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Its policies might resemble those of Hungary or Poland, but in not rocking the EU boat, Bulgaria is emerging as the bloc’s preferred model for Eastern Europe.

Balkan politicans ignore the downsides of Chinese investment at their peril.

A niche policy fight over the technical groundwork for internet-connected cars has pitted car companies against telecoms operators and also set off alarm bells in a handful of EU capitals.

Macedonia has started working on preparations for the forthcoming plebiscite on its name agreement with Greece, a historic opportunity for the country to unblock its EU and NATO accession bids.

The renovation of an early 20th century school in Pristina is the latest project that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency is helping to finance as Ankara keeps up its 'soft power' investment in Kosovo.

Die Festnahme eines iranischen Diplomaten hat den Besuch von Irans Präsidenten Hassan Ruhani in Wien (Ö) überschattet. Der Diplomat soll in Zusammenhang mit einem vereitelten Attentat auf Exil-Iraner in Frankreichs stehen.

Der Besuch des iranischen Präsidenten Hassan Ruhani in Wien erhält durch die Festnahme eines iranischen Diplomaten zusätzliche Brisanz: Österreich forderte die Regierung in Teheran am Dienstag zur Aufhebung der Immunität des Diplomaten auf.

Dies teilte ein Sprecher des Aussenministeriums in Wien mit. Der iranische Diplomat und weitere Verdächtige sollen ein Attentat auf eine Versammlung der iranischen Volksmudschahedin am vergangenen Samstag bei Paris geplant haben.

Paar mit iranischen Wurzeln in Brüssel verhaftet – Sie hatten 500 Gramm Sprengstoff bei sich

Der österreichische Ministeriumssprecher teilte ferner mit, Teheran sei darüber informiert worden, dass der am Samstag in Deutschland festgenommene Botschaftsmitarbeiter wegen eines europäischen Haftbefehls binnen 48 Stunden seinen Diplomatenstatus verlieren werde. Die Polizei hatte den Diplomaten an der A3 bei Aschaffenburg (D) in Nordbayern gefasst.

Der Diplomat soll mit einem Paar mit iranischen Wurzeln in Kontakt gestanden haben, das am Samstag in Brüssel festgenommen worden war und in dessen Auto 500 Gramm Sprengstoff gefunden wurde. Drei weitere Festnahmen erfolgten nach Aussage der Ermittler in Frankreich, zwei Verdächtige wurden inzwischen wieder freigelassen.

Die im Pariser Exil ansässigen Volksmudschahedin warfen der Regierung in Teheran vor, hinter den mutmasslichen Anschlagsplänen zu stecken. Der den Volksmudschahedin nahestehende Nationale Rat des iranischen Widerstands (NRIW) erklärte, bei dem Diplomaten handele es sich um Assadollah Assadi. Er sei der «Kommandeur» und «Chefplaner» des vereitelten Attentats gewesen.

Ruhani-Besuch in Europa wird überschattet

Der iranische Aussenminister Mohammed Dschawad Sarif sprach hingegen von einer «Verschwörung», mit der ein schlechtes Licht auf die derzeitige Europa-Reise von Präsident Ruhani geworfen werden solle. Ruhani hielt sich am Montag und Dienstag in der Schweiz auf und sollte am Mittwoch in Wien mit dem österreichischen Präsidenten Alexander Van der Bellen und Bundeskanzler Sebastian Kurz zusammentreffen.

In Wien werden zudem am Freitag die Aussenminister der am Atomabkommen mit Iran festhaltenden Länder zu Gesprächen zusammenkommen. Die Vertreter des Iran, Chinas, Russlands, Grossbritanniens, Frankreichs und Deutschland würden in der österreichischen Hauptstadt erwartet, berichteten iranische Staatsmedien. Es ist das erste Treffen dieser Art, seit US-Präsident Donald Trump das Abkommen mit dem Iran gekündigt hat.

25'000 Menschen haben an Treffen der Volksmudschahedin teilgenommen

Trump hatte im Mai den Ausstieg der USA aus dem Abkommen erklärt. Neben den USA waren auch Deutschland sowie die Uno-Vetomächte China, Russland, Grossbritannien und Frankreich direkt am Zustandekommen der Vereinbarung von 2015 beteiligt. Sie wollen das Abkommen retten.

An dem Treffen der Volksmudschahedin in Villepinte nordöstlich von Paris nahmen nach belgischen Angaben rund 25'000 Menschen teil, darunter auch US-Politiker, Unterstützer von US-Präsident Donald Trump sowie der frühere New Yorker Bürgermeister und jetzige Trump-Anwalt Rudy Giuliani.

Die Volksmudschahedin wurden 1965 als Oppositionspartei gegründet. Die EU und Washington betrachten die Gruppe erst seit wenigen Jahren nicht mehr als «Terrororganisation». (SDA/rad)

Americas

• Performance Aircraft Services is being contracted for repair work on the Navy’s fleet of E-6B aircraft. The $57 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract provides for the removal and replacement of sealant on fuel cells and aircraft surfaces, as well as on the internal surface of wing fuel tanks for up to 16 aircraft. The USA’s E-6 Mercury “survivable airborne communication system” airplanes support their Navy’s SSBN ballistic missile submarine force and overall strategic forces. The 707-300 derivatives have a range of about 5,500 miles and can easily carry 23 crew members. The E-6 flies independent random operations from various deployed sites for approximately 15-day intervals. Each deployed crew is self-supporting except for fuel and perishables, and the mission requires a 24-hour commitment of resources (alert posture) in the Atlantic and Pacific regions. Work will be performed in Waco, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is expected to be completed in May 2023.

• Northrop Grumman is being tapped for work in support of the Navy’s PMS 408. The firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification is valued at $96,5 million and provides for the production for the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Increment One Block One systems. PMS 408 is the Navy program management office for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), counter radio controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare (CREW), and anti-terrorism afloat (ATA) systems. The modification is for Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems that provide combat troops protection against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIEDs). They are high-power, modular, programmable, multiband radio frequency jammers designed to deny enemy use of selected portions of the radio frequency spectrum. They come in 3 varieties – fixed, mounted, and dismounted. CREW systems are designed to provide protection for foot soldiers, vehicles and permanent structures. The Joint CREW Increment One Block One system is the first-generation system that develops a common open architecture across all three capabilities and provides protection for worldwide military operations. Work will be performed in San Diego, California and Sierra Vista, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by April 2020.

• BAE Systems Land & Armaments is being awarded a contract modification for the production of the Mk 38 mod 3 machine gun system. The modification is valued at $33,2 million and sees to fulfill specified requirements and technical performance requirements for the Mk38 mod 3 25mm MGS ordnance alteration. The Mk38 provides ships with defensive and offensive gunfire capability for the engagement of a variety of surface targets. Designed primarily as a close-range defensive measure, it provides protection against patrol boats, floating mines, and various shore-based targets. The gun is visually distinctive from previous versions with its stealthy housing, which also protects the gun from weather and allows for easier access to internal components through large access panels. The Mod 3 mounts a larger Mk44 II 30 mm cannon for a 500-meter range increase, as well as a coaxial .50 caliber machine gun. Elevation is increased to +75 degrees for engaging UAVs and helicopters, and ammunition storage is greater at 420 30 mm rounds. Work will be performed in Haifa, Israel and Louisville, Kentucky. It is expected to be completed by June 2020.

Middle East & Africa

• The government of Lebanon is set to receive several UASs as part of a US foreign military sale. The $8,2 million deal between the US DoD and Insitu provides for the production and delivery of six ScanEagle UASs to Lebanon. The contract also includes related support equipment, training, site activation, technical services, and data for the government of Lebanon. One UAS typically comprises up to 12 air vehicles as well as associated pneumatic launchers and Skyhook recovery apparatus, meaning that this latest contract could cover as many as 72 ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The ScanEagle is solidly based on Insitu’s original “Insight” platform, with different variants distinguished by their payloads and accompanying equipment rather than their aerodynamic design. These UAVs fill a niche between hand-launched mini-UAVs and runway-capable tactical UAVs. Lebanon is understood to have received an initial batch of ScanEagle UASs in 2015, although no details were disclosed at the time or since. Work is expected to be completed in June 2020.

• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is adding a new missile to its Barak family. The Barak-MX is a modular and scalable networked air/missile defense system that links various sensors, launchers and Barak effectors in a single architecture that can be scoped and optimized to meet specific customer mission requirements. Barak MX is essentially a building block solution. It enables one to retain the central C2 capability but adds longer-range air defense sensors and Barak effectors to scale up the system. The Barak Battle Management Center (BMC), which creates and manages a unified multi-senor aerial picture, coordinates the force operation networks and manages the launch arrays. Barak BMC is available in mobile, transportable and stationary versions. The interceptors are vertically launched and support 360° coverage, quick reactions, short minimal ranges and active high-end RF seekers for targets with low radar cross sections and high maneuverability.

Europe

• The Czech Ministry of Defense intends to move ahead with the acquisition of two additional C-295 transport aircraft in support of its troops. The Czechs currently have four tactical transporters, they are flying since 2010. The new C-295 is a stretched derivative of the CN-235 transporter, with characteristic high-wing, rear-loader design. The aircraft is noted for its short take-off and landing capability on semi-prepared runways and for the large payload capacity of 20392 lb. The landing and take-off run of just 350 yd. and 732 yd. allow the aircraft access to runways close to operational or crisis areas or where supplies and troops are needed. The new C-295s are expected to replace two obsolete Russian-made Yakovlev Yak-40 jet airliners, deliveries are expected by 2020.

Asia-Pacific

• The government of Japan is selecting Lockheed Martin in support of its multibillion-dollar missile defense system. The Asian nation plans to deploy to Aegis Ashore batteries by 2023. The two Aegis Ashore sites will likely cost around $4 billion, almost twice the amount previously expected. Lockheed will provide a version of its Long-Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) in support of the defense efforts. LRDR combines proven solid-state radar technologies with proven ballistic missile defense algorithms, all based upon an open architecture platform. The radar provides precision metric data to improve ballistic defense discrimination. The missile defense upgrade is a clear message towards China and North Korea. Japanese military planners still see North Korea as an immediate danger. They also view China’s growing military power as a long-term threat.

Today’s Video

• A-10 Warthog prepares for combat patrol over Afghanistan.

ScanEagle launch
(click to view full)

ScanEagle’s base Insight UAV platform was originally developed by Washington state’s Insitu, Inc. to track dolphins and tuna from fishing boats, in order to ensure that the fish you buy in supermarkets is “dolphin-safe”. It turns out that the same characteristics needed by fishing boats (able to handle salt water environments, low infrastructure launch and recovery, small size, 20-hour long endurance, automated flight patterns) are equally important for naval operations from larger vessels, and for battlefield surveillance. A partnership with Boeing took ScanEagle to market in those fields, and the USMC’s initial buy in 2004 was the beginning of a market-leading position in its niche.

This article covers recent developments with the ScanEagle UAV system, which is quickly evolving into a mainstay with the US Navy and its allies. Incumbency doesn’t last long in the fast-changing world of UAVs, though. Insitu’s own RQ-21 Integrator is looking to push the ScanEagle aside, and new multiple-award contracts in the USA are creating opportunities for other competitors. Can Insitu’s original stay strong?

The ScanEagle Family

ScanEagle BCAS launch
(click for alternate view)

The ScanEagle is solidly based on Insitu’s original “Insight” platform, with different variants distinguished by their payloads and accompanying equipment rather than their aerodynamic design. The UAVs are launched by catapult, and autonomously recovered using a folding “skyhook” and catch-line. These UAVs fill a niche between hand-launched mini-UAVs like Aerovironment’s RQ-11 Raven or Elbit’s Skylark I, and runway-capable tactical UAVs like Textron’s RQ-7 Shadow, Aeronautics DS’ Aerostar, or IAI’s Searcher II. Its long endurance is actually superior to its tactical UAV competitors, but its payload weight limit is significantly smaller.

ScanEagle has been demonstrated or used from a wide variety of ship classes and types, and the family includes a number of specialty variants from sniper locator, to bio-warfare agent detection (BCAS). The base UAV has even been used successfully as a firefighting aid. A NightEagle conversion kit adds a different front end with thermal imaging sensors, and allows field conversion of ScanEagle aircraft in 2-3 hours. More drastic modifications are found in the ScanEagle Compressed Carriage (SECC), whose smaller fold-out wings allow it to be launched from an aircraft pylon, or a submarine.

Setup & use
click for video

In October 2014, Insitu introduced a new model, the ScanEagle 2. Compared to the original ScanEagle, v2.0’s most obvious physical difference is the payload holder at the front, which borrows from the larger NightEagle configuration and can combine day and night sensors with a laser marker. Wingspan is still about 10.2 feet, but the UAV is longer (5.1 feet to 5.6 feet) and heavier (base weight rises, payload beyond the sensor set rises from 7.5 to 7.7 pounds, max. takeoff weight rises from 48.5 to 51.8 pounds). Speed is unaffected (50-60 knot cruise, max. 80 knots), but endurance drops from 24 hours to just 16 hours for ScanEagle 2.

In Exchange, ScanEagle 2 features the first reciprocating internal combustion propulsion system designed and manufactured specifically for small UAVs, with real-time diagnostics built in. Inside, the UAV has an Ethernet-based architecture, a fully digital video system, upgraded navigation systems, and improvements that reduce electromagnetic interference to enable more sensitive payloads. Electric power available to those payloads rises from 60W to 100-150W.

ScanEagle 2 uses the same Mark 4 catapults, SyHook recovery system, and Insitu Common Open-mission Management Command and Control (ICOMC2) as the RQ-21 Integrator/ Blackjack.

Versatility
(click for alternate view)

The ScanEagle family’s combination of versatility, long endurance, and small size appears to be succeeding in the global defense marketplace, without really impairing the market for tactical UAVs.

Boeing has had field representatives in theater for a few years now to support and operate the ScanEagle UAV from ships and ashore, receiving high battlefield praise and a fairly regular stream of contracts from the USA and Australia. Canada and Malaysia have also signed on for battlefield surveillance services, the Colombian, Iraqi, Tunisian, and UK Royal navies are using ScanEagle, and so are the Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Singapore, and Yemen. The Dutch are using ScanEagle as an interim UAV, Japan is testing it, and other customers wait in the wings. Reported interest includes France, Pakistan, Kuwait, and other Gulf States.

Competition from Without – and Within

Aerosonde 4.7
(click to view full)

The UAV field continues to change quickly. The latest US Navy ISR contract will have ScanEagle competing against the Aerosonde-G for naval buys of UAV services, and against both AAI’s Aerosonde G and Arcturus’ T-20 for land-based surveillance missions. SOCOM’s MEUAS contracts have also become a de facto competition with AAI’s Aersonde.

Insitu’s flagship product will also have to contend with an internal competitor. The firm has begun to offer a next-generation “Integrator” platform, which was picked as the US Navy and Marine Corps’ next-generation RQ-21A Blackjack Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS-II). It’s also reported that service contracts with other countries will begin incorporating the RQ-21, either as a main UAV or as a switch-in option.

The RQ-21A Integrator boosts endurance to over 24 hours, and raises maximum payload to about 50 pounds / 23 kg. Wingspan rises to 15.8 feet/ 4.8m, and body length rises to 7 feet/ 2.1m. Its sensor package will be a bit more versatile, too, with TV zoom and mid-wave infrared cameras, plus an infrared marker and a laser rangefinder (but not, yet, a target designator), all in a single package instead of the original ScanEagle’s swap-in options. Launch and recovery methods are the same as the ScanEagle’s, and use the same Mark 4 and ICOMC2 equipment.

Integrator will not be covered in this article except for contracts that shift away from the ScanEagle to the new platform, and equally significant milestones that affect ScanEagle’s future.

Contracts and Key Events: 2008 – Present

Eye in the Sky

Unless otherwise noted, contracts are issued by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD. As of July 2008, Insitu Inc. is a Boeing subsidiary. Note that RQ-21A Integrator contracts won’t be covered here, unless they have a substantial impact on the ScanEagle’s future.

FY 2016 – 2018

 

ScanEagle 2
(click to view full)

July 4/18: FMS to Lebanon The government of Lebanon is set to receive several UASs as part of a US foreign military sale. The $8,2 million deal between the US DoD and Insitu provides for the production and delivery of six ScanEagle UASs to Lebanon. The contract also includes related support equipment, training, site activation, technical services, and data for the government of Lebanon. One UAS typically comprises up to 12 air vehicles as well as associated pneumatic launchers and Skyhook recovery apparatus, meaning that this latest contract could cover as many as 72 ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The ScanEagle is solidly based on Insitu’s original “Insight” platform, with different variants distinguished by their payloads and accompanying equipment rather than their aerodynamic design. These UAVs fill a niche between hand-launched mini-UAVs and runway-capable tactical UAVs. Lebanon is understood to have received an initial batch of ScanEagle UASs in 2015, although no details were disclosed at the time or since. Work is expected to be completed in June 2020.

May 9/18: Spares for the Integrator UAV manufacturer Insitu has been awarded a firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement. The $11 million contract provides for the procurement of spare and sustainment parts to maintain the RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft system in support of the Marine Corps. The RQ-21A is the internal competitor to Insitu’s flagship product, the ScanEagle. The RQ-21A Integrator is the company’s next-generation UAV platform. It boosts endurance to over 24 hours and raises maximum payload to about 50 pounds. Its wingspan rises to 15.8 feet and body length rises to 7 feet. Its sensor package will be a bit more versatile, too, with TV zoom and mid-wave infrared cameras, plus an infrared marker and a laser rangefinder, all in a single package instead of the original ScanEagle’s swap-in options. Launch and recovery methods are the same on both platforms. Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington, and is expected to be completed in January 2019.

March 30/18: Dolphin hunter goes inland The US government is procuring 8 ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in support of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Insitu Inc. has been awarded a contract valued at over $47 million. ScanEagle’s base Insight UAV platform was originally developed by Washington state’s Insitu, Inc. to track dolphins and tuna from fishing boats. Its characteristics make it equally suitable for naval operations and for battlefield surveillance. A partnership with Boeing took ScanEagle to the defense market. The ScanEagle is launched by catapult, and autonomously recovered using a folding “skyhook” and catch-line. These UAVs fill a niche between hand-launched mini-UAVs like Aerovironment’s RQ-11 Raven and runway-capable tactical UAVs like Textron’s RQ-7 Shadow. The drone can be modified to speciality variants, from sniper locator, to bio-warfare agent detection. The ScanEagle is currently in service in Canada, Malaysia, Colombia, Iraq, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Singapore. The deal also includes spares, other support equipment, 17 field services representatives plus site surveys and activation teams. The majority of work (95%) will be performed in Afghanistan with the remaining 5% being completed in Bingen, Washington. Work is scheduled for completion in March 2019.

March 15/18: Scanning the Philippines The US Embassy to the Philippines has overseen the transfer of a Boeing Insitu ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) comprising of six drones to the archipelago nation. The transfer was overseen by US Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana during a ceremony at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on March 13. An Embassy statement said the package is worth $13.2 million and is financed by the Foreign Military Financing grant program. The ScanEagle system will be operated by the 300 Air Intelligence and Security Wing (AISW), out of Antonio Bautista Air Base, Palawan.

February 26/18: Scanning the Seven Seas An anonymous source in the Indonesian Navy has said the service will receive four ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) this summer, Jane’s reports. The UAVs along with their support equipment are being procured by a grant provided by the US government under a capacity building program for allied Southeast Asian navies and coastguards known as the Maritime Security Initiative (MSI), with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia also involved. The scheme aims to help boost these nation’s capabilities to defend and survey their maritime territories and economic resources, as well as allowing them to better contribute to regional maritime security.

July 28/17: Insitu has been contracted by the US DoD to deliver five ScanEagle UAS systems, along with their support equipment, operators, spare parts, site activation services and management for the operation of the UAS for the government of Afghanistan. The work will primarily be conducted in Afghanistan and Bingen, Wash. with a projected completion date of April 2018. The $19.6 million order is being covered under Afghan Security Forces funding. ScanEagles provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance data with high endurance of over 24 hours.

January 12/17: UAV manufacturers are off to a busy 2017, with branches of the US Armed forces commissioning new orders and sustainment works. Washington firm Insitu has been contracted $70 million for the provision of six additional Lot I RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems to the Navy, comprised of unmanned aircraft, ground control stations, multi-mission plug-and-play payloads, and additional supporting equipment. The Army, meanwhile, has contracted Textron to perform sustainment services for the Army’s RQ-7 Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft system. Valued at $ 206 million, Textron will provide engineering, logistics, field service operations, depot materiel repair and post-production software support to the Army’s fleet of 117 Shadow aircraft.

July 18/16: Maritime surveillance capabilities of the British Royal Navy are to experience a setback in 2017 due to budget constraints. It’s been reported that the service will lose its ScanEagle capability and Type 23 warships will not have any UAVs on board. It had been hoped that UAVs could have been procured under the Flexible Deployable Unmanned Air System (FDUAS) program but failed to secure funding in this year’s budget cycle.

April 21/16: Afghanistan’s National Army has launched its first ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The first operational site is in the often volatile Helmand province, and there will be a total of eight sites situated across the country. The systems will provide the Afghan National Army with airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities as it conducts security missions against militants operating within its borders.

January 22/16: The USMC has declared that the RQ-21A Blackjack UAV has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with deployment of the system to commence this summer. Formerly known as the Integrator, the Blackjack has been developed by Boeing as part of a low rate production of a small tactical unmanned air system (STUAS) for the US Navy, and uses the same same launcher and recovery system as the Scan Eagle system. One hundred systems of five vehicles each are planned for the USMC by 2017.

November 30/15: Afghanistan has ordered eight sets of the Insitu ScanEagle UAS from Boeing worth $70 million. The sets contain 65 of the ScanEagle UAVs and work is expected to be completed by 2018. Initially developed to track dolphins and tuna from fishing boats, the ScanEagle is operational in several countries and provides a range of surveillance, tracking and mapping abilities. The purchase comes at a time of increased defense spending from Kabul who has spent $1.8 billion this year. It is expected defense spending will reach $3.4 billion by 2020.

FY 2015

ScanEagle 2 unveiled.

July 27/15: Also announced on Friday, the Navy awarded a $78 million contract modification for six low rate initial production RQ-21A Blackjack UAVs. Also known as the ScanEagle, the Boeing-owned manufacturer Insitu Inc. unveiled a new version of the UAV in October last year, the ScanEagle 2. The first version has seen significant export success, in countries as diverse as Colombia, Yemen, Japan and the Netherlands, with Iran producing an unlicensed version known as the Yasir.

Oct 29/14: ScanEagle 2. Insitu unveils the ScanEagle 2 at Euronaval 2014. It features the first reciprocating internal combustion propulsion system designed and manufactured specifically for small UAVs, with real-time diagnostics built in. Inside, the UAV has an Ethernet-based architecture, a fully digital video system, upgraded navigation systems, and improvements that reduce electromagnetic interference to enable more sensitive payloads. Electric power available to those payloads rises from 60W to 100-150W.

Compared to the original ScanEagle, v2.0’s most obvious physical difference is the payload holder at the front, which standardizes on the larger NightEagle configuration that can combine day/night sensors and a laser marker. Wingspan is still about 10.2 feet, but the UAV is longer (5.1 feet to 5.6 feet) and heavier (base weight rises, payload rises from 7.5 to 7.7 pounds, max. takeoff weight rises from 48.5 to 51.8 pounds). Speed is unaffected (50-60 knot cruise, max. 80 knots), but endurance drops from 24 hours to just 16 hours for ScanEagle 2.

ScanEagle 2 uses the same Mark 4 catapults, SyHook recovery system, and Insitu Common Open-mission Management Command and Control (ICOMC2) as the RQ-21 Integrator/ Blackjack. Sources: Insitu, “Insitu Announces ScanEagle 2 – the Next Generation of the ScanEagle Platform” | Defense News, “Insitu Launches New ScanEagle 2 UAS” (incl. existing customer list).

ScanEagle 2

FY 2014

Buyers: Yemen, Iraq; Opportunities: Japan, UAE partnership, USCG; Fielding in UK Royal Navy; New CEO.

Australian report
click for video

Sept 29/14: Yemen. Insitu Inc. in Bingen, WA receives an $11 million firm-fixed-price delivery order from Yemen for 9 ScanEagle Electro-Optics and 3 NightEagle UAVs. This order also provides for one 12-month/3,600 flight-hour sustainment package with acceptance testing, spares, technical manuals, and training; a site activation team; field service representative; and protection for the support team. All funds are committed immediately.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (50%), and Sanaa, Yemen (50%), and is expected to be complete in September 2015. The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ acts as Yemen’s contract agent (N68335-11-G-0009, DO 0007).

Yemen buys

Sept 29/14: Czech. Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA receives a $6.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order from the Czech Republic for 7 ScanEagle electro-optics and 3 NightEagle UAVs, to be used by their troops in Afghanistan. All funds are committed immediately.

Work will be performed at Bingen, WA (50%), and Afghanistan (50%), and is expected to be complete in September 2015. The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ acts as the Czech Republic’s contract agent (N68335-11-G-0009, DO 0006).

Czech Republic buys

Aug 6/14: Leadership. Insitu CEO Steve Morrow (q.v. April 28/11) is retiring, so Boeing names SVP Insitu Programs Ryan Hartman as the new President and CEO, effective immediately. Sources: Insitu, “Boeing Names Ryan Hartman Insitu President and Chief Executive Officer”.

New CEO

June 22/14: UK. The Royal Navy is now using drones from its ships on operations:

“Just 7 months after the Ministry of Defence ordered the system from Boeing Defence UK, footage released today, 22 June, shows ScanEagle taking flight from [the Type 23 frigate] HMS Somerset in the [Persian] Gulf.”

Sources: UK MoD, “Royal Navy’s new eyes in the sky”.

June 2014: USCG. The ScanEagle’s performance with the US Coast Guard may yet make it the service’s 1st ship-borne UAV, after successful drug busts aboard one of the new frigate-sized National Security Cutters:

“At a joint House Transportation and Foreign Affairs Committee hearing looking at maritime drug interdiction efforts, Adm. Robert Papp, commandant of the Coast Guard prior to his retirement in May, said the service is continuing to test ScanEagles…. The Coast Guard will pursue an acquisition program, he confirmed.”

Sources: NDIA National Defense magazine, “Coast Guard Closer to Acquiring Ship-Based Drones”.

May 13/14: Firefighter. Insitu Pacific touts a successful ScanEagle demonstration for the Australian New South Wales Rural Fire Service over the Wollemi National Park, 150 km northwest of Sydney, where fires have burned more than 35,000 hectares of bushland since December 2013.

The trial was trial a collaborative effort between Insitu Pacific and General Dynamics Mediaware, whose D-VEX next-generation video exploitation system streamed full-motion video imagery alongside geo-location information in near real time. This combination was used to monitor and report on the movement of the fire front at night, which is generally done at low altitudes that are unsafe for manned aircraft. It’s also possible to do this job using more advanced sensors on full-size UAVs like the MQ-9 Reaper, but ScanEagle is a far more affordable option. Sources: Insitu, “Insitu Pacific Demonstrates Fire Management Assistance with ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft”.

Jan 12/14: Japan. Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force is looking for ways to improve surveillance, in the wake of Chinese provocations and aggressive territorial claims. Their constitution bars aircraft carriers, but they’d like to try small UAVs that can be launched from destroyers. ScanEagle is already being trialed in Japan, which makes it the natural choice if Japan wants to trial live flights during the FY 2014 budget request’s YEN 2 million research (about $23,600) research phase.

If the JMSDF goes ahead, they’ll buy up to 19 systems. Textron’s Aerosonde can offer a competitor, Northrop and Raytheon have BAT UAVs, and even Boeing has a 2nd UAV up their sleeve in the RQ-21 Integrator. Sources: Japan Times: “MSDF looks to deploy drones on destroyers”.

Jan 7/14: Iraq. Now that Prime Minister Maliki’s sectarian approach to governing has produced predictable rebellion and insurgency in Sunni areas, the USA is shipping Iraq some weapons and equipment, even as heavier equipment finds itself blocked by Sen. Menendez [D-NJ], and many other senators are voicing concerns. Army Col. Steven Warren:

“We’re expediting delivery of 10 operational ScanEagles for part of the original purchase, as well as an additional four nonoperational ScanEagles, which will be sent to help facilitate maintenance of the original 10.”

They’ll act as Iraq’s high-end UAV, compared to the 48 Raven mini-UAVs slated for delivery in the spring. Sources: Pentagon, “DOD Speeds Delivery of Surveillance Assets to Iraq” | The Daily Beast, “Congress to Iraq’s Maliki: No Arms for a Civil War”.

Nov 19/13: UAE. Tawazun subsidiary Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI) expands on a previous marketing and training teaming agreements with Boeing Insitu (q.v. Feb 18/13, Nov 15/11), and taken the next step: they’ll be able to operate and maintain Boeing’s ScanEagle and its larger Integrator UAVs as a service for the UAE military, and for “neighbouring allies.” That gives them complete service authority with the UAV, from marketing, to training, to operation.

ADASI aren’t newcomers to the UAV world. Under the UAE’s Al Sabr program, the firm performed final assembly of the country’s Schiebel S-100 Camcopter small helicopter UAVs, have been conducting R&D to expand the VTUAV’s range of carrying platforms, and service the UAE’s fleet. Sources: ADASI release, Nov 19/13.

FY 2013

SOCOM MEUAS contract; UK buys ScanEagle; Japan begins trial; Iran copies it from crashed UAVs; Kestrel agreement solidifies moving target detection; Sensor cueing from land robots; Launch & recovery improvements.

Small boat pickup
(click to view full)

Sept 17/13: Poland. Insitu Inc. in Bingen, WA receives $7.3 million for a firm-fixed-price delivery order covering ScanEagle system hardware repairs and modifications for Poland. It includes spares, operations and maintenance training, and technical UAS publications.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA and is expected to be complete in September 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD acts as Poland’s agent within the FMS framework (N00019-12-G-0008, #0016).

Sept 16/13: SOCOM. A maximum $300 million, 3-year firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for ScanEagle UAVs, operator services, and maintenance services in support of US SOCOM’s naval special warfare operators.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and the contract will run until September 2016. $85 million in operational and supplemental/OCO funds are committed immediately, and will expire by Sept 30/13. Interestingly, the Pentagon says that the “contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1,” which is the “only 1 responsible provider” exemption. That significant language, because Textron subsidiary AAI’s Aerosonde 4.7G won the MEAUS-II competition (q.v. March 5/12). ScanEagle pushed back in with a $190 million, 25-month “unusual and compelling urgency” MEAUS contract in February 2013, and this award appears to firmly nail down its position as SOCOM’s go-to UAV (N00019-13-D-0016).

US SOCOM

July 26/13: FAA. The US Federal Aviation Administration issues its 1st UAV Restricted Category Type Certificates, which include the ScanEagle X200. A “major energy company” wants to fly ScanEagle in international waters off of the Alaska coast, surveying ocean ice floes and migrating whale patterns, in order to assess potential Arctic oil exploration areas.

Experimental Airworthiness Certificates have been used for non-government UAV operations in the past, but they don’t allow commercial use. The FAA says that US military acceptance of the ScanEagle and Puma designs was an important factor in granting the new Restricted Category certificates, which do allow commercial operations.

That’s going to be a hotter area for UAV manufacturers over the next few years, and for the FAA as well. The Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandated that the FAA integrate UAVs into domestic airspace by 2015, but a key deadline establishing 6 pilot sites by August 2012 wasn’t met. These type certificates are a small step forward, within a larger framework. Sources: US FAA | NDIA’s National Defense magazine | Seattle Times.

(Restricted) Commercial USA in USA

July 12/13: Industrial. Insitu breaks ground on a new 120,000-square-foot production facility near its headquarters in Bingen, WA. The building is expected to be done in August 2014. Sources: Insitu, July 12/13 release.

July 2/13: USCG. The Coast Guard has been pondering its UAS options and requirements for years (vid. Dec 1/09 entry). They recently completed the 2nd of 3 planned demonstration phases. They used a ScanEagle during a 2-week deployment aboard the Bertholf cutter. That led to 90+ hours of flight time, during which the UAV helped with a the interception of a cocaine-loaded vessel. That gave them the opportunity to test the daytime camera, the combination electro-optical/infrared camera, and auto detection software.

The 3rd phase will gather quantitative data aboard a National Security Cutter in early 2014. USCG.

June 20/13: Britain. The Royal Navy signs a GBP 30 million (about $46.9 million) contract to buy ScanEagle UAVs, for use from Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships like the Bay Class amphibious landing ships, as well as surface combatants like Britain’s frigates, destroyers, and helicopter carriers. This is the Royal Navy’s 1st sea-launched UAV, and it will be a big help to a fleet whose number of ships has dwindled, even as it abandoned maritime patrol aircraft.

ScanEagles can also serve as targeting assets for the Royal Marines, and for Navy ships if Britain buys naval weapons that use laser precision guidance. Raytheon’s new Excalibur laser/GPS guided shell is one such naval option. MBDA’s proposed maritime adaptation of the British Army’s Fire Shadow loitering missile is another. UK MoD.

Britain’s Royal Navy buys in

May 14/13: Japan. Insitu Pacific delivers a ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to its partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) of Japan, for a 12-month operational evaluation by the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF, see July 11/12 entry). Insitu.

April 24/13: OEF, etc. A $7.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to exercise an option for ScanEagle/ Nighteagle services until March 2014, in Afghanistan and around the world. $3.6 million is committed immediately.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, using FY 2013 Navy wartime supplemental operations and maintenance funds (N00019-11-C-0061).

April 24/13: NanoSAR next. ImSAR LLC in Springville, UT receives an $8.8 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification, for “research services in support of the ultra-small aperture radar” (q.v. May 29/12 entry). This brings the contract’s cumulative value to $32.8 million.

ImSAR are the makers of the NanoSAR and Leonardo radars. US Army Contracting Command in Natick, MA manages this contract (W911QY-12-D-0011, 0006).

March 8/13: OEF. Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA receives a $7.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for ScanEagle operational and maintenance services in Afghanistan, including both day and night operations.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in January 2014. $3.6 million is committed immediately, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/13 (N00019-11-C-0061).

Feb 18/13: UAE. Boeing broadens their ScanEagle support and sustainment agreement with the UAE’s ADASI (vid. Nov 15/11 entry), adding marketing services within the Middle East and North Africa, training services, and the new Integrator UAV. Boeing VP Debbie Rub reiterated to Gulfnews that this is:

“Not a contract but an agreement to work together. No particular value right now but the region needs this capability so they are working together so that we can grow this sort of business. There are intensions [sic] with Adasi to establish this as the centre in the Middle East for the ScanEagle and Intergrator contracts.”

See: Boeing | Arabian Aerospace | Gulfnews.

Feb 8/13: Iranian copies. The regime’s PressTV is now showing photos of a production line for ScanEagle UAV knock-offs.

Back on Dec 17/12, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi had said that Iran was producing copies of the ScanEagle, based on drones it had captured. The Iranian regime says a lot of things about its military capabilities, most of which are fodder only for comedians and the credulous. This report, on the other hand, was plausible.

Iran has significant aerospace reverse engineering expertise, which it has built up to keep its fleet of American fighters and helicopters in the air. They also have some UAV expertise, and Iranian UAVs launched from Lebanon have been shot down over Israel. Iranian copies may not have the same performance and features as ScanEagle, but it’s reasonable to conclude that for once, Iran is making a military claim in line with its demonstrated capabilities. Iran’s PressTV.

Feb 6/13: MEUAS, Too. Insitu Inc. in Bingen, WA receives a 25-month Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (MEUAS) indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract from US SOCOM, worth $1 million – $190 million. MEUAS involves contractor-owned and operated equipment on the front lines. Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and “overseas.” US Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB, FL manages the contract (H92222-13-D-0005). FBO.gov justifications for the award shed some light on the contract, which is pursued under FAR 6.302-2, “Unusual and Compelling Urgency”:

“Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the Government’s control, there is an immediate requirement to mitigate a critical ISR services gap. This proposed contract action is to ensure continued operational capability.”

The interesting question is whether this new contract also provides for RQ-21 Integrator services, to match the USMC’s new STUAS-II UAV buys. Insitu was asked, but said that they were unable to comment. Meanwhile, there has also been a steady expansion and extension of Insitu’s original H92222-09-D-0015 MEUAS ScanEagle contract, when it became clear that its $250 million would run out long before April 27/14. FBO.gov announced on Feb 7/13 that:

“Program efforts were initiated in October 2010 to establish the competitive follow-on MEUAS II contract. A Justification and Approval (J&A) document was approved on 10 June 2011 to increase the existing contract ceiling by $50,000,000 for a revised contract maximum of $300,000,000. This allowed for the continuation of mission essential operations during the source selection process of the MEUAS II follow-on requirement. A second J&A was approved and issued on 16 July 2012. This action increased the contract maximum by $35,000,000 for a revised contract maximum of $335,000,000. This was to assure continuous operational capability during the transition from the MEUAS contract to the MEUAS II [won by AAI’s Aerosonde UAV] …. [Now we’re announcing a raised] dollar ceiling of the MEUAS contract (H92222-09-D-0015) by $10,000,000 for a revised contract maximum of $345,000,000.”

Bottom line? MEUAS could end up being worth as much as $535 million to Insitu, more than double its original amount. From the government’s point of view, it now has 2 MEUAS vendors, with contracts that will both expire in March 2015. FBO.gov re: Revised Contract | FBO.gov re: revised contract maximum | Insitu.

US SOCOM MEUAS

Nov 16/12: OEF. Insitu Inc. in Bingen, WA receives a $12.1 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for pre and post deployment operations and services involving ScanEagle UAVs in Afghanistan. The contract mentions both electro-optical and mid-wave infrared imagery, and in 2013 the new MWIR/EO turret will let the company offer both of those options, without requiring the UAV to land and switch (q.v. Aug 7/12 entry).

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in August 2013. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13 (N00019-11-C-0061).

Nov 16/12: AOL Defense calls attention to Insitu’s business model of providing turnkey services, as the US military prepares to cut in-theater deployments and surveillance, standardize its UAVs, and bring operations and maintenance in house.

Meanwhile, the civilian market isn’t ready yet. That’s partly because of issues around certification in civil air space, and partly because all Insitu UAVs must be sold as weapons through the USA’s ITAR process. As an example, oil companies who want to use ScanEagle are told that they can’t have any non-US citizens aboard the operating platform. Things are going well in Australia with government agencies and civil fight authorities, but that won’t be enough.

Insitu is trying to get a version of the ScanEagle designated as a commercial commodity, and they estimate that the RQ-21A Integrator program will be worth $500 million over 10 years. Even so, AOL Defense is probably right that the Boeing subsidiary is about to take a financial hit.

Oct 30/12: UAV + UGS. Insitu Pacific in Queensland, Australia announces that integration between ScanEagle and McQ’s iScout Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS)/ OmniWatch technologies is complete. McQ’s UGS is in widespread service with the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Energy and “a range of international customers.”

The project enables UGS target detection alerts to be automatically displayed within ScanEagle’s Insitu I-MUSE multiple UAS controller software. The iScout sensor automatically sends a notification to I-MUSE, displaying the target location, detection type (seismic, magnetic, acoustic or infrared) and other relevant information. The operator is then able to automatically focus the ScanEagle’s sensors on the new contact to verify the data provided by iScout and OmniWatch, and to continue to track the target once it has moved beyond the OmniWatch camera range. Insitu.

Oct 23/12: Kestrel agreement. Insitu Inc. announces a long-term licensing agreement with Sentient in Melbourne, Australia, to integrate Kestrel land and maritime automated detection software into Insitu’s ScanEagle and Integrator systems.

Kestrel software is currently deployed as a separate add-on that specializes in detecting moving targets within the field of view of the UAV’s electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors. There are land and maritime versions, which have been used by the U.S. and its allies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Insitu | Sentient.

Kestrel MTI agreement

Oct 10/12: Compact CLRE. The US Office of Naval Research is funding tests of the ScanEagle Compact Launch and Recovery System (CLRE), which combines the Skyhook recovery system with a compressed air launcher for the UAV. The end result is more compact than the traditional piston launcher/ skyhook combination, which is a big advantage for smaller boats and ships. ONR adds that:

“The system currently is trailer mounted for testing and ease of towing behind ground vehicles, but Insitu is exploring modifications of this version for rapid deployments. Its turntable base allows for mounting to a variety of integration structures.”

2012

New USN contract introduces competition, but assures ScanEagle’s future; Key US SOCOM loss; Wins in Singapore & Malaysia; Dutch buy ScanEagle services, but look to Integrator; Japanese evaluation; Integrator gets closer; Research into new tiny ground-scanning radar.

Skyhook recovery
(click to view full)

Sept 26/12: Upgrades. Boeing subsidiary Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA receives a $12.4 million delivery order for the hardware required to modernize the ScanEagle and its ancillary equipment. See Aug 7/12 for more details of what the upgrades entail; the hardware contract also includes replacements, using upgraded air vehicles and components.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in May 2013. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, which is almost immediately. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-12-G-0008).

Sept 17/12: OEF. Insitu Inc. in Bingen, WA receives a $7.7 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for pre and post deployment operations and services involving ScanEagle UAVs in Afghanistan. The contract mentions both electro-optical and mid-wave infrared imagery, and in 2013 the new MWIR/EO turret will let the company offer both of those options, without requiring the UAV to land and switch (q.v. Aug 7/12 entry).

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in August 2013. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12 (N00019-11-C-0061).

Aug 21/12: OEF. Insitu in Bingen, WA, is awarded a $23.4 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for additional ScanEagle operations and maintenance in Afghanistan, using both daytime EO and IR night sensors. Work will be performed in Bingen, WA and is expected to be complete in August 2013 (N00019-11-C-0061).

Aug 9/12: Netherlands. A Dutch ScanEagle is launched on its first anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden, from the amphibious ship HNLMS Rotterdam. The LPD embarked the UAVs, catapult, and command station, plus a 19-soldier Army contingent. Dutch MvD [in Dutch].

Aug 8/12: Comms. relay. Boeing touts a smaller, lighter version of its Tactical Compact Communications Relay (TCCR). The 1.6-pound TCCR extends the range of line-of-sight military handheld radios from under 10 nautical miles to more than 150, and has been operating in Afghanistan. The new 1-pound version does the same, and will fit into a 5″ x 5″ x 1″ slot in the ScanEagle’s payload bay.

The new TCCR has been tested on several other UAVs, including the Schiebel Camcopter S-100, and Boeing plans to demonstrate a civilian set that could support emergency response or other commercial applications.

Aug 7/12: Netherlands. Insitu Inc. announces that the Dutch military can now fly the ScanEagle under a limited military aircraft type-classification certificate from the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) of the Netherlands.

The Dutch needed that, because they intend to operate the UAVs over their own country as well as abroad. Both sides were motivated, so the certification milestone was achieved in just 4 months. Note that this isn’t a full civilian certification, but it will definitely help. Insitu.

Aug 7/12: Sensors. Insitu Inc. announces that it’s conducting field evaluations of 2 new turrets for ScanEagle. Both turrets will be available in the first half of 2013, and better power draw will help make switch-ins easier.

The new Hood Technology Corp. Vision MWIR/EO turret means customers won’t have to choose any more between zoom cameras or mid-wave infrared thermal imaging on their ScanEagles. Insitu’s larger RQ-21A Integrator was already offering both modes, and competitive pressure makes it an important advance.

Hood’s SuperEO turret has already been in service for about a year, providing 5x better stabilization than its predecessor. The newest SuperEO Enhanced turret lets operators track, zoom and focus while maintaining positive identification, thanks to a sophisticated gimbal mechanism and a picture-in-picture display. Losing the target of interest when the camera moves has long been an annoying problem for many UAVs, especially small ones.

July 12/12: Australia. The Army’s contract for ScanEagle services has ended, but the Navy is interested. Insitu Pacific in Queensland, Australia is still using the Army’s contract, just extended and expanded to include trials with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). ScanEagle will be installed on a number of RAN vessels, and a first-of-class flight trial from a Frigate is expected in September 2012.

The RAN’s endorsed Aviation vision, NA2020, is to have a UAS dedicated unit by 2020. That’s awfully slow, given the pace of change, but the embarked trials will begin moving them in that direction. As American experiences have shown, UAVs as a service can work as a shipboard offering. If the RAN decides to adopt ScanEagle as an “interim UAV” service, there would be almost no changes from the arrangement it has just signed. Insitu.

RAN extends Army deal

July 11/12: Japan. Insitu Pacific in Queensland, Australia announces a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), to deliver ScanEagle systems for comprehensive operational evaluation by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (Army).

It’s more than just an evaluation, as the ScanEagles will be operated by the JGSDF during this period to assist in disaster recovery, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Having said all that, it isn’t a long-term win yet, either.

July 9/12: Singapore. Insitu Pacific in Queensland, Australia announces a contract from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), to equip its 6 Formidable Class (Lafayette Class derivative) missile frigates with ScanEagle systems. Insitu Pacific will also provide training, logistics and ship installation, as well as specialist in-country maintenance support.

This decision has been a while in coming, vid. the March 2/09 entry detailing ship trials. Insitu.

Singapore

May 29/12: NanoSAR next. ImSAR LLC in Salem, UT receives a $24 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to build, test, and assess a lightweight ultra wideband Synthetic Aperture Radar for use on small unmanned aerial vehicles. ImSAR makes the NAnoSAR, and this looks like the contract to develop its successor.

Work will be performed in Salem, UT with an estimated completion date of May 31/17. One bid was solicited, with one bid received by US Army Contracting Command in Natick, MA (W911QY-12-D-0011).

May 20/12: Iraq? Reuters confirms that Iraq will be using UAVs to protect its southern port and associated oil platforms. The logical candidate is Insitu’s ScanEagle, which is already operating in this role (vid. Feb 9/12 entry):

“Iraq’s navy has purchased US drones to protect the country’s oil platforms in the south, from where most of Iraq’s oil is shipped,” said an official from the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq, which is part of the US embassy. The OSCI did not give further details of the number or type of unmanned aircraft. But Iraqi security officials confirmed plans to use drones to protect oil infrastructure.”

Iraq?

May 15/12: Insitu, Inc., Bingen, WA receives a $35.5 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for additional ScanEagle and NightEagle services in Afghanistan.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and will run to December 2012. All Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0061).

May 4/12: Over in Australia. The ScanEagle has made its last flight for Australia, and its leased services are being replaced with Textron’s RQ-7B Shadow UAVs bought under Project JP129.

While Boeing contractors provided assistance and operational services, about 180 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed in support of the ScanEagle, mostly from 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, with elements from 16th Air Defence Regiment, Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, 1st Topographic Survey Squadron and 16th Aviation Brigade. During its 5 years in operation in Afghanistan, ScanEagles flew about 32,000 hours in more than 6,200 missions. Australian Army | Ottawa Citizen.

April 17/12: Malaysia. Insitu Pacific and Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) announce a contract for Insitu Pacific to deliver its ScanEagle to CTRM, to be operated by CTRM’s subsidiary Unmanned Systems Technology (UST).

Insitu Pacific has confirmed to DID that “CTRM will utilise the ScanEagle system to augment UAS Services provided to the Malaysian Defence Forces under an existing contract.”

Malaysia

April 4/12: Hydrogen-powered. Boeing’s Insitu announces that the ScanEagle has completed a hydrogen-powered test flight, using a 1,500-watt fuel cell by United Technologies and a hydrogen fueling solution by the US Naval Research Laboratory. They add that this ScanEagle is lighter than the traditional model, which means more room for equipment. On the other hand, the release didn’t discuss the effects on range and endurance, which are more critical traits for this UAV. Earth Techling.

March 19/12: Dutch contract. Insitu announces a contract with the Dutch MvD to use its ScanEagle “both domestically and abroad.” Specifically, they’ll provide:

“…an ISR capability during the second half of 2012, replacing a program [DID: Sperwer UAVs] that ended in the middle of 2011. Looking forward, Netherlands MOD and Insitu plan to continue to explore the potential for multi-mission ISR capabilities using a next-generation Insitu UAS that carries multiple ISR sensors and enables rapid, robust payload integration.”

Which is to say, their RQ-21A Integrator platform. Both of the interim ScanEagle systems (3 UAVs each) are expected to achieve operational capability by late 2012, with 1 available for overseas deployment, and the other used for training and domestic tasks.

The permanent Sperwer replacement will involve 5 systems, by late 2014: 3 for deployment, 1 for missions within The Netherlands, and 1 for training. The RQ-21A has the required integration with ScanEagle ground systems, and has been chosen to enter service with 107 Aerial Systems Battery in 2014. Insitu | Dutch Defence Press.

Netherlands

March 5/12: MEUAS-II loss. Textron’s subsidiary AAI wins the 3-year, maximum $600 million follow-on to US Special Forces’ MEUAS contract, using its Aerosonde 4.7G UAV. Insitu’s MEUAS contract had been slated to expire in 2014, but the somewhat-imprecise wording of public statements and solicitations suggest that MEUAS-II will fully replace the old contract.

With its technology validated by 2 huge American contracts, AAI’s Aerosonde UAVs can be expected to be a much more visible competitor around the globe. Meanwhile, ScanEagle has gone from the sole-source solution in 2 major American contracts, to forced competition in UAS-ISR and an uncertain position in MEUAS. ScanEagle UAV still has important advantages in its array of specialized variants, and the larger RQ-21A Integrator UAV is on tap as a follow-on offering. Even so, the MEUAS-II setback may leave Boeing and Insitu pondering the need for further investment in, and upgrades to, their core ScanEagle platform. Textron’s AAI | UV Online.

US MEAUS-II

Feb 29/12: USN ISR. US NAVAIR issues their 5-year, $864 million UAS ISR contract, which can include services for US military allies, alongside the US Navy and Marines. Insitu submits the ScanEagle instead of the RQ-21A Integrator, and their selection as an eligible bidder for task orders would seem to protect ScanEagle’s near term future.

On the other hand, the umbrella contract introduces competition to an area that ScanEagle used to have to itself. Textron’s Aerosonde G will compete with Insitu’s ScanEagle for naval and land task orders, while Saab’s small Skeldar heli-UAV will become a 3rd competitor on land. Read “ScanEagle, Aerosonde & Skeldar: The USN’s UAS-ISR Contract, 2012-2017” for full coverage.

USN ISR

Feb 9/12: Exports. An AOL Defense report offers an expanded list of ScanEagle operators, as well as 3 more potential export clients:

“Navy leaders are considering foreign military sales of the Scan Eagle to Kuwait, Pakistan and the Netherlands, according to a presentation by Marine Corps Col. James Rector, head of the small tactical unmanned aerial systems division at Naval Air Systems Command. Aside from the U.S. Navy, the Scan Eagle is being flown by naval forces in Colombia, Tunisia, Poland and Iraq, according to PowerPoint slides from Rector’s speech at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s annual program review in Washington yesterday.”

The Netherlands is already using ScanEagle as an interim UAV; presumably, Dutch discussions represent long-term lease or purchase options. Previous reports have suggested that Boeing is offering ScanEagle leases with provisions to switch part-way through, and use the larger and more advanced RQ-21 Integrator platform (vid. June 16/10 entry).

Jan 25/12: NightEagle. Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA receives an $20 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for ScanEagle operational and maintenance services. These services will provide electro-optical/infrared and mid-wave infrared (NightEagle) imagery in support of Marine Corps operations in Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in May 2012. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12 (N00019-11-C-0061).

Jan 22/12: Closing time approaches. First flight of an Early Operational Capability (EOC) RQ-21A STUAS Integrator UAV at the USMC’s Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, CA, 16 months after the contract is awarded. USMC UAV Squadron VMU-3 will deploy the RQ-21A within the USA, while a government-contractor team works with the system, and develops tactics, techniques, and procedures on the way to formal Initial Operational Capability (IOC), and then Full Operational Capability (FOC).

As those milestones are reached, Insitu’s ScanEagle will fade from use. US NAVAIR: “RQ-21A will eventually replace the Navy and Marine ISR services contract in which current ISR missions are conducted in Iraq, Afghanistan and shipboard.”

2011

CEO shift; Dutch pick ScanEagle; Arctic & Libyan operations; Swarm flight; Comm relay test.

Aussie ScanEagle
(click to view full)

Nov 28/11: Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA receives an $12 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for ScanEagle operational and maintenance services. These services will provide electro-optical/infrared and mid-wave infrared (NightEagle) imagery in support of Marine Corps operations in Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in January 2012. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12 (N00019-11-C-0061).

Nov 15/11: UAE. Insitu Inc. announces a partnership with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company (ADASI), to perform joint support and sustainment activities on Insitu’s ScanEagle and Integrator UAS.

Oct 6/11: Canada. Insitu Inc. announces that its Canadian clients have successfully used ScanEagle UAVs during Operation Nanook in Canada’s Northwest Passage. The exercise focused around an Arctic major air disaster (MAJAID) simulation, and ScanEagle was deployed by Insitu and its partner ING Engineering to identify traversable ground routes, watch for polar bear threats, and monitor day-to-day iceberg movements. Insitu and ING UAS operators launched and retrieved the aircraft, then handed control over to the Canadian Forces and stood by to provide technical assistance as needed. Commanders in tactical operations centers (TOC) at 74 degrees north and troops on the ground received real-time video.

The exercise itself is not as significant as ScanEagle’s proof of use in polar environments. Insitu | Canada DND on Operation Nanook 11 | Canada DND Nanook 2011 photos.

Sept 30/11: Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA received a $7.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for major end items and parts to be used in the ScanEagle system. Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete by January 2012. This contract was not competitively procured by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division in Panama City Beach, FL (N61331-11-C-0011).

August 15/11: Libyan operations. Insitu discusses ScanEagle’s performance over Libya, from the Arleigh Burke Flight II Class destroyer USS Mahan [DDG-72]. The operation began shortly after an Insitu team had been aboard Mahan to analyze the way ScanEagles were used, and made recommendation to expand its uses. Mahan put those suggestions into effect once Operation Unified Protector began, flying the ScanEagles in strong winds and forwarded secure imagery transmission to the task force used Boeing’s Secure Video Injection system:

“What happened over that period of time, no one expected,” said ScanEagle Detachment Officer in Charge Lt. Nick Townsend. “ScanEagle was locating contacts of interest that no one else could find. After the dust settled, ScanEagle was credited with locating a host of contacts of interest due to its ability to capture superior image quality and to operate covertly at relatively low altitudes.”… Later coordinating with an AWACS team, the USS Mahan ScanEagle team drew on ScanEagle’s 24-hour endurance to support additional phases of the mission, including battle damage assessment: ScanEagle delivered real-time, full-color imagery… “They (operational commanders) say ‘put the camera here’ and we put the camera there without going through layers of complex coordination. We get essential information directly to the decision makers fast,” said Insitu ScanEagle Site Lead Samuel Young.”

Libya experience

May – August 2011: Comm relay. Boeing announces successful May and August demonstrations of ScanEagle’s new narrowband communications relay, using an Insitu ScanEagle and AeroVironment’s Puma AE mini-UAV. During the multiservice demonstrations, held in California, the UAVs flew at a variety of altitudes while linking handheld military radios dispersed over mountainous regions, extending the radios’ range tenfold.

Larger RQ-7B Shadow UAVs have also been used in this role, but those are generally controlled at the battalion level or above. Narrowband relays small enough to work on mini-UAVs would represent an important step forward, especially for Special Operations forces.

July 7-10/11: UAV Swarm. Boeing conducts successful autonomous UAV swarm missions over the rugged terrain of eastern Oregon, using 2 ScanEagles and a Procerus Unicorn UAV from The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). Boeing Advanced Autonomous Networks program director and team leader Gabriel Santander described it as “a milestone in UAV flight”; in this case, that’s a reasonable label.

The JHU/APL developed the UAVs’ Mobile Ad Hoc Network and swarm technology, which let them work together to search the test area through self-generating waypoints and terrain mapping, while simultaneously sending information to teams on the ground. A broader demonstration is planned for the end of September. Boeing.

Swarm flight

June 30/11: Netherlands. The Dutch will use ScanEagle UAVs as an interim front-line replacement for Sagem’s much larger Sperwer system, which has just been retired. Dutch MvD | Aviation Week

Dutch pick

May 31/11: Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA received a $46 million firm-fixed-price-contract to provide deployment services and flight hours, including electro-optical/infrared and mid-wave infrared imagery in support of Marine Corps operations in Afghanistan. In practice, this means both ScanEagle and NightEagle platforms; looks like the April 9/11 short-term contract went well.

Services will encompass both operation and maintenance of the ScanEagle UAS, to provide real-time imagery and data to USMC personnel. Work will be performed in Bingen, WA and in the field, and is expected to be complete in May 2012. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-2 (N00019-11-C-0061).

June 2011: Insitu’s inception. The Smithsonian Institute’s magazine profiles the story behind Insitu and the ScanEagle, as part of a feature describing the evolution of UAVs toward civilian roles. Boeing bought the firm for about $400 million, in July 2008. Read “Drones are Ready for Takeoff“.

May 26/11: Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA received an $83.7 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite- quantity contract for operations and maintenance services to support government-owned ScanEagle systems, including: multiple training courses ranging from system pilot training, maintenance and operations, to mission coordinator and payload operator; multiple kits for sustainment, payload and engine module kits; and multiple spare parts.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and will run until May 2012. $62.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. There’s only one ScanEagle manufacturer, and this contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-2 (N00019-11-C-0012).

April 28/11: CEO shift. Boeing executive Steve Morrow becomes Insitu’s new President and CEO, succeeding co-founder Steve Sliwa, who retired April 1/11. That’s always a big inflection point in a company’s history.

Morrow holds a B.Sc. (electrical) Engineering from the University of South Carolina, and an M.Sc. Aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. He most recently served as Director, Stand-off Strike, leading long-range weapons programs including

• GM-84 Harpoon and SLAM-ER missiles, the USAF’s Tomahawk ALCM, the Next Generation Cruise Missile, and Boeing’s portion of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program. He joined Boeing in 2002 following his retirement as Navy program manager for Tomahawk-related programs. His Navy aviation experience came in P-3 sea control aircraft. Insitu.

New CEO

April 14/11: Insitu awards small business qualifier ArgenTech Solutions a contract to provide field service representative (FSR) services, at locations worldwide. It’s an initial 1-year contract that includes options for 2 additional years.

April 9/11: Boeing receives a $12.3 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for “additional Mid-Wave Infrared Unmanned Aerial Systems, intelligence reconnaissance surveillance services in for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.” Sounds like an order for NightEagle services in Afghanistan.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (65%), and St. Louis, MO (35%), and is expected to be complete in May 2011. The US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ manages this contract (N00019-08-C-0050).

Feb 22/11: Boeing receives a $5.7 million firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract modification for “additional persistent unmanned aerial vehicle intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of naval maritime missions.” ScanEagles featured prominently in the April 2009 rescue of an American vessel from Somali pirates, for example.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (65%), and St. Louis, MO (35%), and is expected to be complete in November 2011. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11 (N00019-08-D-0013).

2010

Polish order; New Integrator UAV for USMC; Weapons for ScanEagle?; FAA test; Heavy fuel; NanoSAR ready; ScanEagle SECC variant.

SECC test
(click to view full)

Dec 30/10: Boeing receives a $14.5 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for additional “persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle services in support of Marine Corps combat missions.”

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (97%), and St. Louis, MO (3%), and is expected to be complete in February 2011. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11 (N00019-09-C-0050).

Dec 28/10: A $68.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for “full-motion video from commercial un-manned air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms across Iraq. Work will be completed in Baghdad, Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/11. The bid was solicited through the Internet with 2 bids received by U.S. Central Command in Baghdad, Iraq (M67854-07-D-2052).

Dec 3/10: Weapons? Aviation Week reports that the US Navy is working on weapons that could give even the ScanEagle UAV hunter-killer capability. The 2 pound next-generation weapon management system (WMS GEN2) has been tested in the lab, and the development team is now looking at using the WMS GEN2 with the 5 pound NAWCAD Spike mini-missile, the Scan Eagle Guided Munition (SEGM), and a GPS-Guided Munition (G2M, likely the RCFC).

Sept 27/10: Boeing in St. Louis, MO receives a $5.7 million not-to-exceed indefinite-delivery /indefinite-quantity contract modification for 2,100 hours of persistent UAV intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of US Navy and USMC missions.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (94%, Insitu subsidiary) and St. Louis, MO (6%), and the contract will end in September 2011. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 20/10 (N00019-08-D-0013).

Sept 23/10: It took a while, but Boeing subsidiary Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA gets a $7.2 million modification to an American firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0005), for Poland’s order of 10 ScanEagle systems. ScanEagle would join Aeronautics’ Orbiter mini-UAV and Aerostar tactical UAV, as UAVs available to Polish forces.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in September 2011. $3.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract on Poland’s behalf. See “Polish Equipment Issues and Consequences” for more in-depth coverage of the issues and pressures behind Poland’s purchase.

Poland

Aug 24/10: NightEagle. Insitu announces that its NightEagle conversion kit is now fully integrated into combat operations after successfully completing fielding of an upgraded mid-wave infrared (MWIR) imager payload. Insitu responded to an urgent, mission-critical request, using its deployed operations representatives to beat the schedule. The new configuration consists of upgrades to ground support equipment, new software, and specialized in-field training.

NightEagle

Integrator platform
(click to view full)

July 29/10: No ScanEagles for STUAS-II. Boeing subsidiary Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA wins a $43.7 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide its new Integrator UAVs under the USMC’s the small tactical unmanned aircraft system/Tier II unmanned aircraft system III (STUAS-II) competition. But the UAV that beats competitors like Raytheon’s KillerBee 4 is not a ScanEagle. Instead, it’s Insitu’s new Integrator UAV – which may herald the beginning of the end for ScanEagle. Integrator also uses catapult launch, and is recovered using the same Skyhook recovery systems as ScanEagle.

We won’t be covering other Integrator contracts in this article, just milestones that are relevant to ScanEagle’s future.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (46.7%), Hood River, OR (45.6%), and Melbourne, FL (7.7%). Work is expected to be completed in September 2012, but $788,931 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals, with 4 proposals received by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ (N68335-10-C-0054). Insitu.

June 16/10: Poland. Reports surface that Poland has joined the customer list for Boeing’s leased ScanEagle UAV services, but details are scarce. At 15-20 hours endurance, ScanEagle offers longer on station time than leased Aeronautics DS’ Aerostars’ 8-12 hours. On the other hand, the Aerostar offers 110 pounds of payload, while ScanEagle offers just 13 pounds.

Shepard Group adds that Insitu has qualified a Mk4 catapult launcher, which will be compatible with both ScanEagle and Integrator, and is “ready to ship the launcher to an undisclosed customer in Afghanistan.” The Insitu spokesperson told them that around 35 ScanEagle systems of 5-10 UAVs each were operational with Australian, Canadian, Polish and US forces.

Aviation Week reports that Boeing is also in talks with a number of European countries to lease ScanEagle UAV services, with the option of an upgrade to their Insitu subsidiary’s slightly larger and more advanced Integrator UAV later on. Aviation Week | Shepard Group | StrategyPage.

June 12/10: Boeing receives a $59.5 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0050) to provide 3,300 flight hours of persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance UAV services to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (97%), and St. Louis, MO (3%); and is expected to be complete in December 2010. $29.75 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10.

June 8/10: FAA tests. Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc. signs a cooperative research development agreement with the USA’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in order to guide the development of recommendations for UAV use in civil airspace. The research will be managed by the FAA’s Research and Technology Development Office and conducted at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Insitu | FAA Fact Sheet.

Insitu will provide a ScanEagle system, related support hardware and data, and UAV training for FAA pilots and maintenance staff. Insitu will also supply documentation related to ScanEagle, including an open invitation for FAA personnel to visit Insitu.

June 2/10: Canada. Insitu announces that its ScanEagle has logged more than 17,000 combat flight hours and 1,700 sorties with the Canadian Forces, as part of a “rent a drone” service operated by their Canadian partner ING Engineering. ScanEagle has been deployed with the Canadian Forces in theater since 2008 and has completed a successful maritime flight demonstration aboard the Kingston Class patrol vessel HMCS Glace Bay.

May 13/10: Insitu Inc. announces that it has demonstrated its heavy fuel engine-configured ScanEagle UAS to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, in conjunction with the Joint Systems Integration Laboratory (JSIL). The tests at Fort Rucker, AL demonstrated interoperability between ScanEagle video with metadata and the U.S. Army’s One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT), a digital video encrypted data feed, a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) sensor for night scans, and Insitu’s stabilized airborne target tracking system.

May 12/10: SECC. Boeing tests its ScanEagle Compressed Carriage (SECC), whose 132-inch wingspan and folding aero surfaces let it be carried in a container and launched from an aircraft pylon, or a submarine. It’s recovered using the same SkyHook system as a regular ScanEagle.

ScanEagle SECC is powered by a 6 hp heavy-fuel engine. The test launched it from a ground vehicle, whereupon it flew an autonomous 75 minute flight plan at various altitudes, and provided streaming video to a nearby ground station. Boeing | Boeing feature w. video.

April 29/10: Insitu Inc. announces that its ScanEagle UAS recently exceeded 300,000 combat flight hours since its 1st operational flight in 2002, and accounted for approximately 22% of the 550,000 hours that American UAVs flew in 2009.

April 14/10: An $11 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0050) to provide 6,600 flight hours of persistent ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) unmanned aircraft vehicle services in support of naval maritime missions. Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (97%), and St. Louis, MO (3%), and is expected to be complete in June 2010. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

March 16/10: Boeing subsidiary Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA received an $8.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for technical services, to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. In addition, this contract covers 6 critical spare kits and 9 SkyHook recovery system modifications.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $8.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-2 (N00019-10-C-0045).

Feb 23/10: Sensors – NanoSAR. Insitu Inc. announces that after 4 years of work with ImSAR LLC and 2 years of flight testing, the NanoSAR ground-scanning radar has moved out of development, is now available as a payload for its ScanEagle dual bay and follow on “Integrator” UAVs. See May 28/08, Jan 7/08 entries.

NanoSAR

Feb 19/10: A $6.1 million not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-08-D-0013) to provide 300 hours of persistent UAV intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of naval maritime missions.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (65%) and St. Louis, MO (35%), and is expected to be complete in July 2010. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

2009

US SOCOM MEAUS order; Canada SUAV order; Maersk Alabama rescue; E-737 AEW&C’s UAV control; ASW MagEagle?; Bandit & Enerlink datalinks.

ScanEagle UAV
(click for alternate view)

Dec 18/09: Bandit datalink. Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc. announces that a flight test with L-3 Communication Systems-West’s Bandit digital data link worked “well in excess of range requirements.” Insitu is integrating the Bandit digital data link into its ScanEagle, NightEagle and Integrator UAVs. Bandit is Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) capable and ROVER 4/ 5 compatible. This test was conducted using the Integrator UAV, but tests also happened on a ScanEagle earlier in 2009.

Dec 1/09: USCG. Aviation Week reports that the US Coast Guard is still considering its UAV options:

“As part of its ongoing analysis, the service has participated in numerous exercises with other platforms [beyond the MQ-8B]… including Boeing’s A160 Hummingbird, an AeroVironment vehicle and ScanEagle tested on board a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship.”

Nov 25/09: The University of North Dakota (UND) receives its ScanEagle UAS, to be used in Department of Defense (DOD) contracted research providing data for UAS national airspace integration. UND is a designated State Center of Excellence for UAS Research, Education and Training, and funds for this project were provided by a USAF research contract. UND Associate Professor of Aviation and Director of Program Development for the UAS Center of Excellence, Douglas Marshall, in Insitu’s Press release:

“To date, the university’s only fully trained operators and maintenance technicians are UND employees and primarily flight instructors. We hope to integrate a ScanEagle system into our curriculum and allow students to fly the system against a radar test bed, while learning to operate the UAS itself.”

Nov 24/09: Canada. Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc. announces a successful ScanEagle flight demonstration aboard Canada’s Kingston class coastal patrol vessel HMCS Glace Bay [MM 701]. The demonstration was conducted by the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre (CFMWC), and included an in-flight handoff of the ScanEagle by Canadian Navy personnel aboard HMCS Glace Bay to a ground control station (GCS) operated by Canadian Army personnel at Naval Base Halifax.

Oct 19/09: ScanEagle wins C4ISR Magazine’s 2009 C4ISR Platforms Category Award. Insitu release | C4ISR Magazine.

Sept 28/09: Sensors – MagEagle? Boeing receives a $275,000 contract from the US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) to study of the magnetic noise associated with the heavy-fuel propulsion system on Boeing’s MagEagle Compressed Carriage (MECC) ScanEagle variant. The MagEagle is being designed and built to be magnetically quiet, in order to help it locate, track and attack submarines using a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) system that picks up the changes in earth’s magnetic field caused by large metal objects.

Boeing envisions MECC as another UAV extension of the manned P-8A Poseidon aircraft, launchable from the aircraft itself. They will begin testing the MECC sensor system, vehicle integration, and magnetic noise reduction in 2010. Boeing.

Aug 11/09: Insitu announces that ScanEagle recently surpassed the mark of 200,000 operational flight hours since 2004.

Aug 5/09: Insitu marks more than 2,500 combat flight hours and more than 300 shipboard sorties with its heavy fuel engine (HFE) ScanEagle since flight-testing began in 2006, which. ScanEagle HFE has been deployed aboard the destroyers USS Mahan and USS Milius, and uses the same JP-5 kerosene-based diesel fuel commonly used in jet aircraft engines, as opposed to the more flammable and dangerous auto gas. Other advantages include simple starting and operation, a wider weather envelope, improved reliability and increased endurance.

Insitu developed the engine in partnership with combustion system experts Sonex Research, Inc. in Annapolis, MD.

July 9/09: #1,000. Insitu Inc. marks delivery of its 1,000th ScanEagle, and announces that it is expanding its UAS manufacturing capacity.

May 27/09: Canada. Boeing announces $25 million in contracts to Canadian industry, as part of its $30 million industrial offsets commitment following Canada UAV services order. See also April 6/09 entry.

Winners include: ING Engineering Inc. (field services), MKS (MKS Integrity software and consulting services for program life-cycle management), and NovAtel (ScanEagle GPS).

May 22/09: The SEALs must have really liked what the ScanEagle did for them during the Maersk Alabama incident, and been satisfied with past experiments involving launches from their MkV boats and trials on other Navy ships. Boeing announces a 5-year, $250 million contract from US Special Operations Command for:

“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services… Boeing and its subsidiary Insitu Inc. will operate, maintain and support ScanEagle systems for the Special Operations Forces Mid Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (MEUAS) program….”

Boeing VP of Boeing Defense & Government Services Greg Deiter says that Boeing’s past performance on ScanEagle battlefield surveillance contracts was a significant reason for their win. That kind of record will become a valuable competitive asset as new designs like the blended-wing KillerBee 4 begin competing in ScanEagle’s niche.

US SOCOM MEAUS

April 13/09: The Boeing Co. in St. Louis, MO received a $45.4 million ceiling-priced, unfinalized contract to provide persistent UAV services from land bases on the Afghan front.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (65%) and St. Louis, MO (35%), and is expected to be complete in December 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $22.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR(Federal Acquisition Regulations) 6.302-2 (N00019-09-C-0050).

April 9/09: Maersk Alabama rescue. The US Navy releases some stills from videos of the Maersk Alabama’s 28-foot closed lifeboat, taken by ScanEagle UAVs. The hostage incident ended a couple of days later, when Cmdr. Frank X. Castellano of the USS Bainbridge [DDG-96] ordered Navy sharpshooters to kill the Somali pirates who were holding Capt. Richard Phillips hostage. Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3.

Maersk Alabama

April 6-12/09: During this week, ScanEagle UAVs flew their 150,000th hour in service with the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Forces, U.S. Navy, U.S. Special Operations Command, Australian Army and Canadian Forces. Boeing release.

April 6/09: Insitu receives an award to provide “small unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV) services” to support the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, and elsewhere. See also Nov 6/08 entry. The initial contract is worth US$ 30 million, with options for another US$ 31 million.

As part of the Request for Proposal, Insitu Inc. must provide 100% industrial and regional offset benefits. Its association with Boeing, which has substantial Canadian operations, should make that easy. Canadian government.

Canada

April 1/09: Boeing subsidiary Insitu, Inc. in Bingen, WA received a $20.9 million firm-fixed-price contract to supply ScanEagle hardware for 4 operational sites, 3 spare/operational float packages, and critical spares kits in support of the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, and is expected to be complete in July 2009. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-2 (N00019-09-C-0005).

March 16/09: Australia – AWACS compatibility. Boeing’s two-fer. Australia’s Project JP129 failure has created an opening for Boeing’s ScanEagle UAV, but its flagship “Wedgetail” E-737 AWACS faces questions. Boeing responded by linking 2 birds with one datalink: a live demonstration in which a not-yet-delivered Wedgetail aircraft flying over Washington State, USA controlled and received sensor data from 3 ScanEagle UAVs.

The 3 ScanEagles were launched from Boeing’s Boardman Test Facility in eastern Oregon, approximately 120 miles/ 190 km away from the airborne Wedgetail. Using the company’s UAS battle-management software, airborne operators issued NATO-standard sensor and air-vehicle commands via a UHF satellite communication link and ground-station relay. Operators tasked the UAVs with area search, reconnaissance, point surveillance and targeting, while the UAVs sent back real-time video imagery of ground targets.

Boeing will conduct a follow-on demonstration for the Australian government in early May 2009 at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales. A Wedgetail will take control of ScanEagles operated by Boeing Defence Australia personnel at Woomera Test Facility in South Australia, approximately 1,080 miles/ 1,730 km from Williamtown.

March 2/09: Singapore. Boeing announces that Singapore has been putting their ScanEagle UAV through ship-based trials, including flight from the helicopter decks of an LST amphibious support ship and a frigate. Boeing Defence Australia provided a complete maritime ScanEagle system for the successful trials, including a ground control station, communication links, launcher and SkyHook recovery system. They were complemented by a Boeing/ Insitu support team that was deployed to Singapore.

Jan 21/09: EnerLinks datalink. Viasat subsidiary Enerdyne Technologies Inc. signs an agreement with Insitu Inc. to supply its EnerLinksII DVA digital data link technology for use in the ScanEagle UAV. The EnerLinksII DVA is a small 3″ x 5″ x 1″ module that’s placed between the ScanEagle’s sensors and the RF transmitter, using less than 8 watts and weighing under 0.5 pounds.

The concept of a DVA (Digital Video over Analog) system involves simple conversion of older FM analog video links to encrypted digital links, without replacing any of the RF equipment in either the aircraft or the ground. EnerLinksII’s improved digital performance improves both UAV video link range and bandwidth use by a factor of 4, and can transmit 2 Mbps of IP data simultaneously with compressed FMV (Full Motion Video). Features include H.264 compression, IP multiplexing, AES encryption, FEC coding, and modulation waveshaping.

Jan 7/09: Boeing subsidiary Insitu announces that its ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system has just completed its 1,500th shipboard sortie in service with the U.S. Navy.

2008

US Navy win; US SOCOM, Canada place initial orders; Australian subsidiary; Shot locator, SWIR camera variants; NanoSAR.

ScanEagle returns
(click to view full)

Nov 26/08: Sensors – shot locator. The US Office of Naval Research and Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division discuss a Navy Expeditionary Overwatch (NEO) program exercise, which involved US Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) sailors deploying a ScanEagle UAV, a manned Humvee with “Gunslinger” shot location and counterfire system, and an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) on a successful mission to detect and engage fictional insurgents over a 10 square mile radius.

The Gunslinger Humvee’s remote-control gun is operated by a gunner who sits at a control panel in the back seat. The Mk 45 weapons system is hooked up to video and infrared cameras connected to a set of sensors designed to detect gunfire, including a device that watches for muzzle flashes and listens for gunshots. It then points the remote-controlled weapons system on the Hummer’s roof at the source of fire.

At the Potomac River NEO demonstration, warfighters in the Humvee used the Gunslinger’s acoustic detection package and infrared sensors to determine the location of hostile fire and automatically move the weapon in the direction of the fire for friendly force response. The 36-foot-long semi-autonomous USV was also equipped with a Gunslinger payload and a range of sensors and communications systems. US Navy release | The Register re: Gunslinger..

Nov 12/08: Boeing receives a $65 million estimated value modification to a previously awarded indefinite delivery indefinite quantity “Interim UAS” contract, exercising an option for “persistent unmanned aerial system intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance services in support of Global War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom sea-based deployments and land-based detachments.” That’s milspeak for contractor operation and maintenance of ScanEagle UAVs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA (65%); and St. Louis, MO (35%), and is expected to be complete in November 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $6.8 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-08-D-0013).

Nov 6/08: Canada. Canada issues a MERX solicitation (W8486-09MGSL/A) for a leased small UAV service. Canada is already leasing ScanEagle UAVs that can fulfill the MERX requirements: 90% operational availability, 12 hours on station, ability to gather and transmit high quality imagery from a distance of 50km.

Aug 6/08: Sensors – SWIR. Boeing and Goodrich Corporation announce that they have successfully flight-tested a ScanEagle unmanned aircraft equipped for the first time with a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera. A SWIR camera can see more effectively in fog, rain or when little or no heat is radiated, which makes it especially useful for maritime surveillance. Boeing release.

July 22/08: Merger. Boeing buys its partner Insitu, which will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems’ Military Aircraft division. Subsequent reports place the price at around $400 million:

“Insitu’s key technologies and advanced capabilities in rapid prototyping and manufacturing are driving its revenue to an anticipated $150 million this year, 70 percent higher than in 2007, and have it well positioned for the future… Terms of the cash transaction were not disclosed. This transaction, anticipated to close by the end of September following regulatory approvals, does not affect Boeing’s financial guidance.”

Insitu, Inc. retained investment bankers Houlihan Lokey for the acquisition, and terms of the sale were not disclosed. Insitu’s investors are led by Battery Ventures, Second Avenue Partners, and Pteranodon Ventures. Boeing | Insitu | Wall Street Journal (subscription reqd).

Boeing buyout

June 2/08: Boeing received an estimated $65 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract to “provide persistent Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance services supporting the Global War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom sea-based deployments and land-based detachments.” The language above refers to their ScanEagle operation services, which are undertaken in cooperation with Insitu.

Work will be performed in Bingen, WA, (65%); and St. Louis, MO (35%) and is expected to be complete in May 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured by electronic request for proposals, with 2 offers received (N00019-08-D-0013). Boeing release | Insitu copy.

Interim UAS win

May 28/08: NanoSAR. The NanoSAR test program continues, as Boeing, ImSAR and Insitu Inc. achieve real-time processing of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data aboard a ScanEagle UAV which is also equipped with a standard inertially stabilized electro-optical (EO) camera. The tests marked the first time SAR and EO capabilities have flown together on such a small, lightweight platform, and involved real-time SAR processing with streaming radar images displayed on the ground station. Creating real-time images onboard ScanEagle eliminates the requirement of either processing imagery on the ground after flight or using high-speed data links to a ground station. Insitu release.

May 26/08: Australia. Insitu, Inc.partners with the Queensland state government in Australia to announce the formation of its wholly owned subsidiary, Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd. The release adds that:

“Insitu, along with Boeing Australia, is proud to be part of the experienced team that has delivered more than 13,000 surveillance and reconnaissance flight hours to help protect Australian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Insitu Pacific

April 29/08: Insitu announces that the ScanEagle has now surpassed 50,000 combat flight hours with the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) in Iraq and 1,000 shipboard recoveries with the U.S. Navy.

April 22/08: Testing. Insitu announces that it has flown Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) equipped ScanEagles in Iraq, in cooperation with the US Navy. Heavy fuel refers to the kerosene-based fuel used in diesel and/or jet aircraft engines such as JP5, JP8, or Jet-A. ScanEagles flying in Iraq are using naval JP5 fuel, which is designed to be safer aboard ships.

The effort involved Insitu, Boeing, and Sonex Research Inc. in Annapolis, MD. The effort took 2 years of development and included over 2000 hours of testing, including a new ScanEagle flight endurance mark of 28 hours, 44 minutes using JP5. Insitu release.

April 18/08: Recall the Feb 7/08 launches from a Navy SEAL MkV boat, and demonstration by AFSOC at Hurlburt Field, FL.

Insitu Group, Inc., of Bingen, WA receives a firm-fixed price contract with a not-to-exceed value of $24 million for unmanned aircraft system information gathering, target surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The work will be performed in Bingen, WA and 3 other undisclosed locations using FY 2008 operations and maintenance funds (H92222-08-C-0022).

US SOCOM

March 25/08: Canada stands up an SUAV (Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Troop. After live flight training in New Mexico, SUAV Troop deploys to Afghanistan to operate leased ScanEagles, which are referred to as “Interim SUAV”. Source: CASR.

Canada

Feb 7/08: US AFSOC. Air Force Special Operations Command, as the lead command for small unmanned aircraft systems, highlights the capabilities of the Scan Eagle during a demonstration at the Eglin Air Force Base test range. AFSOC has been training with the 820th Security Forces Group from Moody Air Force Base, GA since September 2007, to employ the system. AFSOC release.

Feb 7/08: USN SEALs. A Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle is launched from a MK V naval special warfare boat off the coast of San Clemente Island. This is the first time a Scan Eagle, used for various applications such as intelligence gathering and battle damage assessment, has been launched from this kind of platform. Insitu photo links.

Jan 14/08: USN’s Interim UAS. Jane’s reports that:

“Industry rivals are waiting to hear if they have ousted the Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from its role as provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) support for US Navy ships at sea. A decision on the interim UAS contract, which will provide ISR imagery services to warships and to the US Marine Corps into the next decade, is expected in late January or early February 2008.”

Other competitors are thought to include AAI Corporation’s long-endurance Mk 4 Aerosonde, Aurora Flight Sciences’ vertical take-off and landing GoldenEye 80, BAE Systems’ Skylynx II, MTC Technologies’ Spyhawk T-16 and Raytheon/Swift Engineering’s Killer Bee. Insitu link.

UPDATE: the decision took until June 2008, and ScanEagle won.

NanoSAR on ScanEagle
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Jan 7/08: Sensors – NanoSAR. Boeing, Insitu, and ImSAR conduct a successful flight-test for the tiny NanoSAR Synthetic Aperture Radar aboard a ScanEagle UAV. The NanoSAR is a 2-pound system about the size of a shoebox, which is a couple orders of magnitude lighter than most SAR systems. As a sign of the times, “import to Google Earth” is an option for the system.

As a comparison, the I-Master SAR aboard Britain’s new Watchkeeper UAVs is considered small at 65 pounds. SAR radars aren’t an all-purpose replacement for ScanEagle’s existing electro-optical sensors, but they’re a very important complement because of their ability to see through fog, dust, et. al. The issue for NanoSAR will be providing acceptable resolution and coverage despite its tiny size.

Targets for the 1.5 hour test flight at the Boardman, OR test range included vehicles, structures and corner reflectors. Data collection worked as planned, and SAR imagery was later created on the ground. The next step in flight testing will be to create imagery aboard the UA in real time. Boeing release | ImSAR on NanoSAR | Insitu re: NanoSAR.

Additional Readings

• Insitu – ScanEagle System. ScanEagle is closely derived from the “Insight” base platform.

• Insitu – ScanEagle Imagers.

• Insitu – ScanEagle 2 The Limit.

News & Views

• Smithsonian Magazine, via WayBack (June 2011) – Drones are Ready for Takeoff.

• DoD Buzz, via WayBack (Oct 6/09) – FAA Acts or Drones Stop Flying. “Army drones will have to curtail training and operational flights by fiscal 2012 in the United States unless the FAA approves some form of UAS deconfliction, a top Army UAS official says.”

• IEEE Spectrum, via WayBack (January 2009) – Winner: Radio Eye in the Sky. Covers the concept of ultra-small SAR surface-looking radars.

• DID (June 12/07) – Boeing Operating ScanEagle UAVs for Australia. The rent-a-UAV concept gains another customer.

• Flight International, via WayBack (June 6/07) – Evergreen alliance with Insitu for civil UAV market. “Semi-civil” might be a better way of putting it. They will use Insitu’s Insight platform.

• DID (Jan 26/07) – ScanEagle + ShotSpotter = Sniper Spotter.

• Inc. Magazine, via WayBack (June 1/06) – How I Did It: Steven Sliwa, CEO and president, The Insitu Group

• DID (June 8/06) – ScanEagle to Detect Biological Agents. The program is called ScanEagle BCAS.

Barak-8 concept
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Over a development timeline measured in decades, India’s indigenous “Akash” and “Trishul” programs for surface to air missiles have failed to inspire full confidence. Trishul was eventually canceled entirely. Akash had a a long, difficult development period, but seems to have found customer acceptance and a solid niche in the rugged terrain of the northeast. India still needed longer-range advanced SAMs to equip its navy and army, however, and decided to try to duplicate the success of the partnership model that had fielded the excellent Indo-Russian PJ-10 BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

In February 2006, therefore, Israel and India signed a joint development agreement to create a new Barak-NG medium shipborne air defense missile, as an evolution of the Barak-1 system in service with both navies. In July 2007 the counterpart MR-SAM project began moving forward, aiming to develop a medium range SAM for use with India’s land forces. Both missiles would now be called Barak-8. In between, “India to Buy Israeli “SPYDER” Mobile Air Defense System” covered India’s move to begin buying mobile, short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems for its army, based on the Python and Derby air-to-air missiles in service with its air force and naval aircraft. These projects offer India a way forward to address its critical air defense weaknesses, and upgrade “protection of vital and strategic ground assets and area air defence.” This DID FOCUS article will cover the Barak-8 and closely related programs in India, Israel, and beyond.

The Barak, and Barak-8 Genesis: Barak-1

Barak Components
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Barak is a supersonic, vertically-launched short range air defense system, with an operational range of about 10 km/ 6 miles. That pushes it past the standard ranges of shoulder-launched options with naval counterparts, like the MBDA Mistral/SIMBAD or Saab Boofors’ RBS-70, but short of other small vertical launch options like the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow. Its closest western competitors on the international market are probably Raytheon’s horizontally-fired Amero-German RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, and MBDA’s flexible Crotale VT-1/NG. Key attributes include a compact 8-cell vertical launching system that weighs just 1,700 kg, coupled with an equally compact 1,300 kg fire control system. This makes it easier to install in small ships, and to retrofit into older vessels.

Barak-1 reportedly in service with at Israel, Chile, India, Singapore, and Venezuela.

Barak launch
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India bought over $300 million worth of these missiles as a substitute for the indigenous but long-delayed Trishul (“Trident”) missile project, and Barak systems now equip India’s lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat, all 6 Project 16/16A Godavari/ Brahmaputra Class 3,850t frigates, 2 of 6 Rajput Class 4,974t destroyers, and the 3 new 6,200t Shivalik Class frigates. Current missile stocks aren’t adequate to cover that, and readiness requires regular training launches against live targets. Barak-1 missiles are also supposed to be part of upgrades to India’s 3 Delhi Class 6,200t destroyers, in order to remove the hole created by the Russian SA-N-7C ‘Gollum’ air defense missile system’s limited firing arc.

Barak-1 missiles are also supposed to be part of upgrades to India’s 3 Delhi Class 6,200t destroyers, in order to fix the SA-N-7C ‘Gollum’ air defense missile’s limited firing arc. The missile’s fast response time, effectiveness against missile threats, and compact size are considerable assets, but they are currently offset somewhat by its short range.

Next-Gen: Barak-8

Barak 8 display
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The Navy’s Barak-NG/ LR-SAM project aimed to give India’s naval defenses a much longer reach, with the intention of eventually making it India’s primary naval SAM. The project was later renamed Barak 8, and aims to deliver 60-70 km/ up to 42 mile range, thanks to a dual-pulse solid rocket motor whose second “pulse” fires as the missile approaches its target. This ensures that the missile isn’t just coasting in the final stages, giving it more than one chance at a fast, maneuvering target.

The missile’s most important feature may be its active seeker. Instead of forcing its ship or land-based radar to “paint”/illuminate its target at all times, the Barak 8 can be left alone once it is close to its target. This is an excellent approach for dealing with saturation attacks using older ship radars, which can track many targets but illuminate just a few. It’s also very useful for land-based systems, which will survive longer against enemy anti-radar missiles (ARMs) if they can turn themselves on and off to confuse enemy seekers, without worrying that they will lose all of their effectiveness.

That kind of performance vaults the Barak 8 past widespread options like the RIM-162 ESSM, or entries like VL-MICA on land. Though the Barak-8 may compete globally with those systems, a better comparison would be naval missiles like Raytheon’s SM-2 Block IIIA and MBDA’s Aster-15, or land-based options like the Patriot. The Barak 8’s active seeker would even give it a performance advantage over the SM-2, and corresponds more closely to the SM-6 currently in development.

The naval Barak-8 reportedly maintains its principle of using compact launchers and systems. Its ancillary capabilities will always depend on the radar and combat system aboard its ship.

One wild card is the Barak’s potential use in a point defense role against ballistic missiles, a role that can be played by some of its more advanced competitors on land or sea. This capability is implied in the land-based system’s name, but hasn’t been discussed publicly, or validated in publicly announced tests.

The land-based Barak 8 Air and Missile Defense (AMD) system includes several components:

• RAFAEL supplies the Barak-8 interceptor missile, which remains vertically launched.

• The battle management, command, control, communication and intelligence center (BMC4I) is produced by the MBT Division of IAI’s Missiles, Systems, and Space Group; it offers both stand alone operation for a single fire unit, and joint task force coordination (JTC).

• IAI ELTA Systems Ltd. supplies the Land-Based Multi-Function Surveillance, Track & Guidance Radar (LB-MF-STAR), a rotating S-band digital Active Electronic Steering Array (AESA) Radar System that can deliver an accurate, high quality arena situation picture, and extract low radar cross section targets like stealthy cruise missiles, even in the toughest environmental conditions. The naval MF-STAR is expected to be part of Israel’s next-generation missile frigates.

In Israel, the Barak-8 is slated to equip its next-generation frigates, and may find its way to other roles. India expects to field the missiles on land and sea.

Beyond those 2 countries, export prospects beckon for a missile that may offer a value-priced naval alternative to Raytheon’s Standard-2 and MBDA’s Aster-15. According to Defense News, the Barak-8 project features funding from American military aid dollars, as well as Indian cooperation and private/governmental funding in Israel. An Israeli source, on the other hand, has told DID that the USA has no claim on the Barak-8’s intellectual property. DID has been unable to verify he exact situation; but if the USA has no IP or significant American-made components in the Barak AMD system, it would have implications for both procurement funding sources and export policy.

India’s Barak Programs The Navy: LR-SAM

Engagement profile
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India has 2 different programs that could use the new longer-range Barak missile. The naval Barak-NG, or LR-SAM deal, was the first. Signed in 2006, it’s worth INR 26.06 billion (about $591 million at then-conversion) as of December 2009.

India’s Navy has decided as a matter of policy that it will only mount medium-long range surface-to-air missile systems on future warships, as opposed to depending on short range systems that might protect a ship, but don’t offer layered defense for the rest of the fleet. This was an early sign of its transition to a more of a “blue water” navy that can reach into high-threat areas, and a logical complement to India’s establishment of a serious carrier force beginning with INS Vikramaditya (ex Admiral Gorshkov).

Hence the 2006 Barak-NG naval agreement, which gives India an upgraded version of a familiar system, extends India’s technological capabilities, fosters economic ties and integration at sub-component levels, and helps the Israelis build a new system that meets some of their own emerging requirements. The new system would reportedly have a range of 50-60 km.

Making that happen required some loosening of bureaucratic constraints on India’s defense industry. Based on projections of need and the high cost of air defense systems, India’s Ministry of Defence began initiatives under which Indian state-owned agencies can forge joint co-development and co-production ventures with foreign companies. The rationale is that under these partnerships, much of the underlying technology will remain in India. Israel has risen to become one of India’s largest defense industry partners, and may be on its way to surpassing Russia as India’s largest partner.

That rise, India’s previous positive experiences with Barak, and the opportunity to help develop new technologies instead of buying them, all led India toward Israel for its next-generation naval SAM partnership.

Israel Aerospace Industries will be the key partner, and will contribute most of the applicable technology, just as Russia did for the BrahMos by offering its SS-N-26 Oniks missile as the base platform. 2011 Barak-8 materials show Indian firms contributing the dual-pulse rocket motor, associated motor arming/safing mechanisms, and the pneumatic actuation system. On the other hand, India Defence reports that IAI and its Israeli partners have agreed to transfer all relevant technologies and manufacturing capabilities to India.

The LR-SAM project is now slated for completion by December 2015, which would be about a decade from its 2005 project approval to fielding. Israel will be ahead of that schedule, as they began steps to field Barak-8 in their navy in mid-2013.

Land-Based: MR-SAM

SA-3
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The Barak-8’s follow-on project involves a land-based system, intended to replace old Russian systems. Most reports place MR-SAM’s desired capabilities at 70 km/ 42 mile range effective range, with 360 degree coverage, plus the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. As The Times of India put it, in 2007:

“The project is crucial because, as highlighted by TOI earlier, there are still “many gaping holes” in India’s radar network and the armed forces only have near-obsolete air defence units like Russian Pechora [DID: upgraded SA-3], OSA-AK [DID: SA-8B, scheduled for interim upgrades], and Igla [DID: SA-16 shoulder-fired] missile systems.

Sources peg the MR-SAM project as an extension of the ongoing DRDO-Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) project, launched in January 2006 at a cost of $480 million, to develop a supersonic 60-km Barak-NG (new-generation) missile defence system for Navy.”

India Defence and the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz also reported that MR-SAM would be an extension of work done on the Barak-NG deal, and this seems to be the general consensus.

SA-8
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The DRDO Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be the ‘prime developer’ for the MR-SAM project, which will reportedly have a Rs 2,300 crore (INR 23 billion, about $445 million at signing in 2009) indigenous component within an estimated Rs 10,075 crore (INR 100.75 billion, about $1.95 billion at signing) total. The 4-5 year project aims to provide India’s military with 9 advanced air defense squadrons, each with 2 MR-SAM firing units. Each MR-SAM unit, in turn, would consist of a command and control center, an acquisition radar, a guidance radar, and 3 launchers with 8 missiles each.

MR-SAM’s total would therefore be 10 C2 centers, 18 acquisition radars, 18 guidance radars, and 54 launchers, armed with 432 ready-to-fire missiles. Some reports have placed total missile orders as high as 2,000, which would add a significant reserve stockpile to replenish missiles in any conflict.

Indian sources estimated a 4-year, $300 million System Design & Development phase to develop unique system elements, and produce an initial tranche of the land-based missiles. As of its approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security in July 2007, MR-SAM surpassed the BrahMos project in size, and may be the largest joint defense development project ever undertaken between India and any other country.

The MR-SAM project reportedly has a “probable date of completion” by August 2016, which would be around 7 years from its 2009 approval.

Contracts & Key Events 2014 – 2018

In service in Israel; DRDO challenges; Successful intercept test.

Empty
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July 4/18: New family member Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is adding a new missile to its Barak family. The Barak-MX is a modular and scalable networked air/missile defense system that links various sensors, launchers and Barak effectors in a single architecture that can be scoped and optimized to meet specific customer mission requirements. Barak MX is essentially a building block solution. It enables one to retain the central C2 capability but adds longer-range air defense sensors and Barak effectors to scale up the system. The Barak Battle Management Center (BMC), which creates and manages a unified multi-senor aerial picture, coordinates the force operation networks and manages the launch arrays. Barak BMC is available in mobile, transportable and stationary versions. The interceptors are vertically launched and support 360° coverage, quick reactions, short minimal ranges and active high-end RF seekers for targets with low radar cross sections and high maneuverability.

March 30/18: More missiles please Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have been contracted by the Indian Ministry of Defense to supply additional Barak-1 short-range surface-to-air missiles. The contract is valued at $70.5 million and includes 131 Barak-1 shipborne, point defense missiles to be delivered to the Indian Navy. The Barak-1 is a supersonic, vertically-launched short range air defense system, with an operational range of about 6 miles. That pushes it past the standard ranges of shoulder-launched options with naval counterparts, like the MBDA Mistral/SIMBAD or Saab Boofors’ RBS-70, but short of other small vertical launch options like the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow. Its closest western competitor on the international market is probably Raytheon’s horizontally-fired Amero-German RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, and MBDA’s flexible Crotale VT-1/NG. Key attributes include a compact 8-cell vertical launching system that weighs just 1,700 kg, coupled with an equally compact 1,300 kg fire control system. This makes it easier to install in small ships, and to retrofit into older vessels.

May 22/17: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been awarded an additional contract by the Indian government to supply air and defense missile systems for four ships of the Indian navy. Valued at an estimated $630 million, the agreement will include local state-owned firm Bharat Electronics Ltd, who will serve as the main contractor on the project under New Delhi’s “Make in India” initiative. The deal follows a $2 billion one signed with IAI last month to supply India’s army and navy with missile defense systems. The Barak-8 system is a joint development effort between IAI, India’sDefence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Israel’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, Elta Systems, and Rafael, while Bharat produce the system’s missiles.

April 9/17: The Indian government has given the go ahead for the $1.8 billion purchase of the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). A land-based version of the Barak-8, the MRSAM was developed by IAI and India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with Rafael and IAI/Elta, and worked with various Indian companies including BEL, L&T, BDL and other private vendors, and will be operated by the Indian Army. The company will also supply additional LRSAM air & missile defense systems for the first build in India Indian aircraft carrier.

March 2/17: Israel and India will co-develop and produce a medium-range surface-to-air missile for the Indian Army. Contracts for the deal are expected to be awarded later this month with the value of the project estimated at over $2.5 billion. Known as the MRSAM, development of the missile will be undertaken jointly by India’s DRDO, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and will be produced by state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in partnership with other state-owned and private defense companies. It does, however, remain unclear who will own the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) for the missile as well as the ownership of the data package for the technology.

July 5/16: India successfully tested the land version of its Barak-8 anti-air missile twice on Friday at India’s Integrated Test Range. Conducted by a team from India’s DRDO and Israel’s IAI, naval versions have already been fitted and tested aboard Indian Navy warships. The long-range rocket can identify and hit an air target within a range of 70 kilometers, or some 43.5 miles.

January 4/16: India has completed its first naval test of the Barak-8 long range surface to air missile (LRSAM). Developed jointly between the Indian Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) and IAI Israel, the recent test follows November’s successful testing on board an Israeli naval platform. The maiden firing consisted of the missile intercepting aerial targets at extended ranges up to 70km. Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile. When completed, the missiles will be fitted on board all Kolkata class destroyers and major warships in the Indian Navy.

November 30/15: The Israeli Navy has announced the successful first test of the Barak-8 air defense system. The interceptor missile was launched from a Sa’ar-5 Corvette against a UAV target representing a threat against a ship at sea. The system has been jointly developed with India and aims to cater for the long range missile defence for both countries with India also planning to test the system before the end of the year. It is hoped that the system will have reached initial operational capability within the next two years.

November 16/15: India’s Barak-8 will be test-fired between now and the end of the year after it was announced that preparations are being made on board the INS Kolkata for the test which the Navy hope to have installed on all future warships and retrofitted on its current Kolkata class destroyers.

Mar 2/15: Indian interest renewed for MRSAM. Defense News reports that an Indian Defence Ministry official confirmed that the medium-range (MRSAM) variant is a go for joint development with Israel, with an initial expected order of $1.5 billion. Rafale and IAI would work with Indian firms Bharat Dynamics Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro.

Nov 10/14: Testing. A successful test of the Barak-8 “Air & Missile Defense System” acquires an incoming target drone using the system’s radar, fired the missile to an interception zone, and had the missile successfully acquire and kill the target using its own seeker. Indian officials were there, including DRDO chief Dr. Avinash Chander, and Israeli and Indian releases both pronounced their satisfaction with all aspects of test performance.

The Israelis already have the missile deployed, so they’re happy. What the releases didn’t say, is whether DRDO’s rocket booster was used in the test (Aug 14/14). It’s likely that they did, and the next step is warship trials for India. DRDO hopes to begin deliveries by the end of 2015. Sources: IAI, “IAI Successfully Tested the Barak-8 Air & Missile Defense System” | India MoD, “Successful Flight Testing of LR SAM Missile”.

Aug 14/14: INS Kolkata. Media reports indicate that India’s new 7,500t air defense destroyer INS Kolkata, which is set to be commissioned on Aug 16/14, will be armed with Barak-1 missiles until the Barak-8s arrive. The article doesn’t explain whether the vertical launchers are compatible, or whether the Barak-1 has been integrated yet with the IAI Elta MF-STAR active array radar that equips the new destroyer class. With respect to the Barak-8s:

“The missile is ready, but [DRDO’s] boosters to propel the missile [upon launch]… have failed.”

Hence the importance of the forthcoming tests, if DRDO can get its rocket boosters to Israel (q.v. Aug 11/14). Meanwhile, India is likely to have 3 Kolkata Class destroyers ready to go by the time they’re done testing the Indian LR-SAM. They’ll need to do something in the interim. Sources: oneindia News, “INS Kolkata, the Biggest Naval Destroyer, is the weakest link in Defence”.

Aug 11/14: Force majeure. India’s Business Standard explains how the recent battles in the Gaza Strip are affecting the LR-SAM program, which was already 2 years late:

“The DRDO confirms that the rockets, filled with highly combustible propellant, were despatched [sic] on a commercial airline, Korean Air, for trials in Israel. After the rocket motors reached Seoul – Korean Air’s global hub, from where they were to be routed onwards to Tel Aviv – the launch of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on July 8 caused Korean Air to cancel all flights to Tel Aviv…. Consequently, a crucial and secret sub-system of the world’s most advanced anti-missile defence system has been languishing in a Korean Air warehouse in Seoul.”

Actually, the cancellation came on July 20/14, after Hamas rockets struck near the airport. Note that Iron Dome is programmed to ignore rockets that don’t threaten its priority areas, and many airlines have already reassessed the situation and resumed flights. Korean Air, on the other hand, won’t begin flights to Tel Aviv again until Aug 28/14. India’s DRDO is “monitoring the situation,” and could choose to request help from India’s Air Force, whose IL-76 heavy jet transports could pick up and deliver the missiles.

Once the Premier Explosives Ltd. rocket motors are delivered, they will be integrated with the IAI-built front section, and then undergo full homing trials at an Israeli range. After that, warship trials will begin, and DRDO hopes to begin deliveries by the end of 2015. By then, 3 new Project 15A Kolkata Class destroyers, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, will all be waiting to receive their primary air defense weapons. Sources: India’s Business Standard, “Indian missiles languish in South Korea due to Gaza conflict” | Israel’s Globes, “Korean Air cancels all Israel flights until August 28”.

May 13/14: Israel. A Sa’ar 5 Eilat Class corvette has already been outfitted with IAI Elta’s MF-STAR S-Band AESA radar, and Barak-8 air defense missiles. The other 2 are set to follow.

The MF-STAR, or “Adir,” has been bought by India for its new Project 15A Kolkata Class destroyers. They are also expected to employ the Barak-8. Sources: The Jerusalem Post, “The Israel Navy is quietly enhancing its capabilities for precision, long-range missiles”.

2010 – 2013

Barak-8 development & testing continues; Azerbaijan sale?; Akash missile expands Indian footprint; Indian RFI for immediate MR-SAM option.

Barak-8 concept
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Dec 23/13: DAC OK. AK Antony and the Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) clear the Indian Navy’s intent to buy 262 more Barak-1 missiles, in order to replenish their fast-dwindling stocks. The paper adds:

“The naval LR-SAM, approved in December 2005, is now slated for completion by December 2015. The MR-SAM project, sanctioned in February 2009, in turn, has a “probable date of completion” by August 2016.”

Read “Indian Naval Air Defenses: Another Avoidable Crisis” for full coverage.

Dec 17/13: Update. India’s Ministry of Defense provides updates regarding a number of DRDO projects, including LR-SAM. The development program’s original delivery target was May 2011, but the Probable Date of Completion is now December 2015: 4 1/2 years late, and well after it becomes fully operational in Israel. Sources: India MoD, “DRDO Projects”.

Nov 14/13: Stall. India’s LR-SAM and MR-SAM projects are stalled, even as Israel moves to deploy the Barak-8 at sea. The Barak-8 was supposed to be delivered for LR-SAM by 2012, and is supposed to go to the IAF as MR-SAM by 2017. Unfortunately, drawings for components aren’t enough to let Indian firms produce them properly, and:

“Frankly speaking, right now, not much is going on in the joint venture due to various issues between the two sides. Expecting Israel to share its technology with India is unfair. But such things should have been clarified before the joint venture was entered into,” said an official…. DRDO officials are also attributing the delay to a complicated and long procedure involving shuttling between India and Israel for various stages of development of a system etc… [DRDO] also reportedly found itself helpless on problems in propulsion system and other related issues while a significant number of parts or systems are yet to be tested following a delay in manufacturing.”

So, to sum up: contract terms that didn’t provide clear mechanisms to enable Indian production from the baseline they’re actually at, Indian DRDO bureaucracy sitting in the way of development and not delivering on key items, and manufacturing issues that have created Indian testing delays. While Israel fields the missile. DRDO Director General Avinash Chander wouldn’t comment on LR-SAM, which is already late, but he said MR-SAM remained on schedule for 2017. Sources: Times of India, “India-Israel joint venture to manufacture missiles fails to take off”.

July 31/13: Israeli installation. India may give the Barak-8 LR-SAM’s date of probable completion as 2015, but Israel intends to have the missile installed on its 3 Sa’ar 5 Eilat Class corvettes before the end of 2013.

The move is reportedly being made in response to Syria’s deployment of SS-N-26/ P-800 Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missiles, with a range of up to 180 miles. Some of the missiles reportedly survived a major Israeli strike, and Hezbollah’s leading role in the Syrian Civil War sharpens concerns about a transfer to Iran’s 21st-century Condor Legion. Incoming supersonic missiles will compress the Barak-8’s range, but its 60-70 km base range remains a large improvement over the Barak-1’s base 10-12 km. Arming the Eilat Class with the navy’s first wide-area air defense technology is a good backup move while Israel looks to determine the true state of Syria’s P-800 missiles, and if necessary, to target them for a final strike. Israel HaYom | UPI | China’s Xinhua.

Israel deploying Barak-8

March 18/13: An India MoD release offers a list of late DRDO projects, along with a voluminous list of excuses. Credit of some kind is due for not using “the dog ate our blueprints,” but every other issue one normally expects in projects of this nature can be found. LR-SAM is one of the listed projects, and its Probable Date of Completion has slipped from May 2011 to December 2015.

Dec 18/12: LR-SAM. India’s MoD offers quick year-end reviews for a number of key programs. With respect to LR-SAM, it says that:

“Control and Navigation Tests (CNT) for LRSAM, a joint development Programme between DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI), to develop an Advanced Naval Air Defence System for Indian Navy) were conducted on 16th and 18th July 2012. All Planned mission objectives were fully met in both the tests. The missiles showed good navigation and control performance. DRDO is the Prime Development Agency and IAI the design authority for supply, installation and final acceptance.”

Development was pegged at 5 years under the original 2006 LR-SAM deal, so they’re late. MR-SAM isn’t mentioned, but LR-SAM missile tests are also effectively MR-SAM missile tests.

Dec 5/12: LR-SAM MoU. Israel Aerospace Industries and India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd. sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU), concerning their cooperation on future LR-SAM ship-defence system projects.

IAI already has a number of arrangements in place with Indian firms. Under this MoU, BEL will function as the Lead Integrator, ultimately taking over DRDO’s role once the missile is developed, and will produce major sub-systems. IAI will continue to act as the system’s Design Authority, and to produce sub-systems as a main sub-contractor of BEL. IAI.

Feb 26/12: Azerbaijan. Israel and Azerbaijan sign a government to government deal for a range of military equipment, including UAVs and “missile defense systems.”

The Caspian Sea’s gas and oil resources are increasing tensions in the region, and Russia’s recent hostility with Georgia has also roiled the waters. From 2008 to the present, SIRPI’s database confirms that Israel has become a significant supplier of military equipment to Azerbaijan, including artillery, UAVs, and anti-tank and anti-ship missiles. Russia and Ukraine are even more significant suppliers, transferring attack helicopters, artillery, missiles, armored vehicles – and long-range S-300 air defense missile systems.

Subsequent reports from SIRPI indicate that this $1.6 billion deal may contain up to 75 Barak-8 missiles, and an EL/M-2080 Green Pine long-range radar. That diversity of long-range systems would complicate planning for an attacker, and offers some insurance. Israel may even get more than just money from this. Depending on that Green Pine radar’s positioning, it should be able to see a long way into Iran’s airspace. Ha’aretz | News.Az.

Azeri deal?

SLAMRAAM test
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June 3/11: Industrial. Livefist shows an India DRDO presentation that helps break down technology responsibilities within the Barak-8. Indian firms will contribute the pneumatic actuator, dual-pulse rocket motor, and motor arming/safing technologies.

April 13/11: MR-SAM gap-filler RFI. IANS reports that India’s MoD has issued a request for information (RFI) from global and domestic missile manufacturers, asking them if they could supply the medium range air defense missile within a short time-frame to the Indian Air Force (IAF), for defense of vital installations. Submitted systems must be capable of all-weather, all-terrain, day/night operation with a 3.5 km altitude ceiling, and able to engage multiple targets that include a range of aerial enemies.

The RFI is ahead of a tender for the purchase of medium-range surface-to-air (MRSAM) missiles, and the emergency buy would reportedly be over and above the 18 MR-SAM units that India is buying from Israel in the 2009 deal. The near-term timeline would appear to disqualify the Barak-8, preventing tri-service acceptance. Obvious Air Force contenders would include India’s own Akash, and offerings from MBDA (VL-MICA), Kongsberg/Raytheon (SLAMRAAM/NASAMS, possibly Patriot PAC-3 as well), Russia (TOR-M2E, SA-20/S-300 PMU2 possible), and IAI/RAFAEL (Spyder MR-SAM variant, complementing the SR-SAM variant India has already ordered).

Akash SAM exhibit
(click to view full)

Aug 9/10: Defence Minister Shri AK Antony updates the status of various missile programs, in a Parliamentary reply to Shri SB Wankhede and Shri AP Shivaji. Trishul and Akash aren’t mentioned at all; the former presumably owing to its cancellation, the latter because it may no longer be a development program. LR-SAM’s ballistic flight trials was undertaken in May 2010. MR-SAM’s preliminary design has been carried out, along with “pre-tender briefing to all prospective vendors.”

Feb 2/10: Akash up, opportunity down. India increases its Akash SAM buy to 1,000, and will deploy them in the rugged terrain of the northeast as SA-3 replacements. The INR 42.79 billion (about $925 million) contract will buy 6 squadrons of Akash medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) from state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). This 750 missile order follows an INR 12.21 billion (about $250 million) order for 2 initial squadrons with 250 missiles total, back in January 2009.

Delivery under this order is expected between 2012-2015, stabilizing Akash as a shorter-range complement to the MR-SAM and affirming the IAF’s confidence. That confidence doesn’t endanger the MR-SAM project, but it removes the expansion possibilities that would have been created by full cancellation, or a limited 2-squadron Akash program. The Hindu | Indian Express | Times of India | Times Now | Bloomberg | India’s Business Times.

2006 – 2009

LR-SAM and MR-SAM deals signed; Budgets; Competition by the back door?

VL-MICA test
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Dec 14/09: Confirmed. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony offers a program update, in a written Parliamentary reply to Shri Asaduddin Owaisi:

“Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) has undertaken joint development of missiles, Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) for Indian navy and Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) for Indian Air Force with M/s Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Israel. The cost of project for LRSAM is Rs. 2606.02 crore and cost of project for MRSAM is Rs. 10075 crore. Both the missiles being developed are comparable in performance and cost to missiles available in their class in the world market.”

Given conversion rates at contract time, that means $1.95 billion for MR-SAM, and $560.8 million for LR-SAM.

Indian deals & budgets

Nov 9/09: MR-SAM. Reports surface again that Israel and India have signed a deal for the Barak-8 missile system, which appears to be the Army’s MR-SAM project. Indian reports quote an Israel official, who says that India signed a $1.1 billion contract in April 2009, with delivery expected by 2017.

Islamabad’s The Daily Mail claim that the deal is $1.4 billion, and involves 2,000 Barak-8 missiles for land and naval forces. India has significant industrial offset laws, and The Daily Mail repo

E-6B TACAMO
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The USA’s E-6 Mercury (aka. TACAMO, as in TAke Charge And Move Out) “survivable airborne communication system” airplanes support their Navy’s SSBN ballistic missile submarine force and overall strategic forces. With the advent of the new “Tactical Trident” converted Ohio Class special operations subs, their unique capabilities become even more useful. The E-6B version also has a secondary role as a “Looking Glass” Airborne National Command Post, and in recent years they have seen use as communications relay stations over the front lines of combat.

Delivery of the first production E-6 aircraft took place in August 1989, with delivery of the 16th and final airplane coming in May 1992. This is DID’s FOCUS Article concerning the E-6 system, which includes details concerning the capabilities and associated contracts. The latest contracts involve important fleet upgrades, as the Navy tries to drag the jet’s systems into the 21st century.

E-6 Mercury: Messenger from On High

Crazy ’bout a Mercury…
(click to view cutaway)

The U.S. Navy has a total fleet of 16 E-6B aircraft deployed from Tinker AFB, OK. The 707-300 derivatives have a range of about 5,500 miles, and can easily carry 23 crew members. FAS reports that in the TACAMO role, the E-6 flies independent random operations from various deployed sites for approximately 15 day intervals. Each deployed crew is self-supporting except for fuel and perishables, and the mission requires a 24 hour commitment of resources (alert posture) in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.

The term “Looking Glass” referred to the aircraft’s ability to “mirror” the underground US STRATCOM command center, in the event that it’s destroyed or becomes disabled. The aircraft use their very-low-frequency (VLF) dual trailing wire antenna system to permit one-way, emergency communications to submerged submarines. That gives the Pentagon a vital link to the fleet from national command authorities, without forcing the subs to reveal their positions. In an emergency, the E-6 fleet will also provide an Airborne National Command Post (ABNCP) for United States Command in Chief for Strategic Forces and theater CINCs, including an Airborne Launch Control System capable of launching U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.

In the ABNCP role, as directed by US STRATCOM, 2 aircraft would be flown to Offutt Air Force Base (AFB) to embark the battle staff and the airborne launch control system (ALCS) components, then placed in alert status.

The first E-6B aircraft was accepted in December 1997, and the E-6B assumed its dual operational mission in October 1998. The E-6 fleet was completely modified to the E-6B configuration in 2003, and maintenance of the systems is performed by the standard complement of squadron ground and in-flight technician personnel. The Block I upgrades provide the next big step forward for the fleet, and Full Operational Capability was declared in spring 2012.

E-6B Upgrade Efforts

MCS-10 system
(click to view cutaway)

E-6B Block I. This upgrade program began in 2004, as a collaborative effort between the Navy and industry. It adds open system architecture electronics via its new MCS-10 computers; a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Intercommunications System; and an on-aircraft, multi-level secure network for message processing. That electronic architecture also lays the groundwork for future upgrades, by making it much easier to insert new electronics. Rockwell Collins was the prime contractor, with ARINC as their sub-contracted installer. A related Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) effort worked to improve the plane’s uplink/downlink speeds.

The MCS-10 is at the heart of all strategic data communication links aboard the E-6B, and makes it possible to receive and transmit Emergency Action Messages to deployed US Strategic (nuclear) Forces. It will also help the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) mission by automating 2-way messages between the MCS-10 and battlestaff mission equipment, which frees crew members from unnecessary administrative duties of processing, verifying, and then re-typing complex data messages. This saves time and crew in critical situations, while removing the ever-present possibility of human error.

Full Operational Capability (FOC) was declared for the 15 modified E-6Bs and 3 training devices (including at least 1 737) in spring 2012. Since then, the program office has delivered 1 software update, all spares, updated the MCS-10 test bench, and submitted final Emergency Action Message (EAM) certification to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for approval.

E-6B Block II. The follow-on Block II program kicked off in earnest in June 2012. With this program, the E-6B begins to take full advantage of the Block I upgrades. Modifications like the dual line of sight/ satellite MR-TCDL datalink will let the TACAMO fleet connect to secure U.S. Department of Defense networks, at high data rates, while still in flight. That might seem like an elementary function for a national-level command aircraft, but the age of the planes made it a long slog to get there. For people on board, these Block II change will dramatically broaden the type and quality of information they can receive. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for Block II.

E-6B SLEP. In parallel with the communications refits, E-6Bs are also receiving Service Life enhancement Program modifications, designed to take the airframes from 27,000 safe flight hours to 45,000, and give them another 20 years of service life. The refit involves inspecting and replacing up to 15,000 fasteners on the aircraft’s wings, and widening and strengthening fastener holes. That means up to 28,000 man-hours per plane, as the Navy prefers a cold-working process to strengthen the fastening holes, which involves the physical removal and inspection of each fastener as well as rework of the holes.

While the Navy leads that SLEP process, most of the work is being performed by the USAF Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center’s 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who have a lot of experience with the USAF’s similar E-3 Sentry AWACS planes. The SLEP is estimated to cost over $3 million per aircraft, and the 16th and final E-6B is scheduled to roll out of the SLEP hangar in 2015.

E-6 Mercury: Contracts and Key Events FY 2013 – 2018

Block I FRP; TCDL datalink.

Bringing it in
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July 4/18: Repair work Performance Aircraft Services is being contracted for repair work on the Navy’s fleet of E-6B aircraft. The $57 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract provides for the removal and replacement of sealant on fuel cells and aircraft surfaces, as well as on the internal surface of wing fuel tanks for up to 16 aircraft. The USA’s E-6 Mercury “survivable airborne communication system” airplanes support their Navy’s SSBN ballistic missile submarine force and overall strategic forces. The 707-300 derivatives have a range of about 5,500 miles and can easily carry 23 crew members. The E-6 flies independent random operations from various deployed sites for approximately 15-day intervals. Each deployed crew is self-supporting except for fuel and perishables, and the mission requires a 24-hour commitment of resources (alert posture) in the Atlantic and Pacific regions. Work will be performed in Waco, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is expected to be completed in May 2023.

November 30/17: Maintenance & Support The US Navy has exercised a second year option with IAP Worldwide Services for logistics support services on E-6B Mercury aircraft. Worth over $58.9 million, the contract tasks IAP with maintaining and supporting the E-6B Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) and Airborne Command Post aircraft, support equipment, aircraft weapon system, associated support sites, and supporting organizations, up until November 2018. Work will take place at several US locations including: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (70 percent); Patuxent River, Maryland (10 percent); Bellevue, Nebraska (10 percent); and Fairfield, California (10 percent). News of the contract comes as rising tensions over the possible threat of nuclear war with North Korea remain high, with Pyongyang testing yet another nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday. The Pentagon’s E-6 fleet, based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is tasked with relaying instructions from the National Command Authority to its fleet of ballistic missile submarines in the event of nuclear war. E-6B model Mercury aircraft are also capable of remotely controlling Minutemen ICBMs.

November 22/17: Contracts-Upgrades Rockwell Collins has been awarded a $12.7 million contract modification to carry out upgrade work on the communication systems of US Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft. Under the award, the Navy will exercise an option for the installation of Block I/Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase 3/Block IA Very Low Transmit Terminal/Nuclear Planning and Execution System kit on one E-6B aircraft. Field support engineering, training, and licenses are also included in the contract, which will be carried out at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (85 percent) and Richardson, Texas (15 percent), with an estimated completion time scheduled for June 2019. The E-6 Mercury platform, which first went into service in 1989, has the ability for command and control authority to launch land and sea based nuclear ballistic missiles. 16 were built for the US Navy between 1988 and 1991.

October 06/17: Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins have both received USAF contracts ($81 and $76 million respectively) for the technology maturation and risk reduction phase of the Airborne Launch Control System Replacement (ALCS-R) program—the development of an airborne command-and-control system that makes it possible for the USAF to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile even if launch control centers on the ground are destroyed. The program will support intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operations until 2075, meaning it will work with both the current Minuteman III system and its eventual replacement, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, which will come online in the late 2020s. During ALCS-R, the service intends to replace all of the airborne mission equipment onboard the 16 E-6B Mercury aircraft equipped with the current ALCS system, as well as ground-based radios in 450 launch-control centers, which haven’t been updated since the 1960s.

June 4/14: Training. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an $11.9 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to upgrade of the E-6B Mercury Weapon System Trainer, and keep it consistent with changes to the plane.

All funds are committed immediately, using Navy FY 2012-13 aircraft budgets. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (60%) and Binghamton, NY (40%), and is expected to be complete in February 2017. US NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004).

June 2/14: FAB-T contract. Raytheon in Marlborough, MA receives a $298 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for 84 FAB-T Command Post Terminals (CPT), which will allow broadband-speed reception from the USAF’s hardened, secure new AEHF satellites. FAB-T CPTs will equip E-4B NAOC and E-6B Mercury Block II command post aircraft, as well as some ground and mobile locations. After FAB-T reaches Milestone C, Phase 2 production contract options for Low-Rate Initial Production and beyond will open up for Raytheon, expanding the contract considerably.

It’s a sharp blow to prior incumbent Boeing, but not entirely unexpected. Buying FAB-T terminals for USAF B-2 and B-52 bombers, RC-135 SIGINT/ELINT aircraft, or other planes, would require another procurement process.

Work will be performed in Marlborough, MA and Largo, FL, with the Florida location serving as the assembly point. USAF FY 2013 through 2019 budgets will fund FAB-T buys over time, with just $31,274 committed immediately. Two bids were solicited and two received. The USAF Life Cycle Management Center/HNSK at Hanscom AFB, MA, solicited 2 bids, and received 2 (FA8705-13-C-0005, PO 0002). Sources: Pentagon DefenseLINK | Raytheon, “Raytheon awarded $298 million for US Air Force FAB-T satellite terminal program” | Defense News, “Space Fence, FAB-T Awards Show an Emboldened DoD”.

Feb 25/14: New dome? The Aviationist passes along an interesting observation:

“On Feb. 14, Military Radio Comms Expert Allan Stern took a photograph of E-6B TACAMO 164407 landing at Patrick Air Force Base and several people noticed that there is a new dome on the aircraft, clearly visible before the tail.”

It’s about the same size as wifi antennas on commercial passenger jets, but that doesn’t tell us much. Until there’s an official explanation, the mystery continues. Sources & picture: The Aviationist, “E-6B Mercury “Doomsday plane” with brand new dome”.

Nov 27/13: Rockwell Collins Inc. in Richardson, TX receives a $10.8 million fixed-firm-price contract for E-6B sustaining engineering services, including the Mission Avionics System, the Long Trailing Wire Assembly (~5 miles, for VLF transmission), the Short Trailing Wire Assembly, the High Power Transmit Set and the Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase 4 system.

$2 million in Navy FY 2014 operations and maintenance funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (60%) and Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, OK (40%) and is expected to be complete in November 2014. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. US NAVAIR in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-14-C-0027).

Nov 14/13: Block I. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $46.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to deliver and install 2 E-6B Block I modification aircraft kits, including Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase III and very low frequency transmit terminals (VTT). They’ll also deliver and install 4 VTT retrofit modification kits, while providing field support, differences training for existing technicians, software licenses and agreements, and updates to an Operational Flight Trainer.

All funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (56%); Oklahoma City, OK (43%); and San Antonio, TX (1%), and is expected to be complete in May 2015. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004).

Nov 5/13: Support. DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Gaithersburg, MD receives a $50.9 million firm-fixed-priced contract modification, exercising an option for E-6B support and spares, including the procurement and repair of operational, depot and Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures spares and associated shipping and data.

$13.3 million in FY 2014 O&M funds are committed immediately, and will expire on Sept 30/14. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Offutt AFB, NB (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%); and is expected to be complete in November 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).

Nov 5/13: TCDL. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in Herndon, VA receives an $18.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to build, install and test E-6B related modifications to the Multi-Role TCDL’s [PDF, Tactical Common Data Link] Ku-band Line-of-Sight and Ka-band satellite communications systems. It also funds systems integration laboratory work, and aircraft development and operational test support.

$18.5 million in FY 2014 Navy aircraft procurement funds are committed immediately. Work will be performed in Greenville, TX (50%), Patuxent River, MD (35%), and San Diego, CA (15%), and is expected to be complete in November 2015. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-12-C-0096).

July 1/13: FAB-T. Raytheon Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA receives a $34 million contract modification to continued development and testing of air (E-4, E-6) and ground fixed and transportable command post terminals with presidential and national voice conferencing. The systems are a parallel project award under the Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program, which leverages new AEHF secure, hardened broadband satellites.

Work will be performed at Marlborough, MA, and is expected to be complete by October 2013. Fiscal 2012 Research and Development funds are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/HNSK, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA manages the contract (FA8307-12-C-0013, PO 0013).

April 15/13: Block II: IPBE. US NAVAIR announces that the E-6B’s Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) upgrade was recently installed on its 4th aircraft (3 operational, 1 test), during a service life extension program (SLEP) overhaul. It was delivered back to the Navy’s VQ-4 Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron at Tinker AFB, OK on March 14/13. Twelve more E-6Bs are scheduled to get the IPBE upgrade, with the last installation scheduled for completion in mid-fiscal 2019.

The E-6 Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) describes the IPBE upgrade as an ultra-high frequency line of sight digital data feed used while operating over the USA, and a commercial Inmarsat satellite feed for use when operating outside the USA. Besides offering much higher bandwidth, IPBE has the advantage of removing more than 5,000 pounds of backup equipment from the aircraft.

Nov 27/12: Block I FRP. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $53.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for 3 E-6B Block 1 modification aircraft kits, 3 E-6B Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion Phase III modification kits, and 4 very low frequency transmit terminal kits for the Block 1A engineering change proposal. Since VLF waves penetrate about 40 meters into salt water, they’re used for military communication with submarines. An accompanying trainer upgrade will keep the mission avionics systems trainer in sync. Rockwell Collins later reveals that there are also $241 unexercised options, which could upgrade up to 11 aircraft before all is said and done.

Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, OK (55%); Richardson, TX (35%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%), and is expected to be complete in February 2014. $51.4 million is committed on award. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-13-C-0004). See also Rockwell-Collins.

Block I Full-rate production

Nov 19/12: Support. Finmeccanica subsidiary DRS C3 and Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA received a $50 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B Mercury, including common aircraft spares support for 2 CNATT E-6B Mission Avionics System trainers, an Integrated Avionics Trainer, 2 VQ-7 Operational Flight Trainers, an E-6B P2 Lab, and the E-6B System Integration Laboratory.

In addition, this option provides limited services for residual spares taken from retired 707 derivatives, including the VC-137 (command aircraft, incl. Air Force One) and C-18 (other specialty 707-320B derivatives).

Work will be performed at Tinker AFB, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in November 2013. $15.1 million will be obligated on this award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept 30/12. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).

Nov 2/12: MR-TCDL. Northrop Grumman Information Systems’ Network Communication Systems subsidiary in San Diego, CA receives a $20.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option to integrate the Multi-Role Tactical Common Data Link (MR-TCDL) into the E-6B aircraft. That’s going to require for ancillary equipment, hardware, and software changes to add the new data standards, flows, and interfaces. The MR-TCDL includes 2 Ku-band line-of-sight channels and 1 Ka-band satellite communications channel, with the accompanying power conditioning, cooling, electrical and network distribution, etc. that are part of the Block II B-kits.

Work will be performed in San Diego, CA (75%), Waco, TX (20%), and Patuxent River, MD (5%) and is expected to be complete in October 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-12-C-0096).

Oct 3/12: Replace? The Lexington Institute releases “Modernizing the Air Force’s Electronic Aircraft Fleet” [PDF]. It advocates replacing all current USAF 707 and C-135 derivatives with off-the-shelf or nearly OTS 737 military derivatives, restoring the fleet while saving on rising maintenance costs. KC-135 aerial tankers, which are being replaced with a Boeing “KC-46A” 767 variant, were excluded from their analysis, leaving just over 70 planes to replace. The Institute believes that the savings could amount to $3 billion per year once full replacement is accomplished, over an expected service life of 30 years. Unfortunately, they do not show their cost model.

It’s an unlikely outcome, but if the USAF did choose this option, the recently-modernized E-6 fleet would probably be the last aircraft phased out. These low-hours airframes that are fresh from an upgrade, and the USAF/USN would have to either design a new internal electronics architecture from the ground up, or convert and then fit the E-6B’s systems into a slightly shorter 737-800/900 ER jet. That would add expenses and time, and introduce technical risks. What it probably wouldn’t do, is significantly increase capabilities when compared to an E-6B Block II.

FY 2011 – 2012

Block I FOC, Block II development.

Gonna buy me a Mercury…
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Sept 10/12: Broadband SATCOM. The Raytheon Co. Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA, is being awarded a $70 million firm fixed price contract for development, testing and production of FAB-T engineering development models of air (E-4B NAOC, E-6B), ground fixed and transportable Command Post Terminals with Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC). FAB-T terminals are designed to work with the US military’s new AEHF hardened broadband satellites.

The location of the performance is Marlborough, MA. Work is to be complete by July 2013. The AFLCMC/HSNK at Hanscom AFB, MA manages the contract (FA8307-12-C-0013).

July 17/12: US NAVAIR discusses the new open architecture MCS-10 mission computer for the E-6B fleet, which was installed on 15 E-6B aircraft and 3 training devices, as a key part of the Block I upgrades.

June 26/12: Block II development. Northrop Grumman Corp. announces a $44.3 million contract from the Us Navy to begin the E-6’s Block II upgrades, which build on Block I’s enabling architecture. Northrop Grumman will design and produce networking and communications systems, first integrating them into the E-6B Systems Integration Laboratory and then onto a single E-6B aircraft. Under the US NAVAIR contract, Northrop Grumman will also provide testing, logistics and training to support operational fielding.

With the Block II Modification, the E-6B aircraft will be able to connect to secure U.S. Department of Defense networks at high data rates while still in flight. The upgrade will enable users on board the aircraft to access mission-essential, near-real-time information from worldwide sources, without impacting the operational performance of the aircraft. If all goes well, the Navy intends to field Block II capability to the entire E-6B fleet through a follow-on contract.

Block II SDD

Spring 2012: Block I FOC. Full Operational Capability (FOC) is declared for the 15 modified E-6Bs and 3 training devices. Source.

Block I done

Dec 1/11: Support. Finmeccanica’s DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA receives a $48.5 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising an option for management of government-owned inventory and material support of E-6B aircraft. This option provides for residual spares from past 707-derivative programs, including the VC-137 (former Air Force One) fleet, and the C-18 range of specialized monitoring and communications aircraft.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis Air Force Base, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NE (10%); and is expected to be complete by November 2012. $6.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0011).

Dec 1/11: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA is being awarded a $45.4 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to exercise an option to develop and produce A-kits and B-kits for the Block I modification of 3 low rate initial production E-6B aircraft, plus associated training and support to achieve Initial Operational Capability.

Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, OK (50%); Richardson, TX (40%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-10-C-0067).

June 23/11: Them’s the Brakes. General Atomics Systems Integration, LLC in Kaysville, UT wins a $25 million firm-fixed-price requirements contract to design, evaluate, test, install, and provide spares for lighter brakes, wheels, radial tires and a Brake Temperature Monitoring System for the E-6B fleet.

The E-6B fleet wouldn’t be the first military planes to find advantages in modern brake systems, which often use carbon fiber assemblies. Benefits include fewer parts, longer life, lower maintenance requirements, and lower weight that translates into fuel savings. The WBSI brake replacement program for the USAF’s KC-135 fleet, which uses a similar base airframe, was estimated to save a total of $583 million over the life of the program.

Work will be performed in Kaysville, UT (65%); Oklahoma City, OK (25%); and Patuxent River, MD (10%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2015. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals, with 2 offers received by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-11-D-0005).

Feb 14/11: Block I. The Carlyle Group’s ARINC, Inc. in Annapolis, MD announces a sub-contract from Rockwell Collins to install their Block I upgrades in E-6B TACAMO and Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) aircraft (vid. Nov 22/10 entry).

ARINC will perform comprehensive removal, upgrading, and replacement of the receivers, transmitters, communications racks, and operator stations that support the aircraft’s Communications Central and Battle Staff suites. The same Block I modifications will be made to an existing Mission Avionics Systems Trainer currently used at Tinker AFB, OK.

Work will take place over 26 months at its Aircraft Modification and Operations Facility in Oklahoma City, OK, with personnel from NAVAIR PMA-271 and Rockwell Collins on hand to supervise and assist. ARINC recently began building a 2nd hangar at the facility, which will more than double available hangar space when it opens in June 2011. Induction of the first upgraded E-6B aircraft is scheduled for July 2011, with final delivery by September 2013.

Nov 23/10: JDME Award. NAVAIR announces that its E-6B Mercury Fleet Support Team has received the 2010 Joint Depot Maintenance Excellence Award (Team category) at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Tampa, FL. Capt. Bob Roof, the E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications (PMA-271) program manager:

“The E-6 aircraft is a national asset. With only 16 aircraft in the fleet, we could not send them through the normal time lined depot maintenance cycle and still maintain the aircraft readiness level necessary to meet its mission… our Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, fleet support team solved this problem through collaboration with the Air Force using a process called Enhanced Phase Maintenance.”

Under EPM, the depot comes to the aircraft. Air Force artisans work side by side with Navy maintainers, in Navy hangars, to complete the required depot maintenance in as little as 6 weeks.

Nov 22/10: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a not-to-exceed $60.5 million addition to a previously awarded but unfinalized $38.8 million contract (N00019-10-C-0067, vid. July 22/10). In exchange for this $99.3 million award, the firm will develop and produce A-kits and B-kits for 3 Low Rate Initial Production E-6B Block I modifications, along with “associated training and support systems to achieve initial operational capability.”

Work will be performed in Richardson, Texas (70%; Waco, TX (20%); and Oklahoma City, OK (10%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2013.

Nov 18/10: Support. Finmeccanica subsidiary DRS C3 & Aviation Co. in Herndon, VA wins a $43.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for logistics services in support of E-6B aircraft, to include management of government-owned inventory and material support.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NE (10%). Work is expected to be complete in November 2011, and $214,500 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. This contract was competitively procured via a request for proposal, with 2 offers solicited and 2 proposals received (N00019-11-C-0011).

November 2010: Testing. Month-long Fleet Introduction Team (FIT) checks at Tinker AFB, OK for operational evaluation of the final product with US STRATCOM. Source.

Oct 14/10: Rear. Adm. Donald Gaddis of the US Navy’s Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft approves the ACAT-II level E-6B Block I Modification Program’s move into Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E).

The E-6B Mercury Block I Program entered into System Development and Demonstration (SDD) following Milestone B in March 2004. US NAVAIR.

Block I to IOT&E

FY 2009 – 2010

Block I Milestone C, production.

Routine maintenance
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September 2010: Testing. Final developmental testing completed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-20 personnel. Source.

July 22/10: Block I production. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives an undefinitized, not-to-exceed $38.8 million contract. The firm will develop and produce an A-kit and B-kit for Block I modification on 1 low-rate initial production E-6 aircraft, as well as associated training and support systems to achieve initial operational capability.

Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (70%); Waco, TX (20%); and Oklahoma City, OK (10%). Work is expected to be complete in July 2011. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-2 (N00019-10-C-0067).

July 12/10: Block I. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $43.7 million modification for prototype upgraded systems in the government’s E-6 systems integration laboratory, and on pre-production Block I modification aircraft. This order finalizes a previously awarded contract (N00019-09-C-0056) as a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, and covers design, development, integration, installation, and test work.

Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (75%), and Patuxent River, MD (25%), and is expected to be complete in September 2013.

June 15/10: The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271), teamed with the USAF Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center’s 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (566 AMXS) at Tinker AFB, OK, and the In-Service Support Center in Jacksonville, FL, has completed their first Service Life Extension Program modification of an E-6B Mercury, extending its originally planned service life of 27,000 flight hours to 45,000 flight hours.

NAVAIR says that the first SLEP modification took 6 months to complete, which would mean that it started late (December vs. September 2009). Contractors included Boeing and Andromeda Systems, Inc., who helped narrow the original list of more than 100 critical rework locations to just the 14 locations reworked on the first SLEP aircraft. The SLEP crew at 566 AMXS replaced original fasteners with interference-fit fasteners and cold-worked 14,383 holes, while performing the 12 individual modification directives. Fatigue Technology, Inc., also provided critical engineering, tooling, and training for the actual cold-working process. Although the modification was similar to work typically done by the 566 AMXS, the cold-working process directed by the Navy to strengthen the fastening holes required additional work and inspections.

The 566 AMXS will perform the same modification on the remaining 15 Mercury aircraft at Tinker AFB with the last SLEP finishing in 2015, vs. the original estimate of 2013. See also Aug 28/09 entry. NAVAIR.

1st E-6B SLEP done.

June 8/10: Milestone C. The E-6B Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) completes a Gate 6 / Milestone C review for the E-6B Modification program, and the E-6B Block I Program enters the Production and Deployment phase:

“The purpose of the Block I Program is to correct E-6B Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) Follow-on Test & Evaluation deficiencies and replace equipment that is obsolete or degrades mission performance by modifying aircraft, ground training systems, and the Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL)… The Prime Contractor for the Block IA Program is Rockwell Collins located in Richardson, Texas. Rockwell Collins, teamed with subcontract L-3 Communications, supports successful aircraft modifications in Waco, Texas.”

On NAVAIR’s side, the Block I IPT leads were Cmdr. Jaime Engdahl and Amy Houle Caruso. The E-6B Mercury Block I Program entered into System Development and Demonstration (SDD) following Milestone B (MS B) in March 2004. The SDD contract will be complete in Q1 2011 (Q2 FY11), but the Milestone C decision is expected to lead to an E-6B delivered for operational use in Q4 2011 (Q1 FY12), with the other 3 aircraft completed by Q4 2012 (Q1 FY13). NAVAIR.

Block I into production

Dec 17/09: Training. L-3 Link Simulation & Training announces a 1-year, $11.2 million contract option to continue to provide support for the U.S. Navy’s E-6B Aircrew Training System (ATS). Additional annual contract options could extend L-3 Link’s flight crew training support through 2015. L-3 Link has won 3 consecutive competitions since 1993, in order to remain prime contractor on the program.

The ATS contracts provide E-6B TACAMO pilots, navigators and flight engineers with instructor-led, computer-based and simulator training. Both academic and simulator aircrew instruction delivered by L-3 Link supports initial qualification, instructor upgrade, refresher, re-qualification, instrument ground school and crew resource management training. L-3 Link also operates and maintains all program training devices, including a new FAA Level D equivalent Operational Flight Trainer that enabled key training events to be moved from the aircraft to far less expensive simulators. The E-6B ATS schoolhouse is located at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. and the FAA Level D equivalent E-6B Operational Flight Trainer is housed in an adjacent L-3 Link facility.

E-6B Mercury landing
click to play video

Aug 28/09: SLEP. Workers from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at tinker AFB, OK are preparing to begin E-6B SLEP(Service Life Extension Program) work in September 2009. The refit will involve inspecting and replacing up to 15,000 fasteners on the aircraft’s wings, and widening and strengthening fastener holes. The SLEP is estimated to cost just more than $3 million per aircraft, and the 16th and final aircraft is scheduled to roll out of the hangar in the spring of 2013.

The 566th AMXS performs enhanced phase maintenance on the E-6 in addition to its main duties in refurbishing the similar USAF E-3. One difference is that the Navy prefers a cold-working process to strengthen the fastening holes, which involves the physical removal and inspection of each fastener as well as rework of the holes. That means an estimated 28,000 man hours of work for each aircraft, which is still slightly less than the 35,000 hours required to refurbish an E-3 during depot maintenance. USAF.

May 4/09: SLEP. Boeing in Wichita, KS received a $6 million cost plus fixed price delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the supplies and services necessary to plan, manage, and execute engineering support for the U.S. Navy’s E-6B aircraft Service Life Sustainment effort.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK, and is expected to be complete in September 2011.

April 30/09: Avionics. Boeing in Wichita, KS received a $15.5 million modification to a previous a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an option for 15 Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorders, 15 Flight Data Recorders, and associated technical data and spare and repair parts for E-6B Mercury aircraft.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK, and is expected to be complete in September 2012 (N00019-09-C-0051).

April 14/09: Avionics. Boeing received a $20.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for one Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorder and one Flight Data Recorder (CSFIR/FDR) for E-6B Mercury Aircraft. In addition, this contract provides for 2 modification kits for the Operational Flight Trainer (OFT); one modification kit for the OFT Replay Debrief Station Trainer, one for the Integrated Avionics Trainer; one for the Part Task Trainer, and one for the Forward Lower Lobe Device Trainer; and interim spare parts and technical data.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, OK and is expected to be complete in April 2011. This contract was competitively procured under an electronic request for proposals, with 2 offers received by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-09-C-0051).

March 12/09: IPBE. Rockwell Collins Inc. in Richardson, TX received a $10.3 million “fixed firm price contract” for approximately 37,250 man-hours of engineering, installation, and testing in support of Phase 4 of the E-6B TACAMO’s Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE). In addition, a total of 3 options with a total value of $7.7 million are being exercised at time of award, for an additional 40,900 man-hours of non-recurring engineering, installation, and testing. This brings the totals to $18 million and 78,150 hours.

IPBE Phase 4 will install the Digital Northstar System on the E-6B aircraft, giving it the proper configuration to communicate and work with DNS ground sites in the US military’s global communications network.

Work will be performed in Richardson, TX (69%); Cedar Rapids, IA (18%); and Phoenix, AZ (13%), and is expected to be complete in March 2011. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-09-C-0035).

Feb 25/09: NAVAIR’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications program office (PMA-271) accepts the first modified E-6B Mercury Block I from Rockwell Collins and L-3 Integrated Systems Group during a ceremony at the L-3 Integrated Systems facility in Waco, TX.

PMA-271 program manager Capt Bob Roof says that the E-6B Block I modification program addresses operator workload sharing, deal with electronics obsolescence issues, makes future upgrades easier, and corrects deficiencies identified during the E-6B Airborne Command Post modification operational test. US NAVAIR.

1st Block I delivered

Oct 30/08: Support. L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $28.7 million modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0011) to exercise an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B TACAMO aircraft fleet.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Oct 30/08: Training. L-3 Communications Corp.in Arlington, TX received a $9.6 million modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract, exercising an option for training support and up to 2,000 flight instructor hours on a Boeing 737-NG aircraft to serve as an E-6B in-flight trainer.

Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK; and is expected to be complete in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $9.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-05-D-0012).

FY 2007 – 2008

IPBE

E-6B Mercury
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June 23/08: IPBE. Boeing Aerospace Operations in Oklahoma City, OK received a $28.9 million cost-plus fixed-fee contract for non-recurring engineering, installation, and test of the Internet Protocol and Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) Phase 1 on one (1) E-6B aircraft. The purpose of the IPBE Phase 1 is to install commercial satellite and line of sight radio equipment, allowing improved data capabilities and global Communications/Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) on the E-6B aircraft.

Work will be performed in Wichita, KS (84%); Oklahoma City, OK (14%); and Seattle, WA (2%), and is expected to be complete in March 2010. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-08-C-0053).

Aug 10/07: Gonna buy me a Mercury, and cruise it up and down Iraq. The USAF’s “Sailors help bridge gap for Soldiers in Baghdad” article describes the recent work of E-6 crews over Iraq:

“In the Middle East, the “Take Charge And Move Out” flies over Iraq to serve as the last means of communication between ground forces… The TACAMO has the capability of staying in the air for long periods of time, so the team flies over Iraq daily, for 12 to 14 hours providing communication.”

Combat

March 2008: Block I. Initial contractor and developmental testing of E-6B block I completed, creates list of “prioritized deficiencies”. NAVAIR also introduced new requirements to improve the airborne command post mission, and a 2nd round of tests took place in May 2009. Source.

April 13/07: Block I. Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $45 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide additional funding for the E-6B Block I modification program, including the design, development, installation, and testing of a fully integrated airborne command and control communication system.

Work will be performed in Waco, TX (80%) and Richardson, TX (20%), and is expected to be complete in December 2009 (N00019-04-C-0101).

Oct 26/06: Support. L-3 Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $28.5 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0011), exercising an option for logistics services in support of the E-6B fleet. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK (70%); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD (10%); Travis AFB, CA (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and is expected to be complete in October 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $17.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Oct 26/06: Training. L-3 Communications Link Simulation & Training in Arlington, TX received a $13.7 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0012), exercising an option for up to 2,000 flight instructor hours on a Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft to serve as an E-6B In-Flight Trainer. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK; and is expected to be complete in October 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $13.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

FY 1990 – 2006

2003 mods begin
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Jan 24/06: Support. L-3 Vertex Aerospace LLC in Madison, MS received a $27 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for logistics services in support of the E-6B Mercury fleet. With the exercise of 4 more 1-year options, the total value of the contract could reach $142.3 million.

Services will be provided to the Commander, Strategic Communications Wing ONE (CSCW-1), and three TACAMO squadrons at Tinker Air Force Base, OK (70%). Support for operations will be given at Travis AFB, CA (10%); Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, MD, including the Systems Integration Lab (10%); and Offutt AFB, NB (10%), and are expected to be complete in October 2006. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; one offer was received by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-06-D-0011). Sources: DefenseLINK,

A1075813200000*B1138933632000*DgroupByDate*J2*M704*N1001302&newsLang=en&beanID=1963892417&viewID=news_view">L-3 corporate release.

Oct 18/05: Support. Boeing Aerospace Operations in Oklahoma City, OK received an estimated value $8.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, time and materials, cost-reimbursement contract (N00019-01-C-0066) for the repair services and procurement of spare parts for the E-6 platform. The aim is to reduce the existing repair backlog and replenish of wartime spare kits to proper wartime sparing levels. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK and is expected to be complete in December 2005.

Oct 18/05: Training. L-3 Communications Link Simulation & Training in Arlington, TX received a $13.4 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-05-D-0012). The modification exercises an option for up to 2,000 Flight Instructor hours on a Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft, to serve as an E-6B In-Flight Trainer. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK and is expected to be complete in October 2006.

March 30/04:Block I. The Rockwell Collins Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $79.5 million cost-plus-award-fee contract for the system development and demonstration of the E-6B’s Block I modification. Block I aims to:

“…correct follow-on operational test and evaluation, deficiencies, readiness degraders, and obsolescence issues. This effort includes design, development, installation, and testing of the fully integrated system modifications in a systems integration laboratory and a production representative aircraft.”

Work will be performed in Waco, TX (37%); Richardson, TX (36%); Manassas, VA (11%); San Antonio, TX (9%); Cedar Rapids, IA (4%); and Sacramento, CA (3%), and is expected to be complete in September 2008. This contract was competitively procured through a Request for Proposals; 2 firms were solicited and 2 proposals were received by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-04-C-0101).

Block I SDD

Dec 1/03: Avionics. Boeing’s Wichita Modification and Developmental Center in Wichita, KS received a $20 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-99-C-1228), exercising an option for the purchase of 7 Multifunction Display System (MDS) kits, and installation of 6 MDS kits, for the cockpit of the E-6 aircraft. MDS kits will increase the mean time between failures, reduce spares, and provide substantial life cycle savings over 20 years in operations and support. Work will be performed in Cecil Field, FL (90%), and Wichita, KS (10%), and is expected to be complete in November 2004.

Oct 1/1998: The USAF retires the EC-135, but its Looking Glass role remains with the Navy’s E-6 fleet. USAF.

Looking Glass shifts

July 24/1990: USAF “Looking Glass” aircraft cease continuous airborne alert, but remain on ground or airborne alert 24 hours a day. USAF Strategic Air Command initiated the Looking Glass airborne command post on Feb 3/1961 using the EC-135, whereupon flying shifts kept a Looking Glass aircraft in the air at all times 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for more than 29 years, accumulating over 281,000 accident-free flying hours.

The name “Looking Glass” referred to the aircraft’s ability to “mirror” the underground SAC (now U.S. Strategic Command) command center in the event it was destroyed or became disabled. USAF.

Additional Readings

• US STRATCOM – E-6B Airborne Command Post (ABNCP)

• US NAVAIR – E-6B Mercury

Other National Command Jets

• DID – Nightwatch: The USA’s E-4B NAOC “Doomsday” Fleet

• DID – Boeing Contracted to Support Air Force One VC-25s

IEDs: The Aftermath
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The US military is working on the next-generation of jammers to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that pose such a grave threat to US forces deployed overseas. The jammers are called Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) devices. They are high-power, modular, programmable, multiband radio frequency jammers designed to deny enemy use of selected portions of the radio frequency spectrum. They come in 3 varieties – fixed, mounted, and dismounted.

The first generations of JCREW devices were developed and deployed quickly to meet an urgent need in the field. The next generation of JCREW devices, known as 3.x, are being developed to increase capabilities and tap into the power of the network to enhance their effectiveness. The JCREW 3.1 version is a dismounted device, the 3.2 version is a mounted device, and the 3.3 version is being developed to work in mounted, dismounted, and fixed-installation roles, using a common open architecture of electronics.

Contracts and Key Events

Mounted JCREW System

So far, most awards are dismounted JCREW 3.1 orders. ITT and NGC’s JCREW 3.2 was never fielded, and a January 2013 query received a response of: “The program office is currently considering its next steps forward on the effort.” ITT/Exelis initially won the JCREW 3.3 development program, but that didn’t work out, and it’s now being conducted by Northrop Grumman instead. Technically, JCREW 3.3 has been replaced by the JCREW I1B1 development program, but the terms are synonymous. We’ll continue to use “JCREW 3.3” for visual clarity.

Unless otherwise noted, the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC awards JCREW 3.x contracts. The Navy manages the Joint CREW program for Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization.

FY 2011 – 2018

JCREW 3.3.

July 4/18: More contracts Northrop Grumman is being tapped for work in support of the Navy’s PMS 408. The firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification is valued at $96,5 million and provides for the production for the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Increment One Block One systems. PMS 408 is the Navy program management office for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), counter radio controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare (CREW), and anti-terrorism afloat (ATA) systems. The modification is for Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems that provide combat troops protection against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIEDs). They are high-power, modular, programmable, multiband radio frequency jammers designed to deny enemy use of selected portions of the radio frequency spectrum. They come in 3 varieties – fixed, mounted, and dismounted. CREW systems are designed to provide protection for foot soldiers, vehicles and permanent structures. The Joint CREW Increment One Block One system is the first-generation system that develops a common open architecture across all three capabilities and provides protection for worldwide military operations. Work will be performed in San Diego, California and Sierra Vista, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by April 2020.

September 21/17: Sierra Nevada Corp has been awarded a $205 million US Special Operations Command contract to supply support services for Special Operation Command’s Dismounted Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare systems. Work will run through Sept. 12, 2022, and performed in Sparks, Nev., and Folsom, Calif. The Dismounted Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare system is part of the wider Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) series of IED jammers. The JCREW is designed to jam enemy radio-frequencies used to detonate improvised explosive devices. It comes in three different models, including a man-portable version for foot patrols, vehicle-mounted variants, and a static model for protecting key points at installations.

September 15/17: Northrop Grumman will enter its software-programmable jammers, known as JCREW, into full-rate production, after receiving a $57.7 million US Navy contract. If all options are exercised, the total contract value could rise to $505 million, with contract completion scheduled for August 2022. JCREW systems are software-programmable jammers for use against device-triggered IEDs. Northrop Grumman have developed dismounted, mounted and fixed-site variants of the system.

Jan 11/13: JCREW 3.3 switch? Northrop Grumman Network Communication Systems in San Diego, CA receives a $14.1 million contract modification, exercising a firm-fixed-price contract option to support JCREW 3.3’s system development and demonstration phase through Preliminary Design Review. All funds are committed immediately.

We’re given to understand that this is not a firm-fixed price contract, but await a correction. It would seem that EDO/ITT’s task has been given to Northrop Grumman, but DID awaits official confirmation.

Work will be performed in San Diego, CA (95%) and Sierra Vista, AZ (5%), and is expected to be complete by January 2014 (N00024-09-C-6317).

Dec 15/11: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV receives a $20.5 million contract modification for dismounted JCREW systems and associated ancillary equipment to support the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%), and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be complete by July 2012 (N00024-09-C-6306).

June 22/11: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV receives a $12 million contract modification to provide spares and “consumables” for JCREW 3.1 systems. Work will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%), and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be complete by December 2011 (N00024-09-C-6306).

June 14/11: Over at WIRED Danger Room, Noah Shachtman pens “The Secret History of Iraq’s Invisible War,” which looks at ITT’s JCREW efforts and evolution.

May 13/11: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV receives a $38.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for 360 dismounted JCREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services of the Central Command area of responsibility. Discussions with Sierra Nevada confirm that these are JCREW 3.1s.

Work will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%) and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be complete by December 2011 (N00024-09-C-6306).

Dec 20/10: JCREW 3.3. Mercury Computer Systems Inc. in Chelmsford, MA announces an ITT subcontract for the JCREW (Joint Counter-Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device) 3.3 program.

Mercury notes that the JCREW 3.3 specification requires open architecture-based software-enabled implementations, and cites the firm’s experience working on industry-wide OpenVPX specifications. Mercury offers 3U and 6U OpenVPX embedded computing platforms specifically designed and optimized for the active electronic warfare requirements of high-density processing, high memory bandwidth, and fast input/output.

Oct 5/10: JCREW 3.3. EDO (now ITT) in Thousand Oaks, CA receives a $29.1 million modification to a combination cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee, cost only, and firm-fixed-price contract, exercising options for all material and services to support the JCREW 3.3’s System Development and Demonstration phase through to engineering design models for all 3 capabilities (dismounted, mounted and fixed site).

Work will be performed in Clifton, NJ (67%), and Thousand Oaks, CA (33%), and is expected to be complete by March 2012 (N0024-09-C-6316). ITT release

FY 2009 – 2010

JCREW 3.1 production, 3.2 contract, 3.3 development.

Sept 17/10: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV receives a $49.8 million contract modification for 587 dismounted JCREW 3.1 systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services within the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

Under the original contract awarded June 11/09, Sierra Nevada is to provide up to 2,500 JCREW 3.1 dismounted systems, support equipment and services, and additional long-lead time material, for a total contract value of $248.3 million. Work on this order will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%), and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be complete by July 2011 (N00024-09-C-6306). SNC release.

Aug 19/10: ITT Advanced Engineering & Sciences in Annapolis Junction, MD receives a $455 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-only indefinite-delivery/ indefinite quantity contract for up to 5,000 JCREW 3.2 mounted systems and associated support, to be used by all US military services on CENTCOM’s front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Work will be performed in Thousand Oaks, CA (95.35%); Annapolis Junction, MD (3%); Charleston, SC (1.09%); and Clifton, NJ (0.56%). Work is expected to be complete by September 2014. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 2 offers received (N00024-10-D-6300).

JCREW 3.2 contract

April 13/10: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV receives an $8.8 million contract modification for depot repair parts and material to repair 1,300 dismounted JCREW systems – vid. previous production contracts.

Work will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%), and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be complete by December 2010 (N00024-09-C-6306).

April 7/10: JCREW 3.3. Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems’ Network Communication Systems group in San Diego, CA receives a $28.4 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee, cost only, and firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-6317). These options cover all material and services to support the JCREW 3.3 system development and demonstration phase, through to critical design review, for the dismounted, mounted, and fixed site variants.

Work will be performed at various Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems locations, as follows: San Diego, CA (84%), Sierra Vista, AZ (14%), and Killeen, TX (2%), and is expected to be complete by October 2010.

April 5/10: JCREW 3.3. ITT subsidiary EDO Communications and Countermeasures Systems, Inc. in Thousand Oaks, CA receives a $31.3 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus award fee, cost-only, firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N0024-09-C-6316). These options cover all material and services to support the JCREW 3.3 system development and demonstration phase, through to critical design review, for the dismounted, mounted, and fixed site variants.

Work will be performed at Clifton, NJ (41%), Annapolis Junction, MD (30%), and Thousand Oaks, CA (2%), and is expected to be complete by June 2010. $8.5 million in contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10.

Dec 4/09: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV received a $7.4 million modification to a previously awarded contract to exercise an option for spares and consumables for 1,300 production systems, 4 field service representatives, and 350 training surrogates for 1,300 dismounted JCREW 3.1 devices.

This contract is for the procurement and support of JCREW systems to be used by forces in each of the US military services of the Central Command area of responsibility. Work will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%) and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be complete by December 2010 (N00024-09-C-6306).

Oct 1/09: Northrop Grumman’s Space and Mission Systems in San Diego, CA won a $24.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for all material and services to support system development and demonstration phase through preliminary design review for the 3 capabilities (dismounted, mounted, and fixed site) of the JCREW 3.3 system. Northrop Grumman will perform the work in San Diego, CA (84%); Sierra Vista, AZ (14%); and Kileen, TX (2%), and expects to complete it by March 2010. This contract was competitively procured via the FedBizOpps website, with 3 offers received (N00024-09-C-6317).

Oct 1/09: ITT Force Protection Systems in Thousand Oaks, CA won a $16.0 millon firm-fixed-price contract for all material and services to support system development and demonstration phase through preliminary design review for the 3 capabilities (dismounted, mounted, and fixed site) of the JCREW 3.3 system. ITT will perform the work in Clifton, NJ (41%); Annapolis Junction, MD (30%); and Thousand Oaks, CA (29%), and expects to complete it by March 2010. This contract was competitively procured via the FedBizOpps website, with 3 offers received (N00024-09-C-6316).

JCREW 3.3 development

Sept 24/09: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV received an $80.6 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-6306) to exercise Option CLIN (contract line item number) 0003 for production systems, including shipping containers and ancillary equipment and cables, for 1,300 dismounted JCREW 3.1 systems. This contract is for the procurement and support of JCREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the US military services of the Central Command area of responsibility. Work will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%); Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be completed by December 2010.

Aug 10/09: JCREW 3.1. Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV received a $26.3 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-6306) to exercise an option for long lead material for 1,300 dismounted JCREW 3.1 systems. This contract is for the procurement and support of JCREW systems to be used by forces in each of the US military services of the Central Command Area of Responsibility. Work will be performed in Sparks, NV (90%) and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and is expected to be completed by December 2010.

June 11/09: Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV won a $36.5 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-only contract for production of Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.1 dismounted systems to meet the requirements of US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dismounted JCREW systems are electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIED).

This contract includes options which, if exercised, would result in a cumulative contract value of $248.3 million. Sierra Nevada will perform the work in Sparks, NV (90%) and Rancho Cordova, CA (10%), and expects to complete it by December 2010. This contract was competitively procured via the FedBizOpps website, with 3 proposals solicited and 3 offers received (N00024-09-C-6306). See also Sierra Nevada release.

JCREW 3.1 production

Additional Readings

• USMC SYSCOM – USMC Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW), 3.3 THOR III SYSTEM. It’s actually the JCREW 3.1 offering, also known as AN/PLQ-9.

• WIRED Danger Room (June 14/11) – The Secret History of Iraq’s Invisible War. “…I received an unusual offer from ITT… Company executives were ready to discuss the jammer – its evolution, and its capabilities. They were finally able to retell the largely-hidden battles for the electromagnetic spectrum that raged, invisibly, as the insurgencies carried on. They were prepared to bring me into the R&D facility where company technicians were developing what could amount to the ultimate weapon of this electromagnetic war…”

• Soldier Modernisation (Vol. 2, January 2009) – Dismounted Counter-IED: Size, Weight & Power Limits

Kuala Lumpur – Malaysias kürzlich abgewählter Regierungschef Najib Razak ist in Zusammenhang mit einem Milliardenskandal wegen Machtmissbrauchs und Veruntreuung in drei Fällen angeklagt worden. Razak musste am Mittwoch vor Gericht erscheinen.

Er war am Dienstag festgenommen worden. Ihm drohen für jeden der Anklagepunkte bis zu 20 Jahre Haft. Razak war von 2009 bis Mai 2018 Ministerpräsident des südostasiatischen Landes.

Hintergrund der Vorwürfe ist der sogenannte 1MDB-Skandal. Es geht um Gelder aus dem 2009 von Najib aufgelegten Regierungsfonds 1MDB, der die Wirtschaft fördern sollte. Aus dem Fonds sollen mehr als 4,5 Milliarden Dollar abgezweigt worden sein. Etwa 700 Millionen Dollar wurden auf einem privaten Bankkonto Najibs entdeckt.

Der Skandal kam bereits 2016 ans Licht, doch eine Untersuchung in Malaysia sprach Najib damals von allen Vorwürfen frei. Er selbst weist jede Verantwortung zurück. Vor Gericht bekannte sich Razak am Mittwoch in allen Anklagepunkten für nicht schuldig.

Im Mai wurde Najib nach neun Jahren im Amt überraschend abgewählt, die Korruptionsvorwürfe waren zentraler Bestandteil des Wahlkampfs seiner Gegner. Nach der Wahl stellten Ermittler Luxusgüter und Bargeld im Wert von 300 Millionen Dollar in Privathäusern des Ex-Regierungschefs sicher. Seine Frau und sein Stiefsohn wurden im Zusammenhang mit dem Skandal ebenfalls von der Polizei befragt.

Die Behörden in den USA, der Schweiz, in Singapur, Indonesien und Hongkong ermitteln seit längerer Zeit in dem Fall. Der Fonds hat Schulden von elf Milliarden Dollar.

Den in der Höhle in Thailand festsitzenden Jungen geht es gut. In einem am Mittwoch auf der Facebook-Seite der Militäreinheit Thai Navy Seal veröffentlichten Video sind elf der 13 Mitglieder der eingeschlossenen Fussballmannschaft zu sehen.

Erfreuliche Bilder aus Thailand: Die in einer Höhle eingesperrten Jugendlichen lachen und erklären, dass sie guter Gesundheit sind. Die Jungen grüssen in dem Video der Reihe nach in traditioneller thailändischer Weise; sie stellen sich dann vor und sagen: «Mir geht es gut.» Einige sind in der Aufnahme in Schutzdecken gewickelt und in Begleitung eines lächelnden Tauchers im Neoprenanzug zu sehen.

Am Ende des Clips sagt einer der zwölf Jungen, er sei in der Vorstellungsrunde vergessen worden - was Gelächter auslöst.

Rettung könnte Monate dauern

Die Jungen wirken in dem Video entspannt und deutlich fitter als zum Zeitpunkt ihrer Entdeckung am Montag. Britische Taucher hatten die zwölf Jungen im Alter zwischen elf und 16 Jahren und ihren 25-jährigen Trainer nach neun Tagen lebend in der kilometerlangen, verwinkelten Höhle entdeckt. Die Rettung könnte allerdings Monate dauern, viele Kammern der Höhle sind weiterhin überflutet. Die Jungen und ihr Trainer werden mit Lebensmitteln und Medizin versorgt und sollen tauchen lernen.

Bilder der Einsatzkräfte zeigten die Jugendlichen im Inneren der Höhle im Schein von Taschenlampen - erschöpft, aber überglücklich. In einem ersten Video, das die Marinetaucher auf Facebook stellten, ist der erste Kontakt der britischen Taucher mit der Jugendmannschaft zu sehen. (SDA)

Der US-Schauspieler Kevin Spacey (58) hat neue Missbrauchsvorwürfe am Hals. Die Londoner Polizei hat die Ermittlung in insgesamt drei Fällen aufgenommen.

Es war ein tiefer und rasanter Fall, den Hollywoodstar Kevin Spacey im November 2017 zu verkraften hatte. Binnen einer Woche ging sein Ruf und seine Karriere flöten.

Angefangen hatte alles mit dem Vorwurf der sexuellen Belästigung des Jungschauspielers Anthony Rapp. Noch in der gleichen Nacht outete sich Spacey als homosexuell. Doch es war zu spät: Innert einer Woche hatte er zehn weitere Übergriffs-Vorwürfe am Hals. Die Konsequenz: Film-Projekte und seine Erfolgsserie «House of Cards» wurden eingestellt.

Neue Vorwürfe aus den Jahren 1996, 2008 und 2013

Jetzt, mehr als ein halbes Jahr später, kommen neue Vorwürfe ans Tageslicht. Die Londoner Polizei habe die Ermittlung in insgesamt drei neuen Fällen aufgenommen, berichtet das US-Promi-Portal «TMZ». Ein Mann meldete sich im April bei der Polizei und berichtete von einem Übergriff aus dem Jahr 1996. Demnach soll Spacey in Westminster den Mann sexuell genötigt haben.

Zwei weitere Männer meldeten sich bereits im Februar. Einer berichtete, dass sich der gefallene Hollywoodstar 2008 in Lambeth an ihm vergangenen haben soll. Der dritte Mann sagte aus, im Jahr 2013 in Gloucester Opfer von Spacey geworden zu sein. 

Gegen Spacey laufen bereits Untersuchungen. Drei bei Scotland Yard in London und mindestens eine in Los Angeles sowie in US-Staat Massachussets. (nim)

The US is deporting record numbers of Somalis - some of whom have lived in America almost all their lives.

A new exhibition reappraises the work of Harry Burton, who photographed the decade-long Tutankhamun excavation.

Heute feiern die Vereinigten Staaten ihren Unabhängigkeitstag. Im Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten brodelt es nicht nur wegen Donald Trump. BLICK zeigt die sechs grössten Konfliktherde der US-Politik.

Nordkorea-Konflikt

Beim pompösen Nordkorea-Gipfel in Singapur liess sich Donald Trump als grosser Friedensbringer feiern. Die Atom-Krise brodelt aber weiter. Denn trotz seines Bekenntnisses zur Denuklearisierung soll Diktator Kim Jong Un laut US-Geheimdiensten das Nuklearprogramm in geheimen Produktionsstätten heimlich fortführen. Es sei nicht ersichtlich, dass Nordkorea seinen Atomwaffenbestand tatsächlich reduziere. Hingegen gebe es «eindeutige Beweise», dass Kim versuche, die US-Regierung zu täuschen. Trotzdem will Trump Kim in Washington empfangen.

Russland-Affäre

Einmischung im US-Wahlkampf zugunsten von Donald Trump, Hackerangriffe, Zoff wegen der Kriege in Syrien und der Ukraine: Die USA und Russland liegen sich an mehreren Fronten in den Haaren. Mit Spannung wird darum das erste Gipfeltreffen zwischen Wladimir Putin und Trump am 16. Juli in Helsinki erwartet. Derweil droht dem US-Präsidenten in der Russland-Affäre weiteres Ungemach. Michael Cohen, Trumps langjähriger Anwalt und «Ausputzer», will vor Sonderermittler Robert Mueller zu Trumps zwielichtigen Moskau-Verbindungen aussagen.

Zoff mit Mexiko

Trump verachtet die Mexikaner zutiefst: So beschimpfte er seine südlichen Nachbarn pauschal als «Vergewaltiger» und «Verbrecher». Und Kinder von illegalen Einwanderern liess er kurzerhand ihren Eltern wegnehmen und in Gitter-Käfige sperren, was einen weltweiten Aufschrei auslöste. Mit dem neuen mexikanischen Präsidenten, dem Linkspopulisten López Obrador, haben die Mexikaner einen regelrechten Anti-Trump gewählt. Die Grenzmauer, wie Trump das immer fordert, wird dieser keinesfalls bezahlen.

Weltweiter Handelskrieg

«Die USA waren das Sparschwein, das alle ausgeplündert haben. Und damit ist jetzt Schluss»: So sieht das Donald Trump, und nach dem Eklat am G7-Gipfel wegen Strafzöllen zettelt er einen weltweiten Handelskrieg an. Diesen Freitag sollen etwa die Sonderzölle von 25 Prozent auf chinesischen Importen in Kraft treten. Derweil ziehen erste US-Unternehmen die Konsequenzen, die Protektionismus-Offensive von Trump entwickelt sich zum Bumerang. So hat Töff-Hersteller Harley Davidson angekündigt, wegen der EU-Vergeltungszölle die Produktion aus den USA zu verlagern.

Massenschiessereien

Zuletzt starben fünf Menschen, als ein Mann auf der Redaktion der Zeitung «Capital Gazette» um sich schoss. Unaufhörlich reiht sich ein Blutbad ans andere. Strengere nationale Waffengesetze bleiben utopisch. Die Stimme der betroffenen Schüler bleibt ungehört: Nach dem Massaker an der Parkland-Highschool in Florida legten sich viele von ihnen mit der Waffenlobby NRA und Trump an. Hunderttausende Jugendliche gingen für strengere Waffengesetze auf die Strasse. Vergeblich. Trump versprach zuerst eine Gesetzesverschärfung – und ruderte dann zurück. Trotz der Opferzahlen: 2017 gab es in den USA 345 Schusswaffenmassaker mit mehr als vier Verletzten. Dabei kamen 434 Personen ums Leben, 1801 wurden verletzt. 

Der Präsident

Trump vergiftet mit seinen bösen Tweets das Meinungsklima an vorderster Front und mit Gusto. Zudem hat er mit John Bolton einen Kriegstreiber als Sicherheitsberater installiert, der den Atom-Deal mit dem Iran kippte. Offenbar will Trump nun auch noch seinen Stabschef, General John Kelly, feuern, einen seiner letzten Leute mit seriösem Ruf. Wer kann Trump noch zähmen? First Lady Melania Trump signalisiert manchmal, wie bei den Migranten-Kindern, etwas Distanz. Doch letztlich scheinen Trump nur Muellers Ermittlungen oder neue Details über illegale Zahlungen in der Affäre um Porno-Star Stormy Daniels wirklich Angst zu machen. 

BERN - Nachdem die Post zugab, dass Bschiss-Gelder ins Ausland flossen, wird befürchtet, dass das Bundesamt für Polizei Strafklagen gegen verschiedene Personen erheben könnte. Als Vorsichtsmassnahme will sich die Post nun aus dem Ausland zurückziehen.

Postauto kommt nicht zur Ruhe: Gestern gestand die Post ein, dass die Postauto-Töchter in Frankreich und Liechtenstein über Jahre aus der Schweiz gestützt wurden. Ohne das Geld aus Bern wäre Postauto Liechtenstein gar nie rentabel gewesen, CarPostal France erst Jahre später.

67 Millionen Franken sind zwischen 2007 und 2012 aus ­illegalen Gewinnen des sub­ventionierten Personenverkehrs von Postauto Schweiz über fragliche Lizenzgebühren zur Post-Mutter geflossen. Diese wiederum hatte den Ausland-Töchtern im gleichen Umfang Kosten erlassen oder nicht verrechnet.

Damit erfasst der Skandal frühere Post-Spitzen wie Ulrich Gygy (71), Claude Béglé (68) und ­Peter Hasler (71). Unter ­ihnen war es möglich, Löcher im defizitären Frankreich-Geschäft zu stopfen und den Busbetrieb in Liechtenstein zu finanzieren (BLICK berichtete).

Aber auch ein noch immer beim gelben Riesen angestellter Kader steht in der Kritik: CarPostal-France-Verwaltungsratspräsident André Burri ist kaum mehr zu halten. Dass diese Personalie überprüft wird, hat Post-Verwaltungsratspräsident Urs Schwaller (65) mehreren Parlamentariern versichert.

Postministerin Doris Leuthard war falsch informiert

Fragen stellen sich auch bei den Regionenchefs von Post­auto und weiteren Verantwortlichen bei CarPostal France und bei Postauto Liechtenstein. Beim gelben Riesen geht die Angst um, dass das Bundesamt für Polizei am Schluss seiner eigenen Untersuchung Strafklage gegen verschiedene Personen erheben könnte. Wenn diese dann noch immer im Amt wären, würde das erneut ein schlechtes Licht auf den Konzern werfen.

Als Vorsichtsmassnahme will sich die Post jetzt nicht nur aus Frankreich, sondern auch aus dem Fürstentum zurückziehen.

Die Bestätigung der Post, die beiden Auslandstöchter unterstützt zu haben, bringt auch den Bund in Bedrängnis – und damit Postministerin Doris Leuthard (55). Sie hat sich immer schützend vor die Post-Töchter gestellt. Selbst als Parlamentarier die Rentabilität in Frage stellten. Dass Leuthard dem Parlament falsche Auskünfte erteilte, zeigt zumindest, dass sie falsch informiert war.

Das führt angesichts der neusten Entwicklungen zu Kritik: «Der Bund ist nicht einfach ein gewöhnlicher Aktionär der Post. Er ist Eigner», sagt SP-­Nationalrat Philipp Hadorn (51). «Und von einem solchen erwarte ich, dass er auf Alarmsignale nicht einfach mit Verwedeln reagiert.» Sowohl die Departementschefin als auch das Bundesamt für Verkehr hätten nachbohren müssen. Leuthards Departement reagierte auf Nachfrage von BLICK gestern nicht.

 

Die Hollywood-Schönheit hat ihren sechs Kindern befohlen, ihren Vater Brad Pitt nur noch mit dem Vornamen anzusprechen, um sie weiter zu entzweien. Der renommierte Erziehungsexperte Remo Largo findet dies überhaupt nicht gut.

Hollywood-Beauty Angelina Jolie (43) hat sich im Rosenkrieg gegen ihren Noch-Ehemann und Schauspieler Brad Pitt (54) eine erneute Gemeinheit und Absurdität einfallen lassen. «Angie hat den Kids befohlen, Brad nur noch mit seinem Vornamen anzusprechen und ihn nicht mehr Papi zu nennen», sagt ein Insider gegenüber dem «Life & Style»-Magazin und ergänzt: «Sie wird immer wahnsinnger». Jolie hege diesen Anspruch, weil sie immer noch der Hauptelternteil sei.

«Das Kind versteht es nicht und ist verunsichert dadurch»

Den Wechsel der Anspracheform findet der renommierte Kinderarzt und Erziehungsexperte Remo Largo (74) überhaupt nicht gut. «Das kann man nicht machen. Das Kind versteht das nicht und ist verunsichert dadurch.» Das soll bei «Brangelinas» Nachwuchs ebenfalls der Fall sein. Die älteren Kinder Maddox (16), Pax (14), Zahara (13) und Siloh (12) hätten scheinbar nichts gegen den Befehl ihrer Mutter, die Zwillinge Vivienne (9) und Knox (9) jedoch «fänden ihn wirklich blöd».

Angelina Jolie versucht, Brad Pitt aus dem Leben der Kinder zu verbannen

Seit Angelina Jolie im September 2016 die Scheidung von Brad Pitt einreichte, versucht sie mit allen Mitteln, ihn aus ihrem und vor allem aus dem Leben der Kinder zu verbannen. Erst unterstellte sie ihm öffentlich, Alkohol- und Drogenprobleme zu haben. Sie sorgte so dafür, dass er die drei leiblichen und drei adoptierten Kinder erst lange nicht sehen durfte, dann nur unter Aufsicht. Pitts einstige Traumfrau wechselte immer wieder die Handynummern der Kids, damit er sie nicht erreichen konnte.

Entzweiung richtet den viel grösseren Schaden an

Kürzlich befand nun ein Gericht, dass Pitt die Kids auch ohne Aufsicht sehen kann, was der Nachwuchs sehr geniesse. Denn es ist die Entzweiung, die gemäss Largo bei Kindern den viel grösseren Schaden anrichte. «Wichtig ist, wie viel Zeit Mami und Papi mit dem Kind verbringen. Das ist oft ein grosses Problem – vor allem für getrennte Väter, um ihre Vaterrolle ausfüllen zu können», sagt er. «Grundsätzlich spielt es keine Rolle, ob Kinder ihre Eltern mit Vornamen oder mit Mami und Papi anreden. Eltern haben durch die kindliche Bindung immer eine Ausnahmestellung.»

Die ecuadorianische Justiz hat einen Haftbefehl gegen den ehemaligen Staatschef Rafael Correa erlassen. Richterin Daniella Camacho entsprach damit am Dienstag (Ortszeit) dem Antrag der Staatsanwaltschaft.

Mit dem erlassenen Haftbefehl darf der Ex-Präsident Rafael Correa (2007-2017) wegen mutmasslicher Beteiligung an der Entführung eines ehemaligen Abgeordneten verhaftet werden. Dies teilte die Generalanwaltschaft des Landes über Twitter mitteilte.

Die Justiz werde eine internationale Fahndung über Interpol beantragen, um Correa an seinem aktuellen Wohnsitz in Brüssel festzunehmen.

«Solch eine Ungeheuerlichkeit wird niemals in einem Rechtsstaat wie Belgien Erfolg haben», schrieb Correa wiederum auf seinem Twitter-Account. Correas Rechtsanwalt bezeichnete den Haftbefehl als «politische Verfolgung».

War Correa an Entführung von 2012 beteiligt?

Der linke Ex-Präsident ist mit seinem Nachfolger Lenin Moreno verfeindet, obwohl Moreno einst in Correas Regierung dessen Vizepräsident war.

Correa hatte es am Montag versäumt, bei dem Gericht in Quito vorstellig zu werden, wie es die Richterin angeordnet hatte. Er sei im Konsulat Ecuadors in Brüssel erschienen, um der einstweiligen Verfügung der Justiz zu folgen, erklärte Correa über Twitter. Die Richterin hatte diese Verfahrensweise jedoch abgelehnt.

Hintergrund ist die Entführung des ecuadorianischen Politikers Fernando Balda 2012 in Kolumbien. Balda hatte die damalige Regierung Correas der Korruption bezichtigt. Er wurde nach wenigen Stunden von der kolumbianischen Polizei befreit. Ermittler deckten die Verwicklung ecuadorianischer Geheimagenten in die Planung der Entführung auf. Correa stritt eine Beteiligung an dem Verbrechen stets ab.