Defense`s Feeds

MWMIK Jackal
(click to view full)

Britain is part of the general push by western countries to field heavier, mine-protected vehicles, via orders for the Mastiff Cougar variant and its smaller 4×4 Ridgback companion. UK forces are also fielding vehicles like the Land Rover WMIK (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) that have a very different core concept: firepower and visibility over protection. When deployed in mixed groups with more protected vehicles, and used on open terrain like the plains of southern Afghanistan, ‘the porcupine’ (WMIK) has earned enemy respect and commander requests.

The British sought to build on the WMIK’s strengths, while asking for a vehicle that offered both greater firepower, and better off-road mobility. In response, Supacat’s High Mobility Transporter (HMT) was adapted, then adopted, by the British (“Jackal”) and by Australia’s SAS commandos (“Nary”). Success led to more British orders for Jackal 2 and HMT 600 “Coyote” designs, and now Australian Special Forces are adding the new Extenda vehicle to their fleet.

Supacat’s MWMIK/ Jackal: Origins and Program

Jackal, front
(click to view full)

The Jackals have a somewhat complicated history. As Battlespace Magazine notes:

“The initial history of the MWMIK was littered with cost overruns, delays and technology changes which resulted in the MoD taking IPR for the top hamper design of the vehicle. The vehicle was developed as a result of an MoD requirement for replacement of the aging Pink Panther Land Rovers. The previous UOR, issued in 1982, caused the then Technical Director of SMC, Mike Stone, to say, “The only thing this vehicle [specification] can’t do is fly!” SMC declined to bid!

Thus, when the UOR (Urgent Operational Requirement) for this replacement vehicle was issued in 1999 it had, once again, a very onerous specification. Many companies bid the UOR including ATK, Ricardo and AutomotiveTechnik, but the contract was won by Supacat which ticked all the capability boxes. It rapidly became apparent that the vehicle offered by Supacat, the HMT, although superior in performance and speed, lacked the engineering and support required for the vehicle.

Thus, after many months of protracted negotiations, the MoD took some IPR over the vehicle which allowed it to purchase further batches, and a deal was hammered out with DML which allowed it to recoup some of the money in establishing the assembly for the initial batch. Supacat had obtained the sales and deign rights for the vehicle from HMT Vehicles Ltd a fledgling Scottish Company owned by the Duke Of Hamilton and the Trustees of the Hamilton Estates along with other investors.”

Jackal family vehicles are designed by Supacat in Honiton, Devon, but manufacturing is done by a company known for ship-building and nuclear submarines. Babcock subsidiary Devonport Management Ltd (DML) will build it at their Devonport dockyard in Plymouth, as part of a larger diversification effort to reduce dependence on dwindling ship-building contracts for the Royal Navy et. al. In April 2009, the 2 firms formalized their alliance.

A single project office, located at Dunkeswell in Devon, provides overall control. Supacat is the design authority, responsible for design, development, prototyping, integration and overall program management. Babcock took responsibility for detailed production planning, purchasing and manufacture. Other industrial partners include:

• Allison (transmission)
  
• Cummins (engine)
  
• Frazer-Nash systems engineering consultancy (assistance during testing and trials)
  
• Universal Engineering (chassis)

Lockheed Martin’s INSYS land vehicle subsidiary is also involved, thanks to its acquisition of original designer HMT Vehicles Ltd. HMT had originally negotiated a royalty of GBP 4,000 per axle for the vehicle, but the arrival of British contracts has reportedly led INSYS to reduce that royalty.

To date, Britain has ordered over 565 vehicles in the Jackal family:

• 35 HMT MEPs for Project Soothsayer (canceled in 2009)
  
• 202 Jackal 1s
  
• 120+ Jackal 2s
  
• 140 Jackal 2As
  
• 70+ Coyote TSV-Ls.

Jackal, Afghanistan
(click to view full)

The approximate contract value of the various British buys is over GBP 350 million. That includes GBP 174 million for Jackal 1 + GBP 140 million for the Jackal 2 and Coyote buys + GBP 45 million has been spent ordering Jackal 2As. The first Jackal 1 vehicles entered service in November 2007, and were in theater in early 2008. The Jackal 2s entered service in August 2009, as did the cargo-carrying Coyote TSV-L, which is based on the 6×6 HMT 600.

Supacat has been hoping for continued orders from the British government, and/or other governments around the world, in order to keep the ball rolling. Follow-on work has materialized from Britain, Australia became the vehicle’s second special forces customer, with total orders rising to 120, and Canada currently has a special forces vehicle competition underway. Even so, the pace of deliveries has been challenging for Supacat.

Supacat’s HMTs: The Vehicles

Jackal & Jackal 2
click for video

The new Supacat MWMIK/ Jackal has provisions for 2 crew-served weapons, just like the Land Rover WMIK. The other similarity is that it’s an open vehicle, so the crew has a full field of visibility and fire with rifles, light 5.56mm machine guns, or whatever is at hand. The Supacat HMT Jackal is larger at 5.39 m/ 17’8″ long, and 6,650 kg/ 14,660 pounds. Key advantages include smoke/specialty grenade launchers as integral fittings, longer driving range, greater carrying capacity (4 tonnes), and far better off-road mobility than its Land Rover counterpart. Some concerns did remain, however. Battlespace magazine:

“One stumbling block is believed to be the requirement to armour the front cab, an addition which not only adds weight to the front axle but also overall weight which may affect the ability to heli-lift the system. Another area of concern would be mobility in rough terrain with a 6×4 system with weight added. The Carmichael 6×4 Fire Engines purchased by the MoD in the eighties suffered from problems in rough and wet terrain due to the 3rd trailing non-driven axle getting stuck in the mud.”

Jackal 2
(click to view full)

In the end, even more armor became mandatory. The follow-on Jackal 2 adds weight by adding some side armoring as standard equipment, and providing space for an additional crew member. A larger 6.7 liter engine replaces the original vehicle’s 5.9 liter Cummins ISBe Euro3, in order to maintain similar performance. The upgraded Jackal 2A’s most significant change involves a new cab design with integrated mine blast protection. Supacat says that it’s easier to build, and offers better protection than the Jackal 2’s system. Even so, the HMT family’s defenses against mines or small arms fire are best described as limited.

An optional “Extenda” module can add a third axle, turning the vehicle from a 4×4 into a 6×4 wheel base, and adding length and storage space. Conversation takes 2 hours, and requires a forklift. The Coyote TSV-Light (HMT 600) is built as a 6×6 version from the outset, and will be used to carry supplies alongside its brethren.

Extenda SOF
(click to view full)

The Supacats have very good all-terrain capability. Even so, they aren’t tracked vehicles; as Canada’s Afghan experiences alongside the British have shown, this can become an operational limitation. Fortunately, the vehicle’s intended use as a special forces vehicle and long-range reconnaissance platform is likely to keep the Jackal away from most of those situations.

When the terrain is suitable, the Jackal’s engine can push it to a top speed of 130 kmh/ 80 mph. Given convoy operational procedures and the ever-present dangers of mines from the enemy or even from the Soviet era, that mobility isn’t likely to be used very often during convoy operations. It may help get a scout group or special forces team out of the kill zone quickly, however, should they come under fire in ambushes. Absent protection, it does pay to have speed.

Contracts and Key Events 2011 – 2020

Australia.

Leaving Afghanistan

Aug 19/14: Australia. Australia’s Defence Material Organisation awards Supacat a $105 million contract to deliver 89 HMT Extenda Mk2 Special Operations Vehicle – Commando (SOV-Cdo) in 4 variants, under the JP2097 Ph 1B (REDFIN) program. The vehicles are convertible to either a 4×4 or 6×6 configuration, as required, and will supplement the existing 31 HMT “Nary” vehicles used by the Australian SAS. Sources: Supacat, “Supacat to deliver 89 Special Operations Vehicles – Commando under $105m contract for JP2097 Ph 1B (REDFIN) Program”.

Australia: 89 HMT Mk2 Extenda

July 10/20: From UK To Estonia Estonian Special Forces deploying to Mali will be loaned four Jackal armored vehicles by the Ministry of Defense. Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey confirmed the loan, plus a three-week training package, for elite soldiers of the Estonian Armed Forces. The loan will equip Estonian troops as they join the fight against Islamic terrorism in the Sahel region of Africa, a further example of the UK’s strong partnership with one of its closest NATO allies, say the MoD.

December 2013: UOR to Core. The Ministry’s Defence Equipment & Sustainment group confirms that blast-resistant vehicles will become something of a ‘new normal’ for Britain’s Army. Most blast-resistant Protected Patrol Vehicles (PPV) will be sustained as long-term additions to the force, and so will all of the Jackal all-terrain vehicles and Coyote TSV all-terrain supply vehicles. Vehicles that have survived will go through “regeneration” to make repairs, convert some vehicles to different roles, bring them into line with UK regulations for local use, etc. DE&S:

“Also included is a range of ancillary equipment procured at short notice to provide additional safety features to the deployed fleets, including minerollers, emergency lighting and egress equipment and rollover protection. The vehicles will now form the backbone of patrol capabilities for Army 2020… Husky, Mastiff and Ridgback will be issued to protected mobility infantry battalions, combat support and combat service support units. Jackal and Coyote will be used by some of the newly-badged light cavalry units…. The estimated cost for the minor work, conversions and support is thought to be in the region of [GBP] 300 million over four years.”

The Jackals Sources: UK DE&S Desider magazine, “Protected Vehicles From UOR to core”.

June 19/13: Industrial. Supacat partners with Navistar Defence, signing a a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a team that will integrate their existing support structures for their Jackal and Husky Urgent Operational Requirement vehicles. that will help them prepare to become a “Strategic Support Supplier” that could service over 1,000 vehicles, which have been bought under various urgent requirements by the U.K. Defence Equipment and Support’s (DE&S) Protected Mobility Team (PMT). Sources: Supacat, “Supacat and Navistar defence sign MoU providing future joint support to the U.K. MoD protected mobility fleet”.

Dec 14/12: Australia. Supacat delivers a prototype of its new special operations vehicle to the Australian Defence Force under Project REDFIN 1B, on time and on budget. The decision to buy up to 76 of them, as supplements to the existing 31-vehicle Nary HMT fleet, is still a couple of years away. Sources: Supacat, “Supacat successfully delivers REDFIN 1B vehicle prototype to the Australian Defence Force”.

April 16/12: Australia win. Supacat announces that they are the Preferred Bidder for Australia’s JP2097 Ph 1B (REDFIN) program’s Special Operations Vehicles, and received an unspecified initial contract for the Project Definition and Evaluation (PD&E) phase.

Supacat’s HMT Extenda offers considerable commonality with the SAS’ Supacat Narys, but adds additional armoring options, as well as the extra module in back that can turn it from a 4×4 into a 6×4.

Supacat Managing Director Nick Ames calls the REDFIN 1B award “pivotal to Supacat’s expansion,” and the end of British HMT family orders gives that assertion weight. The problem is timing. Australia’s DMO is expected to acquire a fleet of about 76 vehicles under a separate contract, after PD&E is done. But that’s expected to happen around 2014-2015. The 14-company Supacat Team Australia group (vid. Oct 13/11 entry) will run the project from their Melbourne program office, in collaboration with Australia’s chosen battlefield C2 provider Elbit Systems.

Australia picks Supacat

March 7/12: USP acquired. Supacat Pty Ltd. buys the business assets and staff of Unique Solution Partners Pty Ltd. (USP) based in Melbourne, Australia. USP was already part of Team Supacat Australia, and Supacat’s release says that:

“The acquisition is in line with the strategy announced last October of the creation of a Supacat operational capability in Australia. The acquisition enhances Supacat’s capability to provide in-country support to existing fleets in the critical areas of design and engineering.

In addition to a general automotive engineering capability, USP provides Supacat with world-class capabilities in Computer Aided Engineering, Composite Material Technology and Prototype Development. It also provides a strategic foothold in the Asia Pacific region.”

Jackal, Afghanistan
(click to view full)

Dec 12/11: A Force Protection release says they have been informed that their entry lost Australia’s REDFIN competition, but doesn’t mention a winner. Neither do other releases, yet.

Oct 13/11: Team Australia. Supacat announces their operational launch in Australia, and names the 15 partner firms in Supacat Team Australia.

Australian Michael Halloran will transfer as Managing Director, from his current position as Director & General Manager of Supacat’s UK operations. It will be Supacat’s 1st international office, and will extend beyond defense to include Supacat’s solutions for Australia’s very large mining sector, among other civil opportunities.

If Supacat’s JP2097 Ph 1B REDFIN program bid wins, VEEM Pty Ltd will extend its current support role from the existing 31-vehicle Nary HMT contract, to add the 76 new Extenda HMTs. Other Team Australia partners include Aerostaff, Andrew Engineering, Baker and Provan, Broens Industries, Cablex, Eggler Consulting Engineers, Hallmark Logistics & Engineering, Hofmann Engineering, Marand Precision Engineering, PS Management Consultants, QinetiQ, Tectonica Australia, and Unique Solution Partners. Supacat.

Aug 15/11: Australia. Supacat Team Australia submits its 76-vehicle bid for the JP2097 Phase 1B “REDFIN” program, offering their Special Forces HMT Extenda vehicle. The Extenda shares commonality with the Nary HMT, which Supacat delivered for Australian SAS use in 2008-2009 (q.v. Oct 27/08 entry). Supacat.

2009 – 2010

Jackal 2A.

Coyote TSV
(click to view full)

June 23/10: +140. The new coalition government’s Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, says they will be buying 140 of Supacat’s Jackal 2As, alongside 28 more Wolfhound blast-protected TSV-H heavy cargo vehicles from Force Protection. The pair of contracts is reported to be worth a total of GBP 65 million (about $96.8 million), and Supacat’s release confirms its share at GBP 45 million (about $67 million). This new order will bring the total number of Jackal variants in service with the UK Armed Forces to over 530.

The upgraded Jackal 2A is an enhanced version of the successful Jackal 2. The most significant change involves a new cab design with integrated mine blast protection. Supacat says that it’s easier to build, and offers better protection than the Jackal 2’s system. Production began in February 2010, right after the firm finished deliveries on the April 2009 order for Jackal 2 and 6×6 Coyote TSV-L cargo variants. Supacat | Defense News | UK MoD.

UK: 140 Jackal 2As

April 6/10: RAF, too? The RAF announces that No 3 Sqn RAF Regiment took delivery of 2 Supacat Jackal-2 vehicles in early March 2010, as part of a 2 month long assessment of its suitability for Force Protection Operations in the Area of Operations around Bastion Joint Operating Base in Helmand, Afghanistan.

It is expected that the Jackal, which has already proven itself in Afghanistan with other service branches, will replace the RAF Regiment’s current fielded fleet of Land Rover RWMIK vehicles.

April 22/09: Jackals & Coyotes. Britain’s Ministry of Defence announces a GBP 74 million ($108 million equivalent) order for “around 110 enhanced Jackal 2 vehicles and more than 70 Coyote Tactical Support Vehicles.”

Supacat as the vehicle designer has been awarded the prime contract, but GBP 55 million will be subcontracted to Babcock as the vehicle manufacturer. Most of these vehicles are expected to be delivered during 2009. Supacat would later confirm the total as over 120 Jackal 2s, with final deliveries taking place in February 2010. UK MoD | Babcock.

UK: 120 Jackal 2s, 70 Coyote TSVs

April 22/09: Babcock deal. Supacat and Babcock formalize their cooperation on the Jackal program. Supacat is the design authority, responsible for design, development, prototyping, integration and overall program management. Babcock will take responsibility for detailed production planning, purchasing and manufacture at their Devonport dockyard facility. A single project office, located at Dunkeswell in Devon, will provide overall control. Supacat | Babcock International [PDF].

Partnership agreement

March 10/09: Canada? The Ottawa Citizen’s David Pugliese relays a CASR report that Canada’s JTF2 Special forces may be about to order 100 Jackals as their special operations vehicles, and adds research of his own. According to Pugliese, Mercedes’ Wolf G-Wagen variant is not a finalist; instead, the Jackal’s competition will be a special operations adaptation of the Hummer: the GMV-S used by some American special forces.

Canada’s solicitation is for 80 special reconnaissance vehicles and 20 quick reaction vehicles, to be fielded in a number of variants: troop carrier/weapons platform, cargo carrier with an optional tow package and trailer, ambulance, and a simpler litter carrier for stretcher cases.

2007 – 2008

 

Jackal, armed

Nov 19/08: Coyote wins TSV-L. The UK MoD selects a 6×6 version of Supacat’s Jackal as its preferred choice for the Coyote TSV (Light), an all-terrain vehicle with enhanced carrying capacity. It’s expected to operate alongside Jackal vehicles as supply carriers.

At this point, exact vehicle numbers and costs have yet to be finalized, but Supacat eventually confirms “over 70” vehicles ordered. This purchase is part of a GBP 700 million land vehicle upgrade round that was first announced on Oct 29/08. UK MoD Oct 29 | UK MoD Nov 19.

Oct 27/08: Australia’s Nary. While visiting the Australian Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) at Campbell Barracks in Western Australia, the Minister for Defence inspects the first Nary Special Operations Vehicles (SOVs) delivered under Project Redfin. They replace the current set of long range patrol vehicles. Project Redfin is designed to enhance the ADF’s Special Operations equipment, and will introduce a range of combat and support vehicles.

Australia’s DoD confirms that they have ordered 31 SOVs, whose design is based upon the Supacat HMT. Australia’s version has been named the ‘Nary,’ in honor of SASR Warrant Officer Class Two David Nary, who died during a training operation in the Middle East in 2005. Australian DoD release.

Australia: 31 HMT/ Nary

Oct 16/08: Not mine. The Supacats are not designed for mine protection. UK MoD release:

“It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Trooper James Munday, of 1 Troop, D Squadron, the Household Cavalry Regiment, on Wednesday 15 October 2008. Trooper Munday was serving as a Jackal driver on Operation HERRICK 8 when he was killed in action in Helmand province. His Troop was conducting a routine patrol approximately 23km north of Forward Operating Base Delhi when he was killed by a contact explosion [land mine].”

May 8/08: +72. Supacat announces that the UK MoD is buying another 72 Jackal vehicles, bringing total UK Jackal 1 orders to 202 (237 if Soothsayer vehicles are counted).

UK: 72 Jackals

Apr 25/08: The UK MoD announces that the first MWMIK Jackal courses for drivers and driver instructors have just finished at the Defence School of Transport (DST).

At this point, there are 10 instructors on the Jackal at DST, with 12 of the vehicles at their disposal to be used for some 24 courses per year. All potential Jackal operators from 3 Commando Brigade, approximately 120, will train on the vehicle initially at DST. The article adds that the vehicle is already being used in the field by 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Sept 5/07: 130 Jackals. The UK MoD announces a GBP 30 million contract for 130 Supacat HMT MWMIK/Jackal vehicles.

UK: 130 Jackals

Appendix A: How Land Rover Lacunae Left Britain Looking

Land Rover WMIK,
40mm GMG & GPMG
(click to view full)

The British Land Rover WMIK (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) lacks even the protection levels of an armored Hummer. It’s a flat-bottomed vehicle with the troops positioned over the axles, which is where pressure mines will detonate. It has very little armor on the sides, no doors, and lacks a roof to protect its crew from the elements. Its weapons even lack transparent gunshields.

This is sometimes costly, vid. the June 9/07 incident outside of Sangin, Afghanistan. What the WMIK it does have is a pair of weapon mounts for firepower overmatch. The main mount can take a heavy machine gun for accurate ranged fire, or the 40mm grenade machine guns that have been in demand for their devastating area effects, or even a Javelin missile for use as a scouting mechanism and ultra-accurate long range shot. There’s also a lighter 7.62mm machine gun mount next to the “shotgun” front seat.

The “infantry enhancement” effect is similar to adding one of the Royal Marines’ popular BvS-10 Viking tracked vehicles, but with an adjusted set of plusses and minuses. The Land Rover WMIK/ Jackal’s advantages include:

• Higher top speed
  
• Better all-round visibility
  
• Air portability via helicopters smaller than a CH-47 Chinook
  
• Lower costs

Drawbacks include:

• Cannot traverse some Afghan terrain that would be accessible to BVS10s
  
• Less armor protection in all dimensions, verging on none
  
• Less versatility in terms of possible battlefield roles

BvS-10, Afghanistan –
note anti-RPG ‘cage armor’
(click to view full)

On balance, however, these trade-offs appeared to be acceptable to commanders in theater. The WMIK became popular, and the Taliban reportedly refer to them as ‘porcupines’ due to their appearance and effect. They worked with some reconnaissance and elite elements, acted as advance scouts for some supply convoys, and also took up middle and rear positions to provide sudden firepower while the convoys are running. Even so, they took no shortage of criticism.

On May 3/07, the UK MoD responded to press reports by saying:

“A newspaper repeats claims from earlier this week that British commanders in Afghanistan have complained that they do not have enough combat vehicles, especially the heavily-armed Land Rover “wimiks” (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit or WMIK). There are sufficient vehicles in Afghanistan to conduct our extant operations, and further vehicles have been delivered to allow for a planned step-change in the overall campaign. The new armoured Vector vehicles, purchased specifically for operations in Afghanistan, and the new Mastiff vehicles [DID: Cougar MRAPs, see DID coverage] have arrived in theatre. We’ve received the first tranches of these so far, with an additional batches coming in regularly and more to follow.”

Those helped, but they didn’t solve the problem of full all-terrain mobility needed by special forces, and increasingly by regular British troops as well. Hence the MWMIK’s designation as an “Urgent Operational Requirement,” and the string of contracts from 2007 to 2009.

At the time of the September 2007 MWMIK/Jackal announcement, there were 300 Land Rover WMIKs in the task force. Now they’ve added hundreds more upgraded Supacat/DML Jackals to that mix, which were delivered through 2010 as Urgent Operational Requirements.

Additional Readings

• British Army – Jackal 2.

• British Army – Coyote TSV (Light).

• Supacat – HMT Family.

• Elite UK Forces – Mobility Troop – SupaCAT HMT 400 / MWMIK. Says that the vehicle has been ordered by Britain’s SAS as a long-range patrol vehicle, as a replacement for their Land Rovers.

• Australian DoD – JP2097 Phase 1B REDFIN – Enhancements to Special Operations Capability. 2013 snapshot.

• CASR – Canadian Forces Special Operations Vehicles – Special Reconnaissance (SR) and Quick Reaction (QR) Vehicles – the Candidates.

News & Views

• UK MoD (Aug 20/10) – Jackal keeps proving its worth in Afghanistan. Includes overall program buys and dates.

• UK MoD (Oct 13/09) – Helmand-bound Cavalry test Jackals on the dunes.

• UK MoD (March 25/09) – British Forces attack Taliban in the Snake’s Belly. Narrates Operation KAPCHA BAZ (“Cobra Eagle” in Pashtu). Note the Jackal’s varying roles, from fast-moving firepower overmatch to work in pursuit and blocking roles.

• DID (Nov 4/08) – UK SAS Commander Quits, Citing Inadequate Equipment. The commander had specifically asked for Jackal all-terrain vehicles, instead of the Land Rover Snatch vehicle that failed to protect his road-bound troops. He was refused.

• UK MoD (June 5/08) – Taking the Jackal for a spin. While the author praises the vehicle’s ability to handle terrain, terrain won’t be the only threat the vehicle will face, by any means.

• UK MoD (Dec 3/07) – “Just one bloke who got a medal”: Marine who hammered the Taliban. Describes the efforts by WMIK gunner and Royal Marine Corporal John Thompson that earned him the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, which is just one level lower than the Victoria/George crosses as a combat decoration.

• Plymouth Herald (Sept 6/07) – DML CONTRACT MAY START A BOOM.

• Daily Mail (Sept 5/07) – Army to use ‘Mad Max’ 4×4 to fight Taliban.

• UK MoD (Sept 5/07) – MOD signs contract for new Army patrol vehicles.

• Battlespace Magazine (Vol. 10, Issue 1, July-August 2007) – MWMIK ORDER SUSTAINS DML DRIVE TO DEVELOP MILITARY VEHICLE SEGMENT. The most detailed description of the order, the vehicles, and their history.

• EU Referendum (Aug 28/07) – Imagine this was a “Snatch.” Richard North uses a photo of a US Cougar 6×6 mine-resistant vehicle that had just hit a land mine. Despite a clearly wrecked vehicle, whose engine lay almost 100 years away, the crew all escaped. As one might guess, the MWMIK purchase comes in for strong criticism.

• UK MoD (July 25/07) – New patrol vehicles will give troops enhanced capability.

Americas

Advanced Technology International won a $450.4 million contract modification for large-scale manufacturing of antibodies directed to novel coronavirus. Advanced Technology International provides applied research and commercialization services. The Company offers services in the areas of custom collaborations, enterprise leadership, intellectual property management, compliance management, financial management, contracting and procurement, and collaboration management tools. Currently, there are 3,097,084 registered cases of coronavirus-patients in the US (July 8th). Advanced Technology will perform work in Summerville, Sout Carolina and Tarrytown, New York. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2021.

BAE Systems won a $26.3 million delivery order for E-2D aircraft electronic phase shifters. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 US Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulations 6.302-1. The next-generation, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a new radar, theatre missile defense capabilities, multisensor integration and a Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems tactical glass cockpit. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors has developed the AN/APY-9 solid-state, electronically steered UHF radar under the E-2C radar modernization program. Work will take place in New York. Estimated completion date is November 30, 2027.

Middle East & Africa

The State Department has approved the possible $23 million deal to sell one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and related equipment to the government of Jordan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced. Jordan’s government had asked to buy one UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter in standard US Army configuration, along with related equipment, including a common missile warning system as well as AMPS software development and support services; and other related elements of logistical, engineering, and program support. The UH-60M will supplement Jordan’s existing fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and be used to transport the Jordanian Royal Family. The principal contractors for this deal will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, Conn., and General Electric Aircraft Company in Lynn, Mass.

Europe

Russia will stand up a second MiG-31 squadron at 317th Composite Aviation Regiment at Yelizovo airfield, Jane’s reported. The new unit will be operating the MiG-31BM. Aircraft have started arriving since last year. The regiment currently operates a squadron of 12 MiG-31B and MiG-31BS variants, two squadrons of Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, a squadron of Il-38 ASW aircraft, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, small transport aircraft, and other helicopters.

A month after celebrating her 30th birthday, the HMS Lancaster has now proved herself ready to resume UK defense operations after a refit giving her the latest in Royal Navy hardware. Many feared the vessel would be paid off and disposed of at the time, however, she received a refit that finished in 2019 and it included the fitting of the Artisan 3D radar, Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles and strengthening the backbone of the ship. The Type 23 Frigate arrived back in HMNB Portsmouth, in December 2019. Fears that the vessel would spend the rest of her career tied up alongside before being disposed of were circulating widely in 2017. The fears were calmed however in the form of a response to a written parliamentary question asked by Nicholas Soames and answered by the then Secretary of State for Defense. Harriett Baldwin said: “On current plans, the refit for HMS LANCASTER will commence in mid-2017. She is presently alongside in Portsmouth and is maintained with a minimal ship’s company until her refit.”

Asia-Pacific

Australia is setting its sights on big defense expenditures over the coming decade to support a more active defense concept. The prime minister announced $190 billion in additional defense spending over the next decade, which will include long-range missiles and other capabilities to hold enemies further from its shores. Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned that the post-pandemic world will become more dangerous and announced a renewed focus on Australia’s immediate region, although its military would be open to joining US-led coalitions as it did in Afghanistan and Iraq in campaigns that were in the Australian national interest.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : Army Buying 2000 Akash-1S,F-15EX Offer With AIM-120D,Indian Navy Patrol SCS

Americas

Vigor Marine LLC won a $133.4 million deal to prepare for and accomplish repair and alteration requirements for USS McCampbell (DDG 85) chief of naval operations scheduled depot maintenance availability. USS McCampbell will receive comprehensive modernization for DDG 51 class ships to ensure a mission relevant service life. These improvements will include hull, mechanical and electrical technology insertion; as well as provide critical warfighting improvements, such as upgraded machinery control system, integrated bridge and navigation system (to include physical throttles); advanced galley upgrade; wireless communications and digital video surveillance system upgrade; upgrade to a fiber optic local area network backbone; AEGIS baseline 9 upgrade (that includes updated guns weapons system); enhanced Vertical Launching System; multi-mission signal processor; and Ballistic Missile Defense 5.0 upgrade. USS McCampbell (DDG-85) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. This ship is the 35th destroyer of her class. USS McCampbell was the 20th ship of this class to be built by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine, and construction began on 16 July 1999. She was launched and christened on 2 July 2000. On 17 August 2002, the commissioning ceremony was held at Pier 30 in San Francisco, California. The Arleigh Burke Class guided-missile destroyer is en route to Portland, Oregon, where it will undergo midlife modernization. Following routine maintenance and system upgrades, McCampbell will proceed to Naval Station Everett, Washington, where it will be homeported. Work will take place in Portland, Oregon. Estimated completion will be by November 2021.

The US State Department has given Argentina the OK to procure 27 M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles and related equipment for $100 million. The prime contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems. he Government of Argentina had requested to buy twenty-seven (27) M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles and twenty-seven (27) M2 Flex .50 Cal Machine Guns.  Also included are AN/VAS-5 Driver’s Vision Enhancers; AN/VIC-3 Vehicle Intercom Systems; AN/VRC-91E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS); Basic Issue Items (BIi); Components of End Items (COEI); Additional Authorized List (AAL); Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE); M6 Smoke Grenade launchers and associated spares; Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) De-processing Service; OCONUS Contractor-provided training; Field Service Representatives (FSR); technical manuals; spare parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. Argentina will use the Stryker vehicles to conduct stability operations in support of disaster relief and international peace keeping obligations. The M1126 Stryker is a family of eight-wheel-drive combat vehicles that can travel at speeds up to 62mph on highways, with a range of 312 miles.

Middle East & Africa

The US government also approved the sale to Israel of aviation fuel and other petroleum-based products for an estimated $3 billion. The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval, announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 6 July, covers approximately 990 million US gallons of JP-8 aviation fuel, diesel, and unleaded gasoline. “The proposed sale of the JP-8 aviation fuel will enable Israel to maintain operational aircraft. Diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline will be used for ground vehicles. The proposed sale will improve Israel’s ability to meet current and future threats in order to defend its borders,” the DSCA said.

Europe

Lithuania could buy six UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment from the United States for $380 million. On July 6, the US State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Lithuania. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. The proposed sale of these UH-60 helicopters to Lithuania will increase its capability to provide troop lift, border security, anti-terrorist, medical evacuation, search and rescue, re-supply/external lift, combat support in all weather. These UH-60 helicopters will allow for interoperability with US and NATO forces in rapid response to a variety of missions and quick positioning of troops with minimal helicopter assets.

The DoS approved a possible sale of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft to France, in a deal that would bring the US and French carrier air wings even closer together. The Government of France had requested to buy three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft, ten T-56-427A engines, three AN/APY-9 radar assemblies, four AN/ALQ-217 electronic support measure systems, three AN/AYK-27 Integrated Navigation Channels and Display Systems, five Link-16 (MIDS-JTRS) Communications Systems, ten Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) Devices, four AN/APX-122(A) and AN/APX-123(A) Identification, Friend or Foe systems and one Joint Mission Planning System. Also included are Common Systems Integration Laboratories with/Test Equipment, one in Melbourne, FL, and the other in France; air and ground crew equipment; support equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; transportation; training and training equipment; US Government and cntractor logistics, engineering, and technical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $2 billion. France currently flies the E-2C Hawkeye. The upgraded E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, according to the US Navy “features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness.

Asia-Pacific

The US government has cleared the sale of eight Bell Boeing MV-22 Block C Osprey tiltrotors to Indonesia. The total estimated price of the deal is $2 billion. The sale, if it is executed, will mark the second foreign air arm to purchase the Osprey, with Japan being the first. The prime contractors will be Bell Textron Inc., Amarillo, Texas and The Boeing Company, Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. The Osprey is the world’s only production tiltrotor aircraft, enabling servicemen and women to conduct diverse missions throughout the most difficult operating environments.

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Americas

The US government is ready to send its newest spy satellite, NROL-129, into space on July 15 using a Minotaur 4 rocket. The payload, was craned on top of the former LGM-118 Peacekeeper missile, at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport last week. The launch window is expected to be opened at 1300GMT. NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility plans to provide a live stream of the event. This is the first Minotaur liftoff in nearly three years.

A task force focused on issues of racism, sexism and other biases in the branch was announced by the US Navy this week. “Task Force One Navy” will be led by Rear Admiral Alvin Holsey, who will report his findings to the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Gilday, through the Navy’s Chief of Personnel, Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, the Navy said on Tuesday. A video released last week to Navy personnel, included statements by enlisted Black sailors, commenting on racial and sexual biases they have encountered. At the end, Gilday appears, commenting in part that “as sailors, and as a Navy, we cannot tolerate discrimination or racism of any kind.”

Middle East & Africa

Arab News reports that an agreement has been signed between the General Directorate of Border Troops of Saudi Arabia and the local Military Industry Corporation on the production of joint armored vehicles. The head of the Military Industry Corporation, which is part of Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Military Industry, said that the standard engine tests of the Dahna armored vehicle, which will be produced jointly with the Border Troops, have been completed in accordance with international classification. “The Dahna armored vehicle with a 4 × 4 wheel formula is a multi-purpose vehicle suitable for all conditions and military operations,” he said.

Europe

Serbia unveiled its CH-92A UCAVs. A video report noted: “At the military airport Colonel pilot Milenko Pavlovi? presented unmanned aerial vehicles that arrived from China a few days ago. The Air Force of Serbia received the first part of the delivery of 6 CH-92A aircraft, which will carry two FT-8C missiles with a range of 6.8 km. An agreement was also made to take over the technology used by the CH-92A for a domestically produced BPL of the ‘Pegasus’ type. The Pegasus will also carry two missiles, but for the lower class of the FT-8D type with a range of 5 km. It is expected that in the middle of 2021, the Air Force of Serbia will receive the entire squadron of Pegasus.”

Asia-Pacific

The Japanese government is said to be considering a suggestion to put the Aegis Ashore system on a floating platform out at sea. However, the idea is met with skepticism by some as the floating base is vulnerable to tsunami and from torpedo attacks. Another suggestion was to have two more Aegis-equipped destroyers added to the fleet but the challenge is finding enough personnel to man those warships. One solution proposed was to have Ground Self-Defense Force personnel deployed on board the ships. But having more Aegis warships will not allow Japan to deploy them around the clock as the ships cannot operate effectively during bad weather. Japan announced on June 15 to suspend the Aegis Ashore program as it cannot guarantee that the SM-3’s Mk72 booster can safely drop inside the base in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

News reports from Japan reportedly say the governments of Japan and United States have started talks on how to proceed with the former’s F-X fighter program. According to the reports, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin are involved as well. It is said that the other two American companies are Boeing and Northrop Grumman. While Lockheed’ strength is in stealth technology, Boeing has considerable knowledge on composite materials while Northrop can contribute in radar and electronic warfare technology.

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Americas

An advance in aircraft simulators, allowing F-35 pilots to link with pilots of other aircraft, was announced on Wednesday by Lockheed Martin. For the first time, Lockheed, the F-35 Joint Program Office and the US Air Force successfully connected F-35, F-22, F-16 and E3 airborne warning planes in a simulated environment. Additional platforms, like the F-15, can also connect to the shared virtual environment. The success came during a Distributed Mission Training final acceptance test at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the company said.

The number of cases of coronavirus among active-duty military personnel has more than doubled in the past three weeks, according to information published by the Department of Defense. As of Wednesday, 6,493 U.S. service members currently have the virus — up from 2,807 on June 10. The number of cumulative cases listed on the departments’s website Thursday was 12,521, up from 6,864 cumulative cases on June 3. The Army has surpassed the Navy in terms of the number of cases, with 3,836 as of Thursday, compared to 3,662. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of three service members since the pandemic began. According to Johns Hopkins University’s running totals, there have been at least 2.7 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States, with 128,651 deaths.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will cooperate with the United Arab Emirates’ Group 42 (G42) to research and develop equipment and solutions to tackle the coronavirus, according to media reports. G42 has previously been implicated in the development of ToTok, a messaging app the New York Times reported was “used by the government of the United Arab Emirates to try to track every conversation, movement, relationship, appointment, sound and image of those who install it on their phones”.

Europe

HMS Severn has returned to operational status after her crew completed the three-week Operational Sea Training assessment, according to the Royal Navy. The vessel was originally decommissioned in October 2017 as previously the plan was to replace the Batch 1 River class Offshore Patrol Vessels with the newer Batch 2 vessels. In 2018, it was announced that all vessels will be retained. A&P Defense recently delivered the reactivation refit of HMS Severn as part of an ongoing support contract with BAE Systems.

Asia-Pacific

US aircraft carriers carried out exercises in the South China Sea, US military officials said Saturday as China conducts its own drills in the disputed area. Rear Adm. George Wikoff, commander of the strike group, said the USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz carriers navigated to an unspecified area of the South China Sea for the drills. The move comes days after China began its own exercises in the international waters. The show of force comes as China aggressively lays claim to the islands there, despite counterclaims by neighboring countries, officials said.

Australia will receive delivery of its first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAV in 2023, and of the second and third aircraft by early 2025, Northrop Grumman Australia Chief Executive Chris Deeble has disclosed according to Jane’s. IFC-4 functionality will add a signals intelligence capability to the UAV’s baseline IFC-3 configuration. The production pause proposed in draft US budget papers for USN Triton UAVs in fiscal year 2021 (FY 2021) and FY 2022 provides Australia with an unprecedented opportunity to fill the LRIP-5 production gap with the remainder of its own Triton requirement, said Deeble.

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Americas

Raytheon won a $495.1 million (AMRAAM)>deal for advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) program support and annual sustainment. The contractor will provide non-warranty repairs, program support, contractor logistics support and service life prediction program analysis supporting the AMRAAM weapon system. AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM is in service with the US Air Force, US Navy, and US-allied nations. Work will take place in Tucson, Arizona. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2026.

Sierra Nevada won a $700 million contract in support of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the development and procurement of Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems. The systems will be integrated onto AC-130J Ghostrider and MC-130J Commando II aircraft operated by Air Force Special Operations Command to help protect aircrews from air- and land-based enemy radar and missile systems. The deal includes RFCM system engineering services, logistics support and spare parts. The AC-130J Ghostrider is a modified version of the MC-130J aircraft. The MC-130J Commando II is a special operations tanker aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force Special Operations Command. It is an improved variant of the C-130J aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

Translang won a $7.3 million contract to provide training and support services to ensure the continued sustainment and development of United Arab Emirates National Defense College. The National Defense College of the United Arab Emirates, or NDC, is an education organization in Abu Dhabi that provides advanced training for both senior military officers and civilians. It was officially opened in December 2013. Work will take place in Waynesboro, Virginia. Estimated completion date is July 31, 2022.

The United Arab Emirates’ Joint Aviation Command concluded joint exercises in the Arabian Gulf with US forces, the US Marines said on Wednesday. The naval and air training operations were conducted from June 21 to June 25 and centered on the US Navy’s USS Lewis B. Pulller, an expeditionary mobile base vessel. The operations included tracking and engagement of simulated fast-attack craft, and UAE pilots of CH-47F, Bell 407, AH-64D and UH-60M helicopters completed deck landing qualifications aboard the ship.

Europe

Belarus has declared that its Su-30SM fleet at 61st fighter airbase is now ready to take up combat duty. The country has taken delivery of 4 Su-30SMs so far with the first pair arriving home on November 14, 2019. Su-30SM is a heavy multirole fighter jet. It is designed for aerial fights, for securing supremacy in air, for destroying aerial targets at any time of the day and night in any weather while having to deal with active and passive jamming. The Belarusian defense minister stressed that the Air Force regularly gets modern hardware, including within the framework of cooperation with Russia.

Asia-Pacific

Raytheon won a $27.1 million contract modification for the advanced medium range air-to-air missile program obsolescence. This modification provides for a life of type procurement of known obsolete component in support of production and sustainment through the program of record and foreign military sales procurements. The deal involves foreign military sales to Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Qatar, Romania and Spain. Work will take place in Tucson, Arizona. Expected completion date is August 31, 2021.

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Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $54.4 million delivery order, which procures maintenance support equipment and recurring peculiar support equipment, along with associated non-recurring engineering and integrated logistics support for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The next-generation, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a new radar, theatre missile defense capabilities, multisensor integration and a Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems tactical glass cockpit. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date will be by December 2022.

Sikorsky won a $107 million modification for the low rate initial production of organic capability pilot repair material, technical publications, peculiar support equipment and logistics support for the CH-53K King Stallion aircraft. The Sikorsky CH-53K is a heavy-lift helicopter. It can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. It will also be used to carry external cargo loads. At the end of June, the CH-53K finished two-week sea trial in the Atlantic Ocean. Work under the modification will take place in Connecticut, France, Canada, Florida, Mississippi, New York, Virginia, Arizona, California and the various locations within the continental US. Estimated completion date is in June 2025.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin won a $12.9 million delivery order, which provides for the production and delivery of 62 Audio Management Computer-Lite computers to be used as spares in the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter in support of the Naval Supply Systems Command, the government Australia and Saudi Arabia and to support the development of the Operation Test Program Set for the Navy. Additionally, this order provides for the production and delivery of 33 flight management computers for installation on the Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter and 50 SP-103E circuit cards for retrofit computer upgrades. MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It is considered to be the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter. The helicopter is equipped for a range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search-and-rescue (SAR), naval gunfire support (NGFS), surveillance, communications relay, logistics support and personnel transfer, and vertical replenishment. Work will take place in New York and expected completion will be by August 2023.

Europe

F-35 jets launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth practiced air combat, dogfighting against Typhoons and other F-35s. HMS Queen Elizabeth and her aircraft were recently joined by frigate HMS Kent and a nuclear submarine while on Exercise Crimson Ocean. Exercise Crimson Ocean is geared towards putting the carrier and her F-35s through their paces. The exercise is part of a journey to enable the carrier, her aircraft and her escorts to deploy operationally next year. Next year, HMS Queen Elizabeth will deploy with two frigates, two destroyers, a nuclear submarine and support vessels.

Asia-Pacific

The 353rd Special Operations Group organized exercise Gryphon Jet from June 17-26, 2020 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Over that 10-day period US forces teamed up to execute the high altitude high opening, high altitude low opening, fast rope, and repel training needed to get its special tactics operators where they need to be quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

The Australian government will proceed with the purchase of the AGM-158C, Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs). The US government had cleared the same in February and the deal is worth up to $990 million. However, Australia is reported to be spending $880 million for the purchase. The weapon will be integrated on Australia’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and training will start next year.

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Jiří Šedivý, EDA’s Chief Executive, was in Paris today for talks with the French authorities. It was not only his first official visit since he took office in March but also the first of a ‘tour des capitales’ which will see him paying visits to all Member States in the coming months.

 Mr Šedivý was received at the French Ministry of Defence where he had meetings with Alice Guitton (Director General for International Relations and Strategy), General François Lecointre (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant General Eric Bellot des Minières (Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Defence Planning), General Eric Charpentier (Capability Director at the Defence Staff) as well as Thierry Carlier (National Armaments Director and Director for International Relations at the Direction générale de l'armement, DGA). Mr Šedivý also had meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Philippe Setton (EU Director) and David Bertolotti (Director for Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament).

“We are at a key moment in the implementation of EU defence initiatives: the PESCO strategic review is underway, the first CARD report will be published in November and important aspects related to the European Defence Fund will have to be decided upon later this year. The challenge is further exacerbated by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and its potential repercussions on defence planning and spending in our Member States. These difficult circumstances call for more European defence cooperation, more joint planning and more pooling and sharing of resources and capabilities. During my ‘tour des capitales’ in the coming months, I will listen to all our Member States’ specific ideas and suggestions and exchange views on how we can further improve collaborative capability development in Europe and strengthen the Agency’s role in it. My first stop today in Paris was a very good and promising start”, said Mr Šedivý.

Director General Alice Guitton stated "The year 2020 will be a milestone in strengthening European defence. The COVID-19 crisis has shown the need for deeper European cooperation, decreasing our dependencies, and more efficiency in defence spending, and many critical projects must now be completed. EDA’s work will be critical to help the EU Member States identify, prioritize and develop the key capabilities needed to face future crises and to strengthen European strategic autonomy, in a deteriorating security context, including by ensuring the success of the most recent initiatives, such as the EDF programme and PESCO.”

Jiří Šedivý, EDA’s Chief Executive, was in Paris today for talks with the French authorities. It was not only his first official visit since he took office in March but also the first of a ‘tour des capitales’ which will see him paying visits to all Member States in the coming months.

 Mr Šedivý was received at the French Ministry of Defence where he had meetings with Alice Guitton (Director General for International Relations and Strategy), General François Lecointre (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant General Eric Bellot des Minières (Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Defence Planning), General Eric Charpentier (Capability Director at the Defence Staff) as well as Thierry Carlier (National Armaments Director and Director for International Relations at the Direction générale de l'armement, DGA). Mr Šedivý also had meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Philippe Setton (EU Director) and David Bertolotti (Director for Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament).

“We are at a key moment in the implementation of EU defence initiatives: the PESCO strategic review is underway, the first CARD report will be published in November and important aspects related to the European Defence Fund will have to be decided upon later this year. The challenge is further exacerbated by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and its potential repercussions on defence planning and spending in our Member States. These difficult circumstances call for more European defence cooperation, more joint planning and more pooling and sharing of resources and capabilities. During my ‘tour des capitales’ in the coming months, I will listen to all our Member States’ specific ideas and suggestions and exchange views on how we can further improve collaborative capability development in Europe and strengthen the Agency’s role in it. My first stop today in Paris was a very good and promising start”, said Mr Šedivý.

Director General Alice Guitton stated "The year 2020 will be a milestone in strengthening European defence. The COVID-19 crisis has shown the need for deeper European cooperation, decreasing our dependencies, and more efficiency in defence spending, and many critical projects must now be completed. EDA’s work will be critical to help the EU Member States identify, prioritize and develop the key capabilities needed to face future crises and to strengthen European strategic autonomy, in a deteriorating security context, including by ensuring the success of the most recent initiatives, such as the EDF programme and PESCO.”

Americas

Huntington Ingalls won a $936 million contract modification to exercise the fiscal 2020 option for the construction of a USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 Class ship (DDG 135). This modification also includes options for engineering change proposals, design budgeting requirements and post-delivery availabilities on the fiscal 2020 option ship. The DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Class is a multi-mission warship. It features an advanced anti-submarine warfare system, the AEGIS combat system, the Vertical Launching System, Lockheed’s LMT two embarked SH-60 helicopters along with advanced anti-aircraft missiles and land-attack missiles. Impressively, the warship offers protection against a wide range of threats, including ballistic missiles. Work will take place in Mississippi, Pennsylvania and other locations. Estimated completion date will be by June 2027.

Lockheed Martin won a $67.7 million contract modification, which procures long lead materials, parts, components and support necessary to maintain on-time production and delivery of nine lot 16 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the government of The Netherlands, as well as seven F-35A semiconductors and two F-35B Lightning II aircraft for the government of Italy. Work will take place in Italy, Texas, California, UK, Maryland and New Hampshire. Estimated completion date is in May 2025.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI’s) Drone Guard counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) is to receive a kinetic intercept capability under a collaborative partnership with Iron Drone announced on June 29. The collaboration will see the Drone Guard ground-based range of systems for detecting, tracking, and disrupting UAVs integrated with one or more interception UAVs to physically take down any target unmanned aircraft. All of the components of the Drone Guard system for drone detection, air defense and intelligence collection systems are manufactured by IAI’s ELTA systems, which has sold over 100 units to disrupt the operation of malicious drones. The intercepting drone can be launched during the day or night from a docking station that hosts several ready-to-use drones. It can be steered to the target with the help of the advanced radar integrated with Drone Guard, capable of detecting drones as they enter the airspace.

Europe

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV won a $25.4 million modification for support services for the Javelin weapon system. Javelin is an anti-tank guided munition that can be carried and launched by a single person. It is made by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Lockheed Martin. Foreign Military Sales Funds To the UK in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. Work will take place in June 30, 2025.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won a $7 million deal for follow-on support sustainment of the Republic of Korea Peace Krypton Program. This contract provides for support of the field service representatives, program management, core/field engineering, System Depot Support Facility sustainment, technical manuals sustainment and obsolescence management. Work will take place in Colorado and Seoul, South Korea. Estimated completion date will be December 31, 2020.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said it had awarded Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) a $573 million contract for 20 TA-50 Block 2 aircraft. The agency said the jets will be delivered by 2024. The country currently has 22 TA-50s. TA-50 Block-2 is an upgraded version of KAI’s T-50 trainer jet, which is now in service. The new planes will replace KF-16 fighters, according to DAPA officials. (Yonhap)

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Preparations for the Multinational Multirole Tanker and Transport Fleet (MMF), aimed to increase Air-to-Air Refuelling capabilities in Europe, reached a significant milestone today when the first Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft was delivered to the fleet’s main operating base in Eindhoven. 

In total, the fleet could count up to 11 Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft of which eight have already been procured. While the first of them (MMF1) has now been delivered, the consecutive aircraft (2 to 8) will be delivered in the coming years: a brand new MRTT will be delivered roughly every six months to either Eindhoven (The Netherlands) as the ‘Main Operating Base’ or to Cologne (Germany) as the ‘Forward Operating Base Plus’.
 

Six participating countries so far 

The MMF, managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) with strong support of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) under the ownership of NATO and operated by an international unit, will provide its six participating Member States (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway and the Netherlands) with strategic tanker and transport capabilities. 

Based on a pooling and sharing concept, the participating countries will have access to a total of 8 (and in the future perhaps to 11) Airbus A-330 MRTT aircraft which can provide strategic transport (pax and cargo), air-to-air refuelling and medical evacuation capabilities. 
 

Example of excellent EU/NATO cooperation 

The multinational fleet builds on the excellent cooperation between NATO and EU Member States and Agencies since the very beginning of the project. Back in 2011, the European Defence Agency started an initiative to address the long-standing European shortfall in the air-to-air refuelling capacity. Since then, this initiative has grown into a mature programme handed over to and managed by the NSPA on behalf of the participating countries and supported by OCCAR for the acquisition phase. 

The MMF programme stands as an example on how European countries can cooperate, pooling and sharing resources to get access to state of the art capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to access individually. All the countries involved, independently of their size and the number of flying hours, have access to the MMF capabilities. 

EDA’s Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said: “The Multinational Multirole Tanker and Transport Fleet is a prime example of European defence cooperation done in close coordination with NATO, which shows that once a capability shortfall has been jointly identified, European nations can pull together, work on a common project aimed at filling the gap, and eventually deliver – as they do with today’s delivery of the first aircraft. It’s Pooling & Sharing at its best. The European Defence Agency stands ready to assist additional Member States which are in need of AAR capabilities to explore their potential participation in this important project”. 

NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Camille Grand, said: “The MRTT fleet’s versatility in providing several critical capabilities simultaneously is nothing short of impressive. The aircraft can help respond to crises such as the COVID-19 emergency, by moving medical supplies and conducting medical evacuations. However, the fleet will probably have the most profound impact within the air-to-air refuelling mission, an area where historically many European Allies have lacked capacity. Therefore, the MRTT fleet will help contribute to a fairer transatlantic burden-sharing at NATO. It is also a successful pilot multilateral cooperation project, bringing together a number of Allies and multiple NATO and EU institutions and agencies in support of the delivery of a major capability”. 
 

Background 

The Netherlands and Luxembourg initially launched the programme in July 2016, with the first one as the lead nation of the project. Germany and Norway joined in 2017, Belgium followed in early 2018 and Czech Republic lastly joined the MMF programme in October 2019. 

The MMF aircraft will be operated by the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit (MMU) comprising of military personnel of the participating countries. The unit is based in two permanent operating bases, the Main Operating Base in Eindhoven and the Forward Operating Base in Cologne-Wahn. Among the eight MMF aircraft, five will be based in Eindhoven, and three in Cologne. 
 

More information: 

• Related NATO web story (30 June 2020)

Preparations for the Multinational Multirole Tanker and Transport Fleet (MMF), aimed to increase Air-to-Air Refuelling capabilities in Europe, reached a significant milestone today when the first Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft was delivered to the fleet’s main operating base in Eindhoven. 

In total, the fleet could count up to 11 Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft of which eight have already been procured. While the first of them (MMF1) has now been delivered, the consecutive aircraft (2 to 8) will be delivered in the coming years: a brand new MRTT will be delivered roughly every six months to either Eindhoven (The Netherlands) as the ‘Main Operating Base’ or to Cologne (Germany) as the ‘Forward Operating Base Plus’.
 

Six participating countries so far 

The MMF, managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) with strong support of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) under the ownership of NATO and operated by an international unit, will provide its six participating Member States (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway and the Netherlands) with strategic tanker and transport capabilities. 

Based on a pooling and sharing concept, the participating countries will have access to a total of 8 (and in the future perhaps to 11) Airbus A-330 MRTT aircraft which can provide strategic transport (pax and cargo), air-to-air refuelling and medical evacuation capabilities. 
 

Example of excellent EU/NATO cooperation 

The multinational fleet builds on the excellent cooperation between NATO and EU Member States and Agencies since the very beginning of the project. Back in 2011, the European Defence Agency started an initiative to address the long-standing European shortfall in the air-to-air refuelling capacity. Since then, this initiative has grown into a mature programme handed over to and managed by the NSPA on behalf of the participating countries and supported by OCCAR for the acquisition phase. 

The MMF programme stands as an example on how European countries can cooperate, pooling and sharing resources to get access to state of the art capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to access individually. All the countries involved, independently of their size and the number of flying hours, have access to the MMF capabilities. 

EDA’s Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said: “The Multinational Multirole Tanker and Transport Fleet is a prime example of European defence cooperation done in close coordination with NATO, which shows that once a capability shortfall has been jointly identified, European nations can pull together, work on a common project aimed at filling the gap, and eventually deliver – as they do with today’s delivery of the first aircraft. It’s Pooling & Sharing at its best. The European Defence Agency stands ready to assist additional Member States which are in need of AAR capabilities to explore their potential participation in this important project”. 

NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Camille Grand, said: “The MRTT fleet’s versatility in providing several critical capabilities simultaneously is nothing short of impressive. The aircraft can help respond to crises such as the COVID-19 emergency, by moving medical supplies and conducting medical evacuations. However, the fleet will probably have the most profound impact within the air-to-air refuelling mission, an area where historically many European Allies have lacked capacity. Therefore, the MRTT fleet will help contribute to a fairer transatlantic burden-sharing at NATO. It is also a successful pilot multilateral cooperation project, bringing together a number of Allies and multiple NATO and EU institutions and agencies in support of the delivery of a major capability”. 
 

Background 

The Netherlands and Luxembourg initially launched the programme in July 2016, with the first one as the lead nation of the project. Germany and Norway joined in 2017, Belgium followed in early 2018 and Czech Republic lastly joined the MMF programme in October 2019. 

The MMF aircraft will be operated by the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit (MMU) comprising of military personnel of the participating countries. The unit is based in two permanent operating bases, the Main Operating Base in Eindhoven and the Forward Operating Base in Cologne-Wahn. Among the eight MMF aircraft, five will be based in Eindhoven, and three in Cologne. 
 

More information: 

• Related NATO web story (30 June 2020)

Americas

Bath Iron Works (BIW) won a $132 million deal to fund capital expenditure projects for shipbuilder and supplier industrial base efforts in support of the USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 class destroyer program. The deal will fund shipbuilder and supplier base efforts to address supply chain fragility and to ensure future readiness for the fleet. The Arleigh Burkes are the primary type of ship produced by BIW, a subsidiary of global aerospace and defense company General Dynamics. BIW provides planning yard services for all Arleigh Burke Class and Zumwalt Class destroyers including engineering, design, material kitting, logistics, planning and execution. The shipyard announced the contract modification as the company’s largest union, Local S6, continues to strike over disagreements about the proposed contract between BIW and the union. The union has decried to the company’s plans to continue hiring subcontractors and make changes to seniority privileges. Work will take place in Bath, Maine. Estimated completion will be by June 2028.

Huntington Ingalls won a $22.8 million contract modification for the USS Boise (SSN 764) Smart Start that encompasses continued advance planning, execution services, production and availability preparations for fiscal 2020 USS Boise engineered overhaul. The contracted requirements also include continued advance planning, execution services, production and availability preparations necessary to repair and maintain unrestricted operation of the submarine. It also includes upgrades and modernization efforts required to ensure the submarine is operating at full technical capacity as defined in the availability work package during the chief of naval operation’s scheduled availability. The USS Boise is a Los Angeles Class submarine, The Los Angeles Class is a nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN) in service with the United States Navy. It is armed with both the land-attack and anti-ship version of the Tomahawk missile from Raytheon that can be fitted with a nuclear warhead. Work will take place in Newport News, Virginia. Expected completion will be by September 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems won a sole-source contract in the amount of $2.3 billion under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Under this production contract, the contractor will provide seven Army/Navy Transportable Surveillance and Control Model 2 radars, radar spares, obsolescence design, sustainment services and initial contractor logistics support for KSA. Army/Navy Transportable Surveillance and Control Model 2 radar is a missile defense radar that can detect, track and discriminate ballistic missiles. It operates in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum. This enables it to see targets more clearly and distinguish between an actual menace and non-threats, like launch debris. Work will take place in Massachusetts. Performance period is June 26, 2020 to August 31, 2027.

Raytheon Won a $9.2 million deal for the Qatar Early Warning Radar (QEWR). This modification is for the construction of the communications infrastructure at the QEWR site. The company won a $1.06 billion deal to provide an early warning radar (EWR) to Doha in February 2017. The Qatari radar is expected to add long-range detection to the country’s layered Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture, which includes Patriot systems and an Air Defense Operation Center. A layered defense takes fuller advantage of the specialized abilities of different radars and interceptors. The EWR will provide extra warning time to alert command centers and cue fire control systems. Work will take place in Woburn, Massachusetts and Qatar. Expected completion will be by December 2020.

Europe

Sweden’s ground-launched short-range air defense missile, the RBS 98, was successfully tested this week, the Swedish armed forces announced on Friday. The surface-to-air missile is a variant of the German-made IRIS-T air-to-air missile, in use by 11 countries, including several NATO countries, according to Swedish officials. During the test, the missiles were launched from a trailer pulled by a BvS 10 all-terrain amphibious armored vehicle, known as a Bandvagn 410. The vehicle consists of two tracked units, one carrying a crew of four, and the other carrying four missiles. The RBS 98, officially the Robotsystem 98, was designed to replace the US-made AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, and can engage a target at altitudes up to 12.5 miles.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan has admitted that US troops have been training on the island after a video made by the US Army’s 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) last year showed the soldiers boarding a Black Hawk helicopter with Republic of China markings. The code name of the exercise is Balance Tamper and it involved Taiwan special forces personnel from the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion.

Today’s Video

Watch: DEFENSE UPDATES WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP 28th JUNE – U.S TO UPDATE MILITARY POSTURE TO COUNTER CHINA !

Americas

Boeing won a $16.6 million order, which procures retrofit modification upgrades to the series aircrafts’ F/A-18 Block II Super Hornet and Growler display suites within the Block III Super Hornet and Growler Advanced Cockpit Systems. The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation’s first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellent fighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same time increases strike mission survivability and supplements the F-14 Tomcat in fleet air defense. F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons from air stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. Work will take place in Missouri, Arizona, California and Florida. Estimated completion date will be in February 2025.

General Dynamics won an $11.2 million modification to extend the delivery date of the USS Cowpens (CG 63) fiscal 2018 modernization period from December 28, 2019, to November 25, 2020, in order to complete ship repairs and alterations. USS Cowpens (CG-63) is a Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser in service with the United States Navy The ship is named after the Battle of Cowpens, a major American victory near Cowpens, South Carolina in the American Revolution. She was built at the Bath Iron Works in Maine. Work will take place in San Diego, California. Estimated completion will be by November 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Boeing won a $439.2 million modification for new-build Apache AH-64E aircraft and Longbow crew trainers. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales funds to Morocco in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. Morocco signed a contract with Boeing for 24 of its AH-64 Apache helicopters, becoming the 17th country to acquire the helicopter. Deliveries of the helicopters to Morocco are scheduled to commence in 2024. The helicopter, which has been designed and equipped with an open systems architecture, comprises the latest communications, navigation, sensor and weapon systems. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion date is March 1, 2025.

Europe

Izvestia reports that Russia will test the upgraded Su-57 from summer of 2022 and complete testing in two years. The fighter will have new engines and avionics. The hydraulic actuators will be replace by electric ones. The cockpit will get wide-angle heads up display and panoramic display panels. The Su-57 is a stealth, single-seat, twin-engine multirole fifth-generation jets fighter.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea decided to replace its aging M163 Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS) with the indigenous Anti-Aircraft Gun Wheeled vehicle system (AAGW) from Hanwha Defense. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the contract awarded is worth $200 million. The AAGW uses the same turret of the tracked K30 Biho and has a 1.6x longer range than the existing Vulcan guns, Hanwha said.

Northrop Grumman won a $333.4 million contract modification, which exercises options for the production and delivery of three low-rate initial production MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft, two main operating bases and one forward operating base in an integrated functional capability-four and multiple-intelligence configuration, with associated export compliance support for the government of Australia. Northrop Grumman had announced June 19 the Australian government’s decision to provide funding for an additional three of their planned six MQ-4C Tritons and associated ground mission control stations. The MQ-4C Triton is a cooperative development program between the Royal Australian Air Force and the US Navy. Operating at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet, Triton can cover more than 2 million square miles of ocean and littorals in a single flight, bringing unprecedented awareness to operational commanders’ common operating pictures. Work will take place in California, Texas, Maryland, Utah, West Virginia, Mississippi, Indiana and North Dakota. Estimated completion will be by April 2025.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S & JAPAN NAVY CONDUCTS JOINT DRILL TO DETER CHINA ! THIS PARTNERSHIP IS POWERFUL

EDA’s latest European Defence Matters magazine (N°19) is now available with a double focus at least partially imposed by current developments: the Covid-19 pandemic and its potential repercussions on European defence; and EDA’s successful collaborative training & exercise activities.

The first part of the magazine is devoted to an analysis of the impact the Covid-19 crisis might have on the wider European defence sector, including national and EU defence spending and the implementation of the EU defence cooperation tools. It features exclusive opinion editorials of and interviews with the Agency’s new Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý, the European Commission Director General of DG Defence Industry & Space (DEFIS), Timo Pesonen, the Secretary General of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Jan Pie, and the Security and Defence Editor at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), Daniel Fiott. The magazine’s cover story then provides readers with a detailed insight into the various collaborative training & exercise activities the Agency is running since many years with great success with the aim of increasing Member States Armed Forces’ interoperability.

The magazine also drills into the fascinating topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and speaks to Christian Hedelin, the Chief Strategy Officer of SAAB, about how AI has already made its way into defence equipment. Moreover, it puts a spotlight on a new promising project launched in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) related to CBRN detection. Last but not least, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană shares his assessment of the current state of play of EU/NATO cooperation.

Have a look immediately and enjoy your reading!

The magazine is available here.

Americas

System Dynamics International won a $28.7 million contract for MQ-9 unmanned aerial system aircrew and support services. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily against dynamic execution targets and secondarily as an intelligence collection asset. Work will take place in California and Arizona. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2025.

The US Navy received its first fleet CMV-22B Osprey, a tilt-wing helicopter redesigned for use on aircraft carriers. Designed and built by Bell Textron Inc. and Boeing Co., it was delivered at Naval Air Station North Island, California, on Monday. Two prior CMV-22Bs were delivered to the Navy, in February and in May, for developmental testing. The variant of the Navy’s V-22 aircraft will take over the Carrier Onboard Delivery Mission, replacing the C-2A Greyhound, in use since 1964. It is a tiltrotor V/STOL aircraft that can take off and land as a helicopter, as well as transit as a turboprop aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

Burkina Faso’s security forces said that they had destroyed two jihadist bases in the north and east of the country and arrested two suspects near the border with the Ivory Coast. According to media reports, a gendarmerie unit on Saturday “dismantled a terrorist base” near the eastern town of Tanwalbougou. In a separate operation in the north of the country, Burkinabe troops in the five-nation G5 Sabel Force, supported by a company of soldiers from Niger, destroyed a terrorist base on Saturday in a drilling zone 40 kilometers from Oursi, it said. Eight motorbikes, phones, and other equipment were seized.

Europe

Sweden has completed the test-firing trials of the RBS 98 air defense missile system and only a minor software modification is required before it enters service. Using the Bv 410 as the platform, the system employs the IRIS-T heat-seeking missile. The first firing test was carried out at Vidsel on November 5, 2019. The RBS98 Robotsystem 98 is designed to protect soldiers and infrastructure against aerial threats as missile, aircraft and helicopters. Sweden is the first country to benefit from the open system design of the newly developed GBAD family IRIS-T SLM/SLS, combining and integrating system elements (sensors/radars, command and control systems, communications systems) from various manufacturers into a single powerful weapon system.

The United Kingdom may not upgrade all of its early model Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft to the latest Block 4 standard later this decade, declaring it will decide numbers based on ‘military capability requirements’. Answering a question in the House of Commons Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Jeremy Quin, said that, while the international Block 4 (full combat) upgrade has been costed into the UK’s procurement programme, the precise numbers of already-delivered jets to go through the retrofit process have not yet been decided.

Asia-Pacific

The USS Gabrielle Giffords joined two ships of the Japan Self-Defense Force for bilateral exercises in the South China Sea. The Kashima class training vessel JS Kashima and the Shimayuki Class training vessel JS Shimayuki of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force joined the US Navy’s Independence Class littoral combat ship on Tuesday. The purpose of the exercise, the Navy said, was to “practice and enhance bilateral interoperability between the two navies and to emphasize the importance of communications and coordination.”

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence News:China Capture Nepal Village,IAF no match for PLAAF Chinese(expert),S400 india

EDA’s latest European Defence Matters magazine (N°19) is now available with a double focus at least partially imposed by current developments: the Covid-19 pandemic and its potential repercussions on European defence; and EDA’s successful collaborative training & exercise activities.

The first part of the magazine is devoted to an analysis of the impact the Covid-19 crisis might have on the wider European defence sector, including national and EU defence spending and the implementation of the EU defence cooperation tools. It features exclusive opinion editorials of and interviews with the Agency’s new Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý, the European Commission Director General of DG Defence Industry & Space (DEFIS), Timo Pesonen, the Secretary General of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Jan Pie, and the Security and Defence Editor at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), Daniel Fiott. The magazine’s cover story then provides readers with a detailed insight into the various collaborative training & exercise activities the Agency is running since many years with great success with the aim of increasing Member States Armed Forces’ interoperability.

The magazine also drills into the fascinating topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and speaks to Christian Hedelin, the Chief Strategy Officer of SAAB, about how AI has already made its way into defence equipment. Moreover, it puts a spotlight on a new promising project launched in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) related to CBRN detection. Last but not least, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană shares his assessment of the current state of play of EU/NATO cooperation.

Have a look immediately and enjoy your reading!

The magazine is available here.

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $22.4 million contract modification, which exercises options to procure 12 retrofit advanced radar processor systems for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a new radar system, theater missile defense capabilities, multi-sensor integration and a Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems tactical glass cockpit. Work will take place Liverpool, New York and Andover, Massachusetts. Estimated completion date is in November 2023.

The USS Nitze sailed into contested waters off the coast of Venezuela Tuesday in what the Navy describes as a “freedom of navigation operation” contesting “an excessive maritime claim” by Venezuela. The Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer conducted the operation outside of Venezuela’s 12-nautical-mile territorial jurisdiction, an area the Maduro regime claims control over. “The US Navy routinely conducts freedom of navigation operations around the world to preserve the maritime navigation and access rights guaranteed to all nations and vital to the global mobility of US forces,” said the Navy’s press release on the operation.

Middle East & Africa

Advanced Electronics won a $12.4 million modification, which provides for implementation and delivery of end-user training for the CPS for two years. The scope of this contract effort will include custom contractor-developed training and original equipment manufacturer training. This is a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) acquisition between the US government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This FMS is for the total package of acquisition and fielding of 84 F-15A aircraft; the upgrade of 70 F-15SA aircraft to the F-154SA configuration; the procurement of associated equipment, weapons and spares; and the construction, refurbishment and infrastructure improvements of support facilities for the F-15SA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter aircraft designed to outperform and outfight enemy aircraft obtaining air supremacy for the US Air Force. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) F-15SA is an advanced fighter jet aircraft version of the F-15E Strike Eagle featuring state-of-the-art sensors and a wide range of guided and smart munitions.

Europe

The United Kingdom has renewed for a further five years its Graphical Electronic Cockpit Organizer (GECO) Mission Support System (GECO MSS) contract for the Royal Air Force (RAF’s) Puma Force. This contract extension with Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) will see RAF Benson’s 33 and 230 squadrons equipped with the system until 2025, with the Westland-Aerospatiale SA 330E Puma HC2 fleet using GECO MSS on all flying operations in the UK and internationally. GECO Air, as the system is known in its airborne configuration, is designed to complement an aircraft’s existing onboard avionics systems by bringing commercial off-the-shelf hardware technology to the cockpit.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing won an $8.5 million deal for the Japan Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) mission computing upgrade (MCU) installation and checkout (I&CO) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out). The contract modification is to upgrade its fleet of four aircraft with the ADS-B Out capability. ADS-B Out is a software and hardware update to the Raytheon APX-119 transponder that includes the addition of a Global Positioning System (GPS) card. Under the E-767 AWACS I&CO program, the GPS card is to be installed within the four aircraft and updating the three ground support facilities. Work will take place in Oklahoma, Texas, and Japan. Expected completion date is December 23, 2023.

The final satellite required to complete global coverage of China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system was launched on June 23 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3B three-stage carrier rocket, achieving its intended orbit. The previous launch of a Long March 3B in April had ended in failure due to a malfunction of the rocket’s third stage. Moreover, the first launch of the Long March 7A, which has some commonality with the Long March 3B in its third stage, had also malfunctioned after launch on March 16.

Today’s Video

Watch: USS KANSAS CITY LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP ARMED WITH NAVAL STRIKE MISSILE COMMISSIONED !

Puma HC1
(click to view full)

In 2006 Britain considered one of the most unusual public-private proposals ever seen. The question before the Ministry of Defense was how to replace Britain’s remaining H-3 Sea Kings, and its 34 AS330 Puma HC1 medium helicopters, all of which entered service during the 1960s and 1970s. Eventually, Britain formally abandoned its public-private partnership proposal in favor of an upgrade contract for its old AS330 Pumas, which narrowly survived cancellation.

Refurbishments and the Roadmap

Puma Mk.2
(click to view full)

Enhancements for the Puma Mk.2 include uprated Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines. They’re a slightly lower-performing option than the similar Makila 1A2, but still offer 35% more power and 25% better fuel efficiency than the Puma HC1’s Turbomeca Turmo 3-C4s. Other upgrades include a full glass (digital displays) cockpit incorporating a flight management system; a digital automatic flight control system; a secure communications suite, SELEX Galileo’s HIDAS defensive systems, and ballistic protection for crew and passengers.

The upgraded helicopters will combine greater onboard fuel capacity with lower fuel consumption, leaving the Mk2s able to carry twice the payload over 3 times the range of its AS330 predecessor, and operate in all environmental conditions.

As of June 2013, 8 upgraded Puma Mk.2s have been delivered to the RAF, and the helicopters are envisioned to serve until 2025.

HC1s: Wear & tear
(click to view full)

Meanwhile, there United Kingdom’s armed forces have been fighting a war or two. Between 2006 and 2013, complaints about the lack of battlefield helicopter support became acute, resulting in temporary fixes like buying 6 operational Danish EH101 helicopters, and paying the about GBP 176 million cost of refit plus future replacements.

The longer term roadmap was clarified by the UK’s December 2009 CH-47F purchase, which was released in conjunction with a wider plan that set force levels for all sizes of British battlefield helicopter support. About 60 heavy-lift Chinook helicopters, and 28 AW101 medium-heavy AW101 Merlin HC3s, comprise the high end. The 24 upgraded Puma Mk.2s will provide a medium lift option, above Britain’s planned 28 AW159 Wildcat Mk.1 battlefield utility helicopters.

Contracts & Key Events 2020

June 25/20: GECO The United Kingdom has renewed for a further five years its Graphical Electronic Cockpit Organizer (GECO) Mission Support System (GECO MSS) contract for the Royal Air Force (RAF’s) Puma Force. This contract extension with Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) will see RAF Benson’s 33 and 230 squadrons equipped with the system until 2025, with the Westland-Aerospatiale SA 330E Puma HC2 fleet using GECO MSS on all flying operations in the UK and internationally. GECO Air, as the system is known in its airborne configuration, is designed to complement an aircraft’s existing onboard avionics systems by bringing commercial off-the-shelf hardware technology to the cockpit.

2015

 

June 6/13: Deployment. The Royal Air Force saw the first deployment of new Puma Mk2 helicopters to Afghanistan, three weeks after achieving Initial Operating Capability.

2010 – 2013

Program avoids cancellation, but reduced from 30 – 24; 1st delivery; Training & Support contracts.

Puma Mk2 flies
(click to view full)

June 6/13: Support. Eurocopter receives a 3-year, EUR 60 million (about $78.5 million/ GBP 51.14 million) support award for the 24 Puma Mk.2s they’re contracted to upgrade.

At present, all 24 Pumas slated for the program have been inducted. Deliveries of qualified helicopters under the 2009 upgrade contract began in 2012, with 8 helicopters received as of June 2013. Formal fielding is set to begin this year. Eurocopter.

3-year Support deal

Sept 13/12: Delivery. Eurocopter hands over its first Puma Mk2, which will fly from Oxford into QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down facility for support trials. To date, Eurocopter has completed the initial upgrade process on 3 of 24 Puma helicopters, all of which are now involved in flight testing. Eurocopter.

Delivery

July 6/12: Eurocopter’s first internal qualification of the Puma Mk2 is achieved, concluding the first phase, with further enhancements to its mission capabilities planned over the coming months. Source.

June 12/12: Minister for the Armed Forces Nick Harvey enters the following statement into the UK House of Commons Hansard:

“The Defence Rotary Wing Capability Study… is now complete… the findings include no major changes to our previously announced plans… The study confirmed the following plans:

to move the MOD’s rotary wing capability to four core fleets, the [CH-47] Chinook, [AW159] Wildcat, [AW101] Merlin and [WAH-64D] Apache helicopters… to complete the Puma life extension programme, which extends the out of service date for Puma Mk2 to 2025; this offers resilience to the Department’s lift capability as it transitions to the four core fleets;”

Go-ahead

May 2012: Reduction. After an UK MoD review of overall helicopter requirements, but before the public announcement, a contract amendment drops the total number of refurbished helicopters from 30 to 24. The change was a reduction, not a conversion to options. If Britain wants more later, they will have the donor airframes for conversion if they choose to preserve them. Source: Eurocopter.

Down to 24

Jan 11/12: Canceled? Britain’s tabloid The Sun reports that The RAF’s fleet of Puma helicopters is about to be canceled, as a way to free up some money for other programs:

“…last night a military insider said: “The upgrade is officially ongoing, but the word is that actual work has ground to a halt. The loss of the Puma would be a huge blow. The decision will be made this month, but the signs aren’t good.” …An MoD source said: “There is a military proposal to spend money on other projects instead of the Puma, which is seen as a low priority as it’s not due to serve in Afghanistan.”

The UK MoD responds with a non-answer on the same day, but note the emphasis at the end:

“The Sun reports that the fleet of Puma helicopters, due to provide security for the Olympics, are to be cut amid defence savings. Each year we review our procurement plans to take account of changes over the previous 12 months… Final decisions have yet to be taken, but this annual process rightly considers the status of all our key programmes… Afghanistan remains the top priority…”

See Sept 29/09 entry, below – with 14 Pumas scheduled for delivery this year, and expected contractual penalties for cancellation, the question is how much money this move would actually save.

June 16/10: Training. CAE in Montreal, QB, Canada announces that the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MoD) has bought a major upgrade to their Puma helicopter simulator and training services. That package must be upgraded to remain faithful to the upgraded helicopters, reflecting different performance in flight thanks to the new engines, and mirroring the new cockpits and communications gear.

Work will proceed at CAE’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility, housed at Royal Air Force Base Benson. The UK upgrades are presented as one of 2 projects highlighted, in reference to “recent military contracts valued at more than C$100 million” ($97.5 million). The other contract mentioned is a new full mission C-130H simulator, a product CAE has lots of experience with.

2007 – 2009

OK, public-private partnership was a bad idea; Assessment phase leads to contract for 28 + 2 upgrades; HIDAS ECM contract.

Puma HC1s
(click to view full)

Oct 13/09: ECM. As part of their modernization, Britain’s 28 upgrades Pumas will receive a defensive suite from Finmeccanica subsidiary SELEX Galileo. The upgrade will be based on the firm’s HIDAS system. Their Defensive Aids Suite controller (also known as Aircraft Gateway Processor) has been installed in the RAF’s CH-47 Chinooks, and equips AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters operated by the USA and allies, including Britain. A multi-function color display will warn crews of threats, increasing situational awareness, and will have the ability to record mission data for post-flight analysis. Shephard Rotorhub | HIDAS datasheet [PDF].

Sept 29/09: The UK Ministry of Defence announces GBP 300 million (currently $476 million) in contracts to upgrade 28 of the RAF’s Puma HC1 helicopters, with options for another 2, for up to 30/34 existing helicopters. Deliveries are due to start in 2011, and the first 14 aircraft are planned to be in service by the end of 2012. The overall contract will run until 2014.

EADS’ Eurocopter UK is the prime contractor for the Puma Life Extension Programme, and their release lists its total value to them as GBP 220 million. UK sub-contractors include:

• Chelton at Yatton near Bath
  
• QinetiQ at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire
  
• Rockwell Collins in South Wales
  
• Selex at Luton
  
• Smiths in Gloucester
  
• Thales UK at Raynes Park, London and Leicester
  
• Turbomeca

Around GBP 45 million will be spent on new Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, which power AS 332/532 Super Pumas. It’s a slightly lower-performing option than the similar Makila 1A2, but still offers 35% more power and 25% better fuel efficiency than the Puma fleet’s current Turbomeca Turmo 3-C4s. A GBP 220 million contract to Eurocopter will refurbish the fleet for at least 10 years’ further service, including new flight control equipment and modern cockpit and communications technology. The remaining GBP 35 million will be spent on other contracts in support of the upgrade.

Puma Life Extension contract

Nov 22/07: OK, bad idea. Britain formally withdraws the public-private partnership proposal for battlefield support helicopters [PDF]. This paragraph from the EDA bulletin board solicitation may offer some clarity re: likely foci for future Puma upgrades and support measures, however:

“The primary task is Battlefield Lift, with the contractor being expected to provide, install, modify and certify the aircraft with necessary role equipment, including a Defensive Aids System, Ballistic Protection and Military Communications before the operational ISD and then (at the end of the lease period) remove such modifications. The aircraft will also be expected to undertake medical evacuation and communication support duties overseas and in the UK. The aircraft will need to be capable of single pilot IFR operations including within civil controlled airspace, and be fully compatible with UK Night Vision Goggles. The aircraft will be operated by military crews in accordance with JSP550. Prior to the In-Service Date and during the life of the requirement the contractor shall be responsible for Aircrew Conversion to Type training, familiarisation training for surveillance operators and training of the Authority’s maintainers.”

PPP idea withdrawn

Sept 27/07: Program set up. Eurocopter and the UK MoD formally opened a Joint Project Office (JPO) to manage the Puma life extension program, located adjacent to MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol. The JPO is staffed by personnel from Eurocopter and the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organization. Subject to satisfactory completion and approval, will move on to manage the Development and Manufacture phase in 2008.

The JPO will also manage the Puma and Gazelle Through-Life Support (TLS) program. EADS release.

Program begins

Sept 12/07: Assessment phase. “Eurocopter leads Homeland Security Market in the United Kingdom and strongly supports the British Armed Forces” covers a number of related subjects:

“Under contract to the UK Ministry of Defence, Eurocopter is carrying out the assessment phase for the life extension programme for the RAF’s fleet of Puma Mk1 helicopters with the aim of enhancing the British Armed Forces’ much-needed medium-lift capability. It is managed by a Eurocopter/Ministry of Defence Joint Project Office, already in operation in Bristol since August 20, 2007. The programme will be based on comprehensive upgrades, including new Turbomeca Makila engines, glass cockpits, and new communications, navigation and defensive systems for up to 35 of the RAF’s Pumas.

The Assessment Phase, scheduled for a period of one year, will consider the detailed technical, operational and cost implications of the upgrade and will lead, upon successful completion, to a full development and manufacture contract for delivery of the main programme.

The new Pumas, which will be designated Puma HC Mk2, will consequently be capable of remaining in service until around 2022. Their performance and payload will be significantly enhanced, particularly in hot and high conditions. As the backbone of the RAF’s fleet of medium-lift helicopters, the Pumas will continue to play a vital role in operational theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Additional Readings

• RAF – Puma HC1

Americas

General Atomics won a $26.9 million deal that procures two MQ-9A Reaper unmanned air systems (UAS); one dual control mobile ground control station; one modular data center; and one mobile ground control station for Group 5 UAS intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services/persistent strike efforts. The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle used for surveillance and strike operations. The Reaper is a battle-proven development of the RQ-1 Predator, upgraded for longer endurance, a heavier payload, and the ability to launch heavier precision munitions in a benign aerial environment. The Marine Corps selected the Reaper in 2018 to fill an urgent needs request for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in support of forward operations in Southwest Asia. Work will take place in Yuma, Arizona as well as various locations outside the continental US. Estimated completion will be by December 2020.

The Navy awarded Boeing a $12.5 million order, which procures non-recurring engineering in support of establishing a functional configuration baseline in support of the production and delivery of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) A-kits and B-kits for the T-45 Training System. The deal provides for the procurement of B-kits, to include air data computers and A-kits, which consist of associated wiring, splitters and filters and spares. This order also provides kit integration, follow-on analysis and engineering in support of issues that may arise during kit production and installation. The T-45A/C Goshawk is the US Navy’s two-seat advanced jet trainer. The aircraft is jointly manufactured by Boeing and BAE Systems. Work will take place in St. Louis, Missouri and Mesa, Arizona as well as various locations within the continental US. Estimated completion will be by January 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $38 million from the Israeli Ministry of Defense to provide operation, maintenance and logistic services for the Textron T-6 trainer aircraft fleet of the Israeli Air Force. This contract award follows a decade during which Elbit Systems has provided the IAF with operation and maintenance services for the T-6 fleet, meeting the IAF’s standards of service, availability and flight safety. The contract will be executed over a five-year period, with an option for an additional five-year period.

Europe

Oshkosh Defense won a $10.6 million contract for field service representatives to provide maintenance to Joint Light Tactical Vehicles during an exercise being conducted by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense. A JLTV trailer can accommodate more than 5K pounds of payload, travel at a speed of up to 70 miles per hour and operate with older Army ground vehicles such as Humvees. The platform also features an anti-lock braking system. Work will take place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Estimated completion date is January 31, 2023.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea will start operating its three RQ-4 unmanned air vehicles from as early as next month, Yonhap reports. “We are going to field Global Hawk for actual operations within the second half of this year. They will be put into service after the one remaining unit arrives here, which will take place soon,” an anonymous source was quoted as saying. South Korea was cleared to buy 4 RQ-4s in 2013. The first aircraft was delivered in December 2019. So far, it has been making local training flights.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) carrier strike groups commenced dual carrier flight operations in the Philippine Sea on June 21. The ships and aircraft assigned to both strike groups began coordinated operations in international waters demonstrating the United States’ unique capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups in close proximity. While at sea, the strike groups will support air defense drills, sea surveillance, replenishments at sea, defensive air combat training, long-range strikes, coordinated maneuvers and other exercises. “This is a great opportunity for us to train together in a complex scenario,” said Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9. “By working together in this environment, we’re improving our tactical skills and readiness in the face of an increasingly pressurized region and COVID-19.”

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