program is an ongoing effort to provide a UUV that detects and classifies undersea volume, bottom and buried mines in high-clutter environments. It is part of the Littoral Combat Ship Mine Countermeasures Mission Package and can also be deployed from vessels of opportunity. The Knifefish system, which consists of two unmanned undersea vehicles along with support systems and equipment, uses cutting-edge low-frequency broadband sonar and automated target recognition software technology developed by the Naval Research Laboratory and successfully transitioned to industry. It acts as an off-board sensor while the host ship stays outside the mine field boundaries. The low-rate initial production effort will provide the initial systems for the Navy to test and operate. Work will take place in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Virginia, and Michigan and is expected to be finished by August 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy contracted Physical Optics Corp. with a $27.2 million contract modification in support of the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft for the Navy and the government of Kuwait. The deal exercises an option for data transfer unit production support, 160 data transfer units, 160 ground data transfer units, 14 maintenance access cables, 600 mission data transfer devices, and 459 maintenance data transfer devices in support of the Navy’s F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G program. In addition, this option exercise procures 37 data transfer units, 35 ground data transfer units, 11 maintenance access cables, 122 mission data transfer devices, and 90 maintenance data transfer devices in support of the Kuwait Super Hornet program. Boeing Super Hornets are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The EA-18G Growler is based on the Super Hornet airframe. It is an electronic attack aircraft, which is capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications. Work under the contract modification will take place in California and estimated completion is in August 2021.

Europe

According to local reports, a Spanish Air Force C-101 crashed on August 26, killing the pilot on board. The crash took place at La Manga del Mar Menor and was witnessed by the public. At around 9.38am, emergency services were flooded with hundreds of calls from La Manga, reporting that a plane had fallen into the sea. The aircraft was a two-seater C-101, a model used by Spain’s Patrulla Águila aerobatic display team. The pilot was later reported dead by the Spanish Defense Ministry.

Asia-Pacific

Northrop Grumman won a $9.9 million contract modification, which procures eight E-2C compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S interrogators for the government of Japan. The primary role of the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft supplied by Northrop Grumman is as an all-weather airborne early-warning aircraft to the naval task force. In April, Northrop Grumman won a $51.8 million deal for identifying friend or foe technology compatible with the E-2C Hawkeye. It enabled the company to provide services for the delivery, installation and testing of one Japan E-2C Hawkeye compatible AN/APX-122A Mode 5/S interrogator and transponder. Under the modification, Northrop will perform work in Greenlawn, New York, and Melbourne, Florida. and is expected to be completed in September 2023.

The Sri Lanka Navy commissioned a frigate that was formerly in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The vessel, which has been renamed SLNS Parakramabahu, was commissioned on 22 August in Colombo in the presence of the Sri Lankan and Chinese governments and military leaders. It was previously in service with the PLAN as the Jiangwei I (Type 053 H2G) Class frigate, Tongling (542). An official video of Parakramabahu ‘s commissioning ceremony indicates that the vessel has been handed over to Sri Lanka with its primary weapon, a twin 100 mm naval gun system, intact.

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Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $2.4 billion contract modification for F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter initial spares. The deal supports the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, non-US Department of Defense participants, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Spares include global spares packages, base spares packages, deployment spares packages, afloat spares packages and associated consumables. The F-35 Lightning is a supersonic, multi-role fighter jet that represents a quantum leap in air-dominance capability, offering enhanced lethality and survivability in hostile, anti-access airspace environments. The aircraft family is comprised of three aircraft variants. The Air Force’s F-35A variant will complement its F-22A fleet and is expected to replace the air-to-ground attack capabilities of the F-16 and A-10. The Marine Corps’ F-35B variant will replace its F/A-18 and AV-8B aircraft. The Navy’s F-35C variant will complement its F/A-18E/F aircraft. Lockheed will perform work within the US, the UK and the Netherlands.

The US Navy awarded General Dynamics a $1.1 billion fixed-price-incentive modification for the procurement of detail design and construction of Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 6 and ESB 7, as well as definitization of ESB 6 long lead time material, pre-production and engineering support. Named after famous names or places of historical significance to US Marines, ESBs serve as a flexible platform and a key element in the Navy’s airborne mine countermeasures mission, with accommodations for up to 250 personnel and a large helicopter flight deck. The ship’s configuration supports special warfare and Marine Corps task-organized units. The ESB Class is based on NASSCO’s Alaska class crude oil carrier, and incorporates a number of changes that make it a highly flexible platform that can be used across a broad range of military support operations. The ESB is optimized to support a variety of maritime-based missions and is designed around four core capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing, equipment staging support, and command and control assets. Work will take place in California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Mexico among other places. Estimated completion date is in January 2025..

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy contracted Rafael with a $13.3 million contract for intermediate level and depot level test equipment, spare parts, fixturing, repairs, training, engineering services and material support services to establish organic US government I-Level and D-Level Toplite family of electro-optic sights. Toplite family of electro-optic systems (EOS) is an advanced multi-sensor, multi-purpose, highly stabilized EO/ISR solution for homeland security and defense applications. It is used for a variety of applications on different platforms for intelligence/data collection, surveillance, reconnaissance and weapon direction. Rafael will perform work in Haifa, Israel and expected completion is in August 2024.

Europe

Portugal chose Elbit Systems to supply a complete Electronic Warfare (EW) suite for the Portuguese Air Forces’ new KC-390 multi-mission aircraft. Elbit Systems said in a press release that the Portuguese Ministry of Defense selected the company and the complete EW suite to be supplied by Elbit Systems. The Air Force’s KC-390 aircraft will be comprised of a Radar and Laser Warning Systems, IR Missile Warning System, Countermeasures Dispensing System as well as the Directional IR Countermeasures (DIRCM) system and Active ECM (AECM) system. The Embraer KC-390 is twin-turbofan-powered and can be refueled in flight. It can be used for in-flight or on-ground refueling of other aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reported to have slashed the price of each Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) from $62.9 million to as low as $34.9 million each. “HAL really has no choice. If we need to sustain our production lines and the employees, we need fresh orders,” an anonymous source was quoted saying in the Times of India. The HAL Tejas is a single-engine, delta wing, multirole light fighter. It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, which began in the 1980s to replace India’s aging MiG-21 fighters.

Jane’s reports that Indonesia chose the BAE Systems 57 mm naval gun for four KCR-60M Class vessels. The country selected Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun system. A contract for the weapon systems has been signed with state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL, which will be involved in the weapon’s installation. Indonesia’s Navy operates a class of four KCR-60M Class fast attack craft. The KCR-60M was originally conceived by Indonesian defense planners as a ‘hit-and-run’ platform that could swiftly deploy guided anti-ship missiles against larger surface combatants, before quickly receding into the archipelagic background. The Bofors 57 mm l/70 naval guns are a series of dual-purpose naval guns.

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Americas

Raytheon won a $29.9 million order in support of the V-22 Osprey. Th deal provides procurement of the Software Support Activity (SSA) systems and software engineering, avionics integration and testing, software testing, avionics acquisition support, and SSA operations to include classified and unclassified software laboratories, configuration and data management as well as release of avionic software products and related systems. The V-22 Osprey is a multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft jointly developed by Bell helicopters and Boeing after the failure of Operation eagle claw during the Iran Hostage crisis in 1980. It is designed with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities after a requirement for a new long range, High speed, Vertical take off aircraft. Raytheon will perform work under the awarded deal in Indianapolis, Indiana and estimated completion date is in December 2021.

The US Navy contracted Boeing a $23.7 million modification for engineering, logistics, and program management of the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft. The awarded deal is for reducing fleet out of reporting rates and maintenance planning. Boeing’s F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets are twin-engine multirole fighters, which are based on the F/A-18 Hornet. The single-seat F/A-18/E and the two-seat F/A-18/F fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, have more powerful engines and provide greater survivability than their predecessor. The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a derivative of the combat-proven two-seat F/A-18 Hornet, It is an airborne electronic attack aircraft which operates from either an aircraft carrier or from land-bases. The Growler aircraft has 11 weapon stations for carrying electronic mission systems and weapons and can then be used to carry out conventional strike missions when the requirements for EA and SEAD sorties are reduced. Boeing will perform work under the contract modification in St. Louis, Missouri and estimated completion is in September 2020.

Raytheon announced that the US Air Force used the company’s GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System, known as GPS OCX, to support the launch of its second GPS III satellite into space. The ground system will spend 10 days maneuvering the satellite into its final orbit, demonstrating GPS OCX’s ability to simultaneously support multiple GPS III spacecraft on-orbit throughout the checkout and calibration process. GPS III SV02 is the newest generation of GPS satellites designed and built to deliver positioning, navigation and timing information apparently with three times better accuracy, and up to eight times improved anti-jamming capability than its predecessor. Prime contractor is Lockheed Martin. The GPS III satellite, also called Magellan, was launched on August 22 after years of delays. United Launch Alliance used a Delta IV rocket to launch the second Global Positioning System III (GPS III) satellite for the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.

Middle East & Africa

Vietnam and South Africa have agreed to strengthen their defense ties, with a view to undertaking joint development and production activities. The countries consider this as a strategic mechanism to promote the bilateral defense partnership and the two countries’ friendship and cooperation, local reports say. The agreement was reportedly reached between Vietnam’s Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and South Africa’s Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula during their talks in Hanoi on August 22. This accord will facilitate deepened engagement in the defense industry, supported by technology transfers from South Africa to Vietnam. Such collaboration would follow agreed defense exports from South Africa to Vietnam.

Europe

General Dynamics won a $64.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract in support of the UK’s second hull of Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines, nuclear, recently named as HMS Valiant, and the UK Software Facility. The Dreadnought Class of submarines are set to gradually replace the four Vanguard Class boats from the early 2030s. Construction on HMS Dreadnought, the lead ship in the class, started in October 2016. The submersibles are 152.9m (501ft) long, displace 17,200 tonnes and will be armed with Trident II D5 missiles. The ships will be fitted with a new lighting system which can imitate night and day, making it easier for crew to get used to normal life after three months submerged. The HMS Valiant is the second Royal Navy Dreadnought Class submarine. Under the new contract, work will take place in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and estimated completion date is August 22, 2025.

Asia-Pacific

Swedish company Saab said in a press release that it has received an order from the Australian Army to extend the support of their Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) and Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems until 2022. Under the contract Saab will provide support for the range of systems forming the GBAD and CRAM solutions, including the Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam (AMB) radars and RBS-70 very short-range air defense weapon system. The contract value is approximately $19.2 million. The contract is intended to ensure the availability of the GBAD and C-RAM systems. The company’s Australian subsidiary upgraded the army’s short-range air defense system with the identification friend or foe Mode 5 standard. The company integrated Giraffe AMB radar into the system and upgraded the missile firing posts and the tactical command and control system.

The DoS approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States or TECRO for the 66 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft as well as related equipment and support. The deal is valued at $8 billion. US lawmakers have been criticizing the Trump administration for delaying the vote to avoid jeopardizing US trade negotiations with China. China has already expressed fears that the latest Lockheed Martin F-16s have the capacity to get past Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) defenses and attack the mainland. It has been lobbying forcefully against the sale to Taiwan which it considers a renegade province. Beijing regards Taiwan as a part of China awaiting reunification, but the island is self-ruled and is a close ally of the United States. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement on August 21 hat it is grateful for the US government’s decision to approve the sale of new-build Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 multirole combat aircraft.

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