Defense Industry Daily

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $176.3 million contract in support of the AEGIS SPY-1 Weapon System. The deal is for the repair of 1,672 different head-of-family part numbers. It is a five-year contract with no option periods. The AN/SPY-l radar system is the primary air and surface radar for the Aegis Combat System installed in the Ticonderoga (CG-47) and Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) Class warships. It is a multi-function phased-array radar capable of search, automatic detection, transition to track, tracking of air and surface targets, and missile engagement support. It is capable of providing tracking and discrimination data for ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, and other air or space breathing threats. Lockheed will perform work under the new contract in Moorestown, New Jersey and work will be done by August 2024.

General Dynamics won a $15.2 million delivery order for the Virginia Class USS Washington or SSN 787. The order includes planning, material procurement and repair work. The nuclear-powered fast attack submarine is built by Huntington Ingalls and General Dynamic’s Electric Boat Division. Virginia Class submarines operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, special operation forces support, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. General Dynamics will perform work in Groton, Connecticut. Work is estimated to be finished by December this year.

Middle East & Africa

Local media reports that Israel is providing intelligence and other unspecified assistance for “Operation Sentinel,” the US-led naval mission to bolster security for vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel’s Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz revealed that the Middle Eastern country is involved in the mission to protect trade routes in the Gulf. Katz also instructed the Foreign Ministry to work with all relevant parties in Israel and the US government to ensure that Israel is integrated into the Gulf security, according to the report, following a recent visit to Abu Dhabi in which he discussed the “Iranian threat” with a senior Emirati official. Iran has reacted negatively to Israel’s involvement in Operation Sentinel. The country threatened to counter Jerusalem’s presence in the region in self-defense after Israel’s FM reportedly said it was helping secure Strait of Hormuz.

Europe

The Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence site in Romania has completed its upgrade, NATO announced. The work was completed on August 9 and the THAAD battery that had been temporarily deployed there will be relocated. The update is part of the United States European Phased Adaptive Approach to ballistic missile defense, which was announced in September 2009. A release by Nato said that the update, which has been taking place across the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system fleet, did not provide any offensive capability to the Aegis Ashore missile defense system. Aegis Ashore is the land-based variant of the Navy’s Aegis Weapons System and the centerpiece of Phases II and III of the European Phased Adaptive Approach.

Asia-Pacific

The US State Department approved a a possible Foreign Military Sale of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters to South Korea. The deal is valued at $800 million. The sales proposal includes the 12 helicopters, plus associated engines, multimode radars, sonar and targeting systems, sonobouys, communications equipment, and training and support. South Korea seeks to add anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capability and capacity to the Navy. Back in January 2017, the country’s military procurement arm, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, announced that it planned to procure 12 more maritime ASW helicopters to complement an earlier 2012 purchase of eight AW159 Lynx Wildcats.

According to Jane’s, a second batch of four Boeing AH-64E(I) Apache Guardian helicopters arrived in India. The helicopters for the Indian Air Force arrived at the Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi on July 30. The choppers are part of a $2.02 billion order placed by the service for 22 of these platforms in 2015. Boeing delivered all eight platforms a few weeks before schedule. The delivery of the remaining 14 Apache Guardians is scheduled to be completed by 2020. The AH-64E (I) is the customized version of the Apache helicopter. Modifications were made to suit the IAF’s future requirements. The helicopter is designed to offer significant capability in mountainous terrain. The service can use the chopper to conduct precision attacks at standoff ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground.

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Watch: GRIPEN FOR PHILIPPINES NEXT JET FIGHTER

Americas

The US Navy contracted Data Link Solutions with a $75 million modification for the Block Upgrade II retrofit of Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) low volume terminals (LVTs). The MIDS LVT is a low-cost fighter terminal with flexible, open-architecture designs. It provides the critical airborne, ground, and maritime link that allows for simultaneous coordination of forces and situational awareness in battlefield operations. The MIDS program was inaugurated via a Memorandum of Understanding amongst the founding MIDS nations, namely Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the United States. The terminals provide secure, high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital data and voice communications capability for Navy, Air Force and Army platforms, and for Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will take place in Wayne, New Jersey and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Estimated completion date is in December 2026.

Oceaneering International won a $34.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Virginia Class submarine sail racetracks, payload tube loading platforms and multiple all-up-round canister special support equipment ladder kits with shipping crates. The Virginia Class new attack submarine is an advanced stealth multimission nuclear-powered submarine for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and littoral (shallow water) operations. The lead ship, Virginia was laid down in September 1999, launched in August 2003 and commissioned in October 2004. It underwent a three-year operational evaluation before operational deployment. Oceaneering will perform work under the support contract in Chesapeake, Virginia. Estimated completion date is in August 2024.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that Iraq has only one operable Chinese-made CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The country actually acquired more than 10 CH-4s, but only one was fully mission capable because of maintenance problems, the news platform cited a US inspector general report. The country’s defense ministry purchased the drones in 2015. The CH-4 was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), on the basis of the previous model, the CH-3. According to its developer, the CH-4 has better basic performance than that of the US-based General Atomics’ MQ-1 Predator, an industry leader, and is more competent in reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions. According to Jane’s, the CH-4 is not the only problematic UAV type in Iraq’s inventory. The fleet of more than 10 US-made Insitu ScanEagle UAVs flew only two sorties between March 1 and June 30, because of a combination of Iraqi training in the United States, a lapse in maintenance contracts, and problems with signal interference.

Europe

Germany has grounded its Tiger attack helicopter fleet due to defective material being used in a vital component in the main rotor, the German newspaper Spiegel reports. The Bundeswehr is struggling with technical difficulties regarding the helicopter fleet. After a warning from the industry, no Tiger Helicopter will take off for the time being. Airbus is building the Helicopters, which provide UHT multi-role fire support for the German Army. The Tiger has the distinction of being the first all-composite helicopter developed in Europe; even the earliest models also incorporate advanced features such as a glass cockpit, stealth technology, and high agility to increase its survivability. Airbus now informed all of its customers that bolts may have been installed in the rotor control, which do not meet the usual standards and could brake during flight. In order to evaluate the situation, the Bundeswehr has called an Air Safety Committee meeting.

Asia-Pacific

China could eventually arm its H-6K bomber with hypersonic weapons that can destroy hostile military hubs 3,000 kilometers away within minutes, Global Times reports. Together with advanced J-20 stealth fighters, H-6Ks could devastate the enemy’s fighting capability even before a war gets fully underway, analysts said. The H-6K is not a stealth warplane, nor does it have outstanding speed to penetrate deep into hostile territory. However, it is equipped with very advanced weapons including air-launched cruise missiles, enabling it to attack targets far away, Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday. The main mission objective of China’s H-6K bomber is to strike key strategic points deep within enemy territories. The Xian H-6K entered service in 2009. China operates at least 15 of these new bombers.

According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia’s government has approved a law to improve the way it procures contracts and services by saving money, making the process fairer, and boosting local bidders. On August 1, 2019, a new Government Tenders & Procurement Law was published. Historically, the degree of risk and its allocation under contracts concerning Saudi government projects has been heavily influenced by the mandatory requirements of Saudi public procurement regulation. Among other changes, the new law introduces flexibility in the price of contracts and compensations in the case of increases in raw material prices, custom duties and taxes. It also prioritizes small and medium enterprises.

Today’s Video

Watch: Colombian Navy test fired SSM 700K Haeseong anti-ship missile from FS 1500 Almirante Padilla

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $16.5 million contract modification to procure consumable parts and material, technical publications and engineering services in support of the C/KC-130J aircraft. The KC-130J is an aerial refueling tanker and the latest in the line of combat proven KC-130 Hercules tanker technologies. The new KC-130J builds on proven tanker designs while taking full advantage of tremendous technological and performance improvements inherent in the basic C-130J aircraft. The C-130J features a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. Lockheed will perform work in the US, Kuwait and Japan. Estimated completion date is in December this year.

The Navy contracted Hydroid Inc. with $15.8 million for engineering support and training services for the MK 18 Family of UUV Systems. The Unmanned Underwater Vehicles are. The Navy asked Hydroid in May to upgrade the underwater drones under a potential $47.9 million contract. Hydroid’s smaller MK18 MOD1 Swordfish UUVs possess a small side-scan sonar. It’s also used for basic hydrographic profiling, however, which is a very useful as a baseline before mine countermeasures work begins. Their MK18 MOD 2 Kingfish UUVs are typically used for mine countermeasures work, and are typically launched from ships, but they can also be hand-launched by teams in 11m RHIBs. The current deal includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $84,024,996. Work will take place in Pcasset, Massachusetts and is scheduled to be complete by August next year.

Middle East & Africa

Netline Communications Technologies announced Tuesday the supply of C-Guard Reactive Jamming (RJ) Manpack system to the Israeli military. The system is already being operated by ground forces in NATO countries, as well as in Asia and Africa. The C-Guard RJ Manpack system detects and prevents IED (Improvised Explosive Device) activation attempts. The system creates a secured zone around the troops, reacting to real-time situational electronic warfare (EW) threats by both detecting the threat and providing an immediate response of jamming RF signals that are attempting to detonate the IED. An IED Jammer essentially blocks radio signals used to detonate a remote controlled improvised explosive device or RCIED. Also known as an RF Jammer, this high powered IED Jammer saturates the environment with radio frequency pulses of electromagnetic energy.

Europe

The Ukraine is reportedly evaluating the possibility of buying the Brazilian Embraer EMB-314 light attack aircraft. The Head of the Ukrainian Air Force, Col. Gen. Sergii Drozdov, was recently in Brazil, where he participated in a four-ship EMB-314 flight. The EMB-214 Super Tucano can be used for both the trainer role and as a light attack aircraft. While the aircraft would not be an effective deterrent against the Russian military, Ukraine may find the aircraft useful for patrolling separatist-controlled territory in its east. Infodefensa reported that aircraft could help the Ukrainian Air Force bridge gaps, given that available funding for new fighter jets is limited.

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense sent requests for proposals (RfPs) to four companies for the procurement of 150 wheeled armored vehicles to equip battalion-size battlegroups for a mechanized brigade, Reuters reports. The companies Rheinmetall-Krauss-Maffei Wegmann joint venture ARTEC, Patria, Nexter, and General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag – have until 31 October to submit their bids. The European country is asking manufacturers to provide bids by Oct. 31 as the Black Sea country plans to pick a winner by Dec. 20. According to Reuters, NATO has encouraged its eastern members to develop, buy and operate new alliance equipment.

Asia-Pacific

Koreatimes reports that South Korea will take delivery of the RQ-4 Unmanned Air Vehicles that it ordered back in 2014 next month. Just recently, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved a support package to South Korea for those RQ-4s. The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance Unmanned Aircraft System with an integrated sensor suite that provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, capability worldwide. Global Hawk’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of ISR collection capability to support joint combatant forces in worldwide peacetime, contingency and wartime operations. The Global Hawk complements manned and space reconnaissance systems by providing persistent near-real-time coverage using imagery intelligence, or IMINT, and signals intelligence, or SIGINT, sensors. South Korea and the US agreed on the deal in 2014. The agreement included four RQ-4B Global Hawk aircraft, two spare engines and ground control equipment. The price is estimated at around $222.7 million

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Watch: M1A2 Abrams tanks take part during exercise Agile Spirit 2019 in Georgia

Americas

Boeing won a $32.1 million contract modification for the performance of damage tolerance analysis on the P-8A aircraft to determine damage tolerance rating. The P-8A Poseidon is designed to support maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship warfare operations. The P-8 also conducts shipping interdiction and early warning self-protection ability which involves carrying torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. It is able to drop and monitor sonobuoys. It is also designed to operate in conjunction with the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Under the modification Boeing will provide non-destructive inspections for structural components on the P-8A aircraft. Work will take place in Washington, Missouri and Alabama and is scheduled to be completed in March 2023.

Harris Corp. won an $18.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement and repair of various radios and associated communications equipment for the Tactical Air Control Party – Modernization (TACP-M) program. The success of close air support also depends on the equipment and communication tools they Airmen use.TACP-Modernization, an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center-owned program, is the driving force responsible for acquiring and equipping battlefield Airmen with such tools. This technology has the capability to interface with ground forces, CAS aircraft, UHF satellites, remotely piloted aircraft and command and control intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms. The Harris Corp. Radios and related equipment have proven interoperability within the existing TACP-M architecture. They are hardware that provide tactical communications in a man-pack portable kit that is designed to be packed into a bag or case that can be easily carried or worn by the user. Each of the radios has unique properties. The deal supports the Air Force TACP-M program’s Air Support Operations Center Gateway Systems, Gateway Lite Systems, Stryker Systems, Mobile Communication Systems and Dismounted Systems.

Middle East & Africa

Elbit Systems announced that it has finished extensive testing and carried out a series of successful capability demonstrations of its innovative Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV), as part of the CARMEL Future Combat Vehicle project of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The Carmel Program was launched three years ago as a multi-year program for the development of advanced technology to upgrade the IDF’s combat vehicles – producing an agile, effective, innovative, compact, easy-to-maneuver vehicle with relatively low costs. The purpose of the program was to develop the technology necessary for the “combat field of the future,” maintaining operational superiority via technological superiority. Israel’s three largest defense companies – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems – were asked to develop their own Carmel prototypes using M113 APCs. The Carmel Program will develop capabilities that will gradually be installed on the Israel Defense Forces’ Merkava Mk 4, the next-generation Barak tank, the Namer tracked armored personnel carrier (APC), and the Eitan wheeled APC. Israel’s Defense Ministry will also begin developing an AFV that incorporates the new capabilities at an unspecified time in the future.

Europe

The UK and Rolls-Royce signed a contract to provide maintenance for the engines of Typhoon fighter jets. The deal is valued at $425.9 million. The contract will provide support for the Eurojet EJ200 jet engine until 2024, Reuters reports. The company will also be required to provide modules, spares and accessories to support the Typhoon fleet. “Not only will this contract help to maintain our world-class jets, it secures 175 jobs across the UK and boosts the skills base our world-leading defense industry relies upon,” junior defense minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan was quoted by the news agency.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea declared publicly that it will not allow the United States to deploy Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF)-range missiles in the country. After speculations that the Asian country could be a candidate site for US missiles, after Washington pledged to deploy them in the region and elsewhere to maintain deterrence after withdrawing from an anti-missile treaty with Russia, local media reported that the Korean government had no official discussions on the possible introduction of intermediate missiles.

India conducted a test-launch of its indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRASM). The Diplomat reports that the test was held on a launch site in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. It was successful. The missile is designed for canisterized storage aboard a transporter-erector-launcher vehicle. QRASM has a range of 30 kilometers and uses solid rocket propellant. The QRASM entered testing two years ago, with its first test taking place on June 4, 2017. A test in December 2017 failed.

Today’s Video

Watch: PHILIPPINE NAVY FORMALLY RECEIVE BRP CONRADO YAP

Americas

HEBCO Inc. won an $80 million deal for A-10 technical order sustainment. The contract is for 10 years of non-personal technical services of technical order sustainment activities by providing technically accurate and up-to-date digital data. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force. The A-10, sometimes also called „Warthog“ served in the Gulf War during Operation Desert Storm, the American led intervention against Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, where the A-10 distinguished itself. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10’s service life can be extended to 2040. HEBCO will perform work in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Clearfield, Utah. Estimated completion date is August 1, 2030.

The Air Force awarded Boeing a $55.5 million contract modification for KC-46 engineering, manufacturing and development. The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is a military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. The new KC-46 fleet is planned to replace the US Air Force’s aging fleet of Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers. In April 2019, the company was awarded a $5.7 billion contract for a new fleet of the aircraft with combat capabilities. The KC-46 has completed receiver certification testing with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft this year. The San Antonio Express News reports that the KC-46 „has been plagued by critical deficiencies that include the plane’s ability to refuel stealth aircraft without damaging them“. The Air Force even stopped accepting the KC-46 twice after debris was found in the planes. These issues have cost the USAF more than $300 million and forced it to limit some refueling operations. Under the current modification, Boeing will perform work in Seattle through February 2021.

Middle East & Africa

According to local reports, Turkey plans to use air-to-surface missiles initially developed for the F-35 on locally developed national combat aircraft and drones. Turkey’s industry and technology minister, Mustafa Varank said on Saturday that the SOM-J cruise missile jointly developed by the US and Turkey, will be deployed on local air assets following Ankara’s exclusion from the F-35 program. The SOM-J is a next-generation, medium-range, all-weather, air-to-surface standoff cruise missile. Stealthy and precise, the SOM-J is designed for use against heavily defended, high-value anti-surface warfare and land targets. These include surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, strategic assets, command and control centers and naval vessels. The SOM-J can be integrated into the Ak?nc? UAVs produced by leading unmanned air system manufacturer Baykar Makina. The Ak?nc? system can reach an altitude of 40,000 feet and has the capability of flying for 24 hours straight. It has the capacity for a useful load of up to 350 kilograms.

Europe

Ukraine’s Air Force completed drills over the Black Sea, the ArmyInform Agency reports. The service finished the tactical flight training which included various action scripts of subdivisions of the air brigade. The MI-14 and Ka-27 helicopters as well as the airplanes An-26 participated in the training. During the weekly exercises, the crews were engaged in mastering pilots’ skills, and worked out search and rescue, first aid and evacuation elements. The culmination of the military exercises was the search and tracking of “enemy” submarines by members of the Naval Air Force, followed by bombing and torpedo strikes.

On August 1, Russia kicked off the the second in a new series of power projection exercises in the Baltic Sea, Tass reports. The exercise, called „Ocean Shield 2019“ includes 49 combat ships, 20 support vessels, and 58 aircraft drawn from the Baltic, Black Sea, and Northern fleets and the Caspian Flotilla, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. The Ocean Shield Naval Drills will last from August 1 to August 9 in the Baltic Sea under the direction of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov. The exercises practice the deployment of the Navy’s inter-fleet grouping and the skills of commanding the fleet’s forces. It will also check the Navy’s capability to defend Russia’s national interests.

Asia-Pacific

Indonesia managed to equip its Su-30 fighter with an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pod. The rest of the fighter fleet are already using western ACMI pods. The SU-30 is a multirole two-seater fighter. Indonesia ordered two Su-30MKK aircraft in 2003, a further three Su-30MK2 aircraft in August 2007 and six more Su-30MK2 in January 2012. ACMI pods record an aircraft’s in-flight data. The ACMI consists of four subsystems: Control and Computation, Transmission Instrumentation, Airborne Instrumentation, Advanced Display and Debriefing or Individual Aircrew Display.

Today’s Video

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A-10A over Germany
(click to view full)

The Precision Engagement modification is the largest single upgrade effort ever undertaken for the USA’s unique A-10 “Warthog” close air support aircraft fleet. While existing A/OA-10 aircraft continue to outperform technology-packed rivals on the battlefield, this set of upgrades is expected to make them more flexible, and help keep the aircraft current until the fleet’s planned phase-out in 2028. When complete, A-10C PE will give USAF A-10s precision strike capability sooner than planned, combining multiple upgrades into 1 time and money-saving program, rather than executing them as standalone projects. Indeed, the USAF accelerated the PE program by 9 months as a result of its experiences in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This is DID’s FOCUS Article for the PE program, and for other modifications to the A-10 fleet. It covers the A-10’s battlefield performance and advantages, the elements of the PE program, other planned modifications, related refurbishment efforts to keep the fleet in the air, and the contracts that have been issued each step of the way.

A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II: Experiences on the Ground

A/OA-10 at Bagram, AF
(click to view full)

“The Major’s Email: British Harrier Support in Afghanistan, Revisited” examined the statements of a British officer who had criticized British close air support, and openly stated a preference for USAF A-10s over any aircraft the British could deploy in theater.

As we explained at the time, this comes as no surprise. The O/A-10 “Warthog” has the advantage of armored protection, along with a purpose-built design that allows slower speed forward flight and longer loiter time over the battlefield. Not to mention its infamous GAU-8 Avenger 30mm gatling gun that can take apart a tank – or just about anything else in its field of fire. This is what allowed it to do a substantially better job in Desert Storm than fast-moving fighters like the quickly-abandoned “A-16” F-16 experiment, and it’s currently keeping them very busy in Afghanistan.

It kept them busy in Iraq, too. A July 2003 report in Air Force News quoted Lt. Col. Dave Kennedy:

“Kennedy said during a Pentagon interview that in the first week of the war, close-air support requests went to the Combined Air Operations Center “open-ended” — meaning no specific aircraft type was requested. After the first week, he said, 80 to 90 percent of the requests for close-air support were A-10-specific.”

As one can see, the British Major is hardly alone in his preferences. Why is this?

As this National Defense magazine article notes, fast jets simply aren’t an ideal choice for close air support, and the British aren’t alone in having this issue. US Army Sgt. First Class Frank Antenori discuss his recent experiences in Iraq:

“The aircraft that we have are awesome, but they are too awesome, they are too fast, too high speed. The older technology, the A-10, is far better than the new technology, Antenori said. “The A-10s never missed, and with the F/A-18s we had to do two or three bomb runs to get them on the target,” he said, recalling his recent experiences in combat.”

Dispatches from Afghanistan add an additional edge, and reinforce the point:

The A-10 combines some of the best of today’s high-technology Air Force with a solid, low-tech foundation. The addition of a targeting and laser-designation pod was a huge boost to the plane’s capabilities, but still no substitute for the pilot’s eyeballs.

“Most other aircraft rely heavily on (electronic) sensors to find and target the enemy,” said Capt. Rick Mitchell, deployed here from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. “In the A-10, it’s not unusual for a pilot to use binoculars.”

“Killer Chick”
flew it home
(click to view full)

Which is not to say that technology is useless. A/OA-10s have made effective and frequent use of LITENING AT surveillance and targeting pods, for instance. Integrating them directly into the aircraft’s systems is a fine idea that lowers pilot workload, and adds scanning range and improved night/bad weather capabilities. While a second crewman would be ideal, and was part of a 1980s “A-10 Night/Adverse Weather” model that was never produced, the sensor pods are clear improvements. Likewise, adding the ability to drop additional precision weapons like JDAM or its WCMD cluster bomb counterpart can only be a plus. On the flip side, A-10s have also been involved in several notable friendly fire incidents, which makes datalink improvements a critical fix.

The difference is that conventional fast jet fighters are forced to depend on these enhancements for effectiveness, because of their aerodynamic design a vulnerability to damage. With the new Precision Engagement additions, the A-10C adds many of the newer fighters’ tricks and weapons, but its cheaper, purpose-built design and stronger protection give its pilots additional options. Those additional options contribute directly to effectiveness in combat, and can still be used if hostile fire or simple technical failure render those technological enhancements useless.

The net result is an A/OA-10A Thunderbolt II/ “Warthog” platform that is a worthy successor to its P-47 Thunderbolt/”Jug” namesake, whose top 10 aces all survived World War II.

The “Hog” is the best western close air support aircraft by a very wide margin, and the A-10C upgrades make it the best close-support aircraft in the world. It’s likely to remain so well into the future, despite competition from the upgraded Sukhoi SU-25/28 “Frogfoot”/”Scorpion”, or boasts from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program that their aircraft will be able to replace it.

The A/OA-10 Precision Engagement Modification Program

A-10 cockpit, before
(click to view alternate)

To date, A-10 fleet upgrades have been somewhat patchwork and piecemeal. The A-10C PE program changes all that. The entire A-10 fleet will be modified over 4-5 years, and an April 2/07 GAO report estimates the A-10 Precision Engagement program’s total overall cost at around $420 million.

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego is the A-10C Precision Engagement program’s prime contractor and systems integrator under the direction of the A-10 program office (508th Attack Sustainment Squadron), leading a team that includes Northrop Grumman of St. Augustine, FL; BAE Systems of Johnson City, NY; and Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) of San Antonio, TX. The Air Force awarded the Precision Engagement development contract to Lockheed Martin in 2001, and as the prime contractor Lockheed is expected to deliver a total of 356 kits over 5 years, at an estimated cost of $168 million. Lockheed Martin received the production contract in February 2005, with the first production kits delivered to Hill AFB in March 2006.

While the program was originally supposed to consist of several spirals, these plans were modified in light of USAF requests and needs. The program now consists of 2 increments, with JTRS fielding left as an open item to be addressed once the JTRS AMF equipment is available.

A-10 PE, Increment 3.2

A-10C, partly upgraded
(click to view full)

The Maryland ANG(Air National Guard) 175th Wing at Warfield ANG Base in Baltimore, MD was be the first unit to convert to the modified aircraft and integrate them into normal operations, beginning in September 2007. They received Increment 3.2, which will include the PE kit described below plus datalink capability (14 months early), basic JDAM and WCMD compatibility (9 months early), the Spiral 1 PE kit described below, and targeting pod compatibility.

Each Spiral 1 Precision Engagement kit consists of a new cockpit instrument panel. A new computer called the Central Interface Control Unit (CICU) adds new cockpit controls and displays, including a pair of 5×5 inch multi-function color displays that include moving digital map functions. The new integrated Digital Stores Management System (DSMS), meanwhile, keeps track of weapons and launches them; it will be linked into applications as diverse as video from the targeting pod, weapons status reports, and the data link. These upgrades require a major change to the aircraft’s wiring, and consume a lot more power. Not to worry, though; a second DC generator will double the A-10’s generator capacity.

For the pilot, a new stick grip and right throttle provide true hands-on-throttle and-stick (HOTAS) fingertip control of aircraft systems and targeting pod functionality. Using the HOTAS, the pilot can designate the targeting pod to monitor an area of interest, confirm target identification, and provide laser guidance to weapons from his A-10 or from another platform – all without taking his hands from the controls. Upgrading 6 of the A-10C’s 11 pylons to ‘smart’ weapons capability via MIL-STD-1760 is the final piece of the basic infrastructure upgrades.

A-10s w. LITENING
(click to view full)

Key add-ons build upon these initial steps, and targeting pod integration is touted as the final piece of spiral 1. PE Program modifications will allow the A-10 to carry either the Northrop-Grumman/ Rafael LITENING AT or the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR targeting pod on an underwing pylon as fully integrated devices, with connections to all of the aircraft’s other systems. The pods, which include long-range TV and infrared cameras with zoom capabilities and a laser target designator, will enable the pilot to identify targets from medium altitudes on the order of 20,000 to 30,000 feet day or night, then illuminate them for homing, laser-guided or GPS guided bombs. During the initial deployments in Iraq, their heat-sensing capability has even proved useful for finding buried land mines, which tend to retain a differential heat signature because they’re made of different materials than the earth around them.

The targeting pods will help reduce mistaken attacks on friendly forces and noncombatants by giving the pilot a closer look at potential targets, and experience with other jets indicates that their stabilized, “point and stare” capabilities are likely to prove especially important in urban operations. Eventually, they will allow A-10 aircraft to engage targets from a higher altitude using advanced sensors and targeting pods and precision guided weapons, including the JDAM and their companion WCMD kits for cluster bombs.

Integration with ROVER devices carried by ground troops also becomes possible, allowing front line forces to communicate using annotated map displays and specific positional data.

SADL screen
(click to view full)

Another very significant Increment 3.2 upgrade involves Raytheon’s SADL data link. SADL was added after the A-10 Precision Engagement program requirements were finalized, which is usually a predictor of trouble. Instead, it went from requirements to delivery in just 17 months, thanks to a general sense of urgency and extraordinary contractor efforts. Those efforts included hardware purchases by Lockheed Martin before they had a government contract to do so, putting their funds at risk but ultimately shortening project completion by 6 months. Back in February 207, Major Drew English, the USAF program manager for A-10C Precision Engagement, told Military Aerospace Technology that:

“I would say the biggest [change] we have coming impact wise is the data link. It will shape our tactics and it bring us into a new era, probably as much as night vision goggles did when we got those in the mid-’90s”

SADL automatically sends and receive data from the Army Enhanced Position Locating and Reporting System (ePLRS) that is part of FBCB2, a.k.a. “Blue Force Tracker.” This means that friendly troops on the ground receive the plane’s position and altitude, while the 5 closest “friendlies” will show up on the aircraft’s heads-up display and/or multi-function cockpit displays at the beginning of an attack. SADL also offers Link 16 integration with other fighters and air defense systems, allowing the A-10C to automatically known receive position data for enemy aircraft, air defenses, and other targets – including targets beyond its range of sight. Link 16 and SADL share information via gateways, which are land-based or airborne portals that permit the transfer of information between different formats.

A-10C pilot Capt. Rich Hunt of the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Wing said from Al-Asad AFB, Iraq:

“Previously, for me to keep track of all the other airplanes that are around me or to help us perform the mission, I would literally have to write those down with a grease pencil inside my canopy or write them down on a white piece of paper on my knee board in order to keep track of all that… Now I have a color display that has all of the other airplanes that are up supporting the same mission across all of Iraq right now. And they are all digitally displayed through that data link on my map. So now, especially at night when awareness is a little bit lower, I can look at that beautiful map display and know exactly what other airplanes are around me.”

He also praised the ROVER downlink capability, allowing the aircraft to transmit the live video feed to a joint terminal attack controller on the ground, and the new JDAM capabilities:

“In Iraq that is especially important because it’s a very difficult situation when we provide close-air support in such a densely urban environment. By the controller being able to look through my targeting pod real time, we can compare exactly what we are looking at and make sure we have an absolutely 100 percent positive identification of the target… Sometimes we find ourselves where we have to destroy a terrorist stronghold location. But in the house across the street are friendly Iraqi civilians. We know we have to destroy the stronghold, but we don’t want to cause any collateral damage whatsoever. So the JDAM has been outstanding for us. Between the situational awareness data link, the targeting pod with the ROVER down link to the controller on the ground and the JDAM, the A-10C on this deployment has been an amazing success for us.”

The USAF adds that:

“A command and control platform — such as the 12th Air Force Air Operations Center here — can send digital communication via SADL to the A-10C for a variety of purposes. Tasking messages, targeting information, threat warnings, and friendly locations can all be sent and received by the A-10C. Additionally, the A-10C is the only platform with the ability to task other fighter platforms to attack targets.”

Given past A-10-related friendly fire incidents, the appeal of a system like SADL is obvious.

Together, these Increment 3.1 and 3.2 additions create an A-10C aircraft that looks the same on the outside, but offers a very different set of capabilities and can be used in very different ways.

The Air Force has been conducting flight-testing of the A-10C at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, and at Nellis Air Force Base, NV, since early 2005. Operational Testing Certification (OT Cert) begins in July 2007, with Air Force operational test and evaluation center Operational User Evaluation (AFOTEC OUE) in August 2007 that includes a final look at JDAM integration and the SADL datalink. If everything continues to go well, operational fielding begins in early September 2007 and The AFOTEC report will follow in October 2007.

A-10 PE, Increment 3.3

A-10C fires cannon
(click to view full)

A second fielded Precision Engagement release will provide for CNS/ATM, full smart weapon integration, more software upgrades, additional improvements as a result of feedback from earlier flight tests, and some maintainer functional improvements.

Releases to test were scheduled for August 2007 and December 2007, with fielding expected around May 2008.

Overall PE kit production ran to 2008. Squadrons released their jets for modification at Hill AFB, UT for upgrades, and they returned about 90 days later as A-10Cs. Installation work was scheduled to run until 2009.

A-10 Fleet: Other Planned Improvements

In service to 2028

The A-10C PE program is only part of the effort required to keep the Reagan-era fleet of A-10s battle-worthy out to 2028. A separate $2.02 billion dollar wing replacement program is underway, a multiple-award $1.72 billion contract covered overall fleet maintenance and some upgrades from 2009-2019, and more technology inserts and structural modifications were planned. The GAO’s April 2007 report placed the potential total cost of upgrades, refurbishment, and service life extension plans for the A/OA-10 force at up to $4.4 billion.

The Pentagon began pushing to retire the entire fleet early in the FY 2015 budget. If that effort fails, possible upgrades could include electronics and engines, as well as structural work.

The USAF planned to replace the “thin skin” wings on 242 aircraft with new wings, and that effort is now underway. The cost was originally estimated at $1.3 billion, but the June 2007 contract was for $2 billion. This effort will help to extend A-10 service lives to 16,000 flying hours.

At some point, the A-10s would need to install Joint Tactical Radio System-based (JTRS) radios. As of April 2007, JTRS AMF was only in the bid phase, and as of 2014 it was not a required USAF standard.

To improve the A-10’s overall power and maintainability, the USAF hoped to eventually upgrade the existing General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines. Components of the existing engine will be replaced; in particular, a more efficient fan section with wider blades would be installed by General Electric along with digital engine controls. Flight testing of the revamped engine was slated to begin in FY 2008, and production in 2009-2010. Instead, this effort was downgraded in priority and deferred.

An April 2/07 GAO report places the potential total cost of upgrades, refurbishment, and service life extension plans for the A/OA-10 force at up to $4.4 billion.

Contracts & Key Events

Unless otherwise specified, all contracts are awarded to Lockheed Martin in Owego, NY as leader of the A-10 Prime Team; and they are issued by the Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, UT.

FY 2016 – 2019

 

A-10 firing run

August 6/19: Technical Order Sustainment HEBCO Inc. won an $80 million deal for A-10 technical order sustainment. The contract is for 10 years of non-personal technical services of technical order sustainment activities by providing technically accurate and up-to-date digital data. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force. The A-10, sometimes also called „Warthog“ served in the Gulf War during Operation Desert Storm, the American led intervention against Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, where the A-10 distinguished itself. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10’s service life can be extended to 2040. HEBCO will perform work in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Clearfield, Utah. Estimated completion date is August 1, 2030.

February 13/18: Draft documents-Upgrades/Re-winging Draft acquisition documents seen by Flight Global reveal that the US Air Force is planning to go ahead with upgrading its A-10 fleet and revive the tank-killer’s production line after March 2019. Even though a contract with Boeing to re-wing the fleet lapsed last month, putting the A-10’s future in doubt, the documents show service intentions to buy 116 new wing sets, and continue with upgrading the fleet with a new contractor. The Air Force plans to buy the first four wing sets for the A-10s under a low-rate initial production contract, then buy up to 112 more over a seven-year period, the documents state.

January 25/18: Back to Afghanistan After a six-year absence, the A-10 Warthog is making a return to Afghanistan. 12 of the ground-attack aircraft are expected to operate from Kandahar air base as the US military continues to intensify its air activities against militants fighting the Washington-backed government in Kabul, and the Warthogs will work providing close air support in a campaign targeting Taliban revenue sources including drug-producing facilities and in counter-terrorism operations. News of the deployment comes following a Taliban attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul at the weekend, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people.

February 27/17: The USAF is expected to green light a study into a potential low-cost, light-attack fighter fleet to augment the A-10 Warthog and other close-air support (CAS) platforms in Iraq and Syria. The service will abandon plans for a more long-term replacement of the Warthog, which is expected to keep flying well into the 2020s. $100 million has already been earmarked for the study, scheduled to start in the Spring, and will look at the capabilities of the existing commercial designs such as Textron’s Scorpion light-attack fighter before calling out to industry.

January 23/17: The USAF is looking into testing a new low-cost light attack aircraft as soon as this spring. While Pentagon plans to acquire a new light attack platform are not new, the funding and scope of an earlier effort, the OA-X program, has never materialized into contracts being signed. However, if the experiment is approved and funded fully, the new platform will compliment the A-10 in close air support and reconnaissance missions.

August 9/16: Recommendations for the replacement of the A-10 Warthog are to be expected as soon as September. While recent reporting on the OA-X close-air support (CAS) aircraft has leaked some information on the program, it looks likely that USAF will want to acquire two CAS platforms. This would involve a a low flight-hour cost light attack aircraft augmenting the A-10 in the short term, with the service procuring an existing or potential new CAS design. Also on the table are rewinging the A-10 or buying just one replacement platform.

July 28/16: Reports that the USAF was proposing a dual procurement to replace the A-10 Warthog have been dismissed by Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, saying that the funds were not available for two programs, and stating that she had heard of the dual proposal via the news and had not been briefed by anyone within the service, or options or strategy in relation to the new close air support (CAS) A-X program. The stories that the USAF had met with industry officials were initially reported last week.

July 25/16: Two new close air support aircraft to complement and eventually replace the A-10 are being sought by the USAF. Beechcraft’s AT-6 and Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano are being looked at for an off the shelf procurement while an initial order of 20 light attack OA-X aircraft could deliver as early as next year. For the OA-X, the service is looking for a medium-altitude aircraft with some level of precision strike capability, such as the BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rocket.

March 14/16: The USAF is to look at a variety of options to replace the A-10 Warthog for its Close Air Support (CAS) requirements. A study will investigate whether a new clean-sheet design is required, or if existing aircraft such as the AT-6 or A-29 would be best for continued low-intensity “permissive conflict” like counter-terrorism and regional stability operations. An alternative option could involve a derivative of the T-X Advance Trainer, however with the T-X program not due until 2024, it would miss the A-10’s retirement in 2022.

February 4/16: The life of the A-10 attack jet will be extended until 2022 after it was announced in Secretary for Defense Ash Carter’s 2017 defense budget preview on Tuesday. Lawmakers including former A-10 pilot Rep. Martha McSally and Sen. John McCain who supported the plane’s continuation were pleased with the announcement. The close-air support aircraft will continue to see service in the operations against the Islamic State in the Middle East where it has been supporting ground troops. The deferral of the A-10’s retirement comes as continued delays seem likely for the F-35, which is due to replace the A-10 once it comes into active service. The A-10’s ability to swoop in to heights of 50 feet above ground and engage enemies has been held up as an advantage against the F-35 by supporters.

February 1/16: Rep. March McSally has written to the White House in defense of the A-10 ahead of Obama’s budget rollout this week. The former USAF pilot has been one of the biggest political supporters of keeping the close air support aircraft in service until full plans for its legacy replacement are in motion. McSally’s efforts to keep the plane have so far resulted in the USAF reportedly shelving the A-10’s retirement plan indefinitely, due to increased demand for the attack plane in military operations in the Middle East. The letter also urged the president and defense secretary to fund depot support, maintenance, and upgrades to extend the life of the A-10 fleet, such as finishing the wing replacement effort.

November 12/15: The Air Force is considering pushing back the retirement schedule for the A-10, following a spike in demand from US forces operating in the Middle East. The venerable Close Air Support platform has been on the service’s chopping block for years, with recent efforts to retire the aircraft early blocked by lawmakers in September. The Air Force also recently released a RFI to identify sources for a new A-10 re-winging program, with the Thunderbolt Lifecycle Program Support effort intended to extend a portion of the Air Force’s A-10 fleet out to 2028.

October 23/15: The US Air Force deployed a dozen A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft to the south of Turkey last week in anticipation of the aircraft seeing more combat against ISIS in Syria, according to reports Thursday. The first Warthogs were first deployed to the Middle East in November 2014, with the Air Force remaining adamant that the fleet should be retired. The aircraft have been deployed to Incirlik Air Force Base, having relocated from their home base at Moody AFB, Georgia.

FY 2015

Election results make retirement tougher.

September 21/15: The Air Force released a Request for Information on Friday to identify potential industry sources for the re-winging of an unspecified number of A/OA-10A close air support aircraft. Over half of the A-10 Warthog fleet is already undergoing a re-winging program, with Boeing acting as prime contractor for 173 of the aircraft, with options for an additional 69. The RFI comes despite repeated calls by the Air Force’s top brass to retire the fleet early in order to free up money and resources. These calls have been blocked, with this latest RFI part of the A-10’s Thunderbolt Lifecycle Program Support (TLPS) program, intended to keep the aircraft flying until at least 2028.

September 4/15: The Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told Congress that their rejection of her branch’s decision to retire the A-10 – a cut projected to save about a couple billion dollars per year – could cause major problems and delays for programs such as the F-35, the new long-range bomber and the KC-46 refueler – programs that together constitute unprecedented expenditures for any nation in history.

September 1/15: The on-again, off-again Air Force comparison test between the F-35 and the A-10 for close air support is back on again, according to the Washington Times. The F-35 doesn’t carry – and isn’t anticipated to carry – the sorts of weapons that have proven useful in the typical CAS mission. It has but a few seconds of canon ammunition and its weapons bay was once compared to a purse after the F-35C variant further infringed on internal storage. A test between the platforms would likely hinge on the scenario imagined by the Air Force brass, so a cynic might expect a profusion of bogeys best handled by stealth fighters.

August 26/15: In what is perhaps the biggest reality perception difference between the Air Force and the rest of the military and civilian government, the Air Force has been working hard to shut down the A-10 program, maintaining that the close air support stalwart isn’t earning its keep. The several billion dollars saved would go to more F-35 work, as that platform has been tipped to be the replacement, although some senior Air Force officers have suggested that perhaps a completely new craft would be in order. So it was newsworthy that a senior officer for testing had suggested a shoot-out between the A-10 and F-35. That test is now taking fire from the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, who called such a test “silly.” Still, Welsh said that the F-35 was never intended as an A-10 replacement, so that leaves observers scratching heads as to which parts of the Air Force desire what outcome, especially as few believe an A-X replacement would be cheaper.

July 27/15: The Air Force has quashed Boeing’s hopes of selling refurbished A-10s to international customers, following the floating of the idea in May. With the House protecting the A-10 from comprehensive retirement for another year, the Air Force is planning to mothball outgoing A-10s, thereby saving a reported $4.2 billion in sustainment over a five year period.

June 26/15: The Government Accountability Office slammed the Air Force’s body of evidence and cost projections used to make the case for retiring the A-10. A report published on Thursday claims that the Air Force did not fully quantify the economic argument for favoring more advanced multi-role aircraft over the time-tested A-10. Manufacturer Boeing recently floated the idea of selling refurbished US A-10s to international customers.

May 22/15: Boeing wants to sell refurbished A-10s to international customers. The US is the only operator of the Warthog, with the House recently voting to fund the fleet for another year, despite the Air Force chiefs’ efforts to cut down numbers. Boeing is currently engaged in an extensive re-winging program for the aircraft, following a $2 billion 2007 contract.

May 1/15: On Thursdaythe House Armed Services Committee voted to keep the A-10 operational for another year, with the 2016 defense policy bill including an amendment to prohibit the Air Force from retiring the plane. The amendment – proposed by Rep. McSally – passed while a “middle ground” amendment proposed by Rep. Moulton failed. That amendment would have allowed the Air Force to retain a hundred of the aircraft while retiring up to 164.

April 28/15: The House is seeking to block the A-10 from being retired, with Rep. Martha McSally reportedly planning to introduce an amendment to prevent the Air Force from pushing the aircraft aside. This amendment will be attached to Thornberry’s version of the defense budget, with the A-10 fleet fully-funded. An A-10 recently had to conduct an emergency landing while deployed to Iraq, with the aircraft’s engine reportedly suffering “catastrophic damage.”

Nov 11/14: Politics. The USAF has a new angle in the A-10 fight, proposing to retire 72 A-10s in order to switch their maintenance workers over to the F-35. It’s being sold as part of having the F-35A reach Initial Operational Capability, but A-10 proponents like Sen. McCain and Kelly Ayotte say the USAF has other choices. The USAF says that their previous plan B has been blown apart by renewed needs in Iraq and Syria. Sources: Defense News, “USAF Discussing A-10 Compromise With Congress”.

Nov 4/14: Elections. American mid-term elections leave the Republican Party with a bigger House Majority, and recapture the Senate from the Democrats. That result leaves John McCain [R-AZ] as the new chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee. There are 80 A-10s at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in Tucson, and McCain is very much a proponent of engagement in places like Iraq, Syria, and other places where the A-10’s unique capabilities make a big difference. He’s going to be a staunch opponent of any retirement plans.

The election also features A-10 pilot Lt. Col. Martha McSally [AZ-2], who was the first woman to command an American fighter squadron, and has been described as one of the Republicans’ top House recruits. McSally is narrowly ahead in a traditionally-Democratic district, but the vote count and recount process is going to take a little while. If she is elected, it will have obvious implications for A-10 lobbying in Congress. Sources: AP, “Sen. John McCain vows to save A-10 from retirement” | McSally for Congress, “McSally Campaign Statement on Challenge to Uncertified Ballots” | Politico, “The House GOP’s top recruit”.

FY 2014

Attempted retirement of the fleet.

A-10Cs
(click to view full)

Sept 19/14: Ki Ho Military Acquisition Consulting, Inc. in Layton, UT wins a $31.4 million firm-fixed-price, engineering support, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract to identify new and developing technologies that can “support the accomplishment of A-10 missions, and either eliminate or minimize operational and/or sustainability gaps.” $5.3 million is committed immediately, using FY 2014 USAF O&M funds.

Is this operational consulting, or payment to make more arguments for retiring the A-10? Poor results so far against in Iraq and Syria aren’t making fantastic arguments for other systems.

Work will be performed at Hill AFB, UT, and is expected to be complete by Sept 15/19. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, with 3 offers received by the USAF Life Cycle Management Center at Hill AFB, UT (FA8202-14-D-0002).

Sept 9/14: Support. Korean Air Lines’ Aerospace Division in Seoul, South Korea receives an estimated $46 million firm-fixed-price maintenance and repair contract for depot level support to A-10 aircraft stationed in the Asia/Pacific region. Funds will be committed as needed.

Work will be performed at KAL’s facility in Seoul, South Korea, with an expected completion date of Sept. 30/20. This contract was a competitive acquisition, with 2 offers received by USAF Life Cycle Management Center at Hill AFB, UT (FA8202-14-D-0001).

Week of June 20/14: Politics. Things continue to move at a brisk pace in the House, with floor action starting for HR 4870 then leading to a vote within days. The White House issued its usual set of “strong” disagreements [PDF], with C-130 AMP, E-3s, and AH-64 transfers among the points of contention. At least the executive appreciated that someone in Congress sided with them to retire A-10s. But it was not meant to be, as an amendment against divesting A-10s easily passed with a 300-114 roll call. This was expected given the fact A-10 retirement was at odds with the already approved authorization bill.

The Administration will now have to find Senatorial opponents to the A-10, among other cuts the House doesn’t want, that are convinced enough to push the issue all the way through reconciliation. The odds are not in their favor.

On June 20 the bill was wrapped up with a 340-73 roll call, showing even broader bipartisan support than the authorization bill: amendments [PDF] | Bill report [PDF].

June 10/14: Politics. The House Appropriations Committee votes 13-23 against Rep. Jack Kingston’s [R-GA-1] amendment to transfer $339 million from the Pentagon’s operations and maintenance account to sustain the A-10 fleet. Former USAF pilot Chris Stewart [R-UT-2] was one of the speakers in favor from both parties, and he outlined the inherent issues with the close-air support mission, but it was to no avail.

What really matters is what the House ends up approving by final vote, but these kinds of losses can hurt politically. Sources: DoD Buzz, “House Panel Votes to Scrap the A-10 Warthog”.

May 23/14: Political. The Senate Armed Services Committee has completed the mark-up of the annual defense bill, which passed by a 25-1 vote. The section relevant to the A-10 is explained this way:

“Prohibits the Air Force from retiring or preparing to retire any A-10 or Airborne Warning and Control Aircraft (AWACS), or making any significant changes in manning levels in FY15.”

That isn’t as comprehensive or as long-term as Sen. Ayotte’s S.1764 bill (q.v. Nov 21-Dec 5/14), but it fulfills the same purpose in the immediate term. If the measure remains in the Senate’s FY 2015 NDAA bill, it will have to be reconciled with similar but different provisions in the House bill (q.v. May 8/14). Bottom line? Unless these measures are stripped from the final bill in either the House or the Senate, the A-10C fleet isn’t going anywhere just yet. Sources: US Senate Armed Services Committee, “Senate Committee on Armed Services Completes Markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015”.

May 8/14: Political. A 41-20 voice vote in the House Armed Services Committee changes the language of Rep. McKeon’s A-10 compromise, and institutes terms that are similar to HR.3657. Ron Barber [D-AZ-2] and Vicky Hartzler [R-MO-4] and Austin Scott [R-GA-8] from HR.3657 are the amendment’s sponsors, and they’ve added interesting requirements. One example would have the Comptroller General’s Office assess the cost per-plane for close air support missions, as part of the set of activities necessary before retiring the A-10s. The F-35’s high operating costs, and heavy depreciation due to its high initial cost, would cripple it in any comparison with the A-10. The F-35’s figures per mission would probably be at least 100% higher, and could easily be worse than that.

May 5/14: Political. House Armed Services Committee chair Buck McKeon [R-MO] proposes a compromise measure that would require “Type 1000 storage” for the retired A-10C fleet. Planes kept in that condition can be recalled to duty and fly again within 30-120 days, because after the initial removal and proper storage of key items like engines and weapons, no parts can be pulled without the express permission of the program office at Wright-Patterson AFB. That’s significantly better than Type 2000/4000 storage, but a step below Type 3000 “temporary storage” planes that receive engine runs, tow-outs to lubricate their bearings, and fluids servicing every 30 days.

Defense News estimates the cost for the 283-plane fleet at $25.7 million over 5 years ($12.17M initial storage + $283k/year + $12.17M refurb every 4 years). Sources: Air Force Magazine, “Living Boneyard” | Defense News Intercepts, “The Price of Storing the A-10 in “Type-1000″ Storage” | House Armed Services Committee, “McKeon Releases Full Committee Mark”.

Feb 24/14: Scrap the A-10Cs. The announcement isn’t a surprise (q.v. Sept 15/13), but Chuck Hagel’s FY 2015 pre-budget briefing explains the official justification for removing the A-10 fleet:

“For the Air Force, an emphasis on capability over capacity meant that we protected its key modernization programs, including the new bomber, the Joint Strike Fighter, and the new refueling tanker. We also recommended investing $1 billion in a promising next-generation jet engine technology, which we expect to produce sizeable cost-savings through reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance needs. This new funding will also help ensure a robust industrial base – itself a national strategic asset.

To fund these investments, the Air Force will reduce the number of tactical air squadrons including the entire A-10 fleet. Retiring the A-10 fleet saves $3.5 billion over five years and accelerates the Air Force’s long-standing modernization plan [to replace it with the F-35]…. the A-10… cannot survive or operate effectively where there are more advanced aircraft or air defenses. And as we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan, the advent of precision munitions means that many more types of aircraft can now provide effective close air support, from B-1 bombers to remotely piloted aircraft. And these aircraft can execute more than one mission.

Moreover, the A-10’s age is also making it much more difficult and costly to maintain. Significant savings are only possible through eliminating the entire fleet, because of the fixed cost of maintaining the support apparatus associated with the aircraft. Keeping a smaller number of A-10s would only delay the inevitable while forcing worse trade-offs elsewhere.”

The A-10’s original concept did, in fact, aim to survive and operate in the face of advanced fighters and air defense, which makes Hagel’s statement questionable. Expect to see others question Hagel’s use of the term “effective” as well. The A-10 remains peerless in the close support role, and the use of fighter guns for close-in attacks on the front lines remains reality. That isn’t possible for drones, and it’s problematic for the vulnerable F-35A, which carries only 14% as much ammunition (only 180 rounds) in a lesser caliber. It would be possible to defend the decision by saying that the USAF is downgrading Close Air Support in order to build up other capabilities, but that isn’t how the Pentagon is selling this. Sources: US DoD, “Remarks By Secretary Of Defense Chuck Hagel FY 2015 Budget Preview Pentagon Press Briefing Room Monday, February 24, 2014”.

FY 2015 Budget: Retire the fleet

Nov 21-Dec 5/13: Politics. House and Senate members introduce bills in each chamber that would restrict the USAF’s ability to retire its A-10Cs. The Senate’s S.1764 is introduced by Kelly Ayotte [R-NH], While the House’s HR.3657 is introduced by Vicky Hartzler [R-MO-4]. Both have cosponsors from each party, but they’ll need more cosponsors to improve the chances of getting to a vote and being passed into law.

The core condition in both bills is that the USAF must have a fleet of F-35As with Block 4A software, including integration with the GBU-53 Small Diamater Bomb II or equivalent capability, all certified by an audit by the Comptroller General that also says that there are enough F-35s to replace the A-10s. In practice, that would defer A-10C retirement to 2025 at least, and might even push all the way to the A-10’s planned 2028 retirement.

FY 2013

APKWS laser-guided rockets added; A-10s out of Europe.

BAE/GD APKWS
(click to view full)

Sept 26/13: TLPS. Northrop Grumman Technical Services in Herndon, VA receives an estimated maximum $11.3 million task order under a combined firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee engineering support contract. They’ll provide evaluations, analysis, repair designs, and/or testing to support the requirements for the A-10 aircraft structural integrity program and maintenance of operational safety, suitability, and effectiveness. All funds are committed immediately.

This award is a result of a competitive acquisition under the Thunderbolt Life Cycle Program Support contract, but only 1 bid was received.

Work will be performed at Hill AFB, UT, although various portions of the work will take place at subcontractor facilities, and work is expected to be completed by Sept 18/16. The USAF Life Cycle Management Center/WWAK at Hill AFB, UT manages the contract (FA8202-09-D-0003, 0012).

Sept 25/13: Political. Sen. Kelly Ayotte [R-NH], whose husband Joe was an A-10 pilot, puts a hold on the nomination of Deborah Lee James to be Secretary of the Air Force, until she gets clear and acceptable answers regarding the USAF’s proposal to kill the platform. Sources: Defense News, “Ayotte Blocks Air Force Secretary Nominee Over Possible A-10 Cuts”.

Sept 20/13: Political. House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Ron Barber [R-AZ-02] initiates a letter signed by 8 colleagues, calling the A-10:

“…a critical capability…. In Operation Desert Storm, the A-10 was responsible for the destruction of 4,000 military vehicles and artillery pieces. In Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the A-10 has performed nearly one third of the combat sorties…. The Department of Defense must maintain its ability to wage ground combat and support those at the tip of the spear.”

The letter is co-signed by Reps. Rob Bishop [R-UT-01, HASC on leave to Rules]; Paul Gosar [R-AZ-04]; Vicky Hartzler [R-MO-04 HASC]; Jack Kingston [R-GA-01, Ways & Means]; Candice S. Miller [R-MI-10]; C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger [D-MD-02, Intel.]; Austin Scott [R-GA-08, HASC]; and Mike Simpson [R-ID-02, Budget/ Approp.]. Sources: Rep. Ron Barber Release | Full letter [PDF].

Sept 17/13: Political. Gen. Mike Hostage reiterates to reporters at the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference that the A-10 may be on the chopping block, and repeats the point about savings only becoming substantial when you remove entire fleets. He adds:

“You can’t get your money out of installations because they won’t support [base realignment and closure]. You can’t get money out of people fast enough. It takes about a year to get savings out of people.”

Gen. Welsh’s address
click for video

Sept 15/13: End of the A-10? USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, Air Force chief of staff, is quoted as saying that “You can cut aircraft from a fleet, but you save a lot more money if you cut all the infrastructure that supports the fleet.”

That’s a step beyond initial reports about the Strategic Choices and Management Review, and current reports have the USAF considering the removal of all 343 A-10Cs, all 59 KC-10 tankers, and more of the 249 or so F-15C/Ds. The CRH successor to the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters is also up for review.

The KC-10 option seems to make zero sense as a “single-role” retirement, as it’s far more capable and multi-role than the smaller KC-135s, giving it especial value in the huge Pacific theater. It’s also the USAF’s key insurance against a grounding of its 1950s-era KC-135 aerial tanker fleet – which may explain the decision. If the USAF is trying to protect its KC-46 program, removing any operational insurance for the aged KC-135s makes the KC-46 program that much harder to mess with, or even to delay.

The F-15Cs, on the other hand, have had serious aging out problems, including maneuvering restrictions, and even a months-long grounding after one of the planes broke in 2 in mid-air. The F-22 Raptor fleet’s small size means that retiring the F-15Cs would be a big hit to US air superiority assets, but the multi-role F-15E Strike Eagles can perform the air superiority role almost as well. It’s just a continuing data point in the long-term downsizing of American TacAir. Sources: Defense News, “USAF Weighs Scrapping KC-10, A-10 Fleets” and “USAF General: A-10 Fleet Likely Done if Sequestration Continues”.

Sept 4/13: Wings. Boeing announces a $212 million follow-on order for 56 A-10C replacement wings, bringing total orders so far under the $2 billion program (q.v. June 29/07 entry) to 173 of a maximum 242.

Work will be performed at Boeing’s plant in Macon, GA. Sources: Boeing, Sept 4/13 release.

Aug 12-13/13: Cut the USAF? Prof. Robert Farley makes a condensed argument for abolishing the USAF as a separate service, in advance of his book “Grounded! The Case for Abolishing the United States Air Force.” Farley argues that the USA needs air power, but not a service that’s divorced from the ground and naval forces they support. A misguided focus on strategic effect, which he argues hasn’t panned out in wartime experience, will interfere and has interfered with effective contributions to a land/ sea/ air team.

Michael Auslin of the neoconservative AEI think tank responds, arguing that the USAF’s space role and global fast-reaction capabilities make it a unique asset that can reach areas far inland where the Navy cannot go, and go overseas in a way the Army is unable to. An independent Air Force, he says, will wring every advantage out of the air and space domains, just as the Navy does at sea.

Here’s the thing. What if the USAF is seen as a non-team player, one who consistently short-changes the needs of other services? It then becomes very hard to argue that the USAF is in fact wringing every advantage out of the aerial domain for the USA. At a time of significant budget cuts, cutting an entire service offers much bigger administrative savings than removing aircraft fleets, and removing fleets the other services see as their top priorities could create a level of friction that will place that kind of radical option on the table. Sources: War Is Boring, “America Does Not Need the Air Force” | Breaking Defense, “Why America Needs The Air Force: Rebuttal To Prof. Farley”.

Aug 6/13: Combat. An engagement in Afghanistan illustrates the A-10’s strengths, and underscores why high-altitude bombing simply isn’t going to replace what it does on the front lines:

“Even with all our (top-of-the-line) tools today, we still rely on visual references,” said the lead pilot, who is on his first deployment from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. “Once we received general location of the enemy’s position, I rolled in as lead aircraft and fired two rockets to mark the area with smoke. Then my wingman rolled in to shoot the enemy with his 30 millimeter rounds.”…. “We train for this, but shooting danger-close is uncomfortable, because now the friendlies are at risk,” the second A-10 pilot said. “We came in for a low-angle strafe, 75 feet above the enemy’s position and used the 30-mm gun — 50 meters parallel to ground forces — ensuring our fire was accurate so we didn’t hurt the friendlies.

The engagement lasted two hours that day, and in that time, the A-10s completed 15 gun passes, fired nearly all their 2,300, 30-mm rounds, and dropped three 500-pound bombs on the enemy force.”

As a reference point, the F-35s the USAF wants to use as replacements can’t fly as slowly for visual references, are highly vulnerable to battle damage, and carry just 180 25mm cannon rounds. Sources: USAF, “Bagram pilots save 60 Soldiers during convoy ambush”.

Front-line reality

Aug 5/13: Political. Defense News reports that the 4-month Strategic Choices Management Review will report that the USAF could eliminate most of its older C-130E/H transports, and 5 of 55 tactical A-10, F-15, or F-16 squadrons (up to 120 jets, based on 24-plane squadrons).

The USAF’s problem is that Congress wants to cut money, but won’t countenance closing bases. They’re also not receptive to aircraft retirements, which has left the USAF with several squadrons’ worth of unflyable planes that can’t be retired. FY 2013 budget proposals to retire 22 C-130Hs and shut down two A-10 squadrons were blocked by Congress. Sources: Air Force Times, “AF considers scrapping A-10s, KC-10s, F-15Cs, CSAR helos”

June 18/13: Basing. As part of budget cuts (q.v. Feb 1/12 entry), a ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany inactivates the 81st Fighter Squadron and its A-10Cs. The ceremony marks the end of A-10 operations in Europe.

The A-10 was originally designed for combat in Europe, and was seen as a crucial fast-reaction asset that could stop heavy armored thrusts through NATO’s defenses. Now, the 52nd Fighter Wing is left with only F-16 fighters on its roster. Considering the situation in Europe, and likely threats, wouldn’t it have made more sense to remove and retire F-16s? That would have left the A-10s as an inexpensive but uniquely reassuring deterrent for NATO’s eastern flank, with fast deployability to the CENTCOM AOR if needed. Pentagon DVIDS.

Europe, Adieu

April 2/13: APKWS guided rockets. Eglin AFB announces successful tests of the APKWS laser-guided 70mm rocket from an A-10C, marking the 2nd test from a fixed-wing aircraft (a Beechcraft AT-6B was the 1st). For the final A-10C test sortie, 2 APKWS rockets were fired at a surface target at altitudes of 10,000 and 15,000 feet. The first rocket hit within inches, and the 15,000 foot shot hit within 2 meters despite a 70-knot headwind.

The USAF used a US Navy rocket launcher, because the guidance section adds 18″ to the Hydra rocket. If the USAF continues to move forward with APKWS on the A-10C and F-16, they’ll buy the Navy’s modified launchers to replace their 7-rocket LAU-131s. The US Navy is preparing to qualify APKWS on the MQ-8C VTUAV, USMC AV-8B Harrier II V/STOL jets, and F/A-18 family fighters. Pentagon DVIDS.

FY 2012

A-10C fleet cut; 1st re-winged A-10C rolls out; A-10C flies on biofuel; Thales acquires Scorpion HMD.

Alcohol-to-Jet
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Nov 5/12: Thales buys Scorpion HMD. Thales announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Gentex Corp.’s Visionix subsidiary for Helmet Mounted Displays (HMD) and motion tracking. Products include “Intersense” motion tracking, and the Scorpion HMD that equips American A-10Cs. Thales has a strong position in helicopter HMDs with its TopOwl, but it hasn’t had quite as much luck with fighter HMDs. Visionix has good technologies, which can help Thales improve that position against the Elbit/Rockwell joint venture VSI, and secondary competitors BAE systems and Saab Group.

Visionix will operate as a subsidiary of radio supplier Thales Communications, Inc., a Thales USA company that operates independently under a proxy agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. Its management team will remain, and they’ll continue to operates from Aurora, IL and Billerica, MA. Thales Group.

July 12/12: Sub-contractors. Boeing calls South Korea’s KAI “a key supplier on the A-10 Wing Replacement Program,” while discussing the Korean company’s role in delivering AH-64D Block III attack helicopter fuselages. Boeing is a huge customer for KAI, who supplies parts for commercial jets and F-15s, as well as helicopter fuselages, A-10 wings, etc.

July 10/12: Lockheed Martin Corp. in Owego, NY receives a $7.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for repair service for the A-10 central interface control unit (CICU), and related Circuit Card Assemblies. This computer is also knows as a Signal Data Processor, and the idea is to provide a support bridge, while the USAF gets ready to perform maintenance in-house.

Work will be performed in Owego, NY, and will be complete by Sept 9/12. The USAF GLSC at Hill AFB, UT manages the contract (FA8251-12-D-0005). See also FBO.gov announcement.

June 29/12: Liquored up. An A-10C from Eglin AFB, FL flies using a cellulosic alcohol derivative, called “Alcohol-to-Jet.” That trick works better for the jets than it does for the pilots, apparently. The fuel comes from Colorado’s Gevo, Inc., and can be had for the bargain price of just $56 per gallon.

The $700,000 flight was just a test, obviously. The A-10 is a good test platform for this sort of thing, because its fuel system was segregated in order to help the plane survive hits. The system allows the 2 engines to run off of different fuel supplies, allowing simple performance comparisons. If a test fuel creates failures, the plane can still make it back on one engine. Daily Mail | Terra.com.

Alcohol flight

May 16/12: Flight International:

“The US Air Force has concluded that the short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) Lockheed Martin F-35B- model aircraft cannot generate enough sorties to meet its needs; therefore the service will not consider replacing the Fairchild Republic A-10 Warthog close air support jet with that variant.”

The short take-off F-35B’s ability to base near the battle does multiply the number of flight sorties from each plane, and improves total time over the battlefield. On the other hand, that’s multiplied relative to the F-35A. The A-10 has excellent endurance, whereas the F-35B has to sacrifice fuel capacity in exchange for its short-takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. Beyond that, F-35s of any vintage lack the armoring or gun for in-close support, remove most of their stealth protection if they carry the same array of weapons as an A-10, suffer from the usual problem identifying targets at fast jet speeds, and don’t offer significantly better battlefield sensors than the LITENING-SE or Sniper-SE pods on current A-10s. No matter what the sortie rates may be, replacement of the A-10 with any F-35 is a poor idea.

Feb 15/12: Boeing and the USAF officially roll out of the 1st re-winged A-10C Thunderbolt II in a ceremony at Hill AFB, UT. Boeing is under contract with the Air Force to deliver 233 wing sets through 2018, and delivered the 1st set in March 2011. In the intervening year, the new wings had to be installed, verified, and conduct initial test flights. Boeing.

1st re-winged A-10C

Feb 1/12: US Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz released a short white paper [PDF] outlining its priorities and choices within forthcoming budget constraints. The A-10 fleet bears the largest cuts by far, even though it has been the most consistently requested plane by troops on the ground in recent wars, and offers high value in both counterinsurgency and full-war scenarios:

“More than 280 aircraft have been identified… for elimination… over the next five years. This includes 123 fighters (102 A-10s [emphasis DID’s] and 21 older F-16s), 133 mobility aircraft (27 C-5As, 65 C-130s, 20 KC-135s, and 21 C-27s), and 30 select ISR systems (18 RQ-4 Block 30s, 11 RC-26s, and one E-8 damaged beyond repair)”

That’s 102 of 345 total A-10s flown, leaving 243 in service. It remains to be seen whether Boeing’s re-winging contract will be cut, but if not, 233/243 A-10Cs left will be re-winged planes. Unconfirmed reports point to the elimination of 2 regular USAF units, plus 3 Guard units: the 107th Fighter Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base (ANGB), MI; the 163rd Fighter Squadron at Fort Wayne ANGB, IN; and the 184th Fighter Squadron at Ebbing ANGB, AK. See Military.com | Salt Lake Tribune | Neoconservative AEI think-tank’s Weekly Standard.

A-10 fleet cuts

FY 2011

A-10Cs to South Korea; TLPS support contracts.

A-10 wing work
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Sept 6/11: TLPS. Boeing announces a 1-year, $2.9 million contract to develop and validate a modification of the A-10’s Digital Video Audio Data Recorder (DVADR), which was becoming difficult to support. That’s not uncommon with electronics, which become obsolete much faster than their fighter jets do.

This contract is the 6th Boeing task order under the A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support (TLPS) program.

Dec 7/10: TLPS. Northrop Grumman announces a set of 3 small task orders under the A-10 Thunderbolt Life-cycle Program Support (TLPS) indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract, worth almost $2 million. Under the terms of the 2-year Aircraft Structural Integrity Program Modernization II task order, Northrop Grumman and its teammate Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX will develop and document non-destructive inspection (NDI) procedures and source data, and report discrepancies found between current technical data program requirements.

The Critical Safety Item (CSI) Technical Deficiency Improvement task order has 1 base year with 3 option years. Along with Wyle Laboratories in El Segundo, CA, and Rowan Catalyst Inc. in Libertyville, IL, the team will identify the engineering and technical correct CSI technical and acquisition data deficiencies.

Northrop Grumman is also teamed with Wyle Laboratories and Rowan Catalyst Inc., for the Critical Systems Component Analysis task, which has 1 base year with 2 option years. The team will perform component analysis of critical systems and provide solutions for increasing system reliability, safety, and aircraft availability; and reducing maintenance requirements and man-hours.

Nov 16/10: To Korea. Brahmand relays reports that the USAF 25th Fighter Squadron has deployed A-10Cs on the Korean peninsula at Osan AB, near Seoul. Subsequent USAF reports indicate that the last A-10A left the base on Dec 4/10, marking the 25th fighter squadron’s transition to an all A-10C force.

FY 2010

A-10C getting a Scorpion HMD, but not Hellfire missiles.

A-10A fires Maverick
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Sept 27/10: OFP Suite 7, no Hellfire. A $48 million contract modification which will allow for the “completion of the full A-10 Suite 7 Operational Flight Program.”

Asked about this, Lockheed Martin confirmed that this is part of the A-10C program, adding that the government had reached its ceiling on this contract for mission software, also called Operational Flight Programs (OFPs) or Suites. Like the current modification, the original Oct 19/07 sole source contract ceiling for Suites 6, 7 and 8 was not an award, just a maximum. The government awards funds suite by suite, and based on additional things they wanted to add to the A-10C fleet, they requested this ceiling extension to $123 million total. The USAF has since separated Suite 7 into Suite 7A and Suite 7B, and Lockheed Martin recently received a contract for the remainder of OFP Suite 7A work.

The 2007 award also mentioned Hellfire II missiles, which are not normally fired from jets. Lockheed Martin says that the high cost of developing and purchasing a special missile launch rail for the A-10 caused the USAF to change its mind. The AGM-65 Maverick missile can perform the same role at a higher cost per missile, and Hellfire’s forthcoming JAGM missile successor is expected to work with fast jets (FA8635-07-D-6000, PO0012).

July 19/10: Scorpion HMD. Raytheon announces a $12.6 million USAF contract for Phase 1 integration and qualification of the Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting (HMIT) system for USAF and Air National Guard A-10C and F-16C Block 30/32 aircraft. Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), the prime contractor, is teamed with Gentex Corp. in Simpson, PA to produce the system, based on Gentex’s Visionix Scorpion(TM) Helmet Mounted Cueing System.

HMIT will be a night-vision compatible helmet-mounted display that shows crucial information in high-resolution color imagery directly in the pilot’s field of vision. The color imagery is a step forward, and information displayed will include weapons-cueing, targeting and situational data from on-board and remote sensors. Like other HMDs, the system will track helmet movement to display accurate imagery, regardless of the direction the pilot’s head is turned. The program includes 5 one-year production options, with a potential total value up to $50 million.

April 13/10: Sub-contractors. CPI Aerostructures, Inc. of Edgwood, NY announces an additional $10 million in orders from Boeing in support of the A-10 fleet’s $2 billion re-winging effort. The original contract with Boeing was for $70 million (see July 1/08 entry).

Boeing has added additional structural assemblies and subsystem installations to the CPI Aero contract. These additions include pylon covers, center trailing edge wedge fittings, lower outer trailing edge panels, wingtip covers, wingtip light installations and aileron light installations.

Nov 20/09: OFP. Lockheed Martin announces a $17.8 million contract from the US Air Force to upgrade software that integrates communications and situational awareness capabilities on the A-10C close air support aircraft. The software upgrade is the 3rd in an annual series planned for the A-10 and is scheduled for release in May 2011. The earlier two upgrades were also performed by Lockheed Martin; the first was fielded on schedule in May 2009 and the second is on target for release in May 2010.

The software upgrade will provide improved pilot vehicle interface (PVI) and weapons delivery. Also included with the upgrade are software baselines for the helmet-mounted cueing system that provides situational awareness through improved visual cues for the pilot and for the lightweight airborne recovery system that integrates search and rescue capability. The upgrades will be integrated in Lockheed Martin’s A-10 Systems Integration Lab in Owego, NY. Lockheed Martin A-10 industry team includes Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX and Northrop Grumman in St. Augustine, FL.

Nov 11/09: TLPS. Northrop Grumman announces an 18-month, $3.3 million A-10 TLPS contract to develop and test an anti-jam embedded GPS and an inertial navigation unit (EGI) for the A-10C. Northrop Grumman Technical Services will perform an integrated architecture and life cycle costs analysis and install a temporary modification. The company will then develop a system safety program, and provide program and engineering management support in order to conduct an operational assessment of the EGI capability during flight test. Northrop Grumman’s team includes subcontractors BAE Systems Control Inc., Johnson City, N.Y., and Borsight Aerospace, Farmington, Utah.

FY 2009

$1.72 billion TLPS multi-award maintenance contract; A-10C adds Laser JDAM; Wing cracking in 130 planes.

LJDAM test from A-10C
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February 27/17: The USAF is expected to green light a study into a potential low-cost, light-attack fighter fleet to augment the A-10 Warthog and other close-air support (CAS) platforms in Iraq and Syria. The service will abandon plans for a more long-term replacement of the Warthog, which is expected to keep flying well into the 2020s. $100 million has already been earmarked for the study, scheduled to start in the Spring, and will look at the capabilities of the existing commercial designs such as Textron’s Scorpion light-attack fighter before calling out to industry.

Sept 24/09: Boeing announces that it received 2 separate contracts from the US Air Force to support modernization of its 365 A-10A+ and A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft. The contracts, which have a total value of $4.2 million, consists of several tasks ranging in duration from 3 to 18 months as part of the A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support (TLPS) contract. For details on the TLPS contract, see the June 11/09 entry.

Under the 1st contract, Boeing and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) will provide engineering services for the A-10 Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP), which involves updating and aligning modern structural analysis tools, processes and standards for the A-10 fleet. Under the 2nd contract, Boeing, Raytheon Technical Services, and BAE Systems Platform Solutions will conduct a trade study analysis and operational assessment/proof of concept for the A-10 Upgraded Data Transfer Unit (UDTU). The goal of this contract is to update the aircraft’s avionics architecture to improve memory and data capability.

Other A-10 contracts Boeing has received include a contract to provide on-site engineering support and 3-D models of the A-10 wing, and a contract for fuselage lofting – the transfer of a scaled-down plan to full size. The $2 billion A-10 Wing Replacement Program, which Boeing received in June 2007 (see June 29/07 entry), plans to manufacture up to 242 enhanced wing assemblies. The 3-D models allow the Air Force to resolve wing-crack issues that temporarily grounded the A-10 fleet in 2008 (see Oct 3/08 entry).

June 11/09: TLPS. The A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support (TLPS) “provides a multiple-award indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract vehicle to sustain and modernize all A-10 weapon system configuration.” It’s a follow-on to the A-10 Prime Contract, which was competitively awarded to Lockheed Martin in 1997. A-10 TLPS could run for up to 10 years, with an initial 4-year award that can be followed by up to 3 more 2-year option periods. All funds have been obligated, and the A-10 TLPS is managed by the 538 ACSG/PK at Hill Air Force Base, UT.

The Aug 29/08 entry explains the key rule change from the USA’s 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which requires DoD task & delivery order contracts exceeding $100 million to be awarded to multiple contractors. The USAF will select up to 3 contractors to compete for individual A-10 TLPS orders over the life of the contract, which will include avionics, mechanical, structural, and propulsion system upgrade work and a program integration support. The 3 winners of the $1.72 billion total contract are:

• Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY (FA8202-09-D-0002). Current incumbents. Partnered with Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio TX; and Northrop Grumman in St. Augustine, FL.

• Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Corp. in Saint Louis, MO (FA8202-09-D-0001). Also on contract for the $2.015 billion A-10 re-winging program (q.v. June 29/07 entry).

• Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Inc. in Herndon, VA (FA8202-09-D-0003). NGC will manage the program from Clearfield, UT. Work will also be performed at Warner Robins, GA; Bethpage, NY; El Segundo, CA; and Rolling Meadows, IL.

See also: Lockheed Martin | Boeing | Northrop Grumman.

TLPS support contract

June 11/09: TLPS. Boeing’s A-10 TLPS release adds information concerning the separate $2.015 billion A-10 Wing Replacement Program:

“The work remains on schedule as Boeing develops the 3-D models that provide the engineering foundation for production of the new wings. The models also allowed Boeing to help the Air Force quickly resolve wing-crack issues that temporarily grounded the A-10 fleet last year.”

June 11/09: A-10PE Update. Lockheed Martin’s A-10 TLPS release adds some details concerning the separate A-10C Precision Engagement program:

“Lockheed Martin will remain under contract to complete efforts that are underway including work to provide Precision Engagement modification kits through 2011… To date, the Air Force has converted more than 200 of the 356 aircraft fleet. The A-10C was declared combat ready in August, 2007… In 2007, Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego and the Air Force were co-recipients of a Top 5 DoD Program Award from the National Defense Industrial Association and the Department of Defense for A-10 systems engineering and program management excellence.”

Feb 4/09: TLPS. Boeing announces that it has submitted a proposal to the to the USAF for the $1.6 billion A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support (TLPS) contract. This is a separate endeavor from the A-10C PE program, but it will have connections to ongoing modernization work.

Boeing is looking to leverage its work creating 3-D models of the plane under the $2 billion A-10 Wing Replacement Program. The A-10 was designed in the 1970s, and 3-D modeling was not used at the time. Lockheed Martin currently handles a large share of A-10 work, and competition is also expected from BAE Systems and L-3 Communications. Boeing release.

Jan 12/09: Cracking up. DoD Buzz quotes 12th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, who says the USAF has inspected 200 of 244 aircraft with thin wings. Of those, 40% remain grounded, 41% have been inspected and returned to flight and the remainder are considered “flyable and awaiting inspection.” June 2009 remains the target date for a fix. Among the “thick winged” A-10s, 30% are still grounded, 23% will keep flying and the rest should be ready by June 2009.

The USAF’s challenge has been to keep all of the pilots current in their required flight hours for pilot certification, while providing enough aircraft to meet front-line combat needs.

Nov 14/08: LJDAM. The USAF announces that an upgraded USAF A-10C has dropped the GBU-54 LJDAM in a successful test. The next step is operational testing to develop tactics and techniques for employing the 500 pound dual laser/GPS guidance bombs from A-10s, who can use them to hit moving targets or drop bombs through clouds.

If those tests continue to go well, Eglin AFB’s test team may have their feedback as early as January. The goal is to have the LJDAM/A-10C combination deployed on the front lines by early 2009.

Nov 12/08: Cracking up. USAF release: Approximately 5 members of a depot maintenance team from Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, UT arrive at Moody AFB. They will provide hands-on training to perform major crack repairs on A-10 aircraft to Moody maintainers and another 40 active duty, Reserve and Guard maintainers from bases including Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, Nellis AFB, NV, Whiteman AFB, MO, and Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, PA. Master Sgt. Steve Grimes, Air Combat Command Headquarters A-10 maintenance liaison:

“It would cost too much to fly all the aircraft to Hill. It would also take longer to repair all since three could only be sent at a time. This method is more cost-effective and it would be a faster way to repair the A-10s.”

Oct 3/08: Cracking up. The USAF announces “a time compliance technical order requiring immediate inspection and repair of wing cracks” for approximately 130 A-10 aircraft that were originally built with thin-skin wings.

“Such action has become necessary due to an increase in fatigue-related wing cracks currently occurring in aircraft assigned to Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command and Air Force Materiel Command… The inspections, however, will not impact on-going or future operational combat missions.”

The USAF explicitly notes this as one of the issues associated with its aging aircraft fleet. The US military currently has about 400 active A-10s. See USAF release | Reuters.

Wing cracking grounds 130 A-10s

FY 2008

USAF prepared to compete future support; A-10C #100 delivered; Creating a 3-D model of the A-10.

A-10C at Davis-Monthan
2006-11-29
(click to view full)

Aug 29/08: New Rules. Aviation Week reports that the A-10C program is likely to be an early test case for a dramatic rule change inserted in the USA’s 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which requires DoD task & delivery order contracts exceeding $100 million to be awarded to multiple contractors.

The kits that upgrade the A-10A to an A-10C are still sole-sourced to Lockheed Martin, but that’s about to change. A final RFP is expected soon, and the current plan is for 3 associate prime contractors to win a “multiple award” contract that lets them compete for individual task orders. The Air Force will reportedly oversee all modifications above and beyond the A-10 Precision Engagement aircraft under the Thunderbolt Lifecycle Program Support (TLPS) contract, with a $1.6 billion ceiling over 5 years and an additional 5-year option.

Boeing, who has extensive fighter experience and makes new A-10 wings under the $2 billion re-winging program, is likely to add itself to the mix. L-3 Communications also has strong experience with aircraft refurbishment and upgrades, and BAE Systems is heavily involved in the A-10A+ program.

July 1/08: Sub-contractors. CPI Aerostructures, Inc. of Edgwood, NY announces a long-term, $70 million requirements from Boeing in support of the A-10 fleet’s $2 billion re-winging effort.

The first ordering period is to run until Sept 30/11, with an additional option period that runs from Oct 1/11 through Sept 30/16. CPI expects to receive the initial order under this contract within the next 30 days.

June 19/08: Model me. Integrating new weapons and systems onto new aircraft involved aerodynamic and mechanical considerations, in addition to electronic compatibility. Modern engineering practices offer comprehensive 3-D design drawings that account for every part, and can be used to create models that reduce the trial-and-error associated with new work. An aircraft designed in the 1970s wouldn’t have those 3-D CAD/CAM models to work from, however, which is where Eglin AFB’s 46th Test Wing’s SEEK EAGLE office enters the picture.

Visibility Size and Shape Targeting Accuracy Room Scale (V-STARS) uses a photogrammetry system of triangulation to collect thousands of data points involving every external surface of an aircraft. These data points are then used to create a model that’s accurate to within 0.03 inches of the aircraft measured. The B-52H bomber has already been through this process, and now the SEEK EAGLE office is measuring an A-10C on loan from the Maryland National Guard. The 1000,000 data points that result will build an A-10C model that can be used when integrating future weapons. USAF.

Jan 22/08: Wings. Boeing announces a $14.9 million U.S. Air Force contract for systems engineering and modeling services under the A-10 Wing Replacement program (see April 2/07 and June 29/07). William Moorefield, Boeing A-10 Wing Replacement program manager, said that the contract will provide the engineering foundation for the program; the goal is “a true paperless engineering package.”

Boeing will perform the majority of the work in St. Louis, MO, with the remaining work done in Salt Lake City, UT. The contract runs through September 2010.

Jan 18/08: #100. The USAF announces that the 100th A-10C has taken off and flown from Hill AFB, UT to Moody AFB, GA. Aircraft 80-0172 was based at Pope AFB, NC before the modification, but transfers to Moody AFB as part of the base realignment and closure (BRAC 2005) recommendations.

On average, the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron technicians at Hill AFB are upgrading each A-10 aircraft to the new A-10C configuration in less than 90 days. The A-10C Precision Engagement program started in the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group in July 2006.

100th A-10C delivered

Oct 19/07: OFP. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration of Owego, NY receives a $75 million contract modification to fund the A-10C’s Operational Flight Program (OFP) Hardware Improvement Program for the plane’s mission computers, and Development and Integration of mission software Suites 6, 7, and 8, including Hellfire II Missile Development and Integration. This is just an umbrella contract and ceiling, no funds have been obligated by the 642th AESS/PK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (FA8635-07-D-6000).

The USAF eventually decided to abandon Hellfire II missiles on the A-10C.

FY 2007

$2.015 billion contract for new wings; 25 more kits; Work on SADL datalink; A-10C arrives and reaches IOC.

IOC ceremony
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Aug 22/07: Basing. The USAF announces that an associate group of about 215 reservists will support the active duty 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, GA, while a smaller associate detachment of 14 reservists will augment the A-10 Formal Training Unit at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. The arrangement means the reservists and active-duty personnel have opportunities to train and deploy as a unit; development of fighter associate units began in March 1997 with the launching of the Fighter Reserve Associate Test program. The success of that program led to the signing of an agreement in April 2003 by the commanders of ACC (Air Combat Command) and AFRC (Air Force Reserve Command) to establish fighter associate units at ACC F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle locations.

“Reservists in the Moody group will fly and maintain the A-10s with the regular component under the classic associate unit structure. The first A-10C Thunderbolt II arrived at Moody Aug. 7. About 50 of the upgraded aircraft will move to the Georgia base as a part of force realignment.”

Aug 21/07: IOC. The precision engagement modified A-10C Thunderbolt II receives its Initial Operational Capability certification at a Langley AFB, VA ceremony. The USAF report says that around 75 A-10s have already been upgraded as of IOC receipt.

Aug 7/07: A-10C #1. The first A-10C arrives at Moody AFB, GA.

1st arrival & IOC

July 18/07: AFSOC A-10s? Jane’s Defense Weekly mentions that USAF Chief of Staff General Michael Moseley has told Jane’s he is considering the creation of a new counterinsurgency (COIN) squadron of A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Gen Moseley said he is mulling the possibility of putting a squadron of A-10A close-support aircraft inside AFSOC to serve US Special Operations Command, which has the lead engagement role in the US-declared global war on terrorism.

The A-10C would certainly be useful in this role as it comes into service; a 2-seater all-weather version like the canceled A/OA-10B would have been even more useful in situations like this.

July 10/07: Sub-contractors. Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $24.85 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract, exercising an option for AN/ARC-210(V) Electronic Protection Radio Systems. The AN/ARC-210 Multimode Integrated Communications System provides 2 way multimode voice and data communications over the 30-512 MHz frequency range in either normal, secure or jam-resistant modes via LOS or satellite communications (SATCOM) links.

The ARC-210 family of equipment is made up of several variants of the receiver-transmitter, each providing a specific combination of functionality. This modification consists of 329 each RT-1851 ARC-210 Receiver-Transmitter Radios; 323 each C-12561 Radio Control Sets, and 294 each MT-4935 Mounting Bases for the USAF’s A-10 aircraft. Work will be performed in Cedar Rapids, IA, and is expected to be complete in July 2008. The Naval Air Systems Command, at Patuxent River, MD issued the contract (N00019-05-C-0050).

June 29/07: New wings. Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Corp. in St Louis, MO received an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for $2.015 billion for Engineering Services plus 242 enhanced A-10 Wing sets. The new wings will extend the planes’ life to 16,000 flight hours, and the program calls for the replacement wing sets to be delivered in parts and kits for easy installation. See also our April 2/07 item, which mentions the USAF’s original estimate of $1.3 billion for this program.

Solicitations began November 2006, negotiations were completed May 2007, and $74.2 million has been committed as of the award announcement. Work on the contract could run from 2007-2018, with a base ordering period from June 2007 – September 2011, plus an option period that runs from Oct 2011 – September 2016. The Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, UT issued the contract (FA8202-07-D-0004). Boeing release

Re-winging contract

April 11/07: +25 kits. A $17.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to produce and deliver A/OA-10 Aircraft Precision Engagement production kits and associated items. This will include: 25 Precision Engagement Modification Kits, 30 Portable Automated Test Sets, 5 Throttle Quadrant Tester Upgrades, 25 Third SP103 Single Board Computers, 30 Stick Grip Attachment, and 357 Throttle Grip Covers. At this time, $8.8 million have been obligated, and work will be complete January 2009 (FA8202-05-C-0004/P00022).

April 11/07: SADL. Lockheed Martin Corp. in Owego, NY received a $70 million indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity, firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee and time-and-materials contract. This action covers continuing development, integration, and production of Raytheon’s Situation Awareness Data Link (SADL), and Improved Date Modem (IDM) efforts in support of on-going A-10C Precision Engagement (PE) fleet modernization and upgrade efforts. At this time, $4.1 million have been obligated, and work will be complete December 2009. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH (FA8635-07-D-6015).

April 9/07: SADL. The A-10 Prime Team announces successful delivery of the full-function Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL) capability to the U.S. Air Force for developmental flight testing. The U.S. Air Force is expected to conduct developmental flight test of the SADL capability through May 2007 at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. SADL is expected to be fielded to operational A-10 units by September 2007. Lockheed Martin release.

April 2/07: GAO Report – Costs. The US Government Accountability Office releases #GAO-07-415 – ‘Tactical Aircraft: DOD Needs a Joint and Integrated Investment Strategy’. A key excerpt:

“The Air Force will retain the A-10 “Warthog” fleet in its inventory much longer than planned because of its relevant combat capabilities– demonstrated first during Desert Storm and now in the ongoing Global War on Terror. However, because of post-Cold War plans to retire the fleet in the early 1990s, the Air Force had spent little money on major upgrades and depot maintenance for at least 10 years. As a result, the Air Force faces a large backlog of structural repairs and modifications – much of it unfunded – and will likely identify more unplanned work as older aircraft are inspected and opened up for maintenance. Major efforts to upgrade avionics, modernize cockpit controls, and replace wings are funded and underway. Program officials identified a current unfunded requirement of $2.7 billion, including $2.1 billion for engine upgrades, which some Air Force officials say is not needed. A comprehensive service life extension program (if required) could cost billions more.”

…A major re-winging effort is planned for 2007 through 2016 that will replace the “thin skin” wings on 242 aircraft at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion. This effort will help to extend the A-10’s service life to 16,000 hours… Total cost to complete the [Precision Engagement] modification is estimated to be $420 million.”

GAO on costs

March 27/07: EMD. Lockheed Martin announces a $40.4 million contract modification to complete the A-10C Precision Engagement program’s engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase. Work will continue through May 2008 to conclude development of the Precision Engagement software suite and to support flight testing conducted by U.S. Air Force. Lockheed Martin release.

Oct 17/06: Update. The USAF reports that as of October 2006, 21 A-10C aircraft have been modified at Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah; the entire fleet of 356 active aircraft are to receive the upgrades, including active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard Warthogs.

FY 2005 – 2006

179 upgrade kit orders (or is it 239?); DSMS delivered.

The Warthog in Winter
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Sept 27/06: +107 Kits. A $49 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive fee and time and material contract. Lockheed Martin’s release cites 107 PE kits, representing the 2nd production lot following the initial award for 72 kits in March 2005:

“The contractor shall provide total systems performance responsibility for A-10 aircraft integration by managing all system problems to a final solution. Interfaces are maintained between the performance work systems primary areas of modifications, system test/evaluation, project management, system engineering, and facilities.”

DID’s own records show 2005 orders for 132 kits, but we’ll go with the manufacturer’s numbers. At this time, $1.3 million have been obligated, and work will be complete September 2010. The 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group at Hill AFB, UT began installing the first award production kits in March 2006 (FA8202-06-D-0001)

March 21/06: DSMS. Lockheed Martin announces that the A-10 Prime Team has delivered the Digital Stores Management System (DSMS) to the U.S. Air Force’s A-10C flight-test program as scheduled. The new system is integrated with the Sniper ATP and LITENING surveillance and targeting pods, and automates many of the weapons control functions that A-10 pilots today perform manually.

Integration of the targeting pods and DSMS took place in Lockheed Martin’s A-10 Systems Integration Lab (SIL) in Owego, NY, where A-10 pilots validated and refined the mechanization of the upgrade before official release of the software to ground and flight test. “The pilot reviews saved significant ground and flight test time,” said Roger Il Grande, A-10 program director at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego. Built by Lockheed Martin in 2003, the SIL duplicates the aircraft’s wiring and cabling infrastructure, and is outfitted with actual weapon hardware, missile seekers, suspension racks and rocket launchers to emulate an A-10 aircraft on the flight line.

July 25/05: Kits. A $9.1 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for 72 A-10 aircraft precision engagement spiral 1 modification kits with 3 option years and associated test equipment. Looks like an adjustment to a previous order.

At this time, the total amount of funds has been obligated. Work will be complete at a rate of 6 per month beginning 13 months after receipt of order. Solicitation began July 2004 (FA8202-05-C-0004, PZ001).

June 28/05: Sub-contractors. Enertec America in Alpharetta, GA received a $15.3 million firm-fixed-price modification to provide for A-10 digital video and data recorders. Total funds have been obligated, negotiations were completed June 2005, and work will be complete by November 2006 (FA8202-04-C-0023, P00005).

Feb 22/05: +60 Kits? A $28.5 million, firm fixed price, time and materials contract modification for 60 A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter precision engagement Spiral 1 modification kits, along with associated parts and test equipment.

Solicitations began July 2004, negotiations were complete in July 2005, and work will begin 13 months after the exercising option and will refit 6 aircraft per month after that (FA8202-05-C-0004/P00002).

Feb 17/05: +72 Kits. A $37.8 million contract to provide the U.S. Air Force with 72 Precision Engagement Spiral 1 production kits to modify A/OA-10 “Warthog” close air support aircraft, plus associated test equipment. At this time, $28.3 million of the funds have been obligated. Solicitation began July 2004 (FA8202-05-C-0004). Lockheed Martin release.

The production kits, a result of work by Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Southwest Research Institute, are one component of the Precision Engagement program.

FY 2004 and earlier

Main upgrade contract; Sniper pods for A-10Cs.

Sniper XR

Feb 12/04: Sniper. Lockheed Martin announces a contract to integrate the Sniper XR targeting pod on the A-10 aircraft in support of the A-10 Precision Engagement (PE) Program. The contract award follows a successful demonstration of the Sniper system during the A/OA-10 Precision Engagement upgrade program’s critical design review.

Some existing A-10s do fly with targeting pods, but they’re earlier models of Northrop Grumman’s LITENING pod. The USAF picked Sniper as its future targeting pod in 2001 (though they’d shift to a dual-pod approach again in 2010), and the current contract will ensure that Sniper pods work seamlessly with the A-10’s upgraded stores management systems, pilot displays, weapon targeting, etc.

As part of the integration effort, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control will develop the Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI), pod Operational Flight Program (OFP) software, and pod interface adapter hardware for the A-10. Upon completion of this effort, the Sniper XR pod will self-detect and automatically load the appropriate Operational Flight Program when installed on either the A-10, F-16 or F-15E airframes.

Feb 15/01: Lockheed Martin announces the contract win, stating that:

“The A/OA-10 Prime contract modification has an estimated value of $226 million, $74 million for the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase through 2004 with follow-on production at $152 million.

This innovative government and industry teamwork approach cost-effectively combines multiple A-10 upgrade requirements into one program that fits within current available funding and saves the U.S. Air Force approximately $150 million over the cost of executing the requirements as standalone projects. The Precision Engagement modification also provides the A-10 fleet with enhanced close-air support and precision strike capability earlier than originally planned.

During the EMD phase, the company’s Aerospace Systems business unit will design, manufacture and test the Precision Engagement system. This effort involves the installation of a digital stores management system for cockpit interface with its weapon systems; new cockpit displays; a Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL) to provide accurate information about friendly forces and potential threats; a Direct-Current (DC) generator upgrade; and the integration of guided weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) along with future targeting pod integration. Follow-on efforts will then outfit the entire A-10 fleet.”

A-10C upgrade contract

Additional Research Background: A-10 Platform & Enhancements

• USAF Fact Sheets – A-10 Thunderbolt II

• Air Force Technology – A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog) Ground Attack Aircraft, USA

• Lockheed Martin – A-10 Thunderbolt II. Describes the Precision Engagement and support programs.

• Northrop Grumman – A-10 Thunderbolt II. The firm bought the A-10 assets of Fairchild in 1987. They are presently partnered with Lockheed Martin Systems Integration as a member of the A-10 Prime Team.

• MILAVIA – Fairchild-Republic A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II. Includes upgrade program descriptions into Spiral 2. Not 100% current due to program changes, see article above.

• Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network – A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II.

• DID Spotlight – Kicked Up Hogs: The A-10A+ Program. Not as extensive as the A-10C PE program. Intended as an interim measure; these aircraft will be the last upgraded to A-10C status.

• Air Force Technology – Su-25 Frogfoot (Sukhoi Su 28) Close-Support Aircraft, Russia. The SU-25 bears a strong resemblance to the A-9 aircraft that lost the US competition. As is frequently the case, some observers thought the A-9 was a better aircraft. A carrier-based variant of the SU-25 has been fielded, and some planes have received a set of upgrades to SU-29 status.

News & Views

• POGO (Dec 13/13) – The A-10 Warthog: A Core Defense Issue Washington Can No Longer Ignore. “More than 100 people (Hill staff, journalists, combat pilots and ground commanders, DOD officials and think-tankers) recently attended two events [covering CAS and the A-10]…. The described materials follow…”

• USAF (Aug 6/13) – Bagram pilots save 60 Soldiers during convoy ambush. What an A-10 pilot’s job really involves.

• USAF, via WayBack – (May 12/10) – Behind the Scenes: The Making of an A-10C Pilot “First Refueling” [PDF]

• USAF (Nov 7/07) – Upgraded A-10s prove worth in Iraq [dead link]. See Public Domain Files for a picture.

• Defense of the Realm, via WayBack (Sept 23/07) – Jackpot! Covers a series of letters to The Sunday Telegraph, including one from from Group Captain Hastings (Ret.), who commanded the Sultan of Oman’s tactical air force in Dhofar Province. He writes that the war “had similarities with the current Afghan operations…” Their weapon of choice? A slow-flying BAE Strikemaster counter-insurgency aircraft, derived from an RAF trainer. The same fast jet/slower plane effectiveness dynamic applied back then.

• Flight International, via WayBack (Aug 29/07) – US Air Force may extend Fairchild A-10 life beyond 2028. “There are bigger numbers throwing around that are much [later] than that,” Air Combat Command chief of requirements Lt Col Ralph Hansen told Flight International on 21 August.”

• USAF (June 27/07) – A-10s get digital makeover with data link. Includes an especial focus on the SADL datalink and how it works.

• David Axe (April-May 2007) – A-10 Upgrade Flickr Photo Set

• Defense Technology International, via WayBack (May 21/07) – Hog Heaven. Bryan William Jones paid a visit to Hog heaven at the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where the old jets get ripped apart and rebuilt.

• Defense Technology International, via WayBack (April 30/07) – Warthogs’ Secret Haunt. “The Air Force’s A-10 Warthog squadrons attend a secret training exercise in rural Florida to prepare for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The exercise involves jets, pilots and maintainers deploying to an “austere” airfield and practicing round-the-clock bombing and strafing in difficult conditions. Predeployment training in this vein is nothing new: many units do it annually; but rarely is it shrouded in such secrecy. Warthogs have been very busy over Iraq and Afghanistan and are only getting busier…”

• Military Aerospace Technology, via WayBack (Feb 21/07) – A-10 Makeover On The Horizon

• USAF (Oct 17/06) – A-10 upgrade effort transforms Warthog capabilities

• DID (July 21/05) – $9M more for A-10 Modernization Program, Spiral 1

• DID (Feb 27/05) – $28.5M to Lockheed for 60 More A/OA-10C Spiral 1 Upgrades

• Defense Tech, via WayBack (Feb 2/05) – Next-Gen Warthog Takes Off

• C4ISR Magazine (Sept. 14/04) – A-10 Warthogs slated for major upgrade

• Salon, via WayBack (April 5/04) – The Hidden Cost of War. Describes several friendly fire incidents involving A-10s. Reading it helps to explain the appeal of the SADL data link.

• USAF 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs, via WayBack (April 13/03) – Pilot brings battle-damaged A-10 home safely. Recounts the story of Capt. Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell in the photo above. The mission took place on April 7/03.

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $18.8 million cost-plus award-fee order to provide engineering as well as management services for LCS-15 post shakedown availability, the Department of Defense announced on Thursday. The LCS-15 or USS Billings is one of the Navy’s newest warships. The vessel has a helicopter pad, a ramp for small boats and can be used by small assault forces. Post Shakedown Availability is an industrial activity availability assigned to correct deficiencies found during the shakedown cruise or to accomplish other authorized improvements. Lockheed Martin will provide 62,462 man-hours level of effort and work specification, pre-fabrication and material. Estimated completion date is in January 2021. On Saturday Lockheed also announced that the Navy commissioned LCS-15. This places the USS Billings into active service.

The Navy awarded EFW a $7.2 million delivery order to procure 15 Fast Characterization Tools, 15 Helmet Kit Modification Fixtures, 15 Ready Room Texters and 20 Night Vision Goggle Modification Kits for the V-22 Color Helmet Mounted Display System. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. The flight crew have a pilot’s night-vision system and a Honeywell integrated helmet display. The delivery order also provides drawing packages and the upgrade of five Fast Characterization Tools. Work will take place in Israel and the US and is expected to be finished in October next year.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon won a $36.3 million contract modification for the Qatar Early Warning Radar (QEWR). The Early Warning Radar will add long-range detection to Qatar’s layered Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture, which includes Patriot systems and an Air Defense Operation Center. EWR strengthens a defense shield built on the Patriot system because it detects a threat at very long range. That provides extra warning time to alert command centers and cue fire control systems. In 2017, Raytheon was awarded $1.1 billion to build the Early Warning Radar System for Qatar. Work under the modification will take place in Massachusetts and estimated completion date is in August 2023.

Raytheon will train the Afghanistan Air Force in aircraft maintenance. The company will develop a new training program for the US Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation under the $108 million contract, called Afghanistan Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Training, or AMT. The new program, which will be directed by the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan and Train Advise Assist Command-Air, falls under a contract awarded to Raytheon last year by the US Army Contracting Command. The purpose of the overall, multi-award contract was to have Raytheon provide training and readiness across the US Army up to joint task force levels.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defense and Raytheon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop new UK Space capabilities. The company will join Team ARTEMIS, which is a collaboration between government and industry formed to fast track the launch of a small satellite constellation and enhance the UK’s sovereign space capability. “Raytheon provides advanced satellite-based mission planning and data processing capabilities to governments around the world,” said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. Raytheon’s many decades of experience in developing space systems will be a significant boost to the MOD’s space plans and their commitment to launch a small satellite demonstrator within a year with Team ARTEMIS Industry.

Asia-Pacific

North Korea test-fired two short-range projectiles into the East Sea on August 2, BBC reports. It was the country’s third such test launch since July 25. The string of tests are being seen as a reaction to planned military exercises between South Korea and the US. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a statement that the projectiles were launched at 0259 and 0323 h local time, respectively, from the Yonghung area in South Hamgyong Province. The projectiles flew about 220 km at a top speed of Mach 6.9 and reached an altitude of around 25 km before falling into the East Sea. North Korea’s latest launches came just one day after Pyongyang announced that it test-fired what it described as a new type of “large-calibre multiple launch rocket system” on July 31.

Today’s Video

Watch: BRP Davao del Sur welcomed in SoKor, to escort BRP Condrado Yap home

Americas

Huntington Ingalls Industries won a $290.6 million cost-plus-fixed fee modification to prepare and make ready for the refueling and complex overhaul of the USS John C. Stennis or CVN 74. The modification adds a second year to a previously awarded contract. Huntington Ingalls will obtain long-lead-time materials, perform forecasting and scheduling tasks, develop cost estimates, facilitate pre-overhaul tests and assessments, manage data acquisition efforts and conduct other advanced planning functions. The USS John C. Stennis is a Nimitz Class nuclear powered supercarrier. The Nimitz Class aircraft carriers are the largest warships ever built. With over 6,000 personnel, the carrier has a displacement of 102,000t, and a flight deck length of 332.9m. Services under the modification are part of the CVN 74 RCOH initiative for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal 2020. Naval Sea Systems Command will obligate $107.5M in FY19 incremental shipbuilding and conversion funds at the time of award. Work will take place in Newport News, Virginia through July 2020.

The Navy awarded Northrop Grumman Systems an $8.7 million fixed-fee delivery for non-recurring engineering needed to modify software to detect deficiencies identified by the Navy and Marine Corps aircrews and test community in the Navy Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures AN/AAQ-24 system. The AN/AAQ-24 system is a directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system to protect aircraft from infrared (IR) homing (“heat seeking”) man-portable missiles. DIRCM is a lightweight, compact system designed to provide mission-vulnerable aircraft with increased protection from common battlefield threats. It is more advanced than conventional infrared countermeasures. Northrop will perform work in Rolling Meadows, Illinois and estimated completion day is in May 2021.

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Canada of 152 MIDS-JTRS (5). The deal for the Multifunctional Information Distribution System – Joint Tactical Radio System is valued at $44 million. Canada had requested 152 MIDS-JTRS terminals with remote power supply, along with spare cables and MIDS batteries, Link-16 mobile racks, diagnostic support tools, technical documentation, and training and engineering technical support. The terminals will upgrade Canada’s CF-18 and CC-130J aircraft and Royal Canadian Air Force’s ground stations, providing modernized electronic protection, secure, jam-resistant wave forms, and Link 16 message exchange and information fidelity including support to advanced weapon employment.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy awarded Vertex Aerospace a $9.6 million contract modification for Automatic Dependence Surveillance-Broadcast Out installs. The deal also exercises an option for organizational and intermediate depot maintenance and logistics and supply support for three KC-130J aircraft for the government of Kuwait under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Lockheed Martin KC-130J is the latest variant of the family of extended-range tanker version of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft modified for aerial refueling. Vertex Aerospace will perform work at the Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base in Kuwait and expected completion date is in August next year.

Advanced Electronics won a $57.8 million modification for the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA Cyber Protection System and Related Facilities program. The F-15SA multi-role fighter is a Saudi Advanced variant of the Boeing F-15 Strike Eagle. It has a modern fly-by-wire flight control system in place of the hybrid electronic/mechanical system used by previous F-15s. The variant includes the APG-63(v)3 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, digital electronic warfare systems (DEWS), infrared search and track (IRST) systems, and other advanced systems. It also includes a redesigned cockpit originally intended for the F-15SE. The fly-by-wire system will allow the carriage of weapons on the previously unused outer wing weapon stations. Work is expected to be completed by July 31, 2022.

Europe

Lockheed Martin won a $800 million firm-fixed-price incentive contract for the production and support of 14 Slovak Republic F-16 block 70 aircraft. Slovakia wants to replace its MiG-29 fighter jets with this purchase. The country had previously been in talks to purchase Saab Gripen multirole fighter jets from Sweden, but Defense Minister Peter Gajdoš stalled those discussions and invited other bidders, with the field eventually narrowing in February 2018 to a choice between F-16 Vipers and JAS-39 C/D Gripens. Among its nearest neighbors, Hungary and the Czech Republic operate Gripen jets, while Poland has fleet of F-16s. Lockheed will perform work in Greenville, South Carolina and estimated completion dare is January 21, 2024.

Asia-Pacific

Thailand wants to buy BrahMos cruise missiles. The country has been in talks with India for the purchase. The Brahmos missile systems can be used in ground attack and shore defense modes. BrahMos missiles have a range of about 300 km and weigh 2.5 tonnes. The missile was developed by India in cooperation with Russia, with a maximum speed of 3,450 km/h.-VNA. While Thailand expressed interest in the missiles some time back, discussions picked pace after the visit of Royal Thai Navy Chief Admiral Ruddit to India in December last year, the paper said. The two sides are likely to sign a sale contract next year.

Today’s Video

Watch: THeMIS UGV Unmanned Ground Vehicle used by Estonian soldiers deployed in Mali

Americas

General Atomics Aeronautical System won a $21.7 million contract modification in support of the MG-1C Gray Eagle extended range aircraft unique initial spares and ground support equipment. The General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS). It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the United States Army as an upgrade of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator. Its endurance is about 30 hours and it can fly up to 280 km/h (170 mph). It has four hardpoints for four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or four GBU-44 Viper Strike. General Atomics will perform work in Poway, California. Estimated completion date is July 21, 2021.

The US Navy tapped Boeing with $10.6 million to procure 16 P-8A A-Kits and 16 Turret Deployment Units for Lots 8 and 9 full.rate production aircraft. The P-8A is designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It is capable of broad-area maritime and littoral operations. Back in January it was reported that Boeing would start building add-on kits to create flying torpedoes that can attack submerged enemy submarines from long ranges and from high altitudes. The P-8A weapon system consists of a basic Boeing commercial 737-800 ERX air vehicle modified to meet Navy requirements, and numerous systems and subsystems for avionics, communications, mission, and weapon capabilities.Boeing will perform work under the contract modification in Washington, Arizona, and Canada and expects completion in August 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The US Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of Follow-On Technical Support (FOTS) for various ships. The deal is valued at $554 million. Egypt had requested Follow on Technical Support that provides for material and labor services in support of Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates (FFG-7 class ships), Fast Missile Craft (FMC), Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC) ships, Coastal Mine Hunter (CMH) ships, and 25 Meter and 28 Meter Fast Patrol Craft (FPC). The prime contractor will be the Virginia-based VSE Corporation, with an estimated price tag of $554 million.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that pilots and maintenance personnel are now in Jordan to train on operating the AH-1 attack helicopter. Jordan had donated two AH-1s to the Philippines. The crew will now begin their familiarization training on the two AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters donated by the Jordanian government. Jordan was the first Cobra operator to modernize the avionics of the AH-1F/S. The Cobra is a two-blade, single-engine attack helicopter. Jordan obtained 24 AH-1Fs in the late 1980s, and in 2001 obtained nine additional ex-US Army Cobras. In 2010 Jordan transferred 16 AH-1F helicopters to Pakistan, under a US-sponsored support program that provided Islamabad with 40 AH-1 refurbished helicopters. In September last year, the Department of National Defense and the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation.

Europe

A Swiss Air Force F/A-18 went supersonic during a scramble on July 29 in the afternoon. The sonic boom was heard in the city of Lausanne.The sound alarmed residents and elicited many calls to the police. Two Hornets took off from Emmen Air Base in order to check on an aircraft that lost radio contact, according to the military. The Army did not specify the location of the incident beyond the fact that it occurred in the canton of Vaud where Lausanne is located. No further details were given of the mission except that it ended without problems. The Hornet has a very short reaction time from its alert position, very good aeroplane performance and flying characteristics and is able to accelerate extremely fast, reaching sonic speed within seconds. Its extremely good maneuverability in curvilinear flight is important in aerial combat in visual flight conditions and is proven to be of the best worldwide.

Asia-Pacific

The American State Department approved a possible Sale to the Republic of Korea for Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPS). The deal is worth $950 million. The contract would enable the Republic of Korea to sustain and operate its fleet of RQ-4 Block 30 remotely piloted aircraft and will significantly advance US interests in standardization with the Republic of Korea’s Armed Forces. In 2014 South Korea signed a deal to purchase Global Hawks with production starting in 2015 and delivery expected to start last year. Due to cyber security concerns, delivery was delayed. Northrop Grumman is the principal contractor on the contract.

Today’s Video

Watch: Philippines considers Scorpene-class diesel electric submarine for submarine program

Americas

Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC won a $167.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for 263 full-rate production Lot 8 Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles or AARGM. The deal for the subsidiary of Northrop Grumman includes the conversion of US government-provided AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles into 260 AGM-88E AARGM all-up rounds and 3 Captive Air Training Missiles as well as supplies and services needed for manufacture, spares and fleet deployment. AARGM is a supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile compatible with US and allied strike aircraft, including all variants of the F/A-18, Tornado, EA-18G, F-16, EA-6B, and F-35. Designed to upgrade the AGM-88 High-Speed, Anti-Radiation Missile system (HARM), AARGM features an advanced, digital, anti-radiation homing sensor, millimeter wave radar terminal seeker, precise Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) guidance, net-centric connectivity, and Weapon Impact Assessment transmit. Missile Impact Transmitter capability is available for approved customers. The missile offers extended-range engagement, as well as organic, in-cockpit emitter targeting capability and situational awareness. Work under the contract will take place in California and is scheduled to be finished by March 2022.

PAE Aviation and Technical Services won a $50.4 million contract modification for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot maintenance and logistics support for the F-5F and F-5N aircraft. The F-5 is a supersonic light fighter. The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training. The F-5F is a dual-seat version, twin-engine, tactical fighter commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode. The F-5F Tiger II and F-5N Freedom Fighter are used by the Navy and Marine Corps for adversary training purposes. They serve as proxies for third-generation Soviet-era fighters due to their small size, maneuverability and relatively primitive sensor gear compared to modern aircraft like the F/A-18. PAE will perform work in Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. Estimated completion date is in July next year.

Middle East & Africa

The 38th Contracting Squadron awarded Sierra Nevada a $23.2 million modification to support the A-29 pilot and maintenance training for the Afghanistan Air Force at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; and in Afghanistan. The modification involves building partner capacity/pseudo-Foreign Military Sales to Afghanistan. In April, the company won an almost $43 million contract for the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft training for the Afghan Air Force. The Super Tucano is a flexible two-seat aircraft designed for counter-insurgency roles. It can also be used for reconnaissance missions in low-threat environments and for pilot training. Estimated completion date for the contract modification is December 31, 2023.

Europe

According to local reports, Russia has started serial production of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets. Sukhoi began to implement its contract for the delivery of the jets to the Russian Air Force. The deal entails delivery of 76 Su-57 fighter jets to Russia’s Aerospace Force. The first plane is scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year. The Russian Air Force was expected to receive two Su-57s prototypes by the end of 2019 and two more aircraft in 2020. The Su-57 is designed to destroy all types of air targets at long and short distances and hit enemy ground and naval targets, overcoming its air defense capabilities.

The German Chief of Defense Staff, General Eberhard Zorn, selected a new replenishment tanker for the German Navy on July 17. The two new Type 707 replenishment tankers will be able to carry 15,000 m3 of fuel and 20 containers, compared with 11,500 m3 and two containers for the two Type 704 Rhön Class tankers Rhön and Spessart they will replace. The Type 707 will have a speed of over 20 kt, compared with 16 kt for the Type 704. They can keep up with other warships such as frigates. The German Navy expects the new class to serve until the 2050s. The new Type 707 tanker will have a crew of 42.

Asia-Pacific

India has reportedly paid approximately $218 million to buy a batch of R-27 air-to-air missiles. The missiles will be equipped on the SU-30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The missiles have been acquired under 10-I projects, which mandate the three services to maintain critical weapon systems and spares for a specified minimum period. The R-27 is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia for its MiG and Sukhoi series of fighter jets. Russia developed these missiles to add capability to the Sukhoi and MiG warfare aircrafts. Indian Air Force has signed $1.1 billion deals in the past two months. These deals were supposed to acquire equipments under emergency requirements.

Today’s Video

Watch: SCORPENE SUBMARINE FOR PHILIPPINE NAVY

Top Gun, redux
(click to view full)

In the 1980s movie Top Gun, the revolutionary “MiG-28s” operated by the enemy air force were actually painted F-5E Tiger IIs, derived from a family of fighters whose design concept dates back to the mid 1950s. The F-5 family of aircraft were produced in large numbers, as they were an extremely popular export item. Many are still operated by countries around the world, and the US Air Force used them for many years as “aggressor” aircraft in Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT). They remain excellent for simulating similarly small, low profile adversaries like the MiG-21s and MiG-19s that gave American pilots such trouble over Vietnam. Or the IAF MiG-21s that caused trouble in the 2004 – 2005 COPE India exercises, for that matter.

“F-5Ns” are still routinely flown by American Navy and Marines adversary squadrons in training exercises, where they simulate small, low-cross-section (and hence hard to spot) enemies. Keeping them in service requires maintenance contracts – and some timely help from the Swiss also came in handy. This article covers a multi-year maintenance & support contract from 2008 – 2014, as a representative time period.

Contracts and Key Developments

F-5N at Key West
(click to view full)

Unless otherwise noted, The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contracts.

 

July 31/19: Logistics Support PAE Aviation and Technical Services won a $50.4 million contract modification for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot maintenance and logistics support for the F-5F and F-5N aircraft. The F-5 is a supersonic light fighter. The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training. The F-5F is a dual-seat version, twin-engine, tactical fighter commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode. The F-5F Tiger II and F-5N Freedom Fighter are used by the Navy and Marine Corps for adversary training purposes. They serve as proxies for third-generation Soviet-era fighters due to their small size, maneuverability and relatively primitive sensor gear compared to modern aircraft like the F/A-18. PAE will perform work in Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. Estimated completion date is in July next year.

July 29/14: Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance in Stratford, CT receives a $7.9 million firm-fixed-price contract modificatio, exercising an option for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for aircraft operated by adversary squadrons. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 US Navy O&M budgets.

Work will be performed at the NAS Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, AZ (30%), and is expected to be complete in October 2014 (N00019-09-C-0024).

April 29/14: Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance in Stratford, CT receives a $7.9 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an option for adversary squadron organizational maintenance, selected intermediate maintenance, and limited depot-level maintenance. Their platforms include the F-5, but also include F-16s.

All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 maintenance budgets. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and the Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, AZ (30%), and is expected to be complete in December 2014.

A new contract was started in April 2014 under similar terms as previous F-5 awards. DID will not be covering the new contract, and coverage of this representative period ends as the FY 2009 multi-year contract does (N00019-09-C-0024).

March 20/13: Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance in Stratford, CT receives an $8.2 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for USN adversary squadrons.

Work will be performed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and Marine Corp Air Station Yuma, AZ (30%), and is expected to be completed in June 2013. $10 million in FY 2013 Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve contract funds are committed obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13 (N00019-09-C-0024).

Dec 28/12: Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance in Stratford, CT receives a $23.3 million firm-fixed-price contract option for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by US Navy adversary squadrons. $10.4 million is committed immediately, and all contract funds in the will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13.

Work will be performed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and the Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma, AZ (30%), until December 2013 (N00019-09-C-0024).

Dec 21/11: Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance in Stratford, CT receives a $23.2 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, to exercise an option for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by US Navy adversary squadrons.

Work will be performed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and the Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma, AZ (30%), until December 2012. All contract funds in the will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12 (N00019-09-C-0024).

F-5E Aggressors
(click to view full)

Feb 7/11: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in St. Augustine, FL receives a $16.7 million contract modification to provide continued life cycle support services for a total of 11 F-5 series aircraft in support of the Commander, Naval Reserve Forces Command, Norfolk, VA.

Life cycle support services include all levels of aircraft maintenance including depot level maintenance; emergency repair; aircraft modification; engineering; logistics; program management support; technical advisor services and associated materials and services as may be required. Work will be performed in St. Augustine, FL, and work is expected to be complete on Jan 31/12. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk’s Contracting Department in Philadelphia, PA manages this contract (N00189-09-D-Z052).

Despite the implied FY 2009 date in that contract number, this is its 1st DefenseLINK announcement.

Dec 22/10: Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance in Stratford, CT receives a $22.7 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by USN/USMC adversary squadrons.

Work will be performed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and the Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma, AZ (30%), and is expected to be complete in December 2011. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 20/11 (N00019-09-C-0024).

July 20/10: Competition makes a move. Northrop Grumman Corporation signs an agreement adding Astronautics Corporation of America in Milwaukee, WI to its F-5 Worldwide Sustainment Team, alongside Northrop Grumman Technical Services and RUAG Aviation in Emmen, Switzerland. Under the terms of the agreements, the team will market F-5 aftermarket support, modifications and upgrade programs to countries flying the aircraft. Northrop Grumman.

Jan 11/10: Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance in Stratford, CT receives a $34.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0024), exercising an option for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by American adversary squadrons.

Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and the Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma, AZ (30%), and is expected to be complete in December 2010. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10.

Swiss F-5E
(click to view full)

May-June 2009: US Defense Acquisition University’s Defense AT&L Magazine runs “Sharpening the Spear Through Innovative Acquisition: The F-5 Adversary Program” [PDF]. It describes the US Navy and Marine Corps’ purchase of 44 Swiss F-5s from 2003-2005, in a “reverse Foreign Military Sale.”

Switzerland had originally purchased 70 F-5E/Fs from the USA in the late 1980s, but sharp cuts to the Swiss Air Force had left them with surplus planes. The Swiss aircraft had far lower flight-hours per airframe (average flight hours: 2,500) than American aggressor training squadron F-5Es (average flight hours: 7,000). They also added a number of useful improvements: an improved inertial navigation system, new radar warning receiver capability and chaff /flare capability, added anti-skid capability, improved airborne radar capability, and standardized cockpit configuration.

With Northrop Grumman’s close cooperation, the entire program was accomplished within a $43 million budget, avoiding a situation in which 73% of the Navy and Marines’ F-5 aggressor aircraft were expected to drop out of service by FY 2007 due to spiraling maintenance costs. The ex-Swiss planes can be identified by their new designation: F-5N.

Dec 17/08: Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. in Stratford, CT received a $6.6 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by the Adversary Squadrons based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL; NAS, Fallon, NV; and Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, AZ.

Work will be performed in Key West, FL (40%); Fallon, NV (30%); and Yuma, AZ (30%), and is expected to be complete in February 2009. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-01-C-0109).

Oct 22/08: NAVAIR’s Support and Commercial Derivative Aircraft program office is upgrading the Navy’s F-5N Adversary aircraft with new avionics, and expects to save an estimated $20 million in future costs. Jay Bolles, Adversary Integrated Product Team lead:

“The cost to repair the older INS and buying a new, more capable system was about the same so the decision was made to go with the newer, more reliable system… The funding for the entire $6.1 million upgrade program was split between the U.S. Navy Reserve, which fly the F-5Ns, and the Support and Commercial Derivative Aircraft program office.”

Northrop Grumman’s new LN-260 inertial navigation system and new display bring a multi-function touch screen capability, a radar display, INS functions, embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) and a new fiber optic gyro. NAVAIR release.

Aug 25/08: Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. in Stratford, CT received a $10.5 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-01-C-0109) that began in 2001, in return for another year of organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot-level maintenance for 44 F-5 aircraft operated by the USA’s adversary squadrons based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL (40%); NAS Fallon, NV (30%); and Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, AZ (30%).

Maintenance may be marginally easier this year, thanks to a smart NAVAIR program involving the F-5’s internal batteries. Work is expected to be completed in December 2008, and contract funds in the amount of $3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/08.

Additional Readings

• US Navy – Fact File: F-5N/F Adversary aircraft

• US Navy NAVAIR – F-5 Tiger II

• Global Security – F-5 Freedom Fighter/ Tiger

• CNIC Naval Air Station Fallon – Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC)

• StrategyPage (Feb 3/11) – Chinese Blue-Army Aggressor Squadrons. Interesting development in the PLAAF.

• San Diego Magazine (October 2009) – Top Gun: 40 Years of Higher Learning

• US Defense Acquisition University’s Defense AT&L Magazine (May/June 2009) – Sharpening the Spear Through Innovative Acquisition: The F-5 Adversary Program [PDF].

• U-T San Diego (April 9/09) – TOPGUN dogfight school had bare-bones beginning

Americas

CPI Aerostructures won a $65.7 million deal for T-38A/B/C sustainment. The contract is for structural and fastener kits. The T-38 Talon is a twinjet supersonic jet trainer. It was the world’s first supersonic trainer and entered service in 1961. Since then, more than 60,000 Air Force pilots have trained on the aircraft. The T-38A is a basic supersonic trainer aircraft and the AT-38B is the lead-in fighter trainer fitted with a centerline weapons station for practice bomb dispenser. A program to upgrade the T-38A and extend the service life of the aircraft until 2020 is underway. The program includes new avionics and propulsion and new structural elements including the wings.The upgraded aircraft is the T-38C. CPI Aerostructures will perform work under the ceiling contract in Edgewood, New York and estimated completion date is July 25, 2030.

The Naval Medical Logistics Command awarded Draeger a $9.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for anesthesia recording and monitoring devices (ARMD) sustainment services. The deal is in support of the US Navy, Army, and National Capital Region Military Treatment facilities inside and outside the continental US. Anesthesia monitoring devices are type of patient monitoring devices used during surgery to track vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature of patients under sedation in the operation theater. The contract has a five-year period of performance and all work is expected to be completed by July 26, 2024.

Middle East & Africa

The US delivered the last 101 of 930 mine-resistant military vehicles to the Egyptian Armed Forces. Under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program affiliated to United States Defense Ministry, which works to get rid of surplus military equipment and dedicates it to friendly countries and allies, Egypt received the 101 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles. Excess defense articles refer to equipment no longer in the Army’s inventory. MRAPs are light tactical vehicles that are designed specifically to withstand improvised explosive device attacks and ambushes. The MRAP program began in 2007 as a response to the increased threat of IEDs during the Iraq War, and over 12,000 MRAP vehicles were deployed to Iraq as well as Afghanistan. Egypt will use the vehicles primarily for fighting terrorism, said Security Assistance Command Country Program Manager Shawn Arrance.

Europe

UK’s Marshall Aerospace signed a contract with Boeing to start work for the E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) program. Marshall is responsible for the conversion and delivery of the new fleet. The program has Marshall turn 737 Next-Generation aircraft into E-7s, including adding the Northrop Grumman multi-role Electronically Scanned Array surveillance radar, communication and mission computer systems. The E-7 is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft. The aircraft was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force. The Wedgetail can control the tactical battle space, providing direction for fighter aircraft, surface combatants and land based elements, as well as supporting aircraft such as tankers and intelligence platforms.

Asia-Pacific

Smiths Detection Inc. won a $16.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for Azerbaijan X-rays and screening equipment. The deal provides X-ray screening systems, installation, initial spares, training and extended warranty and maintenance support for Azerbaijan. The deal is for the State Customs Committee, supporting US European Command Theater Campaign Plan line of effort to counter transnational threats. The X-ray scanners can be used to inspect freight, including railway wagons as part of a customs modernization project already underway. Work will take place in Azerbaijan and estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.

The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to Thailand for 60 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles with equipment and support. The deal is valued at $175 million. Thailand had requested to buy 60 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles and 60 M2 Flex .50 cal machine guns. The Infantry Carrier Vehicle provides protected transport and, during dismounted assault, supporting fire for the infantry squad. The Stryker is a full-time four-wheel drive, selectively eight-wheel drive, armored vehicle weighing approximately 19t which carries an infantry squad with their equipment.

Today’s Video

Watch: Analysis & review of tactical and armored vehicles Belgian military parade National 21 July 2019

T-38A Talon
(click to view full)

In mid-September 2011, DynCorp International, LLC in Fort Worth, TX received a $36 million firm-fixed-price contract for aircraft maintenance and related services in support of Euro-NATO joint jet pilot training; maintaining T-38 undergraduate pilot training, T-38 introduction to fighter fundamentals, and T-6A aircraft at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The 82nd Contracting Squadron/LGCA at Sheppard AFB, TX manages the contract (FA-3002-09-C-0024, Modification Number A00026).

The T-6A is an advanced turboprop trainer, while the T-38 Talon is a supersonic trainer derivative of the widely-exported F-5 fighter. The USAF’s Talons are slated for possible replacement under a competition called T-X, but in the mean time, they’re also flown by foreign pilots, from countries seeking final “lead-in fighter training” before their pilots graduate to operational fighters.

 

Updates

July 30/19: Sustainment CPI Aerostructures won a $65.7 million deal for T-38A/B/C sustainment. The contract is for structural and fastener kits. The T-38 Talon is a twinjet supersonic jet trainer. It was the world’s first supersonic trainer and entered service in 1961. Since then, more than 60,000 Air Force pilots have trained on the aircraft. The T-38A is a basic supersonic trainer aircraft and the AT-38B is the lead-in fighter trainer fitted with a centerline weapons station for practice bomb dispenser. A program to upgrade the T-38A and extend the service life of the aircraft until 2020 is underway. The program includes new avionics and propulsion and new structural elements including the wings.The upgraded aircraft is the T-38C. CPI Aerostructures will perform work under the ceiling contract in Edgewood, New York and estimated completion date is July 25, 2030.

Americas

Lockheed Martin announced that it has received a contract from Northrop Grumman to produce 24 additional APY-9 radars for the US Navy’s E-2D aircraft program. It’s also known as the Advanced Hawkeye program. The deal is valued at $600 million. The APY-9 radar program is close to completion of a current five-year production contract in 2020, and this new award calls for another five years of production with deliveries spanning from 2021 to 2025. The latest radar order will include Lockheed Martin’s new Advanced Radar Processor. The deal follows a contract award in April for 24 more E-2D aircraft for the Navy. The ultra high frequency surveillance radar is designed to “see smaller targets” at greater range Lockheed says, especially in both coastal regions and over land. The newly ordered radar systems also will include the new Advanced Radar Processor.

AAR Government Services won a $118.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for two C-40 aircraft. The deal is for the procurement, modification as well as delivery and includes associated peculiar support equipment and common support equipment for the Marine Corps. The C-40 is the military version of the Boeing 737-700C transporter. The C-40A or Clipper provides critical logistics support to the United States Navy. The contract is for the acquisition, modification, acceptance and delivery of two Boeing 737-700 Increased Gross Weight series commercial aircraft that will meet USMC C-9B replacement medium lift requirements and will be designated C-40A. Under the contract, a passenger-cargo configuration shall be certified to meet 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 25 or military airworthiness standards that will consist of seating and cargo pallets that will provide the USMC with the added mission flexibility to configure the aircraft in a cargo-passenger configuration. AAR will perform work in Illinois, Indiana, Florida, and Oklahoma and estimated completion date is in September 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that the United Arab Emirates will replace one of its Apache attack helicopters. The defense sales is part of the Iran-related emergency invoked by the Trump administration on May 24 to ensure that 22 sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan did not require Congressional approval by Congress. The government cited the need to deter what it called “the malign influence” of Iran throughout the Middle East as justification for the emergency arms sale. A notification released by the US Federal Register on 24 July covers a single new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter for the UAE. This notification was an amendment to one released in December 2016 covering the remanufacturing of 28 of the UAE’s Apache attack helicopters to the AH-64E standard and nine new AH-16Es.

Europe

According to local reports, France wants to develop laser weapons capable of destroying satellites in space. French Defence Minister Florence Parly unveiled the plans as she launched a new space defense strategy at a French Air Base near Lyon on Thursday. France has ambitions to close the gap on rivals, who are developing new arms and surveillance capabilities in space. The United States, Russia and China have been heavily investing in technology for space, which they see as a new military frontier. The ability to detect and potentially destroy or cripple spy satellites is seen as a key capability. Around 2,000 active satellites are currently estimated to be orbiting the Earth, mostly to relay commercial and military communications, but also to track the weather and for spying. Parly’s announcement comes after President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this month that France would create a new military “space force”, following in the steps of his US counterpart Donald Trump, who made a similar pledge in March.

Asia-Pacific

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for continued support of the F-16 program. The FMS is valued at $125 million. The Government of Pakistan had requested a continuation of technical support services, US Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support to assist in the oversight of operations in support of the Pakistan Peace Drive advanced F-16 program. Pakistan has used the F-16 fighter jets against India, the latest being in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrike inside Pakistan by India. The program raised the total number of F-16s ordered by Pakistan to 54. The Pakistan Air Force received its first F-16, in the block 15 F-16A/B configuration, in 1982.

The US approved an FMS worth $670 million to support India’s C-17 military transport aircraft. The decision in this regard comes after a recent Indian request to buy equipment for C-17 follow-on support, to include spares and repair parts, support equipment, and personnel training and training equipment among others. The C-17 Globemaster III is a high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night.

Today’s Video

Watch: CHINOOK FOR PHILIPPINES

PAF F-16A drops Mk.82s
(click to view full)

On June 28/06, the US DSCA notified Congress via a series of releases of its intention to provide Pakistan with a $5.1 billion Foreign Military Sales package to upgrade the F-16s that serve as the PAF’s top of the line fighters. Some of these items had been put on hold following the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan & Kashmir, but the request for 36 new F-16 Block 50/52s is now going ahead, along with new weapons, engine modifications, and upgrade kits for Pakistan’s older F-16 A/Bs. The buy went through, and was accompanied by the supply of 26 older F-16s from USAF surplus stocks. Then, a 2014 sale added 13 machines from from Jordan.

These items are detailed below, along with controversies the proposed sales have created, and some of the conditions attached to the sale by the US government….

The Sales: New and Upgraded F-16s

Item 1: 36 New F-16 Block 50/52s – up to $3 billion

PAF F-16D Block 52
(click to view full)

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of up to 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft – a buy of 18 jets, with an option for another 18. The planes would be equipped with the APG-68(V)9 radars, which are the most modern F-16 radar except for the UAE’s F-16E/F Block 60 “Desert Falcons” and their AN/APG-80 AESA. The engine contract was less certain. Pakistan’s existing F-16s use the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, but the new planes involved a competition between Pratt & Whitney’s F100-PW-229 or General Electric’s F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engines (IPEs).

The total value, if all options are exercised, was estimated as high as $3 billion, which is in line with Pentagon releases that eventually peg the negotiated cost of 12 F-16Cs, 6 F-16Ds, and ancillary equipment at $1.4 billion. Pratt & Whitney kept their customer, and supplied the new jets with their F100-PW-229 EEP engine, making them all F-16 Block 52s. The package for Pakistan’s new F-16s included:

• 7 spare F100-PW-229 EEP or F110-GE-129 IPE engines (F100-PW-229 EEP selected)
  
• 7 spare APG-68(V)9 radar sets
  
• 36 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS)
  
• 36 AN/ARC-238 SINCGARS radios with HAVE QUICK I/II
  
• 36 Conformal Fuel Tanks (pairs) that fit along the aircraft’s sides to give them extra range
  
• 36 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals; see tactical uses of MIDS-LVT Link 16 systems
  
• 36 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation Systems
  
• 36 APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems
  
• 36 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites: ALQ-211 AIDEW without Digital Radio Frequency Memory (picked); or AN/ALQ-184 Electronic Counter Measures pod without DRFM; or AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Counter Measures pod without DRFM; or AN/ALQ-187 Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suites without DRFM; or AN/ALQ-178 Self-Protection Electronic Warfare Suites without DRFM.
  
• 1 Unit Level Trainer
  
• Associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to ensure full program supportability.

The principal contractors under Pakistan’s “Peace Drive” buy will be:

• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, TX
  
• Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Dallas, TX
  
• BAE Advanced Systems Greenlawn, NY
  
• Boeing Corporation Seattle, WA
  
• Boeing Integrated Defense Systems: St Louis, MO; Long Beach, CA; San Diego, CA
  
• Raytheon Company: Lexington, MA; Goleta, CA
  
• Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ
  
• Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX
  
• Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD
  
• United Technology Company subsidiary Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT; or
  
• General Electric Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, OH

There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical review/support and program management of the aircraft. See DSCA release [PDF].

Item 2: Weapons for the New F-16s – $650 Million

To equip those new F-16s, the Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of:

• 500 AIM-120C5 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM)
  
• 12 AMRAAM training missiles – these have seeker warheads but lack engines
  
• 200 AIM-9M-8/9 Sidewinder Short-Range Air-Air Missiles; they are the version before the fifth-generation AIM-9X.
  
• 240 LAU-129/A Launchers – these support AMRAAM or Sidewinder missiles.
  
• 500 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Guidance Kits: GBU-31/38 Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) kits
  
• 1,600 Enhanced Paveway GBU-12 (500 lb.) and GBU-24s (2,000 lb.) with dual laser/GPS guidance
  
• 800 MK-82 500 pound General Purpose (GP) and MK-84 2,000 pound GP bombs
  
• 700 BLU-109 2,000 pound bunker-buster bombs with the FMU-143 Fuse
  
• Associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to ensure full program supportability will also be provided.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $650 million. The principal contractors will be:

• BAE Advanced Systems in Greenlawn, NY
  
• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX
  
• Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, TX
  
• Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX
  
• Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD

There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical review/support, program management, and modification of the aircraft. See DSCA release [PDF format].

Item 3: F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification Kits – $1.3 billion

JHMCS

According to the US DSCA, Pakistan intends to purchase the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Program equipment “to enhance survivability, communications connectivity, and extend the useful life of its F-16A/B fighter aircraft. The modifications and upgrades in this proposed sale will permit Pakistan’s F-16A/B squadron to operate safely, and enhance Pakistan’s conventional deterrent capability. Pakistan’s air fleet can readily use these updates to enhance and extend the life of its aircraft.” The total value, if all options are exercised, is estimated as high as $1.3 billion, and subsequent Pentagon releases peg it at that figure.

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B MLU and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits consisting of:

• APG-68v9 with Synthetic Aperture Radar or the APG-66(V)2 radar, which is a much smaller improvement on earlier F-16s. The APG-68 with SAR is far better at air to ground work, and can be used to monitor ground activity.
  
• Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS)
  
• AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems
  
• AN/ALE-47 Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser Systems
  
• Have Quick I/II Radios
  
• Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT)
  
• SNIPER (formerly known as AN/AAQ-33 PANTERA) targeting pod capability
  
• Reconnaissance pod capability
  
• Advanced Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Units (used for training exercises)
  
• MDE included in the MLU modification and structural upgrade kits
  
• 21 ALQ-131 Block II Electronic Countermeasures Pods without the Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM); or ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures Pods without DRFM;
  
• 60 ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems;
  
• 1 Unit Level Trainer; and
  
• 10 APG-68v9 spare radar sets.
  
• Radars, modems, receivers, installation, avionics, spare and repair parts, support equipment, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, publications and technical documentation, system drawings, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, and other related logistics elements necessary for full program support.

The principal contractors will be:

• BAE Advanced Systems in Greenlawn, NY
  
• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX
  
• Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, TX
  
• Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX
  
• Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD

Turkish Aerospace Industries isn’t mentioned here, but they ended up with a contract to perform the upgrades on 36 F-16A/B aircraft. They’ve been doing similar work for Turkey, and for other F-16 customers in the Middle East.

There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives. See DSCA release [PDF].

InsideDefense.com makes the interesting observation that Pakistan doesn’t have 60 F-16s to upgrade. The clear implication is that the Pakistani government is interested in buying used F-16s and upgrading them, which proved to be the case. As part of the deal for new planes, in Sept 30/06 the USA also agreed to deliver 26 of the “Peace Gate III/IV” F-16A/B Block 15OCUs that had been ordered in 1988-1989, then embargoed when Pakistan tested nuclear weapons. After the embargo, the planes had been diverted for use as aggressor combat training aircraft by USAF and the US Navy.

Item 4: F-16A/B Engine Modifications & UP/STAR – $151 Million

F100 Engine Test

The third contract involves Engine Modifications and Falcon UP/STAR Structural Upgrades as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $151 million.

More specifically, the Government of Pakistan has requested engine improvements and structural modifications to its F-16 fleet, which includes a possible sale of:

• 14 F100-PW-220E engines
  
• 14 Falcon UP/STAR F-16 structural upgrade kits
  
• De-modification and preparation of 26 aircraft
  
• Support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to support the program.

The principal contractors will be:

• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX
  
• United Technology Company subsidiary Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT.

There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, but implementation of the engine modifications and UP/STAR repairs will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical review/support, program management, and modification of the aircraft. See DSCA release [PDF].

Contracts & Key Events

Pakistan looks to Trump presidency for change in FMS.

Jordanian F-16A/B ADFs
(click to view full)# 2019 July 29/19: Approved The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for continued support of the F-16 program. The FMS is valued at $125 million. The Government of Pakistan had requested a continuation of technical support services, US Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support to assist in the oversight of operations in support of the Pakistan Peace Drive advanced F-16 program. Pakistan has used the F-16 fighter jets against India, the latest being in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrike inside Pakistan by India. The program raised the total number of F-16s ordered by Pakistan to 54. The Pakistan Air Force received its first F-16, in the block 15 F-16A/B configuration, in 1982. 2017

January 17/17: Pakistan is hoping that a Donald Trump presidency may restart a plan to procure F-16 jets through a foreign military financial aid scheme. US Congress downed the plan last year following concerns by some lawmakers over Islamabad’s allegiances in regards to counter-terrorism operations in the region. It was decided that if Pakistan wanted the F-16s, they would have to pay for them out of their own pocket.

2012 – 2014

Pakistan buys 13 more F-16A/B Block 15s from Jordan; AIDEW ECM contracts finally finalized.

Sept 2/14: Delivery. Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. delivers the last 4 of 41 modernized Pakistan Air Force F-16s at a ceremony held at TAI’s facilities in Ankara, Turkey. TAI is well known for that kind of work, and the contract for avionics and structural modernization was signed in in 2009. Sources: TAI, “The Last Four TAI-Modernized F-16s Were Delivered To Pakistan Air Force”.

Modernization deliveries done

May 21/14: Inducted. All 13 F-16 fighters have been received from Jordan, and the PAF formally inducts them as 19th Squadron at Mushaf Air Base. Their F-16 fleet now stands at 79. Sources: Pakistan Tribune, “Jordanian F-16 Jets to Enhance Capability of PAF: COAS” | The News Tribe, “F-16 planes from Jordan included in PAF fleet”.

All RJAF F-16s delivered

April 29/14: Jordanian deliveries. The World Tribune:

“Pakistani sources said five aircraft arrived and were deployed by the Pakistan Air Force on April 27…. Diplomatic sources said… potential suppliers included Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. In his address, [PAF commander Marshal Tahir Rafique] Butt said… the fighters, [now] housed at the Air Force base in Sargodha, were in good condition.”

That base is about 150 miles due south of Islamabad, in the Punjab region. Sources: The World Tribune, “Jordan exports surplus F-16s to Pakistan” | The News International, “PAF can meet all challenges including that of Taliban: Air chief”.

Feb 19/14: +13 Jordanian. Pakistani media report that the government has inked a deal with Jordan for 12 used F-16As and 1 F-16B:

“With this, the strength of PAF F-16s will reach 76…. The deal… has been authenticated by the manufacturing company and the US government has also given its nod for the sale/purchase of the planes. Well-placed defence sources told The News here the other day that the purchased aircraft were in good condition…. have been modified into Air Defence Fighters (ADF) versions. The Ogden Air Logistics Centre performed structural upgrades to extend the aircraft life from the designed 4,000 to 8,000 hours flying time as part of the programme. They also modified the aircraft engine bay for the upgraded Pratt and Whitney F100-220E engine”

The RJAF does fly F-16 MLUs bought second-hand from Belgium and the Netherlands, but this set being sold is from the 33-plane Peace Falcon I/II purchases of F-16 ADFs in 1997 and 2003. The F-16 ADF variant is actually the F-16 Block 15OCU, which added the more reliable F100-PW-220 turbofan, structural strengthening, an enlarged HUD, and provisions for the radar-guided AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. F-16 ADFs retain the AN/APG-66 radar, which has been supplanted by APG-68 models in subsequent variants and in Pakistan’s upgraded fighters. ADFs have some precision ground attack capability using the AGM-65 Maverick missile, but would be well behind Pakistan’s 18 new Block 52s, or the PAF’s roughly 40 existing Block 15 fighters that were upgraded to a similar standard under the programs above.

Barring upgrades, the best use for F-16 ADFs is as interceptor and air superiority fighters. Recall, however, that the DSCA request for MLU & Falcon STAR kits had a maximum of 60 aircraft, and that these kits wouldn’t be needed for the new F-16C/D Block 52s. Pakistan could order 13 more upgrade kits for these aircraft, and still be within its allotted FMS total.

The deal leaves the Royal Jordanian Air Force with 43-46 front-line F-16AM/BM MLU Block 20 fighters, and 15-18 F-16A/B Block 15 ADFs, of 79 purchased. Not only do they make some money with this sale, they also cut down on the number of RJAF F-16 ADFs that will need expensive mid-life upgrades. At least 2 of the F-16 ADFs have been lost in accidents, and their 5th and most recent F-16 accident took place on Jan 29/14. Sources: Pakistan’s The News International, “PAF acquires F-16s from Jordan”.

13 F-16s from Jordan

April 3/12: EW. ITT Exelis announces that $54 million has finalized a contract to provide Pakistan with some of its AIDEWS electronic warfare pods (vid. March 19/08, June 26/08, July 5/11, and July 20/11 entries). The 2008 contract had been for $78.2 million, and the July 2011 contract added $49.1 million, creating a current total of $181.3 million, plus over $9 million to integrate them with their F-16s’ AN/ALQ-231 central electronic warfare systems.

The ALQ-211 based Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare System (AIDEWS) integrates digital radar warning receivers and advanced jamming countermeasures systems against radar-based threats, including modern surface-to-air and air-to-air weapon systems. It can be carried on a pod, as Pakistan is doing, or internally as the AN/ALQ-211v4.

Feb 6/12: New deliveries done. The PAF receives its 18th and final new F-16 Block 52, and its its first 2 Mid-Life Upgrade F-16s, at PAF Shahbaz airbase. The last new F-16 was an F-16D that had remained in the US for testing & trials. F-16.net.

F-16 MLUs begin arriving

2011

USA kills Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, whose leaders must have known his whereabouts – ties become very strained; Pakistan orders DB-110 reconnaissance pods; Training systems bought; Reports of J-10s and JF-17 fighters from China don’t materialize.

PAF F-16As
(click to view full)

July 30/11: J-10s. The PAF will be flying a squadron of Chinese J-10B fighters alongside its F-16s, as a gift from China. The official offer was reportedly presented to the Pakistan Army’s Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Waheed Arshad, during a week-long visit to Beijing.

The Chinese have also pledged 50 co-developed JF-17 Thunder fighters in recent months, but the J-10Bs are different because they offer total performance on par with, or even superior to, the PAF’s new F-16C/D Block 52 fighter standard.

Subsequent monitoring shows that 3 years later, the PAF has no J-10s. The 50 JF-17s don’t appear to have arrived from China, either. Pakistan Kakhuda Hafiz | Economic Times of India | Defense Update | DefenseWorld.

July 29/11: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth, TX receives a $42.3 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for 10 additional Pakistan F-16 A/B Block 15 Aircraft Enhanced Modernization Program kits. The ASC/WWMK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH manages the contract on behalf of its foreign Military Sale client (FA8615-07-C-6032, PO 0038).

10 more F-16 upgrade kits

July 26/11: Fragile alliance. At the US House Foreign Affairs Committee’s hearings on “Reassessing American Grand Strategy in South Asia,” John J. Tkacik, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Intelligence and Research’s Former Chief of China Analysis, submits “The Enemy of Hegemony is My Friend: Pakistan’s de facto ‘Alliance’ with China” [PDF]. Key excerpt:

“China has always been Pakistan’s most important strategic ally,2 and the intensity of Pakistan’s relationship with the United States has always been a subset of Pakistan’s all-consuming strategic calculus about India… For the United States to achieve a true strategic partnership with Pakistan, it must share Pakistan’s posture toward India. It follows, then, that subduing India also demands acquiescing in China’s ultimate hegemony in Asia. In reassessing America’s grand strategy in South Asia, the United States must first reassess its global “grand strategy.” If America can live with an Asia under Chinese hegemony, and with a crippled India, then America can have Pakistan’s enthusiastic partnership against the Taliban. Decisions like this are, as they say, above my pay grade.”

July 22/11: Training. L-3 Communications’ Link Simulation and Training division in Arlington, TX receives a $20.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 1 aircrew training system (ATS) to support Pakistan air force F-16 pilot training. Work will be performed at Arlington, Texas, overseen by ASC/WNSK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, on behalf of their Pakistani FMS client. Both simulators, scheduled for delivery in 2013, will be installed and networked at the PAF’s Shahbaz Air Base.

The ATS consists of 2 upgraded F-16 ATS devices with an 18 panel “simusphere” for 360 degree viewing: a new F-16A Block 15/52 ATS; and a less flexible new F-16C Block 52 ATS. The contract also includes 21 months contractor logistics support (12 months on-site and 9 months on-call); common ATS Block 15 and Block 52 software load; high fidelity cockpit; 360 horizontal X250; version MMC 7000 hardware and software; geo-specific database of Pakistan with high resolution features; full simulation of the APG-68v9 radar with digital radar land mass simulation; full weapons simulation incl. Maverick missile, targeting pod, and JHMCS helmet mounted sights; threat environment A-G and spot jamming simulation; emergency procedures and malfunctions simulation; and an instructor-operator station to make pilots’ lives difficult in pre-planned ways. Fort Worth Star-Telegram | Pakistan’s The Nation.

July 20/11: EW. Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp. in Atlanta, GA received a $9.2 million cost-plus-fixed-fee Foreign Military Sales contract to integrate ITT’s AN/ALQ-211v9 AIDEW pod and software into Pakistan’s existing AN/ALQ-213 [PDF] countermeasures set from Terma. The ALQ-213 CMS electronic warfare suite provides centralized control/resources management of the F-16s’ defensive suites, so the pod and CMS controller need to work together.

Work will be performed in Atlanta, GA, and is expected to be complete by July 2014. The ESG/PKS DTIC at Offutt AFB, NB, manages the contract on behalf of its FMS client (HC1047-05-D-4000).

July 19/11: The US GAO releases report #GAO-11-786R: “Pakistan Assistance: Relatively Little of the $3 Billion in Requested Assistance is Subject to State’s Certification of Pakistan’s Progress on Nonproliferation and Counterterrorism Issues“.

July 9/11: After the USA finds and kills Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan’s intelligence agency murders a journalist and expels American military trainers. In response, the USA delays and may cancel about $800 million in military aid and equipment, or about 40% of its annual total.

US officials say that the F-16s are unaffected. Instead, the blockage involves about $300 million to reimburse Pakistan for some of the costs of deploying more than 100,000 soldiers along the Afghan border, hundreds of millions of dollars in training assistance and military hardware like rifles, ammunition, body armor and bomb-disposal gear that were part of the expelled training effort, and items like radios, night-vision goggles and helicopter spare parts, where Pakistan has denied visas to the American personnel needed to operate the equipment. Less double-dealing with terrorists would reportedly free up this aid, but Pakistan’s response is that they’ll rely on China to make up the gap. ABC News | CBS News | NY Times.

July 5/11: EW. ITT Systems Corp. in Clifton, NJ receives a not to exceed $49.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for the ALQ-211v9 AIDEW Pod, which was picked as the electronic countermeasures choice for Pakistan’s new F-16C/D Block 52s, and is also on the list for its upgraded F-16s. This award fits the new fighter order, and includes 18 pods, 4 pod shells, 2 antenna coupler sets, 2 lab test benches, associated data, and systems software and support equipment.

Work will be performed at Clifton, N.J. This contract is a Foreign Military Sales requirement for Pakistan, managed by the WR-ALC/GRWKBat Robins Air Force Base, GA (FA8540-11-C-0012). See also June 26/08 entry.

May 1/11: Osama Bin Killed. Osama Bin Laden is killed in a US Navy SEAL raid, which happens without notifying Pakistan. As a result, Osama is actually present in Abbottabad when the SEALs arrive, living comfortably about a mile from Pakistan’s top military college.

Osama Bin Laden

March 1/11: Aviation Week reports that Pakistan is in negotiations with the U.S. to get more Lockheed Martin F-16s over and above the 63 currently in service (18 F-16C/D Block 52, 45 F-16A/B Blocck 15OCU that will be upgraded). No numbers have been specified, by Pakistani officials see it as part of a dual-track strategy that will also include more spending on domestic projects like the JF-17 Thunder, to improve Pakistan’s own manufacturing capacity.

At present, PAF Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman says that 4 F-16A/Bs went to the USA for technical verification inspections and upgrade kit development, and the 1st 3 F-16A/Bs are now undergoing the upgrade at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). All of Pakistan’s F-16s are expected to be upgraded by 2013-2014. At present, no systems exist that would bridge the F-16 and JF-17 fleets, but Air Chief Marshall Suleman says that Pakistan intends to eventually field a supplementary datalink, which would work alongside the Link 16 systems carried by the F-16s.

The comments come as the Pakistani military is also discussing a deal to buy Chinese submarines as a supplement to their French Agosta-class boats, as an intended prelude to joint submarine development. These plans are all being made against a backdrop of a serious domestic insurgency and widespread flooding damage, which have combined to create over 1 million internal refugees, and threaten the government’s medium term ability to maintain control of the country. Even as the state is very obviously fraying in other ways.

Jan 20/11: DB-110. Goodrich Corporation of Chelmsford, MA receives a $71.9 million contract for 5 DB-110 Pods, 2 datalink upgrades to existing pods, 2 fixed ground stations, 1 mobile ground station, and 4 ground station datalink receiver kits, plus initial spares, technical manuals, minimal initial engineering support for final in-country installation, integration, testing and a study for a potential fusion center. This supports Pakistani F-16 aircraft. At this time, $17.3 million has been committed by the ASC/WINK at Wright-Patterson Air Force, OH on behalf of their Foreign Military Sale client (FA8620-11-C-3006).

The DB-110 reconnaissance pod offers day and night capabilities, and has been ordered by a number of F-16 customers, including Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, and the UAE. DB-110s were not mentioned in the DSCA upgrade requests, but they are clearly part of that effort now. Reports indicate that installations began in June 2010; this is apparently a follow-on order. A Jan 12/11 US FedBizOpps solicitation for associated imagery analysis training is a useful reminder that buying the pods is not enough to field a useful capability. See also Aviation Week re: DB-110.

2010

F-16 MLU kits ordered; New F-16s all delivered; AMRAAM missiles begin delivery; Pakistani pilots receiving American training again.

F-16C-52 arrives
(click to view full)

Dec 13/10: Delivery. The last batch of 6 F-16 Block 52s arrive a bit early at Shahbaz AB, after a stop over at Lajes Field, Azores. This finishes the 18-plane order, though 1 of the planes remains behind in the USA for testing. F-16.NET, “Pakistan receives last batch of F-16 combat jets”.

New F-16 deliveries complete

Nov 20/10: Delivery. Another 6 new F-16 Block 52s land at the Shahbaz airbase near Jacobabad, in Pakistan’s Sindh province. That makes 12 so far, and another batch of 6 F-16 C/D Block 52s are expected to arrive in December 2010, to finish the initial 18-plane order. Pakistan’s DAWN | Associated Press of Pakistan | Daily Times | The Nation | Pak Tribune | IANS.

Oct 30/10: Delivery. Another 3 new F-16 Block 52 aircraft are handed over at an induction ceremony at Shahbaz Air Base near Jacobabad, Pakistan. This is the 2nd batch of new F-16s delivered, and all 18 fighter aircraft are expected to arrive by January 2012.

In addition to the delivery of these new aircraft, the U.S. is working with the PAF to update 45 F-16s from its existing fighter fleet through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing security assistance program. The first batch of updated F-16s is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan in early 2012. US CENTCOM.

July 27/10: Weapons. The Press Trust of India reports that the first AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles have arrived in Pakistan, and will equip the new F-16C/D block 52s. PTI.

June 24/10: The Pentagon announces that it will deliver the first 3 new F-16 Block 52s in Pakistan on June 26/10, with the other 15 arriving during 2010-2011. USAF Maj. Todd Robbins, the the office of the undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs’ Pakistan country director, is quoted saying that Pakistan is paying $1.4 billion for the 18 new F-16 Block 52s. They’re also paying $1.3 billion for upgrades to its existing F-16 fleet, which are to begin delivery in 2012.

The new F-16s will add night, all-weather, and precision-attack capabilities, and Pakistani pilots have been training at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, including night-attack training. The PAF recently completed training for 4 instructors and 5 flight leads (q.v. May 5/10 entry). The US Embassy in Islamabad later cited June 27/10 as the day of the formal induction ceremony.

Beyond the F-16s, the USA has provided over $4 billion in assistance over the last 3 years. The USA and Pakistan are working to address the current deficit of trust, which has begun to repair itself since Pakistan’s government became more serious about fighting al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan. In March 2010, the United States and Pakistan held their first ministerial-level strategic dialogue in Washington, DC, co-chaired by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. High-level officials from both governments participated in the dialogue, including Secretary of Defense Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Follow-up meetings took place in Pakistan in early June 2010.

Deliveries, costs, and alliance concerns

June 14/10: A report in India’s Samay Live says that Pakistan will face strict monitoring of its new F-16s, and quotes United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake. Samay Live states that:

“Sources said the US Air Force personnel will arrive during the delivery of the F-16s and supervise not only the air base where they will be deployed but also the operations carried out by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Though the jets will be flown by PAF pilots, the logistics, management and control of the F-16s will be with the US personnel. The [18] Block 50/52 model F-16 jets equipped with latest missiles will arrive at the Shahbaz Airbase in Jacoabad in the last week of June…”

Readers are cautioned that this description may be an overstatement or misunderstanding of normal support and inspection provisions; without a firm statement from an identifiable individual, it’s hard to tell.

May 21/10: F-16 MLU. Lockheed Aeronautics in Fort Worth, TX receives a $325.5 million contract to develop, integrate and deliver 53 F-16 upgrade kits: 35 mid-life upgrade kits for Pakistani F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft, and 18 retrofit kits for Pakistani F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft.

At this time, $121.2 million has been committed by the 312th AESG/SYK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, who manages these efforts on Pakistan’s behalf (FA8615-07-C-6032).

53 F-16 upgrade kits

May 4/10: Training. Eight Pakistani F-16 A/B pilots graduate from training at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, flying US Air National Guard F-16 C/D Block 25s. They are the first Pakistani pilots to train in the United States since 1983. Their training involves 2 1/2 months reviewing military aviation terminology at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base, TX; 7 months of flight training at Tucson International Airport, including a transition course, flight lead upgrade training, and instructor pilot certification; and 2 weeks of additional F-16 Block 52 instruction. The schedule was compressed, and the pilots flew 5 flights per week, instead of the usual 3.

Pakistani air force Wing Commander Ghazanfar Latif cited to the ability to run precision engagements and attack at night as key difference from the F-16 he’s been flying for the last 12 years, capabilities that can lower collateral damage. The flip side was cited by Squadron Leader Yasir Malik: the need to manage and prioritize all that additional information from the radar, datalinks, and other sensors, which was a key part of their training. Their instructors in this effort included USAF flight commander Maj. Windy Hendrick, and her compatriots in the 162nd Fighter Wing. USAF.

2008 – 2009

US handing over 14 used F-16s as part of the MLU program; 1st new PAF F-16 Block 52 unveiled; F100-PW-229 upgrade packages begin delivery.

F100-PW-229

Nov 16/09: Engines. Pratt & Whitney announces that they have delivered the first F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) engine to Pakistan, for installation in their F-16 aircraft. The engine program, which appears to be about upgrades, is valued at approximately $150 million, and is scheduled for delivery in 2009 and 2010.

The F100-PW-229 EEP is the latest evolution of the F100 engine family, with features designed to reduce scheduled engine maintenance by up to 30%, by extending the depot inspection interval from 4300 – 6000 TACs.

Oct 13/09: Unveiling. Lockheed Martin unveils the first of 18 new PAF F-16s in ceremonies at its Fort Worth, TX facility. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Quamar Suleman accepted the F-16D Block 52 aircraft on behalf of his nation, as the first delivery of the “Peace Drive I” order. It will be delivered to the US government for transfer in December 2009, with the remainder of the order following in 2010. See also Flight International, which has video.

July 29/08: Pakistan’s request to transfer 2/3 of its anti-terrorism aid to fund its F-16 program meets strong resistance from the US Congress.

June 28/08: Used F-16s. In a ceremony at Mushaf Air Base in Pakistan, Acting Commander of US Central Command, Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, hands over 4 “excess defense article” F-16 fighters from the USAF to Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed. The US DSCA release says that:

“F-16s continue to hold a special place in the U.S. – Paki­stani security relationship. The four EDA aircraft are part of a larger package of 14 aircraft. With the most recent delivery, the USAF has transferred eight aircraft to Pakistan. Another four EDA F-16 aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on 28 July 2008. The final two aircraft are part of the Pakistan Mid-Life Update program and will arrive in Pakistan in De­cember 2011. The entire F-16 program for Pakistan includes the purchase of eighteen F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft, MLU for 46 aircraft, and a munitions package that includes AM­RAAM, JDAM, and Enhanced Paveway guidance kits.”

MLU: 14 more US F-16s

June 26/08: EW. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF format] Pakistan’s official request for 21 AN/ALQ-211v9 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) Pods, plus software support, repair and return, spare and repair parts, support equipment, technical assistance, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $75 million.

The ALQ-211 based Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare System (AIDEWS) integrates digital radar warning receivers and advanced jamming countermeasures systems against radar-based threats, including modern surface-to-air and air-to-air weapon systems. It can be carried on a pod, as Pakistan is doing, or internally as the AN/ALQ-211v4. Pakistan intends to purchase the AIDEWS pods to enhance its existing F-16 fighter aircraft, and create fleet commonality with its new F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft. See also our March 19/08 entry; the original DSCA bulletin for mid-life upgrades had mentioned AN/ ALQ-131 or AN/ALQ-148 pods instead.

The principal contractor will be ITT Corporation of Clifton, NJ. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and ITT representatives for technical reviews, support, and program management over a period of up to 15 years.

June 4/08: Delivery. The Associated Press of Pakistan reports that Pakistan has already received 2 refurbished F-16s, and is due to receive 4 more in June and another 4 in July, bringing the total to 10.

April 18/08: F-16s. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics of Fort Worth, TX received a modified contract for $31.5 million, covering one-time engineering activity for aircraft production program changes for the Peace Drive I (Pakistan) program for foreign military sales F-16 Block 52M aircraft. At this time $15.75 million has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH issued the contract (FA8615-07-C-6031, P00005).

April 18/08: F-16s. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics of Fort Worth, TX received a modified firm fixed price contract for $27 million, covering one-time engineering activity for developmental support equipment and country standard technical order for the Peace Drive I (Pakistan) Program for foreign military sales F-16 Block 52M aircraft. At this time $13.5 million has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH issued the contract (FA8615-07-C-6031, P00004).

March 19/08: EW. ITT Avionics of Clifton, NJ received a modified firm fixed price contract for $78.2 million for Foreign Military Sales of the ALQ-211v4 Advanced Integrated Defense Electronics Warfare system to the country of Pakistan, for use on the F-16 aircraft being procured under separate acquisition by the F-16 program office. The contract also includes associated spares, support equipment, training, engineering services, and flight test support and data, and $39 million has been obligated so far. Robins AFB, GA issued the contracts (FA8523-07-C-0008-PZ0001).

The DefenseLINK announcement was wrong in several respects. It has been corrected above, and Robins AFB’s PA office offers further background, which connects it to the overlapping March 30/07 announcement:

“Contract FA8523-07-C-0008 was awarded in March 2007 to ITT in Clifton NJ. The obligated funds on the initial contract was $39 mil. The contract was modified in March 2008 to add the additional funds Of $39.2 mil and to definitize all outstanding contract requirements. This was not a new award, the contract was awarded in March 2007.”

2006 – 2007

Letter of Agreement and Orders for 18 F-16s, plus radars; Ancillary buys of AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, Enhanced Paveway III smart bomb kits, Sniper surveillance & targeting pods.

Sniper pod on F-16
(click to view full)

Dec 31/07: F-16s. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics of Fort Worth, TX received a firm-fixed-price contract modification for $498.2 million, covering Foreign Military Sales of 12 new F-16C Block 52 and 6 new 2-seat F-16D Block 52 new aircraft to Pakistan.

At this time, $497.6 million has been obligated. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8615-07-C-6031-P0002), which brings total spending on Pakistan’s new F-16s and required items to about $755 million, or about $42 million per fighter.

F-16s: first 18

Dec 14/07: Weapons. Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, AZ received a firm fixed price contract for $161.3 million, covering add-ons that turn various kinds of bombs into laser/GPS dual-guidance precision weapons.

This action provides 300 miscellaneous unit air foil groups, 300 miscellaneous armament unit enhanced computer control groups, 1,298 weapon guidance unit computer control groups, 1,300 stabilizing and retarding unit air foil groups, 600 global positioning system adapter kits, 1 lot enhanced Paveway III and test equipment spares, 1 lot enhanced Paveway II, 700 certain adapter groups, 6 readiness test set, 6 bomb tool kits, 3 lots of enhanced Paveway tool sets, 3 each common munitions bit/reprogramming equipment adapter kits, 1 each mission planning software, 1 lot DATA. This effort supports foreign military sales to Pakistan. At this time $75.7 million has been obligated. The 784th Combat Sustainment Group (AFMC) at Hill Air Force Base, UT issued the contract (FA8213-08-C-0028).

Enhanced Paveways use a combination of laser and GPS/INS guidance. The laser designator offers better accuracy, and is compatible with targeting pods like Pakistan’s forthcoming Sniper ATPs. GPS/INS benefits include the ability to function through fog, dust storms, clouds, smoke, or other obscurants, and can be employed in the absence of a laser designator as long as Global Positioning System coordinates are available for the target.

April 27/07: Sniper ATP. Pakistan orders 22 of Lockheed Martin’s AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods under a $54.6 million firm-fixed-price contract. Since Raytheon’s ATFLIR is only integrated with F/A-18s, and Northrop Grumman’s LITENING AT is a joint development with Israel’s RAFAEL, the choice is not surprising. Sniper pods have also been referred to as PANTERA pods in the past. See “Pakistan Joins List of Sniper ATP Customers” for more.

March 30/07: EW. ITT Avionics in Clifton, NJ received a $78 million firm-fixed-price and time and materials contract for “Foreign Military Sales of the AN/ALQ-173 (V) advanced integrated defense electronics warfare to the country of Pakistan.” Associated spares, support equipment, training, engineering services, flight test support and data are also being acquired. Solicitations began February 2007, negotiations were complete March 2007, and work will be complete January 2010. The Headquarters Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract (FA8523-07-C-0008).

Oddly enough, the AN/ALQ-173 was not among the many internal ECM alternatives listed in the official US DSCA announcements.

Dec 5/06: F-16s. Lockheed Martin Corp. in Fort Worth, TX received a $144 million firm-fixed-price and time and materials contract for 12 operational single place F-16C Block 52 aircraft and 6 operational two place F-16D Block 52+ aircraft.

This will begin readying materials to manufacture the aircraft, and $78.4 million has been obligated at this time. Aircraft purchases will be accomplished under the firm-fixed price portion of the contract, and work will be complete by November 2010. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8615-07-C-6031).

Nov 17/06: Weapons. Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ received a $269.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to purchase 500 AIM-120C5 AMRAAM missiles and rehost on behalf of Pakistan (100%). Work will be complete April 2011. The Headquarters Medium Range Missile System Group at Eglin Air Force Base, FL issued the contract (FA8675-05-C-0070/P00028).

F-16s: first 18

Nov 15/06: Radars. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems in Linthicum Heights, MD received half of a $99.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for “government furnished property for the Government of Pakistan” under the F-16 Block 50/52 new aircraft and modernization program. “The procurement of 54 AN/APG-68 (V)9 Radar Systems will be accomplished under the firm-fixed-price portion of the contract.” A Jan 10/07 Northrop Grumman release clarifies: this order is for 52 systems (18 new + 34 upgrade kits), with a 44 radar option to follow (18 new + 26 upgrade kits).

Oct 2/06: LoA. India Defence reports that Pakistan and USA have signed a letter of acceptance for these deals, following a Sept 30/06 ceremony in Rawalpindi were Pakistan’s military is headquartered. It said that the United States will supply 18 new F-16 aircraft, as well as an unspecified number of upgraded second-hand F-16s. Previous reports have said the number of second hand aircraft Pakistan was considering buying was 36, which would make for 18 of each.

India Defence adds that “Both sides had expected to wrap up the deal a month earlier, but negotiations dragged on because of strings Washington wanted attached.” The USA has clear concerns regarding technology transfer from the F-16s or associated weapons it sells to 3rd countries like China, which has close military ties with Pakistan. While the US was reluctant to discuss details, Assistant Secretary of State for political-military affairs John Hillen was more open with Congress on July 20/06.

In his testimony to the House of Representatives’ International Relations Committee, Hillen reportedly said that the United States was withholding unspecified technologies “that would usually go with an F-16,” including ones that would let it “be used in offensive ways to penetrate air space of another country that was highly defended”. It added that Pakistan’s F-16 fleet and its munitions would be segregated from aircraft supplied by other countries, so that unauthorized engineers could not get access to the U.S.-made planes, and that U.S. personnel would carry out inventories of the F-16s and their associated systems every 6 months. There had even been a proposal that F-16 flights outside Pakistani air space, including for exercises with other countries, would have to be approved by the U.S. government in advance. It is not clear whether this requirement ever got beyond the proposal stage.

As part of the deal, the USA also reportedly agreed to deliver 26 of the “Peace Gate III/IV” F-16A/B Block 15OCUs that had been ordered in 1988-1989, then embargoed when Pakistan tested nuclear weapons. The planes had been diverted for use as aggressor combat training aircraft by USAF and the US Navy. Source.

Letter of Agreement

July 20/06: Here’s the first concerned speech from an opposed Congressman: Eliot Engel [D-NY], citing Pakistan’s support for terrorism in India. Mr Engel is a senior member of the House International Relations Committee, and was one of the first Members of Congress to come out in favor of the proposed India-US nuclear energy deal. He’ll be making his views public at the July 20, 2006 House International Relations Committee hearing on the Pakistan sales – and that meeting will tell us if opposition to the deal has real traction.

Appendix A: Potential Controversies (July 2006)

ISAF, S. Afghanistan
(click to view full)

The DSCA has said that “Release of this system would not significantly reduce India’s quantitative or qualitative military advantage.” India disagrees, and military experts in Delhi will likely note that the same equipment (GPS, targeting pods, bunker-busters) that could potentially find uses against al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan’s “lawless frontier” could also be used in precision strikes on India’s military facilities in the event of war.

The DSCA counters that release of the F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft to Pakistan “will neither affect the regional balance of power nor introduce a new technology as this level of capability or higher already exists in other countries in the region.” India does operate more advanced SU-30MKI aircraft with R-77 “AMRAAMski” missiles, advanced avionics, et. al.; these are superior in range, armament, and maneuverability to Pakistan’s F-16s, and will remain so. Meanwhile, India’s $7-10 billion MRCA competition is certain to introduce 125-200 aircraft that are certain to be more advanced than the F-16 Block 50/52.

The US DSCA adds in its submission to Congress that “The modification of the engines and Falcon UP/STAR structural updates will provide capable F-16’s that can be used for close air support in ongoing operations contributing to the GWOT (Global War On Terror).” The DSCA also cites the June 2004 designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally in its submission. The British commander of NATO’s ISAF force in Southern Afghanistan sees Pakistan’s role in a rather different light, however; he recently noted that al-Qaeda in Afghanistan is still run out of Pakistan (specifically Quetta), with Pakistani knowledge and even support from Islamist elements in its security apparatus. Ah, the dynamics of counter-insurgency in tribal societies. Pakistan angrily denies this, of course.

India’s objections to this sale have been muted thus far, and phrased carefully to emphasize their effect on India-Pakistan ties rather than India-US ties. Meanwhile, President Bush’s personal diplomacy approach has fostered a strong relationship with Gen. Musharraf that is inclined to view such requests favorably as part of the USA’s 3-corner balancing act in the region. Barring unusual circumstances, therefore, it’s reasonable to expect this sale to go through with little more than a concerned speech or two in Congress.

December 2007 Update

The sale did go through with little more than concerned speeches in Congress, though there have been ongoing efforts to pressure the Pakistani government via threats of delayed or canceled weapon sales, due in large part to the security situation across the de facto line of government/ al-Qaeda control in western Pakistan.

The Benazir Bhutto assassination, and the strong likelihood that the Bhuttos’ PPP party will ascend to power following the coming Pakistani election, is also likely to remove some of the pressure the US Congress has been placing on Pakistan. In the short term, a delay in the elections could result in symbolic weapons sales delays until elections are held, while construction of the F-16s et. al. continues for delivery after that date anyway. Once those elections are held, a combination of sympathy and diplomatic imperatives are likely to mute further resistance to weapons sales in the US Congress.

It is less clear whether Asif Ali Zardari “Mr. 10%” Bhutto’s ascension to power will successfully address that country’s ongoing civil war – and what that would mean in a year or two, when the jets are due to be delivered.

Additional Readings

Readers with corrections or information to contribute are encouraged to contact editor Joe Katzman. We understand the industry – you will only be publicly recognized if you tell us that it’s OK to do so.

Background: The PAF & Its F-16s

• Pakistan Air Force. Official web site.

• Wikipedia – Pakistan Air Force.

• F-16.NET – Pakistan Fiza’ya/ Pakistan Air Force – PAF. The wider site is also good source for distinguishing the F-16’s wide array of variants, and what that means re: an aircraft’s capabilities.

• F-16.NET – F-16 ADF. Block 15OCU.

• F-16.NET – F-16C/D Block 50/52.

• DID FOCUS – JHMCS: Fighter Pilots’ “Look & Shoot” Helmets Changing Aerial Warfare

• DID FOCUS – AMRAAM: Deploying & Developing America’s Medium-Range Air-Air Missile.

• Pratt & Whitney – F100 Engine

• DID – Pakistan & China’s JF-17 Fighter Program. The F-16’s counterpart in the future PAF, which may also include the more advanced Chinese J-10B/”JF-20.”

Official Reports

• US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee (July 26/11) – The Enemy of Hegemony is My Friend: Pakistan’s de facto ‘Alliance’ with China [PDF]. By China Business Intelligence President John J. Tkacik, at hearings on “Reassessing American Grand Strategy in South Asia.”

• GAO (July 19/11, #GAO-11-786R) – Pakistan Assistance: Relatively Little of the $3 Billion in Requested Assistance is Subject to State’s Certification of Pakistan’s Progress on Nonproliferation and Counterterrorism Issues

• DID (June 30/08) – US GAO Criticizes [US] CSF Aid to Pakistan.

News & Views

• The Hindu (July 12/11) – Behind the Pakistan F-16 deal, a tale of many wheels. WikiLeaks!

• Real Clear World (June 20/11) – Why the U.S. Still Needs Pakistan. By STRATFOR CEO George Friedman.

• Foreign Policy (Feb 3/11) – The U.S.-Pakistan F-16 fiasco. Describes the broader history of relations, including the embargo imposed on a large F-16 order in the 1990s.

• Inside Defense, via Military.com (July 6/06) – Pakistan In Line for Massive Arms Deal. Points out that if the entire DSCA request is granted, Pakistan doesn’t have 60 F-16s to upgrade.

Tags: pakistanf-16, pakf-16

Americas

Huntingon Ingalls said in a press release that the completion of builder’s trials on the amphibious assault ship Tripoli or LHA 7 was successful. Builder’s Trials is the Navy’s first opportunity to assess the operational readiness of the ship. During the trials, the multipurpose amphibious assault ship underwent dock trials followed by more than 200 at-sea test events. Tripoli is the second ship of the America Class. It is built to facilitate forward presence and power projection. LHA 7 is the last Flight 0 ship planned for construction and features an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, an increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity. LHA 8 will be the first Flight I ship, reincorporating a well deck to enhance expeditionary warfighting capabilities while maintaining the principal aviation characteristics of the Flight 0 ships. The Tripoli completed four days of trials in the Gulf of Mexico to test its main propulsion, combat and other systems before returning to Pascagoula, Mississippi, where it was constructed. It will later undergo acceptance trials and formal delivery to the US Navy.

Flight Global reports, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has not received any confirmation that it has won an order to supply the FA-50 to Argentina. A person familiar with the requirement says that no confirmation has been received, and that the deal, if concluded, would cover eight aircraft. KAI says the contract covers the installation of fire-control radar, radar warning receivers and defensive countermeasures. A few days ago, several media reported that Argentina had chosen the FA-50 to purchase as a light fighter. The aircraft is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Should the FA-50 win the deal, it would mark the type’s first sale in the Western Hemisphere, the Flight Global article states.

Middle East & Africa

Jane’s reports that the naval ship designer CMN held a launch ceremony for first two of the 39 boats that are being built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The deal, announced in April last year, half of the 39 boats built by Zamil Shipyard in Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast as part of the Kingdom’s plan to indigenize 50% of its defense procurement by 2030. Photographs of the launch show the vessels to be HS132 fast patrol boats. They are part of the CMN’s DV Interceptor family. HS132 is designed to conduct sea strike operations, search and rescue, maritime security, sea safety, convoy protection, sea policing, anti piracy, protection of vulnerable vessels and offshore installations, and control of illegal immigration, trafficking and smuggling.

Several hundred US Air Force personnel are expanding an operating base in Saudi Arabia, which will host fighter planes and Patriot missiles. According to reports, increasing threats by Iran prompted the US to establish an expeditionary annex at the Prince Sultan Air Base. Central Command said in a statement Friday, “In coordination with and at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Secretary of Defense has authorized the movement of US personnel and resources to deploy to Saudi Arabia.” The deployment focuses on defensive capabilities, with Patriot batteries for missile defense and the fighter jets intended to defend US Forces on the ground.

Europe

The German military procurement organization commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to supply nine Mungo N/C Recce vehicles for the Bundeswehr. The procurement is valued at $57 million. The Mungo N/C Recce is a nuclear-chemical detection-capable reconnaissance vehicle with a range of equipment including mass spectrometer, radiation detector and weather sensors at the disposal of the three-man crew. Capable of detecting, tracking and identifying nuclear and chemical threats, the vehicle provides the crew with a safe shelter throughout the reconnaissance and identification process. The crew is also able to conduct such activities as lane and/or contaminated ground marking from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2022.

Asia-Pacific

The British defense company Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group rolled out the first of a number of C-130J Hercules aircraft it is preparing for delivery to the Bangladesh Air Force, during an official ceremony last week. Some of the other C-130Js the Bangladesh Air Force recently purchased from the UK Ministry of Defense were also on view. Marshall is carrying out comprehensive depth maintenance and important modifications on all the aircraft including capability enhancements such as MEDEVAC, avionic upgrades and the provision of a Passenger Transport Configuration.

Today’s Video

Watch: Barracuda Type SSN and Naval Special Forces

Kfir C2
(click to view full)

Argentina’s air force is having a hard time maintaining its core Nesher/”Finger” fighters, even as the Kirchner regime seeks to take control of the Falkland Islands and their potential offshore oil reserves. That led Argentina to search for new fighter options, as the most reliable way of projecting power to likely exploration zones. Britain’s defenses are also much more run down than they were in the 1980s, and their complete lack of a carrier force leaves ongoing protection of the islands’ surrounding economic zones to just 2-4 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, an offshore patrol vessel, and part of a regular navy ship rotation.

Argentina’s window of opportunity will close when Britain’s advanced carrier force enters service in 2020, which has added urgency on both sides as Argentina tries to make a deal. Can Argentina find its partner?

Forces Around the Falklands: Situation Report British Breakdown

Gone.

The islands’ inhabitants voted overwhelmingly to remain part of Britain during the referendum. Unfortunately, Britain has lost more than just its carrier force in the intervening years since the Falklands War. The Vulcan bombers and Victor tankers that staged ultra-long range bombing raids are long gone. The Harriers bought after the war ended, and modernized for use in Afghanistan, were retired. So were the Tornado F3 aircraft that were bought in the 1980s for long-range combat air patrols. The Royal Navy’s number of serious surface combatants has sunk to just 19, only 1 of which patrols the South Atlantic and West Africa at any given time. Worse, it has readiness issues with its attack submarines.

All this creates a window of opportunity for Argentina – one that will slam shut decisively around 2020, once Britain’s new 65,000t HMS Queen Elizabeth and its F-35B fighters steam into service.

RAF C-17
(click to view full)

Until then, an Argentinian force with modern jets and enough anti-ship missiles could conceivably open the door for a repeat invasion, by making recapture too risky and difficult. First, however, they’d have to take the island. Britain has extended and considerably reinforced the Mount Pleasant airfield with radars, air defenses, and a rotating infantry battalion. The addition of long-range C-17 heavy jet transports to the RAF makes fast long-range troop & vehicle reinforcement possible, forcing any invader to capture, destroy, or interdict the airfield in order to succeed. Meanwhile, the mere threat of nuclear submarines will continue to keep Argentina’s surface navy, such as it is, out of the picture as always.

That’s why harassment and access denial attempts are far more likely, as Argentina continues to attempt intimidation of any oil & gas companies that will be working in the Falklands’ Economic Exclusion Zone. That sort of gambit is harder to thwart, requiring the British to commit more forces and incur more expense than they would like.

If Britain wants to protect the Falklands this time, the rag-tag state of Argentina’s military is its biggest asset. Their goal is too keep Argentina from acquiring the tools they need to create even a moderately effective anti-access zone. If Argentina gets any new fighters at all, Britain’s goal becomes much harder and more expensive.

Argentina’s Efforts

FAA Super Etendards

Argentina’s Super Etendard fighters, which were used to launch Exocet missiles in the 1980s and still serve, come from France. Its Mirage III/ V/ “Nesher” fighters were originally bought second-hand from Israel and Peru, but they have deteriorated badly. Its A-4R “Fightinghawk” Skyhawk models were sold to Argentina by the USA, and what’s left of those deliveries make up the bulk of their jet fleet.

Despite steadily-worsening relations with Britain under the Obama administration, the USA is not about to sell Argentina jet fighters. British diplomacy has already worked to delay Argentina’s proposed Super Etendard modernization, and also scuttled a reported deal to buy 16 second-hand Mirage F-1M fighters from Spain.

Cheetahs & Gripens
(click to view full)

That leaves Argentina’s original source for the Neshers. Israel doesn’t have any of those left, but they do have their own Kfir design that made structural changes to the Nesher blueprints, added a more powerful American J-79 turbojet, and received progressive modifications to its radar, electronics, and weapons. Those upgrades continued even after the Kfirs were retired from Israeli service in the late 1990s, on behalf of customers like Colombia, Ecuador, and Sri Lanka. Kfir C.10/ Block 60s carry modern radars and electronics on par with F-16 Block 40/50s, and have the ability to use beyond visual range aerial weapons, advanced short range AAMs, and a variety of precision strike weapons. Their combat radius is a bit short, and it would take a brave Kfir pilot to face a Eurofighter Typhoon in single combat. Even so, they’re capable fighters with aerial refueling capability, which makes them well suited to intimidation and presence patrols. Negotiations for a sale are in an advanced stage.

The good news for Britain, such as it is, is that Argentina still has to hang weapons on any fighters they buy. The FAA must either stick with their existing set of old equipment and forego most of the new fighter’s potential, or buy new weapons from the USA or Israel. Any new weapon sales would be a double escalation, making those sales less likely. The most dangerous Kfir-related sale, of Gabriel 3 anti-ship missiles, would make Britain an outright enemy of Israel’s. That won’t happen. The question is whether Britain can pressure Israel to block the Kfir fighter sale in toto – or have it blocked by the Americans, who control the J-79 engines.

If the Israeli sale falls through for some reason, South Africa has already sold similar Cheetah fighters to Ecuador and Chile. Enough were produced to sell 18 more to Argentina, but the best airframes have presumably been taken already. Cheetahs are powered by French Snecma Atar 9K50 engines, instead of the Kfir’s American J-79. That removes a key American veto, but it also means that South Africa would need some level of French cooperation. Given French delays and demurrals around refurbishing Argentina’s French Super Etendards, that cooperation could become problematic.

Chile’s decommissioned Mirage 50 Pantera fighters are similar to the Cheetahs, but Chile isn’t interested in selling any to Argentina.

JF-17 – note C802!
(click to view full)

If those options fail, Argentina faces a shrinking set of choices.

South Korea’s TA-50 and FA-50 light fighters would be more expensive than the proposed Israeli deal, which already strains Argentina’s finances. They also use American F404 engines, requiring US export approval, and can’t mount anti-ship missiles yet.

Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters are the subject of talks with Brazil, but they use American F414 engines and British Martin-Baker ejection seats, to name only the most difficult substitutions. Indeed, about 30% of those planes are traceable to British firms – and Britain has stated that they will block such exports.

The only sources free of American or European influence are Russia and China.

Chinese F-8 “Finback-Bs” would be a very cheap used option, presenting no serious threat, but good for harassment patrols and shows of force at range. The question is whether they could be kept in the air. The JF-17 Thunder from China and Pakistan would be a more advanced option and a definite threat, thanks to its ability to carry C802 subsonic and CM-400AKG supersonic anti-ship missiles. Argentina has expressed interest in the JF-17, and has held discussions directly with China.

Russia is the other potential source. They may have used or used/new-build MiG-29S+ multi-role planes to offer, if Putin wants to stick a finger in Britain’s eye for sanctions over the annexation of Crimea. The problem with the MiGs is that even with the extra fuel tanks in recent variants, the fighters have poor range. That makes them less useful to Argentina. SU-30 family planes have plenty of range, but they’re more expensive, and may be out of Argentina’s reach unless Russia really wants to make a point by offering subsidies.

Contracts & Key Events

Shattered Glass July 26/19: Confirmation Required Flight Global reports, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has not received any confirmation that it has won an order to supply the FA-50 to Argentina. A person familiar with the requirement says that no confirmation has been received, and that the deal, if concluded, would cover eight aircraft. KAI says the contract covers the installation of fire-control radar, radar warning receivers and defensive countermeasures. A few days ago, several media reported that Argentina had chosen the FA-50 to purchase as a light fighter. The aircraft is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Should the FA-50 win the deal, it would mark the type’s first sale in the Western Hemisphere, the Flight Global article states. February 1/18: Contracts signed Defense ministers from France and Argentina have signed contracts for the delivery of five Super Etendards to the Argentine Navy. Originally agreed in November, news of the $12.5 million sale was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, as he met his Argentine counterpart, Mauricio Macri, at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland. “We have congratulated ourselves for the agreement signed by our defense ministers for the sale of five modernized Super-Etendard and their equipment for the Argentine armed forces,” the French president told a joint press conference. The Dassault Aviation-built aircraft had previously been in use with the French Navy since 1978, and were removed from active duty in July 2016. Argentina flew Super Etendards during the Falklands War with the UK, however, none currently remain operational. August 17/17: Argentina has stopped negotiations over the possible purchase of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Kfir fighters after earlier indications that Buenos Ares was close to agreeing to an order of between 12-14 aircraft. While the Kfir first entered operational service more than 40 years ago, IAI were offering the Argentine military upgraded Block 60 variants, which includes a GE Aviation J79 engine, Elta Systems’ EL/M-2032 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and an open architecture avionics suite that allows customers to install its own systems. However, pricing of the Kfirs has been a sticking point in the negotiations, and news that Argentina has stopped talk may indicate that they may instead move ahead with an offer to purchase six second-hand Super Étendard carrier-borne fighters from France.

June 27/17: Argentina’s discussions with France over the purchase of six second-hand Super Étendard carrier-borne fighters continue, with Buenos Aries looking to score the fighters for $10 million. While Paris is looking for slightly more—about $12 million in the exchange—the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) said that it would be ready to provide financing to facilitate a cash-strapped Argentina fund the acquisition. Designed by Dassault Aviation for the French Navy and commissioned in 1978, Buenos Aries purchased 12 of the aircraft back in 1979, some of which participated in the Falklands War.

May 22/17: Cash-strapped Argentina has reportedly agreed to purchase seven refurbished Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard fighter-bombers originally used by the French Navy. Included in the talks is the possible sale of engines to power 20 Argentine Pucaras aircraft currently grounded by Buenos Aries, as well as a re-equipment program will also include the construction at the Tandanor yards of four patrol vessels. If concluded, the deal will move away from earlier plans by Argentina to purchase Kfir fighters from Israel and “prohibitively expensive” F-16s from the US.

January 5/17: The previously stalled acquisition by Argentina’s Air Force to buy Kfir Block 60 upgraded fighters from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is back on the table. While pricing remains one of several stumbling blocks that still lay ahead in any talks, a successful deal would see IAI assemble and upgrade 12-14 Kfir fighters for Argentina. The most recent upgrade includes J-79 engines, Elta 2032 active electronically scanned array radar, and an open architecture that will allow the customer to install custom systems. Colombia, Ecuador, and Sri Lanka are all current operators.

March 11/16: After the breaking off of talks between Argentina and Israel over the sale of 14 Kfir Block 60 fighters, both parties are to resume negotiations. The deal had initially been called off in October, just before contracts were to be signed, as a result of elections in Argentina. The fighters had been previously used by the Israeli Air Force, but have been upgraded with the latest systems, including the Elta 2032 active electronically scanned array radar. They will also have an open architecture to allow the Argentinian air force to install other systems.

December 3/15: Argentina has officially said adiós to the last of its serving Dassault Mirage fighters. A large-scale public air show on November 30 saw the fleet decommissioned after over forty years of service. The Mirage had been the jet of choice in Argentina since 1973, after the government was impressed by its capabilities when used by the Israeli Air Force during the Six Day War. The decommissioning will leave a hole in the Argentinian Air Force’s capability as a replacement for the aircraft has not yet been found. An earlier deal to purchase second-hand Kfir Block 60 fighters from Israel has been put on hold indefinitely amid issues over weapons systems and upgrades. The newly elected government of Maurico Macri will be responsible for obtaining replacement fighters subject to available funding.

November 18/15: Argentina’s drive to replace its aging Mirage fighter fleet with second hand Israeli Kfir Block 60 fighters has come under criticism from Argentine Air Force number three, Brigadier Mario Roca. Argentina had planned to purchase fourteen of the fighters (which included two two-seat traners) with the deal to have cost between $220-360 million. The criticisms arose when the first six fighters would arrive within 18 months, but without weapons systems, and all upgrades needed to be completed in Israel. The deal has for now been put on hold indefinitely with Defence Minister Agustin Rossi deciding to leave the deal to be concluded by the next administration. Opposition politicians have stated that if elected, they would look into replacing the fleet independently.

August 20/15: Argentina is formally retiring its fleet of Mirage fighters, which will leave active service in November. The Argentinian Air Force has been looking for a new fighter fleet for a while now, with reports in July indicating that the South American country may be in negotiations to buy second-hand Israeli Kfir Block 60 fighters.

Dec 1/14: What Now? In the aftermath of Argentina’s short-lived, clumsy attempt to procure aircraft with British parts through Brazil, analysts review what both Argentina and Brazil may do next.

On Argentina’s side, a history of failed negotiations to acquire used aircraft with France, Spain and Israel will make it tough to revive talks with these parties. One possibility would have been to buy the 12 used Mirage 2000s acquired by Brazil from France in 2005 and retired by the Brazilian Air Force at the end of 2013. This may buy time for Argentina but they would need to reinvest in these aircraft, and also find more elsewhere. But it is reportedly because of high maintenance costs and problems with parts availability that Brazil decided to retire aircraft that sported 10,000+ flight hours each. Add the fact Brazil would have needed to secure resell rights from Dassault, and that is a long list of hurdles for Argentina to clear even if the seller is a friendly neighbor. See DID’s coverage of Brazil’s FX-2 program, Aug 5/13 entry.

Another option is to procure used or new jets from China or Russia, and even though the Argentinian Air Force would prefer Western aircraft, Both China and Russia are likely to be more flexible on financing and/or payment in kind than Western countries would, especially as long as Argentina’s financial situation has not been fully normalized on global markets. Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) held initial talks with China about the potential local production of FC-1 fighters back in mid-2013. Meanwhile Argentina and Russia have been getting cozy on diplomatic and energy matters. See the “Argentina’s Efforts” section above for a more detailed discussion of the available options.

Meanwhile Embraer is reportedly worried that the Brazilian government’s decision to develop a strategic partnership with Argentina may curtail technology transfers from Saab and even lead to reprisals by Western suppliers. That the alliance was announced as a government-to-government affair may only partly shield the company from consequences. Is getting along with its weaker, chronically ill southern neighbor worth potential diplomatic and business problems for Brazil? Sources: DefesaNet: “Full of uncertainty, strategic alliance with Argentines can bring damage to Brazil” | Defense News: “Argentina’s Jet Fighter Replacement Options Narrow” | FP: “Keeping Putin’s Hands Off Argentina’s Oil”.

Nov 9/14: Gripen NG. Argentina may want to do a deal with Brazil (q.v. Oct 22/14), but Britain has now publicly said “no.” To be more precise, they reiterate the continued existence of a ban. A spokesperson for the UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills:

“We are determined to ensure that no British-licensable exports or trade have the potential to be used by Argentina to impose an economic blockade on the Falkland Islanders or inhibit their legitimate rights to develop their own economy…”

About 30% of the JAS-39E/F will be British, from the ejection seats to the radar, landing gear, and a number of electronic systems. Embraer could try to downgrade and substitute, but Argentina lacks the money to finance such an ambitious effort. Now add the fact that a newly-Republican US Senate and House would block export’s of GE’s F414 engines. As knowledgeable observers expected, Argentina will have to look elsewhere. C4ISR & Networks, “Argentina Buying Gripens? Brits Say ‘No Way'”.

Oct 22/14: Gripen NG. During the Embraer KC-390 medium jet transport’s rollout, Argentina and Brazil sign a formal “Alianca Estrategica em Industria Aeronautica.” Argentina is already making parts for the KC-390, and they need a larger partner for a number of other reasons. The FAB’s releases add that Argentina is also thinking of buying JAS-39E/F Gripens from Embraer, whose Brazilian factory will assemble at least 36 of the advanced Swedish fighters under the pending F-X2 program:

“El Gobierno nacional decidio iniciar una negociacion con la administracion de Dilma Rousseff para la adquisicion de 24 aviones Saab Gripen dentro del programa denominado FX 2…”

Regional export rights are also expected to be part of the $5+ billion deal, which is signed on Oct 24/14. That could get interesting, because the Gripen has systems from the USA and Britain in it. You might be able to replace electronics, but it’s expensive – and ejection seats and engines are a lot tougher. Sources: FAB NOTIMP, “Argentina quiere comprar 24 cazas supersonicos”.

Kfir, improved

March 23/14: Kfir. A high-level Argentine delegation has reportedly visited Israel to finalize the sale of 18 Kfir jets. Most sources mention the “Block 60” version, which is very similar to the Kfir C10 that has been sold to Ecuador and Colombia, and reports also mention the EL/M-2032 radar. Once again, however, this is a proposed deal that comes despite issues with Argentina. Ha’aretz:

“…Kirchner government made [a deal] last year with Iran to jointly investigate the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Buenos Aires Jewish community building that killed 85 people and is widely believed to have been carried out by Hezbollah with Iranian backing.”

That may cause controversy in Israel, and British pressure can be expected as well. On the other hand, Israel was less than pleased by Britain’s recent role in ending sanctions against Iran for its nuclear weapons program. A fighter sale to Argentina would certainly be one way to attach significant consequences to Britain’s actions, without the anti-ship capabilities that would mark a huge escalation. The British do have one big lever left, however: the Kfirs’ J79 turbojets need American approval for re-export. America needs British support regarding Russia right now, so despite past snubs, the Obama administration will find it inconvenient to alienate Britain further.

Finally, note that Ha’aretz is wrong about Kfirs being sold to South Africa. Israeli expertise was likely transferred, but they are not interchangeable in a fleet – Cheetahs use different engines than the Kfirs, and South Africa did modify its Mirages locally. Is basic fact-checking and editorial oversight too much to ask? Sources: Ha’aretz, “Argentina buying 30-year-old Israeli fighter jets” | LU22 Radio Tandil, “Avanzan las negociaciones para la compra de aviones Kfirs Block 60 a Israel”.

March 10/14: Super Etendard. Argentina’s efforts to upgrade 10 of its 11 remaining Super Etendard fighters have hit a bit of a snag in France:

“The Argentine Navy still wants 10 SEM kits for its Super Etendards, but has to date received no indication from France as to how or when this order might be filled.

Moreover, military relations between the two states have cooled due to a deal last year between France and the UK that could create roadblocks to France’s selling the kits, and an updated version of the Exocet missile, to Argentina…”

Sources: IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, “Argentine Super Etendard modernisation hits major snags”.

Super Etendard modernization stalls

Colombian Kfirs
(click to view full)

Jan 23/14: Kfir. Argentina has reportedly opened discussions with Israel about selling up to 18 refurbished Kfir fighters. The proposed deal is reportedly worth about $500 million, with 6 jets to be refurbished in Israel. Another 12 would be shipped to Argentina along with modernization kits, for local assembly under Israeli supervision.

“Brazilian journalist Roberto Lopes, who specializes in defense issues was the first to reveal that Israel/Argentina deal negotiations caused concern in the government of PM David Cameron and allegedly representatives from the UK Defense ministry asked their Israel counterparts “for a detailed description of the electronic systems and avionics” of the 18 Kfir…. London fears the aircraft could be used to track and intimidate vessels involved in the Falklands oil and gas industry development…. Lopes also reveals that “the issue is being monitored since the end of 2013 by Brazil’s Itamaraty (foreign ministry) and defense ministry”.”

IAI’s offer had reportedly been made earlier, but the proposal was reportedly pursued only after Spain declined to pursue the Mirage F1 deal any further. Sources: MercoPress, “Argentina after Israeli fighter planes; concern in London and Brasilia, says defense expert”.

Jan 2/14: Mirage F1. Argentine sources tell IHS Jane’s that the Spanish Mirage deal has stalled and could be cancelled.

“Local media reports indicated that the Argentine Air Force (FAA) has begun analysing other options, including second-hand Dassault Mirage 2000s from France or Brazil, but appears to be leaning towards an Israeli offer of 18 IAI Lahav Kfir Block 60 multi-role fighters for USD500 million, with a possible delivery date some 15 months after a contract signature.”

While Spain’s economic situation made them receptive to Argentina’s request, Spain could lose much more if relations with Britain become problematic. Sources: IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, “Argentine Mirage F1 buy reportedly stalls”.

No Mirage F1s

Oct 6/13: Kfir. IAI and even the Israeli Air Force begin to talk about the new “Block 60” Kfir variant, which is based on Colombia’s refitted C10 aircraft:

“The Kfir Block 60 offers a robust and versatile Mach 2+ multi-role jet fighter, carrying 5.5 tons payloads on nine hard-points under the wings and fuselage. The weaponry is enhanced to include Python 5 and Derby. Kfir Block 60 has also completed the integration of RAFAEL Spice autonomous guided weapon, (second platform offering that capability, after the F-16). Conforming to NATO standards, Kfir Block 60 supports Link-16 datalink protocol. The aircraft has combat radius of 1,000 km (540 nm) unrefueled. With refueling the aircraft can fly to a range of 1,100 nm.”

Whether or not Israeli Kfir C2s could carry Gabriel Mk.III anti-ship missiles, Argentina doesn’t have any, and any sale by Israel would have serious diplomatic repercussions. Refurbished Kfirs are reportedly restored to 8,000 safe flight-hours hours under warranty, meaning the plane can easily serve for 20-30 years. “Sources: Defense Update, “At 40 Years of age, Kfir Turns into a “Networked Fighter”” | Israeli Air Force, “Roaring Back”.

Spanish F1M
(click to view full)

Oct 1/13: Mirage F1. After several months of advance reports, Argentina has reportedly come to an agreement with Spain to buy 16 used Mirage F1s. Iraq’s F1EQ-5 jets were modified to carry the Exocet anti-ship missile, but they required modifications. Spain upgraded their F1Cs to F1Ms, but it isn’t clear whether their planes ever added Exocet capability.

The deal is something of a surprise, given the Argentine government’s 2012 seizure of Spanish oil major Repsol’s majority stake in Argentina’s national YPF oil company. Respol’s international legal claim is for $10 billion, but the Spanish government is facing depression-level economic conditions, and has few other options to sell those planes. Sources: MercoPress, “Argentina buys 16 Mirage F 1 from Spain; half have air-refuelling capacity” | UPI, “Argentina goes for second-hand jets for air force”.

Mirage F1 deal

Aug 5/13: Mirage F1. Spain is reportedly working on a deal with Spain for its recently-decommissioned Mirage F1 fighters, which have been replaced in Spain’s service by the Eurofighter:

“The only real hard news and from Spanish defence media, is that Spain is effectively decommissioning the last eight Mirage F 1 –which have been on service for 35 years–, to be replaced by the Eurofighter, and is looking for buyers and among the countries named are Argentina, Egypt and Ecuador…. The Argentine air force currently has an estimated 25 Mirage 5 and Mirage III with over thirty years in service…. However according to Argentine sources the aircraft are virtually out of use because of lack of spares and an adequate maintenance.”

Depending on how one counts, it has been more like 22 years of service since their deep modernization to F1M status. The RAF won’t give an on-the-record response, but British newspapers are told by unnamed sources that “If the Argentines start playing games and escalate the tension we will see more RAF aircraft being deployed to the Falklands.” That would help prevent a takeover, but unless Britain adds a lot of fighters, it may not quite stop intimidation flights against energy companies working in the Falklands EEZ. MercoPress, “Falklands and the Mirages: playing with the Islanders worst memories” | Daily Express, “Jet fighter threat to the Falkland Islands” | Daily Mirror, “Falklands alert as Argentina strikes £145 million deal for 20 Mirage warplanes” | Israel’s Globes, “IAI selling upgraded Kfir jets for $20m”.

June 27/13: JF-17. Argentina is reportedly in talks with China concerning the FC-1/ JF-17 fighter, a joint project with Pakistan whose performance lies somewhere between a Mirage F1 and an F-16. It can use radar-guided air-to-air missiles, but its most important asset is the CASIC CM-400AKG supersonic anti-ship missile, with a range that’s longer than France’s sub-sonic Exocets. Its is also shown at air shows like Farnborough with China’s C802 sub-sonic anti-ship missile, which is very similar to the American Harpoon.

“Speaking at the Paris Air Show in mid-June, officials from Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) told IHS Jane’s that the company has had multiple discussions with Chinese officials over co-producing the fighter in Argentina. Although the FC-1/JF-17 is already jointly built with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, FAdeA officials stressed that they are dealing solely with the Chinese…. While discussions are said to be far from over, if realised they will open up a wide panoply of Chinese weapon systems to Argentina…”

Sources: IHS Jane’s Missiles & Rockets, “Fighter talks may afford Argentina advanced Chinese missile systems”.

Additional Readings

Up above, DID asked of Ha’aretz, “Is basic fact-checking and editorial oversight too much to ask?” Sometimes, that comes back to bite. Thanks to readers who wrote in to us about local defensive measures and options in the Falklands that we had not covered. We had good discussions, but the plain fact is that some of the omissions were important items. They have been added to the article, with our thanks – and our apologies.

Readers with corrections, comments, or information to contribute are encouraged to contact DID’s Founding Editor, Joe Katzman. We understand the industry – you will only be publicly recognized if you tell us that it’s OK to do so.

• Wikipedia – Argentine Air Force.

Background: Aircraft

• Airforce Technology – F-21 Kfir Fighter Jet, Israel. F-21 was the American designation for used Kfirs flown by its Aggressor training squadrons. Some private firms, like ATAC, still use it for this purpose.

• ACIG – Kfir C.10. In service with Ecuador and Colombia, and the base for the “Block 60”. Kfir C.12s don’t have the EL/M-2032 radar.

• DID – Cheetahs and Mirage 50s for Ecuador.

• DID – Pakistan & China’s JF-17 Fighter Program. If Britain blocks the Kfir sale, could they be setting themselves up for something worse?

• RAC MiG – MiG-29/MiG-29UB/MiG-29SE.

• Wikipedia – Dassault Mirage F1.

News & Views

• MercoPress (March 22/14) – The Falklands/Malvinas: Brazil’s next regional headache? Stability in the region has been a key goal for Brazil.

• Defense Update (Oct 6/13) – At 40 Years of age, Kfir Turns into a “Networked Fighter”. Kfir Block 60.

• Israeli Air Force (Sept 25/13) – Roaring Back. Includes information about Colombia’s C10/C12 upgrades, and makes vague references to the Block 60.

• Globes (Aug 6/13) – IAI selling upgraded Kfir jets for $20m.

Lower tier:
Indian Do-228 MPA
(click to view full)

In January 2009, the wheels began turning on pair of follow-on buys covering short and medium range manned aircraft for India’s Navy and Coast Guard. That effort stalled out, restarted with a 2013 RFP.

India’s growing power is creating growing naval responsibility around the Indian Ocean, from the strategic chokepoint and shipping channel represented by Indonesia’s Straits of Malacca in the east, to anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and basing agreements with Madagascar in the west. Hence the January 2009 deal for 8-16 of Boeing’s 737-derived P-8i Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which will replace Russian-built TU-142s as India’s long-range patrol aircraft.

Closer to home, however, India has its own long coastline to patrol, and neighbors like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan that represent existing or potential trouble spots along its borders. The P-8i will work in those problem areas, but less-expensive and shorter-range aircraft are needed to supplement their coverage. Inshore, and at strategic locations like Nicobar Isand, new Dornier Do-228NG aircraft, and UAVs like India’s Israeli-built Searcher and Heron UAVs, provide solid local coverage. In between, medium sized manned aircraft must fill their own niches in India’s Navy and its Coast Guard.

India’s MRMR and MMP Competitions

(click to view full)

India boasts a 3,370 mile/ 5,425 km long coastline, and its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) is estimated cover an area of around 77,000+ square miles/ 200,000 square kilometers. That ensures a lot of in-between territory for mid-sized sea control aircraft to cover, and there’s no question that the aircraft are needed. As with so very many Indian buys, however, even reaching the RFP stage can be a long journey.

In 2009, India’s Ministry of Defence issued an RFP for 6 medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft, to replace its aging Britten-Norman Islander fleet. That RFP was withdrawn in 2009, but a set of twin RFIs were issued in 2010 for MRMR, and the Coast Guard’s MMP (Medium Maritime Patrol) requirement. An RFP is now expected in April 2012, for 6 MRMR planes + 6 options, worth around $1 billion all told.

The 2012 MRMR requirements reportedly do not include anti-submarine capability, which adds cost and often forces the use of a larger plane. It will be an armed aircraft, however, and the 2010 RFI suggests that it will be required to carry both torpedoes, and some form of anti-ship missile.

That would represent a big upgrade over the existing Britten-Norman Islanders, which were bought in 1976. If the MRMR buy goes through, India’s existing Islander fleet may then be shifted to a training role, handed over to the coast guard, or even gifted to other countries. Two have already given as a gift to the Myanmar junta. If MRMR is stalled for too long, however, the Islander fleet’s age could create a problem for India.

The Indian coast guard’s requirements also reportedly involve 6 aircraft, but could rise. They will require less sophisticated equipment, but the wide range of roles could force a larger aircraft, unless India is expecting to address mission versatility using roll-on, roll-off kits. The 2010 RFI reportedly called for a diverse range of missions, including search and rescue, surface attack, environmental monitoring, and medical evacuation with 3 intensive care stations. Earlier reports suggested that the aircraft will need to have a range of over 500 nautical miles, and an endurance of around 6 hours.

MRMR & MMP: Rumored Contenders Boeing, USA

RAF R1 Sentinel
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There are persistent rumors that Boeing will offer a modified version of the P-8i to fill the medium range role as well. A modified P-8i would offer commonality, handle required industrial offsets smoothly, and may include some savings due to a larger order volume, but the platform itself is not cheap. Cost is likely to be the biggest stumbling block for this option.

Unsurprisingly, Boeing is starting to look at options beyond its P-8A. Bombardier’s Challenger 600 long-range business jet seems to be the target platform for the rumored “Maritime Surveillance Aircraft.” It would reportedly use the same core internal systems used aboard the P-8, but its sensor and weapon array would differ. The idea isn’t unprecedented. There’s also some talk in Britain of adding maritime patrol capabilities to its Challenger-based Sentinel R1 ground surveillance jets.

IAI, Israel

Australia Q200
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Beyond the P-8i, the other rumored MPA holdover is a maritime patrol version of Dassault’s Falcon 900, which was reportedly submitted by Israel’s IAI Elta in the competition that the P-8i eventually won. The tri-engined aircraft offers more attractive operating costs than a P-8, and its 4,100-4,500 nautical mile/ 7,600-8,330 km unrefueled range would allow for deployments across the Indian Ocean, as well as long patrols of India’s coastline. Israel has a good reputation for delivering India capable and reliable military equipment, and a MRMR aircraft that can also fill high-end roles may be attractive, but the Falcon 900 will be more expensive than several of the other rumored contenders.

A 2nd rumored IAI option would be its ELI-3360 modification of Bombardier’s Q400 turboprop. It would offer less range and performance, in exchange for lower costs. Dash-8 models serve with the Coast Guards of several nations, and operate in maritime patrol roles, but they haven’t been armed. August 2013 reports suggested that this would be the option offered, but the Israelis play their cards very close to the chest.

Embraer P-99, Brazil

Embraer P-99 MPA
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In a similar vein, Brazil’s Embraer modifies its own ERJ-145 regional jets into sophisticated surveillance platforms. India’s DRDO is already using this model as the base for a locally-produced mid-tier AEW&C airspace control plane, and other Embraer versions exist for land and maritime surveillance.

The P-99 MPA/ EMB-145MP has been ordered by Mexico (2), and an armed variant is rumored as a contender for India’s MRMR as well. At 1,876 miles/ 3,019 km, its range is less than the Falcon’s, but still more than adequate for the requirement. Embraer, like Canada’s Bombardier, is working to make inroads into India’s civil aviation industry, and those efforts will help position the firm for industrial offset requirements.

Antonov AN-148-300 MP, Russia

AN-148-300 MP, c. A.K.
(click to view full)

In 2009, Antonov touted a maritime patrol version of their jet-powered AN-74 transport, which was unveiled to the broader aviation public at Aero India 2009. By 2013, however, the firm had shifted course, and confirmed that they’d offer the AN-148-300 MP instead. It’s also a high-wing twin-jet, but the engines are mounted under the wings, instead of within them. The general tradeoff between a transport like the AN-74 and a regional passenger jet like the AN-148 is a swap of short-takeoff and internal load for more efficient operation at altitude, which usually translates into better maritime range and time on station.

In India’s case, the AN-148 is also competing for the military’s light transport requirement, and a handful are in service with Indian civilian carriers. Antonov is still competing for more civilian sales in India. Success would improve the possibility of military maintenance partnerships with local airlines, which can cut costs while offering the required industrial offsets.

The next 3 rumored contenders are turboprops. They offer more economical low-level flight costs than jets, in exchange for shorter ranges, and slower transit time to patrol areas or emergency situations.

Alenia ATR-42/72, Italy

ATR-72 ASW
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EADS subsidiary ATR and Alenia Aeronautica have crated variants of popular ATR regional passenger turboprops, for military use. The ATR-72 ASW has been ordered by Turkey to fulfill maritime patrol requirements. It offers a long Magnetic Anomaly Detector in the back that helps it find submarines, and pylons/launchers for weapons. It is rumored to be an MRMR candidate.

The smaller ATR-42 Surveyor includes only sophisticated surveillance gear. It has already been ordered by Italy, Nigeria, and Libya, and has attracted interest from Pakistan. It’s a rumored candidate for the Indian Coast Guard’s MMP.

Airbus Military C295 ASW, Spain

C-295 ASW concept
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EADS other subsidiary EADS-CASA has carved out a leading role for its maritime surveillance turboprops, and passed that along as part of the expanded Airbus military division. The CN-235MP Persuader is in service with a number of countries, including the US Coast Guard, and has just been ordered by South Korea’s Coast Guard. Unsurprisingly, it’s a rumored candidate for India’s Coast Guard MPP. If so, it’s likely to be a very strong candidate, and the affiliation with Airbus gives them good industrial benefits options.

The larger C-295 ASW has been ordered by Chile. It uses the same surveillance core as the CN-235 Persuader, and is equipped with under-wing stations to carry weapons and other stores. A common MRMR/MPP purchase is possible using the C-295, as modified C-295 light transport aircraft already serve in a search and rescue role with a number of countries.

Lockheed Martin SC-130 “Sea Hercules”, USA

IAF C-130J-30
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The 4-engine C-130J Hercules is in wide use around the world as a transport aircraft, including India. A number of specialty variants have been designed with roll-on/ roll-off containers, and armed variants have added hardpoints on the wings. The “Sea Hercules” is being designed to a $150 million cost, and will be developed in 3 stages:

Stage 1 will involve roll-on/ bolt-on radar and electro-optical sensors, and accompanying processing workstations.

Stage 2 would add wing-mounted, anti-surface weapons, along with upgraded workstations and weapon control systems.

Stage 3 would be a full anti-submarine conversion, including sonobuoys, a magnetic anomaly detector boom, extra fuel pods, and 2 added bays for 6 Harpoon missiles.

Saab 2000 MPA

Saab 2000 MPA concept
(click to view full)

In May 2011, Saab joined the competition, offering its Saab 2000 MPA turboprop, along with the firm’s phased array maritime radar and RBS-15 anti-ship and land attack missiles. Like many other MRMR competitors (R-99, Falcon, AN-148, ATR-72), the aircraft is a modified business/ regional transport plane.

In its Maritime Patrol role, the Saab 2000 MPA maintains a cruising speed of 350 knots, and can operate at a maximum range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, with mission endurance exceeding 9.5 hours. Those figures depend on conditions and flight profiles, of course – the same plane would cover a 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for 5.5 hours at an altitude of only 2,000 ft, or extend patrol times by flying up to 31,000 feet and relying on its radar. Saab is also touting the 2000 MPA’s ability to operate from high altitude airfields, taking off with maximum load and fuel even at very hot temperatures.

Saab also offers an AWACS variant of this aircraft family for airspace command and control, and counts Pakistan among its customers. That’s good, in that it offers proven operational capability in similar conditions. It’s bad because India has historically been reluctant to share platforms with Pakistan, but that has happened – vid. IL-76/78 transports. The RBS-15 Mk.3 is a fine missile, but it may also be a drawback. Success depends on India’s reaction to adding yet another anti-ship missile type, on top of its existing stocks of Russian (Klub, BrahMos), French (Exocet), and American (Harpoon) weapons.

Contracts and Key Events 2012 – 2019

2nd RFP issued.

EMB-145 MP/ASW
(click to view full)

July 25/19: Fifth Dornier Squadron The Indian Navy has commissioned Indian Naval Air Squadron 313, the fifth Dornier maritime patrol aircraft squadron, at a ceremony on July 22, local news reports. The squadron will operate from Chennai International Airport. The squadron will operate Dornier multi-role short range maritime reconnaissance aircraft in a range of missions including maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations and providing targeting data to weapon platforms. The Dorniers are twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft. From 1981 until 1998 Dornier GmbH produced the aircraft. In 1983 Hindustan Aeronautics bought a production license and manufactured 125 aircraft. The Indian Navy is procuring 12 Dornier aircraft with improved sensors and equipment including glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, electronic intelligence, optical sensors and networking capabilities.

Aug 23/13: RFP. India’s Ministry of Defense has reportedly issued its RFP for 9 Indian Navy medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft, plus 38 anti-ship missiles. The RFP was reportedly sent to Airbus Military, Alenia, Antonov, Boeing, Embraer, IAI Elta, Lockheed Martin, and Saab. All are covered in the contenders section.

The specifications could be a problem, however, which is common in Indian competitions. The RFP states the aircraft must fly a transit of 400 nmi at 300 knots, and patrol 400 nmi for 4 hours at a height of 10,000 feet. This profile would be flown with 2 missiles underwing, and the missiles would need a minimum range of about 50 nmi.

The 300 knot transit speed will be challenging for armed turboprops like the C295 MPA. Meanwhile, the missile requirement excludes low-cost options like Kongsberg’s Penguin, and would even bar MBDA’s AM39 Block 2 Exocet (70 km/ 37.8 nmi). Sources: AIN, “Indian Navy Requests New Patrol Aircraft”

RFP #2 issued

Feb 5/13: Antonov. Antonov announces that their MRMR submission will be based on the AN-148 high-wing twin-jet regional jetliner, which is a shift from the AN-74MP mentioned in its February 2009 announcement. Antonov is also reportedly offering the AN-148 for India’s light cargo aircraft replacement program, where the AN-74’s full capabilities are unnecessary.

Antonov seems to be hoping that military commonality benefits will improve their odds of success in both competitions. In India’s case, the AN-148 also offers commonality with 3 Indian civilian carriers, who signed deals at Aero India 2010. Antonov is hoping to leverage the jet’s good performance in hot weather and high altitudes into more civilian sales, and sees a potential Indian market for up to 80 civil aircraft in this class. More civilian success offers the possibility of military maintenance partnerships with local airlines, which can cut costs while offering the required industrial offsets.

Aug 28/12: Boeing: too big? Boeing is starting to look at options beyond its P-8A, because their customers are saying that they don’t need its full versatility, and find its $200 million price tag prohibitive. Bombardier’s Challenger 600 seems to be the target platform, and the resulting plane would probably sacrifice weapon carrying capability in order to be a specialty surveillance plane. The idea isn’t unprecedented. There’s also some talk in Britain of adding maritime patrol capabilities to its Challenger-based Sentinel R1 ground surveillance jets.

They’ll be joined in the mid-tier market by another American firm. Lockheed Martin is working on an SC-130J Sea Hercules modification, and the firm says they expect to sign at least one contract “in North Africa.” It’s designed as a $150 million alternative, to be developed in 3 stages. Stage 1 will involve roll-on/ bolt-on radar and electro-optical sensors, and accompanying processing workstations. Stage 2 would add wing-mounted, anti-surface weapons, along with upgraded workstations and weapon control systems. Stage 3 would be a full anti-submarine conversion, including sonobuoys, a magnetic anomaly detector boom, extra fuel pods, and 2 added bays for 6 Harpoon missiles. Sources: Defense News, “Smaller Maritime Patrol Aircraft Built for Tight Budgets”.

April 2/12: Flight International reports that new MRMR and MPP RFPs are imminent.

Feb 27/12: MRMR Back on. Indian media report that India’s government has finally approved the navy’s proposal to acquire up to 9 MRMR advanced medium range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, which is expected to cost upwards of $1 billion. The MRMR project got the “acceptance of necessity” from the Cabinet’s Defence Acquisitions Council. India Defence | Times of India.

Revived at 9 planes

2009 – 2011

MRMR RFP issued, then withdrawn.

May 30/11: Saab. Saab has announced that they’ll bid on MRMR with their Saab 2000 platform, equipped with a new phased array maritime search radar and Saab’s RBS-15 anti-ship missiles.

Saab invested in Indian partnerships in its bid for the MMRCA fighter competition. That bid is currently stalled or failed, but the MRMR bid can leverage the work they’ve already done on industrial partners, etc. Defense Update.

2010: MRMR & MPP RFIs.

2009: MRMR RFP withdrawn.

RFP withdrawn

March 3/09: Do-228 NGs. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) in Kanpur, India has supplied the first set of Dornier 228 NG of fuselage, wings and tail to RUAG Aerospace Services GmbH in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. First delivery of the 10-plane Indian order for short-mid range maritime aircraft is scheduled to take place early in 2010.

This will be the platform one tier below MRMR. RUAG release.

Feb 11-15/09: AN-74MP. Antonoc ASC announces that its AN-74MP, which it is unveiling at Aero India 2009, is a candidate for this competition:

“At present, this version of the aircraft is being studied by experts of MoD of India within the frame of tender on delivery of 6 aircraft of such a class for Navy and Coast Guard of the country. The new AN-74 is prepared to fulfill with a high efficiency a wide spectrum of military tasks… A new version of AN-74 differs from its predecessors with a number of considerable improvements. It made possible realization of conception of a radical modernization of the AN-74, developed by ANTONOV specialists in cooperation with the partners including those from France, Germany and Sweden. It includes mounting the glass cockpit, the newest instruments of piloting, navigation and communication. Besides, power plant and APU, aircraft and engine control systems, fuel, hydraulic systems and many others.”

Jan 12/09: RFP & Do-228s. Reports surface that India’s Navy and Coast Guard have issued their MRMR solicitations, and rumored candidates are identified in the press.

India Defence adds that “the Navy will also be getting 11 new Dornier short-range aircraft,” which is confirmed by later events. In 1983, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. bought a production license for the Do-228, and the Swiss firm RUAG Aerospace will commence building the Dornier 228 New Generation model at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany using structural parts supplied by HAL. The main changes in the NG model are a new 5-blade propeller made of composite material for improved performance, as well as an advanced digital (“glass”) cockpit and avionics.

RUAG will also integrate specialty equipment into existing or future Do-228s, including surveillance and search-and-rescue gear. India Defence | India Express | Aviation Week.

MRMR RFP;
New short-range aircraft

Additional Readings

While it’s mentioned in the photo pop-out, DID would like to publicly thank reader Ardavan Kazemi for his AN-148-200 MP pictures, snapped at Aero India 2013.

Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won two deals in support of the MQ-4C Triton drone. One delivery order worth $33.8 million procures material kits and retrofit labor to incorporate the Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 configuration into retrofit aircraft and ground segments. Work is expected to be completed in January 2022. Under the second contract, Northrop Grumman is awarded $14,1 million for modification that incorporates integrated functional capability 4.0 into low-rate initial production Lot 2 Aircraft B12. Work is expected to be completed in November 2021. The MQ-4C Triton is an autonomously operated system that provides a persistent maritime ISR capability using multiple maritime sensors. The MQ-4C Triton air vehicle is based upon the United States Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk.

The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission System a $15.7 million contract modification for the AEGIS Weapons System design requirements in support of the Guided Missile Frigate FFG(X). The deal includes the design of the Combat Management System. The planned contract action will modify CMS capabilities under development and integrate increased combat system element capability, resulting in an AEGIS Weapon System that aligns with FFG(X) Class ships. The FFG(X) Class ships are multimission guided-missile frigates. They are to be contracted from 2020 and will be a follow-on to the Littoral Combat Ships. At the beginning of July, Lockheed won a $7 million contract that includes combat system ship integration engineering support and test planning, conducting a waterfront CS ship integration and test program, post-delivery engineering support to government test teams, engineering services for CS ship integration and test and developing test program documents for FFG(X) ships. Work for the contract modification will take place in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is scheduled to be finished by September 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The British Army will contribute a 250-strong long-range reconnaissance task group to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from 2020. “Based in Gao, 250 personnel will deploy in response to a UN requirement and will address a key capability gap“, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. The release also noted that the deployment aims to prevent “conflict spilling over to neighboring states.” The stabilization mission in Mali, which began in 2013, is considered one of the most dangerous UN peacekeeping missions, and attacks against blue helmets in the center and north of the country are common. More than 200 people deployed to MINUSMA have died, including 18 this year.

Europe

Germany’s defense procurement office awarded a contract to the ARGE Puma consortium for the System Panzergrenadier Very High Joint Readiness Task Force 2023 (VJTF 2023) project, Rheinmetall announced. The company will furnish the German Bundeswehr with 41 upgraded Puma infantry fighting vehicles along with additional measures for improving communication between the infantry fighting vehicles and dismounted infantrymen. Included in the “System Panzergrenadier VJTF 2023” package is a comprehensive combat performance upgrade of forty-one Puma infantry fighting vehicles, coupled with additional measures for improving communication between the infantry fighting vehicles and dismounted infantrymen. The order is valued at $288.1 million.

Asia-Pacific

Fighter jets from the Republic of Korea Air Force reportedly fired warning shots at a Russian military aircraft after the latter entered South Korean airspace at 9:09 am local time. Based on a release by Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the Russian aircraft that was subjected to warning shots from South Korean fighter aircraft was an A-50. South Korean F-15K fighter jets sent warnings, dropped 10 flares, and fired 80 warning shots into the air close to the Russian aircraft. The Russian warplane left the area at 09:12 am and exited the KADIZ at 9:15 am. The A-50, however, again entered South Korean airspace at 9:33 am for the second time, prompting Korean fighter jets to fire 280 warning shots and 10 flares. The warplane left the area at 9:37 am and flew toward the Northern Limit Line, exiting the KADIZ at 9:56 am. The Russian aircraft is assumed to have been participating in a joint military exercise with China, as two other Russian warplanes were also found entering into the KADIZ along with two Chinese bombers.

NAG, Indian state-owned Defense Research and Development Organisation’s indigenously developed 3rd Generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) has successfully undergone a series of summer trials at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges carried out by the Indian Army in July. According to officials associated with the project, the missile was test-fired around 12 times during the 11-day period and the mission was completed on Thursday. Jane’s reports that now the Nag missile system is ready for series production. The ATGM has been developed to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in all weather conditions with day-and-night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500 meters and a maximum range of four kilometers.

Today’s Video

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Americas

Lockheed Martin won $22.6 million cost-plus-incentive-fee modification for AEGIS Baseline 9 integration and delivery, Aegis Baseline 5.4 and 9A2A post-certification support. The deal provides for the completion of the development and fielding of the AEGIS Baseline 9 AEGIS Weapon System and integrated AEGIS Combat System on the remaining AEGIS Technical Insertion (TI) 12 configured destroyers as well as TI 12 and TI 08 configured cruisers. The Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system, which uses powerful computer and radar technology to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. The Aegis Combat System is the world’s most advanced combat system and the only maritime ballistic defense system capable of simultaneously attacking land targets, submarines, and surface ships while protecting the fleet against aircraft, cruise and other ballistic missiles. Baseline 9 is the upgraded version of the weapons system that enables the crew members to track enemy missiles and aircraft with accuracy. The system further enhances the overall range and weapon capabilities of the vessel compared to its predecessors. Lockheed will perform work for the modification in Moorestown, New Jersey and is scheduled to be finished by July 2020.

The company Lockheed Martin also won an $8.2 million contract modification in support of Surface Navy Laser Weapon System Increment 1, High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance or HELIOS system. The deal includes technical and field engineering services and a cost-only line item for travel. Lockheed Martin’s HELIOS laser weapons system uses light beams to defend against Chinese or Russian cruise missiles. With the High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance (HELIOS) system, Lockheed Martin will help the Navy take a major step forward in its goal to field laser weapon systems aboard surface ships. The army intends to integrate the navy’s laser systems around 2023, however it may not be possible to fully utilize it. Before it can use a system with double the power of those currently in development, the army will need to develop support systems capable of operating these higher-powered naval lasers. The US Navy is planning to deploy Lockheed Martin’s HELIOS laser on destroyers by 2021 after a testing period, in which the weapon was successfully used to target and take down drones.

Middle East & Africa

Iran deployed three Mohajer-6 drones. The UAV would be used to identify and destroy threats to the country’s borders. The military had released photographs showing at least one Mohajer-6 deployed to an unidentified airfield that was said to be in northeast Iran. Iran begun mass production of the indigenously-produced Mohajer-6 tactical and combat unmanned aerial vehicle back in February 2018. The Mohajer-6 was unveiled in 2016. The drone is the first of the Mohajer series to have wheeled undercarriage.

Europe

In a press release, Raytheon announced that the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Ministry of Defense to join Team ARTEMIS Industry, a collaboration between government and industry formed to fast track the launch of a small satellite constellation and enhance the UK’s sovereign space capability. “In large part because of US efforts to raise the profile of military space, allies are working hard to ‘close the space gap,'” said Air Vice-Marshal Rocky Rochelle, Royal Air Force chief of staff for capability. ARTEMIS is a hyperspectral sensing system, operating in the visible to shortwave infrared wavelengths. Hyperspectral sensors capture light across a wide swath of the electromagnetic spectrum, providing unprecedented spectral detail. That spectral information produces a distinct signature, which can be compared against the spectral signatures of known objects to rapidly identify potential areas of interest.

MBDA announced it signed a contract for the purchase of Mistral 3 short range air defense systems. This makes Serbia the 32nd customer country for the Mistral missile and the 10th country invited to join the Mistral user club. This will also be the first European order of the missile. The Mistral 3 is a man-portable, fully digital, heat-seeking missile. It features a lightweight man-portable launcher. It can be easily transported and operated from the ground, a vehicle, a building or a ship. MISTRAL MANPADS is normally operated by a gunner and a crew commander. However, if the mission is carried out in a simple tactical environment, it can be operated by one single soldier.

Asia-Pacific

The first batch of AH-64E attack helicopters for India will arrive home on July 27 at Hindon Airbase, local media reports. India has purchased 22 Apache helicopters from the United States. The Apaches will be prepared at the Hindon Airbase and in the last week of August will be sent to Pathankot for a formal induction into the IAF. The deployment of Apache’s first squadron in Pathankot will take another month. The first squadron of the Apaches will be stationed at Pathankot. The Apache AH-64E helicopter is equipped with a 30-mm machine gun, which can fired up to 1,200 rounds at a time.

Today’s Video

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