Defense Industry Daily

Americas

Honeywell International won a $25.7 million deal for the manufacture of four parts associated with the wheels and brakes used in support of the F/A-18 aircraft.  This contract includes a three-year base period with no options. F/A-18 Hornet became the nation’s first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft, and was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. The F/A-18 A-D is employed in Marine Corps fighter attack squadrons, US Navy and Marine Corps Reserve squadrons, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team (Blue Angles), and various other fleet support roles. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet entered fleet service in 1999, as the replacement for the F-14 Tomcat. The Super Hornet is the second major model upgrade since the inception of the F/A-18 aircraft program highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day/night precision strike. The single-seat F/A-18E and the two-seat F/A-18F are high performance, twin-engine, mid-wing, and multi-mission tactical aircraft designed to replace the F/A-18C (single-seat) and F/A-18D (two-seat) aircraft as they reach the end of their service lives and retire. Work will take place in Indiana and is expected to be finished by December 2023.

Testing of a new fan rotor design for the Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine has resumed at Arnold Air Force Base. Being carried out at the J2 Engine Test Cell, work had started back in 2019 but put on pause as the cell required scheduled maintenance. “Test results to date have been positive and encouraging, and early results allowed us to complete an AMT (Accelerated Mission Test) with the same newly-designed rotor,” said 2nd Lt. Gregory Landrum, AEDC Jet Engine Test project manager.

Middle East & Africa

According to the Time of Israel, a program designed to teach newly discharged combat soldiers cybersecurity skills and help them find jobs as the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on the economy has won an innovation award by the chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces. The six-month bootcamp, called Cyber4s, was developed by Scale-Up Velocity, a nonprofit organization that partners with tech firms and academic and training institutions to set up initiatives to help Israel’s tech industry tap into talented human capital.

Europe

Lithuania signed for four Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk transport and utility helicopters, the country’s Ministry of National Defence announced. The $213 million procurement, which will be paid off over five years, includes additional equipment, spares, and a training, repair, and logistical support package. The US government is providing $30 million to support the purchase, and has cleared the sale of a further two helicopters should the Lithuanian Armed Forces request them. News of the contract came four months after the US State Department approved the sale to Lithuania of six Black Hawks for $380 million.

Hungary has placed an order for two C-390 cargo planes with Embraer. The planes will be used for air-to-air refueling, tactical airlift and medical evacuation. Embraer says the delivery is to start in 2023. “Following the procurement of personnel air transport capabilities in 2018, we will see the arrival of KC-390 aircraft to Hungary in 2023-24, able to deliver large military loads in an operational environment, as well as providing air-to-air refueling services. We are acquiring a multi-role transport fleet for the Hungarian Defense Forces to fulfill the widest possible range of tasks within the national framework, in a sovereign way, ”said Gáspár Maróth, government commissioner responsible for defense development.

Asia-Pacific

According to news reports, the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) has assigned an officer to Vandenberg Air Force Base, California since October 15. The motive is to coordinate space surveillance between both countries. Japan is preparing to build its own space surveillance system by 2025.

Today’s Video

Watch: Embraer KC-390 Impressive Take off (Paris Air Show 2019)

Americas

L-3 Communications won a $38 million contract modification for contractor logistics support of the Air Force C-12 fleet. Originally developed by Beechcraft, the Raytheon C-12 is a short-range personnel and cargo lift aircraft for the US military. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines, the low-wing, all-metal aircraft is the military version of the civilian Super King Air 200 aircraft. The pressurized cabin is capable of an altitude of 35,000 feet and can be reconfigured to accommodate a mix of passengers, and cargo. The first C-12s were fielded to the US Army in 1974 and the aircraft has undergone a series of upgrades since then. Work will take place in Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, California, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Honduras, Hungary, Maryland, Kenya, Morocco, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand. Work is expected to be finished by December 31, 2021.

The Defense Department has a four-month supply of personal protective equipment as it anticipates an increase in COVID-19 cases, a statement released. The supplies include respirators, gloves and masks for use by military personnel and families, and was purchased and stockpiled by the Defense Logistics Agency. Much of it will be used for patient care at medical treatment facilities worldwide. The increase in supplies comes as the number of COVID-19 infections has risen sharply in the United States since September. On Monday, the Defense Department reported a total of 99,389 infections and 113 deaths among its military and civilian personnel, dependents and contractors. Last week it announced the award of a $6.18 million contract to Illinois-based Medline Industries Inc. to increase domestic production capacity of surgical masks.

Middle East & Africa

A detachment of US Air Force F-16 fighter planes moved from Germany to the United Arab Emirates, the US Central Command announced. Planes of the 480th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, deployed at Spangdahlem Air Base, arrived last week at Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE, the command said. Although CENTCOM did not offer specific information about the move, the UAE base has been the center of operations for planes patrolling the Persian Gulf to monitor activities by Iran’s military.

Europe

The French Defense Ministry seeks a drone capable of intercepting radio communications transmitters, a request for proposal indicates. A “call for projects for a mini-payload of electronic support on drones” was revealed by France’s Defense Innovation Agency for “an electronic support payload that can be integrated into drones with a maximum take-off mass of less than” 55 pounds. “This payload must be able to detect, locate, identify or even interact with or block telecommunications transmitters,” the agency said in a press release.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won a $12 million contract modification, which provides continued support required to establish the common reprogramming tool development network and selection of a service-oriented architecture for the development of enhanced reprogramming tools, which is essential for all standing labs in support of the F-35 aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the governments of Australia and Great Britain. The F-35 is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather that is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions. Work will take place in Texas and Florida. Estimated completion is in December 2021.

Complaints from local residents in South Korea has forced US Forces Korea (USFK) to cancel a live-firing exercise for its attack helicopters on November 16. The training was supposed to be conducted at the range in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. The helicopters had moved there for their training after the traditional training ground at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province was abandoned earlier this year, due to noise complaints as well.

Today’s Video

Watch: The C-12 Variants for U.S Army

 

Americas

General Dynamics won a $23.1 million deal for additional fiscal 2021 development studies, design efforts and material for Virginia Class submarines. The contract modification provides additional development studies and design efforts related to Virginia Class submarine design and design improvements. The contractor will continue development studies, design efforts and procurement of material required to fully evaluate new technologies for Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia Class attack submarine is an advanced stealth multimission nuclear-powered submarine for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and littoral (shallow water) operations. The US Navy awarded several modification contracts to General Dynamics Electric Boat over the years in support of the Virginia-Class attack submarine programme.

Rockwell Collins Simulation won a $19.6 million modification, which is for the production and delivery of one 2F211 S/N 5 aircrew procedures trainer device, associated technical data and proposal preparation in support of the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training System program. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the latest version of the Hawkeye early warning aircraft and features a new radar system. It brings new capabilities including the new and powerful AN/APY-9 radar, which is a two-generational leap in technology. The APY-9 radar is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) surveillance system that provides both mechanical and electronic scanning capabilities designed to “see” smaller targets as well as more of them at a greater range, particularly in coastal regions and over land.

Middle East & Africa

MD Helicopters won a $34 million contract modification for logistics support for the Afghanistan Air Force MD-530F aircraft fleet. The MD-530F is an evolution of the fabled OH-6 Cayuse light observation helicopter, known for speed, safety, agility and the ability to operate with ease in confined spaces, the Armed MD-530F Light Scout Attack Helicopter delivers increased operational capabilities, greater mission versatility and superior performance in the execution of a broad range of mission profiles. Work will take place in Arizona and Afghanistan. Estimated completion date is May 31, 2021.

Europe

Raytheon won a $51.1 million contract modification for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) production program. This modification provides for the procurement and upgrade of test environment/equipment for AMRAAM production capacity. The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM has been delivered to more than 36 countries. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Norway, Denmark, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, Slovakia, Poland, Netherlands, Kuwait, Qatar and Spain.  Work will take place in Arizona. Expected completion is in January 2025.

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory won a $133.5 million modification to provide research into the applications of technologies to meet guidance requirements for operations on the Common Missile Compartment for the US Columbia Class program and the United Kingdom Dreadnought Class program; provide specialized technical knowledge and support for the hypersonic guidance, navigation and control application; and provide technical and engineering services to support the guidance, navigation and control system that will support the Navy’s hypersonic flight experiments. The Columbia Class is an upcoming class of nuclear submarines. The Columbia SSBN program consists of a minimum of 12 submarines to meet the requirements for U.S. strategic deterrent force structure as set forth in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review. The Columbia Class program completed Acquisition Milestone B on January 4, 2017 and is in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase. The British Navy has also planned to acquire Columbia-class submarine under the name of Dreadnought-class SSBN. This submarine will be armed with eight D-5 SLBMs, or half the number to be carried by the Columbia class. The modular design of the CMC (Common Missile Compartment) will accommodate this difference. The UK provided some of the funding for the design of the CMC, including a large portion of the initial funding. Work will take place in Massachusetts and California. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.

Asia-Pacific

VAQ-131 has completed its first expeditionary deployment at NAF Misawa, Japan on November 6 and was relieved by VAQ-135. That was the unit’s first expeditionary deployment. But due to COVID-19, the EA-18Gs did not detach to any other places. As an expeditionary squadron, VAQ-131 deploys their EA-18G Growlers to air bases worldwide and fluidly integrates with US Air Force and foreign entities. While deployed to NAF Misawa, VAQ-131’s primary objective shifted from their previous mission of supporting combat operations while deployed to the Middle East, to supporting security and stability operations within the Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility.

Today’s Video

Watch: Meet The AIM-260: The Air Force And Navy’s Future Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile

Americas

Longbow Ltd. won a $32.2 million contract modification for generic spare parts kits for AH-64E Apache helicopters. The AH-64 Apache is a multirole combat helicopter with integrated avionics and weapons, as well as advanced digital communications to enable real-time, secure transfer of battlefield information to air and ground forces. The E-model Apache Guardian features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding, and reduced operating and support costs, Boeing officials say. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2024.

The US Air Force’s Air Combat Command has approved the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II for F-15E operational flights. The press release from Eglin Air Force Base says the weapon is expected to be field on the F/A-18E/F later this year. The GBU-53B StormBreaker, which entered operational testing in 2018, is a small diameter bomb that features a multimode seeker to guide the weapon with infrared, millimeter-wave radar and semi-active lasers in addition to or with GPS and inertial system guide. The Air Force’s fielding decision means F-15E squadrons can now be equipped with the weapon. The Navy and Marines intend to use it on their versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Middle East & Africa

According to Israel Defense, Israel’s Phantom Technologies Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of diverse solutions in the field of electronic warfare, introduced a drone detection and blocking system called Phantom Dome 180 that includes radar, thermal cameras, and a system for jamming communications. Phantom Dome is reportedly aimed at protecting forces from hostile drones. The detection is based on radar developed exclusively by Phantom, along with thermal cameras. The system is connected, controlled and monitored by a controller. It combines the elements of detection by radar, detection by electro-optical/infrared camera, jamming of communications, and radio frequency detection.

Europe

Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto will be in Austria on October 20 and he has requested to meet his European counterpart Klaudia Tanner to discuss the sale of 15 Eurofighters. The Jakarta Post had seen a letter dated Oct. 8 which was said to be from Prabowo to Tanner, thanking her for her reply to his first letter that he had sent in July. Tanner had said publicly last month that she had directed the General Staff to prepare for negotiations with Jakarta to sell the Eurofighters.

Jet aircraft embarked on aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth have been undergoing live weapons training in the North Sea. According to the British Royal Navy 617 Squadron, ‘The Dambusters’, and the US Marine Corps’ VMFA-211 jets, spent three days on exercise, dropping 500lb Paveway IV high explosive bombs onto a dedicated range off the coast of the UK. The range was Garvie Island, a barren and rocky outcrop the size of a ship. The island is used as a target for a range of training operations and is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where NATO forces combine land, air and sea capabilities in deploying ordnance up to 1,000-pounds. The training proved HMS Queen Elizabeth’s ability to deliver F-35 strike mission sets from weapon prep through to execution.

Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will be visiting Vietnam next week and he is expected to sign an agreement on the export of defense equipment and technology while there. Japan plans to sign an agreement with Vietnam to allow it to export defense equipment and technology to the country, part of a move to strengthen defense capabilities of Indo-Pacific nations to counter Chinese maritime advances. Japan ended a decades-old ban on overseas arms sales in 2014 to help beef up the nation’s military and lower the unit cost of home-built military equipment but has so far struggled to strike export deals for finished products.

Today’s Video

Watch: CHINA ADMITS U.S NAVY DESTROYER USS JOHN S.MCCAIN ENTERED WATERS CLAIMED BY IT WITHOUT PERMISSION !

Austrian Typhoons
w. IRIS-T missiles
(click to view full)

In 2003, Austria signed a EUR 2 billion contract to receive 18 EADS Eurofighters plus required support (just over $2.5 billion, or about $140 million per plane). The aircraft were already under construction in Germany when the 2006 election results forced the leftist SPO party, whose campaign promises included canceling the fighter deal, into the Austrian government coalition.

That shift led to a fraught series of negotiations within Austria, and then with EADS. The 2 sides played a game of billion-dollar chicken, leading to a settlement in 2007. The Eurofighter’s rough ride in Austria seemed to be over with delivery of the 15th and final aircraft in 2009, but controversies continue.

Contracts and Key Events

Airborne.
(click to view full)

Grandiose statements from the SPO immediately after the 2006 election were followed by a quick crash back to reality, as the mathematics of the electoral results asserted themselves. Eventually, a grand coalition government was formed that pledged to resume negotiations with EADS, after a response from Eurofighter GmbH set Austria’s cost of cancellation at EUR 1.2 billion in return for zero aircraft.

While those negotiations continued, the first Austrian Eurofighter flew, #2 was rolled out, #3-6 were in final assembly, and the rest kept advancing into partial assembly.

Eventually, a EUR 1.63 billion compromise was set for 15 Tranche 1, Block 5 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and support services. Germany is a key source of support and training, allowing the Austrians to use their infrastructure and facilities.

2020

October 15/20: Meeting With Indonesia Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto will be in Austria on October 20 and he has requested to meet his European counterpart Klaudia Tanner to discuss the sale of 15 Eurofighters. The Jakarta Post had seen a letter dated Oct. 8 which was said to be from Prabowo to Tanner, thanking her for her reply to his first letter that he had sent in July. Tanner had said publicly last month that she had directed the General Staff to prepare for negotiations with Jakarta to sell the Eurofighters.

September 8/20: Discussions With Indonesia Austria’s Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner has officially responded to Indonesia’s request to buy 15 Eurofighters from her country. Tanner said she had directed the General Staff to prepare for negotiations with Jakarta. She said the “exit from the Eurofighter system” is the declared goal and the sale is in the best interest of taxpayers. Two options are available for the sale to proceed. First, the Eurofighter consortium will have to issue a end user certificate to Indonesia and Austria will sell the jets directly to Indonesia. Alternatively, Airbus will buy back the planes, upgrade them and sell them to the South East Asian nation instead.

July 21/20: Indonesia Wants Them Local media in Austria says Indonesia has written an official letter to buy 15 Eurofighters from Austria. The letter was from Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to his Austrian counterpart Klaudia Tanner. The Austria Defense Ministry has confirmed that the letter was received. The letter was dated July 10. Subianto has also stated in his letter that he understands the issue of the Eurofighter in Austria is sensitive due to a corruption probe into the purchase of the 15 aircraft. He added that the sale offers opportunities for both sides. Austria had previously said it wanted to retire those fighters starting from this year and replace them with another type of aircraft such as the Gripen or F-16. Back in 2017, Austria launched a probe into the purchase of the fighters, alleging that Airbus had paid brides during the competition. Indonesia is looking to replacing its F-5 with new fighters and had signaled that it intends to buy the Su-35. However, the deal to buy the Russian fighters has never been signed. The South East Asian nation had also indicated last year that it intends to buy two squadrons of F-16s this year.

May 26/20: Supersonic Flight Exercise Starting May 25, the Austrian army is conducting a large-scale flight exercise. Eurofighter jets will complete daily supersonic test flights for almost two weeks. From May 25th to June 5th, the Eurofighter pilots of the Austrian Armed Forces will train supersonic intercept maneuvers. Two supersonic flights per day are scheduled between 8am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. According to the army, the purpose of the training is „the close and time-critical coordination between military pilots, radar control officers and military and civil air traffic control. Furthermore, the pilots train under real physical stress, which cannot be simulated. The training is indispensable for a working Austrian airspace surveillance. It serves to continue to ensure safe flight operations in all cases.”

April 29/20: Investigation Stopped A court in Vienna has stopped an Austrian investigation into alleged fraud by Airbus and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH in connection with a $2 billion Eurofighter jet purchase in 2003, it said on April 27. The investigation was linked to accusations brought by Austria’s defense ministry in 2017, and its closure does not affect a broader criminal investigation of suspected bribery in the same deal that has been going on since 2011, a court spokeswoman said. The ministry triggered a new probe into Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium – which also includes Britain’s BAE Systems and Italy’s Leonardo in February 2017, alleging that they had misled the state about the price, deliverability and equipment of the planes. Among other things, the ministry accused Airbus and the consortium of illegally charging nearly 10% of the purchase price for so-called offset deals, which involve work being given to local companies.

A380 escorts
(click to view full) 2019

May 22/19: Investigation halted again? The investigations into Austria’s Eurofighter purchase may come to an abrupt end once more as the coalition between the conservatives and the right-wing FPÖ collapsed on the weekend. The 2002 purchase of Austria’s Eurofighter Typhoons has been investigated due to a possible corruption scandal involving bribes in the amount of around $111.6 million. The current investigation committee is already the third on this matter. Investigation committees have to cease interrogations when the date of new elections is announced. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has announced a snap election on Saturday, after a video-scandal surrounding vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache forced him to end the coalition. However, a specific date for the new elections has not yet been declared. In 2017, the second investigation into the Eurofighter scandal has ended the same way, when snap elections were announced following the collapse of the coalition between the social-democratic SPÖ and the conservatives.

2018

December 10/18: What will it be? The Austrian government is currently debating the future of the country’s air force. Austrian newspaper Die Presse reports that the coalition government is split over whether to keep its fleet of Eurofighter Tranche 1 Block 5 fighter aircraft or replace them with new Saab Gripen jets. Austria is currently in a legal battle with the Eurofighter consortium, accusing them of fraud and wilful deception in connection with the $2 billion, 12 unit plane order signed in 2003. The conservatives prefer to keep the Eurofighters, whereas the Freedom Party prefers to replace the planes. Die Presse notes that both options would cost about the same, and adds that keeping the jets will also require various upgrades and new weapon systems. Austria’s MoD is currently plagued by a declining budget but needs to replace its ageing aircraft fleet, upcoming purchases may include new helicopters and Leonardo’s M-345.

2014

June 20/14: Going to broke. Austria continues to cut their defense budget, with planned reductions to 0.5% of GDP that may leave them with almost no air force. Austria’s Kurier pegs flight-hour costs for Austria’s Eurofighters at an astonishing EUR 70,000, and says that the budget will force the jets to cancel quick-reaction exercises, and operate the planes only from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

In addition, agreements would be required with Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, in order to coordinate air policing by allowing other nations’ aircraft to overfly Austria. The question is whether they will be interested, given their own tight budgets. Hungary already has an agreement with Slovenia, but they only have 14 jets. The Czech air force isn’t any bigger, and Slovakia can’t help. Switzerland’s own air force can’t operate around the clock, and recently had to depend on the French and Italians to deal with a highjacked jet that landed in their country. The failure of their recent fighter referendum leaves them in a position where they need to conserve remaining flight hours in their F/A-18C/D Hornets.

If the de facto result of this policy is to partially cede Austrian air sovereignty to Germany, is that really a politically wise move? A second-loop question might also ask whether picking a fighter known to have high operating expenses was a good idea for Austria in the first place. Sources: Austria Kurier, “Ungarische Gripen sollen Wien sichern”.

May 15/14: Going to broke. SPO Party Defence Minister Gerald Klug admits that the army “is no longer financially viable” at a total budget of EUR 1.948 billion, which includes EUR 1.3 billion in personnel costs. Vehicles are being impounded, helicopters are running into trouble, and even deployments to flooded areas are being delayed as the Army looks to rent civilian vehicles.

Meanwhile, the air force has only 12 pilots for its 15 Eurofighters. The problem is that they have to maintain flying qualifications, and there are only enough flight hours to keep 12 pilots qualified. Others have reportedly been redeployed into the Army as simulator instructors. sources: Austria’s The Local, “Austrian army ‘going broke'” and “Only 12 pilots for 15 Eurofighter jets”.

2009 – 2013

 

Coming and Going
(click to view full)

Oct 23/13: Upgrades. Eurofighter GmbH announces that Austria’s Eurofighter Typhoons “now have the latest capability standard for Tranche 1 aircraft,” but it isn’t clear what that means.

The Typhoon’s Phase 1 Enhancements include full integration of the LITENING III surveillance & targeting pod, the ability to use dual-mode GPS/laser guided smart bombs, IFF mode 5, and the ability to use the HMSS helmet-mounted display for ground attack. On the other hand, it won’t be ready for customers before the end of 2013, and and requires Tranche 2 fighters. Austria is already done with their upgrade. Eurofighter gave meaningless details, which amount to “some new hardware and software were installed.” Sources: Eurofighter GmbH, “Austrian Eurofighters equipped with latest capability standard for Tranche 1 aircraft” and “Increased operational capabilities for Eurofighter Typhoon”.

Sept 19/13: Investigation. Format magazine reports that in July 2013, Austrian police searched the Voelklermarkt offices of US-based automotive supplier Dana Holding Corp, as part of Austria’s investigation of EADS over the Eurofighter sale. German prosecutors say EADS paid at least EUR 50 million (around $67 million) in bribes to Austrian officials, but they’re going to have to prove that. Sources: Reuters, “Austrian police search Dana offices in Eurofighter investigation: report”.

Nov 12/12: Corruption scandal. Austrian police have raided the home of Frank Walter P., whose companies were involved in the Eurofighter deal under the aegis of industrial offsets. Many are in fact just shell companies, and there is now suspicion that the firms were a vector for bribes to Austrian politicians. The allegation on the warrant translates as “collective bribery in coincidence with aggravated breach of trust,” in connection with up to EUR 113.5 million in funds placed with a variety of firms.

The arrangement began to unravel when Italian police arrested Gianfranco Lande for a Ponzi scheme that scammed the Calabrian mafia. He wouldn’t discuss the mafia, but he needed protection, so he told investigators that he had created a complex web of companies for a large corporation in Germany, with (now defunct) London-based Vector Aerospace LLP at its center. Lande also named individuals at EADS. One question involves how far the scandal will reach into EADS, and whether it will trigger the resignation of CEO Tom Enders.

Appendix A-8 of the classified agreement reportedly contains the terms that revolve around Article 304 of the Austrian Criminal Code, which prohibits bribes paid directly or by 3rd parties. Would proven bribes invalidate the contract? If so, the planes could be returned to EADS, and Austria’s payment could be refunded. It’s very likely that the government would prefer some sort of re-negotiation, anyway, instead of removing all of Austria’s fighters and being forced to start deal negotiations again. Der Spiegel.

Bribery scandal

Feb 17/10: The Austrian Bundesheer responds to a range of allegations, including allegations that its Eurofighter force suffers from low availability. The key question appears to revolve around the meaning of “einsatzbereit,” which could translate as “mission ready”, but seems here to mean “ready for launch.”

What the Bundesheer says is that it doesn’t make military or economic sense to keep all 15 Eurofighters “einsatzarbeit”, as air policing duties require just 2 planes plus a replacement fighter at the ready. The release cites the World Economic Forum in Davos, which had 2 aircraft in the air at all times, and involved 10 Eurofighters “ständig einsatzbereit.” OK, fine. But what’s the readiness rate if the others are called upon? Austrian Bundesheer [in German].

Feb 16/10: Fender bender. An Austrian Eurofighter has a minor mishap on landing, which is expected to cost EUR 15,000. The plane was coming in for an emergency landing, when its landing gear finally deployed. That was the good news. The bad news is that the rear arrester hook was extended as part of the emergency landing process, and slammed back into the fuselage after it hit the runway. Krone | Aviation Week.

Sept 24/09: Eurofighter delivers the 15th and final aircraft ordered by the Austrian Armed Forces, as the aircraft is rolled out from the EADS Defence & Security Manching assembly line, located close to Munich, Germany.

Logistics and training support under the 2003 contract helped the Austrian Air Force begin operational air policing missions by June 2008 – just 11 months after delivery of the first Eurofighter. Since the first Typhoon entered service, Eurofighter GmbH says that the aircraft have flown more than 1,100 flying hours from the Air Surveillance Wing’s home base in Zeltweg, Austria. Eurofighter GmbH.

All 15 delivered

July 21/09: Eurofighter Typhoons in service with the Air Surveillance Wing of Osterreichische Luftstreitkrafte, Austria’s Joint Armed Forces Command, have reached the 1,000 flying hours milestone. The Uberwachungsgeschwader (overwatch squadron) has received 12 aircraft to date, and delivery of the remaining 3 is planned during the coming months. Eurofighter GmbH.

2007 – 2008

 

Under construction
(click to view full)

July 1/08: Austrian Eurofighter Typhoons formally take over the protection of Austrian airspace under the leadership of the Joint Armed Forces Command, Graz, and the Air Surveillance Command, Wals, of the Austrian military. The fighters have been active before this date, most notably patrolling the skies over the Austrian host stadiums during the Euro 2008 soccer championships. Eurofighter GmbH.

Sept 13/07: The 2nd Austrian Eurofighter is delivered and arrives at Zeltweg Air Base. Eurofighter GmbH.

July 12/07: The first Eurofighter Typhoon is delivered to the Osterreichische Luftstreitkrafte at its new home base at Zeltweg air base, Austria. AS001 is the 125th Eurofighter Typhoon to be delivered to all customers.

Meanwhile, the first flight of Typhoon AS002 took place at EADS Military Air Systems at Manching on 09 July 2007, while aircraft AS003 – AS006 are in final assembly at EADS in Manching, Germany. Eurofighter GmbH.

June 26/07: The Eurofighter consortium of of Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland reaches agreement with the Government of Austria. Instead of 18 aircraft, Austria will receive 15 Eurofighters with latest capability standard of Tranche 1. There will also be “a price reduction on the negotiated in-service Support Contract that has not been signed yet,” probably coupled with training cutbacks to reduce the need for service.

The price reduction on the contract is EUR 370 million, leaving the contract at about EUR 1.63 billion. Eurofighter GmbH announcement.

Note that most recent Eurofighter version is Tranche 2, scheduled for delivery beginning in 2008. Tranche 1 jets are mostly air superiority fighters, unless additional equipment is added or retrofitted. Eurofighter GmbH’s reference to “equipment standard strictly meeting the requirement for air surveillance” seems to imply that these upgrades will not be present, thus restricting Austria’s Eurofighters to combat air patrol until/unless the political dynamic changes and modifications are made in a future contract.

Austrian settlement

May 6/07: Austria’s Defence Minister says that Eurofighter GmbH has broken off talks, and threatens unilateral cancellation. EADS says it merely canceled the next negotiating session, after a parliamentary inquiry panel indicated it wanted to complete its investigation before further talks were held. Lots of sturm und drang. Not a lot of substance. See translated and annotated release at defence-aerospace.

AS001 rollout
(click to view full)

March 21/07: Eurofighter GmbH announces a successful flight for the first production Austrian Eurofighter. AS001, Austrian Air Force designation 7L+WA, is a Block 5 standard aircraft, representing the last build standard of Tranche 1 (Block 5). Austria is supported in the acceptance process by the German Ministry of Defence, which flies the Eurofighter and is handling all acceptance testing and related process. Eurofighter adds this update re: program status, which bears directly on contract cancellation expenses:

“The second aircraft for Austria, AS002, was rolled out only a few days earlier and is now undergoing final checks before engine runs and the addition of Air Force colour scheme to the aircraft. First flight is scheduled for April 2007. AS003 through to AS006 are in Final assembly, while the major components for AS007 through to AS018 are in production. The training simulator has been installed at Zeltweg, the Main Operating Base (MOB) of the Austrian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons, and first flights in the simulator have been achieved. This training device is currently undergoing an upgrade to the software, allowing for a greater capability in aircrew training.”

Under the terms of the contract, Austria will receive 18 aircraft, and deliveries are scheduled to be completed in 2009. Eurofighter GmbH CEO, Aloysius Rauen, adds:

“The flight of AS001 as the first Austrian Eurofighter Typhoon and the first export Eurofighter Typhoon [DID: beyond the 4 partner countries], is a major milestone in the programme.”

1st flight

Jan 24/07: Eurofighter GmbH launches a German language web site promoting the Austrian Eurofighter purchase.

Jan 8/07: The socialist SPO and the center-right OVP agree to form a grand coalition. Together with the OVP a “very comprehensive working programme” of about 180 pages had been developed for the next four years, said SPO leader Alfred Gusenbauer. The announcement adds that “The negotiations on the Eurofighter military jets are to be resumed to reach a more cost-favourable solution.”

Given that there is a contract in place, and EADS has made its position on cancellation clear, it will be interesting to see if that phrase ends up meaning much beyond “we tried.”

2006

 

Austrian F-5Es & Draken
(click to view full)

Nov 6/06: Defense Aerospace translates a Ministry of Defence release issued in German-Austrian. In response to an Austrian request for an analysis of options relating to a possible cancellation of the contract, Eurofighter GmbH quoted a figure of EUR 1.2 billion (about $1.53 billion), in return for which Austria would receive no aircraft.

“In the letter, Eurofighter GmbH stated that, to large extent, it has already attained the major production milestones. In addition, approximately 400 subcontractors would be affected by a termination of contract.”

This looks like an opening negotiation bid to us, but the fact that it’s backed by a signed contract makes it a fairly strong one.

Oct 30/06: The socialist SPO party has assembled a majority for a committee of inquiry on the Eurofighter deal, by adding the Green + FPO parties. In response, the conservative OVP party has suspended talks to form a coalition.

Austrian reader Robert Toegel adds that: “Our last committee of inquiry on jets was working over a 4-year-period and the second batch of Saab 105Oe jets is still flying.”

Earlier in October 2006, Austria’s SPO had this to say:

“A committee of inquiry should clarify the political responsibility for the senseless procurement of this unbelievably expensive war machine,” Josef Cap, the Social Democrats’ floor leader, told Vienna’s Der Standard newspaper. “We don’t need the Eurofighter. It is not an ideological, but a financial issue. I’ve got nothing against these planes as such. But they cost an awful lot of money. I always believed that there were much better things to be done with that money.”

Odds are, those things don’t involve alternative fighter choices; Austria’s Luftabteilung recently retired its 1960s-era Draken fighters, and now flies rented 1970s-era Swiss F-5Es. At any rate, the translated Deutsche Welle article has a couple of errors (South Korea and Singapore made firm decisions and bought F-15s instead, and Greece canceled its 60-plane order), but is reasonably good at explaining the Austrian situation.

DID Local Reader Commentary

Not again.

Austrian reader Robert Toegel writes from Vienna:

“The Socialist Party SPO [DID: O = Oesterreich, or Austria], which won the last election has promised to stop the Eurofighter deal. Now, the only potential partner for a coalition is the conservative party OVP, which signed the contract. The socialist party is on the way to “modify” their position to form a new government. Mr. Caps statement is a preparation for this negotiations. The conservative party will probably not even start negotiations when the socialists really insist on a committee of inquiry.

In Austria fighter deals are very unpopular – we had the same problems when we introduced the Drakens. The socialists have no alternative for air policing tasks and would fight against any plane. As long the conservatives will be part of the government, as long the contract will not be canceled.

Both parties will start negotiations shortly. The SPO got the official note to start with negotiations from the President. I predict many Eurofighter press statements in the next months with many personal opinions without relevance.”

An accurate description, it seems, of any statement or analysis that doesn’t include the political coalition dynamics involved. The politics of the situation make cancellation very unlikely, and would be the same even if both party’s political positions were reversed. Toegel later adds:

“I forgot to note, that the Austrian Air Force has just started the first ground crew training course in Kaufbeuren (GER). From 10.09.06 to 05.04.07 there will be 6 courses for 6 to 14 crewmembers. 72 crewmembers will be trained in Germany (Source: Luftwaffe.de).”

Additional Readings

• DID (Aug 4/09) – Eurofighter’s EUR 9B Multinational Tranche 3A Contract. Austria is not a Tranche 3 buyer, but the article has the type’s full production history and details.

Americas

The wings and engines of the KC-130J that crash landed on a field in Thermal on September 29 have been removed last week. According to NBC, the wings were removed on October 9 and the engines were taken off a day earlier. The aerial refueling cargo plane had a mid-air collision with a F-35B which forced the crew to make an emergency landing on the field after failing to divert to an airport.

The ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming returned to the fleet after a 27-month overhaul in Norfolk, Virginia, the Naval Sea Systems Command announced. The Ohio Class, nuclear-powered submarine was commissioned in 1996 and is normally homeported at Kings Bay, Ga. It underwent an engineered refueling overhaul, a standard Navy refurbishment program for midlife vessels. The overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard involved the replacement of expended nuclear fuel with new fuel and a general maintenance renovation, including technological improvements and new berthing spaces for enlisted women.

Middle East & Africa

Abu Dhabi has invited Israeli arms and defense companies to take part in the upcoming International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) set to take place in the United Arab Emirate’s capital in February 2021. Less than a month after Israel signed an agreement to establish full diplomatic relations with both the UAE and Bahrain, Israel’s defense sector companies have been invited to openly participate in the upcoming International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) set to take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2021. IDEX is a biennial arms and defense technology sales exhibition and the largest of its kind in the Middle East.

Europe

Lockheed Martin is said to be considering having a new supplier to take over from Hellenic Aerospace Industry to produce parts for the C-130 and F-16. The aerospace company is said to be behind schedule in producing the parts due to a shortage of specialized staff and management issues. Employees have gone on strikes due to reduced benefits and the company does not have an managing director. The upgrade of 84 F-16s from the Greek air force to the V-model could be affected as well.

The delivery of the first modernized Super Lynx Mk 95A helicopter to the Portuguese Navy has been pushed back to early January 2021. Leonardo won a $76.45 million contract in July 2016 to modernize the Portuguese Navy’s five Super Lynx Mk 95 aircraft. Under current scheduling, delivery of all five is expected to be completed in 2021. The first modernized helicopter completed its maiden flight on February 14 at Leonardo Helicopters’ facility in Yeovil, United Kingdom. Evaluation of the helicopter is scheduled for December as part of the certification of the type. Pilots are due to finalize their training in early December.

Asia-Pacific

According to Kyodo News, the Japan Ministry of Defense had considered making the F-X fighter an unmanned aircraft. This was to save cost as having an unmanned aircraft will result in a smaller aircraft without the need to have a human control it. However, the approach was abandoned after the Aegis Ashore program was shelved as the Ministry needs to concentrate on finding a new solution to replace the Aegis Ashore program.

Today’s Video

Watch: Here’s Why the C-130 Hercules Might Fly for 80 Years

Americas

A new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from Raytheon that will be installed on the B-52H bomber might allow the US Air Force to reduce the number of people operating the bomber from five to four. Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, director of strategic plans, programs, and requirements for Air Force Global Strike Command, said the decision in not “imminent.” Replacing the AN/APQ-166 radar will also lead to a new radome. And the new one might forgo the AN/ASQ-151 Electro-Optical Viewing System (EVS), which consisted of a low light level television (LLLTV) and a forward looking infrared (FLIR) system mounted in blisters under the nose. Its capability is currently surpass by Litening and Sniper pods carried on the bomber.

The Defense Department announced it has awarded $600 million in contracts to several companies for testing of 5G communications technology at five US military sites. The testing will be performed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Naval Base San Diego, Calif.; Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Ga.; Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the Pentagon said. The Defense Department will include in the testing a pilot of 5G-enabled augmented and virtual reality for mission planning and training, testing 5G-enabled “smart warehouses,” and evaluating 5G technologies to enhanced distributed command and control. 5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks, and the project is designed to explore potential military applications of the system.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey is preparing live-fire exercises in the Aegean Sea, angering Greece, and has transported its Russian-made S-400 air defense system to the Black Sea. Turkey, whose military buildup and claims of sovereignty in the Mediterranean Sea have angered Greece, announced it will stage exercises in the Aegean Sea from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, in Turkish-held and international waters. The announcement was made Friday in navigational telexes from its naval station in Smyrna, Turkey.

Europe

The US State Department approved a $12.5 billion purchase on Friday by Finland for 64 F-35 fighter planes and associated munitions and equipment. The approval, a statutory notification to Congress, follows an April request by the Finnish Defense Ministry to buy the planes through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the US Defense Department agency responsible for foreign military sales. Although Finland is aligned with western military powers and not with its neighbor, Russia, it is not a NATO member.

The DoS not only approved a potential F-35 sale, but also the sale of the F/A-18EF Super Hornet. The Super Hornet package, which is worth an estimated $14.7 billion, includes 50 single-seat F/A-18E jets, eight double-seated F/A-18Fs and 14 EA-18G Growlers, which is the electronic attack variant. The package also includes 166 F414-GE-400 engines for the dual-engine fighter, Sniper targeting pods, AN/APG-79 radars, AN/ALR-67(V)3 electric warfare countermeasures receiving sets, and Next Generation Jammer Midband and advanced electronic attack kits for the EA-18G. The potential sales paved the way for the nation to purchase American jets should either Boeing or Lockheed Martin win its ongoing fighter competition.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea is planning to replace 103 of its UH-60P utility helicopters with the local-made KUH-1 helicopter, a lawmaker disclosed. Rep. Han Ki-ho of the main opposition People Power Party said the government ditched the project to upgrade the UH-60 and will be spending more than five times the amount of money to produce the KUH-1. A retired Maj. General, Han said the KUH-1 has reduced range and carry two fewer troops compared to the Black Hawk.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.K SHIFTS GEARS – R.A.F AGGRESSIVELY FINDING VULNERABILITIES IN S-400 TO HELP NATO | RUSSIA WORRIED

Americas

The US Army will suspend use of its new fitness test as a requirement for graduation from training programs because of COVID concerns. A new version of the six-event Army Combat Fitness Test went into effect last week. The Army will encourages taking and passing the strength and fitness test, but the requirement to successfully complete it will be delayed until at least September 2021, the end of the fiscal year. Suspension of the use of the test reportedly comes as the Army acknowledged constraints on training and testing due to the quarantining, social distancing and other protections required during COVID-19 pandemic.

Boeing won a maximum $149.6 million delivery order for the KC-46 Commercial Common Program consumable parts. The KC-46 Pegasus is a military refueling and strategic military transport aircraft. The Air Force intends to procure 179 Pegasus aircraft by 2027. The first four KC-46 aircraft were delivered to McConnell AFB, KS, in January 2019. The KC-46A places the boom operator on the flight deck, viewing receivers through a camera-driven display called the Remote Vision System (RVS). Work will take place in Missouri. Estimated completion date is October 7, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Qatar has submitted a formal request to the United States to buy stealthy F-35 fighter jets, three people familiar with the deal said, in a deal that if pursued could strain US ties with Saudi Arabia and Israel, Reuters reports. The request for the Lockheed Martin Co jets was submitted by the Persian Gulf state in recent weeks, the people said. A US State Department spokesman said, “As a matter of policy, the United States does not confirm or comment on proposed defense sales or transfers until they are formally notified to Congress.” Keen to counter Iran in the region, the US helps to arm allies including Qatar, host to the largest US military facility in the Middle East, and home to 8,000 US service members and Department of Defense civilian employees.

Europe

HMS Queen Elizabeth came under a simulated missile attack as part of a major exercise. Hawk jets and other aircraft, some operated by Cobham, have been simulating air attacks against the Carrier Battle Group. Typically, Hawk jets support Dassault Falcon 20DC aircraft acting as long-range anti-ship bombers. The Falcons are flown by Cobham Aviation Services. HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Strike Group are currently exercising alongside allied nations in the North Sea, as part of NATO’s largest annual exercise, Joint Warrior.

Asia-Pacific

PKL Services won a $13.8 million price modification to continue providing military aircraft F15 SG maintenance and operations training. The contract provides for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training on F15 aircraft, and includes both maintenance and operations on the F15 aircraft. The F-15 has a wingspan of 42 feet 9.75 inches (13.05 m) and a length of 63 feet 9 inches (19.43 m). The single-seat air-superiority version is armed with a 20-millimeter rotary cannon and an array of short-range and medium-range air-to-air missiles. The RSAF’s F-15SG is an all-weather multi-role fighter designed to achieve air superiority over the battlefield. It is one of the most advanced and technologically sophisticated variant of the F-15 aircraft built to date. Work will take place in Idaho and estimated completion date is September 30, 2022.

The Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of cybersecurity between India and Japan. The MoC will enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, which in­clude inter-alia, capacity building in the area of cyberspace; protection of critical infrastructure; cooperation in emerging technologies; sharing information on cybersecurity threats/incidents and malicious cyber activities, as well as best prac­tices to counter them; Developing joint mechanisms for practical cooperation to mitigate cyber threats to the security of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure etc.

Today’s Video

Watch: F-15 Eagle – the American hunter

Americas

EFW won a $35.8 million deal for repair of live-replaceable units in support of the V-22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. The aircraft operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90° forward once airborne, converting the aircraft into a turboprop aircraft. Work will take place in Texas and Alabama. Estimated completion date will be by October 2025.

Science Applications International won a $22.6 million combination cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, and firm-fixed-price type contract.  The contract is for the First Article testing and production of the All Up Round MK 28 MOD 2 Exercise and MK 29 MOD 0 Warshot fuel tank assemblies for the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo, engineering services with associated other direct costs and contract data requirements list in support of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Undersea Warfare Systems. The Mk 48 and its improved Advanced Capability (ADCAP) variant are American heavyweight submarine-launched torpedoes. The Mk-48 torpedo is designed to be launched from submarine torpedo tubes. Work will take place in Indiana and Rhode Island. Estimated completion will be by March 2022.

Middle East & Africa

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy declared the opening of a new base in the Straits of Hormuz in the city of Sirik near the shore of the Persian Gulf. The base was opened in a large ceremony attended by the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Hossein Salami. The base enables the Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy to have better control of the area of the Persian Gulf, a place from which to carry out offensive and defensive operations against US forces in the region, and faster closure of the straits, a global economic choke point that more than 21 million barrels of oil  (about 25% of global oil consumption) pass through a day. The main beneficiaries of the oil passing through the straits are China, India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

The Israeli Air Force’s 117th Squadron flew its F-16C/D fighters for the final time on October 1 before the unit is disestablished. The unit, also known as “First Jet’, was established in 1953 at Ramat David AFB and has since participated in all of Israel’s wars. It will be shut down as part of the IAF’s plans to optimize and prepare for future challenges.

Europe

The second phase of Exercise Joint Warrior 20-2 has kicked off in Scotland. JW 20-2 incorporates surface, subsurface, airborne, and land assets providing joint training in a multi-threat environment for NATO units. Exercise Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe, bringing together the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the British Army, as well as forces from other nations. British forces join 6,000 personnel from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the US for this iteration, which is scheduled to include 28 ships, two submarines and 81 aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) on October 5. SMART is a missile assisted release of lightweight Anti-Submarine Torpedo System for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations for far beyond torpedo range.This launch and demonstration is significant in establishing anti-submarine warfare capabilities, a defense statement said. The flight testing of SMART follows the successful test firing on Saturday of its indigenously developed nuclear capable hypersonic missile ‘Shaurya’ with a strike range of around 1,000 km from the test range.

Today’s Video

Watch: DEFENSE UPDATES WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP 04th OCT – FIRST MQ-25 STINGRAY SQUADRON ESTABLISHED !

Americas

The US Navy awarded a $25-million contract to Saab Inc. on September 25, 2020, for two AN/SPN-50(V)1 Shipboard Air Traffic Radars and one Installation and Checkout kit. The next-generation air traffic radar will replace the AN/SPN-43C on board Nimitz CVNs and LHDs. The first ship to install the radar will be USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and followed by future amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA-8). The new radar is based on the Sea Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam (AMB). The first AN/SPN-50(V)1 is scheduled for delivery in September 2021.

A new software upgrade for the MQ-9 will now allow the unmanned air vehicle to carry up to eight AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Known as the MQ-9 Operational Flight Program 2409, the new upgrade will allow the drone to carry the missiles on the outboard wing stations that were previously reserved for JDAMs and fuel tanks only. Hellfire is an air-to-ground, laser guided, subsonic missile with significant anti-tank capacity. It can also be used as an air-to-air weapon against helicopters or slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

The government of Egypt has requested the purchase of a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system from the United States at a cost of $417 million. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on October 1. According to the DSCA, the MDA system includes multi-site acquisition radars (fixed and mobile) with supporting facilities, electro­optical/infrared sensors (fixed, mobile, airborne), radio communications suites, hybrid power generation systems, closed circuit television, power and data distribution units, automatic identification system, and various other surveillance and communications systems; and other related elements of logistical and programme support.

Europe

Boeing won a $59.1 million contract to provide the US and United Kingdom Trident II (D5) maintenance, rebuilding and technical services in support of the Navigation subsystem. The Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile (FBM) is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile developed by Lockheed Martin. The missile can carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360km. The Trident II D5 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is a successor to Polaris A1, Polaris A2, Polaris A3, Poseidon C3 and Trident I C4 missiles. Work will take place in Washington, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Scotland. Estimated completion dates September 30, 2022. United Kingdom funds in the amount of $893,383 are being obligated on this award.

FLIR Surveillance won a $14.6 million deal with a five-year ordering period for BRITE Star Block II systems, repair actions, data, provision item order, training and engineering services. The deal includes purchases for the Czech Republic under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. FMS Czech Republic funding in the amount of $8,179,077 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of fiscal year. Work will take place in Oregon. Estimated completion will be by September, 2025.

Asia-Pacific

The US Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea of AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder Missiles and other related equipment for an estimated cost of $158.1 million. Seoul has requested to buy 115 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder missiles; 50 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 20 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missile Guidance Units; and 20 AIM 9X Block II CATM Guidance Units, according to Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) statement Oct 1. Also included are containers, weapon system support, and other elements of programme support. Raytheon Corporation will the principal contractor for this programme. According to DSCA, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. The AIM-9X Sidewinder missile one of the most advanced infrared-tracking, short-range, air-to-air and surface-to-air missile in the world. It is configured for easy installation on a wide range of modern aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, E/A-18G, F-22 and F-35 fighters.

Today’s Video

Watch: RUSSIA TO RAMP-UP MILITARY CAPABILITIES AT CHINA BORDER – PRESIDENT PUTIN IS NOW TAKING ON CHINA!

AIM-9X test launch, F-18C
(click for close-up)

Raytheon’s AIM-9X Block II would have made Top Gun a very short movie. It’s the USA’s most advanced short range air-air missile, capable of using its datalink, thrust vectoring maneuverability, and advanced imaging infrared seeker to hit targets behind the launching fighter. Unlike previous AIM-9 models, the AIM-9X can even be used against targets on the ground. The 2-way datalink is the most significant single Block II change, as it allows the missile to fly toward targets its seeker can’t yet see, using target position tracking from its fighter. The Block II also has improved seeker lock-on-after-launch vs. the original AIM-9X, a ‘lofting’ fly-out profile the boosts its range, and better all weather laser fusing against small targets.

These changes will help keep it competitive against foreign missiles like MBDA UK’s AIM-132 ASRAAM, RAFAEL of Israel’s Python 5, the multinational German-led IRIS-T, and Russia’s R73/ AA-11 Archer. The end of September 2011 saw the first significant order from the US military for AIM-9X Block II missiles, shortly after successful live fire tests at China Lake, CA. The Lot 12 order followed very soon after, and is no longer an all-USA order.

AIM-9X Versions

AIM-9X on USAF F-15
(click to view full)

The currently fielded version of the missile is AIM-9X Block I, OFS 8.212, which includes limited lock-on-after-launch, full envelope off-boresight capability without a JHMCS helmet, and improved flare rejection performance. It uses the warhead, fuze, and rocket motor from the previous AIM-9M missile, but adds thrust-vectoring, a new imaging infrared seeker, a new digital processor, and a new autopilot. Because it’s all-digital, among other significant changes, aircraft that want to fire it need integration work. At present, F-15C/D Eagle, F-16C/D Falcon, and F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet family aircraft can carry the AIM-9X. Singapore has bought some for its F-15SG Strike Eagles, and South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagles, and Saudi Arabia’s F-15SA Strike Eagles, will also be integrated in the near future.

Other American aircraft, and foreign aircraft that can fire Sidewinders, are limited to previous-generation AIM-9Ms. Note that this even includes the F-22A Raptor, until its Increment 3.2 upgrade program is implemented.

The AIM-9X-2 missile includes a new processor, a new ignition battery for the rocket motor, an electronic ignition safety/arm device, and the DSU-41/B Active Optical Target Detector (AOTD) fuze/datalink assembly. None of these things radically change performance by themselves, but OFS 8.3 is a software upgrade that adds trajectory management to improve range, datalink with the launching aircraft, improved lock-on-after-launch and target re-acquisition, and improved fuzing. The combination of AIM-9X-2 and OFS 8.3 makes an AIM-9X Block II missile.

Contracts & Key Events

F-15SG, armed
(click to view full)

October 5/20: South Korea The US Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea of AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder Missiles and other related equipment for an estimated cost of $158.1 million. Seoul has requested to buy 115 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder missiles; 50 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 20 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missile Guidance Units; and 20 AIM 9X Block II CATM Guidance Units, according to Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) statement Oct 1. Also included are containers, weapon system support, and other elements of programme support. Raytheon Corporation will the principal contractor for this programme. According to DSCA, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. The AIM-9X Sidewinder missile one of the most advanced infrared-tracking, short-range, air-to-air and surface-to-air missile in the world. It is configured for easy installation on a wide range of modern aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, E/A-18G, F-22 and F-35 fighters.

Aug 31/12: Software. Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ receives a $13.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to update AIM-9X software from version 8.220 to 8.300 for USAF ($9.6M/ 71%) and US Navy ($3.9M/ 29%). $5.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

As noted above, this software update creates the Block II missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ, and is expected to be complete in December 2013. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-12-C-0111).

March 30/12: The Pentagon’s Selected Acquisitions Report ending Dec 31/11 includes the AIM-9X Block I. It’s being canceled, which creates a critical cost breach – but since the cause is program cancellation, it doesn’t matter. See Jan 17/12 entry for why it’s being cancelled.

“AIM-9X Block I – The Program Acquisition Unit Cost (PAUC) increased 49.3% to the current APB and 71.8% to the original APB as a result of an adjustment to the program of record quantities from 10,142 to 3,142 missiles. Based on direction from Navy and Air Force requirements offices, there are no future production contracts for Block I after Lot 10 deliveries are complete. The approval of Block II to enter Low Rate Initial Production ends new production for Block I missiles, and shifts new production to Block II missiles. Since the critical Nunn-McCurdy breach is due to cancellation of the Block I program, no certification determination by the USD AT&L is required pursuant to section 2433 of title 10, United States Code.”

Block I done

March 30/12: ROKAF & RSAF. A $97.1 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification, buying Lot 12 low rate initial production (LRIP-2) equipment for South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

South Korea: $11.8 million, 12.15%. 19 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round tactical missiles in containers; 5 more containers. This is test-size lot.

Saudi Arabia: $85.3 million, 87.85%. 120 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round tactical missiles in containers; 42 more containers; 33 Block II captive air training missiles with no motor or warhead.

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ. (41.40%); Andover, MA (10.12%); various locations in and outside the continental United States (6.56%); Valencia, CA (5.71%); Midland, Ontario, Canada (5.40%); Rocket Center, WVA (5.24%); Vancouver, WA (5.08%); Goleta, CA (2.99%); El Segundo, CA (2.81%); Cheshire, CT (2.30%); Simsbury, CT (1.60%); Cincinnati, Ohio (1.53%); Heilbronn, Germany (1.52%); El Cajon, CA (1.48%); San Jose, CA (1.45%); Anniston, AL (1.16%); San Diego, CA (0.87%); Chatsworth, CA (0.80%); Newbury Park, CA (0.74%); Orlando, Fla. (0.66%); and Montgomery, AL (0.58%). Work is expected to be completed in August 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD acts as the agent for its Foreign Military Sale clients (N00019-11-C-0001).

Singapore & Saudi Arabia

March 27/12: Exports. US NAVAIR discusses the AIM-9X’s “heightened interest in foreign military sales (FMS),” and what that means for the USA:

“The future is bright for the AIM-9X program as robust international sales lower the procurement costs for all purchasers, including the U.S. government,” said Rick Cooley deputy program manager for international programs for the Navy’s Air-to-Air Missile program office (PMA-259) here. In recent years, international sales for the joint Navy and Air Force AIM-9X Sidewinder program have comprised almost half [emphasis DID’s] of the program’s production. The Sidewinder is the most widely used air-to-air missile currently employed by more than 40 nations throughout the world.

In a surge of FMS agreements in late December 2011, Saudi Arabia and South Korea became the first international purchasers of the latest generation of the Sidewinder family, the infrared-guided AIM-9X-2 (Block II) missile system, for employment on their unique F-15 aircraft. “

Jan 31/12: Lot 12 additional. Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ, receives a $39.6 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification to AIM-9X Lot 12 low rate initial production. It adds “special test equipment and various spare components,” plus…

USAF ($35.5 million, 89.57%)

• 42 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles (now 108)
  
• 42 Block II active optical target detectors (now 108)
  
• 51 CATM-9X Block II, with no motor or warhead (now 51)
  
• 27 containers (now 45)

US Navy ($4.1 million, 10.43%)

• 5 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles (now 54)
  
• 5 Block II active optical target detectors (now 54)
  
• 2 containers (now 26)

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ (41.42%); Andover, MA (10.12%); various locations in the continental United States (6.31%); Valencia, CA (5.71%); Ontario, Canada (5.40%); Rocket Center, WVA (5.24%); Vancouver, WA (5.08%); Goleta, CA (2.99%); El Segundo, CA (2.81%); Cheshire, CT (2.30%); Simsbury, CT (1.60%); Cincinnati, OH (1.53%); Heilbronn, Germany (1.52%); El Cajon, CA (1.48%); San Jose, CA (1.45%); Anniston, AL (1.16%); San Diego, CA (0.87%); Chatsworth, CA (0.80%); Newbury Park, CA (0.74%); Orlando, FL (0.66%); Montgomery, AL (0.58%); and various location outside the continental United States (0.23%), and is expected to be complete in January 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0001).

Lot 12

Jan 17/12: Testing results. The Pentagon releases the FY 2011 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). The AIM-9X is included, and the report reveals that the Navy has asked to re-baseline the AIM-9X Block II as a new program entering a pre-Milestone C decision. When it does pass Milestone C, production of the Block I missile will end.

“This decision was primarily driven by a cost per unit increase due to the new DSU-41/B AOTD fuze/datalink assembly, reductions in Service funding, software costs, and schedule delays.”

DOT&E’s one serious concern:

“Recent captive-carry testing has revealed declining missile reliability due to communication problems in 9.303 software and host aircraft compatibility deficiencies. The program office plans to fix these deficiencies, along with software changes in OFS 9.308. Raytheon plans another software build prior to the [Operational Test Readiness Review]… in April 2012. The schedule of live fire events required before the OTRR is aggressive; the Navy and Air Force must execute five more live flight tests prior to the OTRR. Testing delays could result in a delayed OTRR.”

Dec 29/11: Lot 12 Main. Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ, receives a $68.9 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification, for Lot 12 low rate initial production of AIM-9X Sidewinder short range missiles. Customers and ordered items include…

USAF ($36 million, 52.3%)

• 66 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles
  
• 66 Block II active optical target detectors
  
• 18 containers

US Navy ($32.8 million, 47.7%)

• 49 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles
  
• 49 Block II active optical target detectors
  
• 29 CATM-9X Block II, with no motor or warhead
  
• 24 containers

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ (41.42%); Andover, MA (10.12%); various locations in the continental United States (6.31%); Valencia, CA (5.71%); Ontario, Canada (5.40%); Rocket Center, WVA (5.24%); Vancouver, WA (5.08%); Goleta, CA (2.99%); El Segundo, CA (2.81%); Cheshire, CT (2.30%); Simsbury, CT (1.60%); Cincinnati, OH (1.53%); Heilbronn, Germany (1.52%); El Cajon, CA (1.48%); San Jose, CA (1.45%); Anniston, AL (1.16%); San Diego, CA (0.87%); Chatsworth, CA (0.80%); Newbury Park, CA (0.74%); Orlando, FL (0.66%); Montgomery, AL (0.58%); and various location outside the continental United States (0.23%), and is expected to be complete in January 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0001).

Lot 12

Americas

General Atomics won a $131.6 million contract modification for Gray Eagle aircraft, satellite communications air data terminals, program management and government-furnished equipment maintenance and repair. MQ-1C Gray Eagle is an extended range / multipurpose (ER/MP) UAS developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the US Army. It performs reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, command and control, communications relay, signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), attack, improvised explosive device (IED) and battle damage assessment missions. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2022.

Boeing won a $32.4 million deal for logistics support for H-47 forward and aft blades and associated containers. The CH-47D Chinook helicopter transports troops, artillery, supplies and equipment to the battlefield with other applications ranging from medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue to disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

According to Saab, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has received its second Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The delivery of the second of the three Bombardier Global 6000 business jet-based platforms that were contracted to the UAE Air Force and Defence (AF&D) under the Swing Role Surveillance System award in late 2015 came some five months after the first aircraft was handed over in late April. The third and final contracted aircraft is due to arrive in the UAE before the end of 2021, while an anticipated contract for two additional platforms is still waiting to be signed. Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform combines a number of advanced sensors with the company’s new Erieye Extended Range active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on board a Bombardier Global 6000 ultra-long range business jet.

Europe

The US State Department has preemptively cleared Switzerland to purchase the F-35A joint strike fighter and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, just days after a public vote narrowly ok’d the Swiss government to move forward with a planned procurement of new fighter aircraft. The F-35 deal comes with an estimated price tag of $6.58 billion, while the F/A-18 package with a price tag of $7.452 billion. The potential FMSs are not a sign that Switzerland has decided the Lockheed Martin F-35 or Boeing produced F/A-18 are their fighter of the future.

The State Department approved the potential sale of five Patriot missile systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. The deal includes Patriot Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units, consisting of: five AN/MPQ-65 Radar Sets; five AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations; 17 M903 Launching Stations; up to 70 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile Tactical (GEM-T) Missiles; seven Antenna Mast Groups; five Electrical Power Plants (EPP) III; and six Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) (11) Block Upgrade Two (BU2).

Asia-Pacific

The US DoS approves a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for their fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $90 million. India has requested to buy items and services to extend follow-on support for their fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.  These items include aircraft consumables spares and repair/return parts; ground support and equipment; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) fire extinguisher cartridges; flare cartridges; BBU-35/B cartridge impulse squibs; one spare AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receiver shipset; spare AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispenser System shipset; ten Lightweight Night Vision Binocular (F5032); ten AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggle (NVG)(F4949); GPS; Electronic Warfare; instruments and lab equipment support; Joint Mission Planning System; cryptographic device spares and loaders; software and software support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training and training equipment; U.S. and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support; and other related elements of program support. Prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin.

Today’s Video

Watch: Why the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is Still One Dangerous Fighter

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $249.3 million contract for the procurement of sustainment engineering and logistics services for Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar. The agreement includes engineering changes, technical refresh, studies and analyses, and the following support services: contractor logistics, depot lifecycle, software support activity, diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages. G/ATOR is a three-dimensional, expeditionary, short/medium-range multirole radar capable of detecting low-observable, low-radar-cross-section targets such as rockets, artillery, mortars, cruise missiles, and manned and unmanned aerial systems. Expected completion date is September 28, 2025.

Lockheed Martin won a $18 million deal to exercise an option for Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent efforts for the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20. The Aegis Weapon System is a centralized, automated, command-and-control and weapons control system that was designed as a total weapon system, from detection to kill. The heart of the system is the AN/SPY-1, an advanced, automatic detect and track, multi-function phased-array radar. Work will take place in New Jersey. Estimated completion will be by December 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed an agreement to acquire 50% of the equity of BlueBird Aero Systems. Bluebird, a leading UAS developer and integrator in the small tactical arena, has been providing its solutions to Israeli forces and worldwide customers for close to two decades. As part of the transaction, IAI is acquiring the holdings of Piramal Technologies SA from India, as well as additional shares from Fiberless Access and Ronen Nadir. Ronen Nadir will continue to hold 50% of BlueBird shares and continue to serve as the company’s CEO. In recent years, both IAI and BlueBird have focused on vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, a category that provides significant benefits to ground and naval forces. BlueBird has developed several advanced VTOL platforms, including the WanderB-VTOL and ThunderB-VTOL.

Europe

Georgia has unveiled two types of drones that it has purchased from Spain. It was shown to Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili during his visit to Marneuli air base. One is the Alpha 800 VTOL drone and the other is the Atlantic-I. The Ministry of Defense of Georgia reported on September 28 that it purchased Spanish-made unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as renewed existing aircraft, and retrained the personnel.

Germany cancelled its Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) heavy-lift helicopter requirement for the Luftwaffe, citing budgetary concerns with the planned multi-million Euro procurement. In a statement released on 29 September, the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) said that the long-standing STH effort to replace the Luftwaffe’s 70 VFW-Sikorsky CH-53G-series Stallion helicopters with between 40 and 60 Boeing H-47 Chinook or Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion platforms was being halted as the expected capability could not be delivered within the allocated budget.

Asia-Pacific

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) commissioned a new tactical boat handling and firing simulator (TBHFS) to improve the Police Coast Guard’s (PCG’s) training capabilities. The system, which has been described as the first of its kind in the country, has been incorporated with an eye tracker to detect trainees’ visual focus during stressful simulation scenarios. It has been installed at the PCG’s headquarters on Brani Island. The simulator developed by the PCG in collaboration with the country’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX). It can emulate the PCG’s high-speed patrol interdiction boats, and second-generation high-speed PK-class interceptor boats.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S MILITARY DOESN’T NEED F22 or F 35 TO COUNTER RUSSIAN ‘FLANKERS’- THEY ARE SHOOTING EACH OTHER !

Americas

Oshkosh Defense won an $11.1 million contract modification to retrofit mufflers, forward facing cameras, rear-door transparent armor and muffler robustness into the baseline configuration of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle family of vehicles. The joint light tactical vehicle (JLTV) is a light utility/combat multi-role vehicle. There are two different types of the JLTV, a four-seat and the two-seat design meant to provide the occupants with significantly more protection against mine-resistance and ambush protection. Additionally, the JLTV is approximately two-thirds lighter than the previously used Humvee, offering greater speed over terrain, and better fuel efficiency. Work will take place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Estimated completion date is September 23, 2021.

Raytheon won a $17 million modification for dual band radar spares in support of DDG 1000. The Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) is the largest and most technologically advanced surface combatant in the world.  Zumwalt is the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission destroyers designed to strengthen naval power from the sea.  Work will take place in Massachusetts. Estimated completion will be by July 2024. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

Middle East & Africa

General Dynamics won a $7.9 million contract modification for logistical staff augmentation support throughout the Central Command area of responsibility. US Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity. work will take place in Bagram, Afghanistan; and Kuwait City, Kuwait. Estimated completion date is September 25, 2021.

Europe

The US Army Tapped Raytheon with a $9.8 million contract modification to procure Excalibur Ib projectiles. The M982 Excalibur (previously XM982) is a 155 mm extended range guided artillery shell developed during a collaborative effort between the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC). Work will take place in Sweden, Arizona, the UK, Iowa, Ohio, Alabama, California, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2022.

Croatia’s Defense Minister Mario Banozic told the press that a delegation will be dispatched to France, Sweden and United States to validate the bids for the fighter competition that the country is running. The country received bids from four countries but the press report did not state Banozic as saying that the delegation will visit Israel. Two bids are for new jets and two for used fighter jets. Norway had announced that it would bid but it withdrew as it could not fulfill the set criteria. Greece and Italy were not able to respond within the set deadline.

Asia-Pacific

A small team of about 10 officials from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) are in Jakarta for negotiations with local officials over the South East Asian country’s participation in the KF-X fighter program. Indonesia had indicated that it wants to reduce its share in the program from the promised 20 percent to 15 percent.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : 6 Predator-B Arrival,Arjun Laser ATGM Test,3 Lakh Carbine Order,PASSEX 2020

Americas

Boeing won a $75.1 million contract modification, which exercises options to provide aircraft inspections, modifications and repairs as well as inner wing panel (IWP) modifications and repairs for the F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G series aircraft. These efforts restore the aircraft and IWP to meet service life projections in accordance with new design specifications. The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornets are twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft. Super Hornet is about 25% larger than its predecessor the F/A-18C/D, but contains 42% fewer structural parts. The single-seat F/A-18/E and the two-seat F/A-18/F fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, have more powerful engines and provide greater survivability. Work will take place in Florida, Missouri and California. Estimated completion will be in September 2021.

Boeing won a $21.9 million contract modification, which exercises an option for test and evaluation support for Next Generation Jammer integration on the EA-18G aircraft. The Next Generation Jammer is a program to develop an airborne electronic warfare system, as a replacement for the AN/ALQ-99 found on the EA-18G military aircraft. It will reach Initial Operating Capability in 2021. The EA-18G Growler is an airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft, capable of operating either from an aircraft carrier or from land-bases. The Growler was developed as a replacement for the US Navy EA-6B Prowler aircraft that entered service in 1971 and retired in March 2019. Work will take place in Missouri and estimated completion will be in September, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin has awarded Israeli defense company Elbit Systems – Cyclone a contract to supply additional complex composite structural assemblies for forward equipment bay assemblies on all F-35 variants. The deal is in an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems and will be performed over a period of four-years. The contract calls for Elbit Systems to supply assemblies for the F-35’s Forward Equipment Bay – made from composite materials and the associated structures – for all F-35 aircraft variants. Elbit Systems will deliver more than 1,400 components to Lockheed Martin during the contract period.

Europe

Germany is establishing a new multinational unit to operate the Airbus A400M transport aircraft, with Hungary committed as its first partner. The Bundeswehr announced that the Multinational Air Transport Unit (MNAU) was being established at Wunstorf Air Base in northern Germany, home to the Luftwaffe’s A400M force. This new international unit will relocate to Lechfeld Air Base in the far south of the country with 10 of the Luftwaffe’s 53 contracted A400Ms, as well as additional A400Ms that might be provided by partner nations.

Russia’s Western Military District reports that a Su-30SM had crashed in the Tver region on September 22 during a training flight. Both pilots were able to eject safely. Later in the day, a post on Telegram said the jet has hit by cannon rounds fired from a Su-35 during dogfight training. The rounds were not remove from the Su-35 and as the pilot pulled the trigger to record the kill, the cannon fired and hit the Su-30SM.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited the airbase on Penghu island today and the IDF detachment there displayed the Wan Chien cruise missile for all to see. The Wan Chien is an indigenous land attack missile similar to the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon. It is carried by the IDF. The significance of the indigenous Wan Chien missile within the ROCAF armory in particular is its ability to be launched from F-CK-1C/Ds operating above the Taiwan Strait and hit targets on the Chinese mainland.

Today’s Video

Watch: USAF’S U-2 ‘DRAGON LADY’ HAS SUCCESSFULLY GATHERED INFORMATION ON CHINESE MILITARY DURING DRILL !

Americas

BAE Systems announced a contract Monday worth up to $111 million to supply the US Navy with Archerfish mine neutralizers. Archerfish is used by the US Navy’s MH-60S Helicopter squadrons as part of their Airborne Mine Neutralization System capability, and reduces the need to put diving personnel in the water for clearance missions, according to the company. Archerfish is a remotely-controlled underwater vehicle equipped with an explosive warhead to destroy sea mines. The Navy established a requirement for rapid neutralization of bottom and moored sea mines to support operations in littoral zones, confined straits, choke points and the amphibious objective area.

HSC-22 received their first MQ-8C Firescout on September 15 aboard Naval Station Norfolk, the US Navy said. It is now the first East Coast squadron to operate the MH-60S, MQ-8B and MQ-8C. The Firescout is the US Navy’s latest combat drone to hit the skies and provide aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support, and precision targeting support to ground, air, and sea units. The MQ-8C Fire Scout’s main purpose is to provide radar surveillance with its multi-spectrum targeting system. The multi-spectrum targeting system is a camera that is capable of reading light, heat, and electrical signatures to find anything that might be of interest.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin won a $12.8 million contract modification, which exercises options to procure consumable parts and material in support of the C/KC-130J aircraft for the Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserves, Coast Guard and the government of Kuwait. The KC-130J is a multi-role tanker aircraft designed and developed by Lockheed Martin to replace the KC-130F/R/T aircraft. The KC-130J is in operation with the US Navy, the US Marine Corps (USMC), the Italian Air Force, the Kuwait Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force. Work will take place in Georgia, California, Kuwait, Japan, North Carolina, Texas, New York and South Carolina. Estimated completion will be by December 2023.

Europe

The British government classifies its new fleet support ships as “warships”. Previously the Government had argued that the new Fleet Solid Support Ships were not warships and as such, were eligible for international tendering rather than being restricted to British shipyards. The $1.9 billion competition to build up to three Fleet Solid Support Ships was suspended last year and an update was due this autumn. The definition of warship used by the Government had been previously challenged by people from all sides of the political spectrum. Until today, ministers repeatedly insisted the vessels would not be “warships” – meaning they could be built abroad. For national security reasons, Royal Navy warships can only be built in the UK. But because the supply ships will be part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Government previously claimed they were not warships.

Asia-Pacific

A woman MiG-21 fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force has been selected to transition to fly the Dassault Rafale fighter. The Indian Air Force pilot will reportedly begin active duties flying Rafale jets soon. She will be the first woman in the Rafale squadron. The woman pilot, who had earlier operated MiG-21 fighter jets, has been placed under the ‘full fighter training course’ and will join ‘active duties’ soon in the 17 Squadron. As per the report, the training regimen for both men and women pilots are identical. Every pilot, irrespective of gender, has to mandatorily undergo conversion training while switching from one fighter jet to another. Currently, there are 10 women fighter jet pilots in the Indian Air Force.

The Political Work Department of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) released a propaganda video on September 19 and in the video, the H-6K bomber from the 28th Air Regiment was shown launching a missile strike on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The Chinese propaganda video borrows heavily from Hollywood and depicts an airstrike on an island some observers say resembles the US base in Guam. The presentation suggests that it was produced as a warning to any country of base within the strike range of the bombers.

Today’s Video

Watch: HOW POWERFUL IS MQ-8 FIRE SCOUT

Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $44.6 million contract modification, which increases the ceiling of the contract for the production and delivery of an additional 228 H-1 Tech Refresh Mission Computers, increasing the quantity from 545 to 773 in support of domestic and Foreign Military Sales UH-1Y and AH-1Z aircraft. Northrop Grumman Gen III mission computers are at the heart of the company’s avionics system that powers the glass cockpit avionics of AH-1Z and UH-1Y. The conduction-cooled Gen III mission computer has a ruggedized 6U VME PowerPC-based single board computer. Interfaces include Fast Ethernet, four serial ports, parallel I/O, and built-in-test. It has a standard partitioned real-time operating system called INTEGRITY-178 tuMP for multicore architectures from Green Hills Software in Santa Barbara, Calif., with ARINC 653 and POSIX support. Work will take place in Utah, Maryland and California. Estimated completion is in December 2023.

The Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $7.5 million modification, which exercises options to procure Intel Diminishing Manufacturing Sources parts that have reached end of life in support of the F-35 program future aircraft production and deliveries for the Air Force and Navy. The largest procurement program in the Department of Defense, the F-35 Lightning II is a strike fighter aircraft being procured in different versions for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. Work will take place in Fort Worth. Expected completion will be in December 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Kellogg Brown & Root Services won a ceiling $974 million contract for US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) base operating support. This contract provides day-to-day base operations and maintenance services throughout locations within USAFE-AFAFRICA. Air Force Installation Contracting Command at Ramstein Air Base in Germany received three offers for the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract and will obligate $10M on the first two task orders under the IDIQ. Work will take place at Spain’s Moron AB and Turkey’s Incirlik AB, Izmir Air Station and Office of Defense Cooperation. DoD expects contract services to be complete by Aug. 27, 2028.

Europe

The US State Department has authorized a British purchase of three hundred and ninety-five AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles for an estimated cost of $46 million. The required certification notifying Congress about this possible sale was delivered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The UK Government had put a request for the acquisition of the 395 missiles and this request also included technical assistance, publications, integration support, and other related aspects regarding logistics and program support. The proposed sale will not only support the foreign policy but also the national security objectives of the US Government by bolstering the security of a Nato ally. Furthermore, the acquisition of these missiles is expected to help the UK to replace expiring and unserviceable missiles and bolstering its capability to meet current and future threats. The missiles are also expected to help maintain its ability to carry out missions across a wide range of military operations. These missiles will also be easily inducted by the UK into its armed forces.

Asia-Pacific

The US government approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of 32 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) with support for an estimated cost of $63 million. Along with the missiles, the sales package includes one AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance section spare, containers, support and support equipment, spare and repair parts. The Government of Japan had requested to buy 32 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM and one (1) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance section spare.  Also included are containers, support and support equipment, spare and repair parts, US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $63 million.

Taiwan has deployed a small number of its indigenous Albatross UAVs to Pratas and Taiping Islands in the South China Sea. Each island had one set of system which consists of 4 aircraft along with its ground control station. The system deployed to Pratas Island is tasked with monitoring the military exercises that China is executing off Shantou. It complements the reconnaissance assets that Taiwan will deploy from the island to monitor those exercises. The other system on Taiping Island will help monitor the artificial islands that China had constructed in the South China Sea. Previously operated by the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command, these UAVs were transferred to Naval Fleet Command in 2017.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S MAY DEVELOP NUCLEAR-ARMED HYPERSONIC BOOST GLIDE VEHICLE WITH RANGE EQUAL TO A TRADITIONAL ICBM!

Latest updates: New 2011-2014 contract; Long-lead buy for AGM-114Rs under previous contract.

Hellfire II cutaway
(click to view full)

Hellfire I/II missiles are the USA’s preferred aerial anti-armor missile, and are widely deployed with America’s allies. All use semi-active laser guidance as their base mode. They equip its helicopter fleets (AH-64, AH-1, OH-58D, MH-60S/R), AH-64 and S-70 helicopters flown by its allies, and even Australia and France’s Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters. Range is officially listed as 9,000 meters, or about 5.6 miles.

While Hellfires lack the fast-jet launch capabilities – and correspondingly extended maximum range – of the UK’s MBDA Brimstone missiles, Lockheed Martin’s missile has carved out unique niches as tripod-launched coastal defense assets in Norway and Sweden, and as the guided missile integrated into American UAVs like the MQ-1 Predator family. This article covers the current set of contracts, which began in 2008:

• Lockheed Martin’s Hellfires
  
• Contracts and Key Events [updated]
  
• Appendix A: A Sticky Situation – Lockheed’s 2008 (I)TAR Baby
  
• Appendix B: Additional Readings
  

Lockheed Martin’s Hellfires

AGM-114K-A warhead
(click to view full)

Hellfire II missiles come in several variants. The AGM-114K is the basic Hellfire II missile; it uses a shaped-charge HEAT(High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead that can destroy armored vehicles, or punch into buildings.

The recently-introduced AGM-114K-A variant adds a blast fragmentation sleeve to the HEAT warhead’s anti-tank capability, giving it added versatility against unarmored targets in the open.

The AM-114M version was originally developed for the Navy; its warhead is solely blast fragmentation, which is effective against boats, lightly armored vehicles, etc.

The AGM-114N variant uses a thermobaric (“metal augmented charge”) warhead that can suck the air out of a cave, collapse a building, or produce an astoundingly large blast radius out in the open.

AGM-114P onto MQ-9
(click to view full)

A new AGM-114R “multi-purpose” Hellfire II is headed into production/ conversion. It adds some guidance and navigation improvements, and goes one step further than the K-A variant: it’s intended to work well against all 3 target types: armored vehicles, fortified positions, or soft/open targets. The “Romeo” will become the mainstay of the future Hellfire fleet, used from helicopters and UAVs, until and unless Hellfire itself is supplanted by the JAGM program. Hellfire systems product manager US Army Lt. Col. Mike Brown:

“One of the most noticeable operational enhancements in the AGM-114R missile is that the pilot can now select the [blast type] while on the move and without having to have a pre-set mission load prior to departure… This is a big deal in insurgency warfare, as witnessed in Afghanistan where the Taliban are fighting in the open and simultaneously planning their next attacks in amongst the local populace using fixed structure facilities to screen their presence.”

Two more Hellfire variants feature key changes that aren’t related to their warheads.

The AGM-114L “Longbow Hellfire” adds a millimeter-wave radar seeker, which makes it a “fire-and-forget” missile. It’s integrated with the mast-mounted radar on AH-64D Apache helicopters, and AH-1 Cobra family attack helicopters have been tested with different add-ons that would give them similar capabilities.

The AGM-114P variant is modified for use from UAVs flying at altitude. That requires greater environmental tolerances, as the difference between temperature at launch altitude and near the target can be well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The AGM-114P’s 3-axis inertial measuring unit (IMU) gives it a 360-degree targeting capability, making it easier to fire from UAVs that lack a helicopter’s swivel and point maneuverability. Its unique features will also be present in the new AGM-114R, which will succeed it.

Contracts and Key Events

Hellfire II tripod
(click to view full)

The common denominator in this article is the contract: W31P4Q-08-C-0361.

Hellfire Systems LLC in Orlando, FL is a Lockheed Martin/ Boeing joint venture, and is the only source of Hellfire missiles. The US Army Aviation & Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL manages these contracts, unless otherwise noted.

August 28/20: UK The US State Department has authorized a British purchase of three hundred and ninety-five AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles for an estimated cost of $46 million. The required certification notifying Congress about this possible sale was delivered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The UK Government had put a request for the acquisition of the 395 missiles and this request also included technical assistance, publications, integration support, and other related aspects regarding logistics and program support. The proposed sale will not only support the foreign policy but also the national security objectives of the US Government by bolstering the security of a Nato ally. Furthermore, the acquisition of these missiles is expected to help the UK to replace expiring and unserviceable missiles and bolstering its capability to meet current and future threats. The missiles are also expected to help maintain its ability to carry out missions across a wide range of military operations. These missiles will also be easily inducted by the UK into its armed forces.

December 18/19: MD 530G Block II MD Helicopters intends to upgrade its MD 530G Block II scout attack helicopter with an integrated weapons system made by Elbit Systems that would make the aircraft capable of carrying and firing Hellfire missiles. The addition of the AGM-114 Hellfire semi-active laser-guided missile would give the MD 530G an anti-tank and anti-armor capability it does not currently have. The Elbit Systems upgrade package for the MD 530G is to include a helmet display and tracking system, weapons management system and mission management system, says MD Helicopters. The MD 530G’s current standard configuration includes unguided rocket pods and mini-guns.

April 29/19: New Procurement Lockheed Martin won a $723.5 million contract modification to procure a variety of Hellfire II missiles for the US Army as well as three allies. The air-to-surface missiles will be produced for Lebanon, the Netherlands and France as part of Foreign Military Sales. All Hellfire II variants have been used successfully in Operation Iraqi Freedom, with more than 1,000 missiles fired to date. With more than 22,000 rounds delivered since production began in 1994, Hellfire II has been successfully integrated with a wide array of platforms, including the US Army’s Apache and Kiowa Warrior helicopters, the US Marine Corps’ Cobra, the US Navy’s Seahawk helicopter, the UK’s Apache attack helicopter, the Eurocopter Tiger and the US Air Force’s Predator and Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. Lockheed Martin will perform work in Florida, with an estimated completion date of September 30, 2022.

April 9/12: An $8.75 million firm-fixed-price contract to buy long lead parts for the Hellfire II Romeo RX. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL, with an estimated completion date of March 31/14. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 1 bid received by U.S. Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).

Aug 1/11: A $159 million firm-fixed-price, unfinalized contract begins the 2011-2014 buy of up to 24,000 AGM-114N/P/Q/R Hellfire II missiles (W31P4Q-11-C-0242). Read “US Hellfire Missile Orders, FY 2011-2014” for full coverage.

March 28/11: Lockheed Martin announces the 6th and final proof-of-principle test for the new AGM 114R HELLFIRE II successfully concludes at Eglin AFB, FL, using ground launch in lock-on after launch mode from 2.5 km away. The missile penetrated the brick-over-block target, and successfully detonated with the specified fuze delay. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Brown, HELLFIRE Systems product manager at the Army’s Joint Attack Munition Systems project office:

“The AGM-114R baseline design is now defined and allows us to go into system qualification… The R model remains on cost and on schedule, and meets all performance objectives.”

March 14: A $38.6 million firm-fixed-price contract covers an in-line production configuration change of 2,600 Hellfire II AGM-114P2 missiles, for use from UAVs. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL, until the end of FY 2013: Sept 30/13. One sole-source bid was solicited with one bid received (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).

Sept 10/10: A $20.1 million firm-fixed-price contract to transition the new air-to-ground AGM-114R Hellfire II Romeo missile into the current Hellfire II missile production line.

Work will performed in Orlando, FL with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/13. One sole-source bid was solicited and 1 bid was received (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).
Aug 30/10: An AGM-114R hits and “destroys” a stationary M-60 tank target 6.4 km down range, in the missile’s 3rd proof-of-principle flight test. The missile was ground launched, with a flight profile designed to simulate airborne launch from a UAV. The missile was launched in lock-on-after-launch mode, with a high trajectory. It used its inertial guidance to fly to the approximate location of the target before beginning its search, and struck the target within inches of the laser aimpoint. Lockheed Martin.

Aug 26/10: A 3-year, $14.4 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for Romeo Phase 3 engineering, which will re-configure existing Army AGM-114K2 and AGM-114N missiles to the AGM-114R configuration.

Work is to be performed in Columbia, SC with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/13. One bid was solicited with one received (W31P4Q-08-C-0361; Serial No. 1765).

July 26/10: The Longbow, LLC joint venture in Orlando, FL received a $39.5 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering services supporting the Hellfire and Hellfire Longbow missiles. Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL (50%); Baltimore, MD (25%); United Arab Emirates (10%); and Taiwan (15%), and will run to Sept 30/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, AMSAM-AC-TM-H in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W31P4Q-10-C-0256).

This contract is not in the same series as the other entries; it is offered as a one-time reminder that all equipment buys come with associated engineering service support contracts, as part of their operations and maintenance costs. Taiwan and the UAE are already Hellfire customers; the UAE uses them on its AH-64 attack helicopters, while Taiwan became a customer in 2005.

June 23/10: A $22 million firm-fixed-price contract, exercising a FY 2010 option for 331 Hellfire II missiles. Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/13. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).

May 10/10: An $84.5 million firm-fixed-price contract, exercising a FY 2010 option for 1,253 Hellfire II missiles. See also March 26/10 entry. Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/13. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).

May 6/10: A $15.8 million firm-fixed-price contract to add the new AGM-114R Hellfire II Romeo missile into the current missile production line. As noted above, this variant is designed to offer a “tri-mode” warhead that can be effective against armored vehicles, fortifications, and targets in the open.

Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/13. There’s only one maker of Hellfire missiles; 1 bid was solicited by the U.S. Army’s AMCOM Contracting Center at Redstone Arsenal, AL, with 1 bid received (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).

April 29/10: Alliant Techsystems announces $32 million in follow-on production sub-contracts from Lockheed Martin for about 7,100 Hellfire II missile rocket motors, and 2,200 AGM-114N metal augmented charge (thermobaric) warheads. The motors and warheads will be built at its manufacturing facility in Rocket Center, WVA.

ATK was awarded the HELLFIRE II baseline sub-contract in November 2008 to produce and deliver rocket motors and warheads. This represents the first option, with deliveries scheduled to run from April 2011 – July 2012. A second option could be awarded in late 2010. Dating back to HELLFIRE I in the 1980s, ATK has produced nearly 80,000 HELLFIRE rocket motors and over 6,400 MAC warheads. In addition, ATK manufactures the copper liner for the AGM-114K’s main shaped-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.

April 8/10: Lockheed Martin announces success in its 1st live warhead proof-of-principle (POP) flight test, conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. The test featured a lock-on-after-launch engagement of a stationary target board at 1.6 miles/ 2.5 km, launched with a low trajectory suitable for a military operation in urban terrain. The multi-purpose, multi-stage warhead was set with a delayed fuze that allows the missile to penetrate the target before detonating.

The AGM-114R’s multi-purpose warhead and electronic safe, arm and fire, or (ESAF) module were the critical technologies being tested.

March 26/10: Hellfire Systems in Orlando, FL received a $268.75 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, exercising FY 2010 options for 3,955 Hellfire II missiles. Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/13. US Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).

Feb 18/10: The US Army announces that its MQ-1C ER/MP UAV has successfully completed a series of tests with a HELLFIRE II UAS missile variant, whose 360-degree targeting ability allows UAVs that lack a helicopter’s instant maneuverability to put missiles on target faster. Testing began on Nov 22/09, and took place at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA, following cooperation from General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc.’s Software Integration Laboratory, the company’s El Mirage Flight Test Facility in El Mirage, CA, and Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

The tests began with dry runs and an inert test missile, followed by a successful “cold” pass using a live missile to verify lock-on, followed by “hot pass” firing. November and December involved testing in various conditions, from varying altitudes, against stationary or moving targets. Tests recorded 9 successful shots, which helped pave the way for the MQ-1C UAV’s February 2010 Milestone C production approval.

Iraq performance,
25ID’s 25 CAB, 2006-2007

Aug 18/08: Hellfire Systems in Orlando, FL received a $356.7 million firm-fixed price contract for Hellfire II High-Energy Anti-Tank missiles. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL, and is expected to be complete by Oct 31/11. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The US Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (W31P4Q-08-C-0361).

The DefenseLINK release is almost certainly referring to the AGM-114K Hellfire II missile, but Lockheed Martin spokespeople add that the contract also includes options for up to 200 training missiles, for additional orders in FY 2009 and 2010, for Foreign Military Sales buyers, and for up to 1,200 variant conversions. If exercised, those options could increase the contract’s value to over $1 billion, and secure Hellfire missile production until 2013.

To date, American forces have fired more than 6,800 Hellfires in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 22,000 rounds since Hellfire II production began in 1994. Lockheed Martin release.

Appendix A: A Sticky Situation: Lockheed’s 2008 (I)TAR Baby

US AH-64A
(click to view full)

The Hellfire missile also made the news in a different capacity. Lockheed Martin discovered that efforts to sell 460 more Hellfire missiles to the UAE in 2003-2004 had crossed the line, by failing to get proper ITAR approvals beforehand for certain discussions, and by divulging classified missile-related information to a UAE Air Force officer in response to questions.

The UAE was already a Hellfire customer at that time for its AH-64A Apache helicopters, but that does not remove the procedural requirements, and weapon export requirements are taken very seriously by all concerned.

Lockheed Martin discovered the mistakes itself, and informed the US Department of State, which manages ITAR. The final settlement involves a $4 million fine, with $1 million of that suspended if Lockheed Martin meets certain criteria for improved internal compliance measures. Reuters | NY Times’ International Herald-Tribune

Appendix B: Additional Readings

• Lockheed Martin – Hellfire II Missile

• Boeing – History: Rockwell International AGM-114 Hellfire

• Global Security – AGM-114 Hellfire Modular Missile System (HMMS)

• Designation Systems – Boeing/Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire

• DID – JAGM: Joint Common Missile Program Fired – But Not Forgotten. JAGM will replace AGM-114 Hellfire, *GM-71 TOW, and AGM-65 Maverick missile variants on Army and Navy helicopters, UAVs, and fighter aircraft.

Americas

PAE Aviation and Technical Services won a $19.7 million contract modification for the Aerial Targets Program.  The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional year of service under the multiple year contract which directly supports live-fire weapon system testing and enables the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group to perform developmental and operational weapons testing for all air-to-air missiles for F-15, F-16, F-22, and F-35 aircraft. Work will take place at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida; and Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Expected completion date is September 30, 2021.

Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust won a $16.5 million deal for the ownership, operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater utility systems at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Earlier this month Oklahoma City officials authorized the city’s Water Utilities Trust and the city attorney’s office to finalize a draft contract with the federal government to modernize the base’s aging water and sewer systems. In March 2017 the Air Force tapped Honeywell with a $243 million contract to reduce energy consumption and costs at Tinker. That deal included updating wastewater treatment systems as well modernizing manufacturing lines, installing two new 2,000-ton chillers, installing smart meters and LED lighting and decentralizing the steam heating plant to use less energy. Work will take place in Oklahoma. Estimated completion date is August 31, 2071.

Middle East & Africa

The Israeli Ministry of Defense released the first images from the new Ofek 16 satellite on August 25. The Ofek 16 was launched on July 6. According to the ministry, this is the first time it has released recent imagery from one of its satellites. The greyscale images showed the Roman Theatre and Temple of Bel in the ruined city of Palmyra in central Syria. In a statement, the Defense Ministry said the camera on Ofek 16 that took the photos was developed in a hitherto-classified joint project by the ministry’s research and development department, known by the Hebrew acronym MAFAT, and the Elbit Systems defense contractor.

Europe

Three kayakers have been rescued in a multi-agency response featuring a Royal Navy warship, the BBC reports. It is understood that HMS Sutherland was sailing along the west coast near Skye when it received a request to assist coastguard teams in rescuing three individuals from a nearby loch. The operation also involved the RNLI, the coastguard and nearby fishing boats. A Maritime and Coastguard spokesman said: “HM Coastguard received a report of three kayakers in difficulty at Loch Torridon, in the north-west Highlands. Kyle Coastguard Rescue Team, the Portree RNLI lifeboat and the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway were sent to assist at the scene. HMS Sutherland and a number of nearby fishing boats and other vessels also responded immediately and assisted.“

Asia-Pacific

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected to rectify a plan to buy 20 F-35As and 20 F-35Bs under phase 2 of its FX III fighter program in October’s meeting. The purchase is expected to cost $6.7 billion and the priority is to acquire the B-model first in order for the short take-off and vertical landing aircraft (STOVL) to operate on the light aircraft carrier that Seoul intends to build.

Former Indian Navy aircraft carrier and Falklands War veteran INS Viraat will arrive at Alang shipyard next month to be dismantled. It was purchased by shipping firm Shri Ram Shipping after attempts to convert it into a museum failed. The iconic warship is hailed as the longest serving warship in the world. It was first commissioned as HMS Hermes by the British Royal Navy in 1959. It was deployed for peacekeeping mission to Sri Lanka in 1988 and Kargil War in 1999.

Today’s Video

Watch: SINGLE F-35 EVEN IN STEALTH CONFIGURATION DROPS 8 GBU-39 SMALL DIAMETER BOMB ON TARGET ACCURATELY!

Americas

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $15.5 million contract modification, that adds performance for site relocation activities and exercises an option to extend intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services utilizing contractor-owned/contractor-operated MQ-9 unmanned air systems. The Reaper is a UAV capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. The MQ-9 Reaper has an operational ceiling of 50,000ft, a maximum internal payload of 800lb and external payload over 3,000lb. It can carry up to four Hellfire II anti-armor missiles and two laser-guided bombs (GBU-12 or EGBU-12) and 500lb GBU-38 JDAM (joint direct attack munition). In May 2008, a USAF Reaper successfully test dropped four Raytheon GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II 500lb bombs, which have laser and GPS guidance. Work will take place in Arizona, California and other locations outside the continental US. Expected completion is in December 2020.

Areté Associated von a $9.7 million contract for integration services supporting incremental upgrades, block upgrades and future generations of MK 18 Family of Systems unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), additional UUVs and remotely operated vehicles. This 17-month contract includes no options.The Mk 18 Mod 1 Swordfish UUV is capable of performing low-visible exploration and reconnaissance in support of amphibious landing; mine countermeasures operations such as search, classification, mapping, reacquire, and identification; hydrographic mapping at depths from 10 to 40 feet. Work will take place in Arizona and Florida. Estimated completion is August 24, 2020-

Middle East & Africa

Turkey and Qatar will help restructure forces loyal to Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) into a regular army based on the model that Turkey used to train the military of Azerbaijan after it became an independent country, turkish media reported. The three-way agreement was announced after talks in Tripoli between GNA Deputy Defense Minister Salah al-Namroush, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, and Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah.

Europe

According to Rheinmetall, Hungary has embarked on a massive program worth over two billion euros (2.4 billion dollars) to modernize the country’s defense industry and military capabilities. Rheinmetall will be cooperating with Hungary to create a joint venture and production facility in Hungary to manufacture the most modern Lynx infantry fighting vehicle. Hungary is the first NATO and EU member state to choose the Düsseldorf-based Group’s innovative new IFV.

A giant Antonov AN-124 cargo aircraft touched down at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to make an oversized delivery of a new Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) heading to RAF Lossiemouth, according to the UK Ministry of Defense. The simulator is one of two that will be installed in the new £100-million strategic facility built by Boeing Defence UK. From Autumn 2020, RAF Lossiemouth will be the headquarters of the UK’s submarine-hunting Poseidon MRA Mk1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft fleet.

Asia-Pacific

According to Indian media, the United States and India seem to be finally ready to sign an agreement to share geospatial defense intelligence. The two countries might sign the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) during a virtual “2+2” foreign and defense ministers/secretaries’ dialogue in September. BECA is the last of the four “foundational” agreements that underpin deepening defense cooperation between the two countries. When signed, BECA will allow the United States to share satellite and other sensor data with India in order to improve the Indian military’s targeting and navigation capabilities.

Today’s Video

Watch: Defence Updates #1042 – Rafale New Base, BrahMos Export, DRDO 108 System List, MiG-21 Shot JF-17