Defense Industry Daily

Americas

Honeywell International won a $72.9 million deal for the repair of six weapon repairable assemblies in support of the V-22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey aircraft, made by a joint venture between Boeing and Bell, is a multirole model designed for both vertical and short takeoff and landing. The V-22 operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90° forward once airborne, converting the aircraft into a turboprop aircraft. The Navy will use its annual working capital funds to finance task orders under the contract, as work runs through November 2025. Work will take place in California and Arizona. Estimated completion will by by November 2025.

AgustaWestland received a $171 million contract to build training helicopters for the US Navy. The deal is a contract modification for production and delivery of 36 TH-73A aircraft in support of the Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System program. It follows a January contract, for $175.5 million, for 32 similar helicopters and spare parts, with deliveries beginning in 2021. The Navy plans to procure a total of 130 TH-73As to replace its aging fleet of TH-57B/C Sea Ranger aircraft, in contracts potentially worth $648 million. The Philadelphia-based company is a division of the Italian defense contractor Leonardo, and markets the helicopter commercially as the AW119W. Work will take place in Pennsylvania and Texas. Estimated completion will be in December 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Qatari pilots will soon be training at Italy’s International Flight Training School following an agreement between the Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, and Italy’s minister of defense Lorenzo Guerini on November 11. In a release by the Italian Ministry of Defence, Guerini said, “The partnership between Italy and Qatar in the defence sector is confirmed as having a high strategic value. I am here to renew our commitment to deepen the ongoing collaboration that embraces all sectors.” Qatar currently operates the Pilatus PC-21 and PAC Super Mushshak aircraft in the training role. The country has also ordered nine BAE Systems Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers.

Europe

France selected MBDA’s MHT/MLP missile as its Future Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile (MAST-F) for the Tiger attack helicopter. The MHT/MLP (Missile Haut de Trame / Missile Longue Portée – high tier missile / long-range mobile missile) itself is based on the Missile Moyenne Portée, a man-portable anti-tank guided missile. The MHT/MLP is characterized by its high operational effectiveness. Weighing 20% less than other missiles in its category provides a weight saving of nearly 100 kg for the Tiger helicopter, which can carry up to eight missiles in combat configuration. Exploiting this weight saving increases the Tiger’s fuel capacity and so its combat endurance, with a significant gain in “playtime”.

NATO received the fifth and last NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance aircraft in its fleet at the Main Operating Base in Sigonella, Italy, this week. The RQ-4D aircraft took off from Palmdale Air Force base in California Wednesday night and landed at Sigonella Thursday afternoon. The drone took nearly 20 hours to reach its home. The arrival of the RQ-4D aircraft at its home base in Europe represents a new milestone in the NATO AGS Programme, completing the NATO AGS fleet. Following the arrival of RQ-4D Phoenix 5, the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Management Agency and the Italian Airworthiness Authorities will continue to wrap up the required documentation and hand-over the system to the NATO AGS Force in the coming months.

Asia-Pacific

Up Media reports that the Teng Yun unmanned air vehicle from Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) might be armed with the TC-1 air-to-air missile. Under project Sky Blade, the research team will modify the TC-1 with features from the Sea Oryx naval point-defense system.

Today’s Video

Watch: NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) – RQ-4D Phoenix

Americas

The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Agile Combat Support Directorate started the process of replacing its existing inventory of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), also known as Humvees, with the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The service has a need for 3,230 vehicles and they will be bought via an Army contract with Oshkosh Corporation. However, not all HMMWVs will be replaced, the current process is to swap out the up-armored variant. Air Force units are expected to start receiving the new JLTVs starting from September 2021, after having mission specific equipment installed at Naval Information Warfare Center. Developed by the Army based on the U.S. experience fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the JLTV is considered a major upgrade from Humvees currently in the field. It’s designed to achieve operational objectives in Performance, Payload and Protection against adversaries and provide better protection against improvised explosive devices.

Sig Sauer Inc. confirmed that it will produce a new scope for M4A1carbine rifles. The US Army Contract Command awarded the company a $77 million deal. Sig Sauer, headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, will manufacture its TANGO6T optic for the branch. The TANGO6T is a variable-magnification Direct View Optic riflescope that allows close quarter and long-range target sightings with the ability to quickly switch between one and six times magnification, according to the company. The device is currently in use with the US Army Squad Designated Marksman and US Military Special Forces.

Middle East & Africa

Israel received a Lockheed Martin F-35I combat aircraft to be used for in-country development testing of specific national capabilities, the Israeli Air Force announced. The arrival saw the first non-US based testbed F-35I fly into the IAF Flight Testing Center (FTC) at Tel-Nof Airbase, south of Tel Aviv. The first new aircraft to be assigned to the FTC in 14 years, the F-35I, line number AS-15, IAF serial 924, was the 15th “Adir” to come off the production line at Fort Worth, Texas and was initially retained in the United States.

Europe

Austrian prosecutors upheld a decision to end a criminal probe into alleged fraud by aviation and defense group Airbus and Eurofighter in connection with a 2 billion-dollar (€1.7 billion) fighter jet purchase in 2003, the counsel for Austria said Wednesday evening. A criminal complaint brought by Austria’s Defense Ministry in 2017 prompted the investigation. A lower court ordered an end to the investigation in April, which the Vienna appeals court upheld on the grounds that Austria had not provided enough of its own evidence, the office of Austria’s chief legal counsel Wolfgang Peschorn said in a statement on Wednesday evening. “With that, all criminal investigations in Austria that were initiated as a result of the criminal complaint in 2017 on suspicion of fraud in connection with the Eurofighter purchase have now been brought to an end,” Peschorn’s office said of the appeals court ruling dated November 4 and transmitted a week later.

According to the Russian Military, the Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters of the army aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, involved in the peacekeeping mission to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, were prepared by the engineering and technical staff for operation after being transported by military transport aircraft. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russian helicopter pilots performed training flights and departed to base airfields to perform tasks in the interests of the peacekeeping contingent. On November 10 a ceasefire was established in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. A peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is being reportedly brought into the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin corridor to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and military operations.

Asia-Pacific

For the first time since the US and Taiwan ceased bilateral ties in 1979, Taipei on Monday announced the arrival of US marines to train Taiwanese soldiers. Taiwan’s Naval Command said a contingent of US marines, Marine Raiders, arrived upon the invitation of Taiwan’s military and will begin training Taiwanese troops for four weeks starting today, the daily Taiwan News reported. The US marines came about two weeks ago but were under quarantine to avoid coronavirus infection. Taiwanese soldiers will be trained by the US marines’ special operations troops in assault boat and speedboat infiltration operations at the Tsoying Naval Base in the port city of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.

Today’s Video

Watch: Stealth on Steroids: Meet Israel’s F-35I Adir (An F-35 Like No Other)

Americas

A US Marine Corps AH-1W gunship now retired to Picatinny Arsenal. It will be used as a laboratory for the XM915 20mm Gatling gun. The Bell AH-1W Super Cobra was flown from NAS Joint Reserve Base New Orleans to Picatinny Arsenal by Marines Lt. Col. Mark Diss and Capt. Garrett Peirce. The US Army plans to fit the XM915 on its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. The Super Cobra, a twin-engine attack helicopter, is the first aviation aircraft to be housed on post for research and development purposes at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, also known as DEVCOM.

The US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) procured a logistics drone prototype to demonstrate long-range naval ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore cargo transport. The Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS will be used to deliver electronics parts or assemblies that weigh less than 50 pounds to warships. NAWCAD will improve the drone by working on invasions like folding wings for better handling and ship storage, a dual propulsion system that runs on both electricity and JP-5. “The Blue Water logistics UAS will be further developed and tested by the Navy, for the Navy,” said NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. John Lemmon. “NAWCAD has organic talent and facilities you can’t find anywhere else. Combined with increased acquisition freedom granted by Congress, this effort shows how we’re doing business differently.”

Middle East & Africa

Boeing won a $9.8 billion deal for F-15 support for Saudi Arabia. This contract provides for modernization and sustainment of the F-15 Saudi fleet to include such efforts as hardware, software, and interface design, development, integration, test, subsystem and structural component production and installation of future modifications and enhancements to the F-15 Saudi weapon system as well as product support. Per the contract, the ordering period for this contract is five years from the date of contract award plus an option for an additional five year ordering period. Saudi Arabia’s most modern F-15s are 88 new-build F-15SAs, with an average age of just 5.1 years. In addition to fly-by wire controls, the F-15SA has a digital electronic warfare suite, an infrared search and track system and a Raytheon APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array radar. The aircraft’s forward and aft cockpits feature advanced displays and joint helmet-mounted cueing systems. The new F-15 variant also has two additional wing weapons stations to boost its payload. Work will take place in St. Louis. Estimated completion will be by November 2025.

The US State Department cleared sales of F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 unmanned systems for the United Arab Emirates, making official a potential sale still opposed by many congressional Democrats. The DoS formally approved a potential $23.4 billion arms sale to the United Arab Emirates, including up to 50 F-35s, 18 MQ-9s, and both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. In a statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the massive arms sale package, which includes up to 50 F-35 jets worth $10.4 billion, 18 MQ-9B drones worth $2.97 billion, and $10 billion of munitions. “The proposed sale will make the UAE even more capable and interoperable with US partners in a manner fully consistent with America’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge,” said the statement.

Europe

Defense company BAE Systems will reportedly receive a €1billion ($1.2 bn) windfall from the German government’s purchase of 38 Eurofighter jets, which german officials announced last week. According to the Times, BAE, which will make parts for the aircraft at its plant in Warton in Lancashire, would secure at least €1bn from the deal. However, the firm declined to comment on the report. BAE is Britain’s largest defense group and also part of the Eurofighter consortium. The German parliament had approved a 5.4 billion euro contract to buy 38 Eurofighter jets from Airbus. The selection of the Eurofighter over the Lockheed Martin F-35 will mean that the German Air Force will not be flying the American Jet in future.

Asia-Pacific

The Japanese Navy demonstrated its latest Kawasaki P-1 submarine-hunting plane. On November 11, the Japan Maritime Self-Protection Drive 4th Air wing’s official Twitter account posted photos displaying 5 new Kawasaki P-1 plane on the Atsugi air base. The P-1 is a contemporary maritime patrol plane. It is developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Currently, all five new submarine-hunting aircraft are located at the Japanese air base Atsugi. The Japanese Kawasaki P-1 was developed solely for the purpose for which it is supposed to be used and there is no civilian counterpart to this aircraft.

Today’s Video

Watch: Kawasaki P 1-antisubmarine

Americas

The US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command announced that it has test fired its Low-Cost Extended Range Air Defense (LOWER AD) missile interceptor. The LOWER AD is part of the Army’s roadmap to modernize its air defense system. The interceptor is design to defeat subsonic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems. It fills a capability gap between man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) and high-end Patriot interceptors. The CCDC Aviation & Missile Center is developing and demonstrating the Low-Cost Extended Range Air Defense (LOWER AD) missile interceptor technology that is smaller and less costly than larger systems.

L-3 Electron Devices won a $7.9 million delivery order for the repair of the guided traveling wave tube in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. The F/A-18 Hornet is a single- and two-seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. It has a digital control-by-wire flight control system which provides excellent handling qualities, and allows pilots to learn to fly the airplane with relative ease. Two type series of the original Hornet, the A/B and C/D preceded the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a larger more capable version of the F/A-18 introduced in 1999. Since then the Super Hornet has been updated with “Block II” models and now there’s a “Block III” Super Hornet. Boeing signed a $4 billion contract with the Navy in May 2019 for 78 new-build Block III Super Hornets which should be delivered by spring 2024. Work under the delivery order will take place in California. Estimated completion will be by February 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Boeing awarded a $657.2 million contract action modification for the F-15Q Qatar program. The contract modification provides a comprehensive sparing program and contractor logistics support for the sustainment of the F-15QA aircraft. Back in April, Boeing successfully completed the first flight of the F-15QA fighter developed for the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF). According to Boeing, the F-15QA brings to its operators next-generation technologies such as fly-by-wire flight controls, digital cockpit and modernized sensors. Logistical support for training devices and administrative costs are also included in the modification. Work will take place at Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Europe

ESG Aerosystems won a $64.8 million deal to develop a curriculum and facilitate training for P-3 aircrew positions including copilots, patrol plane commander, instructor pilot, flight engineer, instructor flight engineer, and flight currency training in support of Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity’s applicable field units and other program offices and stakeholders. The P-3 Orion is a land-based maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The contract includes a five-year ordering period with no options and is expected to be completed by November 2025. This effort is 100% funded by Federal Republic of Germany funds under the Foreign Military Sales program. In June 2020, Germany had put a halt to an ongoing midlife upgrade of its fleet of Lockheed Martin P?3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) as it shifted to examining potential replacements. The legacy fleet of eight P-3C Orions were purchased secondhand from Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) stocks in 2005. The first unit entered German service in April 2006 following upgrades to P-3C CUP standard conducted by Lockheed Martin at its facility in Greenville, South Carolina, under a prior contract with the Dutch government. Work under the current contract will take place in Florida. Estimated completion will be in November 2025.

Polish President Andrzej Duda signed an enhanced US-Poland defense cooperation agreement (EDCA) on November 9. He said, the union should grow despite political changes. The agreement calls for establishment of about 5,500 US troops on Polish soil on a revolving basis, and the forward deployment of the US Army’s V Corps in Poznan, Poland. It reinforces the US military presence in Eastern Europe and provides for expansion of Poland’s defense infrastructure and an increase in joint military exercises, Poland’s Presidential Palace announced. “The United States values our strong bilateral relationship with Poland.  We look forward to Poland’s swift ratification of the EDCA, which will permit us to implement fully the enhanced defense cooperation envisioned by Presidents Trump and Duda“, the DoS said in a statement.

Asia-Pacific

The first five of 16 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters ordered for the Philippine Air Force back in 2019 arrived at Clark Air Base, north of Manila. The helicopters were flown from Poland by a Russian Antonov heavy transport plane last November 7 and unloaded at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on November 9.. There was a brief stop in Kuwait. A sixth unit was expected to arrive in December aboard a ship. The DND said the Antonov could carry only five units “and as a result a sixth was loaded on a ship.” The helicopters were part of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) combat utility helicopters acquisition project. The Black Hawks were procured through a government-to-government transaction.

Today’s Video

Watch: Philippine Air Force S-70i Black Hawk Helicopter Capabilities

Americas

The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $17.5 million contract modification to exercise options to provide design agent engineering services for the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) electronic systems and computer programs. The modification is for software design, systems engineering, ship/missile integration services, and depot operations services for the MK 41 VLS module electronics and launch control system. According to the DoD, these services include new missile integration into MK 41 VLS including launcher design, launcher integration into new ship classes and the new AEGIS shore based component, Life Cycle Support Facility depot operations, system product improvements, predictability enhancements, reliability enhancements, and failure investigations. The Mk 41 Vertical Launching System is a shipborne missile canister launching system. According to Lockheed Martin, MK 41 VLS is the only launching system that can simultaneously accommodate the weapon control system and the missiles of every warfighting mission area—anti-aircraft, anti-surface, anti- submarine and land attack. Work will take place in Maryland, Virginia, Washington and California. Estimated completion will be by July 2021.

The first two HH-60W “Jolly Green II” helicopters arrived at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia on November 5, 2020. The USAF expects the arrival of 112 of these helicopters. The first two aircraft arrived from Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky Training Academy in Stuart, Florida. Moody’s 41st Rescue Squadron and the 413th Flight Test Squadron and 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron flew the “Jolly Greens II“, The HH-60W is an improved variant of the combat-proven UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, and will eventually replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk medium-lift, combat search-and-rescue helicopter, which entered service in 1982. The new helicopter is designed for deployment in casualty evacuation, medical evacuation, non-combatant evacuation missions, civil search-and-rescue, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and insertion or extraction of combat forces. The USAF ordered the choppers in 2014.

Middle East & Africa

According to Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the Israeli Navy first Sa’ar 6 Class corvette, INS Magen, will arrive in Israel in December. Within the coming year, three more Sa’ar 6 ships will be transferred to Israel from thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) Kiel shipyard, Germany. The ship will join the Israeli Navy’s fleet to reinforce the IDF’s naval assets, with an emphasis on defensive capabilities for important strategic assets and on offensive capabilities that have never been seen before in the eastern Mediterranean. The Sa’ar 6 Class corvette is a class of warships initially ordered for Israel’s Navy in 2015.

Europe

Lockheed Martin Overseas won a $14.3 million modification under the Poland Aegis Ashore Engineering Agent contract. Under this modification, the contractor will configure the Poland Aegis Ashore REU Integration Site (POL-AARIS) and perform integration, test, maintenance and upgrades of the Aegis Combat System prior to final installation within the Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense System is a program developed to provide missile defense against shirt to intermediate ballistic missiles. Work will take place in New Jersey and Poland. Estimated completion date is January 26, 2022.

Crimson Warrior, the largest military exercise to be run by the Royal Air Force in the UK for a decade has finished after three weeks of complex air activities. The exercise involved personnel and aircraft from the Royal Air Force as well as the Royal Navy, British Army, United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force. Exercise Crimson Warrior is a development of the regular Cobra Warrior exercises with the addition of missions to support the work up of F-35B Lightnings and helicopters that will form the Carrier Strike Group Air Wing during next year’s operational deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth. According to the RAF, fast jets, multi-engine aircraft, helicopters and Unmanned Air Systems operated from Stations across the country. In addition to the fast jets, the exercise incorporated a huge number or aircraft conducting Qualified Multi-engine Tactics Instructors.

Asia-Pacific

Kazakhstan says it took delivery of new Su-30SM fighters. The jets arrived at Karaganda air base. “Under the agreement with the Russian Federation and the program of re-equipment of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, the Air Force received multifunctional Su-30SM aircraft“, the Ministry of Defense said. The aircraft have been imported from the Irkutsk Aircraft Plant since 2015. Su-30SM is a multirole fighter aircraft developed by JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau for the Russian Air Force. It is an advanced derivative of the Su-30MK combat aircraft family. The Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter was designed in accordance with the requirements of the Russian Air Force. It is being manufactured by IRKUT, a company based in Russia.

Today’s Video

Watch: HH-60W Jolly Green II Helicopters Arrive At Moody

Americas

The US Navy awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $9.5 billion contract modification for the construction and test of the lead and second ships of the Columbia Class. The contract modifies a $5 billion deal awarded in 2017. It exercises an option to test the ships and to provide design and engineering support. „This modification to the integrated product and process development (IPPD) contract supports the fiscal 2021 construction start of the lead ship (SSBN 826) and advance procurement, advance construction, coordinated material buys and full construction of the follow hull (SSBN 827) in fiscal 2024“, the Pentagon said in a statement. The original contract was for design completion for the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, which are meant to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio Class boats. The Columbia Class is an upcoming class of nuclear submarines. General Dynamic subsidiary Electric Boat in collaboration with Newport News Shipbuilding are construction the Columbia Class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) for the US Navy. Work under the contract modification will take place in Connecticut, Virginia and Rhode Island. Estimated completion will be by April 2030.

Raytheon won a $94 million deal to exercise options and realign funding for DDG 1000 ship class integrated logistics support and engineering services. The Zumwalt Class is a class of three guided missile destroyers. The multi-role class was designed for secondary roles of surface warfare and anti-aircraft warfare. DDG 1000 Zumwalt was the first vessel built under the US Department of Defense’s DD(X) programme. The US Navy received the vessel in May 2016. The ship was commissioned for service in October 2016. According to Raytheon, Zumwalt Class ships are designed to incorporate computing, undersea warfare, vertical launcher and electronic modular enclosure systems from Raytheon Technologies’ missiles and defense business. Work will take place in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, Maine and New Hampshire. Work is expected to be finished by October 2021.

The US State Department approved a possible $500 million deal to sell Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC missiles and related equipment to Canada, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. Canada’s government wanted to buy 100 SM-2 Block IIIC missiles and 100 MK 13 vertical launch systems. According to the DSCA, obsolescence engineering; integration and test activity associated with production of subject missiles; canister handling and loading/unloading equipment and associated spares; training and training equipment/aids; technical publications and data; US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support; and other related elements of logistical and program support are also included in the request. The prime contractor on this deal would be Raytheon. The company has received a $19 million contract for engineering and technical services on the Standard Missile-2 and Standard Missile-6 in 2019. According to Raytheon, the SM-2 missile provides anti-air warfare and limited anti-surface warfare capability against advanced anti-ship missiles and aircraft out to 90 nautical miles. The SM-2 “gives warfighters a greater reach in the battlespace,”

Middle East & Africa

CNN reported on November 6, that the US State Department sent Congress an informal notification of plans to sell $10 billion of defense equipment, including precision-guided munitions, non-precision bombs and missiles to the United Arab Emirates. This was told to CNN by a congressional aide. The informal notification about the ordnance came just after President Donald Trump’s administration informed Congress it planned to sell sophisticated armed aerial drones (MQ-9Bs) to the UAE. Reuters had first reported on this. According to the news agency, a State Department spokesman declined comment, saying its policy was not to confirm or comment on proposed defense sales until Congress is formally notified. Both of the recent informal notifications came after last week’s notification of a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to the Middle East country.

Europe

According to local media, the Ukrainian design office KB “Lucz” presented the “Sokol-300” reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle. The UAV was to be premiered during the Arms and Security 2020 exhibition in Kiev. The exhibition however, was canceled due to the pandemic. The machine is reportedly armed with 4 Barier-W guided missiles produced by the same company. The prototype flight is planned in about eight to nine months. The presentation of the full-size model of the Sokol-300 drone took place at the “WIZAR” plant in Wiszniewo near Kielce.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won a $53.2 million contract modification for miscellaneous support for 50 retrofit aircraft to the Taiwan F-16 Peace Phoenix Rising program. Under the Phoenix Rising program, Taiwan is upgrading its fleet of 144 Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Block 20 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft to the F-16V configuration. The modification provides for contractor over and above support and acquisition of legacy aircraft hardware and equipment. Work will take place in Texas and Taiwan. Expected completion date is December 31, 2023.

In an interview with Air Force Magazine, Boeing’s Vice President and F-15 Program Manager Prat Kumar commented on the status of the F-15EX program for the US Air Force. He said that Japan would be planning to incorporate many of the EX features except the fly-by-wire system. However, it is unknown if Kumar was talking about features that Japan plans to have in new aircraft purchases or those features that will be incorporated in the F-15JSI upgrade program. Boeing signed a Direct Commercial Sale agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to upgrade Japan’s F-15J to the F-15JSI in July this year. Kumar said the Air Force’s adoption of the F-15EX will potentially expand the number of countries that might buy the jet, including current users Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. “The world watches what the US Air Force buys,” he said. “So clearly there’s interest in our existing customer base across the world.” Israel is “taking a look” at the new F-15, he said, while Japan is planning to incorporate many of the EX features except the fly-by-wire system.

Today’s Video

Watch: Watch: Everything You Need to Know About the Air Force’s New F-15EX

Americas

The Navy contracted Raytheon Missiles $ Defense with a $24.8 million modification for procurement of fiscal 2021 Navy Standard Missile-2 intermediate level provisioned items ordered spares; and to exercise one-year options for fiscal 2021 Standard Missile-2 and Standard Missile-6 repairs and maintenance. The SM-2 is the U.S Navy’s primary surface-to-air defense weapon and is part of the AEGIS Weapon System along Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke Class destroyers. The SM-6, also known as RIM-174, is a ship-launched extended range variant of the anti-air and anti-surface interceptor missile developed by Raytheon Company. It is also a key part of the AEGIS Weapon System. Work will take place in Arkansas, Arizona and California. Expected completion date is in July 2024.

The Blue Angels demonstration flew its F/A-18 A/B/C/D Hornets for the last time on November 4, 2020. The team of planes, formally the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, has used Hornets for the past 34 years, but transitioned to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet platform. “We deeply appreciate the expertise and operational knowledge Blue Angels past and present have brought to the team and we look forward to enhancing our operations as we fully transition to flying the Super Hornet,” Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, Blue Angels commanding officer said in a statement The demonstration team began in 1946 as a civilian and military morale-building experiment, and travels to air shows around the world to exhibit aerial maneuvers. It first used the F/A-18A and F/A-18B Hornet platforms in 1986, and transitioned to C and D models, since discontinued, in 2010.

Middle East & Africa

Egyptian and French naval forces carried out a transit naval training session in the northern fleet region of the Mediterranean Sea, Arab News reported. Egypt’s Taba frigate and France’s Jean Bart frigate took part in the joint exercise. The exercise included training on various sailing formations and assessing surface, air, and submarine threats, and setting scenarios to deal with such threats. The training showed the joint naval units’ capability to take their position with high speed and precision, El-Refaie said, adding that the Egyptian and French sides’ high combat experience has been reflected in the exercise.

Europe

The government of the Netherlands initiated an armored combat vehicle modernization program worth over 500 million Euros ($590.8 million). One of the stages of modernization that has been decided upon, is adoption of rubber track systems. There are many advantages to what seems like a small change from a steel track to a rubber track. The rubber significantly reduces the operational cost and the weight, which leads to better performance by the vehicle. The new contract that has been signed includes development, manufacturing, testing, validation and supply of implementation kits for training.

Asia-Pacific

According to the Australian Department of Defense, the Royal Australian Air Force is testing safe airdrops of fodder. The Air Mobility Training and Development Unit is clearing a new method of delivering fodder using C-130 Hercules and C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, it said in a statement. It’s a safer method of performing a role last conducted by Air Force in the 1980s and ’90s, according to Commanding Officer of AMTDU Wing Commander Cameron Clark. According to Clark, the new method involves constructing a frangible box around the fodder, reducing the risk from foreign object debris damage to the aircraft. The Airdrop trials at RAAF Base Richmond could help cattle stranded by floodwaters.

BAE Systems responded to a Request for Information (RFI) from the Japanese Ministry of Defense, proposing a package of integration support to Japan’s F-X next generation fighter development program. The response to the RFI, which was issued by the JMOD’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency  (ATLA), outlines technical capabilities across a range of key areas, which BAE Systems can offer into supporting development of the F-X program. “We firmly believe that we can add significant value to the F-X programme. We look forward to further progressing our discussions and we are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Japan on this programme,” said Andy Latham, Campaign Delivery Director – Japan, for BAE Systems’ Air business.

Today’s Video

Watch: Watch: Blue Angels Final Legacy Hornet Flight 2020

Americas

The United States Air Force is reportedly ready to move forward with the second program aimed at renewing its fleet of aerial refuelers, formerly known under the codename KC-Y. Head of Air Mobility Command Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost indicated that the service will be moving forward with the bridge tanker KC-Y acquisition program. The competition will be full and open plus “non-developmental“, meaning it will be based on an existing, proven aircraft, according to an Air Mobility Command spokesperson. The Air Force is defining which capabilities it needs in its next tanker and how it will “immediately follow the existing KC-46A delivery timeline,” she said. KC-Y will replace the KC-135 and bridge the capability gap between the KC-46 and the future tanker KC-Z. The KC-46 Pegasus was due to be withdrawn by 2025. But the development of the tanker exceeded the initial forecast by $3 billion. The aircraft has also encountered numerous technical problems since its delivery.

According to a statement by the US Pacific Fleet, the US participant in the Malabar exercise this year hosted by Indian Navy is the Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer USS John S. MacCain. The Malabar exercise is a quadrilateral naval exercise involving the United States, Japan , Australia, and India as permanent partners. The exercise began in 1992 to advance planning, integration and employment of advanced warfare tactics between participating nations and this year will feature the return of the Royal Australian Navy, according to Navy officials. According to officials, the exercise will include a variety of tactical training, including specific interactions designed to strengthen interoperability between Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and US maritime forces.

Middle East & Africa

The Israeli technology news site CTech reports that the privatization of Israel Aeronautics Industries (IAI) is back on track. According to CTech, the Minister for Cyber and National Digital Affairs David (Dudi) Amsalem called for a meeting of the ministerial committee on privatization to be held on November 15. The ministers are set to approve the issuance of the publicly-owned company’s shares at a planned valuation of $12 billion. The move had been held up recently by the Ministry of Defense, led by Benny Gantz and its director-general Amir Eshel. Officially it was claimed that the delay was due to demands by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the Government Companies Authority that some of the money for the public issuance go to the state treasury, while the defense ministry officials wanted it to remain in the company’s coffers. IAI provides products and services in aviation and space to the military and civilian markets. In 2019, its revenue totalled $4.1 billion, and 74% of its sales were exports. The company suffers from low profitability, although in 2019 it switched from a loss to an operating profit of $120 million. The privatization process as outlined follows the model of privatizations of aerospace and defense companies in Europe since the 1980s.

Europe

The UK started work to convert five Boeing 737 airliners into E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning Mk 1 (AEW1) platforms for the Royal Air Force. Boeing announced that the first fuselage sections for the first two aircraft to be modified arrived at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham. “Section 46 is the part of the fuselage where the aircraft’s [Northrop Grumman] multirole electronically scanned array (MESA) radar will be installed,” the company said. It also added that the first Section 46 will begin preparation for inclusion into a 737 Next Generation airliner later this month. Boeing UK also noted that parts and tooling will continue to arrive weekly to the Birmingham hangar in preparation for work on the first two aircraft in January 2021. The Wedgetail is an airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform. According to Boeing, the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft is expected to be in service with the Royal Air Force in 2023.

Asia-Pacific

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $57.1 million deal, which provides for the manufacture and delivery of 19 full rate production Lot 14 GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea skimming targets; 16 for the Navy and three for the government of Japan. Additionally, the contract procures associated technical and administrative data. The GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea skimming target is designed to provide a cost-effective target to simulate supersonic sea-skimming and other emerging supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, support research into ship defense systems, and support fleet training exercises. The target missile design integrates a four-inlet, solid-fuel ducted rocket ramjet propulsion system into a compact missile airframe 18 feet long and 14 inches in diameter. Work will take place in Arkansas, Arizona, Vermont, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and various other locations within the continental US. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

An advanced version of India’s Pinaka rocket system successfully underwent a flight-test from Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, local news reports. A total of six rockets were launched in succession using Pinaka, indigenously developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). According to officials, all of the tests fulfilled the mission objectives. The rockets have been manufactured by Nagpur-based M/s Economic Explosives Limited, to whom the technology has been transferred. According to the DRDO, this advanced version has a longer range with reduced length compared to Mk-1, its earlier variant.

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Watch: Watch: DRDO successfully test-fires advanced version of Pinaka rockets

Americas

Huntington-Ingalls Industries won a $284.3 million contract modification for the accomplishment of CVN 79 single phase delivery and Joint Strike Fighter (F-35C) capabilities. The contract actions shifts the delivery strategy for the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) from a two-phase delivery to a single phase. It reportedly comes as a result of extensive collaboration with the Navy to support legislative requirements for Kennedy to be delivered with its complete warfare system, including F-35 Joint Strike Fighter capabilities, before the ship is commissioned into the fleet. Kennedy is approximately 76% complete. The ship was launched in December 2019, and currently is undergoing additional outfitting and testing at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2024. Work will take place in Virginia. Estimated completion will be in June 2024.

Integral Aerospace won a $9.3 million contract modification, which exercises an option for the production and delivery of 72 external fuel tanks in support of the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the US Navy’s primary strike and air superiority aircraft. It is an updated version of the F-18C/D, featuring a 20 percent larger airframe, 7,000 lb heavier empty weight, and 15,000 lb heavier maximum weight than the original Hornet. The Super Hornet carries 33 percent more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41 percent and endurance by 50 percent over the earlier Hornet. The EA-18G Growler is the U.S. Navy’s newest electronic attack aircraft intended to replace ageing EA-6B Prowlers in the service’s fleet. Based on the F-18 E/F Hornet airframe, the two-seater, twin-turbofan aircraft integrates the latest electronic attack technology, including the ALQ-218 receiver, ALQ-99 jamming pods, communication countermeasures, and satellite communications. Work will take place in Santa Ana, California. Expected completion is in May 2022.

Middle East & Africa

New frequency jammers acquired by the Spanish Defense Ministry from Israel’s Netline Communications Technologies have undergone operational evaluation tests at the facilities of La Marañosa Technological Institute (ITM). After finishing the tests, the Defense Ministry started the process of acquiring 51 kits including equipment and accessories. The first batch will arrive before the end of 2020, which will enable the start of the installation in vehicles of the armed forces starting from next year. In total, 334 systems are expected to be acquired. The process of the acquisition of these systems started at the end of 2008.

Europe

The Romanian Air Force took delivery of two more F-16 fighters from Portugal. This is the third and fourth aircraft from a batch of five jets bought from Portugal. The last aircraft is expected to be delivered the first quarter of 2021. Once all aircraft are in the country. All 17 jets will be getting the M6XR modifications.

Asia-Pacific

Japan selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the lead contractor of the country’s new fighter jet. The fighter will fly by 2028, with production scheduled for the 2030s. The new fighter will replace the F-2, also built by Mitsubishi, and will incorporate American aerospace technology and know-how. Mitsubishi built a number of famous World War I aircraft, including the A6M “Zero” naval fighter, but Japan stopped developing and producing warplanes after the war. The F-2, is a derivative of the F-16 that Lockheed Martin developed in the 1990s.

Reuters reported that the US State Department could notify Congress on the sale of four MQ-9 Sea Guardian unmanned air vehicles to Taiwan this week. The report said the sale “has crossed a key hurdle in Congress and is at the last stage of approval.” The $600 million deal would be the first such sale since US policy on the export of sophisticated and closely guarded drone technology was loosened by the Trump administration. The formal notification gives Congress 30 days to object to any sales, but this is unlikely given broad bipartisan support for the defense of Taiwan.

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Watch: The Enormous USS Ronald Reagan Carrier | Aircraft Carrier: Guardian Of The Seas | Spark

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $724 million contract modification for the Aegis Weapon System (AWS). Under the follow on contract, the contractor will conduct full development and lifecycle engineering for the Aegis Weapon System (AWS) fielding for cruisers, destroyers and Aegis Ashore configurations. The AWS contract will support the following efforts: Aegis Baseline 5.4.1 (Ballistic Missile Defense 4.2) development; BL 9 (BMD 5.X) development; Aegis BMD In-Service support; BMD ground and flight test support; modeling and simulation support; Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex combat system engineering, testing, site support, modernization, technical and logistics support; and Aegis BMD ship installation and planning. The Aegis Weapon System is a centralized, automated, command-and-control and weapons control system. Aegis Baseline (BL) 9 software allows a ship to do both air defense and BMD simultaneously. Work under the modification will take place in New Jersey. Estimated completion will be in February 2024.

The US Navy prepared a draft environmental assessment for home-basing of the MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned air system at Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu, California. The Stingray is an aerial refueling drone. It will serve as a tanker capable of refueling aircraft in flight. The Stingray will also be capable of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. The drone first flew on September 19, 2019. Boeing is developing the MQ-25. According to the company, will „provide the needed robust refueling capability thereby extending the combat range of deployed Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters“. According to the draft released by the USN, the Stingray will fly approximately 960 flights annually at Point Mugu. The home basing will bring 730 personnel and their family members to the base. A new hangar will be constructed northeast of the base with two taxiways to link to the existing Taxiway B.

Middle East & Africa

At Euronaval Online, which is the digital edition of Euronaval 2020, International naval defense and maritime security industry exhibition, Israel Shipyards presented the SAAR S-72, the new generation of the famous SAAR class Fast Attack Mini Corvettes, Israel Defense reported. The SAAR-72 is a multi-mission vessel using a modular design, in Corvette configuration, she can be used to conduct naval warfare missions. In OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel), she can be armed with lighter weaponry. It is a stealth multi-purpose corvette derived from the Saar 4.5 missile boats fully designed by Israeli Shipyards. The ship has a length of 72 meters and a displacement of 800 tons. She has an endurance of 21 days with a crew of 50 people including officers and sailors. It can also accommodate 20 passengers or commandos.

Europe

According to news reports, the UK Government will take back control of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) following a written ministerial statement by the Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace. The AWE designs, manufactures and supports the UK’s nuclear weapons. For two decades, it has been under privatized management. It is currently run by Lockheed Martin, Serco and Jacob’s Engineering, with Lockheed holding a majority stake in the management consortium. The establishment, based at Aldermaston in southern England, is at the core of British activities toward developing, producing and disassembling nuclear warheads for the Royal Navy’s fleet of Trident missile-armed submarines. Back in February 2020, the Ministry of Defense started the development of a new nuclear warhead to allow the Navy to field an effective deterrent for deployment on the new fleet of Dreadnought Class submarines due to start replacing the existing boats early in the next decade.

Asia-Pacific

According to local media, another three Dassault Rafale fighters will be delivered to India the first week of November. The jets are reported to be arriving on home soil on November 4. With this, the IAF will have eight of the 36 Rafale jets in service. The first batch of five Rafale jets were formally inducted into the No.17 ‘Golden Arrows’ squadron of the IAF on September 10 at the Ambala Air Force station. They arrived in India in July. India has contracted 36 Rafale omni-role fighter jets from France in fly-away condition with 13 India Specific Enhancements (ISE) under a €7.87 billion ($9.1 billion) Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in September 2016. The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft

Northrop Grumman won a $158.4 million contract action to help sustain the Global Hawk RQ-4 aircraft for South Korea. Northrop will provide contractor logistics services and RQ-4 spares as part of the sole-sourced award. The Global Hawk is a high-altitude, remotely-piloted, surveillance aircraft. The RQ-4 UAS has a capacity of more than 30 hours and is designed to gather imagery in real-time and in all weather conditions for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The unmanned platform has been deployed for Air Force missions since 2001. Work will take place in the Republic of Korea and Sierra Vista, Arizona. Estimated completion date is February 29, 2024.

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Watch: The Navy’s MQ-25 Aircraft Has Old-School Style Stealth

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $73.9 million modification, which exercises an option to provide continued F-35 development lab infrastructure activities as well as recurring administration, maintenance and preparation of the F-35 laboratories to test developed configurations across the F-35 platform. The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) is a stealthy, supersonic multirole fighter. Work will take place in Texas and is expected to be finished by October 2021.

The US Air Force awarded Raytheon a $192 million deal or Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) field team and lab support. This contract provides support for the AMRAAM system development test activities to include laboratory management, field-team test support, testing and analysis. The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. MRAAM incorporates active radar seeker with mid-course inertial navigation making it less dependent on aircraft’s fire control radar. That capability enables simultaneous AMRAAM launching against different targets. Work will take place in Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Washington, California and Florida. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2030.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli news site Globes says that “several Gulf States” have expressed interest in buying defensive equipment from Rafael. These countries are keen to buy missile defense systems to defend their oil installations from missile attacks. They are also looking at the Trophy active protection system for armored vehicles. These contacts are taking place against the background of the involvement of the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the civil war in Yemen on the side of the government, against the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran, says „Globes“. Forces of the Gulf states are fighting in this conflict in the air, on land, and by sea, and the Israeli systems could be very useful.

Europe

Russia’s Aerospace Force successfully tested the 53T6M anti-ballistic missile interceptor at the Sary-Shagan proving ground in Kazakhstan, Tass reports. The new interceptor missile of the ABM system reliably confirmed its stated characteristics. “The combat team of the Aerospace Force’s air and anti-ballistic missile defense troops successfully conducted the next test-launch of a new missile of the Russian anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defense system at the Sary-Shagan proving ground (the Republic of Kazakhstan),” the Russian defense ministry said in a statement. Last time, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported about the test-launch of a new interceptor missile from the Sary-Shagan proving ground on July 2, 2019.

Asia-Pacific

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the US State Department recently approved the potential sale to Australia of more than $46 million worth of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles. The complete package includes two hundred Javelin FGM-148E missiles with US Government technical assistance and other related elements of logistics and program support. According to a notice released on October 30, the proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.

A new warship being considered as a replacement for Japan’s Aegis Ashore proposal will be the largest guide missile destroyer for the Japan Self-Defense Force if the project goes ahead. The new warship will be based on the Maya Class but its displacement will be increased to 9,000-tons and the dimensions will be longer. This is to create a better living environment for the crew.

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Watch: UNITED STATES WILL DEPLOY COAST GUARD SHIPS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC TO TAKE ON CHINESE MILITIA !

Americas

DRS Systems won a $10.5 million contract modification for an engineering change to the Energy Magazine Prototype design for the DDG51 Class destroyer program. This award is for an engineering change proposal of the Energy Storage Module that will provide capability to supply power to a directed energy load and includes design, build and testing for a total of two prototype units. The Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Class guided missile destroyers provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments. Arleigh Burke class destroyers are equipped with the Navy’s Aegis Weapon System, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapon system. When integrated with the Aegis Combat System, the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) will permit groups of ships and aircraft to link their radars to provide a composite picture of the battle space, effectively increasing the theater space. The capability is designed to provide the Navy with a 21st century fighting edge. Work under the current modification will take place in Wisconsin and is expected to be finished by June 2022.

Lockheed Martin won a 9.8 million order, which provides non-recurring engineering for the production of target designator sets and electro-optical in support of AH-1Z Light Attack helicopters for Foreign Military Sales customers. Contracting activity is the Naval Air Systems Command. The US Marine Corps just recently completed its transition from the AH-1W Sea Cobra attack helicopter to the AH-1Z Viper. The Viper includes new propulsion, fire control, and sensor improvements. The Viper also comes with a fully integrated glass cockpit, third-generation fire control system, new transmission, upgraded landing gear, and improved weapons-carrying capabilities. Work under the order will take place in Florida and estimated completion will be by November 2022.

Middle East & Africa

According to „Israel Defense“, Israel’s MCTECH completed the process of supplying dozens of MC-60P explosive device jammers to a military customer in Southeast Africa last month. MCTECH specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of high-end radio frequency jammers. Reportedly, the MC-60P, developed and manufactured by MCTECH Laboratories, is a modular and portable system that can be quickly deployed or operated while in motion. Its function is to protect troops, explosive ordnance disposal operators and other security forces from radio-controlled improvised explosive devices, or to disrupt enemy transmissions on the battlefield.

Europe

According to Tass, Russian Deputy Prime Minister suggested to South Korean Deputy Prime Minister that Moscow could repay its state debt to South Korea by delivering helicopters to the country. Yury Trutnev held a video conference call with Hong Nam-ki. Trutnev’s press service said in a statement that both sides discussed the repayment using helicopters. Earlier, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport validated the certificate of Mi-171A2, a Russian-made civilian helicopter, effectively authorizing its use in the country.

New reports from Greece say that the United States has agreed to sell 20 F-35A fighters to Greece, six of them will be jets that were originally ordered by Turkey but not delivered. Greek newspaper “Estia“ said the order was discussed during Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the country earlier this month.

Asia-Pacific

According to Northrop Grumman, the company commenced assembly of the first of up to seven MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Australia. The milestone saw the first jig-load for a Triton intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) UAV for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) take place at Northrop Grumman’s Moss Point facility in Mississippi. Final assembly and flight testing will follow at the company’s Palmdale facility and at Edwards Air Force Base in California, ahead of delivery to Australia in 2023.

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Watch: TAIWAN PROVES IT IS NO PUSH OVER & CAN HOLD ITS OWN – AMERICAN F 16 vs RUSSIAN SUKHOI SU 30 !

Americas

The US Army received the first Infantry Squad Vehicle made by General Motors Defense. The vehicle, which the Army received at GM Proving Grounds, was the result of the first major contract GM Defense, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GM, has won since its formation since 2017. GM Defense delivered the vehicle just 120 days after winning the $214.3 million deal to produce it in June. “One hundred and twenty days from contract award to delivery is a significant milestone, and I am very proud of the team for this accomplishment,” said David Albritton, president of GM Defense in a statement. “We’re leveraging General Motors’ engineering prowess and immense manufacturing capabilities to bring transformative solutions to the military vehicle market.” The Infantry Squad Vehicle is based on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 truck, and it uses 90% commercial components, but is designed to carry a nine-soldier infantry squad quickly across a battlefield.

The Pentagon delayed plans to move the F-35 program to full-rate production because simulation testing that’s needed before that can even begin has been delayed until next year. The testing phase was originally scheduled for 2017 but had been delayed to December of this year. Now it’s being moved back again because technical preparations aren’t complete, and both testing and the production decision have been pushed to 2021, according to Jessica Maxwell, spokeswoman for Defense Department acquisition chief Ellen Lord. While it’s not clear, why the test schedule has been delayed again, but in April Lockheed said it expected lower sales and slower deliveries for several of its programs this year due to disruptions caused by the current global pandemic, with the F-35 program being particularly hard hit.

Middle East & Africa

A batch of MiG-29Ms that Algeria ordered in 2018 have been delivered in pieces to the country and they are assembled and ready for flight. These aircraft are now at Oran. This first batch was delivered in a disassembled state. It is unknown how many aircraft are involved in this batch and if the aircraft were delivered as air freight or by boat. The new aircraft are being prepared for their first flights at an air base in the vicinity of Oran. The deal for the new single seat MiG-29M and dual seat MiG-29M2 was signed during the MAKS-2019 International Aviation and Space Salon in Moscow (Russia). The new M-model will replace the older MiG-29S and MiG-29UB in use at Bou Sfer air base. The number of aircraft in this contract is reported to be fourteen aircraft. The new Algerian Air Force MiG-29M/M2 is the same version as the Egypt Air Force MiG-29Ms.

Washington agreed to consider allowing the UAE to buy stealth F-35 fighter jets in a side deal to its normalization agreement with Israel. Israel will not oppose US sales of “specific weapons systems” to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, in an apparent reference to the high-tech F-35 warplanes sought by Abu Dhabi. Under a principle of preserving Israel’s “qualitative military edge”, the United States consults with it on proposed sales of advanced arms to other countries in the region.

Europe

According to the British Royal Navy, Royal Marines have completed two weeks of rigorous training in the skills needed to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The Royal Marines of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group are held at very high-readiness year round, guarding the nuclear deterrent carried onboard the Vanguard-class submarines based at Faslane Naval Base in Scotland. The commandos battled in a range of complex environments and challenging scenarios that ensure they are ready to safeguard the nuclear deterrent whatever the situation.

Asia-Pacific

A Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Canberra-class amphibious assault ship has embarked a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) CH-47 heavy-lift helicopter on its flight deck for the first time, marking a new level of interoperability between the two armed forces. The aircraft underwent deck landing qualification on HMAS Adelaide (L 01), the RAN’s second Canberra-class vessel, as part of Exercise ‘Sea Wader 2020’, which took place off the coast of Queensland, Australia. “The ability to operate our largest amphibious vessels with Singapore’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters means we can work together to mobilize and move personnel or supplies at sea, and enhance our combined joint capability”, said Linda Reynolds, Australia’s Minister for Defense, in a statement.

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BECA: THE DEAL THAT WILL MAKE INDIAN MISSILES MORE LETHAL HAS BEEN SIGNED | CHINA ON CROSSHAIR !

As the U.S. decides who will be president for the next four years a review of procurement spending indicates that the Trump Administration has shown little difference in appropriations versus previous administrations, despite claims to have radically increased spending.

The upshot is that the last four years saw about $2.9 in spending appropriated in inflation-adjusted dollars, which was larger than Barak Obama’s second term, but less than the Obama Administration’s first term.

President Trump’s campaign speech claims of spending during his term relative to previous terms are incorrect. President Trump claimed this year that military spending in the 90s “used to be ‘million.’ And then, about 10 years ago, you started hearing ‘billion.’ And now you’re starting to hear ‘trillion,’ right?” Of course, U.S. defense spending hit the billions in the late 1940s, and recent spending has been on pace with spending from the decade previous.

The Trump Administration has done little to change the often-criticized Pentagon trend of investing more money in fewer pieces of equipment, such as fighter jets that cost a quarter billion dollars each when fully kitted out. The navy is running fewer ships that each cost more. Previous administrations did no better in reversing this trend, of course.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden stated multiple times that he has no plans to reduce military spending, but indicated a desire to refocus military budgets and planning on “near-peer” powers Russia and China, while attempting to recover some of the goodwill of allies tested by the Trump Administration’s active skepticism in cooperation with allies, especially the NATO alliance.

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Americas

Sikorsky won a $550.4 million modification, which is for Lot IV low rate initial production and delivery of six CH-53K aircraft and associated aircraft, programmatic and logistics support, rate tooling and physical configuration audits. The CH-53K Super Stallion can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. The aircraft can be operated from austere and remote forward operating bases. It is Marine Corps’ heavy-lift replacement for the CH-53E Super Stallion. Designed to lift nearly 14 tons at a mission radius of 110 nautical miles, in Navy high/hot environments, the CH-53K is designed to lift triple the baseline CH-53E lift capability. The CH-53K will have an equivalent logistics shipboard footprint, lower operating costs per aircraft, and less direct maintenance man hours per flight hour. The Marine Corps has a requirement for 200 CH-53Ks. Work will take place in Connecticut, Kansas, Washington, Texas, Canada, Wisconsin, the UK and Florida. Estimated completion will be in July 2024.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) AWACS qualified Aerospace Controllers (AECs) and Aerospace Control Operators (AC Ops) are now able to wear a new ‘wings’ badge that was officially rolled out on October 23. The North American air arm said the new wings recognizes the demanding training, arduous qualifications, and extensive responsibilities needed to maintain Combat Mission Ready status. „When the AWACS positions were established in 1974, it was assumed that AECs and AC Ops in those positions did not directly contribute to the safe operation of the aircraft, which would justify an upswept wing-style aircrew flying badge. In addition, it was assumed they would only fly occasionally. Our understanding of their responsibilities has changed“, it says in a statement.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s Elbit was chosen to supply light tanks and wheeled APCs to the Philippine Army. The contracts are said to include nearly $200 million worth of Sabrah tanks and armored combat vehicles. According to reports, Elbit Systems is the winner of two large tenders for the supply of light tanks and wheeled armored personnel carriers to the Philippine Army. According the website, the Israeli Ministry of Defense received the notice of award for these two tenders several months ago. As part of the light tank contract, Elbit will supply 18 Sabrah ASCOD 2 tracked tanks, 10 Sabrah Pandur II 8×8 wheeled tanks, one ASCOD 2 armored command vehicle and one ASCOD 2 armored recovery vehicle worth approximately $196 million. The wheeled APC contract includes 28 IVECO Guarani 6×6 wheeled APCs worth about $47 million. All APCs have a manned turret with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. In addition, the APCs are equipped with an E-LynX computer-based communication system and a Torch-X combat management system made by Elbit.

Europe

Rolls-Royce has signed a collaborative agreement with the UK Ministry of Defense to strengthen ways of working across key Royal Navy programmes. The firm say that the Memorandum of Understanding describes a commitment of both parties to work together to deliver on-going support for Rolls-Royce MT30 and WR-21 engines and an understanding of how that will be done. The agreement will improve on-going support for the Rolls-Royce MT30 engines that power the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers. It also covers support of the WR-21 engines that power the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers.

Lockheed Martin won a $194 million contract modification, which adds a $180,000,000 not-to-exceed, undefinitized line item for the production and delivery of four MH-60R aircraft, and exercises a $13,980,348 option to procure three airborne low frequency sonars in support of the government of Greece. This comes at a time when the Greece is running deep into a dispute with Turkey. In 2019, the US State Department cleared a $600 million foreign military sale (FMS) of seven MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters to Greece. In July 2020, Greece signed a contract for the purchase of 4 new units, via this program. The MH-60R SeaHawk helicopter is a twin-engine, multi-mission, all-weather Naval utility helicopter, based on the Army’s UH-60 BlackHawk, and is used for a variety of roles including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), naval special warfare (NSW) insertion, search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations. Work under the modification will take place in New York, Connecticut, Alabama, France and Rhode Island. Expected completion will be in February 2025.

Asia-Pacific

A spokesman of the Chinese defense ministry suggested that China will retaliate if $1.4 billion U.S arms sales to Taiwan go through. „The move seriously damages relations between the two countries and the two militaries, as well as the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China firmly opposes it,” said spokesperson Col. Tan Kefei of China’s Ministry of National Defense. „China strongly urges the US side to immediately cancel the plans of selling weapons to Taiwan and cease military contact with the island and handle issues related to Taiwan prudently, so as to avoid serious consequences to Sino-American bilateral and mil-to-mil relations, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” he added. The statement from the ministry noted that, according to Tan, “if the US side discards the basic norms of international relations, violates its commitment and acts capriciously and obstinately, China will for sure resolutely strike back.” The U.S. State Department approved arms deals with Taiwan on Thursday, totaling $1.4 billion.

Americas

Four B-1B bombers left Texas this week, arriving in Guam for Bomber Task Force training missions with allied partners, the US Air Force announced. On the way, the bombers integrated with 16 F-15 and two F-2 planes of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force for training over the Sea of Japan, the Air Force said. They also conducted a training exercise with the amphibious assault ship USS America in the western Pacific Ocean. The visit to Guam comes after the Air Force adjusted its force employment model, enabling strategic bombers like to B-1B to be forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific region from a broader array of worldwide locations.

The first AC-130W gunship to record a combat kill has been flown to its final home at Sheppard AFB, Texas whereby it will become a ground instructional trainer for ammo and armament students in the 363rd Training Squadron as well as crew chief student in the 362nd Training Squadron. The aircraft was received from the Lockheed-Martin factory Jun. 6, 1989, with the original nickname of ‘City of Hurricane.’ It recorded its first combat kill on February 9, 2011 and on December 2016, it became the first AC-130W to score a combat kill with the 105mm cannon.

Middle East & Africa

Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the test-firing of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, adding that US objections did not concern him. The truck-mounted S-400 system was tested in Turkey’s Sinop province on the Black Sea, where it was delivered earlier this month with British-made Banshee drones for use as targets. “It is true that tests have been carried out,” Erdogan said in televised remarks from Istanbul, Bloomberg reported. “What are we supposed to do, not test these capabilities? Obviously we’re not going to ask the US“.

Europe

US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday conducted a bilateral Strategic Dialogue via video teleconference with the First Sea Lord this week. The leaders discussed the two navies’ alliance and areas for continued collaboration and cooperation around the globe. Additionally, the two leaders signed a Statement of Intent for ‘Future Integrated Warfighting’ that will set a “cooperative vision for inter-changeability between the two navies, synchronize pioneering capabilities, strengthen operating concepts, and focus our collective efforts to Deliver Combined Seapower, together”.

The Swedish Air Force (SwAF) will retain a number of its Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighters beyond their current planned 2026 retirement date, solidifying an earlier announced plan to make up an anticipated shortfall in Gripen E numbers. The plan, announced by the Swedish Defense Ministry in mid-October and confirmed by manufacturer Saab on October 23, is part of a wider increase in national defense spending by more than 40% between 2021 and 2025 that was revealed by Swedish defense minister Peter Hultqvist. Of the current six Gripen C/D squadrons fielded by the SwAF, four are set to transition to the Gripen E over the coming years. As revealed in Hultqvist’s latest announcement, the two outstanding squadrons will remain operational with their existing Gripen C/D aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

The US Marine Corps at Iwakuni, Japan, announced formation of a new attack squadron on Friday in anticipation of the arrival of F-35B fighter planes. Marine Aircraft Group 12 re-designated Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, or VMFA-242. The change is part of the Marine Corps’ ongoing transition process from F/A-18 Hornet fighter planes to the more-advanced F-35B. It will be the second overseas Marine squadron.

Today’s Video

Watch: DEFENSE UPDATES WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP 25th OCT – ARLEIGH BURKE DESTROYERS TO HAVE HYPERSONIC WEAPON !

Americas

Honeywell International won a $15.8 million delivery order for V-22 spare parts. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. The delivery order was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 US Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is October 31, 2021.

L3 Technologies von a $23.8 million contract to perform survivable super high frequency (SSHF) upgrades to the E-4B platform. The SSHF upgrade seeks to build new capabilities that form the foundation for maintaining the E-4B as an effective nuclear command, control and communications platform. The E-4B is a militarized version of the 747-200 commercial airliner and acts as the United States’ principle airborne command and control operations center during times of war. Originally designed to carry the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a nuclear attack, the aircraft provides a highly survivable, command, control and communications center to direct US forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities. Work will take place in Utah and Nebraska. Expected completion will be by April, 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) says it will no longer export its Rotax engines to Turkey after the company become aware that the power plants were installed on the latter’s Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). “We have recently been made aware that some Rotax engines are currently used in military UAVs, and have started a thorough investigation immediately,” Martin Langelier, BPR’s senior vice president and the company’s spokesperson, told Radio Canada International in an email statement. He added that those engines are produced in Austria exclusively for civilian purposes and are certified for civilian use only. An Azerbaijan Bayraktar TB2 was shot down by Armenia last week and components from the wreckage showed that they were made by Canadian companies.

Europe

The US State Department announced that the Trump administration intends to give two decommissioned F-16 fighters to Bulgaria. The donation was announced during Assistant Secretary for Political and Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper’s visit to the country. The transfer is subjected to approval by the US Congress. The jets will be used as training aids and general familiarization tools for Bulgarian Air Force personnel.

Asia-Pacific

A US Air Force C-17 had to make an emergency landing with its nose gear up on October 18 in Afghanistan. US Forces in Afghanistan spokesman Army Col. Sonny Leggett confirmed the incident. A video, taken from a car driving by the runway, shows the C-17 landing on its rear landing gear and then easing its nose down as it slows to a stop, with sparks streaking from its fuselage. Pictures of the C-17 on the ground after the emergency landing show the markings of the 62nd and 446th airlift wings at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

VT-ALW, the second Boeing 777 airliner modified as the VVIP aircraft for the Indian government has arrived home on October 24. The first aircraft, VT-ALV, was delivered to India on October 1.The B777 is fitted with the state of the art defense systems, including missiles and jamming mechanisms. The plane has a state of the art missile defense system called as the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS).

Today’s Video

Watch: US NAVY’S JOHN S.MCCAIN, JMSDF’S JS KIRISAME & AUSTRALIAN ROYAL NAVY’S HMAS ARUNTA JOIN HANDS !

E-4B NAOC
(click to view full)

In December 2005, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a contract as Product Support Integrator (PSI) for the USAF’s E-4 National Airborne Operations Center fleet. These 4 modified 747-200s were introduced in 1974, and serve as complete flying command posts for national and military authorities. As one might imagine, they are hardened to resist the side-effects of nuclear attack, such as electro-magnetic pulse effects.

The 2005 contract was a 5-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract vehicle, with one 5-year option and a $2 billion cost cap. That’s a lot of money for a small fleet, but the E-4’s plays a military and civil role that gives the program enough leverage to justify it. A long history of support from Boeing includes a number of modernizations, and those continue for various systems within the fleet. DID looks at the aircraft, the program, and ongoing awards.

The E-4B and Its Update Team

The USAF operates 4 of these 747-200 aircraft variants, assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. They’re big planes, for a set of big missions.

The E-4B is designed for full national command, including the President of the United States and/or successors, Secretary of Defense, and/or Joint Chiefs of Staff. These command functions extend to nuclear forces if necessary.

It also has a civil role in the event of natural disasters. As of 1994, the E-4 fleet will also ferry Federal Emergency Management Agency crews to natural disaster sites and serving as a temporary command post on the ground until facilities can be built on site. E-4B support can cut timelines from days to hours.

E-4B overview
click for video

So, how does this relate to other command planes in the USAF’s inventory?

The VC-25 Air Force One is the President’s transport plane, with a much nicer interior and secondary command functions. An E-4B is kept on full alert at all times, and 1 remains relatively close to Air Force One so that the American President can get into an E-4B quickly from anywhere in the world.

The smaller 707-based E-6B Mercury/TACAMO has a simpler primary mission: it mirrors the command systems of the military’s STRATCOM authority for nuclear missiles, including VLF communications with American nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Its “Looking Glass” theater command post role offers helpful redundancy, but it would never be the primary option if a choice is available.

Inside tour
click for video

The E-4A debuted in late 1974, and the first E-4B conversion was delivered in 1980. By 1985, all E-4s were E-4Bs. As one might imagine, the E-4B has always had electromagnetic pulse protection, an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics, and communications equipment that’s as new as the requirements for hardened systems can offer. A spool within the aircraft can extend a long antenna up to 5 miles behind the plane, for VLF transmissions.

E-4B improvements include newer nuclear and thermal effects shielding, acoustic control, an improved technical control facility, and an upgraded air-conditioning system for cooling all those electrical components. An advanced satellite communications system improves worldwide communications.

The main deck is divided into 6 functional areas: a command work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, and communications and rest areas. An E-4B crew may include up to 112 people, including a joint-service operations team, an ACC flight crew, on-board maintenance and security personnel, a communications team and “selected augmentees.”

The goal of the 2005 PSI contract is to provide increased readiness for the fleet, and integrate multiple contracts (Contractor Logistics Support, Engineering Support Services, Message Processing System, and Block I upgrades) into a single best-value contract. USAF Air Combat Command (ACC) is the single-resource manager for the E-4B, and provides aircrew, maintenance, security and communications support. The Joint Chiefs of Staff actually control E-4B operations, and provide personnel for the airborne operations center.

Boeing remains the lead system integrator for the E-4 fleet, and leads a team that also includes L3 Communications, Rockwell Collins, and Greenpoint Technology Inc.

Contracts & Key Events FY 2012 – Today

 

E-4B
(click for full photo)

October 26/20: SSHF L3 Technologies von a $23.8 million contract to perform survivable super high frequency (SSHF) upgrades to the E-4B platform. The SSHF upgrade seeks to build new capabilities that form the foundation for maintaining the E-4B as an effective nuclear command, control and communications platform. The E-4B is a militarized version of the 747-200 commercial airliner and acts as the United States’ principle airborne command and control operations center during times of war. Originally designed to carry the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a nuclear attack, the aircraft provides a highly survivable, command, control and communications center to direct US forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities. Work will take place in Utah and Nebraska. Expected completion will be by April, 2022.

Sept 30/14: Boeing Aerospace Operations in OK City, OK receives a $9.8 million contract modification to design and develop a modern “E-4B low frequency transmit system,” through to the stage of system requirements review and finalized system requirements. $4.7 million is committed immediately, and this is just the 1st stage of a FY14$ 92 million effort to replace onboard LF/VLF systems that are considered obsolete. Initial Operational Capability for the new system is planned for FY 2019.

Low frequency is also known as the kilometer band, and is useful for long-range transmission because it can be bounced off of the ionosphere and diffract over obstacles. A small subset in the 30-50 kHz range can even communicate with submarines that aren’t too far underwater. Surer sub-surface communication can be had below this range through ELF and VLF sites, but those methods require structures whose size is measured in square miles. The USA decommissioned its fixed ELF sites in 2004, but continues to maintain several VLF locations.

Work will be performed at OK City, OK, and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2015. The USAF Life Cycle Management Center in Tinker AFB, OK, manages the contract (FA8106-07-C-0001, PO 0204). See also Briefing slide [PDF].

Sept 26/14: Boeing in Wichita, KS receives a sole-source $26.6 million task order for E-4B programmed depot maintenance and modifications. All funds are committed immediately, using USAF FY 2014 O&M and aircraft budgets.

Work will be performed at San Antonio, TX, and is expected to be complete by May 15/15. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. The USAF Life Cycle Management Center at Tinker AFB, OK manages the contract (FA8106-06-D-0001, 0047).

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

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

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

Dec 3/13: Support. Boeing in Wichita, KS receives a $75.7 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, attached to the $1 billion E-4B “Product Service Integrator” deal (q.v. Dec 8/05). They’ll provide support and spares, programmed depot maintenance, modifications, and related activities.

$24.5 million in FY 2014 operations and maintenance funds are committed immediately. The Pentagon said that work would be performed in Wichita, KS and is expected to be complete by Nov 30/14. That’s half-right. Wichita has traditionally been the E-4’s base of support, but Boeing announced their intent to close the plant in January 2012, and it’s still on schedule for closure in March 2014. E-4 work has been moved to Oklahoma City, OK and San Antonio, TX. The USAF Life Cycle Management Center/WLKLC at Tinker AFB, OK manages the contract (FA8106-06-D-0001, PO 0030). See also Wichita Eagle, “Boeing: Work from Defense contract won’t be done in Wichita”.

July 1/13: Broadband SATCOM. Raytheon Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA receives a $34 million contract modification to continued development and testing of air (E-4, E-6) and ground fixed and transportable command post terminals with presidential and national voice conferencing. The systems are a parallel project award under the Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program, which leverages new AEHF hardened broadband satellites. The goal is a production-ready system by September 2014.

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

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

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

Feb 24/12: Raytheon in Largo, FL receives an $8.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee price contract for 1 installation lot of E-4B Mod Block 1 audio infrastructure obsolescence upgrades. Work will be performed in Largo, FL and is expected to be complete by Feb 28/13. The OC-ALC/GKSKH at Tinker Air Force Base, OK manages the contract (FA8106-12-C-0003).

FY 2005 – 2011

 

E-4B mission
click for video

Sept 19/11: Delivery. Boeing returns another E-4B to Offut AFB, NE after its programmed depot maintenance (PDM). Boeing’s E-4B program manager, Glenn Winkler, referred to “over and above” surprise issues uncovered during the maintenance, but the maintenance and modifications were completed, and the plane flew on to Offut AFB, NE after a new paint job by Boeing partner L-3 in Greenville, TX. Boeing.

June 7/11: CNS/ATM upgrade. Boeing announces an unspecified USAF award for the E-4B Communications Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) upgrade, Phase 1. The CNS/ATM upgrade will bring the fleet in line with new Federal Aviation Administration requirements for flight in civilian and international airspace, and will also allow the E-4Bs to operate more efficiently at airports and in crowded airspace. Their solution will be derived from current Boeing 737 cockpits, and the 4 E-4Bs will be upgraded in 3 phases.

Phase 1 includes next-generation flight-management hardware and software, as well as a multimode receiver radio that combines several aircraft systems into a single component. Boeing Global Transport & Executive Systems (GTES) will incorporate the Phase 1 upgrades during the E-4Bs’ regularly scheduled maintenance cycle at Boeing’s Wichita, KS facility. The initial E-4B CNS/ATM Phase 1 aircraft is expected to enter flight test in Q4 2012.

Aug 20/10: Accident. A USAF Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board rules that a May 12/10 accident at Offut AFB, NE was caused by pilot error. The E-4B’s tail hit the runway between 2-3 feet past the centerline, causing about $3.1 million worth of damage. The aircraft was quickly brought to a stop, with no injuries or further property damage.

According to the report, the board ruled that major factors included misperception of the operational conditions in altitude, glide path and descent rate on the aircraft’s short final; breakdown in visual scan during a night landing; overcontrolling the input to the yoke of the aircraft; and procedural error recovery technique that resulted in too much pitch. USAF.

Sept 21/07: Delivery. Boeing announces the delivery of a refurbished E-4B National Airborne Operations Center to the U.S. Air Force Strategic Command after completing programmed depot maintenance (PDM) at its modification center in Wichita, KS.

Dec 8/05: Support. Boeing in Wichita, KS receives a maximum $1 billion indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract fee to be the E-4B’s Product Support Integrator (PSI): a sole source, performance based effort to take care of logistics, maintenance, modernization, and engineering work, combining a number of separate contracts (CLS, ESS, MPS, & Block I) into one contract. Boeing has supported the E-4 fleet of 4 modified Boeing 747 aircraft for 25 years now, offering contractor logistics support, engineering services and technical order support.

Solicitation began August 2005, and negotiations were complete December 2005. The indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract will have a 5-year basic period, plus 1 more 5-year option period, which would extend it to FY 2016. The Oklahoma City ALC at Tinker AFB, OK (FA8106-06-D-0001, announcement Feb 13/06). Boeing’s corporate release pegs the total value at up to $2 billion.

$1 billion performance-based support deal

Additional Readings

• USAF – E-4B.

• Boeing – E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post.

• TIME Battleland (April 2/13) – Costly Flight Hours. If the C-5C is removed as a massive outlier (even compared to other C-5s), The E-4B is the most expensive plane per flight hour, just ahead of Air Force One. Both cost over $160,000 by AFCAP figures, which include aircraft modifications as a cost.

• Defense Media Network (April 23/11) – E-4B Emergency Command Post Doubles as SECDEF’s Ride.

Other C2 Aircraft

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

• DID – The USA’s E-6 Fleet: TAke Charge, And Move Out!.

Americas

The US Air Force has started a search to find a supplier for its Global Precision Attack Weapon, a small, lightweight bomb that fits in the weapons bays of the B-21 and F-35. The weapon is to have “high loadout” and digitally engineered, Air Force magazine reports. „High load“ means many can be carried on a single platform, suggesting a small size—and digitally engineered, with open-systems architecture. It should enable “maximum flexibility to integrate a suite of technologies,” including position, navigation, and timing and guidance, navigation, control; as well as “cockpit-selectable warhead effect,” fuzing, sensors, propulsion, “signature optimization” or stealthiness, “maritime apps, multimode seeker, affordable mass, and autonomy/sensing.” GPAW will have to operate “within the joint, all-domain functional environment against near-peer competitors.” It was suggested the weapon should be able to collaborate autonomously. The announcement modified a previous announcement published by the Air Force and Special Operations Command in the spring.

This year’s Trident Warrior 20 exercise saw the US Marine Corps deploy four oceanographic sensors from its MV-22Bs for the first time. Dropped into the Pacific Ocean by VMM-163, these sensors were previously deployed from the back of C-130s or directly by ships. The data collected would provide the Marines with the best environmental awareness possible prior to conducting amphibious operations. Trident Warrior is an annual large-scale field experiment in operational naval environments.

Middle East & Africa

The United States contracted the sale to Jordan of one Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for royal duties. The Department of Defense announced that Sikorsky had been awarded $13.7 million for a single UH-60M to be delivered by November 30. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Jordan) funds for the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. “The UH-60M will supplement Jordan’s existing Royal Squadron fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and be used to facilitate the movement of the Jordanian royal family in a safe and efficient manner,” the DSCA notification said.

Europe

Leonardo successfully demonstrated unique integrated capabilities between a manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This took place in the UK during Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) trials between a Leonardo AW159 Wildcat helicopter and a semi-autonomous UAV from Callen-Lenz Associates. The demonstration was part of the British Army’s MUMT themed Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) 19, and was planned and executed by Dstl and took place on Salisbury Plain in September.

Asia-Pacific

A notice released Wednesday says the State Department has approved the sales to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of 135 Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missiles and related equipment estimated for more than $1 billion, 11 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 Launchers and related equipment for an estimated $436.1 million and six MS-110 Recce Pods and related equipment for an estimated $367.2 million. “This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement said.

Today’s Video

Watch: Why America’s V-22 Osprey Just Keeps Getting Better – Able to Fly Across the Pacific Ocean