Defense Industry Daily

Americas

Boeing won a $51.6 million contract to procure 136 Advanced Capability Mission Computers in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. The Advanced Capability Mission Computer is an integrated information processing system, providing complete hardware and software solutions. It is built on a well-defined open systems architecture allowing for rapid insertion of emerging technologies. The ACMC is a set of digital computer hardware and software that performs general purpose, I/O, video, voice, and graphics processing. 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. The F/A-18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close and deep air support, and day and night strike missions. The F/A-18 Hornet replaced the F-4 Phantom II fighter and A-7 Corsair II light attack jet, and also replaced the A-6 Intruder as these aircraft were retired during the 1990s. Work will take place in St. Louis, Missouri. Estimated completion will be in February 2022.

The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $24.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop the first production unit fabrication and qualification of the TB-37X Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) System. The legacy TB-37/U MFTA is an integral part of the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Undersea Warfare Combat System Improvement Program for the Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyers (DDG-51), Ticonderoga Class missile cruisers (CG-47) and Zumwalt Class destroyers. The TB-37X MFTA shall incorporate next-generation telemetry to mitigate reliability and obsolescence issues experienced with the legacy TB-37/U MFTA. The TB-37X will be deployed on additional platforms, including Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Next Generation Guided Missile Frigates (FFG(X)). Lockheed will perform work in Liverpool, New York; Millersville, Maryland; Marion, Massachusetts; Cleveland, Ohio; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed by October 2026.

Middle East & Africa

General Dynamics won a $36 million contract for 21 forging sets and 660 warhead housings to support the production of guided missile warhead sections for the weapon system for the government of Saudi Arabia. The AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER is an advanced stand off precision-guided, air-launched cruise missile produced by Boeing Defense, Space and Security for the US Armed Forces and their allies. The SLAM-ER can be remotely controlled while in flight, and it can be redirected to another target after launch if the original target has already been destroyed, or is no longer considered to be dangerous (command guidance). The SLAM-ER is a very accurate weapon; as of 2009 it had the best circular error probable of any missile used by the US Navy. Work will take place in Anniston, Alabama, and is expected to be completed in March 2028.

Europe

Lockheed Martin announced that it delivered the first of two KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refuelers to representatives from France’s Armée de l’Air’s 62st Transport Wing at Orléans-Bricy Air Base. France will receive a total of four Super Hercules aircraft — two C-130J-30 combat delivery airlifters and two KC-130J aerial refuelers — through a Foreign Military Sale with the US government. The two C-130J-30 airlifters were delivered in 2017 and 2018, and a second KC-130J will deliver in 2020. All of these Super Hercules are operated in conjunction with France’s existing C-130H fleet. “The KC-130J provides Armée de l’Air crews with a proven solution that delivers much-needed fuel in any environment, at any time,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. France is the 17th country to choose the C-130J for its airlift needs. The C-130J Super Hercules is the most advanced tactical airlifter in operation today, offering superior performance and enhanced capabilities with the range and versatility for every theater of operations and evolving requirements.

The Finnish government has approved long-delayed contract awards to Rauma Marine Constructions Oy and Saab for the delivery of the Finnish Navy’s $1.5 billion Squadron 2020 corvette program. Squadron 2020 covers the procurement of four new Pohjanmaa Class corvettes, capable of operating in ice conditions, to replace the seven existing surface combatants in Finnish Navy service. RMC will build the new ships at its shipyard in Rauma, while Saab will take responsibility for the supply and integration of the combat system, plus the integration of government-furnished weapons and equipment. The decision was made at the outset of the Squadron 2020 program to build the new corvettes in Finland to assure security of supply and sustain national shipbuilding capability. A letter of intent and design contract was awarded to RMC in 2016.

Asia-Pacific

India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has delivered another license-built Kalvari or Scorpène Class diesel-electric submarine to the Indian Navy. The vessel, which will be in service as INS Khanderi once commissioned, was handed over on September 19 at a delivery ceremony in Mumbai. Khanderi is the second of six boats ordered under an $3.2 billion contract signed with Naval Group (then known as DCNS) in October 2005 under India’s Project 75 submarine program. The program’s first-of-class, INS Kalvari , was commissioned in December 2017.

Today’s Video

Watch: 100 ORDER JLTV OSHKOSH LATEST LIGHTWEIGHT TACTICAL ARRIVE AT 3RD MARINE DIVISION IN OKINAWA JAPAN

Americas

Boeing won a $30.8 million contract to establish organic depot and intermediate level maintenance repair capability of the Consolidated Automated Support System Operational Test Program Sets for Stores Management System components in support of the P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft. The Navy’s Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) Family of Testers, managed by the Naval Air Systems Command is the Navy’s standard ATE for support of electronic systems and is also a Department of Defense designated ATS Family. The P-8A Poseidon is the US Navy’s multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. It efficiently conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and humanitarian response. The P-8A Poseidon incorporates the 737-800 air frame, -900 wings, a weapons bay and pylons, and operates with a smaller crew. Boeing will perform work in St. Louis, Missouri, and Cedar Rapids, Michigan. Estimated completion will be in September 2024.

The US Navy awarded Raytheon a $25.5 million contract for critical design review of the Tomahawk Weapons System Military Code to include studies, analysis, design, development, integration and test of hardware and software solutions. Additionally, the contract provides for the identification of the kit bill of materials, fabrication, assembly, integration, test and documentation of an AGR5 kit. The Tomahawk is a mature missile weapons system with Block II and III, C and D versions in fleet use. These two variants of Tomahawk cruise missile are distinguished by their warhead; TLAM-C has a conventional unitary warhead, and TLAM-D has a conventional submunitions (dispense bomblets) warhead. Raytheon will perform work in California and Arizona and expected completion will be in March 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia’s government on Wednesday presented what it called “material evidence” it says proves Iran was responsible for coordinated attacks at two Saudi oil-producing areas last weekend, putting on display the burned remains of mechanical drones and cruise missiles. Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said 25 drones and missiles were used to hit the Khurais oil field and an oil processing plant in Abqaiq on Saturday. They included delta wing drones and Ya Ali cruise missiles, which he said are both built in Iran and used by its Revolutionary Guard Corps. The spokesman, however said it is still unknown precisely where the actual strikes originated. The Saudi ambassador to Britain said earlier Wednesday he was nearly certain Tehran was responsible.

Europe

The UK Chief of Defense Intelligence is looking to open-source intelligence (OSINT) to transform how his organization operates, Jane’s reports. Publicly available data will be the backbone of the UK military’s situational awareness in future conflicts and crises, according to the country’s Chief of Defense Intelligence (CDI), Lieutenant-General James Hockenhull. The civilian Deputy Chief of Defense Intelligence is responsible for Defense Intelligence analysis and production. “Publicly available data is the future backbone of situational awareness,” said Hockenhull at the DSEI conference on September 11, describing data as crucial to understanding what is happening in an increasingly confused and fast-moving world.

Asia-Pacific

Dassault will hand over to India its first Rafale fighter on October 8. The new chief of the Indian Air Force is expected to be at the hand-over ceremony in Merignac. Rajnath Singh will travel to Merignac in France along with senior Air Force officials for the induction ceremony. The ceremony was supposed to take place on September 19 but it was deferred due to last-minute changes in the program. India ordered 36 Rafale jets from France in a deal worth $8.2 billion in September 2016. While the formal induction will happen on October 8, the first batch of four Rafale jets will fly to their home base in India only next April-May. All 36 fighter planes will arrive by September 2022.

An Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole air superiority fighter has test fired the country’s first domestically designed and developed beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), designated Astra, as part of ongoing user trials off the coast of Odisha in eastern India on September 16. According to the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD), the missile successfully destroyed its test target. “The live aerial target was engaged accurately demonstrating the capability of first indigenous air-to-air missile,” the MoD said in a press release. The Astra BVRAAM is expected to be officially inducted by the end of 2019. Limited serial production of the Astra BVRAAM began already in 2017.

Today’s Video

Watch: DSEI 2019 Naval Coverage Day 3: Type 31e, Babcock, Thales, SEA, GDMS, Nexter

R-77/AA-12 on MiG-29
(click to view full)

Pakistan’s November 2006 purchase of 500 AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles created counter-pressure on the subcontinent, and reportedly had India looking for 120km BVRAAMs (Beyond Visual Range Air-Air Missiles). Missiles with this notional head-on range would far outstrip the 60km of the AIM-120C, and even the 60-90km (36-54 miles) reported for the Russian AA-12/R-77 ‘AMRAAMski’ that India already deploys. Indeed, this figure would be closer to the ramjet-powered Meteor under development via MBDA.

“There are moves also to start indigenous development of such long-range missiles by DRDO with possible foreign collaboration,” a DRDO source reportedly said.

As it happens, India has elected to pursue a wholly indigenous, and less ambitious project, called ‘Astra’…

Contracts & Key Events

SU-30MKI
(click to view full)

The Astra Mk.2 missile is currently envisaged as having a head-on intercept range of 80 km/ 50 miles, and 20 km/ 12.5 miles in tail-chase mode. Those figures are comparable to American AMRAAMs, and Russia’s R-77/AA-12. The external look is similar to the previous generation MBDA Super 530, which equips its current Mirage 2000 fleet. Russia’s Agat, who supplies the R-77’s radar seeker, is reportedly assisting with India’s seeker development.

India says it eventually wants to deploy the Astra on its Su-30 MKIs, upgraded MiG-29s, and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. At present, however, the IAF’s Russian-designed planes use R-77 missiles, while the Tejas will be fielded with RAFAEL’s Derby. If an upgrade contract is signed, its Mirage 2000s will carry MBDA’s Mica. If the Astra doesn’t live up to its promise, therefore, it can be discarded without affecting the IAF. If it does succeed, it can begin to provide a fleet standard missile option that offers greater inventory flexibility, and lower support costs.

September 20/19: Test-Fire An Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole air superiority fighter has test fired the country’s first domestically designed and developed beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), designated Astra, as part of ongoing user trials off the coast of Odisha in eastern India on September 16. According to the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD), the missile successfully destroyed its test target. “The live aerial target was engaged accurately demonstrating the capability of first indigenous air-to-air missile,” the MoD said in a press release. The Astra BVRAAM is expected to be officially inducted by the end of 2019. Limited serial production of the Astra BVRAAM began already in 2017.

November 9/15: India’s Astra air-to-air missiles could be fielded next year, according to Indian press reports. The recent testing of the indigenous missile on Su-30MKI fighters tested the propulsion and aircraft integration capabilities of the missile; further testing of the Astra’s sensors and other sub-systems is planned for coming months.

May 21/11: India conducts 2 successful Astra tests. The missile is currently envisaged as having a head-on intercept range of 80 km/ 50 miles, and 20 km/ 12.5 miles in tail-chase mode. Times of India.

Aug 9/10: Defence Minister Shri AK Antony updates the status of various missile programs, in a Parliamentary reply to Shri SB Wankhede and Shri AP Shivaji:

“Astra – It is Air-to-Air Missile system for beyond visual range, designated to be a missile for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Its two guided flight trials from ground launcher have been undertaken during July 2010.”

Sept 13/08: The Hindustan Times reports that India’s indigenously developed, beyond visual range (BVR) ‘Astra’ air-to-air missile is successfully test-fired from the integrated test range at Chandipur in Orissa. To date, the missile’s navigation, control, air frame, and propulsion have been validated, but more testing will be required, The report also gives an interesting set of performance figures for the single-stage, solid-fueled missile:

“Though the exact range of Saturday’s trial has not been disclosed, scientists are working to ensure that ‘Astra’ performs effectively at different altitudes – one cruising at an altitude of 15 km with 90 to 110 km range, another at an altitude up to 30,000 ft, having a range of 44 km and the third at sea level altitude with a range of 30 km… The missile is 3.6 meters long, 7 inches in diameter and has launch weight of about 154 kg, thus it is the smallest weapon of the DRDO’s guided missile development programme in terms of size and weight. It is capable of carrying 15 kg war head.”

March 26/07: Or, India could be moving to push ahead with its own design and less range. “After a gap of nearly four years, India’s indigenously developed Astra air-to-air missile [DID: link added], the sleek beyond visual range missile has been launched from the launch complex-II of Integrated Test Range (ITR), at Chandipur near Balasore… The missile has a range of 80 km and its launch speed was estimated to be 0.6 to 2.2 mach, the sources said. Astra has a length of 3570 mm and a diameter of 178 mm.” did Indian government news link | India Defence report.

March 19/06: DRDL scientists say they will sign a pact with MBDA to develop a dedicated active seeker-head system for the indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range missile, which is being developed in Hyderabad.

DID Analysis: India’s Options – and their Potential Effects (February 2007)

Meteor BVRAAM

Indian defense procurement is full of announcements and ‘confirmed’ purchases that end up wildly late, or lost in limbo; but the effect on the global defense market could be very significant, depending on India’s choices. India has specified no foreign partners at this stage. Nor has it specified a development platform. Unless they wish to develop a missile from scratch, however, the global market gives them only 4 realistic options:

The Meteor from MBDA et. al. has the required performance built in, as it was designed specifically to help aircraft defeat opponents with R-77 or AMRAAM level missiles. It is currently in the late developmental/ testing stage. The problem is that it would require considerable time and effort to integrate it with every single one of India’s fighter aircraft. The only possible exceptions would be if India chose the Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, or Rafale in its current MRCA medium fighter competition, in which case it would have one compatible aircraft. Even this is currently considered to be unlikely.

RAFAEL’s Derby 4 is already headed for Indian service via the SPYDER air defense system, the Derby 4 is already in service on India’s Sea Harriers, and the Python 4 missile on which the Derby is based is reportedly in service with other IAF aircraft. Israeli avionics and DASH targeting helmets in a number of India’s planes may make Derby integration easier for India, and a ramjet “Derby 5” with more than 50km range might be very attractive to the Israelis; they would finally be able to give it a niche of its own beyond the AIM-120 AMRAAM, and might also be interested in the large export potential.

India also has a strong defense relationship with Israel. As such, a deal would depend on 3 factors: integration obstacles, how much the Israelis were prepared to commit in time and resources, and confidence in a lack of interference from the USA via technical export pretexts.

F/A-18F & AMRAAM

Raytheon’s AMRAAM is catching up the AA-12’s presently reported range via the new AIM-120D, which is said to have a range in the 75-90km band plus better seeker and ECCM (electronic counter-countermeasures) capabilities – but that would not be enough. In addition for the need to develop a ramjet version, AMRAAM suffers from many of the same disadvantages as the Meteor because it would also require integration on many existing IAF platforms. Israeli and Western avionics in some of India’s modernized fighters may help here, or they may not – if not, integration with Russian aircraft would be a major stumbling block.

Choosing the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or F-16 E/F Block 70 for the MRCA competition would remove part of the integration burden, and the USA might be interested in picking up a large R&D share for the missile given the potential threat represented by the alternative… on which more below.

PJ-10 BrahMos
(click to view full)

Last, we come to the The AA-12/R-77, which already is deployed on India’s SU-30MKIs and even the MiG-21 BiS aircraft that caused US aircraft so much trouble at COPE India 2004 & 2005. Reports of a longer-range, ramjet-powered R-77M that might satisfy India’s range requirements have persisted for years, but they remain sketchy and the missiles do not appear to have been fielded… yet.

The R-77 would also be compatible with the MiG-29Ks being purchased for use from its aircraft carrier, and with the MiG-29OVT/MiG-35 if it wins some or all of the orders under the MRCA competition. This makes it a very logical base from which to develop a longer-range BVRAAM for India. When one considers Russia’s past R-77M ramjet efforts, the successful recent collaboration between India and Russia to produce the PJ-10 BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and the recent extension of the technical defense collaboration framework between India and Russia, the Russians would appear to have a very strong position if India is serious.

The bottom line? A partnership with India could well put the R-77M ‘RAMRAAMski’ over the top into finished development and active military service… and into the global export market.

SU-30, armed
(click to view full)

This would leave all of the countries who have depended on America’s AMRAAM badly outranged by any opponent who could couple the new ‘RAMRAAMski’ with an aircraft like the widely-exported SU-27/30 family, whose radars are powerful enough to operate effectively at long range.

If so, AMRAAM customers would quickly find the air-air balance tilting against them – absent either a strong stealth advantage, supersonic cruise speeds to extend missile range, and/or longer-range missiles to replace their AMRAAMs. It would also add a new dimension to the threats faced by critical tanker and AWACS aircraft, who depend on distance to give friendly aircraft a chance to intercept whatever may threaten them.

Until compatible counters could me made available, the damage would extend beyond American aircraft and missile sales, and into the realm of American influence.

India may or may not be serious enough to push a 120 km BVRAAM missile through to successful project completion. If they are, however, it could be a game-changing move.

Additional Readings

• Bharat Rakshak – Astra

• Aviation Week (July 19/10) – Astra Fireworks.

• India Defence (Feb 18/07) – Air Force Looks For Long Range (120Kms) BVR Missiles. “There are moves also to start indigenous development of such long-range missiles by DRDO with possible foreign collaboration,” a DRDO source said. This likely means a boost for collaboration on the Russian R-77/AA-12 ramjet version, given the PJ-10 BrahMos missiles’ success… though a Raytheon partnership toward similar ends is not ruled out at this stage.

Americas

BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair won two contracts with a combined worth of $170.7 million for the execution of two Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers extended dry-docking selected restricted availability (EDSRA). The first contract is for the USS Decatur or DDG 73 and is valued at $86.1 million. The second contract is worth $84.6 million and is for the USS Stethem or DDG 63. The availabilities will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair. Both are Chief of Naval Operations scheduled EDSRA. The purpose is to maintain, modernize and repair the destroyers. Both deals are “long-term” availabilities and were solicited on a coast-wide (West-Coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel’s homeport. BAE will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating, and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernization for USS Decatur. Work under both contracts will take place in San Diego, California. Estimated completion will be in October next year.

General Dynamics won a $21.2 million delivery order for a selected restricted availability on USS Stockdale or DDG 106. The Stockdale is an Arleigh Burke Class missile destroyer. Stockdale was christened on May 10, 2008 by Admiral Stockdale’s widow, Sybil, and delivered to the Navy on September 30, 2008. The deal is to execute depot-level maintenance, alterations and modifications that will update and improve the ship’s military and technical capabilities. The Arleigh Burke Class of destroyers is built around the Aegis Combat System. Work will take place in San Diego, California. Estimated completion will be in May 2020.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy awarded Boeing an $11.4 million contract modification, which exercises an option for Phase I design maturity, analysis and test planning for the Stand-off Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response production for the government of Saudi Arabia under a Foreign Military Sale. The AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER is an advanced stand off precision-guided, air-launched cruise missile produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the United States Armed Forces and their allies. SLAM-ER is capable of attacking land and sea targets medium to long range (155 nautical miles/270 km maximum). The SLAM-ER relies on GPS and infrared imaging for its navigation and control, and it can strike both moving and stationary targets. Boeing will perform work within the US and estimated completion date is in October this year.

United States Marine Inc won a $9.5 million contract modification for eight 11 meter Naval Special Warfare rigid-hull inflatable boats, eight forward looking infrared systems, ship spare parts and other technical assistance for the Egyptian Navy. The deal is in support of the government of Egypt. United States Marine Inc. will perform work in Gulfport, Mississippi and expected completion is by December 2020.

Europe

Schiebel has completed a five-day maritime surveillance demonstration of its Camcopter S-100 vertical takeoff and landing Unmanned Air System (UAS) from the Finnish Border Guard offshore patrol ship Turva. Conducted in the Gulf of Finland in late August, the flight trials saw the Camcopter S-100 UAS execute a series of vignettes including search, location, and recognition of objects, as well as surveillance for situational awareness. Missions were flown from Turva during both day and night. The Camcopter S-100 was selected for the shipboard trials because of its outstanding reputation as a proven and reliable UAS for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The S-100, a compact unmanned helicopter, offers a high degree of versatility and is well known to accommodate a wide variety of innovative and market-leading payloads, tailored to meet customers’ specific requirements.

Asia-Pacific

Gulfstream Aerospace won a $31.9 million task order for the Gulfstream aircraft order and contractor logistic support (CLS) for the Philippines Air Force. This order is for the purchase of one Gulfstream aircraft, parts, tooling and two years of CLS for sustainment of the aircraft. Gulfstream, a subsidiary of General Dynamics has produced more than 2,000 aircraft since 1958. Gulfstream’s current range consists of the G280, G350, G450, G500, G550, G600, and G650, G650ER. Gulfstream Aerospace will perform work under the task order in Manila, Philippines and is expecting completion by May 31, 2022.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S. ARMY BEGINS TESTING BLADE OF THE LATEST COUNTER DRONE SIMTEM (MRAP)VEHICLE

Americas

Hydroid won a $52.3 million contract modification for production support for the MK 18 family of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Systems. The MK18 program supports UUV systems. Dubbed Mk 18 Mod 1 and Mod 2 Kingfish within the US Navy service, Hydroid’s Remus 100 and 600 UUVs feature a modular design which enables the Navy to easily reconfigure their sensors for mission specifics. The biggest Remus 600 has a mission endurance of nearly 70 hours with speeds up to 5 knots at depths up to 600 meters. The Kingfish uses side scan sonar to search and discover objects of interest. Developed since 2003, the Remus 600 has a range of 286 nautical miles with its increased payload. Hydroid will perform work in Pocasset, Massachusetts and estimated completion will be in April 2024.

The US Navy awarded Bell Boeing Joint Program Office a $14.5 million modification, which exercises an option to procure support to implement capability defect packages and problem reports in accordance with work package task lists in support of V-22 fleet sustainment efforts. The V-22 Osprey is a joint service multirole combat aircraft and the world’s first production tiltrotor aircraft blending the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. The V-22 has entered service with the US Marine Corps and US Air Force, and is set to join the US Navy in the early 2020s. The company said the Osprey “has proven to be a survivable and transformational platform in the most challenging environments on the planet.” The V-22 is built jointly by Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Work will take place at Ridley Park, Pennsylvania and Fort Worth, Texas. Estimated completion will be in June 2021.

Middle East & Africa

MD Helicopters announced that it will ship six of its MD 530F light attack helicopters to Kenya by the end of the year. The company made the revelation in a press release regarding the award of a logistic support contract for those helicopters. “We are pleased MD Helicopters was selected to provide mentorship, maintenance expertise, and Pilot and Maintainer training to the Kenya Defence Forces,” said Lynn Tilton, MD Helicopters, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. Kenya had ordered the six helicopters to re-equip the army’s 50th Air Cavalry Battalion. Once fielded, they will be flown against al-Shabaab and in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). According to MDHI’s contract notification for Kenya, the helicopters will be fitted with the FN Herstal Weapons Management System; the DillonAero Mission Configurable Armament System (MCAS); the DillonAero fixed-forward sighting system; 62 mm ballistic armor protection; FN Herstal 12.7 mm HMP 400 machine gun pods; and M260 seven-shot pods for 70 mm rockets. They will also feature an enhanced communication system that includes the Harris RF-7850A and the Rockwell Collins HF-9000D radios.

Europe

The EU has established a new agency within the European Commission to deal with Europe’s fragmented defense industry, Defense News reports. It will have France’s former defense minister in charge. Sylvie Goulard is expected to be nominated in a European Parliament hearing, and then lead the directorate starting in November. The development of the agency is seen by some as a signal that Ursula von der Leyen, the incoming European Commission President and former German defense minister, seeks to have Europe take more responsibility for its own defense. However, the appointment has fueled concerns that ever closer EU integration on defense could trigger renewed turf wars between member states, NATO and the United States.

Asia-Pacific

Northrop Grumman won a $16.2 million contract modification that provides non-recurring engineering to incorporate Phase II of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System/Joint Tactical Radio System on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The modification is in support of the government of Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Defense selected the E-2D in 2014 to enhance the JASDF’s AEW&C capabilities and to supplement the service’s aging fleet of 13 E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft, as well as the four Boeing E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft currently deployed by the JASDF.The Advanced Hawkeye is a twin-turboprop, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. In June 2019, Japan took delivery of its first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Northrop will perform work in Florida, Virginia, and other locations within the US as well as Japan. Estimated completion will be in December 2021.

South Korea is planning to showcase F-35A stealth fighters to the public for the first time during the Armed Forces Day ceremony next month to officially mark their introduction into the country, local media reports. So far, the country has brought in eight F-35As, beginning with two in late March, under a plan to deploy a total of 40 fifth-generation jets through 2021. Officials said that the Armed Forces Day ceremony, to be held on October 1, will take place at the Air Force’s 11th Fighter Wing base in the southeastern city of Daegu, and F-35s could be mobilized for the ceremony that would include ceremonial flyby and the display of key military assets. The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing model of the F-35 Lightning II.

Today’s Video

Watch:SIDEWINDER PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE DELIVERY COMPLETE

Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $57.5 million contract modification for engineering support services for the Joint Counter Radio—Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare Increment One Block One Systems full-rate production. The deal is in support of the Expeditionary Warfare program office. The JCREW I1B1, formerly known as JCREW 3.3, is the first-generation system that develops a common open architecture across all three capabilities and provides protection for worldwide military operations, officials say. The integrated design for RF jammers makes the most of commonality across all capabilities, reduces life cycle costs, and provides increased protection against worldwide threats, Navy officials say. It is for the US Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, and is under supervision of Naval Sea Systems Command. The current option exercise is for Engineering Support Services for JCREW to introduce new technologies; address diminishing material and depot repairs to keep JCREW systems viable for future production as well as maintain operational readiness for the field. Work will take place in San Diego, California and estimated completion will be in September next year.

VAW-120 now has an aerial refueling capable E-2D when the first such aircraft arrived at NAS Norfolk on September 9. Besides VAW-120, two operational fleet squadrons will be transitioned to aerial refueling capable E-2Ds by 2020. The aerial refueling capable E-2D joined the “Greyhawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120. VAW-120 is a Fleet Replacement Squadron. “This is an important day for naval aviation as we continue to increase our capabilities and maintain our competitive edge in the skies,” said Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, Rear Adm. Roy Kelley. “This capability will extend the endurance of Hawkeyes, increasing the Navy’s battlespace awareness and integrated fire control – both from the air and the sea.”

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled a new electro-optical system called POPSTAR, which is capable of detecting small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, at the DSEI 2019. The defense show was held in London from September 10-13. The POPSTAR is a member of IAI’s Plug-in Optronic Payload (POP) family. The system is designed for both military uses, such as border surveillance and protecting civilian sites such as airports. It consists of an electro-optical system that can be mounted on a tripod or vehicle and rotates to scan an assigned sector to detect and then track flying objects.

Europe

UK-based SubSea Craft unveiled its new VICTA-class diver delivery unit (DDU) at the 2019 Defense exhibition DSEI 2019 in London. The DDU, which is based around a monohull design constructed of carbon fiber and Diab core, combines the features of a long-range insertion craft with those of a swimmer delivery vehicle to provide the capability to travel on the surface at high speed before diving to covertly approach a target. Specifically designed around the operator, its 30 kt+ speed, 250 nm endurance and 2-minute transition between surface and sub-surface, enables delivery of 8 operators and their equipment to their objective mission-ready before recovering them.

Steller Systems and Thales have launched their design for TX Ship, a ground-breaking vessel that will help Navies transition to unmanned operations. The design, which was officially unveiled at DSEI 2019, is designed to operate unmanned, but with the intention of operating as a lean-manned vessel with 15 crew in the first instance.  Successful and continued operation of TX Ship will give forward thinking Navies a clear route to gain confidence in, and to move towards, fully unmanned autonomous naval operations in a cost-effective manner. TX Ship is a fully sensorized multi-role trimaran, capable of operating at reach, alone or as part of a task group. The ship possesses an unusual high capacity, fully-automated mission bay capable of hosting and deploying a large number, and multiple types, of manned or unmanned mission packages.

Asia-Pacific

Last week, China and Thailand signed a new shipbuilding pact. The agreement put the focus on ongoing efforts by the two countries to further boost the defense aspect of their wider bilateral relationship despite the issues they continue to face in doing so. In a signing ceremony held in China’s capital Beijing on Monday, the Royal Thai Navy signed a shipbuilding agreement with state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation for a Type 071E amphibious transport dock. The Type 071E is an export variant of the Type 071, or Yuzhao LPD, currently in service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy. The PLAN has six Type 071s in service, with two more being built at the company’s Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai.

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Americas

Walsh Federal LLC won a $49.8 million contract for the construction of P426 Littoral Combat Ship Logistics Facility at Naval Station Mayport. Work under the deal will provide for construction of a new four story, Phase II building, and renovations to the existing Phase I building.  The two buildings will house the ashore component of administrative functions for deployed and in-port LCSs, as well as a portion of the training component. According to the DoD, the project also includes improvements to Bailey Avenue that will connect P426 to a new parking deck to be designed and constructed under a separate contract. The Littoral Combat Ship is a set of two classes of relatively small surface vessels designed for operations near shore by the USN. Work will take place in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be finished by August 2021.

The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation awarded Bell Helicopter a maximum $8.9 million delivery order. The deal is for the H-1 aircraft tail rotor blades. More than 16,000 UH-1 Huey utility helicopters have been produced by Bell since service entry in 1958. The UH-1N entered service with the US Marine Corps in 1971. The UH-1Y utility helicopter is fully marinized and capable of shipboard operations worldwide, including take-off, landing, refueling and rearming. The helicopter is securable for deck movement up to Sea State 5. Missions include airborne command and control, aeromedical evacuation, troop transport, transport of supplies and equipment and search and rescue. Under the US Marine Corps H-1 program, 100 UH-1N Huey utility helicopters were remanufactured by Bell Helicopter to the UH-1Y grade and 180 AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters to AH-1Z grade. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z have a very high level of commonality which reduces the manufacturing and procurement costs. The helicopters have a common four-bladed, composite, hingeless, bearingless main rotor system and tail rotor, engine, avionics, software, controls and displays. Bell Helicopters will perform work under the new delivery order in Texas. Estimated completion will be in January 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has acquired a 50% stake in Israeli aerospace engineering company Kanfit, local media reports. The deal is valued at tens of millions of shekels. Kanfit will now become a subsidiary of Rafael. Founded in 1986, Kanfit is considered a leading global supplier for UAV components. The company manufactures primary and detailed parts, subassemblies, and ready-to-fly assemblies across the entire production chain. Kanfit’s owners Shai and Shula Fine will keep a 50% stake in the company following the deal. Earlier this month, Rafael and its partner, Israeli businessman Avihai Stolero, completed the acquisition of drone-maker Aeronautics, leading the latter to delist from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The deal, valued at approximately $243.5 million, leaves each partner with a 50 percent stake in Aeronautics.

Europe

The UK Royal Air Force reportedly wants to sell off its four BAe 146 jet transports. Two of these are currently configured specifically for VIP missions, including flying around members of the country’s Royal Family, as well as senior government and military officials, while the remaining pair are set up as small airlifters. Over the years, the four-engine jet aircraft, which have excellent short takeoff and landing capabilities and rough field performance, have flown missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Exclusively operated out of RAF Northolt by 32 (The Royal) Squadron, the BAe 146 is primarily tasked in the Command Support Air Transport role. Two 146 variants are operational, the VIP-configured CC.Mk 2 and the Quick Change (QC) C.Mk 3, which can be rapidly converted between passenger and cargo configurations.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan is working quickly to clear the hurdles for the purchase of 66 F-16s from the United States, Bloomberg reports. Local lawmakers are expected to approve a draft bill to create a special budget for the purchase. The bill is likely to be cleared by end of next month. The department on August 20 formally notified the US Congress that it approved the F-16 sale, which includes munitions, defensive electronics and a top-of-the line fire-control radar that would allow precision-guided missiles and bombs to be launched from greater distances. Once the deal is approved by Congress — and there has been no sign it will be blocked — Taiwan must submit a formal Letter of Offer and Acceptance that would be translated into a signed contract with delivery dates.

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization or DRDO reportedly successfully test fired its new Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile System. It was reportedly the third successful test of the indigenous anti-tank guided missile. The test firing took place at a firing range in Kurnool located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India. “The missile was launched from a man portable Tripod launcher and the target was mimicking a functional tank,” a statement says. “The missile hit the target in top attack mode and destroyed it with precision.” According to DRDO, all the mission objectives were met. Previous test launches took place in September 2018 at the Ahmednagar test range in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The MPATGM, a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), has been under development by DRDO in partnership with Indian defense contractor VEM Technologies Ltd. for the past four years.

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BAe-146 CC2
(click to view full)

The BAe-146 is an elegant 4-engine regional jetliner, optimized for short haul or regional routes, and able to handle even short take-off or unimproved runways. It has a reputation for quiet operation, and a range of about 1,800 miles/ 2,900 km under good conditions. Almost 400 of these planes were built from 1983-2002, but it’s probably best known as the Royal Family’s “CC2” VIP jet. The RAF will soon be ferrying troops and cargo with it as well; its 2 CC2s will be joined by a pair of converted BAe-146-200QCs, whose mission brief will include trips into Afghanistan.

Britain’s Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) buy was prompted by pressure on its transport fleet. The RAF’s 7-plane C-130K Hercules fleet will be retired from use by the end of 2012. Bad timing, that, as Britain needs to remove its troops and equipment from Afghanistan. Worse, the RAF’s first Airbus A400M transports aren’t even scheduled for delivery until 2014, let alone operational use in combat zones. Enter the BAe-146M solution, which the firm began promoting at DSEi 2009…

BAE’s 146QC Jets

RAF BAe-146-200
(click to view full)

The RAF’s BAe 146C Mk.3 aircraft have been fitted with unspecified defensive systems “at least equivalent to other aircraft operating in Afghanistan”, including a Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system against portable heat-seeking missiles. Other protective additions include an armored flight deck, fuel tank inertion, and a fire protection system in the luggage bay. In the cockpit, military HF and UHF radio communications systems, and a SATCOM system, improve communication.

The converted planes have a large 131″ wide x 76″ high (3.33m x 1.93m) upward-opening rear freight door, and are to carry up to 23,500 lbs (10.6 tonnes) of freight, moved on board using a built-in freight loading system which allows fast installation of either palletised freight or up to 94 passenger seats. For troops and other passengers, the aircraft is changed by installing passenger seating fixed to pallets, creating a layout to full commercial aircraft standards that includes carpeting, toilet, galleys, and luggage storage within and underneath the cabin.

In commercial operations the new planes are capable of carrying up to 96 passengers, but the weight of troops’ equipment, and “hot and high” conditions in Afghanistan, mean that the RAF plans to max out at fewer troops per trip.

BAE has also sourced and received Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval for new cabin baggage platforms and containers with an alternative layout of 54 seats, and forklift-compatible containers & cargo pallets from VRR of The Netherlands. The usual BAe-146QC “freight igloos” work, but it’s easier to transfer more standardized loads between aircraft.

Contracts & Key Events

BAe-146C Mk.3 takeoff
(click to view full)

September 16/19: For Sale The UK Royal Air Force reportedly wants to sell off its four BAe 146 jet transports. Two of these are currently configured specifically for VIP missions, including flying around members of the country’s Royal Family, as well as senior government and military officials, while the remaining pair are set up as small airlifters. Over the years, the four-engine jet aircraft, which have excellent short takeoff and landing capabilities and rough field performance, have flown missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Exclusively operated out of RAF Northolt by 32 (The Royal) Squadron, the BAe 146 is primarily tasked in the Command Support Air Transport role. Two 146 variants are operational, the VIP-configured CC.Mk 2 and the Quick Change (QC) C.Mk 3, which can be rapidly converted between passenger and cargo configurations.

April 18/13: Into service. BAE announces that both “BAe-146C Mk.3s” have now been released to service in the RAF, after a period of familiarization and operational trials.

Feb 18/13: The RAF has reportedly accepted its new BAe-146M jets, which will test their DIRCM jammers and flare systems over the Donna Nook weapons range in Lincolnshire. The planes will then be assigned to 32 Sqn, for deployment to Afghanistan some time in spring 2013. When not deployed, they’ll be based with the RAF’s BAe-146-100 CC2 VIP jets at RAFB Northolt, near London.

Figures released by the NAO suggest that the entire conversion program cost the UK around GBP 47 million (currently $71.6 million). Flight International.

June 21/12: Contract. A GBP 15.5 million contract covers conversion of 2 BAe 146 jets to BAe-146M configuration for the RAF. That doesn’t include buying the 2 BAe-146-200QT freighters, as the government has already purchased those from TNT Airways S.A of Belgium, and delivered from Belgium to Broughton, UK. The UK MoD’s contract expects delivery of the converted jets by March 2013.

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft at Prestwick will manage the conversion program, including overall design, managing the supply chain, and integrating the military equipment supplied by the RAF. That equipment will include things like communications gear, and defensive warning and decoy systems “at least equivalent to other UK aircraft operating in Afghanistan.” Most of the hands-on conversion work will be carried out under sub-contract, by the same firm that handled the Royal Family’s BAe-146-100 VIP conversions: Hawker Beechcraft Services facility at Broughton, North Wales.

BAE systems hopes that successful use by the RAF will prompt other militaries with aging transport fleets to look at similar “BAe-146M/ Avro RJM” conversion programs as a useful supplement and stopgap. BAE release.

Additional Readings

• RAF – BAe-146 CC2

Americas

The Marine Corps announced a successful naval exercise in the Philippine and East China seas and in Okinawa, Japan, on Wednesday. According to a release, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 11 conducted a large-scale series of operations in a naval expeditionary combined-arms maneuver, involving Wasp Amphibious Ready Group ships to shore in action conducted between August 9 and August 19, a Marine Corps statement said. Prior to seizing the airfield at Ie Shima Training Facility, Reconnaissance Marines with the 31st MEU’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon conducted a high altitude low opening parachute jump onto the island to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance of the area. After the reconnaissance team finished surveilling the airfield, Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion,1st Marines, vertically inserted via MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from the USS Wasp more than 250 miles away, rapidly seizing the objective in just over one hour.

KPMG LLP won three contracts with a combined worth of $24.5 million for US Marine Corps audit support services. Each contract calls for financial improvement and audit readiness support services to the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, with an estimated completion date in September 2020. The work will be concentrated on the Marine Corps’ “Acquire to Retire,” “Plan to Stock,” “Procure to Pay” and “Order to Cash” business mission areas, with the contract later moving to the Marine Corps Installations Command Headquarters. The first of the three contracts announced Tuesday, for $8.57 million, calls for audit support services largely at Arlington, Virginia, where the Marine Corps has several administrative facilities. The second deal is for $7.97 million and the third is worth $7.9 million.

Middle East & Africa

The US Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of various TOW-2A missiles. The deal is valued at $776 million. Morocco had requested a possible sale of 2,401 TOW 2A, Radio Frequency Missiles (BGM-71-4B-RF); and 28 TOW 2A, Radio Frequency Missiles (BGM-71-4B-RF), Fly-to-Buy missiles for lot acceptance testing; and 400 M220A2 TOW Launchers and/or 400 M41 Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) Launchers. Also included are missile support equipment; Government furnished equipment; technical manuals/publications; spare parts; tool and test equipment; training; US Government technical and logistical support, contractor technical support, and other associated equipment and services. The BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) is an American anti-tank missile. The TOW 2 is an upgraded version of the TOW. This weapon system is composed of new and more capable BGM-71D missile, new reusable launcher, missile guidance set, and sight system.

The State Department also approved another possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of additional F-16 ammunition for an estimated cost of $209 million. The Government of Morocco had requested a possible sale of 5,810 MK82-1 Bombs; 300 MK84-4 Bombs; 105 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) KMU-572F/B Tail Kits; 180 MXU-651B/B Air Foil Groups (AFG), GBU-10; 4,125 MXU-650C/B AFGs, GBU-12; 4,305 MAU-169L/B Computer Control Groups (CCG), GBU-10,-12,-16; and 5,178 FMU-152 Fuzes. Also included are flares M-206, Flares MJU-7A/B, Impulse Cartridges BBU-36, Impulse Cartridges BBU-35/B, Bomb Sensor DSU-33C/B, chaff, bomb components, spares, repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, engineering technical and support services, and other related elements of logistics, transportation, and program support.

Europe

The DoS approved a possible FMS to Poland F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft with support. The deal ist worth $6.5 billion. Poland had requested to buy 32 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) Aircraft and 33 Pratt & Whitney F-135 Engines. While Congress can still act to block the sale, it’s expected to run smoothly through Capitol Hill. Poland formally sent its request for the F-35 in May with the goal of replacing its legacy MiG-29 and Su-22 fleets. Procuring the F-35 is part of a broader defense modernization effort from Warsaw, which will see the country spend $47 billion by 2026 on new equipment. Poland is one of only a handful of NATO members that spends the NATO recommended 2% of GDP on defense. It also meets the other NATO target of spending more than 20% of its defense budget on equipment.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing won a $45.8 million delivery order to procure P-8A aircrew trainings system production concurrency upgrades for the US Navy and the government of Australia. Boeing’s P-8A is an aircraft designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, maritime surveillance and reconnaissance missions, capable of broad-area maritime and littoral operations. It is also effective at search and rescue missions. Majority of the work related to this deal will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, and Jacksonville, Florida. Estimated completion will be in December 2022.

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Americas

GE Aviation doing business as Dowty Propellers won a $20.9 million delivery order. The deal provides for Option I quantities of R391 propellers and spares to support the C-130J aircraft, in conjunction with the commercial Rolls Royce AE2100D3 engine managed by Warner Robins, Air Logistics Center, Tactical Airlift Division. The Lockheed Martin C-130 is the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The C-130J Hercules is the latest model, featuring a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. The C-130J is equipped with four Allison AE2100D3 turboprop engines, each rated at 4,591 shaft horsepower. Work will take place in Sterling, Virginia. Estimated completion date is May 29, 2023.

Saab announced that it presented the first Gripen E to the Brazilian Air Force. However, the new fighter, part of an order for 36 units, will only move to Brazil at the end of 2020. Deliveries will actually start in 2021. Saab held a Gripen E fighter presentation ceremony for Brazil, which is expected to be the sixth country to use the Swedish aircraft from 2021. The first of 36 planes from the $4 billion order was completed weeks ago and made its maiden flight on August 26. It was this fighter that attended the event in Linköping this Tuesday with the presence of several authorities of the Brazilian Air Force as well as representatives of the companies involved in the project. „Gripen increases the operational capacity of the Brazilian Air Force and boosts a partnership that ensures transfer of technology to Brazil, fosters research and industrial development in both countries,” says Fernando Azevedo e Silva, Brazilian Minister for Defense.

Middle East & Africa

Elbit Systems introduced what it calls ReDrone Vehicular Tactical System — a vehicular configuration of its operational antidrone protection and neutralization system — at DSEI 2019 this week in London. According to a press release by the company, the ReDrone Vehicular Tactical System detects, identifies, and neutralizes all types of Unmanned Aerial Systems at any radio frequency within a radius of several kilometers. The protection works while the military/paramilitary vehicle is moving or stationary, during daylight or at night, and in any weather condition. ReDrone Vehicular Tactical System works automatically or manually, with no setup or operator control required for the entire process. Its open architecture enables a full data flow to the vehicular control system and an effective interface with command and control centers.

Serbia is getting nine Wing Loong Unmanned Air Vehicles from China, local media reports. The drones will be delivered within the next six months and there is a possibility of a follow-on order for 15 more. Serbian officials said China has agreed to the sale of armed drones, marking the first export of Chinese remotely piloted aircraft to a European country. Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said the delivery expected in the coming months “will greatly strengthen the Serbian military, which will gain capabilities it has not had in the past.” Beijing has become increasingly economically engaged in Serbia and elsewhere in southeastern Europe as part of its global Belt and Road campaign, particularly in infrastructure projects such as roads, railways and ports.

Europe

Italy has joined the UK project to develop the ‘sixth-generation’ Tempest fighter as part of a wider combat aviation system-of-systems. The country’s defense minister, Guerini Lorenzo, announced the agreement to partner on the project on September 10 following the signing of a statement of intent (SOI) by Sir Simon Bollom, CEO of Defense Equipment and Support, and Lieutenant General Nicolò Falsaperna, Italian Secretary General of Defense, at the DSEI 2019 defense exhibition in London. In signing-up for the Tempest program, Italy joins Sweden as the first two international partners on the project after the Scandinavian nation signed a memorandum of understanding in June to work alongside Team Tempest to develop the future technologies associated with the platform. However, while Sweden has not yet formally joined the program and is instead co-operating on the UK’s wider Combat Air Strategy that includes the Tempest, Italy’s commitment to the next-generation fighter appears to be more concrete at this stage.

Asia-Pacific

VSE Corp. won a $10.1 million contract for the delivery of counterterrorism and intelligence equipment, and in-country training in support of the Azerbaijan Maritime Security Program for the Caspian Sea under the Foreign Military Sales Building Partner Capacity program. The equipment is needed for counterterrorism and intelligence. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov had visited Washington in June, where he met with US National Security Adviser John Bolton. The two top officials discussed bilateral economic ties, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and opportunities for further diversification of gas supplies to Europe, according to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. Work under the contract will take place in Alexandria, Virginia as well as Azerbaijan. Estimated completion is in September next year.

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Americas

BAE Systems Norfolk won a $11.9 million contract modification for additional growth requirements, including actions taken during Hurricane Florence, identified during the execution of the USS Tortuga Fiscal 2018 Modernization Period Chief of Naval Operations availability. USS Tortuga was originally commissioned in November 1990 and has been part of the US Navy’s LSD / CG-class modernization program since 2016. The keel on the vessel was initially laid on 23 March 1987. At the start of the Tortuga modernization process in May 2016, BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard was awarded a $17.7 million contract. The Tortuga or LSD 46 is a Whidbey Island Class dock landing ship. Work will take place in Norfolk, Virginia and estimated completion will be in November this year.

A US Navy Littoral Combat Ship, carrying the new Naval Strike Missile capable of sinking a ship, deployed to the Pacific Ocean last week. The USS Gabrielle Giffords left San Diego on Tuesday. The vessel is relatively small and built for shallow-water maneuverability. The USS Gabrielle is carrying missiles noted for precision, quick enemy detection and a range of over 100 nautical miles. Giffords is the second LCS to deploy this year. The LCS Montgomery also deployed from San Diego in June after a 19-month lapse in LCS deployments as the Navy reworked the way it mans and trains crews for the ships. Defense News reports that a Navy official speaking on condition of anonymity said the USS Gabrielle was deploying to the Indo-Pacific theater. The official did not elaborate on the ship’s schedule.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Iran had been developing nuclear weapons at a secret site near the city of Abadeh. At a brief news conference on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the existence of a previously-unknown nuclear weapons development site in Iran. The prime minister’s address follows an announcement by the IAEA that Iran has violated the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement by installing advanced centrifuges to enable it to increase the enrichment level of its uranium stocks. “A year and a half ago, we exposed Iran’s secret nuclear archive which revealed that Iran was developing five nuclear warheads as early as 2003,” Netanyahu said Monday. “Last year, we exposed Iran’s secret nuclear warehouse in Turquzabad, which Iran used for storing materials and equipment for its secret nuclear program.”

Europe

Saab announced that it will exhibit a serial production standard Giraffe 1X, at the DSEI exhibition for the first time. The Giraffe 1X 3D solid-state radar will reportedly be located at the East outdoor display area 23. According to the company, the Giraffe 1X will provide a live demonstration of its capabilities by viewing the airspace from its position at the show. Visitors will be able to talk to Saab experts about its unique features and see for themselves the high quality situational awareness users can expect. The Giraffe 1X is a compact, lightweight high-performing 3D radar perfect for the ground based air defense role as well as for civil applications such as airports and site protection as well as naval applications for all types of vessels. The system is designed to deliver key capabilities as part of short-range surveillance and Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD). Saab’s Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe 1X are two short-range radars. The Sea Giraffe AMB is installed on the US Independence Class Littoral Combat Ships.

Russia is reportedly developing two indigenous engines for Ka-62 and Ka-226. The chief designer from United Engine Corporation says two projects are underway to replace the existing French power-plants on the Ka-226 and Ka-62 helicopters. The engine for the Ka-226 is designated as VK-650V while the VK-1600V is destined for the Ka-62. “We have launched two other projects with the designers of these engines — UEC-Klimov. The first one is the VK-650V engine for Ka-226. Based on the solutions for this engine, a branch of power systems between 500 and 700 horsepower can be created. The second project is VK-1600V. This is the main engine that will be installed on Ka-62 helicopters,” Yuri Shmotin said. He is the company’s chief designer.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Air Force is expected to reactivate 17 Squadron at Ambala Air Force Station. The unit is also expected to be the first to operate the Rafale. The ‘Golden Arrows’ 17 Squadron was commanded by Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa during the Kargil war in 1999. The squadron, which operated from Bhatinda Air Base, was disbanded in 2016 after the IAF started the gradual phasing out of Russian-origin MiG 21 jets. The IAF has already completed preparations, including readying required infrastructure and training of pilots, to welcome the fighter aircraft. The sources said the first squadron of the aircraft will be deployed at Ambala Air Force Station. It considered one of the most strategically located bases of the IAF. The border with Pakistan is around 220 km from there.

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LSD 43 off Haiti
(click to view full)

The LSD MSMO was developed to provide extended dry docking, modernization, upgrades, and repairs to the LSD-41 Whidbey Island and related LSD-49 Harpers Ferry Classes of amphibious landing ships, which were commissioned between 1985-1998. The classes are highly similar, but the slightly larger Harpers Ferry Class reduces the number of onboard LCAC hovercraft from 4 to 2, in exchange for more cargo capacity. Two ships of these classes are being upgraded each year through 2013, and the last ship will be modernized in 2014. LSD MSMO aims to keep all 12 remaining ships of these classes in service and mission-capable to 2038.

These 186-190m, 14,460-14,850 tonne US Navy LSD ships are designed to carry Marines and equipment close to shore, then land them by launching onboard craft from their well decks. They’re similar in size to the earlier Austin/Cleveland Class LPDs, but are much smaller than either the new LPD-17 San Antonio Class, or the carrier-size LHA-1 Tarawa and LHD-1 Wasp Classes. Despite these characteristics, or perhaps because of them, their flexibility and numbers have made them among the US Navy’s most-used ships for several years running.

Contracts & Key Events

LSD 43 & CH-46s
near Sumatra
(click to view full)

LSD MSMO Work will include normal repair and refurbishment, as well as major alterations to several ship systems. This includes improvements to the ships’ diesel engines, onboard networks, engineering control systems, and power management, and improved capacity for air conditioning and chilled water distribution. The biggest long-term change, however, will involve the replacement of high-maintenance steam systems with all-electric functionality.

Under the LSD MSMO program, ships homeported on the East Coast will undergo upgrades at Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA. Ships based on the West Coast will receive upgrades at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, CA. After October 2011, the distinction vanishes, because GD NASSCO bought MMC.

September 11/19: LSD 46 BAE Systems Norfolk won a $11.9 million contract modification for additional growth requirements, including actions taken during Hurricane Florence, identified during the execution of the USS Tortuga Fiscal 2018 Modernization Period Chief of Naval Operations availability. USS Tortuga was originally commissioned in November 1990 and has been part of the US Navy’s LSD / CG-class modernization program since 2016. The keel on the vessel was initially laid on 23 March 1987. At the start of the Tortuga modernization process in May 2016, BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard was awarded a $17.7 million contract. The Tortuga or LSD 46 is a Whidbey Island Class dock landing ship. Work will take place in Norfolk, Virginia and estimated completion will be in November this year.

July 26/12: LSD 51. A $115 million contract modification for amphibious landing ship USS Oak Hill’s MSMO.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by June 2013. $65.9 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. This contract was competitively awarded using a formal source selection process. The US Navy’s Norfolk Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages the contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

Oct 31/11: MMC bought. General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, CA completes its purchase of Metro Machine Corp., a leading East Coast surface-ship repair company that supports the U.S. Navy fleet in Norfolk, VA. The value of the cash transaction has not been disclosed.

Metro Machine Corp. now becomes part of the shipbuilding and repair operations of San Diego-based General Dynamics NASSCO. Among other things, this means that NASSCO will handle all of the LSD MSMOs. GD NASSCO.

Sept 21/11: Buyout. General Dynamics announces that they’ve entered an agreement to acquire Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA. MMC is a privately held company which employs approximately 400 workers, and has been conducting U.S. Navy ship repair and conversions since 1972. They service and upgrade combat and support ships for the U.S. Navy, including frigates (FFGs), dock landing ships (LSDs) and amphibious transport ships (LPDs).

May 17/11: LSD 48. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives a $7.4 million contract modification for additional repairs and preservation of 33 ballast tanks on board USS Ashland.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by February 2012. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11. The US Navy’s Norfolk Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages the contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

May 9/11: LSD 48. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives a $78.8 million contract modification for the USS Ashland’s [LSD 48] MSMO life extension and modernization. In April 2010, Ashland found herself in the news after destroying a Somali pirate skiff that was crazy enough to fire on her.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by Jan 25/12. $45.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. The US Navy’s Norfolk Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages the contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

May 28/10: LDSD 43. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives a $114 million contract modification to exercise the US Navy’s multi-ship multi-option (MSMO) mid-life extension of USS Fort McHenry [LSD 43]. The ship recently spent time on station as part of Operation Unified Endeavor in Haiti.

Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be complete by May 2011. $68.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, On Sept 30/10. The Norfolk Naval Ship Support Activity in Norfolk, VA manages this contract (N00024-09-C-4416).

Post-refit LSD 44:
APS-West, off Ghana
(click to view full)

May 21/09: LSD 44. USS Gunston Hall [LSD 44] successfully completes sea trials, becoming the Navy’s first dock landing ship to complete its comprehensive midlife modernization availability. Work on the ship began in July 2008 at Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA.

Naval Sea Systems Command’s Surface Warfare directorate (US NAVSEA SEA 21) manages the complete life cycle support for all non-nuclear surface ships, and is responsible for the maintenance and modernization of non-nuclear surface ships currently operating in the fleet. The SEA 21 group also oversees the ship inactivation process, including transfers or sales to friendly foreign navies, inactivation and or disposal. US Navy.

Jan 20/09: LSD 42. General Dynamics NASSCO announces an initial $26.3 million contract to modernize the amphibious assault ship USS Germantown [LSD 42], by upgrading her electrical generation and power distribution systems. The contract follows a $100,000 award to NASSCO in July 2008 for preparatory work, and additional contracts are expected for other hull, mechanical and engineering work on the ship.

Modernization work aboard the Germantown began in December 2008, and is scheduled to end in August 2009. The 610-foot-long ship was commissioned in February 1986, and is homeported in San Diego, CA. GD NASSCO.

Aug 8/08: LSD 44. Metro Machine Corp. in Norfolk, VA receives an $80.9 million contract modification for LPD Multi-Ship Multi-Option (MSMO) Mid-Life extension work on the USS Gunston Hall [LSD 44].

Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA, and is expected to be complete by March 2009. $62.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/08. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center in Norfolk, VA manages this contract (N00024-08-C-4406).

Oct 25/07: Woodward Governor Co. in Fort Collins, CO received an $11.9 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for 52 Power Management Platforms, and 100 Control Actuators. They will be installed in the Generator Control and Distribution Control Subsystems of the Electrical Plant Generation and Distribution Systems for USS Whidbey Island Class ships, in support of the LSD Midlife Program.

Work will be performed in Fort Collins, CO, and is expected to be complete in October 2012. The contract was not competitively procured by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-08-D-0001).

Sept 26/07: Kato Engineering, Inc. in Mankato, MN received a $24 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for an estimated 55 ship service generators to replace the existing generator end of the current ship service diesel generator for USS Whidbey Island [LSD 41], in support of the LSD 41/49 Midlife program. The ship service generators increase electrical generating capacity, and increase reliability, maintainability and efficiency.

Work will be performed in Mankato, MN, and is expected to be complete in September 2012. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Internet, with 2 proposals received by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-07-D-0022).

Sept 11/07: LSD 44. L3 Communications Henschel Inc. in Newburyport, MA received an $11.3 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. They will provide various quantities of Digital Ship Control Systems, Remote Displays and Navigation Converters in support of LSD 44’s Midlife Program. The contract will also provide engineering and technical services related to all LSD Ship Control Systems and associated hardware.

Work will be performed in Newburyport, MA, and is expected to be complete by September 2012. This contract was competitively procured and advertised on the Federal Business Opportunities website, with 3 proposals received by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-07-D-0019).

Additional Readings

• US Navy – Fact File: Dock Landing LSDs

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $266.2 million contract for special tooling and special test equipment in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The deal benefits the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps as well as non-US DoD participants. The Department of Defense is developing and fielding a family of fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft integrating stealth technologies with advanced sensors and computer networking capabilities for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, eight international partners, and four Foreign Military Sales customers. The family is comprised of three aircraft variants: The F35A, F35B and F35C. Work under the new contract will take place in various places within the US as well as the UK, Norway, Canada and Australia. Estimated completion will be by July 2022.

Raytheon published the first images of the Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band on the EA-18 Growler. According to the company the NGJ-MB is a high-capacity and high-power airborne electronic attack weapon system. It will protect Air Forces by denying, degrading and disrupting threat radars and communication devices. In July, the jamming pod was the first of 15 EMD pods to be delivered to the USN for mission systems testing and qualification on the Boeing EA-18G Growler, the service’s carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

The US Army awarded PAE Government Systems a $26 million contract modification to a Foreign Military Sale to Afghanistan. The deal provides for Maintenance Strategy Ground Vehicle Support effort. In May 2019, PAE Government Systems won an $8.1 million National Maintenance Strategy Ground Vehicle Support effort deal and in August 2018 a deal worth $10.1 million. Fiscal 2019 Afghanistan Security Forces, Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. Work will take place in Kabul, Afghanistan. Estimated completion date is March 1, 2020.

Europe

Four Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft touched down at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania on August 29, 2019 to take over the lead of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing from the Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 fighter aircraft. The Belgian Air Force, which back in 2004 was the first ally to start NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in the region, will be the lead nation for the last four months in 2019. The official handover-takeover ceremony of the mission took place at Šiauliai Air Base on the 3rd of September 2019. “It is great for Belgium to be back here in the Baltics,” said Major Simon Gerard, Detachment Commander of the 60-strong Belgian F-16 detachment.

Asia-Pacific

The US Army contracted Motorola Solutions a $10.2 million modification to upgrade and expand the Pacific Japan and Korea land mobile radio system, connect sites to the current joint Japan land mobile radio system and to upgrade the Army backup core infrastructure in Japan. A land mobile radio system (LMRS) is an individual-to-individual voice correspondence system comprising of two-way radio handsets which can be mobile, introduced in vehicles, or convenient. Work locations and funding under the contract modification will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is May 24, 2023.

Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) says it has received six separate inquiries on the Mi-28NE attack helicopter. Tass reports that these countries are from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and CSTO members-states. Six foreign customers have sent in requests for purchasing Russia’s Mi-28NE attack helicopter since 2015. Mi-28NE is an all-weather attack helicopter. Its main tasks are the elimination of armored vehicles and low-flying low-speed air targets, air reconnaissance and identification of targets for combat helicopters and planes. It is armed with guided and unguided missiles and a 30-mm gun.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : 83 Tejas MK1A By L&T, Massive China-Pak Air Exercise,ISRO Locates Lander

Belgian F-16
(click to view full)

Belgium is embarking on minor but useful modernization of its remaining F-16 fleet, which is expected to serve until at least 2022, and could easily end up serving past 2030. Under Belgium’s 2000-2015 Modernization plan, the Belgian Defense Forces plan to keep just 60 F-16s in the fleet, creating a total of 48 operational aircraft (46 for NATO duties and 2 for domestic air defense).

BAF F-16s & AdlA C-135FR
(click to view full)

The F-16.net database shows a current active fleet of 49 F-16As and 10 F-16B trainers/ fighters, with likely delivery dates from 1982-1991. A Mid-Life Upgrade modernization was ordered in 1997 – 1998, which included a full Aircraft Structural Integrity Program.

This upgrade will help the F-16s remain useful for deployments like Kandahar, Afghanistan and Baltic air policing, but it won’t substantially change the fighter’s core capabilities. The AN/APG-66(V)2 radar remains, for instance, instead of being replaced with the APG-68(V)9 or something equally modern. Belgium’s addition of JHMCS helmet-mounted displays in recent years was more consequential.

On the other hand, the M6 OFP adds the Universal Armament Interface, which will make it much easier and cheaper for the Belgian Air Force to add new weapons to their F-16s. This upgrade may be one that becomes consequential with the passing of time.

Updates

September 10/19: Baltic Air Policing Mission Four Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft touched down at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania on August 29, 2019 to take over the lead of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing from the Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 fighter aircraft. The Belgian Air Force, which back in 2004 was the first ally to start NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in the region, will be the lead nation for the last four months in 2019. The official handover-takeover ceremony of the mission took place at Šiauliai Air Base on the 3rd of September 2019. “It is great for Belgium to be back here in the Baltics,” said Major Simon Gerard, Detachment Commander of the 60-strong Belgian F-16 detachment.

January 13/16: The Belgian government has approved a plan to modernize its airforce by 2030, but at a cost of a reduction in personnel. $10 billion will be made available for upgrades to equipment and machinery, however it will necessitate a decrease in the military and civilian workforce from 32,000 to 25,000. While no preferences have been made as to what will be bought, the investment will see thirty-four fighter bombers bought to replace the fifty-six aging F-16s in service. This will go alongside two new frigates, six minesweepers and two new UAVs. Brussels is also considering participation in the Tanker Aircraft Program.

May 12/14: The US DSCA announces Belgium’s official export request for upgrades to its F-16A/B Block 15 Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) aircraft with:

• Operational Flight Program (OFP, core mission software) tapes S1, M5 and M6.
  
• 69 LN-260 Embedded Global Positioning System-Inertial Navigation Systems (GPS-INS).
  
• 8 Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receivers IV (ROVER IV) terminals, which greatly improve coordination with ground forces.
  
• 62 BAE AN/APX-125 Transceivers (AN/APX-125 Air Identification Friend of Foe Radios), with the latest NATO Mode 5/ Mode S capabilities so they can operate with other NATO countries. IFF Mode 5 needs the M6 OFP software to work.
  
• 43 AN/ARC-210(V) RT-1990(C) Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency (UHF/VHF) radios. They need the M5 OFP tape to work.
  
• 32 KIV-78 encryption devices.
  
• 1 Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS).
  
• 4 BRU-61/A Carriage Systems, used for the GPS-guided GBU-39 Small Diamater Bomb I. SDB-I needs the M6 OFP software to work.
  
• Plus spare and repair parts, support equipment, repair and return services, software development/ integration, test and equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, and other forms of US Government and contractor support. The estimated cost is up to $113 million.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Orlando, FL, and implementation of any negotiated sale won’t require any additional US government or contractor personnel in Belgium. Sources: US DSCA #14-13, “Belgium – F-16A/B Block 15 Aircraft Mid-Life Upgrade”.

DSCA request: Belgium

Americas

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $29.3 million contract modification for performance based logistics support on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System. The General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS. It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the United States Army as an upgrade of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator. The Gray Eagle unmanned combat vehicle has a maximum altitude capability of 29,000 feet and can take-off and land without operator assistance. The drone’s payload includes advanced sensing gear, four GBU-44/B Viper strike bombs, and up to four Hellfire missiles or eight AIM-92 Stinger missiles. At the beginning of August it was reported that a Gray Eagle drone has crashed near Bagdad in Iraq. General Atomics will perform work under the modification in Poway, California and estimated completion date is September 4, 2020.

Pacific Shipyards International won a $32.1 million deal for upgrades of the USS Michael Murphy or DDG 112. According to the DoD, Pacific Shipyards International is to execute the fiscal 2020 selected restricted availability of the Michael Murphy, which includes a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair. The Arleigh Burke Class ship, commissioned in 2012 and named after a Hawaii-based Navy SEAL member who died in Afghanistan and posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor, will undergo unspecified maintenance, modernization and repair. The ship participated in UNITAS, a two-week multinational maritime exercise, with 11 other nations. The vessel rescued five stranded Peruvian mariners off the coast of Ecuador, who had gone without food for five days and water for three days. It also aided the US Coast Guard contain a speedboat found to be carrying 2,100 pounds of cocaine, leading to the arrest of three alleged smugglers. Work under the new contract will take place in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and estimated completion will be in April 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Ace Precision Machining won a $25 million firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales contract to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The FMS is for hot section parts for the Advanced Gas Turbine-1500 tank engine. The Honeywell AGT-1500 is the main is the main power plant in the M1 Abrams series of tanks. The low-weight, high-power turbine engine lets the M1 move faster and maneuver better than most comparable tanks. Estimated completion date for work under the new contract will be September 4, 2024.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has committed to providing financial support to the country’s UAV sector as part of the country’s efforts to further develop its own capabilities and platform export markets. Bloomberg reports that Baykar Makina, the private Turkish drone maker with family ties to the president, will receive government support to expand output. Under Presidential Decree 1506, announced on September 4, the Turkish government is to provide support valued at $105.5 million for the development of the Baykar Bayraktar TB2 UAV and Akinci armed UAV, including the development and manufacture of avionics, ground control stations, and other subsystem components.

Europe

Slovakia is preparing to send six pilots to the United States for F-16 training this autumn, local media reports. Another six more are currently undergoing training in the country. The armed forces are planning on employing 22 F-16 pilots. The Defense Ministry has also allocated money to reconstruct Slia? airport, because the F-16 jets bought by the ministry will be placed there. The decision comes after the Defense Ministry rejected a $116.8 million investment from the USA to modernize two of its military airports back in March. The airport modernization, split into three parts, should be completed by the time the 14 US F-16 jets arrive in Slovakia in 2022 and 2023.

Asia-Pacific

Jane’s reports that China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has released images showing seven Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group J-20 fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft in the air. This is the largest number of J-20s to be publicly shown flying in close formation. It is not known when and where the pictures were taken. However, the maneuvers are believed to have taken place as part of rehearsals for a military parade set to take place on 1 October to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Today’s Video

Watch: Philippine Navy Missile Frigate BRP Antonio Luna – Weapons and Armaments

Americas

General Electric Aviation won a $143.7 million contract modification for 24 low rate initial production Lot 3 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines and three Lot 2 T408-GE-400 engines for the CH-53K helicopter. The deal also provides for associated engine and programmatic support, logistics support, peculiar support equipment and spares. T408 engines provide enough power to the aircraft to carry a 27,000lb external load over a mission radius of 110nm in the navy high / hot weather conditions. The three-stage power turbine is capable of generating 7,378-rated shaft horsepower. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is a large, heavy-lift cargo helicopter. General Electric will perform work under the modification in Lynn, Massachusetts, and estimated completion will be in December 2022.

The US Air Force awarded Raytheon an $8.4 million modification for field team support services for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) development test mission support including, test planning, test operations, test reporting and telemetry analysis. The contract modification provides for exercise of the third option for an additional 12 months of services to support ground tests, captive flight tests and live fire tests conducted for developmental purposes up to and including operational test readiness reviews. The effort also includes management and maintenance of AMRAAM separation test vehicles and other assets used for the test programs. The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM is in service with the US Air Force, US Navy, and over 25 US-allied nations. Work will take place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and estimated completion date is September 5, 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), which is a leader in the production of combat-proven small arms for law enforcement agencies, governments, and armies around the world, announces the new lightweight, multi-caliber assault rifle, a highly efficient and modular battle rifle ? the ARAD, based on the AR15 platform. According to local reports, the new lightweight, modular assault rifle is offered in two variants: 5.56X45mm and .300 AAC Blackout. The ARAD was designed to address the needs of Special Forces as well as the various infantry forces. It includes several advanced features that enable operational flexibility. The rifle consists of a short-stroke gas piston with a regulator in two positions, which allows proper operation in all environmental conditions. A two-step enhanced trigger ensures both comfort and shooting accuracy. Additional features include a hard-anodized monolithic aluminum MIL-STD 1913 rail in the upper receiver.

Europe

Jane’s reports that five Czech Air Force JAS 39C fighters began a four-month rotation of NATO’s Baltic air policing mission on September 1 in their first operation with their new Rafael Litening 4i laser targeting pods. The aircraft are reportedly armed with their usual cannons: the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs). On 14 June 2004, it was announced that the Czech Republic was to lease 14 Gripen aircraft, modified to comply with NATO standards. In September 2013, the Defense and Security Export Agency announced that a follow-up agreement with the Czech Republic had been completed to extend the lease by 14 years, until 2029.

Asia-Pacific

Vietnam is looking at acquiring the T-6 Texan II. The sale is reportedly at an advanced stage with the US Air Force helping Vietnam to find a suitable location to bed down the aircraft. Vietnam is pursuing the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft for their Air Force, “which is interesting because most of the stuff they have right now is from Russia,” Gen. Charles Q. Brown, commander of Pacific Air Forces, said. Pacific Air Forces is moving to distribute its fleet more broadly across the theater to both enhance flexibility and reduce vulnerability as a target, the PACAF commander said on Tuesday.

The Philippines have been forced to push back the delivery of two AH-1s from Jordan as the personnel are still undergoing training in Jordan. The original date was supposed to be this month but Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez announced the new date is early next year. He added that the training of its pilots is still underway. The Jordanian government pledged last year to donate two US-built Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters, and President Rodrigo Duterte had mentioned this in some of his speeches. The AH-1 Cobra is a two-blade, single-engine attack helicopter.

Today’s Video

Watch: MSPO 2019 International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce Poland Day 1 Video show daily news

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $50.3 million contract modification for the Aegis Weapon System (AWS). The deal is for ship integration and test of the AWS for AWS Baselines through Advanced Capability Build 16. The contract provides for Aegis shipboard integration engineering, Aegis test team support, Aegis modernization team engineering support, Ballistic Missile Defense test team support, Aegis ashore support and AWS element assessments. This contract will cover the AWS ship integration and test efforts for nine new construction DDG 51 Class ships and the major modernization of seven DDG 51 Class ships. It will additionally cover the integrated combat system modifications and upgrades for all current ships with all AWS Baselines up to and including ACB 16. A few days ago Lockheed won a contract for Aegis BMD 6.0 Capability. The Aegis Combat System (ACS) is an advanced command and control and weapon control system that uses powerful computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. AWS, the heart of Aegis, comprises the AN/SPY-1 Radar, MK 99 Fire Control System, WCS, the Command and Decision Suite, and SM.2 Standard Missile family of weapons. Lockheed will perform work under the contract modification in Romania and in various places in the US. Estimated completion will be in September 2024.

Progeny Systems won a $10.7 million modification to exercise Option Year Two for the production of MK54 MOD 1 lightweight torpedo proof of design components, test equipment, associated production support material, spares, and engineering and hardware support services. The MK54 is a standard 324mm torpedo. The MK 54 Mod 1 hardware upgrades the torpedo’s sonar array from 52 to 112 elements, providing higher resolution. Associated software upgrades are designed to exploit these features to improve target detection, enhance false target rejection, and correct previously identified deficiencies. The modification combines purchases for the USN as well as one percent for the government of the UK. Work will take place in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia and is scheduled to be finished by March 2022.

Middle East & Africa

British Royal Air Force Typhoons based at Coningsby have left for a four-month tour of the Middle East and the Far East to participate in exercises. The first stop for the multi-role Typhoon jets will be Oman, the Royal Air Force announced in a statement. There, pilots from both nations will test their skills in a two week ‘live’ weapons exercise in the desert. The Royal Air Foce of Oman also operates the Typhoons and has a long history in training with the UK. The exercises prepare personnel performing support functions to become familiar with operating in tough conditions away from home. The jets will then be flying on to a multi-national exercise in Malaysia at the end of September. Meanwhile Typhoons, which have been deployed to Estonia under Operation Azotize have returned to the UK.

The United States imposed sanctions on Iran’s civilian space agency and two research organizations on Tuesday, saying they were being used to advance Tehran’s ballistic missile program. The US Treasury sanctions targeted the Iran Space Agency, Iran Space Research Center and the Astronautics Research Institute. “The United States will not allow Iran to use its space launch program as cover to advance its ballistic missile programs,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. Meanwhile, allies reach out to Iran. France said this week it was considering a $15 billion line of credit to Iran to finance new oil exports, and Russian officials pushed a plan that would open the ports of Crimea on the Black Sea to Iranian oil shipments, the Washington Post reports.

Europe

BAE Systems won a contract by the German federal police force „Bundespolizei“ to supply three Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun systems for three of its new 86m Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The company announced this in a press release. The contract also includes accompanying fire control systems as well as systems integration support. The first unit is scheduled for delivery in 2020. According to the company, the 57 Mk3 is a flexible, highly versatile gun system designed to react quickly for close-to-shore operations. The 57 Mk3 naval gun is also in use with the allied navies and coast guards of eight nations, including Canada, Finland, Mexico, and Sweden, as well as the United States, where it is known as the Mk110 naval gun.

Asia-Pacific

According to local reports, Dutch shipbuilder Damen has launched the second of two 2,300-ton corvettes on order for the Pakistan Navy at its facilities in Galati, Romania. The deal for the two platforms, which the PN has also referred to as offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), was inked in June 2017. The first ship, which was launched at the same shipyard on May 17, is expected to enter service by the end of 2019, and the second one is set to be delivered by mid-2020, according to the Navy. Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Ather Mukhtar, who spoke at the ceremony, emphasized the importance of corvettes in the maritime domain.

Today’s Video

Watch: JS Ise DDH-182 – The Second Hyuga Class Helicopter Destroyer Of The JMSDF

Americas

Lockheed Martin announced that its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target on August 30 in a missile defense test. The test was led by the US Missile Defense Agency with support provided by the US Army. During the test, the THAAD system located at US Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a threat representative target using a THAAD launcher that was positioned at distance from the other THAAD end items, the company said. The THAAD system, made by Lockheed Martin, is designed to intercept threats from inside and outside the Earth’s atmosphere. It has had 16 consecutive successful launches and interceptions, but the test early Friday demonstrated the capability of engaging the system remotely with a government-developed remote launcher kit.

Airbus announced on August 30 that it along with the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense is withdrawing from Canada’s effort to acquire a new fighter aircraft. Airbus Defense and Space, which was pitching the Eurofighter Typhoon, notified the Liberal government Friday that it was not going to bid. The decision was made after a detailed review of the tender issued by the federal government in mid-July. The move leaves only three companies in the $19 billion contest: Lockheed Martin Canada with its F-35; Boeing with the Super Hornet; and Saab, which is offering an updated version of its Gripen fighter.

Middle East & Africa

Iran unveiled a new high-precision reconnaissance and attack drone dubbed „Kian“. Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard displayed the unmanned aerial vehicle at a ceremony in the capital, Tehran, saying it can fly more than 1,000km and climb to an altitude of 5,000 meters. The drone comes in two models capable of “surveillance and reconnaissance missions and continuous flight for precision missions,” state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying. The newly launched UAV can reportedly carry different munitions and can climb to an altitude of 5,000 meters.

Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has added four more Belgian companies to its industry team that will support the planned provision of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAVs by Belgium. GA-ASI is the leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft systems, radars, electro-optic and related mission systems. In January it announced that it had teamed with five Belgium-based businesses as part of an industrial collaboration effort with the Belgian aerospace and defense industry. AeroSimulators Group (ASG), AIRobot, ALX Systems and Hexagon will join Team SkyGuardian, which already includes the following five Belgium companies: SABCA, Thales Belgium, Esterline, Newtec and DronePort.

Asia-Pacific

Kyodo News says Moscow is planning to deploy the Bastion coastal anti-ship missiles on Paramushir and Matua in the Kuril Islands northeast from Hokkaido, Japan. The News Platform was shown an internal Russian government document. Missiles have been deployed on Etorofu and Kunashiri since 2016 and a separate document says more missiles are to be deployed in the area in 2020. The installed missile systems were moved from Kamchatka Peninsula to Paramushir and Matua islands in the island chain. The chain includes four Japan-claimed islands. The plan reportedly indicates Russia places strategic importance on the Kuril Islands in defending the Sea of Okhotsk and its nuclear force stronghold against the United States. The Bastion is a land-to-ship missile that has a range of more than 300 kilometers. The Kurils are a chain of small islands that run from the Japanese island of Hokkaido at the southern end and the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula at the northern end. They form an island border that separates the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean.

Eight US made Apache AH-64E attack helicopters joined the Indian Air Force fleet today in Pathankot. This is seen as a very big boost to India’s combat capabilities. A priest performed rituals in front of a helicopter, which was also given a water cannon salute at the Pathankot Air Force Base. India’s Air Force will be receiving 22 Apache AH-64E(I) helicopters in all in a $1.1-billion deal with Boeing. The contract was inked in September 2015. The Apaches are equipped with hellfire missiles and rockets. Each helicopter has the capacity to carry eight such missiles. It also has a canon gun that can fire 1,200 rounds at a time, with which two missile pods carrying 19 missiles each can be fixed.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : India’s S5 SSBN Design,MIRV Capable K6 SLBM,New 3rd Layer To BMD Program

Americas

Meggitt Defense Systems won a $22.2 million firm-fixed-price contract in support of the Apache AH-64. The deal is for magazine assemblies. Boeing’s Apache is a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit. The helicopter is used by the US Army and an increasing number of international defense forces. The AH-64E is the latest version of the AH-64 gunship, equipped with new sensors, avionics and improved night operation capabilities. The Apache can carry up to 16 Hellfire laser designated missiles. With a range of over 8,000 meters, the Hellfire is used primarily for the destruction of tanks, armored vehicles and other hard material targets. The award is a one-time procurement contract, which includes a quantity option, exercised at time of award. Location of performance is California, with an April 15, 2021, performance completion date.

The US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $68.9 million contract modification for non-recurring engineering and obsolescence management to support delivery of 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye full-rate production Lot 7 – 11 aircraft. Hawkeye is an airborne, all-weather, tactical, early-warning aircraft used by the US Navy. E-2D is the fourth version of the E-2 Hawkeye. The technology and gadgets fitted in this aircraft increase its visibility on targets far away. Notably, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a structurally distinctive design — a rotating rotodome and four vertical stabilizer tail configurations — that provide 360-degree surveillance at all times. In April, the Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a $3.2 billion five-year contract modification to buy 24 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne surveillance aircraft. Work will take place in Florida, New York, Virginia, California, Indiana, Ohio, Italy and France as well as various other locations within the continental US. Estimated completion date is in January 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon won a $10.8 million FMS contract to Kuwait for technical assistance planning, training, maintenance and sustainment of the Kuwait Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) missile weapon systems, associated PATRIOT equipment, and PATRIOT logistics support elements. The company will offer technical assistance, planning, training, maintenance and sustainment to Kuwait, in addition to pertinent equipment and logistics support. Kuwait is equipped with an unknown number of land-based PAC-2 medium range Patriot air defense missiles and PAC-3 ground-based/mobile Patriot missiles. The USA’s MIM-104 Phased Array Tracking Radar Intercept On Target anti-air missile system offers an advanced backbone for medium-range air defense, and short-range ballistic missile defense, to America and its allies. Work will take place in Massachusetts. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2020.

Europe

The DoS approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Hungary of 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) with support for an estimated cost of $500 million. The European country requested to buy one 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), and four spare AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance sections. The proposed sale will also include cryptographic and communication security devices, precision navigation equipment, weapons system equipment, common munitions and test equipment, training, integration and logistics support.

The State Department also approved a FMS to Denmark for nine AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and six hundred AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing system is the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor of US Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. It provides mission-critical capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar features 4-time greater area coverage than current systems, active or passive sonar modes, active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability, generate high power waveforms and many other advanced characteristics.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan will retire its UH-1H fleet on October 30. The UH-1 has been in service on the island for 50 years. It will be replaced by the UH-60. According to local reports, the Army officially confirmed that it will decommission the UH-1H on October 30. The Ministry of Defense will hold decommissioning ceremony. The UH-60 is a four-blade twin-engine medium lift utility helicopter. In 2017, Sikorsky won a $135.4 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract by the Republic of China Army for the manufacture of 24 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters. Taiwan is a mountainous island surrounded by ocean. This helicopter is perfect for rescue mission in the mountains at the altitudes above 2,000 meters or out at sea in nighttime. Its best feature is nighttime reconnaissance.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S NAVY GHOST FLEET WILL BE HAVE LARGE UNMANNED SURFACE VESSELS (LUSV) !!

MH-60R & ALFS,
Bermuda
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The AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) will equip the US Nay’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, serving as their primary anti-submarine sensor. The new FLASH sonar operates using lower frequencies and higher-power waveforms than existing dipping sonars, improving long-range detection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar claims 4x the area coverage of current systems, and includes both active or passive sonar modes to help track, localize, and classify submarines. A winching system with up to 2,500 feet of cable raises and lowers the sonar.

The ALFS system complements the MH-60R’s radar, and works in concert with other equipment including active or passive sonobuoys, signal processing improvements that are especially helpful in shallow water. This Spotlight article highlights ALFS-related contracts from 2002 to the present.

Contracts & Key Events

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ALFS is a cooperative venture between Raytheon Corp. and Thales Underwater Systems, which supplies a modified version of its FLASH wide-band sonar. Thales’ Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH) helicopter-borne dipping sonar is widely popular, and has been chosen by the USA (MH-60R), France (NH90 NFH), Norway (NH90 NFH), Sweden (NH90 NFH), UAE (Naval Cougar), and UK (EH101 MERLIN); it is also currently proposed for the German Navy’s NH90.

Unless otherwise noted, all contracts are issued by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD, to prime contractor Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ Naval Integration Center in Portsmouth, RI. Note that work will be performed in Brest, France generally indicates work done by Raytheon’s major sub-contractor, Thales. The partnership produces an average of 20 AN/AQS-22 systems per year.

FY 2019

September 2/19: Denmark The State Department also approved a FMS to Denmark for nine AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and six hundred AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing system is the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor of US Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. It provides mission-critical capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar features 4-time greater area coverage than current systems, active or passive sonar modes, active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability, generate high power waveforms and many other advanced characteristics.

FY 2015

 

FLASH sonar
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Sept 3/15: Raytheon will get $33 million to make more AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar devices. With options, the contract could be worth as much as $98 million.

FY 2014

 

Sept 26/14: Thales Defense & Security, Inc. in Clarksburg, MD, receives a $7.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to cover repairs of 6 ALFS components. All funds are committed immediately, using FY 2014 Navy budgets.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (62%); Clarksburg, MD (26%); and Johnstown, PA (12%), and work is expected to be complete by Jan 31/16. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement, with 1 offer received by the NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Contracting Department in Philadelphia, PA (N0038313G003F, DO 7007).

Dec 18/13: H-60 Program Manager Capt. James Glass discusses programs to upgrade the fleet with new weapons and systems. They’re pleased with ALFS’ performance, which he describes as 9x more effective, but they’re working to engineer ALFS for more reliability. Sources, Military.com, “Navy Arms MH-60S Helicopter with Gatling Gun”.

Dec 16/13: Australia. Raytheon IDS in Portsmouth, RI receives a maximum $42.6 million sole source, firm-fixed-price contract from the Royal Australian Navy for “the manufacture and delivery” of AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar systems. Australia has ordered 25 systems already (q.v. Dec 22/11), which is more than enough for installation in each helicopter. Spares? Upgrades? Additional reserve units? Raytheon’s Dec 20/13 release is uninformative. If the 2 orders are combined, they total $123.4 million.

Work will be performed in Rhode Island, with a February 2017 performance completion date. The US Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia, PA manages this contract, unlike the 2011 contract which was managed by US NAVAIR (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y-5027).

Nov 4/13: Support. Thales Communication Inc. in Clarksburg, MD receives an $8.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to cover repairs for 6 ALFS items. Based on the geographic spread, a significant portion of the repair work will involve the FLASH sonar modules, as one would reasonably expect.

$6.6 million in FY 2014 working capital funds are committed immediately, and will expire by Sept 30/14. Work will be performed at Clarksburg, MD (28%); Brest, France (54%); and Johnstown, PA (18%), and is expected to be complete Nov 1/15. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) by NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support’s Contracting Department in Philadelphia, PA (N00383-13-G-003F, #7002).

FY 2011 – 2013

FRP-10 & 11. Australia.

MH-60R & ALFS
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Sept 26/13: Thales Communications, Inc. in Clarksburg, MD receives a $15.1 million firm-fixed-price contract to help establish depot level support for the AN/AQS-22 ALFS. They’ll provide depot level specialized test equipment and the relevant technical data in support of the MH-60R/ ALFS combination. All funds are committed immediately.

Work will be performed in Clarksburg, MD (50%) and Jacksonville, FL (50%) and is expected to be complete in May 2015. The contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.SC 2304(c). US NAVAIR in Lakehurst, NJ manages the contract (N68335-13-C-0427).

Sept 17/13: A maximum $45.2 million unfinalized contract for ALFS systems. Work will be performed in Rhode Island, with a November 2017 completion date, using FY 2013 through FY 2017 Navy working capital funds. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in Philadelphia, PA manages this contract (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y, #5026).

Dec 20/12: FRP-10 & 11. A $158.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 48 MH-60R Full Rate Production ALFS systems: 24 for Production Lot 10 and another 24 for Lot 11. It also includes associated program management support.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (59%); Portsmouth, RI (37%), and Johnstown, PA (4%), and is expected to be completed in April 2017. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304c1. All contract funds are committed on award, but $39.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/13 (N00019-13-C-0012). Raytheon.

May 31/12: Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI received a $12.2 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for specialized test equipment and “golden units” necessary to perform depot level repairs to identified ALFS components. The Navy wants to reduce turnaround time, and improve fleet support.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (82%); Portsmouth, RI (12%); and Arlington, VA (6%), and is expected to be complete in July 2014. $7.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12.

Dec 22/11: Australia. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI receives an $80.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to buy 25 AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) dipping systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s 24 new MH-60R helicopters.

Work will be performed in Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France (68%), as well as Portsmouth, RI (32%); work is expected to be complete in October 2016. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the sale on behalf of its Australian client (N00019-11-C-0077).

Australia

Dec 12/11: Upgrades. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI receives a $10.4 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to integrate an improved ALFS sonar Digital Transducer Assembly into MH-60R helicopters, as Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 6515-E-022, Part II.

Work will include engineering, highly accelerated life test, and integrated logistics services. Work will be performed in Brest, France (64%), and Portsmouth, RI (36%), and is expected to be complete in October 2012 (N00019-08-G-0013).

Sept 27/11: FRP-9. An $81.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for 24 MH-60R ALFS systems, and all associated program management support, as Full Rate Production Lot 9 (FY 2011).

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (20%); and Johnstown, PA (8%). Work is expected to be complete in September 2014. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (N00019-11-C-0077).

Aug 11/11: An unfinalized $6.8 million contract action to provide ALFS consumable spares, with $3.4 million committed immediately. It is expected to be complete by Aug 11/13. One company was solicited for this non-competitive requirement, and one offer was received by the US Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia, PA (SPRPA1-09-G-001Y).

Oct 12/10: Raytheon’s release cites the $59.7 million March 26/10 contract, but it also cites a second, unannounced $56 million spares contract for fleet-deployed systems.

FY 2008 – 2010

FRP 6 to 8.

MH-60R & ALFS, CVN-74
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July 21/10: Testing. Aviation Week Ares reports that future MH-60R helicopters may abandon their current sonobuoy launchers:

“U.S. Navy program manager for H-60, Capt. Dean Peters… said the aircraft’s Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) worked so well during last year’s deployment of the aircraft there “was not much need for the [sonobuoy] launcher.” The potential exists, he says, to “take out the sonobuoy launcher,” and launch fewer buoys using a different type of launch system. The goal is reduce the amount of cabin space taken up by the launcher… ALFS provides so much range that it might be wise to have another helicopter prosecute the mission and “have the sonar remain in the dip.”… We’re evaluating other options to free up space and reduce cost.”

March 26/10: FRP-8. A $59.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 18 full-rate production Lot 8 (FY 2010) AN/AQS-22 ALFS systems, and 2 sonar transmitter/ receiver weapon replaceable assemblies, for the MH-60R program.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (26%); and Gaithersburg, MD (2%), and is expected to be complete in May 2013 (N00019-09-C-0096).

Sept 22/09: FRP-7. An $81.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar systems Full Rate Production Lot 7 (FY 2009). Under the contract, Raytheon IDS will manufacture, integrate, test and deliver 23 new ALFS systems as well as provide miscellaneous weapons replaceable assemblies for systems under test and helicopter maintenance trainer assets. To date, Raytheon has delivered 26 ALFS systems, and is currently under contract for 80, plus spares for life-cycle support of deployed systems.

Work will be performed in Brest, France (72%); Portsmouth, RI (26%); and Gaithersburg, MD (2%), and is expected to be complete in November 2012. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-09-C-0096).

See also the subsequent Raytheon release, which talks up a recent exercise involving ALFS-equipped MH-60Rs from the John C. Stennis carrier battlegroup, in the western Pacific ocean. One would have to know more about the level of realism and operational freedom accorded the submarines in that exercise, in order to form an informed judgment.

April 13/09: An $8.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement to provide intermediate-level support equipment used for a variety of ALFS-related maintenance and testing tasks. Equipment will include reeling machine test benches, reeling machines, and reel and cable assemblies.

Work will be performed in Johnstown, PA (90%) and Portsmouth, RI (10%), and is expected to be complete in January 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ manages this contract (N68335-07-G-0005).

Dec 4/08: A $17.2 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity long term contract for repair overhaul of various weapons replaceable assemblies used on the Airborne Low Frequency Sonar.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, (10%), and Brest, France (90%, Thales’ work). Work is to be complete by December 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-09-D-009F).

April 29/08: Raytheon Co. in Portsmouth, RI receives a $59.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Fiscal Year 2008 Full Rate Production (Lot 6) buy of 14 ALFS systems for the MH-60R. Work will be performed in Brest, France, (61%); Portsmouth, RI (30%) and Gaithersburg, MD (9%), and is expected to be complete in October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-08-C-0051).

March 24/08: $8.1 million for delivery order #5004 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract, covering initial and wholesale spares for various weapons replacement assemblies used in ALFS’ development and deployment. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete by October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-G-011F).

March 24/08: $15.8 million for delivery order #5005 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement contract, covering initial and wholesale spares for various weapons replacement assemblies used in ALFS’ development and deployment. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete by October 2010. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point (N00383-06-G-011F).

March 17/08: Support, FRP-6? Raytheon announces 2 U.S. Navy contracts with a total value of $89 million for the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar system.

Raytheon will provide whole-life engineering to support AN/AQS-22 systems already in the fleet, and full rate production of AN/AQS-22 has been accelerated since the 2006 initial fielding of the MH-60R helicopter into the U.S. Navy fleet. To date, Raytheon has delivered 14 AN/AQS-22 systems, and is under contract for an additional 28.

FY 2003 – 2007

From LRIP to FRP.

MH-60R: ALFS & Hellfires
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Aug 20/07: ALFS Order. A $15.4 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0013) for the procurement of 3 AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems, an ALFS Sonar Transmitter/Receiver Control Module Technical Refresh effort, as well as an ALFS Automated Test Equipment Procedure Enhancement. ALFS diping sonars are deployed on the US Navy’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI, and is expected to be complete in May 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $8 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Raytheon release, Nov 14/07.

Feb 12/07: FRP-5. A $50.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture, qualification and delivery of 19 Full Rate Production Lot V MH-60R AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and related program support.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (60%) and Brest, France (40%), and is expected to be complete in September 2009 (N00019-07-C-0013).

Jan 23/07: Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems in Portsmouth, RI received a $5.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-05-C-0012) to provide program sustaining and integrated logistics services in support of the MH-60R Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems.

Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (60%) and Brest, France (40%), and is expected to be complete in December 2007.

Deploying…
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June 29/06: FRP. A $45 million order for 6 of the AN/AQS-22 ALFS systems. This contract advances the program into full rate production, and is the first accelerated production contract since the initial fielding of the MH-60R helicopter into the U.S. Navy Fleet earlier in 2006. Initial deployment to the fleet scheduled for later in 2006.

Navy Capt. Paul Grosklags, the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters Program manager was quoted as saying that “System performance during operational testing and subsequent exercises has met or exceeded the requirements.” Raytheon release.

Full Rate Production begins

Feb 9/05: Sub-contractors. Thales Underwater Systems announces a $17 million contract from prime contractor Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) for the production of 10 ALFS dipping sonar subsystems for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. Under the contract, Thales Underwater Systems will provide 10 Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH) active dipping sonar subsystems, including the reeling machine, cable and wet end assemblies for final integration and test.

This award comes after the successful completion of an LRIP contract awarded in November 2002, under which Raytheon and Thales worked together to deliver 4 ALFS systems to the U.S. Navy well ahead of schedule – see Oct 12/02 entry.

Nov 30/04: LRIP-2 & 3. A $29.8 million contract to provide 10 Low Rate Initial Production II and III AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems for the U.S. Navy’s MH60R multi-mission helicopter. Under the contract, Raytheon will provide program management, systems engineering, configuration management, and materials procurement for the manufacture, test and integration of the sonar systems, as well as sustaining and integrated logistics support. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (67%) and Brest, France (33%), and is expected to be complete in March 2007. Raytheon release.

July 23/03: R&D. Small business qualifier Digital System Resources, Inc. in Fairfax, VA won a not-to-exceed $25 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for a Phase III Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program under Topic N00-008 entitled “Environmentally Insensitive Active Decluttering” and Topic N00-009 entitled “Multistatic Operation.” The primary objective of this Phase III SBIR Program is to provide engineering services and software products to support performance testing of the AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) production configuration. The contractor will support, maintain, and improve the software tools previously developed and delivered to support testing of the AQS-22 ALFS during laboratory and field tests, implement corrections for deficiencies in the MH-60R acoustics processing, and support planning, definition, conduct, and results analysis of performance testing of the ALFS production configuration.

Work will be performed in Fairfax, VA and is expected to be complete in August 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $134,879 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured using SBIR Program Solicitation under Topics N00-008 and N00-009, and 4 offers were received for each. The Naval Air Systems Command Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ (N68335-03-D-0105).

Oct 11/02: LRIP-1. A $16.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for the low-rate-initial-production of 4 MH-60R airborne low frequency sonar systems and associated engineering, testing and program management services. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, RI (70%), and Brest, France (30%), and is expected to be completed in October 2004. Contract funds in the amount of $9.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-03-C-6515).

Low-rate production launched

Additional Readings & Sources

• Raytheon – AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS)

• Deagel.com – AN/AQS-22 ALFS

• Sikorsky – MH-60R Seahawk

• Naval Helicopter Association (2007 Symposium) – MH-60R Capabilities Scenario [dead link]

• Naval Studies Board (2006) – C4ISR for Future Naval Strike Groups, pg. 268

• Thales, via WayBack (April 4/06) – MH-60R Fleet introduction Ceremony : ALFS outstanding performances rewarded by US Navy