Defense Industry Daily

Americas

The US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $92.9 million contract modification for engineering services on the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The modification also includes interim logistics services, spares and associated material. MUOS is a narrowband military satellite communication system designed to secure ultra-high frequency satcom activities for mobile force. The system employs radio terminals built to link up with the Global Information Grid and support mobile and tactical operations on the ground, at sea or in the air. It supports a worldwide, multiservice population of users, providing modern netcentric communications capabilities while supporting legacy terminals. The MUOS satellite network is expected to achieve full operational capability in 2017 and ensure the availability of UHF narrowband communications for the US Navy past 2025. The MUOS is also expected to serve the Australian defense forces. Work under the modification is scheduled to be finished in October 2020 and will take place in Arizona and California.

The Navy contracted Northrop Grumman $23.3 million in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye System. The deal provides for repair coverage of eight items that are part of the Hawkeye. The Hawkeye is an airborne, all-weather, tactical, early-warning aircraft. The 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. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye features an entirely new avionics suite including the new AN/APY-9 radar, radio suite, mission computer, integrated satellite communications, flight management system, improved T56-A-427A engines, a glass cockpit and later changes should enable aerial refueling by 2020. The award is a three-year contract with no option period. Work will take place in California and New York and is scheduled to conclude by December 2020.

Raytheon won a $63.3 million contract to further develop the Tactical Boost Glide hypersonic weapons program. Work under this contract will be part of a joint development of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Air Force. The program seeks to develop and demonstrate critical technologies to enable an effective and affordable air-launched hypersonic cruise missile. The system enables longer ranges with shorter response times and enhanced effectiveness. A tactical-range boost glide weapon is five times the speed of sound. These systems could provide significant payoff for future US offensive strike operations, particularly as adversaries’ capabilities advance. In 2016, Raytheon won a $174 million contract for the United States for the hypersonic air-breathing weapon concept program.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli company UVision demonstrated two of its HERO systems to an unknown Asian customer. The HERO systems are a line of loitering munitions systems that can loiter above a target and strike precisely when the opportunity arises. The HERO systems enable forces in the front-line to independently locate time sensitive targets, track and attack to handle different missions ranging from light-weight static or moving targets to larger fortified or heavily armored targets such as Main Battle Tanks and other strategic objectives. The two systems presented to the customer were the multi-purpose warhead and extended-range Hero-400EC and the high-precision, light-weight man-pack portable Hero-30. According to the company the demonstration proved the high precision strike to the target, the tracking and lock-on capabilities of the system on a vehicle in various operational scenarios, mission-abort capabilities, and parachute recovery. UVision is looking to expand its customer base in Asia.

Europe

The Greek company Theon Sensors announced the opening of German subsidiary Theon Deutschland GmbH in Kempen. This is reportedly a response to the strong demand for night vision and thermal imaging systems in Germany and neighboring countries with the aim to expand business. Theon Sensors was founded in 1997 and has its head office in Athens as wells as offices in Abu Dhabi and Singapore. The company specializes in Night Vision Systems for military and security applications. Theon Deutschland GmbH is part of a phased approach to enhance Theon Sensors’ footprint in the European market. The first stage is a sales office that will establish presence close to customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Benelux region.

Safran Helicopters introduced the Belgian Air Force as its newest customer of the Expert Link, video assistance service. The Expert Link allows the customer to connect, through a secure, live video feed, with Safran Helicopter Engines experts to facilitate technical diagnosis or guide them through a maintenance task. The service was launched last year. Based on a proven video assistance application provided by Librestream, Expert link is available at two service levels. Essential, where Safran Helicopter Engines provides remote technical diagnosis and real-time interactive visual assistance, and Premium adds hands-free support on scheduled tasks using borescopes or smart glasses. The Belgian Air Force works together with Royal Netherlands Air Force for the support of the RTM322 engine. It will benefit from the Premium level of the new Expert Link service for the engine maintenance of its NH90 fleet. The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter developed in response of NATO requirements for battlefield helicopters, which could also be operated in naval environments. In 2007, The NATO Helicopter Management Agency signed contract with NHIndustries to supply Belgium with a total of ten NH90 helicopters.

Asia-Pacific

According to local news, Taiwan officials requested to buy 66 F-16V jets from the US for a total price of $13 billion. The Air Force confirmed it had made a request to the US regarding a purchase of new fighter jets, but declined to say which planes exactly it was hoping to buy. The F-16 Viper is a variant of the General Dynamics F-16 single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft. It features an AN7APG active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a new mission computer and electronic warfare suite, automated ground collision avoidance system, and various cockpit improvements. Taiwan is currently upgrading its 144 F-16 A/B jets to F-16Vs as part of a $3.68 billion project launched by the government in 2016.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.K. Offers Cooperation in Building in Future Fighter Plane Technologies, Aircraft Carriers.

MUOS concept
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Lockheed Martin recently announced a $339.6-million contract option from the U.S. Navy for the 5th and final planned satellite in the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation. Under the current plan, the 5th satellite would serve as an on-orbit spare, and the capstone of a $3.26 billion acquisition program – though schedule slips have delayed the launch of even the 1st MUOS satellite from 2009 to December 2011.

MUOS will replace Boeing’s 601-based Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) system that built 11 birds, providing a variety of UHF, SHF, EHF, and Global Broadcast Service links. UFO is crashing under the military’s spiking bandwidth demands, however, and Lockheed’s new A2100 based MUOS design will offer about 10 times UFO’s communications capacity.

One way to think of MUOS is as a global service provider that converts a commercial 3G WCDMA cell phone system to a military UHF SATCOM radio system that can carry voice, data, and multimedia to mobile forces. Using the UHF frequency band is very helpful, as the signal is more likely to penetrate obstacles that would filter out conventional wCDMA (which is actually an evolution of the GSM cellphone standard, not CDMA).

The US Navy’s PEO Space Systems in Chantilly, VA and its Navy Communications Satellite Program Office in San Diego, CA manage the MUOS program. Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, CA leads a MUOS team that includes:

• Lockheed Martin’s Commercial Space Systems unit in Newtown, PA (base system development)
  
• Boeing Defense, Space and Security in El Segundo, CA (legacy terminal compatibility payload)
  
• General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, AZ (user-entry and integrated ground segment, JTRS link, network management); * Harris Corp. in Melbourne, FL (mesh reflectors)
  
• Ericsson in Plano, TX (portions of the integrated ground segment).

The consultancy Accenture has been involved helping the US Navy, and places the program’s overall value at $6.2 billion over its entire lifespan.

Updates

March 7/19: Engineering Services The US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $92.9 million contract modification for engineering services on the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The modification also includes interim logistics services, spares and associated material. MUOS is a narrowband military satellite communication system designed to secure ultra-high frequency satcom activities for mobile force. The system employs radio terminals built to link up with the Global Information Grid and support mobile and tactical operations on the ground, at sea or in the air. It supports a worldwide, multiservice population of users, providing modern netcentric communications capabilities while supporting legacy terminals. The MUOS satellite network is expected to achieve full operational capability in 2017 and ensure the availability of UHF narrowband communications for the US Navy past 2025. The MUOS is also expected to serve the Australian defense forces. Work under the modification is scheduled to be finished in October 2020 and will take place in Arizona and California.

August 17/15: A fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite is being prepared for launch aboard an Atlas V rocket at the end of August. The Lockheed Martin-manufactured satellite will be joined by a fifth satellite, intended to serve as an on-orbit spare for the constellation. Designed to provide next-generation communications capability, the Navy project has been valued at $6.2 billion over its entire lifespan. Last week the Navy ordered MUOS-compatible Digital Modular Radio sets from Northrop Grumman to equip vessels.

Additional Readings and Sources

• $29M from USN for 56 MUOS-Capable Digital Modular Radios

Americas

The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair awarded General Dynamics multiple contracts worth $191 million for post delivery services for the US Navy’s USS South Dakota (SSN 790). The USS South Dakota is a nuclear powered Virginia-Class submarine. The Virginia-Class attack submarine is the U.S. Navy’s newest undersea warfare platform and incorporates the latest in stealth, intelligence gathering and weapons systems technology. The South Dakota is part of the Third Block or “Flight“, which began construction in 2009. Block III subs feature a revised bow with a Large Aperture Bow sonar array, as well as technology from Ohio-Class ships. General Dynamics won a $76 million contract for planning and execution efforts and alterations, $60 million to provide additional support and services, and $55 million for installation of the Stern Area System during USS South Dakota’s (SSN 790) post-delivery work period. Work will take place in Groton, Connecticut and is scheduled to be finished by December 2020.

The USS Charleston entered the Navy’s fleet as the 16th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) during a commissioning ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday. The LCS-18 is an Independent-Class Littoral Combat Ship built by Austal. The ship is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform that can operate in near-shore environments, as well as open-ocean. The Charleston is the ninth Independence-variant littoral combat ship, which consists of even-numbered hulls. It is able to defeat asymmetric anti-access threats, such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The USS Charleston was christened in August 2017 and delivered to the US Navy last year following the completion of acceptance trials. The LCS-18 is scheduled to be homeported in San Diego, California. The Navy still has one LCS contract to award.

Middle East & Africa

The US Missile Defense Agency contracted Lockheed Martin $945.9 million in the first down payment for a $15 billion buy of missile defense systems by Saudi Arabia. The deal provides for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The THAAD system is designed to shoot down short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, including weapons of mass destruction, in descent or reentry. Lockheed will provide THAAD foreign military sales KSA Phase I long lead items, obsolescence, tooling and test equipment, key personnel, line requalification activities, initial training development, System Integration Lab and testbeds, three-level maintenance concept, exportability and early engineering development. The US State Department approved the sale of the defense system to Saudi Arabia in October 2017. Work will take place within the US and the contract’s performance period is from February 28, 2019 through October 31, 2026.

Europe

Rheinmetall completed a series of comprehensive trials with a new weapon station at its test center in Zürich, Switzerland. The weapon station, in combination with a laser, demonstrated its speed and precision in tests conducted in December 2018. Drones and mortar rounds were successfully engaged at operationally relevant ranges. The laser weapon station is part of Rheinmetall’s efforts to transform laser weapon technology into a fully functional weapon system. According to the company, the system consists of four main components: the laser source, beam director with the telescope, and coarse tracker. The mobile weapon station can mechanically point the laser towards the target. During the tests, the laser weapon station was combined with a beam director and advanced lasers. It can also be combined with an upcoming 20 kW laser source. The assemblies are modular and scalable in design and are equally suitable for ground, air and naval operations. Rheimetall also declared, that it now has all of the principal assemblies for a future laser weapon system at its own disposal.

Asia-Pacific

The US Naval Surface Warfare Center contracted Corvid Technologies LLC $223.3 million for Navy Sub-Orbital Flight Vehicles. The company will provide hardware, equipment and components needed to produce sub-orbital flight vehicles for the US Navy, other government organizations and Japan. The flight vehicles are exo-atmospheric rocket-based vehicles specifically configured to deliver payloads and test articles into a flight regime of interest for systems under test. Corvid Technologies LLC provides computational physics analysis support to defense and automotive industries. It specializes in computational fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, shock physics, styling and surfacing, and large scale prototyping and development. Japan will provide $8 million at the time of the award through the foreign military sales (FMS) program. Work is scheduled to be completed by February, 2024.

Boeing introduced its newest Unmanned Platform, called the Boeing Airpower Teaming System. Boeing Australia designed the system, which is the company’s largest investment in a new aircraft outside the US. The Australian Defense Minister unveiled a model at the Australian International Airshow. The Boeing Airpower Teaming System will complement and extend airborne missions through smart teaming with existing military aircraft. The Australian Government and Boeing will produce a concept demonstrator called the Loyal Wingman – Advanced Development Program that will provide key learnings toward the production of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System. According to Boeing, the Boeing Airpower Teaming System will provide fighter-like performance, measuring 11.7 meters. It will be able to fly more than 2,000 nautical miles. The System integrates sensor packages onboard to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions and electronic warfare. It uses artificial intelligence to fly independently or in support of manned aircraft while maintaining safe distance between other aircraft.

Today’s Video

Watch: “Medusa” : The Upgrade of the “British monster” Challenger 2

Americas

The Navy awarded Austal USA a $13.6 million contract modification for the 11th and 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships. The modification provides for the incorporation of a structural bow section engineering change proposal. The Spearhead-Class EPF is a Navy-led shipbuilding program. The class was previously designated as Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). The EPF ships provide high-speed, shallow-draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps and Army. The EPF program received Milestone A approval in May 2006. On 16 September 2016, Austal won a contract to design and construct EPF-11 and EPF-12. In 2015, the USNS Spearhead, the lead ship of the class, experienced bow-damage from rough seas requiring more than a half-million dollars to repair. It was determined that a design change recommended by Austal to the Navy late in the design phase in order to save weight has resulted in a weakened bow structure. The current modification is an undefinitized contract action for implementation of change to the bow structure on EPF 11 and EPF 12 on the DD&C Contract Line Item for each respective ship. Work will take place in Alabama, Mississippi, and Massachusetts and is scheduled to be finished by July this year.

The Navy contracted Chemring Ordnance $10.4 million for the manufacture, assembly, test, and delivery of 57mm High Explosive – Point Detonating (HE-PD) cartridges. The 57mm HE-PD Cartridge is a 57mm/70, electrically-primed cartridge designed to function in the 57mm MK 110 Gun Mount (GM). The MK 110 GM is employed on the Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class as well as the Coast Guard Legend-class National Security Cutters (NSC). The LCS is a fast, highly maneuverable, networked surface combat ship designed to satisfy the requirement for shallow draft vessels. The NSC is the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter designed for the US Coast Guard under the Deepwater program. The contract is to develop and produce 57mm HE-PD cartridges intended for combating surface and ground targets. The cartridge consists of a high explosive projectile with the ability to point detonate, a brass cartridge case loaded with propellant charge, and an electric primer. Chemring Ordnance designs, develops, and manufactures ordnance, pyrotechnic, and other munition components for military, homeland security, and first responders. The company offers 40mm low and high velocity ammunition, pyrotechnic marking, smoking, signaling, and tactical illumination devices, battlefield effects simulators, hand grenade fuses, and other ammunition components. Work under the contract will take place in Perry, Florida and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.

The Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin a $830.6 million contract modification for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) element development and support services. THAAD is an anti-ballistic missile defense system established to shoot down enemy ballistic missiles in their descent phase by intercepting and destroying them. The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, but relies on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile. The program is similar to the Navy’s sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The new contract modification exercises an option for additional incremental development, support to flight and ground test programs, and responsive support to requirements to sustain the Ballistic Missile Defense System throughout its life cycle. Work will take place in Sunnyvale, California, and Huntsville, Alabama. Completion dates for work are expected under future task order awards.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) presented the ADA-O, a variant of the ADA system, which addresses GPS jammers to ensure GPS availability for land platforms. ADA is an advanced turnkey solution that hardens avionic systems against GPS jamming. It ensures the availability of GPS- and GNSS-based navigation, communication, and EW systems even under direct, electronic attack from GPS jammers or other methods of interference. The ADA involves the use of advanced digital processing techniques that provide a high-level of immunity in severe and dynamic multi-jammer scenarios. IAI recently won a contract to provide the ADA system for an unknown Asia-Pacific country. With the new ADA-O variant the land platform can be integrated into a range of platforms, providing operational response capabilities for telecom, navigation and C2 systems. The system supports end users such as armored vehicles, artillery, C2 centers, and communication carriers.

Europe

Airbus delivered the first upgraded Tranche 1 Eurofighter to Spain. The company performed the upgrade at its facilities in Getafe near Madrid, Spain. The enhancements included the introduction of hardware modifications, which support the Operational Flight Program 02 (OFP-02) developed by Spain’s Armament and Experimental Logistics Centre (CLAEX). The company also integrated Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 equipment on the aircraft, including a computer symbol generator, digital video and voice recorder, laser designator pod and maintenance data panel. CLAEX will use this first single-seat Eurofighter, to be followed by a second two-seat aircraft currently undergoing the upgrade, as a test aircraft for the qualification of these new capabilities that will be implemented on the Air Force’s fleet of 15 Tranche 1 Eurofighters. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a project with four European nations, the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain as founding members.

Asia-Pacific

The US Air Force contracted Polish aircraft manufacturer Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze $19 million to deliver a pair of PZL Mielec M28 short take-off and landing (STOL) light transport aircraft to Nepal. The PZL M28 Skytruck is a twin-engined high-wing strutted monoplane with an all-metal airframe, twin vertical fins and a tricycle fixed landing gear. The Nepalese Army Air Wing already has one M28 in its inventory, which was donated by the Polish Air Force in 2004. The aircraft crash-landed at Kolti Airport in 2017. The award to the Polish aircraft manufacturer covers two of the latest Block 5 aircraft, as well as services and support. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to Kathmandu by December 20. Work will take place in Mielec, Poland.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) prepares to retire its Bell 429 helicopters, Jane’s reports. The RAN progressively transitioned its naval aviation training operations to the Airbus EC-135T2+ helicopter. The EC135 T2+ is a member of the H135 family of light twin-engine helicopters. Airbus delivered the final EC135 T2+ to Australia in 2016. The RAN previously operated a fleet of three Bell 429s to prepare its pilots for the MH-60R Seahawks or the MRH-90 helicopters. These helicopters were leased from a Raytheon-Bell partnership under a $26 million deal signed in September 2011. The final Bell 429 made its last public appearance at the Avalon Airshow 2019.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S. B-52 Bombers are Getting New ‘Eyes’ that will make them Deadlier

WMSL-750 Bertholf
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The Legend Class National Security Cutters were the largest ships in the The US Coast Guard’s massive $25 billion Deepwater meta-program, and served as its flagship in more ways than one. The 418 foot, 4,400 ton ships will be frigate-sized vessels with a 21 foot draughts, and are rather larger than the 379 foot, 3,250 ton Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutters (HECs) they will replace. Controversies regarding durability and potential hull fatigue, as well as significant cost overruns, have shadowed the new cutter’s construction. The program has survived, and is pushing toward its end in a few years – but will the number of ships bought be enough to help the USCG?

This DID FOCUS Article covers the Legend Class cutters’ specifications, program history, and key events…

Quick Background: The Deepwater Program

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The US Coast Guard is currently operating vessels that date from the 1950s and 1960s, and a fleet-wide recapitalization had become an urgent priority given its new domestic security responsibilities. That effort is being handled as an integrated, multi-year $25 billion meta-project called Deepwater that encompasses everything from long-range patrol aircraft and UAVs, to new communications and computing backbones, to new ship designs.

Deepwater has been fraught with difficulties since the program’s inception. The Coast Guard was guaranteed a rough ride due to the issues with its existing fleet, and lower status than the military services. In fairness, the events of 9/11 changed the Coast Guard’s perceived role, leading to widespread re-evaluation of designs and specifications that have complicated several programs, and raised Deepwater’s overall cost from $17 billion to over $25 billion. With that said, the Coast Guard’s choice of program structure has also received negative reviews (as well as some official reports of improvement) for some time, culminating in a series of failures and scandals that have deeply wounded the overall program. The USCG’s Island Class cutter modification program, and the Deepwater Fast Response Cutter that was supposed to replace it, were especially fraught.

In the wake of these problems, the Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman was replaced as the program’s overall system-of-systems integrator by US Coast Guard personnel. See “US Coast Guard’s Deepwater Effort Hits More Rough Sailing” for more in-depth background.

The National Security Cutters are built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, MS. Lockheed Martin is building and integrating the command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

The Legend Class National Security Cutters

WMSL 750 Bertholf,
Sea trials
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More akin to a full-fledged warship than a Coast Guard cutter, the 418-foot NSC is designed to be the USCG’s flagship vessel, capable of meeting all maritime national security needs. It will routinely carry a small boat and will be outfitted with an aviation detachment, whose composition will depend on individual mission requirements. The Legend Class cutters will displace 4,400 tons fully loaded, with a 21 foot draught and a crew of 110.

The NSC is powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant known as Combined Diesel and Gas Turbine (CODAG). A pair of 9,925 hp medium speed MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engines will provide regular propulsion, with GE’s ubiquitous LM2500 gas turbine available to offer 29,500 hp for high speed and intercept operations. The ship’s 14 foot controllable pitch propellers will turn at 231 rpm, and can drive the ship to a sustained top speed of 29 knots. A trio of 1360 Kw Ship Service Diesel Generator Sets will also be on board, to power the ship’s electrical and communications systems. With all three engines working together the total combined output of the plant is 36,800 kW (49,350 hp). The propulsion plant and its auxiliaries are all controlled and monitored by an MTU provided automation system. When operating at most efficient speed, the ships will have a range of up to 12,000 nautical miles.

Onboard sensors will include surface search & navigation radars in X & S Band, EADS’ TRS-3D Air Search Radar and the SPQ-9B Fire Control Radar, complemented by a Mk46 Electro-Optical Infrared Sensor for long-range passive surveillance. Legend Class ships will also use an advanced Deepwater communications suite that will allow Legend Class ships act as a flagship and command vessels, HF, VHF & UHF Communications, a radio direction finder, and multiple sensors on board for intelligence collection and sharing. A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) aboard ship makes it easy to process and receive data in place.

Given the kinds of industrial accidents and terrorist aftermaths the Coast Guard is tasked to deal with, it isn’t surprising that sensors to detect chemical, biological and radiological attacks will also be included in the NSC’s package, and a Collective Protection System (CPS) will serve to keep such contaminants out of the ship’s interior. As a greatly appreciated side benefit, CPS systems provide excellent air conditioning.

Mk 110 MOD 0 concept
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Legend Class ships will carry several weapons systems, including BAE Systems’ 57mm Mk 110 naval gun. The Mk110 also outfits the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship, and will equip its DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class destroyers and the Coast Guard’s smaller Offshore Patrol Cutters. Its 6-mode programmable ammunition can be used against air threats as well as surface targets, and its offensive and defensive punch will be complemented by the same Mk15 Phalanx Block 1B 20mm gatling gun that offers US Navy ships their last-ditch defense against anti-ship missiles. The Phalanx Block 1B model adds the ability to destroy surface targets as well; its 4,500-7,000 rpm firing rate should give fast attack boats pause. Ancillary .50 cal machine gun mounts and/or remotely-operated weapons can also be expected. A “Slick 32” AN/SLQ-32 system provides electronic jamming, just as it does for the US Navy’s high-end destroyers, and the US-Australian Mk53 Nukla automated decoy system rounds out the NSC’s protective fittings.

A series of ancillary systems will enhance the NSC cutter’s capabilities over its lifetime. The ships are eventually expected to deploy with a multi-mission MH-65 Dolphin helicopter (2 slots each) and 2 vertical unmanned aerial vehicles (1 slot each), though different mixes are possible. The H-60 family of helicopters can also be embarked.

Eventually, the ships are expected to carry aerial UAVs and sea-going UUV/USV unmanned craft. The Deepwater program specified Bell Textron’s tilt-rotor Eagle Eye as the full-size UAV of choice, but that program died without a replacement. The Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter UAV could easily step into that role, but the Coast Guard is in no rush to make a decision. Smaller UAVs like Boeing’s ScanEagle/ Integrator families should also be expected on board eventually.

The NSC cutter’s Stern Launch Ramp for small boats is a vital part of any large Coast Guard ship. The Legend Class can carry up to 2 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs): The Deepwater Short-Range Prosecutor (7m RHIB, speed up to 33 knots) and Long-Range Interceptor (11m RHIB, speed up to 45 knots, can be armed) are currently forecast as typical load-outs, and a starboard davit also exists for the SRP. These slots could also be occupied by future Unmanned Surface Vessels, some of which are based on existing RHIB hulls.

Ships of class include:

• WMSL 750 – USCGC Bertholf
  
• WMSL 751 – USCGC Waesche
  
• WMSL 752 – USCGC Stratton
  
• WMSL 753 – Hamilton
  
• WMSL 754 – James
  
• WMSL 755 – Munro
  
• WMSL 756 – Kimball
  
• WMSL 757 – Midgett

The Legend Class Program: Contracts & Key Events FY 2014-2019

Main contract for #7; Long-lead contract for #8; Progress on NSC 4-6.

USCG on NSC

March 5/19: 57mm HE-PD The Navy contracted Chemring Ordnance $10.4 million for the manufacture, assembly, test, and delivery of 57mm High Explosive – Point Detonating (HE-PD) cartridges. The 57mm HE-PD Cartridge is a 57mm/70, electrically-primed cartridge designed to function in the 57mm MK 110 Gun Mount (GM). The MK 110 GM is employed on the Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class as well as the Coast Guard Legend-class National Security Cutters (NSC). The LCS is a fast, highly maneuverable, networked surface combat ship designed to satisfy the requirement for shallow draft vessels. The NSC is the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter designed for the US Coast Guard under the Deepwater program. The contract is to develop and produce 57mm HE-PD cartridges intended for combating surface and ground targets. The cartridge consists of a high explosive projectile with the ability to point detonate, a brass cartridge case loaded with propellant charge, and an electric primer. Chemring Ordnance designs, develops, and manufactures ordnance, pyrotechnic, and other munition components for military, homeland security, and first responders. The company offers 40mm low and high velocity ammunition, pyrotechnic marking, smoking, signaling, and tactical illumination devices, battlefield effects simulators, hand grenade fuses, and other ammunition components. Work under the contract will take place in Perry, Florida and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.

November 28/17: Milestone-Launch Huntington Ingalls Industries launched last Wednesday, its eighth National Security Cutter vessel, Midgett, for the US Coast Guard. A Legend-class cutter, the vessel was launch at Pascagoula, Miss., ahead of its christening on December 9. It is named after John Allen Midgett, who was awarded the Silver Cup by the UK Board of Trade in 1918. Midgett received the award for rescuing 42 British sailors aboard the British tanker Mirlo after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of North Carolina. The Legend-class is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter and are being procured to replace the service’s legacy Hamilton-class cutters, which have been in service since the 1960s.

Aug 18/14: #4 trials. HII announces that Hamilton [WMSL 753] has successfully completed 2 days of US Navy INSURV sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Hamilton is scheduled for commissioning on Dec 6/14 in Charleston, SC. Sources: HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Completes Acceptance Sea Trials on Fourth National Security Cutter”.

Aug 16/14: #5 christened. HII christens U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter James [WMSL 754], today in front of nearly 1,000 guests. Charlene James Benoit, great-great niece of the ship’s namesake, Capt. Joshua James (q.v. May 6/14), is the ship sponsor. Sources: HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Christens Fifth National Security Cutter, James”.

June 14/14: #8 long-lead. HII announces a 76.5 million fixed-price contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to purchase long-lead materials for WMSL 757 Midgett, the company’s 8th NSC ship. Materials will include steel, the main propulsion systems, generators, electrical switchboards and major castings.

With respect to the rest of the program, WMSL 753 Hamilton will have builder’s sea trials later this summer, WMSL 754 James will be christened in August, and the keel for WMSL 755 Munro will be officially laid later in 2014. Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Option Exercised for Long Lead Time Materials for Construction of Eighth National Security Cutter” | HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded $76.5 Million Advance Procurement Contract for Eighth NSC”.

May 6/14: #5 launched. WMSL 754 James is launched at HII’s Pascagoula, MS shipyard. Note that “launch” doesn’t mean what it does in some movies. It just means that the ship can be moved out of the building on rails to a drydock, then floated to a berth while construction finishes. James is expected to deliver in 2015. So, who is the ship named after?

“Joshua James… was born in Hull, Mass., Nov. 22, 1826. He conducted his first rescue in 1841, at age 15, when he joined volunteers from the Massachusetts Humane Society, then a maritime rescue organization…. By 1886, he had been involved in countless rescue operations and was estimated to have saved over 100 lives.

In 1889, at age 62, James was appointed keeper of the U.S. Lifesaving Service’s newly established Point Allerton Lifesaving Station in Hull, Mass. Despite being 17 years beyond retirement age, his record of lives saved was so impressive that Congress granted him a special dispensation to serve as keeper. He and his crews saved 540 lives during his 13-year tenure at the station. James passed away in 1902, suffering a heart attack following a training exercise at the station. “

Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Fifth National Security Cutter Launched” | HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Launches Fifth U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter”.

March 31/14: #7 bought. HII receives a $497 million fixed-price, incentive-fee contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to build WMSL 756 Kimball, the 7th Legend Class National Security Cutter. Construction is expected to begin in January 2015, and delivery is scheduled for some time in 2018.

When combined with the long-lead contract (q.v. June 14/13), the total reaches $573.8 million.

Ingalls has delivered the first 3 NSCs. WMSL 753 Hamilton is 81% complete and will deliver in Q3 2014; WMSL 754 James is 52% complete and will launch in April 2014; and WMSL 755 is scheduled for launch in the Q4 2015. Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Production Contract Awarded for Seventh National Security Cutter” | HII, “Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded $497 Million Contract for Seventh U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter”.

NSC 7 order

October 26/13: #4 Hamilton. WMSL 753 Hamilton, the 4th ship of class, is christened on schedule. It was launched in August and will be delivered in the fall 2014, a couple of months later than originally anticipated.

The ship is named after Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. He’s also known as the 1st Secretary of the Treasury, but he’s also the founder of the Revenue Marine, which became the United States Coast Guard. His direction to his newly-appointed Revenue Marine captains to “always keep in mind that [their] countrymen are freemen” is timeless and refreshing. Sources: USCG, “Acquisition Update: Fourth National Security Cutter Christened” | USCG Compass, “Building the national security cutter: Christening”.

October 7/13: #6 starts. Production of WMSL 755 Munro starts at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. Sources, “Acquisition Update: Coast Guard begins fabrication of NSC 6”.

FY 2013

NSC 6 ordered; Long-lead for #7; US naval future & NSC.

Waesche, Java Sea
(click to view full)

Aug 10/13: #4 launched. Hamilton is launched at at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. Sources: “Acquisition Update: Fourth National Security Cutter Launched”.

June 14/13: #7 long-lead. HII announces a $76.8 million fixed-price contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to purchase long-lead materials for WMSL 756 Kimball, the company’s 7th NSC ship. Materials will include steel, the main propulsion systems, generators, electrical switchboards and major castings.

This is actually the 1st of 2 long lead-time contracts. Construction and delivery of the ship will be performed at the company’s Pascagoula, MS facility. USCG | HII.

May 17/13: #5 keel. Keel-laying/ authenticating the keel of WMSL 754 James. USCG.

May 1/13: #6 bought. Huntington Ingalls Industries receives a $487 million, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract to build the 6th National Security Cutter, WMSL 755 Munro. Construction is expected to begin in October, and this could be the last ship of class. Adding the March 20/12 long-lead material buys raises the total cost to around $563 – 574.9 million.

WMSL 753 Hamilton, is currently 40% complete, with launch scheduled for this summer and christening in October. WMSL 754 James is just 17% complete, and will have its keel laid on May 17/13. Launch isn’t expected until spring 2014. HII.

NSC 6 order

Feb 2/13: Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Bob Papp is joined by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert to discuss maritime strategic issues during the WEST 2013 Luncheon Town Hall Address in San Diego, CA. Papp makes this point about the NSC fleet:

“Many years ago the Coast Guard rebalanced its high endurance cutter fleet to the Pacific due to the longer transit distances and harsher weather. But the 12 high endurance cutters are slated to be replaced by only eight national security cutters. “Regardless of how advanced those eight ships are, they can’t be in all the same places that 12 could be, so I’m very hopeful we can continue the construction of all eight and then get into acquisition of our offshore patrol cutters because we need those as well. The Pacific is a big part of what we do.”

Fewer of its largest ships combined with an expanding mission space in the Arctic is making it more challenging for the Coast Guard…”

Well, yes. The program may even end at 6 ships (q.v. Feb 20/12). Wouldn’t the time to think of this sort of thing be before the program begins? US Coast Guard Compass.

FY 2012

HII unveils frigate derivatives; USCGC Stratton commissioned, but springs some holes; A challenging rescue and an Arctic patrol; Program to terminate at 6?.

Bertholf & Waesche
(click to view full)

Sept 26/12: #3 accepted. The USCG announces formal acceptance of USCGC Stratton. The ship had already been commissioned, but some defects were found during the shakedown period.

Sept 17/12: Arctic. USCGC Bertholf crosses the Arctic Circle, in the class’ first patrol excursion into the Arctic waters. The waters around Alaska are famously treacherous, and operations in this region face a number of unique challenges as well. USCG.

Sept 5/12: #4 keel. HII and the USCG lay the keel for WMSL 753, the future Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS. USCG.

May 8/12: Holy Stratton! Gannett’s Navy Times reports that:

“Capt. Charles Cashin… called in engineers last month when his crew discovered a trio of ‘pinholes’ and a fourth hole ‘slightly smaller than a golf ball’ in the ship’s hull […] in mid-April while the ship was working off the coast of Los Angeles […] patched for now but the Stratton soon will head to a dry dock… The intent is to get out of the water […] We are literally just waiting for a contract.”

The Coast Guard has reportedly concluded that it’s not a design problem, since Bertholf and Weasche haven’t had this issue. Estimated time for dry-dock repairs is 4-6 weeks.

April 2/12: USCG Stratton. WMSL 752 Stratton, the 4th Legend Class cutter, is commissioned in Alameda, CA by First Lady Michelle Obama. She had also christened the ship, back on July 23/10.

The ship is named after The cutter is named after Captain Dorothy Stratton, the first woman to serve in women’s reserve of the Coast Guard in World War II. Pacific patrols are expected to begin later this month. White House | USCG Compass.

NSC 3 commissioned

April 1/12: Rescue me. CGC Bertholf rescues a pair of sailors 250 miles off the California coast, after their yacht got in trouble during an around-the-world race. Bertholf’s executive officer, Cmdr. Dave Ramassini, offers some insight into the Legend Class’ differences from previous HECs:

“All that lay between us and the distressed sailing vessel was about 300 nautical miles and a low pressure system harboring 40 to 50-knot winds and 20 to 30-foot seas… Bertholf landed a Jayhawk helicopter out of Air Station San Diego and then proceeded overnight into the next day directly into the heart of the storm. While unthinkable in our nearly 50-year-old high endurance cutters the national security cutters are replacing, we proceeded with a medium range helicopter secure on our large flight deck making full speed dead into the 20-foot seas… The Bertholf, in this case, proved an extreme endurance cutter giving us the ability to travel twice as fast in howling gale while carrying a larger helicopter that could fly twice as far…”

March 30/12: #6 long-lead. HII’s Ingalls yard receives a $76 million fixed-price contract to buy long-lead materials for a 6th National Security Cutter. If recent budget submissions come to pass, this would be the last. WMSL 755 will be built at the company’s Pascagoula, MS facility, and a 2nd second phase of this advance buy contract could bring the overall value to $87.9 million. The US Coast Guard touts the fact that they saved $1.7 million by executing the contract within 1 year of that for the 5th National Security Cutter, Joshua James. The increased value of the U.S. dollar to the euro also helped.

The contract will buy critical main propulsion and navigation systems, generators, electrical switchboards, and major castings, using $75.9 million in FY 2012 funds appropriated for this purpose. Two sub-contract line item numbers will be established for valves ($2.8 million) and Ships Integrated Control System ($9.1 million). Funding requested in the president’s FY 2013 budget request supports this remaining $12 million, unless funding is made available sooner. USCG | HII.

Feb 20/12: Just 6? The US Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2013 budget documents ask for $658 million to build a 6th National Security Cutter, but they also show an intent to end the program at 6 ships, instead of 8. Congress will decide whether or not they wish to agree to this. Defense Daily Network | Washington Post.

Jan 30/12: Frigate derivatives. HII unveils a pair of Navy patrol frigate designs, derived from the Legend Class. This is a concept the firm has been considering for some time, but the possible early end of the NSC program adds additional motivation. Even so, positioning and sales will be challenging.

Patrol Frigate 4501 are very similar to current NSC ships, though they would displace 4,600 tons instead of 4,400. They are better suited to nations who want long-range coast guard type ships, but may be challenged to compete against sales of used USCG High Endurance Cutters (vid. recent Philippines transfers), or nearly-free transfers of used US Navy FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry frigates (vid. Pakistan’s “Almagir Class”).

Patrol Frigate 4921 adds improved anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, anti-surface and mine-warfare capabilities. The 57mm gun becomes a 76-mm gun, a 12-cell vertical launch system is added to hold a wide variety of missiles and ASROC torpedoes, an anti-ship missile launcher and torpedo tubes give it naval strike punch, a sonar dome helps it detect submarines, and models have shown it with an improved CEAFAR active array radar system. The overall package is reasonable, but the NSC’s base price will place them head to head against high-end frigate options like the Franco-Italian FREMM, Britain’s Type 26, the modular Dutch Sigma Class, etc. All are highly capable ships, built by shipyards whose technology levels make it challenging to compete with them on price. See also Defense Media Network.

FY 2011

NSC 4 & 5 ordered.

Stratton sea trials
(click to view full)

Sept 9/11: #5 ordered. The US Coast Guard formally awards the rest of the contract for the 5th NSC ship, to be named the Joshua James [WMSL 754]. Huntington Ingalls receives a $482.8 million fixed-price incentive contract, raising totals so far to $576.8 million (vid. Jan 17/11 entry). This is the 2nd NSC production contract awarded outside of the original “Deepwater” project’s Lead Systems Integrator framework, under direct management by the USCG’s Acquisition Directorate. Construction and delivery will be performed at HII’s Pascagoula, MS shipyard. The official “start of fabrication” milestone is expected in Q2 2012, with delivery expected in mid-2015.

Captain Joshua James (1826-1902), served in the USCG’s predecessor service, the U.S. Life Saving Service, for nearly 60 years. During his career in Massachusetts, James was credited with saving more than 600 people. USCG | USCG Compass re: Joshua Jones | HII.

NSC 5 order

Sept 2/11: Stratton delivered. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. delivers USCGC Stratton [WMSL 752] to the U.S. Coast Guard, via a shipboard transfer of ownership ceremony. She is the 3rd ship of class to be transferred to the USCG. HII.

Aug 30/11: #4. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. marks the official “start of fabrication” for the 4th NSC ship, Hamilton [WMSL 753]. The shipbuilding milestone signifies that 100 tons of steel have been cut and fabricated at Ingalls’ steel fabrication complex, using a robotic plasma arc cutting machine.

Ingalls only received the contract for this 4th National Security Cutter in November 2010, and says that the ship isn’t scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Coast Guard until the fall of 2014. That’s about 3 years after the 3rd ship of class, Stratton. HII.

Aug 12/11: #3 INSURV. Stratton [WMSL 752], returns to her Pascagoula shipyard after successfully completing INSURV acceptance sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. She received just 2 “starred card” issues, compared to 8 for Bertholf, and 3 for Waesche. USCG | HII.

July 1/11: Testing. Northrop Grumman spinoff Huntington Ingalls Industries announces that the 3rd NSC ship, Stratton [WMSL 752], has successfully completed 3 days of builder’s sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, testing basic operations and electronic systems.

Jan 17/11: #5 long-lead. An $89 million long-lead materials contract for WMSL 754, the 5th National Security Cutter. The contract is actually an option that was part of the Nov 30/10 contract for WMSL 753, and this firm fixed-price contract has options of its own that would increase its potential value to $94 million. US Coast Guard | Northrop Grumman

Jan 12/11: C4ISR for #4. Lockheed Martin announces a $66 million contract from Northrop Grumman to provide the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) system for the 4th National Security Cutter, WMSL 753.

Lockheed Martin also provides the C4ISR systems for the Coast Guard’s HC-130J Hercules and HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft, which will work with the cutters.

Nov 30/10: #4 ordered. Northrop Grumman announces a $480 million fixed-price incentive contract to build WMSL 753, the 4th National Security Cutter. Construction and delivery will be performed at the company’s Pascagoula, MS facility.

At present, USCGC Bertholf [WMSL 750] and USCGC Waesche [WMSL 751] have been commissioned and are executing Coast Guard missions. The 3rd ship in the class, Stratton [WMSL 752], was christened in July 2010, is over 65% complete, and is scheduled for delivery in 2011.

NSC 4 order

FY 2010

USCGC Waesche commissioned.

Bertholf & HC-144
(click to view full)

July 23/10: #3 christened. First Lady Michelle Obama christens the Stratton [WMSL 752]. Stratton is the 3rd NSC ship, and is named in honor of Captain Dorothy C. Stratton (1899-2006), the U.S. Coast Guard’s first female commissioned officer and director of the SPARS (“Semper Paratus – Always Ready”), Women’s Reserve during World War II. SPARS mainly replaced men in shore stations, but as the war progressed SPARS began to work in jobs like parachute riggers, aviation machinists’ mates and air control tower operators. NGC.

May 7/10: USCG Waesche. USCGC Waesche [WMSL 751] is commissioned into Coast Guard service in her home port of Alameda, CA. U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo assumes command as her commanding officer. NGC.

NSC 2 commissioned

April 30/10: SCIF secures secrets. USCGC Bertholf’s Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) gets Authority To Operate. That makes it the service’s 1st onboard SCIF, and indeed the 1st SCIF certified outside of the US military. As the Coast Guard puts it:

“The events of Sept. 11, 2001, caused the nation, as well as the Coast Guard, to dramatically review its security posture. As a result, Coast Guard leadership took a close look at the intelligence capabilities of the yet-to-be-constructed first National Security Cutter (NSC).

Leadership recognized the imperativeness of reserving a space with electrical and air conditioning requirements on the NSC for the [SCIF]. Knowing the requirements and funding for this new initiative were still being developed, it was recognized that the SCIF installation would occur post-delivery of the first NSC, the USCGC Bertholf. The addition of SCIF technology would require a dramatic increase in Coast Guard communications technology…

In September 2009, Bertholf began the last phase of the rigorous installation and testing of the SCIF and its dependent system… including both visual and instrumented Tempest inspections. On April 8, 2010, Certification, Test and Evaluation approval was granted by the Department of Homeland Security. This enabled the Bertholf to have a one-year authority to operate the SCIF’s core capabilities, known as Ship’s Signals Exploitation Equipment (SEEE) and the Sensitive Compartmented Information network systems. By next March, 2011, SEEE upgrades will enable Bertholf’s SCIF authority to operate to be upgraded to a three-year approval.”

mid-January 2010: #2 C4ISR. USCG Waesche is granted Authority to Operate its Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Surveillance (C4ISR) systems, which lets it share communications and data with other local and federal law enforcement agencies, U.S. Coast Guard ships, air and shore stations, and the Department of Defense (DoD), including the U.S. Navy. USCG Director of Acquisition Programs Rear Adm. John H. Korn says that “In nearly all aspects, Waesche is far ahead of where Bertholf was at the same point in time.” Waesche’s ATO authorization was accomplished in just over 2 months after preliminary acceptance, whereas Bertholf, took a year to obtain ATO certification. USCG.

Nov 12/09: #2 INSURV. Gannett’s Navy Times reports that the Waesche [WMSL 751] received only 3 “starred cards” (deficiencies that could affect mission performance) during Navy/Coast Guard INSURV acceptance trials, vs. 8 for the CGC Bertholf. Coast Guard acquisition directorate chief Rear Adm. Ron Rabago told reporters that almost every system showed improvement, saying that the quality of the workmanship has improved, and lessons learned from WMSL 750 are being incorporated. The report adds that:

“Work to complete and certify for operation the new cutter’s complex command-and-control suite, known as TEMPEST assurance, also will be finished significantly sooner than on the Bertholf. That work, which includes requirements for the Navy to install and certify equipment, took about 18 months on the Bertholf. That same work will be done in about eight months on the Waesche… The third ship in the class, the Stratton, is nearly 30 percent complete, Rabago said, with that ship’s christening by First Lady Michelle Obama set for next summer.”

Oct 1/09: Testing. Waesche [WMSL 751] completes a successful Coast Guard acceptance trial, paving the way for her delivery in early November 2009. NGC release.

FY 2009

Bertholf – 1st patrol & final acceptance; Whistleblower lawsuit.

WMSL 751 Waesche, trials
(click to view full)

Aug 17/09: Testing. Waesche [WMSL 751] completes successful Builder’s Trials, after undergoing rigorous testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The trials featured extensive testing of propulsion, electrical, damage control, and combat systems. The ship will return to sea in September 2009 for her acceptance trials, and will be delivered to the Coast Guard in 2009.

Waesche’s keel was laid Sept 11/06, and she was christened on July 26/08. NGC release.

May 8/09: Bertholf accepted. The US Coast Guard’s Final Acceptance of CGC Bertholf [WMSL 750]. In plain English, problems with the ship after final acceptance become the Coast Guard’s budgetary problem, rather than the builders’ contractual problem. The move takes place exactly 1 year after Preliminary Acceptance, and represents the Coast Guard’s assessment that all of the 8 major issues (or “starred” trial cards) have been addressed and closed, along with “the overwhelming majority of the less serious identified issues.”

An iCommandant guest post by RADM Gary Blore, Assistant Commandant for Acquisition (CG-9), states that information assurance and TEMPEST testing has been part of this process.

The ship will now follow its post-delivery plan, including mission systems and weapons testing; follow on manpower and training analysis; and installation of additional communications and sensors.

NSC 1 acceptance

June 2/09: Lawsuit. Deepwater whistleblower and former Lockheed Martin engineer Michael DeKort files a qui tam False Claims Act lawsuit against Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corp. He claims that a series of known deficiencies by the contractors, and acquiescence in the deficiencies of other contractors, has led to major safety, security and national security problems with the entire Deepwater acquisition program. This includes the critical area of communications security, which reportedly extends to the new National Security Cutters due to system re-use. Read “US Coast Guard’s Deepwater Effort Hits More Rough Sailing” for more.

April 2009: Costs. In this month’s issue of the US Naval Institute’s Seapower Magazine, “Economic Realities” reports that the National Security Cutters will cost an addition $60-90 million per ship over their baseline cost, which was expected to be $500 million. High commodity costs in 2008, when materials were purchased, are blamed for the 12-18% increase.

As an example, the Deepwater program appropriated $357.3 million for NSC 4 Hamilton, but actual costs are expected to come in at $560-590 million, leaving the service over $200 million short. Instead of beginning in FY 2009, therefore, an additional FY 2010 funding request will be required in order to begin construction.

The Coast Guard’s HC-144 Ocean Sentry, an EADS-CASA CN-235MPA variant, is also facing sharp cost hikes. That aircraft has been affected by a weakening US dollar exchange rate versus the Euro, and the $1.7 billion program for 36 planes looks set to rise to $2.2 billion. The plane contains 65% American-made parts, but all parts are bought by EADS-CASA, and final assembly takes place in Spain.

March 4/09: USCG Bertholf [WMSL 750] returns to her Alameda, CA homeport, after a successful 8-week underway period that included Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT). The crew tested the ship’s weapon systems’ ability to engage surface and aerial targets, as well as delivering warning shots and disabling fire on target vessels. They also ran full power trials of the propulsion system, and performed the ship class’ first fueling at sea and towing exercises. US Coast Guard, incl. CSSQT YouTube videos.

Nov 16/08: 1st patrol. USCG Bertholf returns to its homeport in Alameda, CA, marking the completion of the cutter’s first operational patrol. Bertholf’s crew conducted a shakedown of the ship’s systems and carried out flight operations, small-boat operations and weapons testing. US Coast Guard.

FY 2008

USCGC Bertholf commissioned following “preliminary acceptance”; Serious questions raised re: communications security, overall class issues; GAO Report.

Bertholf & HH-65, Miami
(click to view full)

Aug 15/08: Radars. EADS Defence & Security (DS) announces a follow-on order from Lockheed Martin MS2 for its TRS-3D radars, bringing the number employed in the Deepwater program to 5. So far, 3 radars have been delivered on time, with 2 more deliveries planned for end of 2008 and summer 2009.

The TRS-3D is a 3-dimensional multimode naval radar for air and sea surveillance, and can correlate target information with the MSSR 2000 I identification system for automatic identification of vessels and aircraft. With this order, the radar has sold 50 units worldwide for ships including the new K130 corvettes of the German Navy, the “Squadron 2000” patrol boats of the Finnish Navy and the Norwegian Coast Guard “Nordkapp” and “Svalbard” icebreakers.

Aug 3/08: USCG Bertholf. USCG Bertholf [WMSL 750] is commissioned in Alameda, CA. Navy Times.

NSC 1 commissioned

July 26/08: Waesche christened. Christening of the Waesche [WMSL 751]. Waesche is named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche, who was the first Coast Guard commandant to achieve the rank of admiral. He led the Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, which is the longest tenure of any USCG commandant. NGC release.

Meanwhile, Bertholf is undertaking a publicity tour along the eastern seaboard.

May 8/08: “Preliminary Acceptance.” The U.S. Coast Guard accepts delivery of the National Security Cutter Bertholf [WMSL 750], via “preliminary acceptance”. USCG Brief [PDF] | NGC release | Defense News’ article “New U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Delivered” includes a detailed list of key issues remaining, and proposed measures.

April 2008: Bertholf INSURV. A Navy Board of Inspection and Survey team (INSURV), went aboard the Bertholf to give the cutter a top-to-bottom assessment. InSurv identified 2,816 points on the ship, listed as “trial cards,” that were incomplete or needed attention; that’s actually a pretty good number for a first-in-class ship. INSURV also highlighted 8 major systems that needed improvement, but reported that overall, Bertholf “was found to be a unique and very capable platform with great potential for future service.”

One issue worth noting is a computer software problem with its Wonderware system, which has forced the ship to rely on backup station control for the main engines, auxiliaries and pumps’ primary controls. Wonderware has been dismissed, and a new contractor, Matrikon, is working to fix the situation by end of May 2008.

The key unresolved issue remains the security of the Bertholf’s command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance suite, commonly known as C4ISR. Much of the information systems gear was not yet installed when INSURV came onboard. The Navy says this issue will be fixed after the ship moves to its homeport of Alameda, CA. Navy Times | Defense News.

March 11/08: GAO on Deepwater. The US Government Accountability Office releases report# GAO-08-270R: “Status of Selected Aspects of the Coast Guard’s Deepwater Program” [Report page | Plain text | PDF, 20 pages]. Key passages related to the NSC program include a very useful cost growth table (reproduced above), and:

Changes to the NSC have had cost, schedule, and performance ramifications. The estimated costs for the first three ships have generally doubled from the initial projected costs due to a number of contributing factors, including requirements changes as a result of September 11, Hurricane Katrina damages, and some program management actions by the Coast Guard. Delivery of the ship could be delayed. An aggressive trial schedule leaves little time for dealing with the unexpected, and most certifications have yet to be completed. Coast Guard officials expect the ship to meet all performance parameters, but will not know for certain until the ship undergoes trials. Further, Coast Guard engineers have concerns that most of the ship’s available weight margin has been consumed during construction, meaning that subsequent changes to the ship will require additional redesign and engineering to offset the additional weight. We have closed two of the five open recommendations from our previous report… Coast Guard has taken actions on the three recommendations that remain open… at this time, the actions are not sufficient to allow us to close them.

…Of the 987 certification standards, ICGS was to submit documentation on 892 for review and acceptance by the Coast Guard Technical Authority. Almost all remain outstanding… Coast Guard officials told us that they requested the [TEMPEST-related] test be done earlier than usual so that issues could be identified and corrected sooner… Coast Guard officials noted, however, that a mitigation strategy is in place and adjustments are being made that will increase the service life weight margin.”

March 11/08: Bertholf issues. In a telephone news conference, USCG Chief Acquiistion Officer Rear Adm. Gary Blore, assistant commandant for acquisition, and Program Execurtive Officer Rear Adm. Ronald Rabago discuss allegations rearding the Bertholf. [vid. Federal computer Weekly | Gannett’s Navy Times]. Key contentions include:

• The Bertholf was preliminarily scheduled for acceptance at the end of February 2008 [DID: originally 2006, revised twice to get to Feb 2008, see above] but the date was pushed back to late April or early May due primarily to problems with launch-and-recovery apparatus and safety equipment, not C4ISR.

• It is routine for the Coast Guard to accept delivery of a ship and then take several weeks or months to test for and correct, C4ISR-related problems before granting the ship certification for full mission capability [DID: our sources agree re: Navy ships as well].

• Contractors have fixed 80 percent of the problems discovered to date, and final certification of the C4ISR suite is expected “within weeks or months” after the ship is accepted in late April or early May 2008.

• C4ISR certification is unlikely to cause further delays [DID: note that full operational status, which is the only thing TEMPEST could delay, is not planned until March 2010]

• The C4SIR electronics systems on the Bertholf are different from those on the patrol boats. [DID: doesn’t really answer, absent specifics explaining the lack of commonality with the flawed systems in question].

March 3/08: Deepwater choices. After receiving the service’s formal “Deepwater alternatives analysis” in February 2008, USCG Chief Acquisition Officer Rear Adm. Gary Blore forwards recommendations to Coast Guard senior leadership in a formal decision memorandum. Commandant Adm. Thad Allen is expected to approve Blore’s decision in the near future – which includes approval of the way forward for the NSC ships. Part of the Deepwater AoA report, however, suggests that if the Coast Guard can buy more capability in Deepwater’s smaller Offshore Patrol Cutters, it might consider reducing the number of National Security Cutters by 2. Inside the Navy’s March 10/08 report [PDF] offers more details, see also Gannett’s Navy Times.

March 3/08: Systemic problems? Writing in World Politics Review, defense journalist David Axe says in “Cutter Delay is Latest Evidence of Systemic Problems with Coast Guard Ships” that:

“…last week at the Bertholf’s scheduled acceptance, the Coast Guard declined to sign the “DD250” forms that accompany any handover of major defense items from the manufacturer. The refusal to sign is apparently related to the discovery that Bertholf’s electronics are, as predicted by critics, vulnerable to leaks. This was a problem originally identified on the 123-foot boats by Lockheed whistleblower Mike DeKort and initially denied by the Coast Guard, then later acknowledged in the course of congressional and internal investigations… Ron Porter, a civilian Coast Guard employee, four years ago issued waivers to paper over known network problems with the 123-foot boats, according to [April 2007] Senate testimony by Jim Atkinson, a senior engineer with Massachusetts-based consulting firm Granite Island Group. Atkinson is one of the handful of engineers trained to inspect electronics equipment for compliance with the National Security Agency’s “Tempest” emissions standards. Tempest ensures that enemy snoopers can’t tap into U.S. communications…”He waived – accepted – systems with critical security failures that were pointed out by the Navy,” DeKort said of Porter. “Since this is a system of systems design, that meant the NSC had to use common designs, systems and equipment as the 123s. The 123s set the pattern.”… Atkinson likewise told World Politics Review. “As the Coast Guard accepted the flaws in the 123s, the contractor feels that they do not have to resolve the problem that the Coast Guard has already accepted and certified.”

Coast Guard spokeswoman Laura Williams said the Navy will return to do a 3-week inspection on Bertholf before its rescheduled acceptance in April 2008.

Feb 25/08: C4ISR security. USCG Assistant Commandant and Technical Authority for C4IT Rear Adm. David T. Glenn, and Capt. Leonard L. Ritter Jr. from the Office of Cyber Security & Telecommunications, post to the Coast Guard Journal blog re: Bertholf info-security certifications [see also Gannett’s Navy Times article]:

“Before the BERTHOLF becomes part of the Coast Guard’s fleet it must go through a standardized Information Assurance (IA) process based on Federal and Department of Defense (DOD) policies, wherein delivered equipment and installation procedures are certified for compliance by the Coast Guard. This process includes such activities as TEMPEST [DID: Telecommunications Electromagnetic Performance and Emission Standards] testing and inspections of emission security requirements… initial approval is called an Interim Authority to Operate (IATO), which is a “qualified” certification to operate designated C4&IT systems. As Technical Authority, we anticipate authorizing BERTHOLF a limited authority to operate some or all of its systems prior to its special commissioning status to facilitate the vessel’s transit to its new homeport in Alameda, CA.

While the Coast Guard is eager to deploy with the new technological capabilities of the NSC class of vessels, they recognized early on that as a “first in class” they would need to pay close attention to IA issues… began testing and evaluating the systems as early as possible, often before installations were even complete… Full instrumented TEMPEST surveys along with IA scans of the BERTHOLF’s networks and systems will be performed after Acceptance Trials (AT) with TEMPEST and IA status highlighted and documented on our acceptance agreement with the shipbuilder (DD250)… Similar to the process undertaken by the U.S. Navy for its own ships of comparable size and complexity, the Coast Guard has formed a dedicated government-industry working group to resolve or mitigate IA discrepancies aboard BERTHOLF.”

Dec 14/07: Weapons. BAE Systems in Minneapolis, MN received a $7.7 million firm-fixed-price modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-5117), exercising an option for a 57mm MK 110 MOD 0 gun system. Its primary mission is to deliver high rates of fire, with extreme accuracy, against surface, airborne and shore-based threats with proven effective six-mode programmable, 57-mm Mk 295 ammunition.

Work will be performed in Louisville, KY (78%); Karlskoga, Sweden (21%); and Minneapolis, MN (1%), and is expected to be completed by December 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $88,898, will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., issued the contract.

Dec 4/07: Testing. The first-of-class National Security Cutter Bertholf [WMSL 750] sails away from Northrop Grumman’s Pascagoula, MS facility under its own power for the first time, to begin its sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Initial reports from the first 2 days are positive.

The ship will complete 3 sets of trials, including these initial Machinery Trials which will last for about a week. Builder’s Trials are scheduled for early 2008, and Bertholf is scheduled to be delivered to the Coast Guard following Acceptance Trials in spring 2008. NGC release.

FY 2007

Hearings & controversy lead to big shifts in Deepwater program; NSC 3 ordered; C4ISR contract for first 3 ships; Costs keep rising.

WMSL-750 Bertholf,
final fitting
(click to view full)

Sept 11/07: Northrop Grumman announces the completion of a pair of construction-related milestones. On Bertholf [WMSL 750], which stands at 90% complete, the two main propulsion diesel engines completed a successful light-off. Following this accomplishment, the stern assembly was erected onto Waesche [WMSL 751], which now stands at 33% complete. NGC release.

Sept 3/07: Costs. A Defense News report mentions both the Bertholf’s expected delivery date, and its final cost. The new delivery date is Feb 26/08; it was set as part of the major program agreement with the Coast Guard announced Aug 8/07. The contract also fixed the total price for the new ship at $641 million – a figure that includes $441 million to build the ship, money to buy government-furnished equipment such as weapons, and future costs for structural improvements and modifications.

See “USCG National Security Cutters: Bad News, Good News” for further details regarding ongoing process improvements, and an explanation of the connections between the two releases.

Aug 9/07: C4ISR contract. Lockheed Martin announces an agreement re: their consolidated contract action (CCA) over the command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems on board the first 3 National Security Cutter ships. Lockheed serves as the NSC ships’ overall integrator for electronics and sensor systems, and the craft’s C4ISR systems are critical to ensuring that the crew can see vessels in distress or targets of interest, collaborate with other Coast Guard platforms of all kinds; and take action on the most current and pertinent information available. The systems also need to be very inter-operable, in order to work with 117 agencies and organizations as part of the Coast Guard’s duties.

The Lockheed Martin portion of the $592 million contract awarded to Integrated Coast Guard Systems on Aug 8/07 is valued at $82.7 million, and includes both new work on the 3rd ship of the Legend Class and resolution of their $12.1 million request for equitable adjustment for post-9/11 changes to NSC 1 (Bertholf) and NSC 2 (Waesche). Those changes included enhanced interior voice communications, added C4ISR systems and equipment associated with classified information handling and messaging, and updated C4ISR system performance specifications as well as modifications associated with government furnished weapons systems.

As of this release date, Lockheed Martin says that development of the NSC’s C4ISR systems is 90% complete. Shipboard integration and test is well underway on NSC 1 Bertholf, leading up to USCG acceptance trials at the end of the calendar year. The crew of the Bertholf has completed initial C4ISR operations training at the Coast Guard’s training center in Petaluma, CA, and is preparing for live shipboard training. Meanwhile, equipment for the NSC 2 Waesche is now available, and is being delivered to the shipyard for installation. Lockheed Martin release via CNN Money.

C4ISR contract

Aug 8/07: #3 ordered. As part of an over-arching agreement with the industry teams involved, the US Coast Guard announces a $337 million award to Integrated Coast Guard Systems for construction of the 3rd national security cutter. Northrop Grumman’s Pascagoula facility has the lead role, and NGC will receive $285.5 million of that amount. The USCG says that its 3rd national security cutter incorporates cost-saving efficiencies and process improvements learned during the ongoing construction of the first two national security cutters, as well as design enhancements to ensure it meets a 30-year fatigue life and all operational requirements.

The agreement also includes $255 million to settle outstanding issues over the first 2 Legend Class ships. In a written statement, Coast Guard commandant Adm. Thad Allen said that: “This agreement resolves more than 192 outstanding technical and contract issues and incorporates plans to complete prudent structural enhancements to the National Security Cutter.” Issues included Northrop’s Request for Equitable Adjustment to reflect the numerous changes made in the first 2 ships since construction of the Bertholf was ordered in 2002, along with material cost changes, damages by Hurricane Katrina and the effects of a recent strike at the Ingalls shipyard. They also included ICGS partner Lockheed Martin’s request for equitable adjustment for changes to the ships’ communications systems (see Aug 9/07 entry).

See: USCG release | NGC release | Sen. Trent Lott [R-MS] statement | South Mississippi Sun Herald article | Gannett Navy Times article.

NSC 3 order + settlement on first 2

Turbine Light-Off
(click to view full)

Aug 7/07: Testing. The Coast Guard fires up the USCGC(US Coast Guard Cutter) Bertholf’s General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines for the first time, as Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Walt Probst presses the switch. The procedure was an initial operational test of the ship’s combined diesel and gas (CODAG) turbine propulsion system, and the next test will be a diesel engine light-off. NGC release | ICGS Deepwater release | Gannett Navy Times article.

July 31/07: Deepwater shifts. By a unanimous roll call vote, the US House of Representatives approved bill H.R. 2722, 426-0. It was introduced by Elijah Cummings [D-MD-7], chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

The bill makes far-reaching changes in the U.S. Coast Guard’s Deepwater program, removing the NGC/ Lockheed Martin Integrated Coast Guard Systems consortium from the project within 4 years, installing a civilian Chief Acquisitions Officer, and imposing a series of deadlines, reports and oversight on its programs. The removal clause may not be that significant, however, as this is a 2007 vote and the ICGS Deepwater contract ends in 2011.

With respect to the NSC ships, Rep. Cummings, said that the bill would require that the designs for cutters 3 – 8 be reviewed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division, which helped identify potential concerns with the hull fatigue life of cutters 1 and 2. That provision, and other components, satisfy Rep. Gene Taylor [D-MS, and chair of the House Armed Services Committee’s Maritime & Expeditionary Forces subcommittee], who had called for the review by the naval experts in an amendment when the bill was approved by the House Transportation Committee in June 2007. The bill would also require that the design and construction be certified by an independent third party. HR 2722 | Mississippi Sun-Herald article.

Big shifts in Deepwater program

July 19/07: Mast stepping. Northrop Grumman Corporation observes a traditional naval custom known as “mast stepping” during the construction of the U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750). “Stepping the Mast” is an ancient custom of placing coins under the step or bottom of a ship’s mast during construction that dates back to Greek mythology. It was thought that if the ship wrecked at sea, the coins would help the sailors pay the wages for their return home. Northrop Grumman and Coast Guard officials permanently affixed $7.50 in coins – to represent the hull number of Bertholf – under the mast. Each coin commemorated a significant date in the life of this ship and its namesake, the USCG’s first Commodore Ellsworth Bertholf.

Other activities related to the Bertholf included removing and re-installing the LM2500 gas turbine engine to demonstrate that those activities could be accomplished within 48 hours, and installation of a Mk15, Block 1B Phalanx 20mm Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) that can target incoming missiles, helicopters, or even surface boats. NGC’s release adds that Bertholf is 86% complete, with Main Engine Light-Off as the next major test.

March 14/07: Infrastructure. The U.S. Coast Guard today formally opens its new Deepwater shipboard operations training facility at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma. The $26 million facility was equipped by Lockheed Martin with state-of-the-art simulators, radars and electronics equipment to train Coast Guard crews assigned to the new Legend Class National Security Cutters.

In addition to National Security Cutter crews, the facility will train U.S. Navy crews to operate and maintain the TRS-3D air search radar. In exchange, the Navy will train Coast Guard crews to operate the 57mm medium caliber deck gun. Lockheed Martin release, via GlobalSecurity.org.

Feb 14/07: Report. The US House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation holds its “Oversight Hearing on Recent Setbacks to the Coast Guard Deepwater Program.” The NSC is discussed.

Jan 23/07: Report. The US Department of Homeland Security, Inspector General’s Office releases its report: Acquisition of the National Security Cutter, US Coast Guard.

FY 2006

From naming to launch for Bertholf; Waesche keel laid.

Bertholf construction
(click to view full)

Sept 22/06: #1 launch. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems launches the U.S. Coast Guard’s first National Security Cutter, Bertholf [WMSL 750]. NGC release.

Sept 11/06: #2 keel. Keel laying for the NSC 2 Waesche [WMSL 751] takes place.

Nov 11/06: #1 christened. The first Legend Class ship, Bertholf, is christened. Rep. Gene Taylor [D-MS] reminds all present that it will take more than technology:

“In the course of your career, you are going to have some tough times… see another Hurricane Katrina… and generals and admirals have convinced me that you are going to see a major attack on the heartland of America – and you are going to be called upon to respond… So it is fitting that our nation is providing you with a great ship and great training, but at the end of the day it’s going to take the great people that you are, to make those things work.”

Nov 22/05: Naming. NGC relays the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement that the first Deepwater National Security Cutter (NSC) will be named Bertholf in honor of the organization’s first Commandant, Ellsworth Price Bertholf (1866-1921). NGC release.

Footnotes

fn1. A ship’s draught measures how deep the water must be for the ship to float, rather than resting on the bottom. Return

fn2. Hurricane Katrina caused considerable damage to the shipyard, but more important, it caused an exodus of experienced workers, forcing contractors to use more overtime hours and disrupting the traditional learning curve. [Return]

Appendix A: The Pitfalls of Being a Legend – NSC Issues & Action

Boutwell HEC in
Iraqi waters, OIF
(click to view full)

The Legend Class National Security Cutter’s transition from drawing board into service was not smooth, and matters eventually reached a point that put the entire program in doubt. With the passage of legislative bill HR 2722 in July 2007, however, the US Congress decided to move forward with the Legend Class cutters. in exchange, they demanded more stringent monitoring and certification procedures. Barring further difficulties, it appears that the 8 planned NSC ships will in fact be built.

The question is, “at what cost and timeline”?

First-of-class ships are often more expensive, post 9/11 changes did add 1,000 of the final design’s 4,300 tons, and the NSC program compares favorably in many respects with past programs like the US Navy’s current core of AEGIS DDG-51 destroyers and CG-47 cruisers. Even so, that National Security Cutter’s $641 million per ship price tag begins to place the Bertholf Class in the same realm as the new Fridtjof Nansen Class AEGIS air defense frigates that form the high end core of Norway’s navy. In every respect, this is a very high-end ship.

Price tags often decline as more ships are built, but there are also cases like the LPD-17 San Antonio Class, whose $1.7 billion cost and 100% overrun on the first ship appear to have perpetuated throughout the build cycle. The Coast Guard’s existing High Endurance Cutters (HECs) are wearing out, which only adds urgency to the key question: which example will this new NSC ship class follow?

A table from the GAO’s March 11/08 report is instructive. Note that all figures are in millions, that “Economic changes” include, for example, escalation of material/labor following the departure of many shipyard workers post-Katrina, and some costs associated with settling the REA. “Other GFE” includes certifications, tests, and training, and also additional government oversight for NSC 3:

Cost Growth for NSC 1 – 3 NSC 1 NSC 2 NSC 3 Design 67.7 Build 264.4 200.7 189.2 Govt. furnished equipment (GFE) 52.8 50.0 40.0 Initial projected costs (2002) $384.9 $250.7 $229.2 Requirements changes post 9/11 75.9 60.0 60.0 Hurricane Katrina [2] 40.0 44.4 38.7 Economic changes 58.3 69.9 86.8 Structural enhancements 40.0 30.0 16.0 Other GFE 41.5 40.7 73.9 Current projected costs (2008) $640.7 $495.7 $504.6

Timing is also important. The original 2006 delivery date for the first-of-class USCGC Bertholf [WMSL 750] slipped. Post-9/11 design changes pushed the date back to August 2007, then a revised 2007 program agreement moved the timeline back to February 2008. Bertholf was delivered via a “preliminary acceptance” procedure in August 2008. The second ship, Waesche [WMSL 751], was commissioned in May 2010.

That’s a long gap, and there’s a reason for that. First-of-class ships often have issues that require fixing before full operational certification is granted, and sea trials frequently last a year or more. After acceptance of WMSL 750, the Coast Guard planned to conduct operational testing at sea for approximately 2 years; March 2010 became the target date for full operational status, but key features like the SCIF only received Authority to Operate in April 2010, and some capabilities like UAVs remain works in progress.

Speculations concerning further progress, or regress, need to consider the program’s history.

As far back as 2002, technical experts for the Coast Guard raised doubts about the ship’s hull, contending that significant flaws exist in its structural design. In 2004, assistant commandant Rear Adm. Errol Brown sent a memo detailing more than 5 design deficiencies to Rear Adm. Patrick Stillman, urging the program officer to resolve any disputes over engineering before proceeding with construction of the first cutter. That apparently did not happen; a 2007 Office of the Inspector General report revealed that hull fatigue was still a concern, and that some USCG specifications still had not been met, even as the ship’s cost had increased by more than 33% since the Deepwater program began.

Worse revelations followed. In 2007, Rep. Henry A. Waxman [D-CA, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee], was quoted in the Washington Post saying that a Navy engineering report in December 2005 included “bottom-line” warnings. Red ink on a pair of Navy engineering briefing slides concluded the cutters would not last the required 30 years. But the warnings were allegedly deleted in a copy of the report given by Coast Guard officials to Department of Homeland Security auditors, and altered in an edited version included in a wider briefing. See “Additional Readings & Sources” for more documents and reporting.

In 2007 testimony to the US Congress, the US Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General said that:

“On the NSC acquisition, the cutter’s performance specifications were so poorly worded that there were major disagreements within the Coast Guard as to what the NSC’s performance capabilities should actually be… The cost of NSCs 1 and 2 is expected to increase well beyond the current $775 million estimate, as this figure does not include a $302 million Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) submitted to the Coast Guard by ICGS on November 21, 2005 [DID: this and other REAs were resolved in July 2007]. The REA represents ICGS’s re-pricing of all work associated with the production and deployment of NSCs 1 and 2 caused by adjustments to the cutters’ respective implementation schedules as of January 31, 2005… The current $775 million estimate also does not include the cost of structural modifications to be made to the NSC as a result of its known design deficiencies. In addition, future REAs and the cost of modifications to correct or mitigate the cutter’s existing design deficiencies could add hundreds of millions of dollars to the total NSC acquisition cost…

The NSC, as designed and constructed, will not meet performance specifications described in the original Deepwater contract. Specifically, due to design deficiencies, the NSC’s structure provides insufficient fatigue strength to achieve a 30-year service life under Caribbean (General Atlantic) and Gulf of Alaska (North Pacific) sea conditions… The Coast Guard’s technical experts first identified and presented their concerns about the NSC’s structural design to senior Deepwater Program management in December 2002, but this did not dissuade the Coast Guard from authorizing production of the NSC in June 2004 or from its May 2006 decision to award the systems integrator a contract extension. Due to a lack of adequate documentation, we were unable to ascertain the basis for the decision to proceed with the production of the first two cutters, knowing that there were design flaws…”

NSC-class Cutter Concept
(click pic to view full)

In response, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems President Philip Teel outlined the issues as NGSS saw them:

“The NSC is designed to meet a 30 year service life and many of the structural items raised by the Coast Guard have been addressed and were incorporated in the Bertholf and Waesche (NSC 1 and 2) prior to production. For example, upgraded steel, thicker steel, modifications to Fashion Plates and Re-entrant Corners, and the addition of 2 longitudinal Hovgaard bulkheads to provide increased stiffness at the stern were incorporated into the design.

With regard to NSC fatigue life, even the best engineers will have different opinions. Analysis has been performed on the NSC utilizing a relatively new model developed by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (Carderock) utilizing two different approaches. The difference in the two approaches is whether or not the model is benchmarked by calculating the fatigue strength of proven ship designs with similar operational characteristics and hull form that has been at sea for the desired time. This enables the calculation of permissible stress levels that can be applied to test the new design. The results of these two analyses have generated a responsible dialog between the engineers which will lead to final agreement about enhancements to fatigue structure… The American Bureau of Shipbuilding (ABS) certified 14 Systems Level drawings, including structural design drawings. ABS will also certify 35 ship systems during this acceptance process… During the design process, there will be a total of 46 independent third party certifications prior to or as part of the USCGC Bertholf (NSC 1) delivery process… The US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) will conduct the Ship’s Acceptance Trials (AT) when the cutter gets underway later this year.

Cost growth has also been mentioned in the media. Two elements have led to the majority of cost growth on the NSC – increased post 9/11 requirements and the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The NSC that will be delivered to the Coast Guard this year is not the same ship that was first proposed in 1998. Today’s NSC has greatly improved operational capabilities that address post 9/11 requirements including Chemical, Biological & Radiation (CBR) protection, a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and more robust aviation installations so that the NSC, in addition to its normal embarked Coast Guard aviation complement, will be able to launch, recover and operate US Navy, US Government Agency and partner nation manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft. These enhancements have added approximately 1000 tons to the displacement, including a one third increase in electrical power systems, a tripling of air conditioning and ventilation capacity (HVAC), the addition of 25 antennas and a 26% growth in the size of the berthing spaces.

It is true that Katrina delayed the delivery of Bertholf by several months and added cost to the program… Even taking into account Katrina, Bertholf continues to set new lead ship standards in quality and efficiency with, higher performance to standards than both the first or second Arleigh Burke Class (DDG 51) destroyer and labor utilization measures that routinely out perform other programs in our shipyard. Much of what has been done on the NSC program is being transitioned to the rest of the shipyard to other construction programs. In addition to the specific actions as they relate to the NSC program, we are investing $57.3 million dollars of our own money in a new suite of management tools that will increase our visibility, work sequencing capability, material and engineering modeling and capacity and resource planning. These tools will enable the reduction in the number of units we construct to build the NSC. Currently we build the vessel in 45 units and integrate these sub assemblies into 29 erection lifts on the ship. The new tool set will allow us to plan and construct the vessel in less lifts, our target is 16, and as we know the less number of lifts the less cost. We are investing in our human capital, process improvement, and our facilities to reduce the cost associated with building future ships.”

WMSL-751 Waesche
(click to view full)

As that last sentence notes, NGSS is taking action to improve the ships over time, as part of a structured improvements process. As each milestone is met, personnel involved in the ship’s construction meet to discuss “lessons learned.” Good practices, as well as opportunities for improvement, are noted and applied to the construction process of the next ship in the series. Through lessons learned on Bertholf, work on the Waesche improved significantly, moving thousands of hours of work out of the integration area where ship sections are joined, and into the shop areas. This allows work to be accomplished earlier in the process, more efficiently, and at a reduced cost to the Coast Guard. As an example, the engine and propulsion install took 8 days on Bertholf, but just 1.5 days on Waesche.

These kinds of lessons and improvements are typical in ship-building programs.

In addition, the Bertholf is the first ship to be constructed using a new shipyard configuration in Pascagoula. The Bertholf and the Waesche were built side by side, making it easy for personnel to access both ships for comparison and/or referencing activities. The new shipyard configuration also allows tests and trials to be conducted on the ships without relocating them. Over time, Northrop Grumman also aims to reduce the number of “block lift” sections required to finish the ship, by improving each block’s level of final readiness and avoiding tricky post-lift installs that may force rework, or encounter difficulties because it’s harder to get access to key areas.

The success of the process improvements outlines above, and resolution of outstanding design issues, will play a large role in determining whether the coast guard’s flagship cutters can make the next transition. A transition from ‘rescued program,’ to a good program that delivers acknowledged value, and begins to place the troubled $25 billion Deepwater modernization program back on track.

Appendix B: Additional Readings Program and Ships

• US Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate – National Security Cutter.

• HII – U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutters.

• Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), the Lockheed/N-G partnership that served as Deepwater’s systems integrator until the USCG announced that it was taking back control of the program. 2009 snapshot.

• ICGS Deepwater – Long-Range Interceptor (LRI) and Short Range Prosecutor (SRP) Spec Sheet [PDF].

• Plant Automation (Feb 14/08) – MTU Powers Deepwater National Security Cutter. Offers details re: the propulsion system.

News & Views

• DID – US Coast Guard’s Deepwater Effort Hits More Rough Sailing. Describes issues with the program while it was still part of Deepwater; includes a wealth of external resources and reports.

• IBM Center for the Business of Government – The Challenge of Contracting for Large Complex Projects: A Case Study of the Coast Guard’s Deepwater Program. This report was also discussed in USCG Rear ADM. Blore’s Dec 31/08 blog post. The report rates the National Security Cutter program as a “mixed” success/ failure.

• USCG Compass (Feb 2/13) – Adm. Papp discusses maritime strategic issues with Adm. Greenert and Gen. Amos.

• Washington Post (Feb 9/07) – Waxman Sees Potential Coverup in Ship Contract.

• Gannett’s Navy Times (Feb 1/07) – IG report shows early concerns over cutter.

• NY Times (Dec 14/06) – Lawmakers Say Coast Guard Withheld Warning of Flaws in Cutter Design.

Official Reports & Testimony

Note that USCG links are forcibly excluded from archiving, and Senate links are likewise blocked. URLs may or may not still work. GAO and DHS links remain reliable.

• US Congressional Government Accountability Office (#GAO-08-270R March 11/08) – Status of Selected Aspects of the Coast Guard’s Deepwater Program.

• Inside the Navy, via USCG Acquisitions Directorate (March 10/08) – Re-Analysis Validates Coast Guard’s Way Ahead With Deepwater [PDF].

• US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation; Oversight Hearing on Recent Setbacks to the Coast Guard Deepwater Program (Feb 14/07) – Statement of DHS Inspector General Mr. Richard L. Skinner. See also Statement of Phillip Teel, President of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems for their position re: the NSC; and statements made by other invitees.

• Committee On Oversight And Government Affairs, US House Of Representatives (Feb 8/07) – Statement Of Admiral Thad W. Allen, Commandant, On The Procurement Practices Of The Department Of Homeland Security: Integrated Deepwater Systems [PDF]. This is a key document regarding the future of Deepwater, and of USCG acquisitions. An almost identical submission was made to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation on February 14, 2007.

• USCG, Admiral Thaad Allen (?) – Commandant’s All Hands Message – National Security Cutter Update.

• US Department of Homeland Security, Inspector General’s Office (Jan 23/07) – Acquisition of the National Security Cutter, US Coast Guard. [Full report, PDF].

• US Congressional Government Accountability Office (#GAO-06-546, April 28/06) – Coast Guard: Changes to Deepwater Plan Appear Sound, and Program Management Has Improved, but Continued Monitoring Is Warranted.

• US Congressional Government Accountability Office (#GAO-05-757, July 22/05) – Coast Guard: Progress Being Made on Addressing Deepwater Legacy Asset Condition Issues and Program Management, but Acquisition Challenges Remain.

Americas

Strategic Systems Programs contracted Lockheed Martin with a $28.6 million modification in support of the integration of the TRIDENT II (D5) Missile and Reentry Subsystems into the Common Missile Compartment for the Columbia Class and United Kingdom Dreadnought programs. The modification exercises options for engineering efforts. The TRIDENT II D5 fleet ballistic missile is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided missile that can carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360 kilometers. The Trident II D5 guidance system directs the missile on a rectified trajectory counterbalancing for submarine’s awkward position, in-flight effects and internal guidance calibratable parameters, upon launch of the missile. The guidance system works as the reference for maintaining missile stability and activating the reentry body separation for a ballistic trajectory. The Columbia Class submarine is an upcoming class of submarines aimed to replace Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines, whose remaining boats will be decommissioned, one per year, beginning in 2027. The Columbia-class will take over the role of submarine presence in the United States’ strategic nuclear force. The first submarine is scheduled to begin construction in 2021 and enter service in 2031. A total of 12 submarines are planned. Each submarine will have 16 missile tubes, each carrying one Trident II D5LE missile. The UK Dreadnought Class is the replacement for the TRIDENT II D5 Royal Navy’s missile carrying Vanguard Class submarines. Work under the modification will take place in California, Florida, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and is expected to be finished by March 31, 2021.

The Navy awarded L-3 Communications a $21.4 million contract modification to support the Navy T-45 aircraft, aircraft system and related support equipment. The T-45A/C Goshawk is the US Navy’s two-seat advanced jet trainer that was selected to meet the US Navy requirement for an undergraduate jet pilot trainer to replace the TA-4J Skyhawk and T-2C Buckeye. The aircraft is a navalized version of the BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer, selected by the Royal Air Force and flown by the Red Arrows acrobatic display team. It has a single pylon installed under each wing for carrying bomb racks, rocket pods or auxiliary fuel tanks. The Goshawk is powered by a single Rolls-Royce navalized Adour mk871 twin-spool non-afterburn turbofan engine. The contract modification exercises an option for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering support. Support includes services, equipment, tool, direct material, and indirect material required to support and maintain flight, test and evaluation operations. Work will take place in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida and is scheduled to be completed in September this year.

The US Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control with a $13.3 million modification for SNIPER Comprehensive Advanced Targeting Pod. This Targeting Pod provides positive target identification, autonomous tracking, GPS coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges. It is a single, lightweight targeting pod with much lower aerodynamic drag than its predecessors. Due to its image processing that allows aircrew to detect, identify and engage tactical-size targets outside the range of most enemy air defenses, it holds a crucial role in the destruction of enemy air defense missions. The current modification provides for the software enhancements and data for the development of the E4.X Operational Flight Program. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida among other places within the USA and is expected to be finished by February 28, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

The Egyptian satellite EgyptSat-A, which is owned by Egypt’s National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences and built by RSC Energia, a Moscow-based aerospace contractor, was launched from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. EgyptSat-A is Egypt’s third Earth observation satellite. The country decided to join the world space club, and the decision to build and launch the EgyptSat-A satellite is a significant step to achieve this strategic goal. The Egyptian satellite program has both scientific and military implications. The development and launch of EgyptSat-A boost Egyptian-Russian relations which have been growing closer in many fields. RSC Energia produced the vast majority of components for EgyptSat-A, compared to EgyptSat-2 where 60 percent of the components were manufactured in Egypt. The satellite is prized at about $100 million and weighs more than a ton when fully fueled. A Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat rocket lifted off the EgyptSat-A on February 21, 2019. The Soyuz-2 rockets are modernized vehicles based on the Soyuz-U and its predecessors, with digital flight controls and upgraded engines.

Europe

Germany released tender documents for the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift helicopter (Schwerer Transporthubschrauber, STH). The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support issued the documents on February 28, which set out the performance and programmatic details for the STH requirement to procure 44-60 helicopter for the German Luftwaffe. Back in November, the German government announced, that a newly developed helicopter to replace the 70 incumbent Sikorsky CH-53G/GS/GA/GEs would not be an option. However, the Boeing CH-47E and Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion would be an appropriate purchase for Germany. According to the released tender, parties have until May 14 to respond to the release. A request for proposal will then be issued shortly after.

Asia-Pacific

The US Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Division a $10 million contract modification for engineering and design support services for the Aegis Ashore (AA) Japan Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Technical Assistance Case. The modification prepares for the AA Japan Main Case. The Aegis Ashore is a land-based component of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, that provides missile defense against short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. On December 19, 2017, the Cabinet of Japan approved a plan to purchase two Aegis Ashore systems equipped with the Gallium Nitride AESA radar to increase the country’s self-defense capability against North Korea, using SM-3 Block IIA missiles. Work under the modification will take place in New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by October 31 this year.

The US Naval Air Systems Command awarded Boeing a $428.9 million modification for long-lead material and activities in support of 16 P-8A Poseidons. The award includes the complete orders for South Korea and New Zealand. The US government approved the sale of four P-8As to New Zealand in May 2017. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is procuring the aircraft to replace its aging Lockheed Martin P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. South Korea’s procurement was approved in September 2018, with the Republic of South Korea Air Force (RoKAF) also looking to replace its fleet of aging P-3 Orions. The modification covers long-lead material and activities in support of four aircraft for New Zealand and six for South Korea. It also covers six further aircraft for the US Navy. The P-8 Poseidon is a militarized version of the 737-800ERX that conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and shipping interdiction. The aircraft is the U.S. Navy’s next-generation maritime surveillance aircraft. Work under the contract modification will take place within the continental US and is scheduled to be completed in June next year.

Singapore plans to buy an initial four F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. The country is looking to replace its F-16 fleet. Its fleet of around 60 F-16 jets, which first entered service in 1998, will be retired soon after 2030. Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Friday, the Ministry will issue a Letter of Request (LOR) to the US regarding the purchase. The LOR will request an initial acquisition of four F-35s, with the option of a subsequent eight. With Southeast Asia’s largest defense budget, the wealthy city-state is a key prize for global arms companies as it looks to invest in new technology and upgrade its equipment.

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Americas

The Navy tapped General Dynamics Mission Systems with a $34.7 million contract modification to help maintain an Austal-built Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Under the two year order General Dynamics will support maintenance of command, control, communications, computers, combat and intelligence systems of the Austal Independence variant LCS. The company will provide resource management, program planning, installation, modernization, training, cost and schedule control and software development services for the LCS. Austal’s Independence variant Ship is a high-speed, agile, multi-mission combatant that delivers superior seakeeping and performance. It is an open ocean capable vessel, but is designed to defeat growing littoral threats and provide access and dominance in the coastal water battlespace. General Dynamics was the prime contractor for LCS 2 (USS Independence) and LCS 4 (USS Coronado). However, Austal has been the Prime contractor for all Independence variant from LCS 6 onward. For the LCS program, Austal teamed up with General Dynamics Mission Systems. As the ship systems integrator, General Dynamics is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the ship’s electronic systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control. Work under the modification will take place in Massachusetts as well as various shipyards and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.

The Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $14.1 million contract modification for the development of the F-35 Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS). The AGCAS is an on-board system that prevents controlled flight into terrain. The system utilizes various sensors that monitor how the aircraft is performing and whether the pilot is still in control of the aircraft. If a pilot loses consciousness, AGCAS kicks in. It uses GPS, terrain data and spatial awareness to recognize when the jet is heading toward the ground or a mountain, and if it gets to the specifically calibrated point at which it is likely too late for a pilot to react to that fact, the system intervenes and pulls the jet up on its own before returning control to the pilot. Work will take place in Fort Worth, Texas and is scheduled to be finished by March next year.

Middle East & Africa

The US Air Force awarded Collins Aerospace a $47.6 million contract modification that provides Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partner nations Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain an ordering vehicle for the DB-110 Tactical Reconnaissance Pod program. Collins Aerospace designs, produces, and supports communication and aviation systems worldwide. The company offers a certified pod for F-16 and other fast-jet applications. With an integrated DB-110 sensor, this pod offers advantages over competing systems by relying on dual-environmental conditioning systems, to provide robust ground cooling and operations over a wide range of altitudes. The modification includes the following procurement of DB-110 reconnaissance pods, program infrastructure, airborne data link terminals, surface terminal equipment, mobile ground stations, fixed ground stations, transportable ground stations, and data and travel in support of orders. Work will take place in Westford, Massachusetts and has an expected completion date of November 14, 2023.

Israeli company Elbit Systems’ new Terrain Following/Terrain Avoidance (TF/TA) system is operational following extensive flight testing and verification by Special Operations pilots aboard C-130 aircraft. The system is part of the C-130 avionics upgrade program. It enables military transport aircraft to safely conduct low altitude flights in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), significantly extending their operational envelop. The C-130 is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft that is capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings. The C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years, with the updated C-130J Super Hercules currently being produced. The TF/TA system combines high-resolution ground mapping data from an onboard Terrain-Following Radar that is complemented by a Digital Terrain Elevation Database, offering high maneuverability.

Europe

The Czech Ministry of Defense contracted Saab to expand the Czech’s instrumented Saab GAMER laser based training capability. The order is valued at $11.7 million. Deliveries will start at the end of the year. Saab will modernize the existing system and deliver new crucial functions within soldier-equipped training systems under the contract. The company will also be responsible for vehicle-based systems with ballistic and real-time of flight simulation, as well as solutions related to urban terrain training. With the new upgraded Tactical Training System, the Czech Army and the military police, will receive a large number of additional capabilities in training exercises. The Czech Army acquired the first Instrumented Saab GAMER system in 2011 for the Pandur IFV and performed upgrades during 2016 for laser code interoperability (U –LEIS). The British, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch and US Armed Forces are already using Saab’s laser simulators.

Asia-Pacific

The Australian Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin signed an agreement for Australian F-35 Sovereign Sustainment Contracts. This will facilitate Australian industry’s expanded involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program and ensures the long-term sustainment of the country’s F-35A Lighting-II Joint Strike Fighter fleet. The agreement includes details about intellectual property, technical data and software arrangements with Lockheed Martin entities for direct sovereign sustainment contracts. A settled framework will help address the complexities associated with intellectual property, technical data and software under the global F-35 Program. According to the CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia, the new agreement provides a big opportunity for industrial and economic growth.

Northrop Grumman Australia and the Italian company Leonardo are partnering up to build and maintain troop carrier aircraft for New Zealand. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide Leonardo’s C-27J aircraft to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The two companies will jointly bid the Air Force’s incoming Future Air Mobility Capability (FAMC) Program. Through the partnership, Leonardo aims to bring a whole-of-life sustainment approach to the C-27J. Both companies will prepare a roadmap for future modernization and upgrades using reach-back and sovereign capabilities. The RNZAF can utilize the C-27J to perform a wide range of airlift missions in adverse environmental conditions, including humanitarian aid, disaster relief, transport, and search and rescue.

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Americas

The Navy awarded a $25.2 million contract modification to Raytheon for delivery of Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile spares. Under the modification Raytheon will provide All-Up-Round spares to support the recertification effort for the Tomahawk missile system. The company initially won a $303.7 million in 2016 from the military branch to supply Tomahawk Block IV missiles and spares. The Tomahawk is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile that can be launched from a ship or submarine and is able to fly into heavily defended airspace more than 1,000 miles away to conduct precise strikes on targets. The US and its allied militaries used the GPS-enabled precision weapon more than 2,300 times in combat, and flight-tested it 550 times. The recertification program of the Tomahawk will expand the missile’s service life until 2040. Work under the contract modification will take place in various places around the continental US, Canada and the UK. It is expected to be completed by October next year.

Strategic Systems Programs contracted Lockheed Martin with a $846 million modification for large diameter rocket motors, associated missile body flight articles and related support equipment for the Navy Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike Weapon System flight test demonstrations. The modification includes design, development, construction and integration. The system allows the US to strike targets anywhere within an hour. The CPGS weapons are not substitutes for nuclear weapons, but supplement US conventional capabilities and serve as an effort at deterrence. The Navy conducted the first test of the system in 2017 on the Ohio-class submarines. They are nuclear-powered submarines and form the sole class of ballistic missile submarines currently in service with the US Navy. Four Ohio-class underwater crafts have been converted to guided-missile submarines to carry conventional weapons by modifying missile tubes. Work under the contract modification will take place in Littleton, Colorado and is expected to be finished on January 1, 2024.

Northrop Grumman offers to replace the obsolete radar on the US Air Force (USAF) Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers with its AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) system. The USAF wants to upgrade the entire B-52 fleet with a new radar system. It is looking at several options to satisfy its Radar Modernization Program to replace the B-52’s now obsolete Northrop Grumman AN/APQ-166 mechanically-scanned radar. The AN/APG-83 system is also known as the Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR). A version of SABR has been developed for the B-1B fleet. According to Northrop Grumman, SABR provides a reliable, cost-effective, off-the-shelf, low-risk radar upgrade solution for multiple platforms. The Air Force launched the Radar Modernization Program for its 76 aircraft bomber fleet in February 2016. A competition is set to be launched this year.

Middle East & Africa

The US Air Force contracted Cargo Transport System, Kuwait with a $10 million modification that provides continued stevedoring and related terminal services to the 595th Transportation Brigade. The modification includes vessel loading, vessel discharge, receipt of cargo, disposition of cargo, stuffing/unstuffing of cargo, intra-terminal transfer of cargo, inland transportation of cargo, customs clearance, yard management as well as management expertise. Cargo Transport operates as a freight forwarding and logistics company. It offers export services, such as freight forwarding and logistics, consulting, container stuffing, blocking and bracing, door to door service, export documentation and licenses, freight management, agent network, staging, inventory control, air and ocean charters, letter of credit processing and banking, and cargo insurance. Work will take place in ports of Kuwait from March 9 until September 8.

ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) won a contract with the Israeli Navy to supply four ELM-2248-Star radars for its four new Sa’ar-6 corvettes. The ELM-2248 MF-STAR Multi-Function Digital Radars are based on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. The Sa’ar-6 class corvettes are four German-made warships ordered for the Israeli Navy in 2015. They are tasked to protect Israel’s economic zone and secure its critical naval infrastructure, such as natural gas rigs against missiles, rockets and enemy aircraft. The MF-STAR is to be installed on the ship’s mast. It comprises four conformal phased array S-Band antennas providing 360 degrees coverage. The Israeli Navy expects the German-built corvettes to enter service by 2022.

Europe

BAE Systems delivered the first four BvS10 all-terrain vehicles to Austria. The delivery is part of a contract signed in 2016 for 32 armored personnel carriers. The vehicles were handed over during two ceremonies last week in the Austrian states Tyrol and Salzburg. Austrian Defense Minister Mario Kunasek attended the celebrations alongside representatives of the Swedish government and BAE Systems Hägglunds, the Sweden-based manufacturer of the BvS10. The first set of vehicles will be fielded by the Austrian Armed Forces’ 24th Infantry Battalion, a battalion of the 6th Mountain Infantry Brigade, which plays a leading role in the European Union Mountain Training Warfare Initiative as well as the 2nd Engineer Battalion, which can provide combat support in mountainous terrain. The BvS10 is an All Terrain Armored Vehicle. The Austrian APC variant of the BvS10 is fitted with a number of specific features including a 360 degree Observation Camera System with six Day/Infrared cameras and displays in the front and rear of the cabin for greater situational awareness. Also featured is the latest Remote Controlled Weapon Station, which can be operated by both the Gunner and the Commander. It is foldable to allow for swift transportation in the field. BAE Systems expects final deliveries to conclude later this year.

Asia-Pacific

CHC Australia completed the roll-out of six new generation Leonardo AW139 aircraft in order of replacing the S-76 SAR helicopter fleet of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The AugustaWestland AW139 is a 5-seat medium-sized twin-engined helicopter purposed for several different roles, such as VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport, fire fighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief, and maritime patrol. The AW139 aircraft are search and rescue configured with four-axis auto hover, allowing them to hover over water at night. The new AW139 aircraft will be in addition to the current AW139 night vision goggle capable, four-axis auto hover machine currently servicing the Australian Navy since May 2017.

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From these…

In the aftermath of the START-II arms control treaty, some of the USA’s nuclear-powered Ohio Class SSBN nuclear missile submarines were converted to become long range conventional strike and special operations SSGN “Tactical Tridents.” Four ultra-stealthy Ohio-class SSBNs had their 24 Trident II D-5 nuclear ballistic missiles removed. They were replaced with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus space in the sub for 66-102 special forces troops, special attachments for new Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) or older Seal Delivery Vehicle (SDV) “mini-subs,” and a mission control center. Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, and even UAVs for aerial operations, are expected to become equally important options over the SSGN fleet’s career.

…to these
(click to view full)

These modifications provide the USA with an impressive and impressively flexible set of conventional firepower, in a survivable and virtually undetectable platform, which can remain on station for very long periods of time. As surveillance-strike complexes make the near-shore more and more hazardous for conventional ships, and the potential dangers posed by small groups continue to rise, America’s converted SSGN submarines will become more and more valuable. This updated, free-to-view article covers their origins and timeline, the key technologies involved, contracts from the program’s inception to the present day, with all 4 submarines back in service.

The US Navy’s New SSGN Platform

The concept
(click to view full)

These SSBN to SSGN conversions were originally sparked by the 1992 START II Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which limited the number of strategic missile submarines to 14 as of the year 2002. Rather than decommissioning the USS Ohio [SSBN 726], USS Michigan [SSBN 727], USS Florida [SSBN 728] and USS Georgia [SSBN 729] Ohio Class submarines, why not change ther mission, and modify them to the “Tactical Trident” Configuration described above? Strong support for this idea was quickly forthcoming from Senators Dodd [D-CT], Inouye [D-HI], Lieberman [D-CT], and Pell [D-RI].

These submarines’ obvious usefulness in the Global War on Terror, and the program’s previous bipartisan popularity, were potent political assets. The US Senate mandated and funded conversion of all 4 Tactical Trident SSGNs in the FY 2002 defense appropriation bill, even though President Bush had requested only enough money to convert 2 subs.

ASDS Cutaway
(click to view full)

To create a Tactical Trident submarine, 2 of the Ohio Class SSBNs’ 24 large vertical missile launch tubes are converted to lockout chambers, enabling underwater exits from the hull without sinking the submarine. Dedicated accommodations and facilities exist for 66 Special Operations personnel, generally Navy SEALS – though some sources note an upper limit of 102 troops in emergencies.

It was hoped that Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) mini-subs could also be attached to the top of the SSGN, in order to deliver SEALs or MARSOC members inshore in a dry environment, reducing fatigue. Unfortunately, the ASDS program suffered from serious development problems, and was eventually canceled. ASDS-1 was used until it was destroyed in a shore fire. Unless an alternate system is developed and deployed, existing Seal Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) will remain the mainstay.

SDV in action
(click to view full)

Like the new Virginia Class submarines (SSN-744) whose estimated costs range from $1.7-$2.3 billion billion each, these 4 converted SSGNs will extend US special forces’ underwater insertion capability. The decommissioning of the 1960s-vintage Benjamin Franklin Class [SSBN 640] submarines USS James K. Polk [SSN/SSBN 645] in 1999, and USS Kamehameha [SSN/SSBN 642] in 2002, was offset by the subsequent modification of the SSN-688I improved Los Angeles Class subs Charlotte [SSN 766] and Greeneville [SSN 772], and by the capabilities of each Virginia Class submarine. Even so, the sheer number of SSGN troop berths and dedicated facilities will give the new Tactical Trident subs a level of SOF capability and flexibility that will set it apart. Given the new global environment, the lead role that has been assigned to SOCOM for prosecuting the Global War on Terror, and the USA’s increased emphasis on threats and warfare in shallow water and near-shore littoral zones, the SSGNs bring an extremely important capability to the table.

The havoc that 102 Navy SEALs and/or MARSOC Marines can create is not to be underestimated. Nevertheless, the converted subs’ most powerful strike capability still lies in their missiles. That’s where the submarine’s other 22 vertical launch tubes come in to play, thanks to rotary launchers that let each tube fire up to 7 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

BGM-109 Tomahawk

BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles have played major roles in U.S. military operations, from Desert Storm through current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Flying close to the ground at just under the speed of sound, they can deliver a 1,000 lb. conventional explosive warhead with pinpoint accuracy via GPS/INS and terrain matching navigation. A datalink even allows them to be reprogrammed among any of 15 pre-programmed alternate targets, while still in the air. In the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom alone, U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea launched 320 Tomahawks.

JINSA notes that the majority of Tomahawk cruise missiles are currently launched by Navy surface vessels, such as the Ticonderoga Class (CG-47) cruisers and Arleigh Burke Class (DDG-51) destroyers. The later series of Los Angeles Class (SSN-688I) and the newest Virginia Class (SSN-744) attack submarines are armed with 12 dedicated Tomahawk launch tubes each, while earlier Los Angeles boats and the newest Seawolf Class (SSN-21) have to sacrifice some of their stored torpedoes to carry and launch Tomahawks through their torpedo tubes.

SSGN Changes
(click to view larger)

Again, numbers matter. The ability to arrive unnoticed with up to 154 long-range land-attack missiles, launch Tomahawks, and then slip away silently beneath the waves, will make the new Tactical Trident SSGNs the US Navy’s premier future strike platform next to its carrier fleet. This Special Forces/Strike Mission flexibility, and the new SSGNs extreme underwater stealth, may even make them more important and useful in a number of future conflict scenarios. Indeed, if anti-shipping missile technologies and related systems continue to advance faster than defensive improvements, the SSGN fleet’s survivability may vault them into the #1 position as America’s primary strike platform, with special emphasis near a number of key global choke points like the Straits of Hormuz, Straits of Malacca, etc.

The last mission of the SSGN fleet will be one of innovation. An August 2003 Seapower article also suggested that these vessels will perform as seagoing test beds for the submarine fleet, trying out new technologies and testing new tactics for other classes of submarines. sub-launched UAVs, UUVs, and other new equipment are likely to see their first testing and live-use trials aboard these ships.

In the past, when trouble struck in a global hotspot, it has been said that one of the first questions an American President asks has been “Where are the carriers?” In future, that question may often change to “Where are the Tactical Tridents?”

SSGN Coversion: Timelines & Program Contractors

SSGN 726, sea trials
(click to view full)

An Oct 17/05 General Dynamics press release noted that If all options are exercised and funded, the overall SSGN conversion contract would be worth a total of $1.4 billion. They were.

Naval Technology reported that USS Ohio [SSGN 726] began conversion in November 2002, and would rejoin the fleet in November 2005. Conversion was declared complete on Jan 9/06, and the submarine spent 2006 and part of 2007 in testing and training. Ohio deployed to the Pacific on active operations in 2007, and Jan 11/08 saw the first active crew swap take place in Guam.

USS Florida [SSGN 727] began SSGN conversion in July 2003, and was expected to rejoin the fleet in April 2006. She left the shipyard at Norfolk in April 2007, and participated in at-sea testing before being sent on active missions. She was the 1st Ohio Class SSGN to fire cruise missiles in combat, during 2011 hostilities over Libya.

USS Michigan [SSGN 728] arrived for conversion in February 2004. The contract noted December 2006 as the expected end of construction and beginning of renewed sea trials; a Return to Service ceremony was hosted on June 12/07.

USS Georgia’s [SSBN 729] plan stipulated September 2007 as the expected end of construction and beginning of renewed sea trials, but a May 2007 NAVSEA release would say only “late 2007.” That date, too, appears to have slipped. In the end, the submarine was returned to service on March 28/08.

A passing operational evaluation (OPEVAL) grade appears to have been granted to the new class, leading to full certification for combat operations, and the beginning of a potent new weapon for American seapower.

With respect to key contractors:

• General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. was the shipbuilding contractor, and is the default contract recipient in the lists below unless otherwise specified.

• General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems modified the Trident nuclear missile fire control system to systems designed to control Tomahawk cruise missiles etc.

• Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems adapted the ballistic missile missile launch tubes, developing a Multiple All Up Round Canister (MAC) to store and launch of up to 7 TLAM C-E non-nuclear Tomahawk missiles from each of the submarine’s 22 remaining active missile tubes.

• Raytheon builds the Composite Capsule Launching System that helps turn the submarines’ ballistic missile launching tubes into multiple-shot cruise missile launchers. They are also responsible for the submarines’ AN/BYG-1 combat system.

• Northrop Grumman Oceanic and Naval Systems tried to build the attached ASDS “Advanced SEAL delivery System” mini-subs, the successors to the existing SDVs (SEAL Delivery Vehicle). The ASDS aimed to deliver up to 16 Navy SEALs or MARSOC members. Unfortunately the program was not successful.

SSGN Tactical Trident: Contracts and Key Events

USS Florida
in Diego Garcia
(click to view full)

Unless otherwise specified, contracts are awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, CT, by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.

 

February 28/19: CPGS Strategic Systems Programs contracted Lockheed Martin with a $846 million modification for large diameter rocket motors, associated missile body flight articles and related support equipment for the Navy Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike Weapon System flight test demonstrations. The modification includes design, development, construction and integration. The system allows the US to strike targets anywhere within an hour. The CPGS weapons are not substitutes for nuclear weapons, but supplement US conventional capabilities and serve as an effort at deterrence. The Navy conducted the first test of the system in 2017 on the Ohio-class submarines. They are nuclear-powered submarines and form the sole class of ballistic missile submarines currently in service with the US Navy. Four Ohio-class underwater crafts have been converted to guided-missile submarines to carry conventional weapons by modifying missile tubes. Work under the contract modification will take place in Littleton, Colorado and is expected to be finished on January 1, 2024.

Oct 18/11: Reports surface that the US Navy is investigating Virginia Class submarines as a potential successor to the SSGN fleet, which still has about 15 years of service left.

The Virginia Class Block III bow already uses 2 large “six-shooter” rotating tubes, for storing BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles and compatible payloads. Their system is derived from the Ohio SSGNs, but the tubes are a bit shallower and narrower, due to the SSN’s smaller size. The new Virginia design they’re investigating would add a 94-foot section behind the sail, hosting 4 full Trident size “7-shooter” tubes, and bringing the submarines up to 40 cruise missiles each. That’s much smaller than the SSGNs’ 154 launcher maximum, but a fleet of 10 or so boats could be in many more places than a fleet of 4. The Virginia Class can already launch special forces, and can be fitted with adapters to mount underwater special forces vehicles. AOL Defence | Aviation Week | StrategyPage.

March 19/11: Combat Debut. The USS Florida [SSGN 727] fires most of Operation Odyssey Dawn’s initial wave of Tomahawk missiles, as combat over Libya begins. It represents the 1st combat firing of tomahawks by an Ohio Class SSGN – though it may or may not have been the first time an SSGN was used in a combat operation. King’s Bay Periscope.

July 8/10: The US Navy almost never publicizes the activities or locations of its SSBN nuclear missile submarines, beyond the occasional at-sea or home port photo. Now that the converted SSGNs aren’t carrying enough nuclear warheads to end a civilization, however, American naval diplomacy has some additional options in this area. South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo takes notice of publicly-released US Navy pictures of the USS Michigan, docked at South Korea’s Busan naval base over the last week following joint exercises with the ROK Navy. The move comes after China’s proxy North Korea sank the South Korean corvette Cheonan with a submarine-fired torpedo. The paper adds:

“Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post on Sunday said the nuclear-powered [SSGN] submarines Michigan, Ohio and Florida surfaced in Busan, Subic Bay in the Philippines and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean around the same time… The sub can also carry South Korean special forces troops for infiltration operations into North Korea in the event that a regime collapse in the North heightens the chances of nuclear weapons and missile theft or a full-blown war. The submarine apparently took part in joint military exercises with South Korea in the past carrying the South’s special forces units.”

See: Chosun Ilbo | US Navy photo.

June 9 – June 28/10: USS Florida [SSGN 728] makes a scheduled port visit to Diego Garcia in the central Indian Ocean, to undergo routine maintenance and make a scheduled crew swap. The submarine conducted a fast checkout cruise in Diego Garcia after the crew exchange, then left following the 1st voyage repair period of her 2nd deployment. US Navy arrival | departure.

June 24/10: The US Navy releases a photo of USS Ohio Gold Crew commander Capt. Dixon Hicks, explaining basic operations of the Dry Dock Shelter and Seal Delivery Vehicles to visiting Filipino security officials during a routine port visit to Subic Bay.

Subic Bay was once an American naval station, but is now simply a foreign port. Even so, it’s more than just a waypoint. The Philippines have a long-running Islamist insurgency in their southern islands, which has been a focus for a lot of work by American special forces in recent years.

March 9/10: USS Florida [SSGN 728] arrives for a routine port visit to the island of Crete, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. US Navy.

USS Georgia off Italy
(click to view full)

Aug 29/09: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan for a routine port visit. The visit to Yokosuka marks the beginning of a one-year deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet for Ohio. US Navy.

Aug 5/09: A US Navy photo and caption offer a glimpse into the SSGNs’ work:

“The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) transits the St. Marys River on her first operational deployment as a converted Guided-missile submarine. Georgia will deploy for approximately one year to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility before returning to homeport at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.”

Follow-on photos show USS Georgia on the surface with an attached SDV, arriving in Souda Bay, Crete, passing by Italy’s Mount Vesuvius and leaving after a port visit to Naples.

Oct 27/08: Information Dissemination relays a Defense Daily report quoting The Director of the new US Navy Irregular Warfare Office, Rear Adm. (sel.) Mark Kenny. He apparently told the Submarine Naval League Symposium in Virginia:

“The first two deployments, the Ohio and Florida, were groundbreaking deployments… The ships work as advertised, brought home the bacon. And I wish I could give you the briefs in detail, because they are eye-watering… These ships are the Navy’s premiere counter-terrorism tool, no doubt about it.”

March 28/08: USS Georgia returns to service in a ceremony at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, GA. CBS News 4 | Navy News Service.

Feb 22/08: StrategyPage reports that “The U.S. Navy has completed the conversion of the last of four Ohio class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), to cruise missile submarines (SSGN).”

Jan 10/08: The US military no longer sails its ships home every time it needs to swap crews – instead, it brings new crews to the ships. USS Ohio [SSGN 726] is completing the first underway period of a 1 year deployment to 7th Fleet, and is spending its time in the Western Pacific. On this day, the submarine arrived in Guam. Its original “Blue Crew” was relieved on Jan 11/08 by the follow-on “Gold Crew,” but will remain for about 3 weeks to put the sub in tip-top shape before they fully turn it over and fly home.

Ohio will treat Guam as its home base until have 3 crew swaps have passed; then it will return to its official home port in Bangor, WA. US Navy release.

USS Ohio into Pearl
(click to view full)

Oct 22/07: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] arrives at Naval Station Pearl Harbor to take on supplies before continuing on their maiden deployment to the Western Pacific. US Navy Photo & caption.

June 12/07: USS Michigan [now SSGN 727] holds her return to service ceremony at Bremerton Delta Pier, WA. US Navy release.

May 17/07: FY 2007 strike trials underway. NAVAIR announces that 4 US Navy Tomahawk Cruise Missiles (2 Block III, 2 Block IV) were launched from the USS Florida [SSGN-728] while underway in the Gulf of Mexico recently. The tests were the first Tomahawk launches from the new SSGN Class submarine as part of the SSGN’s strike operational evaluation (OPEVAL). All tests were successful. NAVAIR release | NAVSEA release.

Jan 11/07: Oceaneering International Incorporated’s Marine Services Division (OII-MSD), Chesapeake, VA received a $10.9 million firm-fixed-price contract to furnish materials, tools, equipment and required support to perform manufacture and installation of Special Operation Forces walking flats and canisters on SSGN Class hulls. OII-MSD shall provide the necessary personnel and equipment to support multiple simultaneous manufacture and installation of units.

Work will be performed in Chesapeake, VA and is expected to be complete by February 2009. The contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Internet, with 2 proposals received by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in Philadelphia, PA (N65540-07-C-0005).

Nov 20/06: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] moors at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, marking the first SSGN visit to the port. The boat is conducting training exercises and work-ups in the Hawaiian islands in preparation for its maiden deployment as an SSGN in 2007. US Navy Newsstand release.

Oct 6/06: USS Ohio [SSGN 726] returns to her homeport in the Hood Canal portion of Puget Sound, WA after becoming the first Ohio-class submarine to complete sea and hydrodynamic trials with recently installed dual drydeck shelters (DDS) for Special Operations Forces. US Navy Hi-Res photo.

USS Florida leaves Norfolk
(click to view full)

May 25/06: USS Florida [now SSGN 728] officially rejoins the fleet, marked by a Return to Service ceremony at Naval Base Mayport, FL. GDEB release | US Navy.

April 8/06: The USS Florida departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard, VA, where her conversion to an SSGN was performed, en-route her new homeport of Naval Submarine Base King’s Bay, GA. US Navy Newsstand hi-res photos.

Feb 7/06: USS Ohio (now SSGN 726), the first of four SSGNs, rejoins the fleet in a return to service ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, WA. See US Navy release.

Jan 9/06: General Dynamics Electric Boat completes its conversion of USS Ohio [SSBN 726], the first of four Ohio-class submarines to be reconfigured. EB President John Casey noted that the conversion – comprising design, manufacturing, installation and at-sea testing – was completed only three years after the Navy decided to move forward with the program (DID: 3 years for the sub from Dec. 18/03, but it’s 4 for the program). “That’s a remarkable achievement,” he said.

He also said that USS Florida is on track to follow the lead-ship sea trial by only 3 months, which would result in delivery of the 2nd SSGN over a shorter-than-normal timeframe, and at a conversion cost lower than the lead ship’s. Read the GDEB corporate release.

Dec 19/05: The USS Ohio takes a significant step towards rejoining the fleet when it arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, WA with a broom atop its sail – signifying a clean sweep of its initial sea trials. US Navy photo.

Ohio, back to Puget
(click to view full)

Oct 14/05: A $162.4 million modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-02-C-2901) for conversion of the USS Georgia from Ohio Class ballistic missile submarine SSBN 729 to Ohio Class guided missile submarine SSGN 729. The conversion will be conducted concurrently with the ship’s engineered refueling overhaul being performed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and work is expected to complete by September 2007.

May 19/05: A $14.7 million Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract modification to previously awarded contract for the Procurement of Long Lead Time Material for the Conversion of Ohio Class SSBN Submarines to Ohio Class SSGN Submarines (N00024-02-C-2901). DID covers it.

Feb 1/05: Fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Georgia [SSBN 729] passes downtown Norfolk, VA, as it heads to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA for its conversion. Georgia is the 4th and final Ohio Class submarine to undergo conversion, and will join USS Florida [SSGN 728] at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. US Navy.

January 28/05: A $150 million cost-reimbursement modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the conversion of USS Michigan [SSBN 727] to SSGN 727. The USS Michigan’s conversion will be conducted concurrently with the ship’s engineered refueling overhaul being performed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Work is expected to be complete by December 2006.

January 10/05: An $8.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee material order under a previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-2100) for procurement of SSGN 727 and SSGN 728 long lead time material (LLTM, in this case ships’ service turbine generator sets). Work will take place in Groton, CT and is expected to be complete by May 2007.

SSBN-727 arrives
(click to view full)

May 5/04: A $5.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee material order under a previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-2100) for procurement of SSGN 727 and SSGN 728 long lead time material (LLTM, in this case ships’ service turbine generator sets). The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, USN in Groton, CT issued the contract modification.

March 3/04: A $149.4 million cost-reimbursement modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the conversion of USS Florida [SSBN 728] to SSGN 728; and conversion installation planning for the conversion of USS Georgia [SSBN 729] to SSGN 729. Both conversions will be conducted concurrently with the ships’ engineered refueling overhaul being done at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and work is expected to be complete by September 2007.

Feb 6/04: A $15.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-02-C-2901) for procurement of long lead-time material for the conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.

Feb 2/04: USS Michigan [SSGN 727] arrives at Puget Sound, to begin its conversion. US Navy.

Dec 18/03: A $221.8 million cost-reimbursement modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for FY 04 conversion of SSBN 726 (USS Ohio) to SSGN 726, and long lead time material and conversion installation planning for conversion of USS Michigan [SSBN 727] and USS Georgia [SSBN 729] to SSGN 727 and SSGN 729.

Dec 11/03: A $30.1 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to exercise an option under previously awarded contract N00024-02-C-2901 for installation planning and manufacturing of long lead time material for conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.

Ohio during conversion
(click to view full)

Sept 16/03: A $33.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for conversion installation planning re: conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.

May 23/03: A $24.1 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the procurement and manufacturing of long lead-time material for conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.

Dec 20/02: A $54.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 for the procurement of long lead time material (LLTM) for the conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to Ohio Class SSGN submarines. LLTM includes material acquisition, vendor oversight, manufacturing, inspections, test, storage, preservation and vendor assistance in troubleshooting and resolving operational problems. Work will be performed in Groton, CT and is to be complete by September 2007.

Dec 13/02: A $38.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification under contract N00024-02-C-2901 to exercise an option for the procurement and manufacturing of long lead time material for conversion of Ohio Class SSBN submarines to SSGN submarines.

Sept 26/02: US Naval Sea Systems Command awards a $442.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00024-02-C-2901) to General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. to provide a complete, accurate, and producible ship detail design for the conversion of up to 4 Ohio-class SSBN submarines to Ohio-class SSGN submarines.

Work will cover detail design, procurement and manufacturing of Long Lead Time Material (LLTM), and associated LLTM tasks including material acquisition, vendor oversight, manufacturing, inspections, test, storage, preservation, and vendor assistance in troubleshooting and resolving operational problems. Work will be performed in Groton, CT; and in Quonset and Newport, RI; with completion expected by September 2007. See also NAVSEA release.

SSGN Tactical Trident: Ancillary Program Contracts and Timelines

Pointer UAV, SSGN Ohio
(click to view full)

There’s a lot that goes into a program like this, including ancillary contracts that aren’t directly part of the program, but which are required for effective operation. Finding and keeping track of these contracts is difficult, but DID will present and add as many as we can find. Tips from readers are always appreciated (tips@ourdomain…).

Dec 9/11: BAE Systems in Rockville, MD receives a $58.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide Systems Engineering Integration support for the TRIDENT II D5 Strategic Weapon System (SWS) Program, the SSGN Attack Weapon System (AWS) Program, and the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) Program. Options could bring the contract’s total value to $123.3 million.

Work will be performed in Rockville, MD (70%); Washington, DC (20%); St. Mary’s, GA (5%); Bangor, WA (4%); and Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed Sept 30/12, or Sept 30/13 if the options are exercised. $38.3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. This contract was not competitively procured (N00012-C-0009).

Dec 2/11: Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems – Marine Systems in Sunnyvale, CA, received an $83.2 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide FY 2012 support for the TRIDENT II D-5 launchers, submarines, and next-generation development efforts. This contract contains options, which could bring its total value to $123.1 million.

Northrop Grumman will provide services to help with existing SSBN/SSGN Underwater Launcher Systems; Engineering Refueling Overhaul shipyard support; spares procurement; United States and United Kingdom launcher trainer support; Vertical Support Group E-mount and shim procurement; TRIDENT II D-5 missile tube closure production; Launcher Initiation System (LIS) Critical Design Review and Nuclear Weapons Safety and Security Review; TRIDENT II D-5 missile hoist overhauls; underwater launch technology support; U.S. and U.K. Strategic Systems Programs alterations and non-compliance report projects; gas generator refurbishment and case hardware production; LIS Trainer Shipboard Systems Integration Increment 11 conversion; and ancillary hardware and spares.

Technical engineering services and container production restart efforts for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will also be included, as will technical engineering services to support the Advanced Launcher Development Program and Common Missile Compartment concept development and prototyping efforts for the U.S. and U.K.

Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, CA (80%); Bangor, WA (10%); and Kings Bay, GA (10%); and will end with the fiscal year on Sept 30/12, whereupon $45.3 million of these funds will expire; or it will end on Sept 30/14 if all options are exercised. The contract was not competitively procured (N00030-12-C-0015).

Nov 25/11: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc. in Pittsfield, MA receives a $96 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, fixed-price incentive contract to provide FY 2012 and FY 2013 engineering support to United States and United Kingdom Trident II SSBN Fire Control Subsystems, Ohio Class SSGN Attack Weapons Control Subsystem, and the Common Missile Compartment for the USA and UK’s next-generation nuclear missile submarines. This contract contains options which could bring its total value to $225 million over almost 4.5 years.

Work will be performed in Pittsfield, MA, and could run to April 14/16 with all options exercised. $35.1 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12. This contract was not competitively procured by the US Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, DC (N00030-12-C-0006).

Jan 28/11: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA receives an $11.3 million option to manufacture Acoustic Rapid Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Insertion (ARCI) hardware, supplying a System Improvement and Integration Program for the USS Ohio and USS Georgia SSGNs; and for the Virginia Class SSN 781 fast attack boat, which will become the USS California around 2013. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (70%) and Clearwater, FL (30%), and is expected to be complete by April 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The A-RCI program improves existing sonar systems by upgrading processors and back-end electronics, allowing significant improvements without having to replace the expensive sonar arrays.

Dec 1/09: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Sunnyvale, CA receives a $720.1 million modification to a cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide TRIDENT II (D5) and TRIDENT I (C4) missile subsystems. In addition to a long list of TRIDENT II (D5), and TRIDENT I (C4) missile subsystem requirements, they will also perform some SSGN-related efforts, including:

• Provide storage and maintenance for the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, Nuclear (TLAM-N) at the Strategic Weapons Facilities;
  
• Perform processing and provide technical services in support of the SSGN Attack Weapon System (AWS) at SWFLANT.

Work will be performed in California (42%); Georgia (11%); Utah (16%); Florida (9%); Washington (8%); Virginia (3%); Tennessee (2%); New Jersey (1%); Massachusetts (1%); Illinois (1%); Maryland (1%); other (5%), and is expected to be complete in September 2012. $285.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/09 (N00030-08-C-0100, PZ0001). See also March 26/08 entry.

Nov 19/08: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA received a $52.3 million contract modification for FY09-FY11 U.S. and U.K. TRIDENT II (D5) fire control system (FCS) work, and to a much lesser extent, U.S. SSGN attack weapon control system (AWCS) support.

Work will be performed in Pittsfield, MA, and is expected to be complete on April 1/11. $25.8 million will expire at the end of current fiscal year, on Sept 30/09 (N00030-08-C-0041, P00013).

Sept 28/09: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA receives a $152.8 million cost-plus-incentive fee contract, with 2 parts to it. General Dynamics will perform the work in Pittsfield, MA, and expects to complete it by December 2012. The US Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs in Arlington, VA manages the contract (N00030-10-C-0005).

One part provides for FY 2010 and FY 2011 production and deployed systems support for the US and UK SSBN fire control system (FCS) and the SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS). GD AIS will provide annual and other periodic procurements of support equipment and SSP alterations (SPALTs) necessary to sustain the SSBN FCS and the SSGN AWCS, including engineering support, performance evaluation, logistics, fleet documentation, reliability maintenance, engineering services, and training.

In addition, this contract includes the FY 2010 and FY 2011 US and UK Sea Based Strategic Deterrent (SBSD) Strategic Weapons System (SWS) fire control subsystem efforts necessary for the concept development, prototyping, and initial design efforts for a common missile compartment (CMC), prior to and following, the initiation of a ACAT 1D class program to replace the SSBN Ohio class.

Jan 11/08: A ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the completion of upgrades to Bravo Wharf at Naval Base Guam, providing the capability to host the Navy’s new SSGN submarines. The $50.7 million military construction (MILCON) project was awarded to Black Construction Corp. in 2006, and entailed dredging of the channel and turn basin at inner Apra Harbor, strengthening of existing wharf foundations, extending the wharf to accommodate SSGNs, as well as upgrading the fire protection, lighting, anchoring and water distribution systems. The newly improved wharf can also accommodate ships as large as a CG-47 Ticonderoga class cruisers.

The capability to host and provide a complete range of shore services to the SSGN on Guam allows for longer-term submarine presence, as well as a more robust range of sub-surface mission packages available in the Pacific theater of operations. The project was executed and managed in Guam by NAVFAC Marianas, under former submarine officer Cmdr. Matt Suess.

A complimentary Alpha Wharf improvement adjacent to Bravo Wharf is scheduled to be completed in summer 2008. US Navy release.

Nov 16/07: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems of Pittsfield, MA received a $91.3 million Cost Plus Incentive Fee Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) Contract (incentives on Cost, Performance, and Schedule) based on a sole source acquisition under N00030-08-C-0041. They will provide the FY 2008 through FY 2009 U.S. and U.K. Fire Control System, and the U.S. SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS). Specific efforts include U.S. and U.K. operational support, repair, installation, and checkout; Mod 6/7 development and production; Mod 8/9 development; Engineered Refueling Overhaul Support; Training Unique Development; AWCS; Auxiliary Systems Tech Refresh; AWCS Mod 0 updates; Conventional TRIDENT Modification (CTM) development; and Mk 6 Life Extension development.

The period of performance is Oct 1/07 – April 2/11, and the place of performance (100%) is General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA. The funding profile is as follows: $3 million FY2007 UK (3.3%), $35.6 million FY2007 OPN (39.0%), $2.3 million FY2008 SCN (2.5%), $27.9 million FY2008 O&M,N (30.5%), $10 million FY2008 UK (10.9%), $9 million FY2008 OPN (10.0%), $3.5 million FY2008 WPN (3.8%). The award contains $27.9 million of FY2008 O&M,N funding which would expire at the end of the current fiscal year (FY2008). Strategic Systems Programs in Arlington, VA is isued the contract.

Aug 21/07: From a Raytheon release:

“The U.S. Navy has recommended Raytheon Company’s (NYSE: RTN) advanced submarine combat control system, AN/BYG-1, for fleet introduction on the SSGN Ohio Class and SSN-21 Seawolf Class attack submarines after favorable tests and evaluations. The recent Follow-on Operational Test & Evaluation reports highlighted several performance enhancements and confirmed the operational effectiveness and suitability of the AN/BYG-1[V]6 and [V]7 for the SSN-21 and SSGN platforms.

AN/BYG-1 exploits the power of sonar, electronic support measures, radar, navigation, periscopes, communication, command and weapons to provide a fully integrated submarine combat system. The system was designed using commercial off the shelf (COTS) equipment and open standards that provide interoperability, portability, scalability and supplier independence for all hardware and software components. The AN/BYG-1 system allows for rapid COTS insertion to accommodate and integrate additional functionality, sensors and/or weapons.”

March 30/07: DGM21 LLC in Montrose, CO received a $31.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for the FY 2007 consolidated construction projects for U.S. Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories. This is a design-build project is for wharf improvements and Shore Support Facilities related to the new SSGN submarines, with performance and prescriptive requirements provided by the Government. See DID coverage, with map.

Work will be performed in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories, and is expected to be complete April 2009. This contract was competitively procured with 17 solicitation packages distributed and 1 proposal received by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Construction Contracts Branch (N62742-07-C-1313).

Dec 5/06: BAE Systems Applied Technologies Inc. in Rockville, MD received a $71.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee/ cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide systems integration support for TRIDENT II (D5) Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program and the SSGN Attack Weapon System Program. This contract contains options, which if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $77.9 million.

Work will be performed in Rockville, MD (89%); Kings Bay, GA (7%); Mechanicsburg, PA (3%); and Bangor, WA (1%), and is expected to be complete September 2009 (September 2010 with options). Contract funds in the amount of $55.9 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was awarded based on a sole source acquisition by the Strategic Systems Programs in Arlington, VA (N00030-07-C-0009).

June 12/06: Kollmorgen Corp. Electro-Optical Division in Northampton, MA received a $17.2 million fixed-price incentive and firm-fixed price modification under previously awarded contract N00024-05-C-6241, exercisinge an option for production of 7 integrated submarine imaging systems (ISIS), including associated on-board repair parts and installation-checkout spares for the SSN 688 class submarine; and 1 ISIS SSGN class production system, including associated on-board repair parts and installation and check-out spares. Work will be performed in Northampton, MA (70%); Waterford CT (15%); Manassas, VA (12%); and Brattaboro, VT (3%), and is expected to be complete by December 2008. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC issued the contract.

The integrated submarine imaging system will provide mission critical, all weather, visual and electronic search, digital image management, indication, warning, and platform architecture interface capabilities for SSN 688 Los Angeles Class, SSN 21 Seawolf Class, and SSGN class submarines.

Dec 22/05: Raytheon Co. in Tucson, AZ received an $8.8 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-04-C-0569) for the manufacture of 135 B Kits and assembly of the SSGN modification kit for the Composite Capsule Launching System (CCLS) capsule. The CCLS is for the Tomahawk cruise missiles specifically, and is compatible with the SSGN submarine Multiple AUR Canister (MAC) noted in the January 29, 2002 contract. The B Kits provide the components that complete the umbilical cable and aft end for the CCLS. Work will be performed in Joplin, MO (33.3%); Huntsville, AL (33%); Tucson, AZ (23.3%); and Camden, AR (10%), and is expected to be complete in July 2007. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.

Dec 19/05: International Marine and Industrial Applicators, LLC in Irvington, AL won a $42 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for the painting and preservation of the USA’s Ohio Class SSBN nuclear missile subs and SSGN special ops & strike submarines. DID’s “Painting Ohio” has the remaining details.

Feb 21/05: Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) Inc. in Alexandria, VA receives a $7.15 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide systems engineering and program support for Nuclear Weapons Security (NWS) Program and SSBN Superstructure Modification. SPA will examine alternative approaches for SSBN security to the baseline SSBN superstructure modification program and will work to insure total system integration of all elements on SSBN and SSGN related programs required to perform technical, operational, and programmatic tradeoffs. Work will be performed in Alexandria, VA, and is expected to be complete in November 2005. This contract was not competitively procured by the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, DC (N00030-05-C-0015).

Dec 16/02: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA receives a $90 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the FY03 Fire Control Omnibus Contract, which includes FBM Fire Control Production, Operational Support, Field Engineering Services, Repair and Return effort, and Development and SSGN Attack Weapons Control System (AWCS) design and production (N00030-03-C-0008)

Feb 21/02: General Dynamics Defense Systems in Pittsfield, MA receives a $5.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide for the fiscal year 2002 Nuclear Powered Cruise Missile Submarine (SSGN) Attack Weapons Control System (AWCS). The effort includes management and engineering services to develop the preliminary proof of concept system design for AWCS, proof of concept system architecture design review and development of preliminary planning for fleet documentation. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, MA, and is expected to be complete by December 2002. This contract was not competitively procured (N00030-02-C-0017). It is followed by other contracts which include this component as part of their total.

Jan 29/02: Northrop Grumman Marine Systems in Sunnyvale, CA receives $16.6 million to exercise an option contained in previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00030-01-C-0071) to provide for Ship, Submersible Guided Missile Nuclear (SSGN) Multiple-All-Up-Round Canister (MAC) Subsystem demonstration and validation (DEMVAL). The MAC allows 7 Tomahawk cruise missiles to be carried in and launched from each Trident misile tube. This contract represents a win for NGMS against a competitor, after 2 initial contracts were awarded in May 2001. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, CA, and is expected to be complete by July 2003.

Oct 26/01: BAE Systems Applied Technologies Inc. in Rockville, MD received $58 million cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-award-fee contract to provide fiscal year 2002 fleet ballistic missile (FBM) system integration and logistics support for the U.S. and United Kingdom Trident Programs. While not part of the SSGN program per se, the effort also includes Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) and SSGN systems integration, and advanced systems studies, as part of its scope (N00030-02-C-0019). This is followed by other contracts which include this component as part of their total.

Additional Readings

• See all US DoD contract announcements related to contract #N00024-02-C-2901.

• JINSA – Navy Embarks on Key Submarine Conversion: Four Former Missile Subs to Provide Tactical Missile, Special Ops Support. Very good article.

• Military.com: The Passdown (Jan 17/06) – SSGN: Payload Unlimited. Sub tender? Super anti-shipping attack sub? Sub with pop-up deck gun? Joe Buff suggests adding another 4 SSGNs to the force – and giving them some additional roles. Not so sure about that last one…

• Undersea Warfare Magazine (Summer 2004) – SSGN Conversions: Embodying the Sea Power 21 Vision.

• US Navy Newsstand (Feb 7/03) – SSGN Provides Powerful Tool for Navy SEALs

• Undersea Warfare Magazine (Winter/Spring 2002) – ASDS: The future of Submarine-based Special Operations. Illustrated some of the training and qualification processes associated with ASDS, including what it takes for a submariner to qualify as an ASDS pilot.

• Undersea Warfare Magazine (Fall 2001) – SSGN: A Transformational Force for the U.S. Navy

• Undersea Warfare Magazine (Winter 1999) – SSGN: A “Second Career” for the Boomer Force

• DID Spotlight – Building MARSOC: Infrastructure for SOCOM’s New Players. Includes MARSOC-related bacground and details. Navy SEALs and MARSOC are the most likely embarked complements for the SSGN fleet.

Unconventional Enemies?

• Business 2.0 – The Technology Secrets of Cocaine, Inc. US Navy SEALs aren’t the only ones using mini-subs these days. The cocaine barons rely on surface ships instead of converted SSBNs to transport them, and use less sophisticated vessels; nevertheless, it’s an interesting indicator of the current global trend toward dangerous non-state actors with state-level resources. Note that US and British special forces have been used in the past to target the cocaine cartels’ operations.

• David Pugliese’s Defence Watch (Aug 28/10) – The Return of the Drug Subs. The latest actually was a submarine.

• StrategyPage (Jan 6/10) – Everyone With Sneaky Needs Does It. “In the last four years, U.S., and other navy and coast guard ships off the coast between Mexico and Colombia, have detected over 150 of these subs. Between 2000 and 2007, only 23 of these boats were spotted. But last year, over 70 were detected or captured… Many of the captures are the result of intelligence information at the source, not air and naval patrols… It’s estimated that about 75 of these subs are being built in northwest Colombia each year, and sent on one way trips north. Each of these boats carries a four man crew and about seven tons of cocaine (worth nearly $200 million on the street).”

• The Economist (May 1/08) – Waving, not drowning. Documents the growth of mini-submersibles in maritime smuggling.

• WIRED Danger Room (Nov 12/07) – Colombia’s Cocaine Subs. They’re built by FARC, and they’re becoming increasingly sophisticated. LA Times: “Over the last two years, Colombian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy have seized 13 submarine-like vessels outfitted for drug running.”

A Viking comes ashore

The BvS10 is the successor to the wildly popular Bv206, 11,000 of which have been sold to 40 countries around the world – including the USA (M978). Readers may have seen these vehicles elsewhere, too, as a number of Bv206s have post-military careers at ski resorts, in industries like mining and logging, etc. The new BvS-10 is larger and more heavily armored; it’s in use in Britain, France and the Netherlands as a key armored vehicle for their respective Marines, has been bought by Sweden, and is under evaluation elsewhere. International interest includes imitators: Singapore’s Bronco ATTC is a BVS10 competitor, and Finland and Norway have their own local Bv206 variants.

What makes this unusual-looking vehicle family and design so popular? They aren’t like Humvees or similar wheeled mainstays. They aren’t full armored personnel carriers, either – they’re armored, but Bv family vehicles can’t take the kind of punishment that a Bradley or LAV can absorb. Instead, the secret to their success lies in a remarkable all-terrain capability, and their ability to fill a rare and critical role: air-portable and amphibious infantry enhancement. These success factors are discussed below, along with contracts and key developments related to this vehicle family.

The Bv Family of Vehicles

Bv206S vs. Bv206

Hagglunds Bv family vehicles are really two separate chassis working together. Hydraulic cylinders that push or pull one chassis segment relative to the other do all the steering. The central articulation point also allows the two segments to twist and turn in different planes, accommodating the most difficult terrain from high slopes to winding forest trails. Meanwhile, wide band tracks ensure good traction, with a low “footprint” pressure that lets these vehicles move across all terrains, and can even avoid tripping anti-tank mines. Amphibious conversion is quick.

The Bv206S is a slightly larger (10-tonne/ 11 ton full combat weight), armored version of the Bv206 that retains helicopter air-portability inside a CH-47 Chinook, or can have its 2 sections airlifted separately by a pair of medium utility helicopters like Britain’s EH101 Merlins.

BvS10 Mk.II & ARTHUR
(click to view full)

BAE Haaglunds’ new BvS10 differs from its Bv206 predecessors by adding a bit more weight at 7.6t/ 16,300 pounds empty, with a maximum designed weight of 10.6t/ 23,350 pounds. Fortunately, a more powerful Cummins 5.9 litre diesel engine gives it 80 kph/50 mph performance on class A roads, and a 300 km/ 180 miles range. The improved ground clearance and newly developed chassis, power train and steering units give the vehicle considerably enhanced speed and comfort, as well as greater load carrying capability (up to 5 tons for some variants), and the ability to add various modular sub-systems such as add-on armor, weapon-mounts, a load-changer, and cargo platforms. The Viking can operate in temperatures from -46C/-51F to 49C/120F, can ford through water up to a depth of 1.5 m/ 5 feet without preparation, and is fully amphibious with 5kph/ 3mph water speed on a full load, after less than 2 minutes’ preparation by the crew. BAE data places the existing Viking’s reliability in theater at 88%.

BvS10s have been performing well, but various up-armoring additions mean that they have also been working beyond their maximum designed weight for months. Hence BAE Hagglunds’ BvS10 Mark II, whose maximum designed weight is 14.2t/ 31,300 pounds, with a payload of 6t/ 13,250 pounds. It incorporates a larger and more powerful engine, a bigger alternator which gives more electrical power, an improved steering unit, uprated suspension and brakes, a shallow v-hull for extra mine protection, and the ability to carry more armor. Despite the extra armor, the Mk II fulfills all the original Viking requirements, such as the ability to swim. Variants include:

• BvS10 MkII APC. Carry 3 crew, and up to 6 fully-equipped soldiers.
  
• BvS10 Ambulance. Just 2 crew, and space for 2 stretchers & 2 paramedics.
  
• BvS10 C2. Carry a command & control system and up to 4 staff.
  
• BvS10 Logistics. Have a flatbed in place of the standard back cab. Slide-on modules for the flatbed include a 10-foot container, the ARTHUR artillery locating radar, or a communications module.
  
• BvS10 Repair & Recovery (RRC). Crew + 4 technical specialists. The rear cab is fitted with a full mobile workshop, as well as a HIAB crane and capstan for recovery work.
  
• BvS10 UAS. Used as an equipment transporter for the UK’s new Mk450 Watchkeeper UAV system.

Imitation, the Sincerest form of Flattery

Singapore’s Bronco ATTC
(click to view larger)

A larger vehicle is currently in service with Singapore as ST Kinetics’ Bronco ATTC (All-Terrain Tracked Carrier), and as the Warthog in Britain. Gross Vehicle Weight is 18t/ 40,000 pounds, including a 6.8t/ 15,00 pound total payload, or space for up to 16 troops. Its Caterpillar C7 engine delivers up to 350 bhp, driving it up to 65 km/h on smooth surfaces, or allowing it to handle 60% gradients and 30% side slopes in all conditions and terrains. Singapore is a Bv206 customer, and when the ATTC was introduced, Haaglunds launched a lawsuit claiming that ST Kinetics had copied their design. That lawsuit was later dropped, leaving ST Kinetics with a similar but heavier competitor.

The Bronco is fully amphibious, and its versatility has made it very useful in post-tsunami relief efforts. An up-armored, non-amphibious “Warthog” variant was picked by the British Army to replace borrowed Royal Marines’ BvS10s in Afghanistan, with the BvS10s returning to the Royal Marines for future use.

Bv-206S, side view
(click to view full)

The smaller Bv206 has also received its share of international flattery. Finnish firm Patria Vehicles’ NA-140 and its variants are very similar, and more than 300 have been manufactured since 1985 to equip the armies of China, Turkey and Finland.

After 20 years of using the Bv206, Norway is also introducing up to 1,000 units of the Natech (Narvik Technology AS) P6 in P6-300M and other variants, as part of Project 5085; it is reported to be very similar to the Bv-206S.

Bv Family: Why So Popular?

Bv-206S ambulance
(click to view full)

The BvS vehicle family’s popularity boils down to:

Key Virtue #1: Outstanding air transportability. These vehicles can be carried in many tactical and even light air transports, carried inside a CH-47 Chinook, or slung underneath other medium-heavy helicopters. The Bronco ATTC is an exception, but all of these vehicles can also be broken into their 2 component sections to be loaded into or slung beneath many helicopter types due to their low height, width, and weight.

Key Virtue #2: True all-terrain capability. These vehicles are designed to operate in conditions ranging from the heat and humidity of the jungle to dry desert and the frozen Arctic, and have done so. Their low weight and extra-wide tracked distribution make even snow and marshy ground passable, thanks to very low ground pressure. That same low ground pressure offers more safety against anti-tank mines, who may not receive enough pressure to detonate. They can quickly be made fully amphibious, and this combination of mobility advantages has made them popular with a number of countries’ Marine Corps.

Per Thrana: Bv206
mortar carrier, Norway
(click to view full)

Key Virtue #3: Specialized variants. This family of vehicles offers a wide array of variants, including models with cranes for load handling and recovery, ammunition resupply vehicles, ambulance functions, deployable command posts, mortar carrier versions, and artillery hunting radar (the Bv206 ARTHUR). In addition, several countries are developing their own indigenous variants.

The result: Infantry enhancement. This family of vehicles offers instant air-portable infantry mobility with small arms protection (Bv206S and later); additional carrying capacity over all terrains to reduce soldiers’ burdens; and firepower overmatch via its weapon mount (medium-heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, anti-armor missiles, mortars, etc.), via extra weapons inside (ammunition, anti-armor missiles, etc.), , and via its towing capabilities (mortars, howitzers etc.). They are not designed for major combat, and are not a substitute for full-size armored personnel carriers (APCs). What they can do is bring a combination of APC and Jeep benefits in a more mobile, all-terrain, platform – one capable of 3rd-dimension envelopment, and rapid ground response into the most difficult terrain.

Contracts and Key Events

At present, the BvS-10 is in operation with the British Royal Marines, has been delivered to the Dutch Royal Marines and begun deliveries to France and Sweden, and is reportedly under trial and evaluation in Finland (who already operates Bv206 variants). All BvS10 customers share operational information, and co-operate on support through a multi-national user group that BAE Systems co-ordinates.

2014 – 2019

 

BvS10 Mk.II
(click to view full)

February 28/19: Austria BAE Systems delivered the first four BvS10 all-terrain vehicles to Austria. The delivery is part of a contract signed in 2016 for 32 armored personnel carriers. The vehicles were handed over during two ceremonies last week in the Austrian states Tyrol and Salzburg. Austrian Defense Minister Mario Kunasek attended the celebrations alongside representatives of the Swedish government and BAE Systems Hägglunds, the Sweden-based manufacturer of the BvS10. The first set of vehicles will be fielded by the Austrian Armed Forces’ 24th Infantry Battalion, a battalion of the 6th Mountain Infantry Brigade, which plays a leading role in the European Union Mountain Training Warfare Initiative as well as the 2nd Engineer Battalion, which can provide combat support in mountainous terrain. The BvS10 is an All Terrain Armored Vehicle. The Austrian APC variant of the BvS10 is fitted with a number of specific features including a 360 degree Observation Camera System with six Day/Infrared cameras and displays in the front and rear of the cabin for greater situational awareness. Also featured is the latest Remote Controlled Weapon Station, which can be operated by both the Gunner and the Commander. It is foldable to allow for swift transportation in the field. BAE Systems expects final deliveries to conclude later this year.

July 26/17: BAE Systems has teamed with Italian firm Goriziane Group SpA to offer joint support of the BvS10 Beowulf armored all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Gorizioni Group, who have already worked with BAE on the older BV206 ATV, are specialists in the engineering and maintenance of vehicles and other heavy equipment, and this extended agreement is part of BAE’s dedication to “work closely with industries in the countries we do business in to support government programs and local economies,” according to Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, general manager of BAE Systems Hagglund. The Italian military is one of the largest users of the BV206 and BV206S vehicles, and the vehicle is also in use with the militaries of Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

July 7/16: Austria is to join France, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK in operating BAE System’s BvS10 Beowulf military vehicle after signing contracts with the Swedish government for the delivery of 32 vehicles. While the value of the contract is unknown, deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of 2017 and conclude in 2019. Designed to operate in rugged terrain to deliver personnel or cargo in combat and disaster relief situations, the BvS10 will play a role in Austria’s European Union Mountain Training Warfare Initiative where it will host schools, training and support to enhance military effectiveness in mountain terrain.

May 27/14: Canada. Rheinmetall Canada displays a BvS-10 at its CANSEC booth, in the wake of a teaming agreement that has them cooperating with BAE on a future bid for Canada’s Marginal Terrain Vehicles (MTV) program. the Canadians already possess Bv-206 vehicles, and have used them in Afghanistan (q.v. Appendix A). Sources: BAE Systems, “BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Team to Offer Go-Anywhere Vehicles to Canada”.

2011 – 2013

 

French VHM/ BvS10
(click to view full)

Dec 19/13: Sweden. The Swedish FMV procurement agency exercises part of their Jan 5/12 contract option, via a SEK 800 million ($120 million) contract for 102 more BvS10 Mk.IIBs, raising their order total to 150. That leaves them with 25 more options.

The 102 vehicles will be delivered in the same 4 variants: troop carrier, ambulance, C2 command vehicle, and “logistics” (cargo carrier). They will continue manufacturing in BAE Systems Hagglunds’ refurbished production facility in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, with deliveries beginning in 2014 and ending in 2015. Sources: BAE, “Sweden Buys 102 More BvS10 All-Terrain Vehicles From BAE Systems” | Swedish FMV, “FMV bestaller ytterligare 102 bandvagnar av Hagglunds”.

Sweden: 102 more BvS10 Mk.IIB

June 2013: Refit report. Britain’s Battlespace magazine offers an update on the refits, even as BAE Systems discusses more comprehensive Viking support arrangements with the UK MoD. Phase 1 Refits, which handled existing Mk.IIs and the Mk.Is with upgraded hulls, were finished in May 2013.

Phase 2 deliveries have now started, and installation of the required improvements plus the latest v-hull bottom will continue until April 2014. The exceptions will be rear cars for Repair & Recovery variants, which are unmanned while in transit.

Phase 3 involves the Mortar and Crew Served weapon variants (TL: 27). They also receive the latest v-hull, except for the mortar version’s rear cars. The new variants will undergo testing this summer, and deliveries aren’t expected to begin until March 2014.

Phase 4 involves new blast protection kits, which began delivery in April 2013. All upgrades will be available to other BvS10 operators, if they request it. Battlespace

Oct 3/12: UK upgrades. Britain will overhaul the Royal Marines’ BvS10 vehicles to a common Mk.II standard. Under BAE’s GBP 37 million ($61 million) contract, the fleet will be given a major overhaul, brought closer to to a common configuration, and certified for a 14 tonne gross weight. The changes are the result of BAE’s modular bid, which involved a common core set of work, plus a range of options that let the UK MoD pick what it most wanted within its budgetary limits.

To get there, a number of modifications for land operations in Afghanistan will be removed, restoring the vehicles’ amphibious capability. The Vikings will receive general inspections, new front and rear car hulls, a shallow v-hull underbody, braking and suspension upgrades, and other improvements stemming from Dutch and French experiences. A new engine and alternator would be required for full Mk.II compatibility, but Britain’s budget squeeze has deferred this key upgrade. New wiring and mounts will prepare the fleet for the larger engine, if Britain decides to add it later.

Beyond these upgrades, 19 Crew Served Weapon variants will add Platt’s 7.62mm crew-served machine gun mounts on top of the rear cars as well, and another 9 will become mortar cars fitted with 81mm internal mortars. Work at BAE’s new production line in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden will last until 2014, and all parties expect a mid-life upgrade at the end of the decade. The Royal Marines plan to keep their Vikings in service until 2031. UK MoD | BAE Systems.

Britain: BvS10 refurbishment & Upgrades

Jan 5/12: Swedish Vikings. Sweden’s FMV has picked BAE Hagglunds’ BvS10 Mk.IIB over Singapore’s larger Bronco ATTC, as their military’s next all-terrain vehicle. Sweden already fields a number of Bv206s, and the initial SEK 700 million (about $101 million) contract will supplement them with 48 BvS10 vehicles in 4 types: 19 APC, 17 Logistics, 10 Ambulance, and 2 Command & Control. Delivery is scheduled to be done by autumn 2012, for operational use in Afghanistan by spring 2013.

The Swedish vehicles include some modifications, including improved crew ergonomics, internal volume, and protection, plus integration of Kongsberg’s Protector remote weapon station up top. Smoke grenade launchers are fitted front and back, to give 360 degree coverage. Swedish government-furnished radio and battlefield management systems are also different, as one would expect.

The Swedish acquisition process took a bit less than a year, including tests of the 2 competitors. Additional buy options could push Sweden’s total order to 175 vehicles, via up to 127 more BvS10 MkIIs in up to 3 more batch orders. Swedish FMV | BAE.

Sweden: 48-175 BvS10 Mk.IIB

Nov 25/11: France. France’s DGA announces [in French] that it has formally accepted delivery of its 1st 14-tonne, v-hulled BvS10 Mk.2/ VHM under the 53 vehicle contract (vid. Dec 22/09 entry). This is not the same thing as the 1st delivery by the manufacturer (vid. March 29/10 entry). Before it could receive formal acceptance, the Véhicule a Haute Mobilité had to be qualified for operational service during 8 months of trials, which ended in September 2011.

2009 – 2010

 

Dutch BvS10
in Chad 2009
(click to view full)

May 21/10: Dutch. The Netherlands is looking to upgrade 127 of the Dutch Marines’ Bv-206Ds with a mid-life upgrade (MLU) package to extend their operational life to 2020, the same as the Marines’ new BvS10 Vikings. The MLU budget is estimated between EUR 25 – 50 million, and the main risk involves the vehicle frame. If the glassfiber reinforced plastic has become fragile due to sun exposure, full replacement will make the upgrade much more costly. Kamenbrief [in Dutch].

March 29/10: UK. BAE Systems delivers the last of 24 BvS10 Viking Mk.II mine-protected vehicles ordered by the British Royal Marines (see Sept 30/09 entry). The vehicles will be deployed to Afghanistan in the near future. BAE Systems’ release adds that deliveries on France’s December 2009 order for BvS10 MkIIs have begun.

Dec 22/09: France. BAE Systems announces that it won the VHM contract from France’s DGA procurement agency to supply 53 BvS10 Mark II vehicles (q.v. Sept 30/09 entry). If all options are exercised, BAE says that the total value of the contract could reach EUR 220 million ($317 million) for 129 vehicles.

France already operates their Bv206 predecessors, and this contract covers 3 BvS10 vehicle variants (APC, C2 and Logistics), as well as a comprehensive support package. The vehicles will be produced in cooperation with BAE’s French partners, including Panhard and EADS. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010.

France: 53
BvS10 Mk.II

Nov 19/09: UK. The British Army announces that the first ST Kinetics Warthog has been manufactured and shipped to the UK. It will be fitted with electronics and armaments , and must then be fully tested and certified as safe to use. Steps after that are its issue to troops for pre-deployment training, and then deployment.

Sept 30/09: UK. BAE Systems announces a GBP 24 million (currently $38.2 million) British contract for 24 BvS10 Viking Mark II vehicles: 22 standard troop carriers and 2 command variants. They will be delivered to the UK MoD in early 2010, so that they can be deployed to Afghanistan with the Royal Marines in the spring of 2010.

To this point, BAE says that the UK MoD has bought 166 Vikings, adding that the BvS10 Mark II is also in contention for the 124 vehicle French VHM competition. BAE Systems release.

Britain: 24
BvS10 Mk.II

Feb 16/09: BAE Systems announces a British order for 9 more BvS10 vikings, in order to maintain their operational capability in Afghanistan while the Army waits for the new ATTC Warthogs. See Dec 2/08 entry.

The latest vehicles will include 7 infantry carriers and 2 mobile command and control vehicles, and will be built to the Mk.I configuration standard, which includes new mine protection kits. The current fleet will also receive Mk.I retrofits, under a December 2008 contract. The first vehicle in the new-build contract is anticipated to be delivered directly from stock in February 2009, and the whole contract is expected to be delivered during the first quarter of 2009. The mine protection upgrades will be fitted after the base vehicles have been manufactured.

Britain: 9 BvS10

2007 – 2008

 

Bronco ATTC
(click to view full)

Dec 18/08: Broncos for Britain. Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd’s similar but heavier Bronco beats BAE’s BvS10 Mk.2, as they win a GBP 150 million (about S$ 330 million/ $230 million) contract from the UK Ministry of Defence for 100 Bronco ATTCs. These 20-ton “Warthog” vehicles will be supplied to the British Army’s Royal Armoured Corps, for use in Afghanistan.

A total of 4 Warthog variants will be built under the contract – APC/Troop Carrier, Ambulance, Command, and Repair & Recovery. Vehicle deliveries will commence in Q3 2009, with the majority to be delivered in 2010. UK MoD Programme Manager Simon Cox had this to say:

“We appreciate the close, flexible and constructive working relationship with ST Kinetics. They are a great company to work with and the Bronco has exceeded our expectations in terms of quality, capability and performance. We are delighted with their product, attitude and the progress jointly made in a very short time indeed.”

The Army had been using BvS10s on loan from the Royal Marines. Those vehicles will remain in service, and will be rotated back to Britain and the Marines once they are replaced in theater. UK MoD | ST Kinetics | Defense News.

Britain’s Army: 100 ATTC Broncos

Awaiting extraction
(click to view full)

Dec 2/08: Defense News reports that the UK MoD has ordered 22 more Vikings this year, bringing the total number of BvS10s they’ve bought to almost 150 vehicles. It adds that a number of these have been destroyed in combat, and the UK MoD has said that they are in negotiations with BAE for a mine blast protection kit. Delivery is expected to be complete by mid-2009.

Over the longer term, however, a larger vehicle may be necessary. BvS10s have been performing well, but various up-armoring additions mean that they have also been working beyond their maximum designed weight for months. Candidates for the folow-on “Warthog” buy of up to 100 vehicles reportedly include the BvS10 Mk II, and Singapore’s Bronco ATTC.

Britain: 22 BvS10

Oct 29/08: UK Defence Secretary John Hutton announces a package worth GBP 700 million (then $1.56 billion equivalent, but only $1.05 billion by late November), which will pay for over 700 new armored vehicles for use in Afghanistan. They include over 100 brand-new “Warthog” cross-country vehicles, which will have greater protection levels. Contracts remain to be negotiated.

March 30/08: Dutch issues. In “Marine heeft nu al pech met Vikings“, De Telegraaf reports that Dutch Marines have been working for weeks install new drive shafts in their 74 BvS10 Viking vehicles (see June 1/05 entry), after problems were discovered during exercises in England and Norway. 10 Vikings required for operation in Chad have been repaired.

On April 24/08, the Dutch MvD answered questions regarding the vehicles [Dutch, PDF], stemming from the De Telegraaf article.

BvS10, UK trials
(click to view full)

August 2007: Sub-contractors. A second order of 26 MR555 weapon ring mounts with accompanying gunshield protection is shipped from Australia’s Plattmounts to the UK, for installation on BvS10 Viking vehicles. These mounts also equip British FV432 Mk 3 Bulldog tracked APCs, as well as many of the USA’s RG-31 Charger mine-resistant patrol vehicles.

May 2/07: BvS10 UAV. New role for the Viking. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems Hagglunds a contract for another 21 BvS10 Viking armored all-terrain vehicles. This order is in addition to an earlier batch of 108 that began delivery to the UK’s Royal Marine Commandos in July 2003.

The armored all-terrain vehicles will be used as an equipment transporter for the UK’s new Mk450 Watchkeeper UAV system. Prototype vehicles are scheduled for delivery at the end of 2007, with production deliveries to commence in the second half of 2008.

Britain: 21 BvS10 for UAVs

2005 – 2006

 

Dutch Bv-206, Norway
by Torbjorn Kjosvold
(click to view full)

June 12/06: Sweden. BAE Systems Hagglunds AB announces a SKr 260 million ($35 million) rush order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for 52 additional Bv206S vehicles, with an option for more. The order amounts to 52 vehicles with an option to acquire additional vehicles, bringing the Swedish Armed Forces up to a total of 93 Bv206S. With this order, 479 of BAE Hagglunds’ Bv206S vehicles have now been sold to Sweden, Germany, Italy, France and Spain.

The goal driving the FMV is the coming activation of the EU’s Nordic Battle Groupas of January 1st 2008, and led by Sweden. The FMV release notes that “…Bv206S can be transported by air with several of the smaller airplanes and helicopter models, which makes it a very suitable vehicle alternative for rapid forces with high demands on tactical and strategical mobility and troop transport under protection.”

Sweden: 52 Bv206S

Nov-Dec 2006: Sub-contractors. The initial order of 43 MR555 weapon ring mounts with accompanying gunshield protection is shipped from Australia’s Plattmounts to the UK, for installation on BvS10 Viking vehicles.

Jan 26/06: Dutch. Just 8 months after the contract was signed, BAE Systems Hagglunds has delivered the first of 74 armored BvS-10 Viking armored all terrain vehicles to the Dutch Army. The purchasing process was accomplished in less than 3 months, and the lead-time between contract and serial delivery has been only 8 months. Brig. Gen. Paul Opgenort:

“We are very content with Hagglunds and the company’s ability to keep to the time agreed for the first delivery. A key to the success has been the unconventional but flexible way of working, regarding the processes of development, purchase and production.”

June 1/05: Dutch. Like the British Royal Marines (who bought 108), the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation went directly to the source and signed a contract for 74 BvS10 “Viking” All Terrain Vehicles with BAE Systems Land Systems Hagglunds, in a June 2005 deal valued at approximately SEK 570 million (approximately EUR 57.9 million, or $71.3 million). The DMO will purchase four variants of the BvS10: 46 troop carriers, 20 commander vehicles, 4 recovery vehicles and 4 ambulance vehicles; with deliveries to take place from January 2006 – April 2007.

These Viking armored vehicles will supplement earlier Bv-206 vehicles in service with the Dutch Royal Marines since the early 1990s. In parallel with the BvS10 order, BAE Hagglunds continues to produce heavy CV90-35 Infantry Fighting Vehicles for the Netherlands, which will be delivered from 2007-2010.

Netherlands: 74 BvS10

Appendix A: Bv Vehicles’ Performance in Afghanistan

Bv206, Afghanistan
(click to view full)

Canadian Bv206s performed well with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group during Afghanistan’s Operation Anaconda. Attached to the U.S. Army’s 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division as part of a joint force, they were airlifted inside US Army CH-47D Chinooks to an objective called “The Whaleback” as part of the subsidiary Operation Harpoon. Their experience, and the British experience in Afghanistan, are illustrative.

Senior Analyst Mordica’s “High Altitude Operations” report from the US Center for Army Lessons Learned (no longer publicly available) noted:

“DISCUSSION: The Canadian Army air assaulted small unit support vehicles (SUSV) into the mountains during offensive operations against the al-Qaida and Taliban fighters. The vehicles were used to move distances over the rough terrain at high altitudes, allowing the infantry to ride or transport their loads into battle. These vehicles allowed the infantry some small arms protection and helped them beat the fatigue associated with mountain operations. The SUSV is helicopter transportable and provides all-terrain mobility. The vehicle performed well in combat.”

StrategyPage has a more publicly accessible March 19, 2002 follow-up, with an interesting twist:

“Major Chuck Jarnot, 101st Airborne Division Liaison Officer in Afghanistan, noted that the greatest risk to vehicle movement in Afghanistan is not Taliban/Al-Quedas Rocket Propelled Grenades, but rather the millions of land mines laid throughout the country. The Canadian BV-206 AMV used in Anaconda mitigates this risk by virtue of the very light weight and tracked suspension that results in extremely light ground pressure.

This not only contributes to its excellent terrain agility, but makes anti-tank mine detonation a very small probability since the BV-206 ground pressure is far below the minimum necessary to set off a typical anti-tank mine.”

The larger BvS10 entered the Afghan theater of operations as a key vehicle for the British Royal Marines, complete with anti-RPG slat/’birdcage’ armor. The British Army borrowed some, then replaced them with their “Warthog” derivation of ST Kinetics’ larger Bronco ATTC. The Royal Marines also bought a larger vehicle for use in Afghanistan, but their follow-on buy was the BvS10 Mk.II. In 2013, they will be joined in theater by similar Swedish vehicles. Some experiences from 2006-2008 are illustrative of the platforms’ advantages and tactical employment:

RAF CH-47 w. BvS10,
Afghanistan
(click to view full)

Feb 13/08: Nothing subtle about this UK MoD article: “Marines back in the Vikings – “They are phenomenal”.” One expects that sort of tone from a Ministry of Defence. The key is how well they back that tone up with examples from the field, and whether offsetting problems have surfaced. To date, DID is not aware of performance below expectations in any respect. On to more thoughts from the front lines:

“…due to their popularity the demand for their use is high amongst all troops patrolling and conducting operations in Helmand. Consequently, the demand on the Marines trained to drive them is high too. To help alleviate the pressure… a third unit, from the Queen’s Royal Lancers A Squadron, has been trained and recently deployed to Helmand. They are the first Army unit to operate the Viking on their own.”

Growing demand across service boundaries is always a positive sign. Major Jez Stemp, the Officer Commanding the Royal Marines’ Armoured Support Company:

“Their greatest asset is their all terrain mobility. The Taliban tend to mine known routes, but the Vikings can manoeuvre around them and go off road.”

Royal Marine Tom Aylett, back in Afghanistan for the second time:

“We put the lads in the back of the wagon, drop them off to do operations and attacks with the Vikings. I drive it and man the gun on top… They provide us with a lot of protection and allow us to get closer to the enemy. It’s very reliable, can go up a hill and never gets bogged down like other vehicles.”

Royal Marine Lance Corporal Dean Walker concurs:

“The Viking opens up a lot more operations. We can move where, with and who we want.”

BvS10 Viking w.
MR555 gun shield
(click to view full)

Jan 28/08: The UK MoD’s “Keeping the Vikings on the move (VIDEO)” is focused on the soldiers who maintain its BvS10 vehicles, but it also offers some observations from tactical experience. Corporal Kev Walker of 1 Battalion Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers works with Vikings in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan:

“The Royal Welsh got contacted by an anti aircraft gun. My troop went in with the Vikings to create a screen, allowing them to get out. We put down heavy fire from the Viking’s General Purpose Machine Gun (It is also fitted with .50 calibre guns), and before we left, having taken no casualties, it looked like all the Taliban had left. If we didn’t have something like the Viking it wouldn’t have been such a happy ending. It was pretty heavy terrain too and I’m not sure any other vehicle could have got in there. We know the Taliban don’t like them…”

Staff Sergeant Chris Hanks of the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers adds:

“They can cope with the terrain because they have track mobility, which is much better than wheeled vehicles and gets bogged down less. “

Sept 12/07: “Viking vehicles prove their worth in volatile Helmand” contains quotes from Maj. Jez Hermer of the Royal Marines’ Armoured Support Company at Bovington, Dorset:

“Since the beginning of the Afghan conflict everyone has woken up to the success of Viking. It is now very important to Operation HERRICK. It has opened up Helmand province and given commanders a broader range of options than they would have had available to them… I see it remaining in Afghanistan and I don’t see it coming back until the end of the commitment.”

“The forces’ inventory of armoured vehicles has come under serious examination in Afghanistan and Iraq. With excellent protection, an ability to operate in all weathers across all terrain, including to ‘swim’ in water, and to withstand a range of threats, Viking has performed well…”

The British Army, meanwhile, is using tracked Spartan vehicles to similar effect.

Jan 23/07: Some of the lads in theater seem to like the new Platt MR550 weapon mounts and gunshields. This was forwarded to us [name and profanities redacted]:

“been busy but got time to tell your mount is f

• brilliant, the lads love it. been out and about and without a doubt it has stopped some lads becoming casualties. its stable as hell and the lads are big fans of the extended ranges we reach when firing. had a few problems with little bits but got them sorted in no time at all… say a big thankyou to all your staff for getting them out here as they have been a life safer in some of the s** situation we have found ourselfs in. well mate got to go and get ready for anthor trip out.”

Other comments from Royal Marines about their new gunshield:

”Took hits with no worries!”… ”RPG hit the vehicle and we moved on”… ”On the Platt we were shooting out to 2300m on GPMG and tracer burned out… continual shooting on same target watching the splash”

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

Jan 10-11/07: A pair of releases from the UK MoD covering operations in Afghanistan speak very highly of the BvS10 Vikings’ performance, noting their battle-ready helicopter transportability and their success in combat against small-arms fire, mortars, and even single-warhead RPGs thanks to their slat armor. The vehicles are already credited with saving a number of lives; one expects to hear this from official sources, but the level of enthusiasm from front-line soldiers without an investment in the vehicle program is a very positive sign.

Oct 31/06: The first ever operation involving the new BvS-10 Viking armored vehicle is successfully completed by Royal Marine Commandos in the rugged terrain of southern Afghanistan. Operation Zina saw 33 Vikings complete a 10-hour combat move into Helmand province from their base in Kandahar airfield, moving through notorious areas of Kandahar City and Gereshk. During the journey Royal Navy Harriers provided force protection and helped clear the route ahead of the convoy, which was also supported by armored fighting vehicles from Denmark and Estonia. Despite some heavy surveillance from suspected Taliban, the journey was completed without incident. See video [Windows Media, 1.87 MB].

The UK MoD release notes that “Being able to operate over deep sand and boulder fields, the Vikings have the mobility to operate anywhere in Helmand province and carry a section of Marines into battle… The Vikings are now patrolling throughout Helmand province and their ability to go anywhere at speed will be a tremendous asset to the Royal Marines.”

Additional Readings and Sources

Thanks to Benelux subscriber David Vandenberghe for his tips and translation assistance.

Background: Bv Family of Vehicles

• BAE Systems Press Kit – BvS10.

• Army Technology – Viking (BvS10) Amphibious Armoured All-Terrain Vehicle, United Kingdom .

• UK Army – Viking BVS10.

• BAE Press Kit – Bv206S. 2012 snapshot.

• Army Technology – Bv206S Armoured, Articulated All-Terrain Vehicle, Sweden.

• CASR DND 101 – Canadian Forces Tracked Utility Vehicle – the Hagglunds Bv206.

• Arctic Tracks – The Hagglunds Bv206: Most versatile vehicle on earth. It shouldn’t be surprising that the vehicles also have a number of civilian uses.

• BV206 ATV’s Vehicles. Another outfit, this one selling used British military vehicles in a number of civilian configurations.

• One35th.com – ARTHUR – Artillery Hunting Radar on BV206. Better than nothing, but Canada trialed ARTHUR in Afghanistan and found that the number of false positives were an issue.

• One35th.com – Related Bv206-2. Includes information re: other countries’ local variants.

Background: Similar and Related Vehicles

• One35th.com – DSTA/ ST Kinetics Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier.

• Army Technology – Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier, United Kingdom. The country should, of course, be “Singapore,” who has ordered over 600.

• UK Army – Warthog. The British variant of the Bronco is called “Warthog.”

• ST Engineering – Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier.

• Wikipedia – Sisu Nasu. Also sold to France, Mexico, Taiwan, and Turkey. Finland is replacing some them with used Norwegian Bv206-D6N vehicles, via an initial order of 123 with an option for 150 more.

• Finnish Army – NA-140 GT. Still in use.

News & Views

• UK Army Kit! Magazine (Winter 2007) – The Striking Viking. Cover article for that issue, but the magazine is only available internally within the Army now.

• UK Ministry of Defence (Oct 31/06) – Vikings complete first convoy mission in Afghanistan (incl. VIDEO).

• Defense Talk (Jan 26/06) – First BvS10 Armoured all Terrain Vehicle for Dutch Army

• BAE Systems (June 1/05) – Holland Orders 74 BvS10 All Terrain Vehicles From BAE Systems

• The Adventures of Chester (Jan 5/05) – Singapore Military Tsumani Relief.

• Defense Week (April 8/02) – Canadians Put An Unusual Vehicle to the Test. Re: Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan.

• StrategyPage: Armor – March 19, 2002. Operation Anaconda…

• Canadian Department of National Defense (March 13/02) – Deputy-Chief of Defence Staff Vice-Admiral Greg Maddison Provides a Briefing on Operations of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. includes details re: Operation Harpoon.

Americas

The US Navy awarded L-3 KEO a $19.3 million contract modification for the production of the Universal Modular Mast, which serves as a lifting mechanism for the Virginia class mast payloads. The Universal Modular Mast is standard equipment for above-water sensors on U.S. and international submarines. It is a non-hull penetrating mast for Navy Virginia-class fast-attack submarines and Ohio-class guided missile submarines that can host five different sensor configurations: the photonics mast, the multi-function mast, the integrated electronic mast, the high-data-rate-mast, and the photonics mast variant. The Virginia class or SSN-774 class are nuclear powered fast attack submarines. The submarines form the Navy’s new undersea warfare platform designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships as well as project power ashore. Work under the contract will take place in Italy as well as Massachusetts and is scheduled to be finished by August 2021.

The US Air Force contracted Rolls-Royce with a $19.5 million modification for C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment. The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprop engines with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics, and reduced crew requirements. This technology has improved performance over its C-130E/H predecessors, such as 40 percent greater range, 21 percent higher maximum speed, and 41 percent shorter takeoff distance. The delivery order provides for funding Option II flying hours. Work will take place at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia as well as various locations that support C-130J Propulsion long-term sustainment and is expected to be completed by the end of January next year.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli industrial drone maker Airobotics is moving its manufacturing to the US. The company will lay off at least 20 of its 140 employees in Israel and additional employees in its offices in Australia, where it has 60 employees. Airobotics laid off 25 employees in Israel last November, when it had 170 employees in Israel. Already then, Airobotics announced it was relocating most of its operations, including its global headquarters, to Scottsdale, Arizona. The company manufactures automated industrial drones that are used for inspection, surveying and mapping, and security and emergency response applications. The restructuring is supposed to meet growing demand in the US, Australia and other areas in Asia-Pacific. Airobotics’ research and development center will remain in Israel.

Europe

Britain awarded Rolls-Royce a $307 million contract to maintain nuclear submarines. Until 2022, Rolls Royce will provide support and advice for systems on board the fleet of Trafalgar, Vanguard and Astute class submarines. The new deal, known as the Nuclear Propulsion Lifetime Management (NPLM) contract, forms part of a wider suite of contracts with Rolls-Royce to provide naval reactor plant design, support, advice and components to the submarine build program and provide enabling services such as infrastructure and IT. The British Defense Ministry also revealed the name of the third Dreadnought submarine, which will be called the HMS Warspite. The name Warspite goes back to 1595 and was the last “great ship” to be built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The newest submarine is expected to see service in the early 2030s, and will be the eighth Royal Navy ship to carry the name Warspite.

Asia-Pacific

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) awarded French company Thales a contract to supply 70-mm rocket launchers to the Indian Armed Forces (IAF). The deal provides for 135 rocket launchers for 33 attack helicopters. Eighteen of the army’s advanced light helicopters and 15 of the Air Force’s light combat helicopters will be equipped with four 12-tube rocket launchers. The company produces the rocket launchers using composite material, making them an average of 50 percent lighter than metal launchers, and eliminating corrosion issues. The launchers are suited for use on both light and combat helicopters. Munitions available for use with the launchers range from conventional rockets to Thales’ laser-guided variant. Thales is present in India since 1953 with headquarters in New Delhi, including in defense, transport, aerospace and security markets.

China revealed a concept for a heavy infantry fighting vehicle (HIFV) based on the VT4 MBT, Jane’s reports. China North Industries Corporation presented the concept for the vehicle at the IDEX 2019. The model based on the VT4 export main battle tank includes engines relocated to the front of the hull from the rear, making space for infantry dismounts. The VT4 MBT is armed with a 125mm smoothbore cannon to engage armored personnel carriers, main battle tanks, infantry forces, military installation, light vehicles, and low-flying helicopters. The gunner and commander of the VT4 tank are provided with stabilized thermal imaging sights for identification and recognition of targets. An armament for the new HIFV is provided in the form of the turret from the tracked ZBD-04A IFV that is in service with China’s People’s Liberation Army.

Today’s Video

Watch: Meet the T-Rex: The F-22 Raptor Transforms Into a Bomber

Virginia Block I-II
(click for SuperSize)

“GDEB Receives $148M as Virginia Class Lead Yard” described changes to the Virginia Class submarine’s design that are expected to reach 20% of the $200 million savings goal by the time orders for the versatile sea attack/ land attack/ special forces submarines rise to 2 per year, in 2012.

The bow changes cover the FY 2009-2013 ships, referred to as Block III. SSN 774 Virginia – SSN 777 North Carolina are Block I, and SSNs 778-783 will be Block II. Block III begins with the 11th ship of class, SSN 784. Long lead time component orders began May 22/08, and the submarine is expected to be ready for delivery around 2015. A fuller explanation of Block III’s extensive bow changes, and an accompanying graphic, may be found below – along with contract updates that include additional improvements and sonar development.

The Virginia Class Program: “2 for 4 in 12”

SSN 777 costruction
(click to view full)

The SSN-774 Virginia Class submarine was introduced in the 1990s as a Clinton-era reform that was intended to take some of the SSN-21 Seawolf Class’ key design and technology advances, and place them in a smaller, less heavily-armed, and less expensive platform. The resulting submarine would have learned some of the Seawolf program’s negative procurement lessons, while performing capably in land attack, naval attack, special forces, and shallow water roles. In the end, the Seawolf Class became a technology demonstrator program that was canceled at 3 ships, and the Virginia Class became the naval successor to America’s famed SSN-688 Los Angeles Class.

The Virginia Class program was supposed to reach 2 submarines per year by 2002, removing it from the unusual joint construction approach between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding – but that goal has been pushed back to 2012 in progressive planning budgets.

In FY 2005 dollars, SSN-21 submarines cost between $3.1-3.5 billion each. According to Congressional Research Service report #RL32418, and the Navy is working toward a goal of shaving FY05$ 400 million from the cost of each Virginia Class boat, and buying 2 boats in FY2012 for combined cost of $4.0 billion in FY 2005 dollars – a goal referred to as “2 for 4 in 12”. In real dollars subject to inflation, that means about $2.6 billion per sub in 2012, and $2.7 billion in 2013. The Navy believes that moving from the current joint construction arrangement will shave FY05$ 200 million from the cost of each submarine, leaving another FY05$ 200 million (about $220 million) to be saved through ship design and related changes.

Block III: The Changes

Block III bow mods
(click to view full)

The most obvious change is the switch from 12 vertical launch tubes, to 12 missiles in 2 tubes that use technology from the Ohio Class special forces/ strike SSGN program. The Virginia’s hull has a smaller cross-section than the converted ballistic missile SSGNs, so the “6-shooters” will be shorter and a bit wider. Nevertheless, they will share a great deal of common technology, allowing innovations on either platform to be incorporated into the other submarine class during major maintenance milestones. Net savings are about $8 million to program baseline costs.

The other big change you can see in the above diagram is switching from an air-backed sonar sphere to a water-backed Large Aperture Bow (LAB) array. Eliminating the hundreds of SUBSAFE penetrations that help maintain required pressure in the air-backed sonar sphere will save approximately $11 million per hull, and begins with the FY 2012 boats (SSNs 787-788).

The LAB Array has 2 primary components: the passive array, which will provide improved performance, and a medium-frequency active array. It utilizes transducers from the SSN-21 Seawolf Class that are that are designed to last the life of the hull. This is rather par for the course, as the Virginia Class’ was created in the 1990s to incorporate key elements of the $4 billion Seawolf Class submarine technologies into a cheaper boat.

The SUBSAFE eliminations, plus the life-of-the-hull transducers, will help to reduce the submarines’ life cycle costs as well by removing moving parts that require maintenance, eliminating possible points of failure and repair, and removing the need for transducer replacements in drydock.

The bow redesign is not limited to these changes, however, and includes 25 associated redesign efforts. These are estimated to reduce construction costs by another $20 million per hull beginning with the FY 2012 submarine.

With the $19 million ($11 + 8) from the LAB array and Vertical Payload, and the $20 million from the associated changes, General Dynamics is $39 million toward the $200 million baseline costs goal of “2 for 4 in 12”. While the changes themselves will begin with the FY 2009 ship, the savings are targeted at FY 2012 because of the learning curve required as part of the switch. Recent discussions concerning an earlier shift to 2 submarines per year would result in faster production of the Block III submarines, but would be unlikely to make a huge difference to that learning curve.

Contracts and Key Events

Tomahawk launched

February 27/19: Universal Modular Mast The US Navy awarded L-3 KEO a $19.3 million contract modification for the production of the Universal Modular Mast, which serves as a lifting mechanism for the Virginia class mast payloads. The Universal Modular Mast is standard equipment for above-water sensors on U.S. and international submarines. It is a non-hull penetrating mast for Navy Virginia-class fast-attack submarines and Ohio-class guided missile submarines that can host five different sensor configurations: the photonics mast, the multi-function mast, the integrated electronic mast, the high-data-rate-mast, and the photonics mast variant. The Virginia class or SSN-774 class are nuclear powered fast attack submarines. The submarines form the Navy’s new undersea warfare platform designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships as well as project power ashore. Work under the contract will take place in Italy as well as Massachusetts and is scheduled to be finished by August 2021.

April 02/18: Post-delivery work General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp, is being contracted for the provision of post-delivery work on the USS Colorado (SSN 788). The awarded contract is valued at over $14 million. The USS Colorado is the 15th Virginia Class submarine delivered to the US Navy. She was delivered on September 21, 2017 and was commissioned on March 17, 2018. The SSN 788 is part of a 5-year, $17 billion deal to strengthen the USA’s nuclear submarine fleet. The SSN 788 belongs to Block III submarines that took a big step forward by replacing the 12 vertical launch tubes with a more flexible “6-shooter” approach, and swapping a water-backed, horseshoe-shaped LAB sonar array for the existing air-backed spherical array. Electric Boat Corp. will perform planning and execution efforts, including long lead time material procurement, in preparation to accomplish the maintenance, repair, alterations, testing, and other work on USS Colorado. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut and is expected to be completed by September 2018.

Jan 5/09: Goodrich in Charlotte, NC received a $49 million contract from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to provide composite components for the next 8 Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarines referred to as Block III.

Goodrich’s Engineered Polymer Products team in Jacksonville, FL is building components to support the construction of 1 ship per year in 2009 and 2010, rising to 2 ships per year from 2011 through 2013. The components include the bow dome, and sonar and weapons equipment.

Dec 22/08: The US Navy signals its a href=”/Early-Xmas-Big-Virginia-Contracts-for-GDEB-NGC-05218/”>approval of the Virginia Class’ progress, and of the new Block III design, with a $14.011 billion contract to fund 8 Virginia Class block III submarines. Work on these boats will run until 2019.

Dec 12/08: General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, CT received a $16.8 million cost-plus-fixed-fee material order to fund the Block III Common Weapon Launcher (CWL) design, and includes the total scope associated with the vendor portion of the inboard electronics design as well as the scope required for in-house (Electric Boat) tasks. The CWL will sit in the Block III bow’s “six shooter” holes, and is so named because that space can be used to launch a wide variety of items besides UGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles; aerial UAVs and underwater UUVs are the most obvious.

GDEB services will include engineering support, Engineering Development Model (EDM) hardware, continued development of the CWL for use with SSN 784 VPT, development of interface documents, and defining changes to support interfaces to the Weapon Control and Payload Tube Control Panels. Work will be performed in Manassas, VA, and is expected to be complete by 2013. This contract was not competitively procured by the supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair in Groton CT (N00024-09-C-2101).

Dec 12/08: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA received a $38.3 million modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-04-C-6207) for engineering services in support of the Acoustic – Rapid Commercial off The Shelf (A-RCI) program. The 550,000 additional engineering services hours will be used on TacLAN tasking related to Special Operations support, and to complete the new “BSY-2 Wrap Around Antenna (WAA),” which is listed as being a Virginia Class sonar.

DID requested clarification, and got it. BSY-2 is a Seawolf class system only. WAA is the Wide Aperture Array, and on the SSN-774 Virginia Class it evolved to the L-WAA (Lightweight Wide Aperture Array). The Virginia Class Block III bow has been redesigned to save money beginning with SSN 784; it will use the Large Aperture Bow (LAB) Array.

It turns out that the DefenseLINK release should read “technology insertions for the USS Jimmy Carter’s [SSN 23 Seawolf Class] BSY-2 WAA, and USS North Carolina [SSN 777 Virginia Class] LWAA TI-08 integration.” The exact work involved is technology insertion, integration, and modernization on USS Jimmy Carter and USS North Carolina, as well as the completion of the existing TI-08 effort and the Virginia Class Block III TI-10 Large Aperture Bow (LAB) Array effort for SSN 784.

Work will be performed in Manassas, VA (90%) and Syracuse, NY (10%) and is expected to be complete by June 2009. This contract was not competitively procured by US Naval Sea Systems Command.

Nov 5/08: The Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarine Program Office Virginia Class Sub Program Wins Acquisition Awardreceives the 2008 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award during a ceremony at Fort Belvoir, VA. This marks the third time (1996, 1998, 2008) that the Virginia Class Program Office has earned the award. The Virginia Class Program was recognized for excelling in 4 specific areas: reducing life-cycle costs; making the acquisition system more efficient, responsive, and timely; integrating defense with the commercial base and practices; and promoting continuous improvement of the acquisition process.

Successor Class
(click to view full)

“We are committed to working towards a safer world in which there is no requirement for nuclear weapons… However, the continuing risk from the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the certainty that a number of other countries will retain substantial nuclear arsenals, mean that our minimum nuclear deterrent capability, currently represented by Trident, is likely to remain a necessary element of our security.”     — UK SDSR, 1998

Britain has a big decision to make: do they remain a nuclear weapons power, or not? In an age of collapsing public finances and an uncertain long-term economic future, the money needed to design new nuclear missile submarines is a huge cost commitment that could crowd out other needs. Then again, in an age of collapsing non-proliferation frameworks, clear hostility from ideologies that want nuclear weapons, and allies who are less capable and dependable, the downside of renouncing nuclear weapons is a huge risk commitment. Pick one, or the other. There is no free lunch.

This article covers that momentous decision for Britain, and the contracts and debates associated with it.

Contracts & Key Events

HMS Vanguard
(click to view full)

Britain’s government took the first big steps in 2006-2007, a joint US-UK “Common Missile Compatment” (CMC) project was launched in 2008, and initial gate approval for Britain’s “Successor” project followed in 2011. Other contracts have followed, covering design, infrastructure, and even the new kind of nuclear reactor the submarines are expected to use. What hasn’t quite followed yet, is full approval to launch the build program.

Note that the CMC sub-program, which is financed by the USA and UK, is covered in its own article.

FY 2015 – 2019

 

RUSI

February 27/19: Maintenance Britain awarded Rolls-Royce a $307 million contract to maintain nuclear submarines. Until 2022, Rolls Royce will provide support and advice for systems on board the fleet of Trafalgar, Vanguard and Astute class submarines. The new deal, known as the Nuclear Propulsion Lifetime Management (NPLM) contract, forms part of a wider suite of contracts with Rolls-Royce to provide naval reactor plant design, support, advice and components to the submarine build program and provide enabling services such as infrastructure and IT. The British Defense Ministry also revealed the name of the third Dreadnought submarine, which will be called the HMS Warspite. The name Warspite goes back to 1595 and was the last “great ship” to be built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The newest submarine is expected to see service in the early 2030s, and will be the eighth Royal Navy ship to carry the name Warspite.

October 4/16: BAE Systems will commence work on the UK’s newest nuclear submarines following the release of nearly $1.7 billion in funds. The announcement was made by the Minister of Defence on Saturday after approval was given by MPs earlier this year. Known colloquially as the Trident system, the first of the Vanguard-class submarines will enter service in the early 2030s.

March 10/16: Britain’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that it is to invest £642 million (US $908 million) in preparation for the production of its new fleet of Trident missile-armed nuclear submarines. The funding had initially been set out in the government’s 2015 strategic defense and security review (SDSR), and will be spent on upgrading production facilities at BAE Systems’ Barrow-in-Furness nuclear submarine yard, essential long lead items for the submarines, and the nuclear propulsion program being led by Rolls-Royce. In total, the Successor submarine program is estimated to cost around $44 billion, with a contingency fund of $13 billion set aside for any emergencies that arise.

December 15/15: The UK government may nationalize the nuclear submarine arm of Rolls-Royce as concerns grow that the company may be subject to a takeover bid by a foreign company. The news comes as Rolls-Royce has reported its fifth profit warning in 20 months as the company struggles to come to grips with its finances. While it’s not usually the Conservative Party’s style to nationalize, the company is integral to the development of the powering of the Trident nuclear deterrent system. Other alternatives may see a partial or full merger with BAE Systems, although this has already been mooted. Either way, David Cameron will be impatient to keep the firm within British control to protect UK interests and the security of the Trident program.

FY 2014

 

Aug 21/14: Industrial. BAE is starting to demolish certain disused buildings at their Barrow-in-Furness site, as the 1st major stage in a large-scale 8-year industrial program. An old foundry and boiler shop are the first to go, and construction will eventually include:

• Refurbishment of the site’s main fabrication facility, together with its existing plant and machinery;
  
• An extension to the Devonshire Dock Hall construction facility to include a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and installation facility;
  
• An intent to build a 28,000 m2 off-site facility to store submarine parts and materials within the local area, for easier and faster access.

Sources: BAE Systems, “Demolition Begins To Transform Submarine Building”.

Feb 2/14: Politics. The buzz in Westminister is that Labour Party MPs are beginning to back away from their leader Ed Miliband’s support for the Successor Class. The erosion is serious enough that Conservative Party Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has told his junior ministers to lobby the shipbuilding unions and have them firm up Labour Party support.

The Liberal Democrats are openly against the project, but the Labour Party doesn’t want to head into the next election on a pledge to abandon Britain’s deterrent. Neither does the Conservative Party, despite reservations in some of its own quarters. Labour’s Miliband voiced his public displeasure over the perceived interference in his party’s affairs, but he has no way to block discussions with the shipbuilding unions. Sources: The Guardian, “Lobby ship unions over Trident, Philip Hammond tells ministers”.

Jan 31/14: RUSI Report. RUSI releases a report that looks at how a smaller or less active SSBN force would affect Britain’s deterrent, compared to the current arrangement of Continuous At-Sea Deterrence (CASD) that ensures at least 1 submarine ready at all times. A number of proposals are in play politically:

“At lower readiness, the ‘preserved deterrence’ posture presented in the TAR and the ‘contingency’ posture proposed elsewhere by the Liberal Democrat Party would have no nuclear platforms deployed on a day-to-day basis, and would only have the ability to reconstitute a force over a limited period of time (in the case of ‘preserved deterrence’, a matter of years).19 At medium levels of readiness, the ‘sustained’ or ‘responsive’ postures presented in the TAR would have nuclear-armed submarines patrolling on a day-to-day basis, interrupted by voluntary periods of inactivity of varying length (the former permitting fewer and shorter interruptions than the latter). At higher levels of readiness, the ‘focused’ posture would maintain back-to-back patrols, interrupted only for periods of technical or personnel recuperation.”

RUSI’s conclusion is that the lowest-readiness option, and proposals that would cut the submarine force to just 2 boats, are problematic because of the breadth of gaps and/or lag time they create. Medium levels of readiness, or a fleet of 3 boats, might work, but it means the UK has to change from deterrence as an undefined concept and invisible non-factor in crisis escalation. Instead, the need to activate the deterrent would require a very clear doctrine of deterrence and escalation that would play a significant role in future crises. This state of affairs also adds opportunities for British politicians to bungle things beforehand by ignoring vital signals, or create big problems during a crisis by managing their suddenly-public moves badly. Based on the historical record, RUSI is more complacent about future governments’ handling of such things than they ought to be.

Britain will also have to worry about rushed moves causing a submarine-related accident, and about the morale and readiness rot that afflicts personnel who see themselves as a sideline. RUSI uses the USA’s ICBM missile force as a negative example. Sources: RUSI, “A Disturbance in the Force: Debating Continuous At-Sea Deterrence” (see Additional Readings).

Key report

2013

Long-term nuclear infrastructure deal; Political turbulence in Scotland, Labour Party, and even the Conservative Party; Small long-lead buys begin.

Vanguard Class SSBN
(click to view full)

Dec 16/13: Procurement begins. GBP 79 million is a drop in the ocean for this program, but the UK MoD has begun the process of ordering known early-build items items like structural fittings, electrical equipment, castings and forgings, etc. The GBP 79 million in contracts are actually a set of 2, both awarded to BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines.

The Ministry of Defence also releases the 1st conceptual graphics of the Successor Class design, based on work done to date. At this stage, they don’t show much and shouldn’t be expected to. Sources: UK MoD, “News story: New investment in Successor submarines” | Royal Navy, “£79m investment in next generation nuclear submarines” | BAE, “First Successor procurement contracts awarded”.

Dec 15/13: Doubts. Former defense minister James Arbuthnot [Cons. – North East Hampshire], who chairs Parliament’s Defence Select Committee, tells the Guardian that he’s concerned about the UK armed forces, and is less sure that maintaining Britain’s nuclear deterrent is a good idea. He isn’t suddenly becoming a pacifist. Rather:

“Nuclear deterrence is essentially aimed at states, because it doesn’t work against terrorists. And you can only aim a nuclear weapon at a rational regime, and at rational states that are not already deterred by the US nuclear deterrent. So there is actually only a small set of targets.

“With the defence budget shrinking, you have to wonder whether [replacing Trident] is an appropriate use of very scarce defence sources. You have to wonder whether nuclear deterrence is still as effective a concept as it used to be in the cold war…. [If Russia wanted to attack, they] would organise for a terrorist group to put a nuclear weapon on a container ship and sail it into Tilbury docks, with the signature of Pakistan on the nuclear device. And what would the UK do? Launch a missile at Islamabad? We could not be sure against what we are retaliating. Nuclear deterrence does not provide the certainty that it seemed to in the past. It’s not an insurance policy, it is a potential booby trap.”

On the other hand, can Britain assume that the US nuclear deterrent will remain reliable over the next 50 years? The last half decade has greatly frayed their relationship, and the USA faces significant financial challenges of its own. Arbuthnot says he would still vote in favor of renewing Trident, but the extent and content of his reservations suggest that a “Syria moment” over nuclear weapons remains a possibility in Parliament. Sources: The Guardian, “Tory ex-defence minister voices doubts over need for Trident replacement”.

Oct 6/13: Not good. The Independent newspaper reports that a 90-minute breakdown of all reactor coolant supply at Devonport dockyard’s Tidal X-Berths in Plymouth, UK nearly led to a major nuclear incident. Based on a heavily redacted report from the Ministry of Defence’s Site Event Report Committee (SERC), both the electrical power for coolant supply to docked nuclear submarines, and the diesel back-up generators, failed at the dockyard on July 29/12. That failure followed a similar failure involving HMS Talent in 2009, and a partial failure involving HMS Trafalgar in 2011.

The newspaper adds that an internal Babcock investigation blamed the incident on the central nuclear switchboard, but added a note of concern about “inability to learn from previous incidents and to implement the recommendations from previous event reports.” This will not help existing uneasiness over the next generation of nuclear submarines, and “Nuclear scare at Navy submarine base after ‘unbelievable’ failures” adds that:

“Its own “stress test” on Devonport safety, launched after the Fukushima disaster, said that in the event of the failure of both power supplies, heat levels in reactors could be controlled by emergency portable water pumps, and added that such a failure had occurred a “number of times” previously.”

Dockyard failure

Oct 3/13: SSE. Babcock announces an unspecified contract from BAE Systems for the System Design phase of a new model of Submerged Signal Ejector (SSE Mk.12). It follows Babcock’s October 2012 system definition contract for the Successor Class’ WHLS (tactical weapons handling and launch) and SSE, thanks to a recent and successful concept review.

An SSE’s self-contained launch tubes sit in the submarine’s external under-casing, and are used for more than just communications beacons. Decoy devices, bathythermograph sensors, flares, and escape signals are all options for the SSE, hence Babcock’s description of it as a “first level system.” Babcock has extensive experience in SSE design and has been heavily involved in designing and making all UK SSE systems. Sources: Babcock International release, Oct 3/13.

March 19/13: Politics. With an SNP-sponsored debate on Trident set to take place in the Scottish Parliament this week, a Labour Party that depends on its advantage in Scotland needs to be clear on its policy. British media are reporting that the Labour Party is looking to backtrack slightly, and propose replacing the 4 Vanguard Class submarines with just 3 successors. Labour Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy continues to support the idea of a Trident replacement, saying that:

“North Korea is trying to develop nuclear weapons, as is Iran. If they do, then Saudi Arabia and Turkey may do the same. The UK shouldn’t just give up our nuclear deterrent by ourselves…. The precise shape of the future deterrent will be based on capability and cost.”

See: UK BBC | Daily Record | The Guardian | The Telegraph | left-wing New Statesman magazine.

March 7/13: Scotland. With a 2014 referendum looming that could deprive the UK of its nuclear submarine base in Scotland, Britain’s House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee weighs in. Bottom line? The SNP seems to have taken a leaf from their counterparts in Quebec, Canada, and decided to be extremely vague regarding their plans in a potentially controversial area. After all, 6,700 work at Falsane and Coulport now, which is expected to rise to 8,100 after they house all of Britain’s Astute and Trafalgar Class boats and other facilities. Parliament will be pressing the issue hard and publicly:

“Unfortunately, the Scottish Government has gone on evasive manoeuvres over the issue of what they will really do in the event of Separation. Their response dodges the central question, which is what they really mean by their stated policy of the ‘speediest safe transition’ of Trident from Scotland. As we said in our report, in reality, Trident can be deactivated within a matter of days and the warheads removed from Scotland within twenty four months. In the process, the UK would lose the ability to operate its nuclear deterrent. Alternatively, it would take approximately 25 years for new facilities to be created elsewhere in the UK. We believe the Scottish Government must be honest and open about their intentions. Tomorrow we will be taking evidence from the Convener and Shop Stewards at the Coulport and Faslane. They represent the workers who will bear the brunt of job loss…”

Really? 25 years? If so, the whole issue of the Successor Class could become moot very quickly. Which would be fine with the SNP, who want to eliminate the Trident program if Scotland does vote to stay in the UK. Expect to hear more of this sort of to-and-fro, what with another 5,000 jobs on the line in shipbuilding, 15,000 in the UK government 4 Army infantry battalions, 2 Royal Marine Commando units and 5 squadrons of Tornado and Typhoon fighter aircraft in Scotland. UK HoC | SNP | Aviation Week | The Scotsman.

Feb 13/13: Reactors. The UK MoD signs a 10-year, GBP 800 million (then about $1.2 billion) contract with Rolls Royce, financing the Submarines Enterprise Performance Programme (SEPP) envisioned in the 2010 SDSR. The goal is to consolidate costs under one contract with consistent incentives, and improve operational efficiency in the infrastructure that delivers and supports the UK’s naval nuclear propulsion systems. They’re hoping for a GBP 200 million saving over this 10 years. Time will tell.

SEPP isn’t technically part of any one program. Contracts for products and services to deliver and support the submarine programs themselves will continue in parallel. Royal Navy | Rolls Royce.

Jan 25/13: Electrical. HMS Vengeance’s GBP 350 million Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)) will feature a switch that’s likely to be a precursor for Britain’s next-generation SSBNs. Vengeance is replacing the maintenance-heavy rotating machinery of motor generators (MGs) with fixed solid-state Main Static Converters (MSCs), as a key component of the boat’s electrical system.

The new MSCs are derived from the system developed for Britain’s Astute Class SSNs, but adapted for the higher power requirements of an SSBN. They also had to be smaller, due to space limitations in the Vanguards. Finally, they had to successfully integrate into the Vanguard submarines’ existing electrical, control, and coolant systems. Installations have now begun, and a modified version is almost certain to to be part of Britain’s Successor Class. Its designers are likely to be watching the MSCs’ performance in the Vanguards closely. Babcock, via ASD.

2012

Design contracts; Reactors.

click for video

Dec 18/12: The British Ministry of Defense submits its 2012 report to Parliament [PDF] on the future nuclear deterrent, noting the ramp up in public and private resources via an Integrated Programme Management Team (IPMT). A whole boat System Definition Review is scheduled to take place in 2013. With respect to the big items:

“Of the [GBP] 3Bn we plan to spend in the Assessment Phase, the expenditure to the end of Financial Year 2011/2012 has totalled [GBP] 315M. This is some [GBP] 30M lower than expected at the time of the Initial Gate approval, principally as a result of slower than expected manpower build-up in our Industrial partners… still expects to deliver the Assessment Phase within the approved cost of [GBP] 3Bn… Current forecast costs, including planned SEPP efficiency measures, indicate that we remain within the 2006 White Paper estimates of [GBP] 11-14Bn (at 2006/7 prices) for the Successor platform costs (assuming a four boat fleet).

The 2006 White Paper also recognised that investment of [GBP] 4-6Bn (at 2006/7 prices) would be required for supporting infrastructure and a replacement warhead ([GBP] 2-3 Bn for each element). As set out in the 2011 report, the MOD plans to spend some [GBP] 8M between 2011 and 2013 assessing the requirement for additional infrastructure investment. The 2011 report also noted that a decision on whether to refurbish or replace the existing warhead design could be deferred until the next Parliament, as the current warhead design is now planned to continue in service until the 2030s.”

Oct 29/12: Design contracts. The UK commits GBP 350 million to design their next-generation SSBN submarine, which will incorporate CMC. The work will be divided GPB 315 million to BAE Systems, who already has over 1,000 people working on this program, and a further GBP 38 million to Babcock. This award is part of the GBP 3 billion design phase (vid. May 18/11 entry).

The current Vanguard Class submarines are scheduled for replacement from 2028, and Britain is busy moving its entire submarine force to Falsane in Scotland, which will grow to 8,000 jobs by 2017.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who leads Britain’s Liberal Democrat party, angrily denounced the way the move was presented by the government. The government presented it as another step toward renewing the submarine deterrent, but Clegg sees that as ‘jumping the gun.’ His party has set up a review that’s looking at options like shorter-range cruise missiles launched from the torpedo tubes of existing Astute Class fast attack submarines, or to air-launched nuclear missiles. UK MoD | BAE Systems | UK’s Daily Mail.

June 18/12: Reactors. Britain’s Ministry of Defense signs a GBP 1.1 billion contract with Rolls Royce for submarine nuclear reactor cores, (GBP 600 million) and industrial investment in the Raynesway plant that manufactures them (GBP 500 million). The contracts will secure 300 jobs at Rolls-Royce.

The nuclear reactor cores will be used to power the 7th and final SSN Astute Class fast attack submarine, and the 1st of the Royal Navy’s next generation of SSBN nuclear deterrent submarines, currently known as the Successor Class.

Rolls Royce is the sole Technical Authority for the UK Nuclear Steam Raising Plant, whose reactors have powered British nuclear-powered submarines for the past 50 years. The GBP 500 million infrastructure contract aims extend the operating life of the Rayneway plant in Derby, UK, by more than 40 years. Rolls-Royce will continue to maintain and operate its existing reactor core manufacturing facility, while undertaking a parallel phased rebuild and modernization of buildings on site. UK MoD | Rolls Royce | The Telegraph.

May 22/12: Design contracts. The UK MoD issues a series of design phase (vid. May 18/11 entry) contracts for its next-generation “Successor” Class SSBNs, while re-iterating that a decision on the final design and build contracts won’t be made until 2016. The design work has to be done, or it would be impossible to make an informed decision about costs.

BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines receives the main design contract, worth GBP 328 million.

Babcock receives a GBP 15 million contract to focus on designing parts of the in-service support program.

Rolls Royce receives over GBP 4 million to integrate a new reactor design into the submarine. The reactors themselves will be separate design/ build contracts.

May 15/12: 5 bn for AWE. The UK MoD announces a multi-billion pound agreement with the AWE Management Limited (AWEML) joint venture, which manages Britain’s Atomic Weapons Establishment. The AWEML joint venture includes Jacobs Engineering, Serco and Lockheed Martin, and they signed the current 25-year management contract in 2000.

Scientists at the AWE’s Berkshire sites are involved from the initial concept and design of British nuclear warheads, through manufacture and support, to their decommissioning and disposal. Under the agreement, the ministry will invest GBP 1 billion a year over the next 5 years in skills and facilities at the company’s Aldermaston and Burghfield sites in Berkshire, where more than 4,500 staff are based. Around 40% cent of this money will be invested in essential capital projects, including production and research facilities. The remainder will be spent on operating and maintaining the AWE.

2010 – 2011

Initial Gate. SDSR.

UK Trident launch
(click to view full)

May 19/11: Initial Gate. The British government approves the initial Successor Class assessment phase, known as Initial Gate. This allows a design phase to begin that could be worth up to GBP 3 billion.

The new submarine class will retain the current Trident II D5 missiles, and introduce a PWR3-based passive cooling nuclear reactor design for the Royal Navy. The cost for 4 boats is estimated to be GBP 15-20 billion at 2006/7 prices, but the final decision to build 3 or 4 submarines will be taken in 2016. UK House of Commons, “Statement on the Nuclear Deterrent.” | UK MoD.

Design Phase approved

March 23/11: New reactor? Britain is reportedly shifting toward the passive-cooling PWR3 nuclear reactor design for its future SSBN nuclear missile submarines. The PWR2 design used in its SSBN Vanguard Class, as well as the SSN Trafalgar, and new SSN Astute Class fast attack boats, reportedly shares unwelcome features with the Fukushima reactors, in that they entirely on back-up power supplies to provide emergency cooling in the event of an accident.

In contrast the PWR3, which is widely used in modern US nuclear submarines, uses “passive” cooling. That makes it less reliant on back-up power, and offers additional methods of injecting coolant into a reactor.
www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/23/navy-submarines-nuclear-reactors

Oct 18/10: SDSR Britain’s new government releases its 2010 Strategic Defense and Strategy Review [PDF]. With respect to its future SSBNs, the government intends to move forward, but:

“Under the 1958 UK-US Agreement for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes (the ‘Mutual Defence Agreement’) we have agreed on the future of the Trident D5 delivery system and determined that a replacement warhead is not required until at least the late 2030s. Decisions on replacing the warhead will not therefore be required in this Parliament. This will defer £500 million of spending from the next 10 years. We have also reached agreement with the US over the size of the missile tubes in the new submarines; this has enabled us to reduce the cost of the submarine missile compartment by up to [GBP] 250 million.

As a result of our value for money review, we will reduce the number of operational launch tubes on the submarines from 12 to [8], and the number of warheads from 48 to 40, in line with our commitment vigorously to pursue multilateral global disarmament. This will help reduce costs by [GBP] 750 million over the period of the spending review, and by [GBP] 3.2 billion over the next ten years. ‘Initial Gate’ – a decision to move ahead with early stages of the work involved – will be approved and the next phase of the project will start by the end of this year. ‘Main Gate’ – the decision to start building the submarines – is required around 2016.”

There is tension in the governing coalition between Conservative party members, who want to maintain the deterrent, and the Liberal-Democrat party members, who do not.

SDSR

2006 -2009

Concept designs. Integrated project team.

Vanguard cutaway
(click to view larger)

March 19/09: Report. Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, makes a statement as the committee publishes “The United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent capability” :

“The Department’s timetable for completing the design and build process for the replacement submarines is extremely tight. It has 17 years to do it, even though the Department itself accepts that such a process usually cannot be completed in under 18. The MOD’s track record in delivering major defence projects on time is not exemplary.

The MOD must make absolutely fundamental decisions about the design of the new submarines by September of this year. These include the main design features; whether to develop a new type of nuclear reactor requiring substantial research and development; and, crucially, the design and size of the missile compartment.”

Oct 26/07: Concepts. BAE presents 2 SSBN concept designs at DSEi 2007, labelled Concept 35 and Advanced Hull Form (AHF). Concept 35 is an evolution of the SSBN Vanguard Class and SSN Astute Class. The Advanced Hull Form uses a broad y-shaped stern with twin propulsor shrouds, which reportedly houses much of the boat’s machinery outside of the pressure hull. See Beedall for pictures.

Oct 18/07: IPT opened. BAE Systems announces that Rear Admiral Paul Thomas CB, FREng chairman of the defence nuclear safety committee, has officially opened the Future Submarines (FSM) Integrated Project Team office at Barrow-in-Furness.

“This element of the Future Submarines IPT will be based on the BAE Systems Submarine Solutions site and will be manned by a collaboration of up to 128 personnel made up from the Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Babcock Marine. Working with the FSM IPT office in the MoD’s Abbey Wood offices, the team will, over the next two years, develop a concept design for the submarine component of the future deterrent programme.”

March 4/07: Vote. Britain’s Labour government wins a 409 – 161 vote to build a new SSBN successor the Vanguard Class. 95 Labour Party MPs vote “no,” but the motion passes with the support of most Labour Party MPs and Britain’s Conservative Party. Britain’s Liberal Democratic Party, Green Party, and Scottish National Party are all opposed as matters of party policy. BBC | The Guardian | The Telegraph.

Commons vote

Dec 4/06: Britain’s government releases “The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent” [PDF] white paper, and decides to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. That will mean building a class of 3 or 4 SSBNs, to replace the current fleet of 4 Vanguards.

White Paper

Additional Readings UK SSBNs

• BAE – Successor.

• Navy Matters – Future Submarines.

• DID – CMC Program to Define Future SSBN Launchers for UK, USA.

• DID – Trident II D5 Missile: Keeping Up with Changing Times.

• DID (March 27/12) – GBP 350M for Final Refit of UK’s Vanguard Nuclear Missile Subs. Final? Other refits may be needed in future, in order to keep the Vanguards in service until the new submarines arrive. These will be the last British nuclear submarines to require a Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP-R) during their service lives. The New PWR2 Mk.2 reactor in refitted Vanguard and current Astute submarines, and the PWR3 reactors in the new submarines, will last for the submarine’s entire lifetime.

Official Reports

• UK Ministry of Defence (Dec 18/12) – The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent: 2012 Update to Parliament [PDF].

• UK Parliament (May 19/11) – Statement on the nuclear deterrent.

• UK Committee on Public Accounts (March 19/10) – The United Kingdom’s future nuclear deterrent capability.

• UK Defence Committee (May 24/07) – The Future of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the White Paper: Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth Report of Session 2006-07.

• UK Defence Committee (Dec 19/06) – Fourth Report of Session 2006-07, The future of the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent: the manufacturing and skills base, HC 59.

• UK MoD (2006) – The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent: Defence White Paper 2006 [PDF].

News & Views

• RUSI (January 2014) – A Disturbance in the Force: Debating Continuous At-Sea Deterrence [PDF]. See also their release, complete with YouTube video.

• Naval Technology (July 30/13) – Deep impact: inside the UK’s new Successor-Class nuclear submarine.

• RUSI, on TouTube (July 16/13) – Danny Alexander on the Trident Alternative Review [59:14].

• LabourList beta (Jan 29/13) – Will Trident split the Labour Party in half?.

• RUSI (July 29/10) – Like for like renewal of Trident will come at expense of conventional forces.

Austrian Alouette-III
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How safe are the Indian Army’s aging fleets of Chetaks (Aerospatiale SA316 Alouette III) and Cheetahs (SA315B Alouette II/III mix)? These old designs have consistently proven themselves in high altitude operations, and remain useful as long as their airframes remain safe. The problem is that at their age, the safety margin is pretty slim. Or worse.

In 2003, India issued an RFP for 197 light helicopters estimating a deal worth between $500-$600 million to buy 60 helicopters outright, with the remaining 137 being built under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Eurocopter’s AS550 C3 Fennec and Bell Textron’s 407 competed in the second and final round of summer trials, and as 2007 ticked toward a close, it looked like we had a winner. As often happens in India, however, the process ended up completely derailed. A new RFP out for a successor “Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter program” (RSH) went out in 2008, and testing was done in 2010. Has the RSH competition gone the way of the 1st aborted contract, even as India’s high altitude border posts struggle for adequate support?

The Contenders

IAF Chetak
(click to view larger)

Reports in 2013 placed India’s fleet of Army Aviation Corps (AAC) Chetak/Cheetah helicopters at about 120 machines that remain in flyable consition. These are 1970s vintage helicopters, and all have long surpassed their official safe limit of 4,500 flying hours. Nevertheless, they are routinely sent to supply and support India’s high altitude border garrisons, including places like the Siachen Glacier (19,000 feet above sea level) and Satoro Ridge (20,000 feet). Operation at these altitudes has traditionally been very challenging for helicopters, owing to reduced rotor lift in the thinning air. Aged machines lower the odds further. From 2006 to the end of 2012, 11 Cheetah/ Chetak helicopters have crashed, killing 9 pilots.

The AAC needs replacements, and wants new helicopters with better performance and support characteristics. These new machines will perform a variety of armed light utility tasks, including ferrying loads of up to 75 kg, medical evacuations, aerial photography, unarmed and armed scout roles, and even limited electronic surveillance.

Under the v2.0 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) competition, India upped its planned buy from HAL to 187 locally-designed LUH single-engine helicopters, accompanied by 197 LUH helicopters of a foreign design.

By 2014, India canceled the international LUH tender for a 2nd time, and turned it into a program to build helicopters in India under license. That’s expected to add several years before the AAC sees any helicopters, and effectively dissolves the competition structure. It may still be useful to know how candidates performed in previous competitions, however, so we’re keeping them in their categories below.

Previous Finalists

AS550 Fennec
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Eurocopter A550. HAL and Eurocopter predecessor Aerospatiale have a long-standing relationship, and past Indian Army helicopters have generally been modified Aerospatiale designs. The Eurocopter AS550 C3 Fennec won the Army’s v1.0 competition, and price negotiations were underway when a questionable technicality led India to cancel the deal.

The AS550 reportedly needed several modifications for India’s requirements, including ‘bulge doors’ so soldiers on stretchers wouldn’t have to fold their legs at 70 degrees in order to fit inside. A Technical Oversight Committee cleared the modified machine, despite a tender clause ruling out modifications. Reports from India also speak of failure in some high-altitude trials, which is surprising for a helicopter type that has landed atop Mount Everest. Unfortunately, the reports aren’t specific concerning which exact tasks were the problem.

On the industrial side, EADS subsidiary Eurocopter have entered into a Global Industrial Cooperation Partnership Agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the joint production of the civilian/military Ecureuil and Fennec family of helicopters. That agreement, signed at the ongoing “Aero-India 2005” international air show, would make HAL a global supplier of composite and metallic structural assemblies for the Ecureuil and Fennec family, including airframes for the 2 helicopters.

 

Kamov Ka-226 w. pod

Kamov Ka-226. Russia’s Kamov had responded to the AAC’s v1.0 Request For Proposal back in late 2003, alongside Bell and Eurocopter. Its Ka-226 Sergei uses the same counter-rotating design as Kamov’s other helicopters, which serve in roles with the Indian Navy. The Ka-226 also has a somewhat unusual feature – it can become a skycrane by detaching its body pod. Other mission pods can also be fitted for specialty roles, which gives the helicopter considerable versatility.

In the 1st competition, the Ka-226 was eliminated early during the paper evaluation, because it had been unable to obtain acceptable flight certification in time. Kamov unsuccesfully asked to be re-inserted in 2005, and the formal re-tender led Kamov to bid again, but the up-engined Ka-226T soon ran into certification issues of its own. Ka-226Ts replace Rolls Royce 250C engines with French Turbomeca Arrius 2G2s. That delivers better performance at altitude, but certification generally takes at least 2 years, and the new design had rolled out just 9 months before the 2010 trials.

The Ka-226 is reported to be significantly cheaper than its rivals. On the flip side, it has few customers at this point, even as problems with other Russian equipment and policies are creating pressure to diversify India’s supplier base away from Russia. Nevertheless, it was a finalist alongside the A550 Fennec.

Previous Contenders

AW119 Koala
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AW119. AgustaWestland had been a bidder in previous rounds, bid in the v2.0 RFP as well. The AW119 Koala Enhanced has good high-altitude capabilities, and turned out to be their platform. The uprated AW109 Power is more popular, but it has a listed ceiling of just over 19,000 feet. That’ss more than enough for most customers, but may not have been enough for India.

The firm’s civil sales have been rising in India, but it was not a finalist in the 1st round of competition. They were hoping for better luck in round 2, but found themselves bounced from the competition on a somewhat mystifying technicality.

There are allegations that the firm was solicited for a bribe during the competition, and that the firm was dismissed on a dubious technicality shortly after refusing to pay bribes. Ironically, they’ve now been barred from bidding on new Indian contracts over allegations of bribery with respect to a different competition, despite the fact that the CBI has been unable to build a case against them re: India’s VVIP helicopter procurement.

MD-600N
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MD Helicopters. Some reports also claimed that MD Helicopters’ MD500/900 series were entered in the v2.0 Indian competition, but subsequent reports indicate that they chose not to bid in round 2.

MDHI’s patented NOTAR (NO TAil Rotor) system might have offered India a very tempting technology transfer option, even as a joint arrangement with India could help complete the resurgence of this American helicopter firm. NOTAR offers quietness and survivability benefits, both of which are very important in combat situations. On the flip side, it reportedly exacts a slight performance penalty, and MD Helicopters’ ability to meet India’s hot weather, high altitude performance criteria was already the key question. The MD600N offers a single-engine, NOTAR option with a stated ceiling of 20,000 feet at full load. On the other hand, their conventional MD530F is specifically designed for those “hot and high” situations, and has been ordered by Afghanistan.

The Wild Card: Hindustan Aeronautics

HAL’s Dhruv
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The competition’s wild card is India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. If the foreign competition stalls for long enough, while their own helicopters enter service, the odds of an all-HAL solution increase. Substitution doesn’t require equivalent replacement, either, just the ability to perform the envisioned RSH missions with a different mix of assets. The longer the foreign competition stalls, the less India loses from even late development and delivery of local alternatives.

HAL certainly wasn’t shy about using its state-owned status and political clout to take 115 helicopters out of the joint Air Force/ Army light helicopter program, in return for promises of a single-engine “Light Observation Helicopter” design within 5-6 years. That eventually escalated to 187 machines, now called “Light Utility Helicopter,” for delivery within about 12 years. The LUH will reportedly be a smaller 3-ton machine with a single engine, instead of the 6-ton Dhruv’s twin engines. Expected speed is up to 120 knots, with a service ceiling of 21,300 feet, and the ability carry a 900-pound payload about 190 nautical miles. Mockups of HAL’s LUH were unveiled at Aero India 2011 in February, and it was expected that the first 3 would fly in 2013, but HAL is still working to finalize the engine.

Mass production was scheduled to begin in 2015 at 10 per year, building to 36 per year until deliveries end in 2022. That schedule now looks unlikely, but the international portions delay to 2019 or later will ease the pressure on HAL. Without easing the pressure on India’s military. HAL has had a problem with late deliveries on other projects as well, but HAL’s LUH deal allows India to reduce its HAL LUH order total and buy abroad if they’re late. Provided that foreign bought options exist to buy, of course.

As things stand right now, the only options for India’s Army belong to HAL.

HAL Cheetal
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In the mean time, HAL is offering the Army its up-engined “Cheetal” variant, which replaces the SA516 Cheetah’s de-rated TM Artouste IIIB turboshaft with a FADEC-driven TM 333-2M2, raising its payload to 90 kg at 19,600 feet. Some improvements have also been made to the helicopter’s avionics, including an electrically driven artificial horizon, directional gyro, Flight monitoring system, Cockpit Voice Recorder, and Master Flasher Warning System. If that sounds bare-bones compares to the advanced “glass cockpits” and GPS navigation in the various LUH/RSH competitors, it is, but it’s an improvement on the existing Cheetahs.

With the foreign-bought competition stalled by a poorly-run procurement process and a raft of anonymous allegations, the Army has reluctantly begun buying Cheetals an an immediate stopgap. A INR 1.89 billion (about $43 million) IAF buy of 10 Chetals in 2007 was followed by a 2013 Army order for 20 more at INR 4.18 billion (about $78 million).

The Dhruv twin-engine light helicopter, has reportedly performed well in high altitude tests, but it has also received consistent complaints about its performance in the field. The current Mk.III version uses the Ardiden 1H1 Shakti engine that was co-developed with Turbomeca, instead of the less powerful TM333-2B2 on earlier models. Orders for 166 helicopters are already underway, and the light helicopter competition’s delays have given the design a period of time to mature and prove itself. At about 5.5 tonnes, the Dhruv Mk.III is almost twice as heavy as the LUH contenders, but that wouldn’t necessarily stop it from acting as a substitute for foreign-bought LUH helicopters in a budget or timing crunch. The “Rudra Mk IV” variant adds a surveillance & targeting turret and a GIAT 20mm cannon and in the nose, while integrating missiles and rockets on the wings.

Then there’s the “Light Combat Helicopter” Dhruv derivative, a purpose-built light attack and scout helicopter that’s said to have good high-altitude performance.

Milestones & Developments

This section covers the competition for imported RSH/LUH helicopters, but the salience of HAL’s local LUH, Dhruv, and LCH attack helicopter programs means that we will occasionally cover key milestones and developments from those programs. HAL’s Light Utility Helicopter will be referred to as “LOH” in highlighting, using its original name in order to clearly distinguish it from the foreign competition.

2019

February 27/19: Rocket Launchers Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) awarded French company Thales a contract to supply 70-mm rocket launchers to the Indian Armed Forces (IAF). The deal provides for 135 rocket launchers for 33 attack helicopters. Eighteen of the army’s advanced light helicopters and 15 of the Air Force’s light combat helicopters will be equipped with four 12-tube rocket launchers. The company produces the rocket launchers using composite material, making them an average of 50 percent lighter than metal launchers, and eliminating corrosion issues. The launchers are suited for use on both light and combat helicopters. Munitions available for use with the launchers range from conventional rockets to Thales’ laser-guided variant. Thales is present in India since 1953 with headquarters in New Delhi, including in defense, transport, aerospace and security markets.

2013 – 2017

Still waiting on international LUH, until new government cancels it; HAL moves ahead with Dhruv, LCH, but will be late on its own LUH.

February 20/17: The state-owned manufacturer Russian Helicopters has said that they will commence deliveries of the KA-226T helicopter to the Indian military next year. 60 units will be delivered in Russia while a further 140 will be manufactured and assembled in India under an agreement signed last October. Russia expects sales of the advanced medium multirole Mi-171A2 to increase by at least 15% in 2017 with interest received from China, as well as from the Iranian oil and gas sector.

October 26/16: Integration work is being carried out on India’s Light Combat helicopter (LCH) to facilitate anti-tank guided missiles. Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is conducting the work following the successful high altitude trials of the helicopter in the mountainous Kashmir region. HAL has also commenced limited series production and intends to manufacture five LCH helicopters, confident that definite orders will come through.

March 3/15: Competition restarts. India will restart its reconnaissance/surveillance helicopter (RSH) procurement process, after having botched the first two attempts. Previous finalist Airbus Helicopters (AS550 C3 Fennec) will compete again, along with other finalist Kamov (Ka-226T2 Sergei). And Bell Helicopter will re-enter the fray. Bell had been a part of the first competition back in 2003. It will be fielding its Bell 407GT, the militarized version of its 407GX.

Nov 12/14: LCH TD-3. the 3rd trial iteration of HAL’s Light Combat Helicopter successfully performed its 1st flight. TD-4 is planned for early 2015, with IOC (initial operational certification) planned for September 2015, almost 5 years later than originally envisioned. Sources: The Hindu: “LCH 3 variant makes first flight” | Economic Times (pictures).

You fall, I rise?
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Aug 29/14: Canceled. Someone in government finally made a decision. The new BJP government’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) canceled the IAF’s tender for 197 light utility helicopters (LUH), and moved it to the “Buy and Make Indian” category for local manufacture of foreign designs. The move is expected to add at least 5 years before India gets any new helicopters, and delivery of tested and qualified helicopters could well take longer than that.

HAL’s single-engine LUH, meanwhile, is late (q.v. Aug 12/14). International LUH delays to 2019 or later will help offset HAL’s weakness, at the cost of Indian military capabilities and possibly Indian lives in the near term. It remains to be seen whether the government will also feel forced to buy more HAL Chetals for immediate use.

If an international LUH competition ever goes forward, private sector involvement is possible. For instance, the Union Home Ministry is understood to have cleared a proposal from the Tata Group to produce helicopters in India. That open door is a welcome policy change, but it still doesn’t help India in the near term. Sources: Business Standard, “Govt clears defence deals worth Rs 17,000 cr” | Defense News, “India Cancels $1 Billion Light Helicopter Tender” | Financial Express, “Make in India kicks off with defence deals” | Indian Express, “Centre scraps light utility helicopter tender, opens it to Indian players” | NDTV, “Modi Government Drops Rs 6000-Crore Foreign Chopper Plan, Wants ‘Made in India'”.

Canceled

Aug 12/14: HAL’s LUH. The 187-helicopter order that HAL lobbied to carve out of the original LUH competition will be late. Why? New BJP defense minister Arun Jaitley, in reply to a Parliamentary question:

“Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is a Design and Development Project by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), and it has taken some time to finalise the engine for helicopter. Acquisition of LUH does not affect the operations of Advanced Light Helicopters [HAL’s Dhruv] as these helicopters are for different purposes.”

Sources: India PIB, “Delays in Acquisition of LUHs”.

Jan 21/14: HAL. HAL issues a press release titled, simply, “India Needs More Helicopters”:

“India needs more helicopters compared to West and China as these wonder machines have proved their mettle in variety of uses by Armed Forces in general, during natural calamities and internal security threats, said Dr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. Pointing out that these machines ensure better governance but the country has far less copters compared to over 35,000 that are operational across the world, he said what is needed is a national helicopter policy. Dr. Tyagi was addressing the delegates of National Workshop on “Use of helicopters for Airborne Law Enforcement (ALE)”

Presumably, HAL’s Chairman doesn’t mean the helicopters that his firm has been lobbying against, even as he concedes the importance of those missing helicopters to India’s military posture and humanitarian response. Pay no attention, just implement a state-run national helicopter policy that will steer demand to the state-run firm. It’s certainly easier than competing. Public Choice Theory of Economics [PDF], anyone?

Dec 6/13: More delays. An oversight committee is now looking into the RSH final flight trials’ propriety, as it tested the Ka-226T vs. the AS550C3. Even as the bids expire this month, and unidentified MoD source tells AIN not to expect any action any time soon. AIN also quotes a HAL official who says that the HAL LUH contract is being delayed, and the machine won’t obtain initial operational clearance until 2017.

So, no decisions are being taken, and very little is forthcoming, even as the Indian Army’s Chief of Staff Western Command, Lt. Gen Amarjeet Singh Chabbewal, tells AIN that spares for existing machines are now expensive and increasingly difficult to obtain. Worse, “We have neglected fleet sustainment… the wear and tear on these helicopters is extremely high.”

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) is beginning to reach for other platforms, including a recent order for 8 Mi-17V5s, but it won’t be enough. Sources: AIN, “Big Indian Light Helicopter Buys Are Delayed Again”.

April 3/13: RSH delayed. The Indian Army has asked for a delay in the competition, and the MoD’s Director General (Acquisition) has asked Eurocopter and Kamov for an 8-month extension of their bids to the end of 2013.

The Army’s problem is Brigadier V S Saini, who is currently posted at the Officers’ Training Academy at Chennai (!). He was also in charge of the LUH field trials, and his name is on a document seized by Italian investigators into Finmeccanica’s AW101 VVIP helicopter deal. The document says that “Brig Saini” had demanded over $5 million to favour the company in the LUH deal as well, and mentions a January 2010 offer to “help to eliminate the competition.” The current conclusion is that no money changed hands, but just a few months later, Finmeccanica itself was eliminated on an inconsistent technicality.

Army chief General Bikram Singh reportedly told defence minister A K Antony that the RSH project needs to be formally put on hold until the inquiry against the brigadier is complete. Brig. Sani has denied the allegations, and reports indicate that Indian investigators haven’t been able to secure hard evidence. That means they’ll be depending on the Italians, who haven’t fully shared their VVIP deal evidence yet. India’s Economic Times | Rediff | Times of India.

Feb 22/13: Cheetal. HAL announces an INR 4.18 billion ($77.2 million, or $3.86 million per helicopter) contract to supply 20 stopgap Cheetal helicopters to the Indian Army. HAL will also provide “associated equipments,” and training to the pilots and technical crew.

This is the Army’s 1st Cheetal contract; previous buys have been for the IAF. The longer the RSH competition is held in limbo by the MoD, the more stopgap orders will be placed.

Army Chetal buy

Feb 8/13: Mrit? Sandeep Unnithan writes that the RSH tender is dead. The problem is a common one in India: poor (and often late) framing of unusual requirements, with little reference to the marketplace, followed by rigid insistence that vendors provide off-the-shelf, unmodified solutions. The RSH isn’t the only competition that has been destroyed by this combination.

Both finalists reportedly had issues with some of the requirements, as detailed in the article and explained above. Unnithan adds that a “barrage of anonymous complaints to the MOD” concerning deviations from requirements have led the Ministry to conclude that the deal would be declared improper if they were to sign it. Nobody wishes to say so publicly, because it wold make the Army and Ministry look inept.

Instead, the competition remains in an unexplained limbo, even as 11 aged Indian Cheetah helicopters have crashed since 2006 and killed 9 pilots. In order to ensure that their extreme-altitude patrols and bases can maintain their supply lines, the Army is buying up-engined Cheetah (“Cheetal”) helicopters from HAL. The RSH competitors would offer the Army advantages, but the Cheetals are available amidst a stalled process. A 2007 buy of 19 for INR 1.89 billion (about $43 million) will soon be followed by an order for 20 more, at a reported figure of INR 3.35 billion (about $76 million).

As a final note, observant readers may wonder about the Oct 13/08 date, but the article routinely refers to events after 2010. The India Today article is clearly a pre-press proof.

Feb 5/13: Stop Making Sense. Defense News talks to IAF sources that include Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, but their explanations regarding the LUH program still don’t make sense.

Air Marshal Browne told them that LUH was “presently delayed due to some technical reasons,” without giving details. Defense News adds that “Indian Air Force sources said there are issues with thrust of the engines of both the competitors.” There’s really no such thing as an issue with engine thrust, only issues with overall helicopter performance, and the AS550 at least has demonstrated an impressive level of high-altitude performance.

Meanwhile, competitors are openly asking why the process seems to be in limbo.

Feb 3/13: IOC for Dhruv/Rudra. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd announces initial operational clearance (IOC) for their Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-IV armed variant of the Dhruv. It’s larger than the planned LUH, but can perform cargo, surveillance and light attack roles to the required altitudes.

Likewise, HAL’s Dhruv-derived LCH light attack helicopter offers a very high service ceiling, and can perform surveillance and light attack roles, though it isn’t much good for cargo. Flight testing is wrapping up, and 179 are planned.

As DID noted back on Nov 30/09: “If the foreign competition stalls for long enough, while their own helicopters enter service, the odds of an all-HAL solution increase.” Substitution doesn’t require equivalent replacement, just the ability to perform the envisioned missions with a different mix of assets. If that means fewer helicopters overall, the Army will be unhappy, but the coming budgets are likely to force India’s military and politicians to make choices. Removing foreign-designed helicopters from the equation may not be the best choice operationally, but it’s a political path of least resistance. Time will tell.

2009 – 2012

Bids and trials, then 2 years of aimless waiting; HAL’s LOH/LUH alternative moves ahead to initial fabrication.

“What’s up, doc?”
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Dec 5/12: Short answer: No, India’s Ministry of Defense doesn’t have its act together yet. Actual quote:

“The Ministry has not deferred its decision of purchasing of 197 Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs) and the procurement case is under examination. The Defence Procurement Procedure lays down stringent guidelines to effect utmost probity and transparency in procurement transactions. It is not a fact that these helicopters were to be purchased from Government of Italy. In the context of an allegation against one service officer, as appearing in the media, information has been sought from the Government of Italy.”

Nov 3/12: HAL’s LOH. HAL says that they are beginning to assemble actual LUH helicopters now, not just mock-ups. The first bottom structure assembly is complete, and was been taken down from the jig in October. Modern CAD diagrams and CAMS ultra-precise measurement systems are being used in production. No word on an engine choice at this point. SP’s Land Forces.

Feb 20/12: Does Sanskrit have a word for “speed”? Eurocopter has written to Indian Army chief V K Singh, to ask about the light helicopter competition. While minister Antony talks about “approved timelines,” Eurocopter writes:

“We take this opportunity to express our concern regarding the time frame for the very important programme, for which the RFP was issued in July 2008… The technical evaluation process has now taken over 38 months and has not yet been concluded due to reasons which are unknown to us… We hope that this program after so many years will soon be successfully concluded and we would be proud to contribute to the self-reliance of Indian armed forces,”

There are actually quite a few Sanskrit words for speed, and Hindi words too. Unfortunately, India’s bureaucracy may need a lexicon to find them. It isn’t clear when Army Aviation Corps (AAC) submitted their trial reports to India’s Defence Ministry, after trials wrapped up in December 2010. India’s Economic Times writes that the trial report was accepted by the ministry in October 2011, and only approved by the Technical Oversight Committee in January 2012. Which appears to make the delays another self-inflicted wound from India’s defense bureaucracy.

Eurocopter’s letter

Aug 28/11: HAL LOH. Shiv Aroor offers a progress report on Livefist:

“After freezing configuration in June 2009 and design in August last year, HAL is now in the process of identifying systems and equipment for its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The transmission and rotor system design has been completed, and is fully indigenous. Raising of assembly jigs and fixtures is currently in progress. One ground test vehicle (GTV) and three prototypes of the LUH are planned, with a first prototype flight in 2012 and initial operational clearance by 2014.

May 27/11: HAL LOH. HAL confirms to the Economic Times that they’re looking at other engines besides the Dhruv’s Turbomeca Ardiden 1H1/Shakti, in order to power their LUH. The problem with Turbomeca reportedly revolved around fees. If another engine is picked, it lowers the benefits of fleet commonality for India, and could create a commonality advantage for a foreign LUH competitor.

A subsequent Livefist reports says that the Rolls Royce/ Honeywell LHTEC T800, which is used in advanced variants of the Lynx helicopter family, is Shakti’s main competition. Economic Times | Livefist.

May 1-23/11: Dhruv droops. HAL’s Dhruv continues to exert a gravitational pull on this RSH competition, but results are mixed at best.

One the one hand, the helicopter will be getting the HELINA derivative of India’s Nag anti-armor missile, which has been over 20 years in development. HELINA is inferior to off-the-shelf options elsewhere, but does fit India’s self-sufficiency model, and could be seen as bolstering HAL’s bid to fill the armed light helicopter role.

On the other hand, India’s Border Security Force wants to send its 8 Dhruvs back. Representatives went on record to call them “useless,” and criticized them for altitude limitations and frequent breakdowns. These performance issues are not new, so the RSH light helicopter competition may be rising in importance to India. DNA India re: HELINA | Indian Express re: BSF.

Feb 20/11: Trials. Indian Defence reports that finalist trials of the Russian Ka-226 vs. Eurocopter’s AS550 C3 Fennec have ended.

197 foreign helicopters and 187 LUHs will be procured in order to fulfill RSH requirements. Meanwhile, a HAL LUH mock-up, draft performance specifications, and HAL’s Light Combat Helicopter design, were all unveiled at the Aero India 2011 show.

Jan 17/11: LUH mission. HAL submits an invitation for Indian companies to provide the helicopter’s cockpit, which is a break from its approach with the Dhruv, and from its expected approach to LOH. At the same time, the firm describes the Indian LUH mission, as they see it. A similar or identical mission set is likely to apply to foreign helicopters, and includes:

“…primarily utility roles with future variants for armed roles. The utility roles include Armed Reconnaissance, Aerial photography, Scout Role in conjunction with attack helicopter, Platform for Electronic Support Measure (ESM), Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) and Electronic Counter Counter Measures (ECCM). LUH will be initially integrated with systems and equipment required for basic and military utility roles. Subsequently integration and certification of the helicopter for armed roles as well as civil/commercial variant would be taken up.”

The PDF link no longer works, but Livefist has some key excerpts.

Sept 25/10: AW’s puzzling elimination. Reports surface that AugustaWestand has not been invited for the LUH Phase II final trials, which are currently going on with Eurocopter and Kamov. AgustaWestland and their engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney and has written the MoD to question its elimination. Defenseworld.net:

“AgustaWestand had received a communication from the Indian MoD in April this year to the effect that there was a variance in the equipment offered (engine) in the technical proposal to that fielded in the trails and to the equipment which would be in the final production standard, AgustaWestland sources [said that]… the issue focused on the fact that the offered engine had not finished the certification process and not deemed current production standard. However, all vendors… are in the same position… The sources further asserted that the AgustaWestland AW119SP helicopter offered in the Indian competition meets all the RFP technical and mission requirements.”

Why was AW eliminated?

Feb 18/10: AW-Tata JV. At DefExpo 2010 in New Delhi, AgustaWestland announces a joint venture with India’s Tata Sons to build a final AW119 assembly line in India for the worldwide market, with an expected production rate of 30 a year and the first locally-built aircraft potentially rolling out in 2011. AgustaWestland | Defense News.

Feb 17/10: Ka-226 trials. At DefExpo 2010 in New Delhi, Rosoboronexport’s deputy director general Victor Komardin confirms that they have brought 3 Ka-226 helicopters to India for high altitude trials. DNA India.

Feb 12/10: Fennec trials. Eurocopter confirms that its AS550 C3 is undergoing trials for the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters program, and brings the machine to DefExpo 2010 in New Delhi. The firm will also be showcasing mock-up models of the EC 725 Cougar offered for India’s Multi-role Helicopter requirement, and the AS565 MB Panther offered for India’s Indian Coast Guard.

Dec 7/09: RFP v2 Bidders. Responding to Parliamentary questions, defense minister Antony confirms the bidders for India’s v2.0 contract:

“The Request for Proposal for replacing the Cheetah helicopters was issued in July 2008 to six vendors. Three vendors, namely, (i) M/s Agusta Westland, Italy (ii) M/s Eurocopter, France and (iii) M/s Rosoboronexport, Russia, have responded. Further action as per the existing procedures including Defence Procurement Procedure, 2008 is underway.”

Nov 30/09: Heli snapshots. As the light helicopter competition stalls, HAL is the biggest beneficiary. If the foreign competition stalls for long enough, while their own helicopters enter service, the odds of an all-HAL solution increase. Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju offers a snapshot in a response to India’s Parliament:

“Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has designed & developed the Advance Light Helicopter (ALH Dhruv) in 5.5 ton category to suit the requirement of our Armed Forces. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) are both at the development stage. HAL has so far delivered 22 ALHs to Indian Air Force (IAF) and 40 to Army. Contracts for supply of 159 ALHs to Army and IAF were signed in December 2007. These Helicopters are planned to be delivered during 2009-2016.

Around Rs. 6273 crores (INR 62.73 billion, or about $1.35 billion) have been collected by HAL from Army and IAF against delivery of Helicopters, milestone payments for the Helicopters contracted and Design & Development of LCH, LUH & weaponization of ALH.”

Nov 2/09: Delays. India’s Times Now reports that delays in planned trials of the 3 submitted helicopters is likely to push the contract award toward the end of 2010 or early 2011, with induction in 2013-2014 only if everything goes smoothly.

The cancellation of the v1.0 RFP has already pushed the deal back by about 4 years. Times Now reports that 3 (Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, and Mil) manufacturers responded to the v2.0 RFP in December 2008. The Indian Defence Ministry’s Technical Evaluation Committee completed its evaluations by April-May 2009, and summer trials were planned by June or July 2009. They have not been held, and Army sources added that the lack of any decision regarding the schedule makes winter trials unlikely by Feb 15/10. That’s likely to force summer trials back to April-May 2010, and winter trials would still be required.

2005 – 2008

Eurocopter wins, but competition voided on a minor technicality; RFP v2.0 released, with a carve-out for HAL; Bell bows out.

Bell 407/ YRH-70
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Nov 26/08: HAL LOH partnering? Flight International reports that Hindustan Aeronautics is likely seek a Western partner for its indigenous LUH design, with industry sources saying Eurocopter is the favorite to be invited to come on board in 2009.

HAL’s had originally wanted to go it alone for its LOH order, which was placed in addition to the 197 LUHs that India plans to buy on the international market. Given the performance requirements, set timelines, and penalties for delay, however (see Sept 8/08 entry), HAL has evidently decided to explore partnership as a less risky and less costly way to fill in needed skills and technologies.

That could have helped the foreign bidders, by fulfilling offset requirements and lowering relationship risk. In the end, however, HAL appears to be sticking to its original plan to go it alone.

Nov 13/08: Bell bows out. Indian media report that Bell Helicopter has now withdrawn from India’s LUH helicopter competition, as well as its attack helicopter competition. Flight International quotes a Bell Helicopters India Incorporated official:

“We have a very good product in the 407, but it was simply not feasible to take part given the high offset requirements. We will continue to look for opportunities in the Indian military market. The focus for now, however, is on the civil helicopter sector.”

The RFP required the winner to invest 50% of the deal’s value as industrial offsets to India, an amount that is higher than India’s usual 30% requirement for large foreign military purchases. Bell already has an agreement with HAL to manufacture tail rotor blades and other flight critical components for the popular Bell 206 Jet Ranger model, and there were some reports that Bell Textron was offering to make India the Bell 407’s global production hub. Bell Helicopter was contacted for comment, but declined. India Defence | DNA India | Flight International | India’s Economic times re: 407’s civil success in India.

No Bell prize

Sept 8/08: HAL LOH. In “The great helicopter challenge,” India’s Business Standard confirms that HAL is designing a new helicopter for the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) contract: a 3-ton helicopter powered by a single Shakti engine, as opposed to the dual-Shakti Dhruv. The catch is that HAL must have 187 helicopters built, tested, accepted and delivered by 2017:

“Business Standard has learned that the MoD has imposed a strict timeline on HAL, including – for the first time ever – a penalty for delay. Top HAL sources say that if HAL overshoots the 2017 deadline, the MoD will procure more helicopters from the global manufacturer selected to supply LOHs; HAL’s order will correspondingly reduce.”

In order to meet that deadline, the report also indicates that HAL will not be bound to India’s traditional, problem-plagued approach of insisting that every single component is indigenous. Instead, HAL will buy some sub-systems like cockpit design, fuel pump systems, etc. on the international market, and act as the overall integrator.

July 24/08: RFP v2.0. India invites v2.0 bids for 197 utility helicopters: 133 for the army and 64 for the air force. The foreign helicopters are expected to be inducted by 2010, in a deal that has been valued at INR 30 billion (about $750 million). The usual technology transfer requirements would only require enough transfer for state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to perform full maintenance.

Between them, the 2 services require 312 helicopters. The size of the tender was reportedly reduced after inside lobbying from state-owned HAL, however, which assured the Indian MoD that it would be in a position to supply the remaining 115 machines over the next 5-6 years. Some statements hint that this would be a new platform, but some variant of this indigenous helicopter seems more likely. Indo-Asian News Service | ANI | Howrah News Service | domain-B | Aviation Week.

RFP v2.0

April 9/08: Bigger Tender. Press reports indicate that India plans to float a larger tender for 312 high altitude light utility helicopters, after it is cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council meeting on April 10/08. The planned tender involves 197 helicopters for army aviation, per the previous tender, but adds another 115 for the air force.

Estimates place the tender’s value at “over $2 billion dollars.” America’s ARH-70 and UH-145/LUH buys of light off-the-shelf helicopters both had program totals of over $3 billion, for similar helicopter numbers.

Bidders for this round are expected to include the same set of firms as the last tender: Bell Helicopter (Bell 407, selected for ARH-70), EADS Eurocopter (AS550 Fennec, won the canceled competition round), Russia’s Kamov (Ka-226) and Italy’s Agusta Westland (likely AW119 Ke).

Reports add that India’s army and IAF have also concluded a major deal with Hindustan Aeronautics for Dhruv 166 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), to be inducted in phases by 2011. Could HAL look to grow that number with a bid of its own? Hindustan Times | Punjab News | Times of India.

Dec 17/07: India Defence reports that Indian defence ministry officials, who asked not to be identified, said EADS was “challenging the very grounds of the cancellation of the deal.” They said a visiting delegation of French military officials would be discussing the issue with Indian counterparts.

These sorts of protests are much like disputes over a referee/umpire’s call in professional sports. They may offer some satisfaction, and they definitely indicate one’s displeasure, but even when they’re right, they almost never change the ruling.

December 2007: Canceled. The competition goes back to square one as India cancels the RFP, and plans to issue a new tender.

The key issue is that special consideration was apparently shown to Eurocopter, who was allowed to field the AS350 B3 Ecureil civilian variant for the trials instead of the AS550 C3 Fennec military version. Meanwhile, there are reports that a probe is underway regarding an army general on the evaluation committee, whose brother reportedly heads up Eurocopter’s sole distributor in India.

This has triggered denials of wrongdoing from EADS Eurocopter: “EADS and Eurocopter are keen on insisting that both companies fully comply with the very strict French and European regulations on these issues…” A company statement also insisted it was in full compliance with European regulations re: bribery, and had “duly abided by and signed the pre-integrity pact that was requested by the Indian ministry of defence” before making its bid. At a subsequent press conference later in the month, Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter’s SVP for sales and customer relations in the Asia-Pacific region said there was no difference between the Fennec’s military and civilian versions:

“As far as performance is concerned and technically the two helicopters are the same. It is just a question of the nomenclatures… The request for proposal did not ask for the military version to be fielded for trials in India.”

Even a re-compete of the RFP may not help Bell Helicopter much, however, unless it can meet India’s requirements. India Defence reports that the Bell 407 was eliminated after the machine it sent for evaluation could not perform a 3-axis vector, which enables the helicopter perform a ‘U’ like maneuver that can be very helpful in mountainous areas like the Siachen Glacier. Bell offered to show a video of the helicopter performing a similar maneuver, or fly Indian officials to Canada to witness it, but this was rejected for lack of compliance with India’s testing requirements.

Thanks to all of our readers who have offered us heads-ups and links to various sources: India Defence | India Times | BBC | Breitbart | Forbes.

RFP canceled

Oct 7/07: Winner? The Press Trust of India reports (via Outlook India) that India has decided to buy 197 EADS’ AS550 Fennec helicopters. The Indian Navy, who also operates the Chetak helicopter, has reportedly expressed interest as well. EADS Senior Vice President for South Asia, Allain Letanoux, said that:

“We are in final phase of having a deal to supply 197 (Fennec) light helicopters for the Indian Army. The contract is expected to be signed by the end of the year… [and will involve transfer of technology].”

PTI adds that 67 helicopters manufactured in France will be purchased outright, while the rest will be built jointly with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under their partnership.

Eurocopter AS550 picked

Aug 29/07: India’s MoD, in a typically cryptic reply that appears to say no decision has been reached yet:

“The purchase of light helicopter for the army is being processed under the Defence Procurement Procedure and an appropriate decision would be taken after following all the stages of procurement process. As such, no definite time limit could be given at this stage. The exact value of the procurement would be known only thereafter.”

Meanwhile, India’s indigenous Dhruv “advanced light helicopter” debuts an armed version, adds uprated “Shakti” engines developed with Turbomeca of France, and is deployed to the Siachen Glacier high in the mountains of Kashmir, following successful tests.

Feb 27/06: Eurocopter. EADS release:

“Eurocopter is displaying its record-breaking AS350 B3 Ecureuil/AStar at this year’s HeliExpo. On February 14th, 2006, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) validated and confirmed the high-altitude world record achieved with a civilian AS350 B3 on May 14 and 15, 2005, with two landings and take-offs on top of Mount Everest at 8,850 meters (29,035 ft.) altitude. Piloted by Eurocopter Experimental Test Pilot Didier Delsalle, the two flights included peak-over landings on the mountain’s peak both exceeding two minutes as stipulated by the FAI regulations.”

Everest News has a page covering the landing, including pictures and video. Note that the AS550 is a military derivative of the AS350, and originally used the same designation.

Onto Everest

July 29/05: Bell 407. The Bell 407 wins the US ARH competition, and some predict a follow-=on effect in India. The prediction turns out to be premature, and the ARH-70 is eventually c

Americas

The Navy contracted Harris Corp. a $168.8 million modification to build onboard jammer systems for the F/A-18 fighter planes. The modification exercises an option for the procurement of 78 full-rate production 78 AN/ALQ-214 A(V)4/5 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures Onboard Jammers for use on the F/A-18C/D/E/F models. The system is a next-generation radio frequency integrated countermeasure system, replacing the V3 variation. It combines receivers, as well as active countermeasures, to form an electronic shield around combat aircraft. The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The Super Hornet has a new, 25% larger airframe, larger rectangular air intakes, more powerful GE F414 engines based on F/A-18’s F404, and an upgraded avionics suite. The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a Hornet block upgrade in 1987, incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. The countermeasure system responds to threats with a series of measures designed to protect the aircraft from detection, and responds to threats fired at the aircraft. Additionally, the option provides for the procurement of 16 weapon replacement assemblies, 1A(V)4 receiver/processors and 27 WRA2 A(V)4 modulators. Work will take place in New Jersey, California, and other locations in the USA and is expected to be finished in May 2022.

Raytheon will participate in a missile defense radar sense-off to test designs that could be included in the US Army’s integrated Air and Missile Defense System under development. With the sense-off the Army is resetting the approach for the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, or LTAMDS, program that has struggled to bring about a new radar for over a decade. Raytheon revealed that its LTAMDS candidate is a new design, developed from scratch to meet latest defense requirements. Raytheon’s LTAMDS proposal features gallium nitride (GaN) components in its architecture.  The GaN design allows for higher power throughput, with greater efficiency than some of the older circuit designs, such as those that used gallium arsenide (GaAs) components. The LTAMDS trial is scheduled to take place in the May or June this year.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSB) signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for a Heavy Class Attack Helicopter Project on Friday. The value of the contract was not disclosed. The helicopter, which may be designated T130, will have two engines driving a five-blade main rotor, with a tandem armored cockpit configuration for pilot and gunner. There will be a modular avionics package, which includes a four-axis autopilot and helmet-mounted displays for the crew. The Heavy Class Attack Helicopter Project was launched to meet requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces in this field. It aims to design and produce an effective and advanced attack helicopter capable of carrying a large useful load, resistant to challenging environmental factors and equipped with state-of-the-art technology target tracking and imaging, electronic warfare, navigation, communications and weapon systems. The project will play an important role in reducing external dependency of Turkey’s defense sector.

Europe

The Belarusian Army handed four MiG-29 aircraft to the Serbian Army as part of military technical aid. The MiG-29 is twin-engine jet fighter aircraft. It has hydraulic controls and a SAU-451 three-axis autopilot. Belarus’ Aircraft Repair Plant will undertake repairs and upgrade of the MiGs according to Serbian Air Force needs. Primarily the navigation system will be modernized. The two countries engage in various military and economic projects together and Belarus’ military technical aid is very important to Serbia. This year the countries will perform in the Belarusian-Serbian-Russian exercise „Slavic Brotherhood“ in Serbia.

Germany’s Rheinmetall and Britain’s BAE Systems are creating a joint UK based military vehicle design, manufacturing and support business. The Joint Venture will be located at the BAE System’sTelford facility. Rheinmetall will purchase a 55% stake in the existing BAE Systems UK based combat vehicles business, with BAE Systems retaining 45%. Once approvals have been completed in the first half of 2019, the Joint Venture will be known as Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land. In addition to managing and growing the existing combat vehicle support business, the intent is for the new Joint Venture to play a major role in the delivery of the British Army’s new Mechanized Infantry Vehicle and other strategic combat vehicles programs.

Asia-Pacific

Russia is ready to discuss deliveries of Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets to India. The Su-57 is stealth, single-seat, twin-engine, multirole, jet fighter designed to destroy all types of air targets at long and short distances and hit enemy ground and naval targets, overcoming its air defense capabilities. It combines the functions of an attack plane and a fighter jet. The use of composite materials and innovation technologies and the fighter’s aerodynamic configuration ensure the low level of radar and infrared signature. While India displays interest in the Su-57, Russian company Rostec wants the Indian Air Force to determine how much the plane fits into their general concept and what they want to focus on.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S. Navy Makes Next Two Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers ‘More Lethal’

PAK-FA at MAKS-2011
(click to view larger)

Russia wants a “5th generation” fighter that keeps it competitive with American offerings, and builds on previous aerial and industrial success. India wants to maintain technical superiority over its rivals, and grow its aerospace industry’s capabilities. They hope to work together, and succeed. Will they? And what does “success” mean, exactly?

So far, preliminary cooperation agreements have been signed between Sukhoi/United Aircraft Corporation, for a platform based on Sukhoi’s T50/PAK-FA design. This DID FOCUS article consolidates specific releases and coverage to date, and adds analysis of the program’s current state and future hurdles.

The PAK-FA/ FGFA

Sukhoi’s “T50”

Movable LEX
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The plane behind the project has taken on several names. The T50 may eventually become the SU-50, but for now it’s referred to as PAK-FA. The aircraft project is also known as FGFA (India: Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft), and PMF (Russia: Prospective Multirole Fighter). Key characteristics include:

Shaping: Some observers have tried to characterize the T50 as a copy. That’s a mistake. The PAK-FA’s first flight revealed a distinctively Russian stealth-driven configuration, which borrows from previous Sukhoi designs and priorities. The prototype has some clear stealth-limiting features, from fit quality, to features like Sukhoi’s standard spherical InfraRed Scan & Track (IRST) system mounted near the cockpit. Those may change in the production aircraft; meanwhile, a smaller tail, clear stealth shaping, and internal weapons carriage all indicate a strong push toward a stealthier plane.

The PAK-FA’s air intakes are set back from the leading edge root extensions (LERX), and one interesting wrinkle involves movable LERX shapes that come forward from the wings to join the aircraft body. This “PChN/ Movable LEX” feature apparently allows some of the maneuverability bonuses normally associated with canards on planes like the SU-30SM, SU-34, etc., but in a much lower profile design.

RT feature

Engines: Reports concerning the fighter’s initial engines vary. Some sources contend that the engines used in its test flight are 5th generation engines, but most of them report that it is borrowing from the SU-35 program for now, until more advanced engines designed specifically for the plane can be fielded. Both descriptions could be correct. The SU-35S reportedly uses a heavily-upgraded and more reliable version of NPO Saturn’s AL-31F, named the Saturn 117S. It is said to offer over 30,000 pounds of thrust, with full 360 degree thrust vectoring, and is believed to equip initial PAK-FA fighters. The longer-term question is whether incremental 117S upgrades will let the aircraft reach its required “5th generation” performance levels, or whether the AL-41F project, which aims to use a new and improved engine core, will be able to replace the 117S in future.

Weapons: Russian reports cite carriage of 8 missile suspension points inside the fuselage, to match the F-22. While the Raptor has 2 body bays (with space-saving AVEL launchers) and 2 smaller side bays, the Russian plane is big enough to have 4 body bays and 2 side bays. Air-to-air weapons will certainly include the improved AA-11 (RVV-MD SRAAM) and AA-12 (RVV-SD MRAAM), but RIA Novosti adds that it has the ability to carry 2 ultra long range AAMs, presumably the 200-400 km Novator K-100-1. These “AWACS killers” are also intended for use on the SU-35, and their size may force the PAK-FA to carry them externally.

To date, the T50’s ground-attack weapon capabilities remain something of a mystery.

PAK-FA prototype
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Sensors: The PAK-FA’s advanced Tikhomirov AESA radar is still undergoing testing on other platforms, and its readiness could be important to the project. As is true of all 4+ generation Russian designs, the radar will be supplemented by an IRST that looks for the heat produced by engines and air friction. This allows long-range, no warning missile attacks, and offsets enemy advantages from radar stealth.

Another approach to offset enemy radar stealth involves L-band radars in the wing’s leading edges, to help the plane find other X-band optimized stealth fighters. The plane’s SH121 radar complex will reportedly add another 3 small X-band AESA radars around the front and sides of the aircraft, in order to provide full radar coverage. Harmonizing these features with stealth, and ensuring that they don’t become a maintenance nightmare, will be another important technical challenge for the new fighter.

The fighter’s biggest technical challenge will involve harmonizing all of these sensors into a single view for the pilot. Russia and India aren’t short on programming talent, but pilot ergonomics has been a long-standing weakness in Russian fighters, as western pilots found when they began flying East German MiG-29s. Good sensor fusion is a technically challenging task, especially if the goal is a system that can accommodate upgrades without ruinous expense. The talent is there, but both Russia and India have mixed histories trying to manage those kinds of military efforts.

Other Electronics: Sukhoi’s releases emphasize an advanced datalink that allows PAK-FA aircraft to share situational awareness, much like NATO’s “Link 16” standard. As the USAF has discovered, however, having other platforms share information with stealth aircraft, while retaining “low probability of intercept” to avoid giving the stealth aircraft’s positions away, is difficult. Russia and India will need to resolve that issue, or accept the operational limitations of a unique but incompatible datalink.

Test flight
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All of these characteristics show a convergence of Russian design with leading-edge technologies. Russian 4+ generation fighter designs have always placed a premium on super-maneuverability, and so does the T50. Russian AESA radars are becoming service-ready, and the T50 looks set to be a key platform for their use. Engine improvements may even allow Mach 1+ supercruise if the T50’s weight can be kept down, and if Saturn can deliver on promised operational performance – but both of those “ifs” remain to be proven.

Once it becomes operational, this plane is expected to get the designation SU-50. The big question right now is how close it is to reaching that goal.

Development Timelines, Risks, & Differences of Opinion Defined Design? A Disagreement

From YF-22 to F-22
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As of February 2014, 5 PAK-FA prototypes are flying, and 2 more are in ground test roles, which is short of the 8 that were expected to be available by the end of 2013. The “T3” prototype was the first to have the full avionics and radar suite, including the AESA radar. The plane is reportedly preparing for full operational trials in 2015, and VVS fielding in 2016-2017, but the history of stealth fighters justifies some caution about those dates.

In 2009, former Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. chairman Ashok Baweja took that caution several steps further, saying that that the current PAK-FA prototype and tests were only “proof of concept” level work. The Russians had already approved the design in 2008, so they clearly didn;t see things that way, but America’s F-22 program history made Baweja’s thesis plausible. The YF-22 prototype made quite a few modifications en route to its F-22A designation, over a period lasting several years. The Russian design has changed since 2009, including visible reinforcements to indicate a need for redesign in the wings and other areas. On the other hand, external design changes haven’t been much in evidence, and they continue to move forward with more advanced tests.

India’s low level of expertise designing advanced fighters, and the advanced nature of Russia’s project before India joined, both point toward a final FGFA design that’s much closer to the planes Russia is already flying.

Russian & Indian Timelines

PAK-FA Mach flow
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Differences of opinion re: the fighters’ readiness also express themselves in each side’s proposed timelines. Russia is focused on 2015-2016 production and 2017-2018 fielding, though senior officials acknowledge that full serial production won’t begin until 2020 – 2024.

Indian officials have pushed a timeline that’s up to 4-5 years longer, in order to develop many of the FGFA’s systems and make a long list of changes. As the cumulative cost and risk of their chosen course become apparent, however, they’re reducing their demands. A 2012 interview with Air Chief Marshal Browne suggests that India’s FGFAs will hew much more closely to Russia’s design, beginning with the current single-seat configuration instead of a new 2-seat layout. About 100 HAL engineers are already working on the project from a facility in Bangalore, and another contingent has moved to Russia to work in the Sukhoi design bureau.

That’s all well and good, but it’s 2014, and the joint R&D contract between Russian and India remains unsigned. Plenty of time remains for meddling, as India was expecting to receive prototypes in 2015, 2017, and 2018. India would still have to fund their own national program of FGFA (SU-50KI?) customization for the Indian air force by a joint team of Russian and Indian engineers. The difference is described as “mission hardware and software,” though it would be surprising if Indian bureaucrats’ fetish for “indigenization” was forced to stop there. Each prototype will be slightly different, creating an incentive for the military and political figures to press for additional changes and alternations.

If India’s FGFA R&D program can get underway in 2014, and if it progresses without major delays, a 2018 prototype would finalize the base configuration, and Indian development could end in 2019. Whereupon series manufacturing would begin at HAL in 2022.

Note the number of “ifs” required to meet even that target. Which will also have to contend with HAL’s known high-tech production industrial issues (vid. LCA Tejas & M-MRCA programs). They’ll need to be solved by the time FGFA production begins, because its manufacturing techniques are likely to be a step beyond anything HAL has attempted to date.

So much for the original plan of IAF service by 2017. If current dates hold true, India wouldn’t see operational serving FGFA fighters until 2025 at the earliest. At the same time, India’s planned FGFA buy is shrinking, from over 200 to around 144.

In a project of this nature, it’s par for the course for Russia and India to both end up being too optimistic in their initial schedules. There’s still more than enough room for that dynamic to happen within the revised schedules, as the project works through configuration, testing, and production issues. The history of modern fighters suggests that software could prove to be particularly troublesome.

Contracts & Key Events 2015 – 2019

Sukhoi insists it will meet new 2016 production deadlines.

Airshow demo

February 26/19: Su-57 to India Russia is ready to discuss deliveries of Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets to India. The Su-57 is stealth, single-seat, twin-engine, multirole, jet fighter designed to destroy all types of air targets at long and short distances and hit enemy ground and naval targets, overcoming its air defense capabilities. It combines the functions of an attack plane and a fighter jet. The use of composite materials and innovation technologies and the fighter’s aerodynamic configuration ensure the low level of radar and infrared signature. While India displays interest in the Su-57, Russian company Rostec wants the Indian Air Force to determine how much the plane fits into their general concept and what they want to focus on.

April 23/18: Babushka, it’s you not me! In pursuit of what it called the air force’s want for a better fighter, India has pulled out of its partnership with Russia in the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program. In the works since 2007, the program has seen cooperation between Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau (Sukhoi) in developing and manufacturing a new fighter dubbed the Perspektivny Aviatsionny Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii, or “Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation” (PAK-FA). Now called the Su-57, seven prototypes are currently in flight-testing since the first took to the skies in 2010. With $8.63 earmarked for the procurement of 127 PAK-FAs that were stealthy, possessed 360-degree radar and had more powerful engines, the Indian Air Force (IAF) have now claimed that the aircraft being offered was not stealthy enough for a fifth-generation combat aircraft. India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is said to have conveyed the decision to a Russian ministerial delegation in February.

March 5/18: Combat Deployment Israeli sources have expressed private reservations about Russia’s deployment of its new Su-57 stealth fighter to Syria, Flight Global reports. Satellite images captured by the Israelis confirmed earlier videos of the fighter in the region and is one of dozens of new weapons systems currently being combat tested by the Russians in Syria. While Israel has not reacted officially to the development, a senior source says there is no doubt that Moscow has sent its newest fighter to the region in order to test it against Western technologies. Israeli Air Force F-16s and unmanned assets are active in Syrian airspace, locating and targeting weapons sites that have been used by Lebanon’s Hezbollah, who are friendly to the Syrian regime and use government-held territory to transfer arms and rockets to its own territory in Lebanon. The arrival of the Su-57 comes just two weeks after a border clash during which an Iranian-operated stealth unmanned air vehicle and an IAF F-16 were shot down.

December 7/17: Russia’s newest fighter jet—the fifth-generation Su-57—has flown for the first time while being powered by the new NPO Saturn “Product 30” engine. Lasting 17 minutes, the flight was carried out by the second Su-57 aircraft prototype—T-50-2—from the Gromov flight test centre at Zhukovsky AB. The new engine is slated to become the production standard for the Su-57, after the nine flight test prototypes of the Su-57 fighter were powered by NPO Saturn Product 117 engine—itself based on the AL-41F-1S afterburning turbofans developed for the Su-35. Moscow said the Product 30 will provide more thrust and fuel efficiency, with reduced weight and maintenance requirements.

October 25/17: An Indian Air Force (IAF) official has made claims that the service is looking to end involvement with PAK-FA next-generation fighter aircraft program, urging the government to back out of the effort. The aircraft is collaborative effort between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Russian air giant, Sukhoi, but also involves work from various Russian design bureaus. The IAF source claimed that the “IAF is not keen to continue with the program,” and cited concerns such as an insufficient reduction in radar cross-section (RCS), especially in comparison to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, and difficulties in the Russia’s ability to demonstrate that it can produce the requisite technologies for 5th-generation fighters, such as electronic subsystems. Standing behind the program,however, is HAL, who is confident that the PAK-FA will succeed, arguing that the depth of technology-transfer being offered to India under the PAK-FA is not available elsewhere.

August 14/17: Sukhoi’s T-50 PAK-FA has been designated the Su-57, according to Russia Air Force chief Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev. The fifth-generation stealth fighter made its maiden flight in 2010 and since then has received a number of upgrades to avionics, stealth and armaments. Six aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Russian Air Force next year, with 55 expected to be in operation by 2020. The aircraft will then go into mass production.

May 9/17: After years of delay, India and Russia are close to signing an agreement for the further development of the PAK-FA fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). An inter-governmental pact on the FGFA project was initially signed in 2007, however negotiations over workshare, technology transfer, and IPR have hampered discussions but are now said to be mostly resolved. New Delhi has insisted on a full technology transfer, saying that it must get all the required codes and access to critical technology so that it can upgrade the aircraft as per its requirements.

May 5/17: Russian media has reported that the Sukhoi T-50/PAK-FA stealth fighter will be armed with the upgraded Kh-35UE anti-ship missile. An upgrade of the Kh-35, the integration of the tactical cruise missile will give the fighter an added anti-surface mission capability, and add to the aircraft’s weapons load which includes the Kh-38 air-to-surface missile and Kh-58UShK anti-radiation missile. Nikolai Vasilyev, chief designer of the Kh-35UE at the Korolev-based Tactical Missiles Corporation, said that the missile has already demonstrated itself effectively on the carrier-based variants of the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUBR fighter planes, and on the Ka-52 attack helicopter.

April 19/17: Russia has commenced weapon testing trials on the T-50/PAK-FA fifth-generation stealth fighter cannons, with plans to have the trials completed later this year. Designed to have similar capabilities to the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-22 Raptor, Moscow, with the T-50, hopes to break the US-held monopoly on fifth-generation fighters, as Washington finalizes development on its second, the long-delayed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Five T-50s are expected to be operational by the end of 2017.

February 1/17: A light-weight version of the Indo-Russian designed BrahMos cruise missile is to be developed for Russia’s 5th-gen T-50 PAK FA fighter aircraft. Already available in naval, submarine, and land variants, Indian and Russian developers will now collaborate on designing smaller variants of the short-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile with the specification that it will “fit the size of a torpedo tube and be almost 1.5 times smaller by its weight.” Other potential warfighters that could have the new munition integrated include the MiG-35, recently selected to operate as Russia’s newest multi-purpose fighter.

September 14/16: Russian media reported that the upcoming T-50 PAK-FA is having a new cluster bomb developed specially for carriage on the fighter. Dubbed “Drill,” the munition relies on satellite navigation for guidance and has an effective range of 30km. Russia is one of only 16 nations left that still produces cluster munitions.

September 12/16: India and Russia have reached an agreement on the joint production of a new fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). A detailed work-share agreement on the fighter has been released which includes production of over 100 fighters in India and will see New Delhi committing to invest $4 billion over the coming years to develop a tailor-made version of the fighter. The two nations are also expected to incorporate a new company by October for the production of Kamov Ka 226 light choppers, which would involve significant private sector participation.

September 9/16: Russia’s Deputy Minister for Defense Yuri Borisov has said that the Sukhoi PAK-FA is ready for mass production with Moscow planning to acquire a squadron of aircraft in 2017. Equipped with advanced avionics and all-digital flight systems, the PAK-FA is set to become the first operational stealth aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. An export version is expected to be available by 2025.

June 21/16: United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has announced that its Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA is now ready for mass production. According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, the fifth generation fighter almost fully meets the requirements of the military’s combat capabilities. UAC is also currently preparing a proposal to be submitted to the Russian Ministry of Defense on starting serial production.

December 11/15: The Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Boisov has said that testing of the PAK FA is nearly complete. The 5th generation fighter is intended to replace the Mig-29 and Su-27 currently currently in service. The fighter is part of a development partnership between Russian manufacturer Sukhoi and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Indian Air Force may purchase 154 of the aircraft once they come into service in 2016. The PAK FA is set to rival the US made F-35 fighter, but holds a major export advantage in that it is much more cost effective.

August 27/15: Russia’s “fifth generation” Sukhoi PAK FA stealth fighter is to get the X-58USHK missile, which will reportedly reach mach 3.5. But the critical advantage the new combo would bring was expressed in the a Tass sub-headline: “The missile will be placed inside the fighter’s fuselage.” Thus the PAK FA – also called the T-50 – will remain stealthy, where the F-35’s weapons bay has grown even smaller on the new variants and most weapons will have to be mounted externally.

Feb 2/15: Agreement on production split. The Hindu reports that the main sticking point (who produces what) is settled between the Russians and the Indians. Up to now, the Indians were producing only 13 percent of the fighter, and none of the interesting technology bits. The agreed-upon split hasn’t been made public.

Feb 2/15: On (new) schedule. Originally slated for 2015 production, the PAK-FA, now being called the T-50 in press materials, is to be produced in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in 2016, according to company officials. There is no mention of an export market. India had already cut its order from 200 fighters to 144, but bureaucrats have also pushed back certification to 2019, after which production could be authorized. Complaints by the Indian Air Force in early 2014 may indicate some buyer’s remorse.

2014

Negotiations with India turn tense, remain in limbo as Russia moves ahead; Better stealth than the F-22?

Oct 21/14: Sub-contractors. Russia’s Radio Electronic Technologies concern has provided the 1st batch of Himalayas internal electronic warfare systems for the new jet.

The Himalayas EW system was developed by RET’s Kaluga Scientific Research and Radio Technology Institute, and is manufactured at its Signal Radioplant in Stavropol. Sources: Defense World, “Russian T-50 Aircraft Gets Himalayas EW System”.

Sept 15/14: Negotiation. The Russians and Indians are saying different things to Defense News. “A “Russian diplomat in India” tells them they they “have finally sorted out all sticky issues that have been holding back an agreement,” adding that India’s workshare was eventually expected to increase from 13-18% to 40%. India’s MoD refused to confirm this, “especially those [issues] related to workshare between the two countries”.

We’ve seen enough programs involving India to be skeptics, even when Indian officials will confirm such stories. The magazine’s sources say that India and Russia will sign a final agreement on the program the end of 2014. Take that as the metric, and believe it when you see it. Sources: Defense News, “Indo-Russian Jet Program Finally Moves Forward”.

Aug 30/14: Tension. India isn’t pleased with the lack of response to its questions concerning the recent PAK-FA engine fire (q.v. June 10/14), NPO Saturn AL-41FI jet engine performance, Byelka AESA radar performance, the lack of permission for its pilots to fly the jet in Russia, and HAL’s low workshare. India’s lack of a firm development agreement is the 1-sentence argument for much of this situation, except for the engine fire question and HAL’s workshare.

HAL’s workshare has reportedly dropped from 25% to just 13%: tires, the VOR-DME basic navigation avionics, coolant for the radar, a laser designation pod and the head-up display. This list appears to justify analysis that HAL simply doesn’t yet have the capability to be a full partner in such a sophisticated aircraft, and may also be a function iof Indian dithering as Russia simply goes ahead and makes final decisions about the PAK-FA’s development..

Within HAL’s workshare, the Laser Designation pod itself is unlikely to come from India, but may be produced under license. Israel’s RAFAEL LITENING pods equip many Indian aircraft, including the SU-30MKI, but Eastern European and American pressure on Israel makes SU-50 integration tough to contemplate. Thales’ Damocles pod, which already equips Malaysia’s Su-30MKMs and would equip Indian Rafales, would be a more logical choice.

The real challenge here is twofold. One is the M-MRCA program, whose $10 billion cost growth really shrinks the overall room for PGF funding within India’s budgets. The related challenge is time, and “IAF sources told IHS Jane’s that this deadline [to begin Indian production in 2020 – 2021] would be missed by several years.” Sources: Daily Mail India, “India-Russia jet deal hits turbulence over ‘technical worries’ ” | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, “Indian Air Force unhappy at progress of PAK-FA fifth-gen fighter”.

Aug 4/14: Negotiations. Still no firm production agreement re: the PAK-FA/ FGFA/ PMF, following the end of the initial engineering development contract in 2013. Russian sources continue to make hopeful noises, but at this point, it means very little until there’s a firm contract in place. Sources: Itar-Tass, “Sukhoi to sign another contract with India on FGFA”.

June 10/14: Fire. A commission will be investigating:

“Today after the regular test flight of the T-50 aircraft at the airfield of the M.M.Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky near Moscow, while the plane was landing, a smoke above the right air intake was observed, then a local fire broke out. The fire was quickly extinguished. The plane is to be repaired…. This incident will not affect the timing of the T-50 test program.”

The Moscow Times suggested that the damage might leave the plane out of action for a little while, as people reportedly: “…saw smoke and flame billow out of the front of the engine and [it] caused visible damage to the exterior of the aircraft.” Sounds like an engine issue. Maybe one day, we’ll know. Sources: Sukhoi, “Sukhoi’s message over the incident with the T-50 aircraft” | Moscow Times, “Russian Advanced Prototype Fighter Jet Erupts into Flames on Landing”.

Fire

Feb 21/14: Production version. Sukhoi announces that their production version will not be waiting until 2016, while the current set of 4 flying and 2 ground prototypes continue their work at Zhukovsky. In fact:

“Today the flight model of the prospective 5th — generation fighter aircraft (PAK-FA, T-50) arrived to the 929th Chkalov State Flight Test Centre’s airfield in Akhtubinsk for State Joint Tests…. The PAK FA tests program included aero-dynamic features evaluation, tests of stability and controllability and of dynamic strength, function check of on-board equipment and aircraft systems. Optical locator system as well as active electronically scanned array radar was tested on the aircraft with positive results obtained. Air refueling mode was tested. Supermaneuverability tests of the aircraft are under way. Aircraft systems are being tested on the test stands, ground experimental works continue.”

It’s still possible for hardware or software problems to make the delivery of 60 combat-capable aircraft an impossible goal by 2020, and Russian reports aren’t going to involve public accountability or discussion of test results. Even so, the Akhtubinsk arrival is embarrassing timing for War Is Boring’s same-day report. Sources: Sukhoi, “T-50-2 fighter aircraft made the flight to Akhtubinsk” | Russia & India Report, “Russian Air Force receives first FGFA T-50 fighter for tests”.

Feb 21/14: No mystery. “Russia’s New Air Force Is a Mystery” wonders why Russia is buying SU-30MK2s, SU-30SMs and SU-35s, in addition to the future PAK-FA. It turns out that the answer is extremely simple: industrial priorities that bought up aircraft the Chinese stopped buying, took advantage of successful advanced SU-30MKx export developments, and aim to provide the SU-35 with a home country order base for potential exports. That sort of thing happens all the time, everywhere. The article ends up stinging itself with this quote re: the PAK-FA:

“The T-50’s schedule has stretched farther and farther to the right. Originally planned for handover to the air force’s Akhtubinsk flight test center for evaluation in 2014, recent announcements suggest this might now slip until the second half of 2016. This would derail plans to declare initial operational capability, and the start of full-scale production, at the end of 2016.

The best-case scenario would have seen 60 production T-50s delivered between 2016 and 2020, but this now seems a distant hope. As a result, the air force is badly in need of supplementary equipment.”

The 1st PAK-FA arrives in Akhtubinsk for testing that same day. Sources: War Is Boring, “Russia’s New Air Force Is a Mystery”.

Feb 7/14: Timelines. Russia and India are still negotiating the FGFA R&D contract, but India’s Chief of the Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar (A K) Browne tells the Press Trust of India that the 1st FGFA prototype will arrive in India this year, for testing at Ojhar AB, located NE of Mumbai. One imagines that he’s speaking on the basis of a draft R&D contract that would have Indian scientists and test pilots in Russia until the R&D phase is scheduled to end in 2019.

2022 is now given as the planned in-service date, as India slip farther and farther from the original plan of having these planes in service by 2017. That 2017 date was always a pipe dream, and even present dates depend on very large financial decisions being made very soon by an unpopular government, or by its electoral successor. It’s more realistic to assume that the draft R&D agreement won’t actually become a signed contract and disbursed funds until 2015 or later, with attendant effects on India’s schedule.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to develop the plane,m but even they are several years from serious fielding. Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) First Deputy Director Alexander Fomin is quoted as saying that testing and manufacturing ramp-ups will require: “At least… [6-10 years] before we build a sample of the fifth generation fighter plane and being its serial production.” Sources: Itar-Tass, “Russia fulfils FGFA obligations with India – Alexander Kadakin”.

Jan 21/14: India. India’s Air Force is directly criticizing the stealth fighter program, according to the minutes of a Dec 24/13 meeting chaired by secretary of defence production Gokul Chandra Pati:

“Business Standard has reviewed the minutes of that meeting. The IAF’s three top objections to the FGFA were: (a) The Russians are reluctant to share critical design information with India; (b) The fighter’s current AL-41F1 engines are inadequate, being mere upgrades of the Sukhoi-30MKI’s AL-31 engines; and (c) It is too expensive. With India paying $6 billion to co-develop the FGFA, “a large percentage of IAF’s capital budget will be locked up.”

On January 15, the IAF renewed the attack in New Delhi, at a MoD meeting to review progress on the FGFA. The IAF’s deputy chief of air staff (DCAS), its top procurement official, declared the FGFA’s engine was unreliable, its radar inadequate, its stealth features badly engineered, India’s work share too low, and that the fighter’s price would be exorbitant by the time it enters service.

Top MoD sources suspect the IAF is undermining the FGFA to free up finances for buying 126 Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for an estimated $18 billion, an acquisition that has run into financial headwinds because of budgetary constraints….”

Perhaps if India hadn’t structured its MMRCA competition to completely ignore the costs of the competing aircraft, this wouldn’t be happening. But they did, and it is. Sources: India’s Business Standard, “Russia can’t deliver on Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft: IAF”.

Jan 16/14: T-50 trolling. Rosoboronexport’s parent firm Rostec decides to troll the aviation world, with claims that the PAK-FA will have better stealth than the American F-22 Raptor:

“The average [radar cross section value] for the T-50 fighter is between 0.1 and 1 square meter…. the T-50 is now ahead of not only all other fighters of the Russian Army, but also foreign models. For example, the visibility of the American fifth-generation F-22 fighter is 0.3-0.4 square meters, according to PAK FA chief designer Alexander Davidenko.”

This means almost nothing. First, the Russian PAK-FA range includes values that are a closer match for the Eurofighter than the F-22. Second, Davidenko couldn’t know the F-22’s real production values without access to American flight test data, and there are rumors that it’s smaller than 0.3 m2. The third issue is production. Davidenko’s claims for the PAK-FA back existing assessments that it’s a legitimate stealth aircraft design, but production work affects final values for any plane. If it’s shoddy and alignment is poor, for instance, a design with RCS of 0.1 m2 could easily hit 1.0 m2 in reality. Russia is known for many things, including excellent and robust fighter designs, but precision work? Not so much. A real comparison would require test data from production aircraft (q.v. Nov 12/12 caveats), including different values from various angles, and their different success levels against different radar bands. That isn’t on offer for either plane.

Other points in the release are more informative, if true. Rostec says that composite materials are just 25% of the fighter’s weight, but cover 70% of its surface. A new power system design from Rostec’s Aviation Equipment provides double the amount of electrical power offered by previous Russian systems. We hope they have better luck than Boeing has, but that power will be needed by Radioelectronic Technologies’ new avionics and related systems. With respect to the plane’s biggest current deficit, UEC has an initial-model of the next-generation AL-41F1 thrust-vectoring engines installed in a prototype now, and Rostec is feeding general expectations that the AL-41 will give the new fighter supercruise capability. Sources: Rostec, “The T-50 Fighter will feature even greater stealth capabilities” | Air & Cosmos, “Le T-50 russe serait plus furtif que le F-22”.

2013

Test flights, incl. the new 5th prototype; Negotiations and tensions with India.

T50, incoming
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Oct 28/13: #5. Sukhoi flies the 5th T50 prototype at its Y.A.Gagarin KnAAZ aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Once it finishes local flight tests, the aircraft will join the program flight tests at Zhukovsky, near Moscow.

Sukhoi pegs the number of flights to date at “more than 450”, with another 2 planes are involved in ground tests as a complex ground stand and static testing platform, respectively. Sources: Sukhoi release, Oct 28/13.

Oct 21/13: Indian complaints. Aviation Week reports that India is dissatisfied with their development workshare, in a project they came op late and close to lockdown on their partner’s side, and for which they have only recently managed to produce anything resembling their specifications (q.v. April 10/13):

“We have a major opportunity in the FGFA program,” Indian air force (IAF) Deputy Chief Air Marshal S. Sukumar says. However, “at the moment [the 15% development share] is not very much in favor of Indian development. We are flagging it through the government. It should be much more focused towards indigenous development capability.”

The problem is that 4 Russian T50 prototypes have performed about 450 test flights since January 2010, and the VVS plans to begin inducting the fighter in 2015-2016. Even if they’re a year late, it doesn’t leave much room for development. That would have required fast decisions to begin the contract early, when the design was still in need of refinement.

India’s desires and its modus operandi are in conflict once again, and the question is whether the dichotomy will become a stumbling block in negotiations for the final $11 billion system development contract. At this point, the only way to square that circle would be to increase the number of differences between the Russian and Indian fighters, or to involve India in developing the “Block 10” next iteration of a fighter whose core technologies are already a big stretch for Indian firms. Either approach would drive up overall costs for the contract under negotiation (q.v. July 15/13), and add substantial risk to India’s plans to begin manufacturing at HAL in 2022 – itself a problematic proposition, given HAL’s record. Sources: Aviation Week, “India Concerned About Fifth-Gen Fighter Work Share With Russia”.

Oct 18/13: Aircraft issues. An article in The Aviationist looks at issues with the PAK-FA, which don’t get the same exposure as western projects with their public oversight. Piotr Butowski of the Polish Magazyn Lotnictwo notes that:

“…the plane still suffers from the strict g-limits…. The plane underwent a modernization in the Sukhoi facility on the Polikarpov Street in Moscow Dec. 2012 and May 2013. The airframe was reinforced according to the flight tests and static tests that were already carried out; many new [metal strip] overlays can be seen on the airplane’s surface.”

Problems and modifications aren’t abnormal. The 1st PAK-FA prototype has structural cracks in 2011, and the 2nd had an engine flameout cancel its public MAKES 2011 air show performance. Sources: The Aviationist, “Russia’s most advanced fighter jet’s troublesome childhood”.

July 15/13: India Delays. The FGFA project’s parameters may be set (q.v. April 10/13), but there’s a problem with the R&D deal, which was pegged at $11 billion equivalent. The Times of India:

“Defence ministry sources said the inking of the final design and R&D contract for the stealth fighter has been hit by a huge delay, with Russia also jacking up costs for the futuristic project. “It’s very unlikely the FGFA final design contract will be concluded in the 2013-2014 fiscal,” said a source. “The timeframes will now have to be revised. MoD has established a committee of specialists and finance officials to verify the rise in costs. An internal contract negotiation committee is also in progress…”

Russia isn’t going to wait, and will continue development of their version while they wait for India’s signature. Operational testing is slated to begin in 2014. If FGFA negotiations stretch into 2015, the net effect will be to severely delay India’s variant, even as the base Russian design becomes more and more firmly set.

April 25/13: VVS flight. The Russian air force’s (VVS) Chkalov Flight Test Center begins flying the PAK-FA prototypes, with a 2-hour flight from the M.M. Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky (Moscow region).

At present, Sukhoi has 4 flying test planes, which are mostly flown by company test pilots, and 2 ground test planes. Sukhoi.

April 10/13: India. Sukhoi announces that the parameters for their joint FGFA project with India are set:

“The contract to develop a sketch and technical project of the Russian-Indian perspective multi-functional 5th-generation fighter (PMI/FGFA) was completed. The fighter design was fully developed. The both parties have agreed upon on the amount and division of work during the research and development (R&D) stage. A contract for the R&D is being prepared. It is to be signed this year.”

March 1/13: Plans & Schedule. High-level Russian and Indian sources offer a bit more clarity concerning dates, but they seem to be at odds regarding electronics.

Russian VVS commander Gen. Victor Bondarev expects weapons release trials to begin in 2013, as the number of aircraft rises from 4 – 8. If tests go well, the fighter could enter series production in late 2015 or early 2016. Based on past fighter programs, that may be a bit optimistic.

Meanwhile, IAF chief of staff Air Marshall N.A.K. Browne is expecting to sign the big design & development contract for the FGFA in 2013. They’ll receive 3 developmental prototypes in India in 2015, 2017 and then 2018, rather than the wider 2014-2019 window reported earlier. That SDD version would apparently be fully common between Russia and India, making Pogosyan (vid. Feb 7/13) correct to that point. India would then fund, as a separate project, FGFA (SU-50KI?) customization for the Indian air force by a joint team of Russian and Indian engineers. The difference is described as “mission hardware and software,” though it would be surprising if Indian bureaucrats’ fetish for “indigenization” was forced to stop there. Series manufacturing would begin at HAL in 2022.

If true, it means that India wouldn’t see operational serving FGFA fighters until 2025 at the earliest, and that’s only if HAL’s known industrial issues with high-tech production are fully solved by 2022. AIN.

Feb 7/13: Avionics. At Aero India 2013, Obedinnoe Avaitstroitel’noi Corporatsii (United Aircraft Corp.) President Mikhail Pogosyan says that the new fighter will “have a single set of on-board equipment [cockpit avionics],” as a requirement of the Indian Air Force. He adds that India’s fighters will also share the Russian single-seat configuration.

Both of those statements would represent major changes from India. India’s initial plans involved a 2-seat variant that would follow the example of programs like the SU-30MKI, and create a unique cockpit avionics set that used equipment from Indian companies and foreign vendors. If Pogosyan is correct, India has backtracked toward a standard type configuration, and joint funding of upgrades. UPI.

2012

India’s timeline keeps falling back, as it cuts plans to 144 jets; No SU-50 for ROKAF; Prototype #4 flies; AESA radar testing begins.

#T2 lands
(click to view full)

Dec 12/12: #4 flies. The 4th prototype takes flight at the snowy Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO). UAC.

Nov 12/12: RCS guess. Airpower Australia uses public-domain photos coupled with the Physical Optics (PO) method for predicting the Radar Cross Section of complex targets on Russia’s T50, using VisCam View software to produce a PolyChromatic Spherical Representation (PCSR). Without flight test data, it’s still a guess, but it’s a kind of guess that Moore’s Law has made available outside of large intelligence agencies.

Their guess? It won’t match the F-22, or even China’s J-20, but if they introduce a rectangular faceted design to the engine nozzles and add radar absorbent coatings, they might beat the F-35. Sources: Airpower Australia, “A Preliminary Assessment of Specular Radar Cross Section Performance in the Sukhoi T-50 Prototype” | WIRED Danger Room, “Russia’s Stealth Fighter Could Match U.S. Jets, Analyst Says”.

Oct 9/12: During an interview with India Strategic, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne confirms that HAL has committed $6 billion to joint development. Plans have changed, and India’s 144 planned FGFAs will all be single seaters, now, hewing much more closely to the Russian baseline. In the same vein as India’s SU-30 MKIs, however, they’ll have some avionics and integration differences. According to the ACM Browne:

“… the first prototype is likely to be delivered to India in 2014 followed by two more in 2017 and 2019. The series production then “will only be ordered based on the final configuration and performance of the third prototype.”

See: India Strategic | IANS.

Aug 19/12: Even later to India. Reports now indicate that the 1st FGFA prototype flight tests should start in India in 2014, with deliveries to the Indian Air Force by 2022, a full ten years from now. This would be the start of a $30+ billion, 250 plane program over the next decade, at roughly $100 million each.

Closer to the present, Russia and India are reportedly finalizing the research and development phase at $11+ billion, split evenly between the two parties. Business Standard | AviationWeek.

Aug 8/12: Radar. Sukhoi announces that they’ve begun flight tests of the PAK-FA’s Tikhomirov “active phased array radar system” in both air-to-air and air-to-surface test modes. Initial trials toward flight refueling also take place this month. Sukhoi | The DEW Line | RIA Novosti.

May 14/12: Late to India. India is already backtracking on service dates for its FGFA variant of Sukhoi’s T50, bringing them closer to predictions made by outside observers years ago. M M Pallam Raju has moved the plane’s certification and production start date from 2017 back to 2019. Close examination shows that 2020 or beyond is more likely.

India’s Business Standard also highlights a number of areas that aren’t settled, where ongoing specifications changes and/or technical problems may end up delaying the fighter and send India’s costs skyrocketing. India reportedly wants 40-45 design changes to the current PAK-FA, including its own avionics and a “360 degrees” AESA radar. That last requirement is likely to involve AESA “cheek fairings” that need to maintain aircraft stealth levels, a tailcone radar, and the internal computing and software required to fuse all of those radars into a single picture. They also want at least 2,000 hours of certification flying, and possible configuration changes in light of tests. India now expects their fighters to prepare for service no earlier than 2019, and if the IAF fields a 2-seat version, it’s likely to take even longer. All of India’s changes add 3 types of risk.

One is technical risk. India’s history is littered with overly ambitious projects that India’s Ministry of Defense and associated state-run agencies approved, but could not execute. The cutting-edge nature of the FGFA project magnifies those risks, even with Sukhoi’s assistance.

The 2nd risk is cost risk. Sukhoi’s help, and the associated design, production, and testing of new FGFA equipment, won’t come for free. The more changes India makes, the more the project will cost them. Russia isn’t going to pick up the tab for changes to a design their air force has already approved, and even the “Tactical Technical Agreement” that specified Indian changes isn’t going to mean much if costs become a problem. Russia has forcibly renegotiated critical defense contracts with India several times, and won’t hesitate to do so again.

The 3rd risk is schedule risk. Since Russia is focused on fielding the current single-seat configuration in its current form, while India is focused on major configuration changes and is still debating a 2-seat variant, both of those timelines could turn out to be true. Russia could wind up fielding SU-50 squadrons several years before India even finishes development. India’s Business Standard.

Jan 29/12: Korea: No PAK-FA. The Korea Times quotes a DAPA spokesman, who confirms the potential F-X-III competitors:

“No Russian firm submitted an application to attend the program’s explanatory session, which was a prerequisite to participate, by the Friday registration deadline,” a spokesman of DAPA said. He noted that a representative from Swedish company Saab, which has been searching for additional export orders for its Gripen multirole fighters, successfully filed an application for the mandatory session along with Boeing, Lockheed Martine [sic] and EADS.”

This means that the Indo-Russian PAK-FA will not be part of the $7+ billion competition, despite reports (vid. July 20/11) that it was intending to participate, just as Russian disinterest kept the SU-35 out of F-X-2.

2011

Prototypes #2 & 3 fly; Testing flameout; South Korean opportunity?

PAK-FA: takeoff!
(click to view full)

Dec 22/11: #3 flies. First flight of the 3rd PAK-FA prototype from Sukhoi’s KNAAPO aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Sukhoi.

Sept 6/11: Exports? Russia & India Report highlights an analysis by Russia’s unofficial Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT), which takes a look at potential buyers of the PAK-FA’s export version. They see a potential for 274-388 export units beyond India or states that spun out of the Soviet Union, like Kazakhstan et. al. Their projections for possible buyers, and their projected purchasing periods, include:

• Algeria (2025-2030)
  
• Argentina (2035-2040)
  
• Brazil (2030-2035)
  
• Venezuela (2027-2032)
  
• Vietnam (2030-2035)
  
• Indonesia (2028-2032)
  
• Iran (subject to lifting of the arms embargo, 2035-2040)
  
• Kazakhstan (2025-2035)
  
• China (“subject to certain conditions”, 2025-2035)
  
• Malaysia (2035-2040)
  
• Syria (2025-2030)

Aug 24/11: Flameout. Flight International conveys NPO Saturn general director Ilya Federo’s explanation of the MAKS 2011 failure:

“The motor did not fail – in fact, it was put by erroneous control input into a wrong mode that caused the surge. This is not an engine failure, but the wrong data input caused by a malfunctioning sensor feeding data to the flight control system. After what had happened the motor was checked [and] the malfunctioning sensor was replaced by a good one. Today, there is no issue with this engine.”

Aug 22/11: Flameout. After performing a basic fly-over with the PAK FA, Sukhoi intended to close Russia’s MAKS 2011 air show with a bang – and did, sort of. The pilot of its second prototype PAK-FA/T50-2 was forced to abort his take-off run, and the planned flying routine, after 2 bursts of flame erupted from the right engine.

The show’s organizers compounded the embarrassment by promising that the 1st prototype would fly instead – but it was not on site, and is believed to be in maintenance following its Aug 17/11 demonstration. Flameout: Flight International (incl. flame burst picture) | India’s Open magazine | China’s Xinhua || Appearance: Moscow Times | Pravda | RIA Novosti | Voice of Russia | Reuters | UPI | WSJ Emerging Europe blog | op-ed – Right-wing Heritage Foundation, USA.

July 20/11: PAK-FA for South Korea? As South Korea’s DAPA eases the criteria to try and foster more competition, DAPA’s Col. Wi Jong-seong says that “Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi expressed its intent to compete in the fighter jet procurement project early this year.” The report quotes him as saying that Sukhoi’s T50 PAK-FA will be up against Boeing’s stealth-enhanced F-15SE Silent Eagle, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, and EADS’ Eurofighter Typhoon. Assuming we don’t have an F-X-2 repeat, where all competitors but one drop out.

At this point, FX-III is being touted as a 60 jet buy of high-end fighters, with a budget of 8.29 trillion won ($7.86 billion). Eurofighter reportedly offered a better deal than the F-15K in F-X-2, but lost. The firm recently proposed to phase in Korean assembly for Phase III, with the 1st 10 made in Europe, the next 24 using Korean components, and the last 26 assembled in Korea. Korea Times.

March 3/11: #2 flies. Russia’s 2nd PAK-FA fighter prototype successfully completes its 1st test flight in Russia’s Far East region of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Note that China’s Xinhua cites local reports dated Feb 23/11, but Sukhoi’s release pegs the date at March 3/11.

UAC’s Mikhail Pogosyan adds that they expect to have a fleet of 3 test aircraft by year end, and says the existing jets have now made 40 flights since last January to test the model’s aero-dynamic characteristics and electronics. Beyond that, Pogosyan tells Russian media that the Indian Air Force will “acquire 50 single-seater fighters of the Russian version” before their 2-seat FGFA is developed. If true, it would go a long way toward ensuring that India meets its 2017 induction target. On the Russian end, plans are to purchase the first batch with existing engines, buying the first 10 aircraft after 2012 and then 60 after 2016. Russia’s Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies director Ruslan Pukhov predicts that Vietnam will be the 2nd export customer for the fighter. Sukhoi | Russia’s Pravda | China’s Xinhua.

Feb 9/11: With Aero India 2011 underway, Sukhoi offers some additional details regarding the December 2010 agreement with India:

“This is the first of a series of documents governing the obligations of the parties at different stages of the program. The PMF project includes the design and development of a next-generation fighter, which will have such advanced features as stealth, supersonic cruise speed, high maneuverability, highly integrated set of avionics, an advanced warning system about the situation, the internal deployment of weapons and the possibility of a centralized reporting and electronic warfare system. The fighter is being developed on the basis of the Russian perspective aviation complex (PAK FA) according to stringent technical requirements of the Indian side. The further development of the program envisages design and development of a two-place version of the aircraft and integration of an advanced engine with increased thrust. The two sides are supposed to cooperate in joint marketing of the complex in other countries.”

Feb 9/11: India. Indian defence minister AK Antony reiterates their target of a 2017 induction for the FGFA. India’s defense procurement history suggests that they’re unlikely to make it. Time will tell. Sukhoi.

2010

1st flight; Russian air force plans; Contract with India.

Sukhoi PAK-FA: 1st flight
(click to view larger)

Dec 20/10: Contract. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reportedly signs a set of defense and nuclear agreements in India, including the FGFA development contract. Details remain sketchy. Bloomberg | BBC.

Dec 16/10: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman Ashok Nayak tells Russia’s RIA Novosti that Russia and India have agreed on key features of the design contract for their joint fifth-generation fighter project. The cost of preliminary design is estimated at $295 million, with work expected to be complete within 18 months. The partnership will develop both a single-seat and a twin-seat version of the aircraft by 2016, focusing on the single-seat version in the initial stages of development.

Nayak said the contract could be signed by the representatives of India’s HAL and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) during a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to India on December 20-22. RIA Novosti.

Development contract

Nov 30/10: The right-wing American Heritage Foundation think tank releases an analysis of the Russia program and its implications: “What Russia’s Stealth Fighter Developments Mean for America“.

July 23/10: Testing. Sukhoi’s KnAAPO issues a release saying that:

“Sukhoi Company has completed the preliminary on-land and in-flight activities which involved all 3 engineering prototypes of the Frontline Aviation Advanced Airborne Complex (PAK FA)… These prototypes were used for testbed strength tests, on-land optimization of fuel systems and other work towards flight trials. The flying prototype has made 16 flights… enables execution of a complete program of flight trials… Vladimir Popovkin, the Russian Defense Minister First Deputy, in his interview to the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper estimated the Russian Air Force’s demand for the 5th-generation fighters at 50 to 100 units. It is planned to complete all tests of the PAK FA airframe in 2011-2012, and to sign a contract in 2013 for a pilot lot of ten aircraft for testing the model’s entire weapons suite.”

July 13/10: Russia. RIA Novosti quotes senior Russian figures. Russian Air Force chief Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin confirms the expected delivery dates of over 60 planes, which they hope to begin in 2015-16, but equipped with older, “non-fifth” generation engines from existing SU-30 family planes.

“Deputy Defense Minister for Arms Procurement Vladimir Popovkin said the Defense Ministry would purchase the first 6 to 10 aircraft after 2012, based on the outcome of initial tests… The prime minister said 30 billion rubles (around $1 billion) had already been spent on the project and another 30 billion would be required to complete it, after which the engine, weaponry and other components would be upgraded.”

April 2010: Testing. The 1st flying prototype of the fighter, and the avionics testbed used for systems optimization before flight trials, are delivered to the flying test center of the OKB Sukhoi Experimental Design Bureau in Zhukovsky, near Moscow. On April 29/10, the flying prototype begins preliminary tests. Source.

March 29/10: Welcome to the new world of intelligence, where a pair of YouTube videos appear to provide insights into PAK-FA technologies. Veteran aviation journalist Bill Sweetman reports that:

“…the video highlights a new honeycomb core material designed for high temperatures. It also states that the T-50 will have no fewer than five radar arrays: the 1500-module forward active electronically scanned array (AESA), two side-facing X-band sub-arrays and two “decimetric” (L-band) arrays in the leading-edge root extensions. It also states that the goal is to fight the F-22 by closing within visual range. Another new video shows a novel inlet radar blocker… It uses flexible vanes with a rotating ring at the rear end: in the “stealth regime” it provides extensive blockage, but it clears the airflow when it doesn’t matter or you need full speed or power.”

Late March 2010: Testing. Acceptance trials of the flying prototype are fully completed. Source.

March 16/10: Russia. In “The future of the Russian Air Force: 10 years on“, RIA Novosti military commentator Ilya Kramnik discusses planned buys and pending recapitalization of the Russian Air Force over the next decade:

“According to various media reports, the Ministry wants to buy at least 1,500 aircraft, including 350 new warplanes, by 2020. The fleet would include 70% new equipment at that point, said Air Force Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Alexander Zelin… The Defense Ministry has now signed contracts for the purchase of 32 Su-34 Fullback advanced fighter-bombers to be delivered by 2013, 48 Su-35 Flanker-E fighters by 2015, 12 Su-27SM Flanker-B Mod. 1 fighters by 2011, 4 Su-30M2 Flanker-C planes by 2011 and 12 Su-25UBM Frogfoot combat trainers. This year, the Defense Ministry intends to sign a contract for the delivery of 26 MiG-29K Fulcrum-D fighters by 2015. Additional contracts for the delivery of at least 80 Su-34s and 24-48 Su-35s are expected to be signed. In all, the Russian Air Force is to receive 240-260 new aircraft of these types. It is hard to say much about the specifications of another 100-110 aircraft, due to be manufactured primarily after 2015. They will probably include 25-30 MiG-35 fighters, another 12-16 Su-30 combat trainers for Su-35 squadrons and 40-60 Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA (Advanced Frontline Aviation Aircraft System) fifth-generation fighters…”

Feb 12/10: Testing. The PAK-FA prototype reportedly makes its 2nd flight at Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Times Now | RT

.

Feb 6/10: Some aviation watchers ask “How long has the PAK-FA or T50 been flying?” They believe that the first prototype may have flown before January 2010, and that there may be more than 1 prototype, based on differences in available photos.

Jan 29/10: Fly! The first prototype PAK-FA fighter lifts off from KNAAPO’s Komsomolsk-on-Amur facility for a 47 minute flight, piloted by Sukhoi test-pilot Sergey Bogdan. Sukhoi says that the plane met all expectations. Sukhoi JSC release | NPO Saturn release [in Russian] | Russia 1 TV video | Pravda | RIA Novosti | Times of India | Aviation Week | Defense News | Agence France Presse | BBC | Canadian Press | Washington Post | China’s Xinhua | Aviaiton Week’s Bill Sweetman: Preliminary Analysis.

1st PAK-FA flight

Jan 6/10: India’s Business Standard covers the workshare and capability issues that have must be addressed before production contracts and arrangements can be finalized. The project is currently expected to have development costs of $8-10 billion, and Russia and Sukhoi have already made substantial investments.

The crux of the negotiations revolves around HAL’s designated development workshare, and the areas it will be applied to. On the other side of the table, the Russian United Aircraft Corporation is wary of India’s lack of design credentials, coupled with the cutting-edge nature of this project. HAL is intent on a 25% share, to include the mission computer and critical software (building on Indian SU-30MKI work), navigation systems, cockpit displays, counter-measures dispensing (CMD) systems, composites expertise and production to complement Russia’s titanium expertise, and modifying Sukhoi’s single-seat design into a twin-seat fighter for the IAF. HAL’s Chairman Ashok Baweja seems to have a different view of the fighter’s design state, referring to existing prototypes as “proof of concept” items rather than nearly final designs.

Once the 2 sides come to a firm agreement on issues of design and funding, UAC and HAL will sign a General Contract, and set up a joint venture to design and build the aircraft. That has not happened yet, while Sukhoi has continued to push forward with general design, and has produced a prototype aircraft. Business Standard describes India’s workshare as “almost finalised,” but as we’ve seen with other Indian procurements, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

Jan 3/10: Rollout. Reports surface that the first prototype of Russia’s PAK-FA aircraft has rolled out on the runway at KNAAPO’s plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, but did not fly. The test pilot reportedly switched on the engines and made 2 runs on the airstrip, while testing the brakes.

Russia’s vice premier Sergei Ivanov had promised that tests would commence in December 2009-January 2010, and the Russian Air Force reportedly plans to induct the fighter beginning from 2015. DNA India.

2008 – 2009

Russia – India MoU signed; Russia approves their version’s design; Exports could be a challenge.

PAK-FA: early concept
(click to view larger)

Oct 9/09: India. The Indian Ministry of Defence issues a release regarding the 9th meeting of the Russia-India Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation on Oct 14-15/09:

“Among the major new projects which will be high in priorities of the Indian agenda for bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries, will be projects for joint design and development of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and of the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA). The co-development and co-production of the FGFA with Sukhoi Design Bureau Russia has been progressing, with several rounds of discussion already completed to finalize the technical requirements. During discussions in the meeting of the Commission, Shri Antony would highlight New Delhi’s interest in ensuring that the development phase of the FGFA is completed by 2016, as originally anticipated and that induction of the aircraft into the IAF can start by 2017.”

See also: Times of India.

Aug 28/09: Radar. Tikhomirov’s NIIP reportedly exhibits models of the PAK-FA’s active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Tikhomirov reportedly says the AESA antenna entered bench testing in November 2008, and was mated with the radar’s other blocks for an initial integration test “this summer,” with a 2nd radar produced by mid-2010 for integration with the operational prototype aircraft.

The Milaz report adds that Sukhoi will complete 5 prototypes for initial testing, including 2 to be dedicated for ground test activities. Initial trials are scheduled for completion in 2011-12, with the company expecting to produce an initial batch of aircraft for operational trials by 2015.

April 16/09: Exports? Forecast International offers a cautionary market assessment of the FGFA:

“…with the PAKFA program under increasing tension and the West’s major aerospace firms seeking to shore up additional orders for soon to be closed fourth-generation aircraft production lines, Russia faces the prospect of declining presence in the world’s most high sought after arms markets… Faced with the considerable research & development costs associated with developing a new, advanced fighter platform, Russia is seeking to both distribute costs and ensure that a viable export market will exist… Sukhoi, is reported to have already invested as much as $115 million in company capital…

Several factors are working against the Rosoboronexport’s attempts replicate the international cost/production-sharing development model implemented for the F-35, which is expected to become the dominant fighter in the fifth-generation market… the unproven status of the PAKFA… its timeline for delivery its far behind its western competitors. Deliveries of the PAKFA are not anticipated to begin until 2017. Finally, as production of the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35 ramp up, the western aerospace firms currently producing advanced variants of fourth-generation aircraft are likely to push hard to gain additional order to extend production lines.”

Aug 8/09: RIA Novosti quotes the chief of the Russian Air Force, Alexander Zelin, from the MAKS-2009 arms show. Zelin says there are problems with the PAK-FA’s proposed new engines, and:

“For the time being the aircraft will use Saturn engines. There are problems, I admit, but research is continuing.”

Dec 29/08: MoU. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) sign the deal to jointly develop and produce a 5th generation fighter aircraft. HAL Chairman Ashok K Baweja:

“We (HAL and UAC) are moving forward as per schedule. We (have) just done the general contract yesterday. I went to Delhi and signed the general contract.”

According to reports, Russia and India will simultaneously develop 2 versions of the aircraft: a 2-seat version for India, and a single seat version for the Russian Air Force. India Defence.

India – Russia MoU

Sept 29/08: India Today magazine reports that the Russian and Indian designs for the FGFA project will differ somewhat, while efforts continue to define India’s participation in a project that has reportedly already had its design frozen by Sukhoi. HAL Chairman Ashok Baweja is quoted as saying that the Indian aircraft will be a 2-seat aircraft, which changes some aspects of design and has an especial impact on stealth unless carefully managed. Bajewa added that both stealth and supercruise capabilities were expected for the aircraft, adding that both sides were closer to a real agreement defining India’s participation, almost a year after the original cooperation memo was signed. India’s capabilities in composite materials manufacturing was mentioned as a possible basis for industrial participation.

Meanwhile, Russia’s the United Aircraft Corporation President Alexey Fedorov says that the single-seat T50 is set to fly in Russia in 2009 as planned; Bajewa adds that it will be powered by an ALF-31 FP engine.

The most interesting quote was Indian Air Vice Marshal Kak’s, who noted that the opportunity to gain from being part of the design process was gone, and added that “…if we have missed out on the design phase, we have to analyse the cost-benefits of acquiring only super cruise and stealth technology for $10 billion.”

A fair question. One likely to be asked in the political realm as well, when the time comes to finalize the agreement. Which leads to the corollary questions: How important each aspect is to the IAF? And where, if anywhere, might enough of these performance benefits be acquired at less cost?

Summer 2008: Design approval. The fighter’s initial design is approved in Russia, and the prototype blueprints are delivered to the KNAAPO aircraft building company based in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Source.

Russia approves design

April 3/08: RIA Novosti reports that Russia plans to begin flight tests of a new fifth-generation fighter based on Sukhoi’s PAK FA project in 2009.

Feb 28/08: HAL explains some of the timelines facing the FGFA program. HAL Chairman Ashok Baweja explains the process, which is also the set of implicit points of failure where the project can become stalled or canceled:

“We have only signed an Inter-governmental Agreement which agrees to cooperate in developing the FGFA. Now from that will flow the project report, general contract, the structure of the company that will be set up, and where the funding will come from. An aircraft design, development, certification, the complete entity with its power plant, systems, weapons, trials, is a process which takes 15 years to be completed.”

2004 – 2007

India signs key agreement, but it isn’t finalized.

India’s SU-30 MKIs
(click to view full)

Nov 6/07: India. Issues and rifts may be developing between India and Russia over the FGFA contract, which still lacks key signatories. Defense News reports that key difference include the design’s level of finalization (India wants more input and hasn’t finalized requirements, Russia says the design is final), India’s monetary share (HAL says $2 billion, agreement suggests $5-6 billion), and other issues. The Defense News report does claim that Sukhoi’s secret PAK-FA/ I-21/ T50 design has been selected as the foundation.

The first prototype of the aircraft is reportedly projected to be test-flown by 2015, but the number of aircraft to be built remains among the unsettled issues, and the 2 state-owned firms (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. & Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau) have not signed any agreements yet.

All of these things are solvable by negotiations, of course, but that means the partnership is still effectively in negotiations, rather than a final deal.

Oct 18/07: India and Russia sign an Intergovernmental Agreement for joint development and joint production of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). The agreement was signed in Moscow, Russia at the conclusion of the 7th Meeting of the India- Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation.

India’s Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony and his Russian counterpart Mr. Anatoly Serdyukov also signed a Protocol which envisages a ‘new strategic relationship’ based on greater interaction at various operational levels. The two countries have agreed to strengthen and expand relations in all areas, especially in the areas of more frequent joint exercises and greater R&D cooperation. Talks with Russia to extend the 2000 Military Cooperation Agreement beyond 2010 have now begun, and Antony also expressed hope that the two countries would soon sign an Intergovernmental Agreement on co-development and co-production of Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MRTA). The India MoD release adds:

“The Defence Minister described the Agreement on FGFA as a ‘major landmark’ and said that the Indo-Russian relationship is on a trajectory to reach new heights. He Mr. Antony expressed satisfaction at the outcome of discussions on other important projects e.g., supply and licensed production of T-90 tanks, SU-30 MKI aircraft and other strategic issues. He admitted that there has been a delay in the delivery of the repaired and refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov along with supply of deck-based fighter aircraft MiG-29K and said it was decided that some more studies by technical groups would be done to go through the details. He appreciated the efforts made by the Russian side to resolve issues relating to life cycle support of equipment of Russian origin.”

Inter-Governmental Agreement

Aug 29/07: India. India’s MoD issues a familiar release, in response to renewed questions:

“Co-development of a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft has been identified as an important area of cooperation between the Indian and Russian Government. Technical discussions to work out the details are in progress. Efforts are on for finalizing the draft Inter Governmental Agreement in this regard. This information was given by the Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Gurudas Dasgupta and Shri CK Chandrappan in Lok Sabha today.”

March 1/07: India. “Advanced Combat Aircraft” release from India’s Minister of State for Defence Production Shri Rao Inderjit Singh:

“The co-development of a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft has been identified as an important area of cooperation between the Indian and Russian governments. Technical discussions to work out the details are in progress. Efforts are on for negotiations and finalization of the draft Inter-Governmental Agreement in this regard.”

Dec 10/04: The new fighter’s exterior design is approved. Source.

Appendix A: “Fifth Generation”?

MiG 1.44 MFI
(click to view full)

Russia’s SU-27/30 Flanker family fighters were invented in the 1980s and 1990s, and attempted to incorporate the lessons from America’s 4th generation “teen series” fighters (F-14, F-15, F-16, F/A-18) into their designs. They were successful, and India’s Air Force may now be flying the world’s second best air superiority fighter in the SU-30MKI. The MKI, and European designs like the Eurofighter, Rafale, and JAS-39 Gripen, are typically referred to as “4+ generation” aircraft.

The term “fifth generation” fighter is part marketing hype, and partly based in reality. There are no objective criteria for this designation, and very few examples, which means it’s mostly applied based on when the development of a front-line, advanced fighter begins. There are a few general constants on the American side: some level of stealth, and internal weapon carriage to maintain it; arrays of embedded sensors within the airframe’s structure, rather than as bolt-ons; and sensor fusion into single displays. On the other hand, level of application varies for each category, and key capabilities like super-maneuverability and supercruise (Mach 1+ without using fuel-guzzling afterburners) have not been constants.

F-22, bays open
(click to view full)

The USA’s “5th generation” F-22A Raptor offers full stealth, supermaneuverability, an advanced AESA radar, huge computing power that creates a single “sensor fusion” picture from the plane’s array of embedded sensors and datalinks, and the ability to “supercruise” above Mach 1 instead of just making short supersonic dashes. It is operated by the USAF, and just over 190 aircraft will constitute America’s entire fleet. America has refused to export it, despite interest from very close allies.

To a lesser extent, there’s also the cheaper F-35 Lightning II, with some stealth, a smaller AESA radar, sensor fusion, and even more computing power and sensors embedded around the aircraft. It lacks supercruise or super-maneuverability, and will be produced for domestic use and export in Air Force, Marines/STOVL, and Navy variants.

Russia’s MiG 1.44 (if indeed it was a real project?) and/or “I-21” type aircraft were early attempts to keep up with the Americans, but lack of funds suspended both efforts.

The obvious solution was a foreign partner, but Europe had limited funds, and had invested in its own 4+ generation projects: Dassault’s Rafale, EADS’ Eurofighter, and Sweden’s Gripen. India, on the other hand, has a long-standing defense relationship with Russia, and the funds to pursue advanced projects. From their point of view, a joint development agreement is one way to restrict Russian cooperation with China along similar lines. See Vijiander K Thakur’s “Understanding IAF interest in the MiG fifth generation fighter” for more background.

Until similar aspects of the Russian design became clear, however, it was impossible to know exactly what Russia and India meant by “5th generation.” Some of those ambiguities were resolved when Russia unveiled its T50 demonstrators.

Appendix B: DID Analysis – Under Pressure (2008)

The competition?
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If there’s one watchword to use for this deal, it’s “pressure.” Russia has been putting pressure on India lately to remain a customer, by giving China export rights to jet engines that will power Pakistan’s new fighters, and by working to evict India from its base in Tajikistan. Verbiage concerning deepened strategic cooperation needs to be seen in this light.

The second kind of pressure at work here is the fiscal variety. With the Navy also demanding funds for new ships, submarines and aircraft as India’s geostrategy shifts toward securing the Indian Ocean sea lanes, any additional fighters will face an extremely tight fiscal environment over the next decade and more.

India already faces cost pressures given limited defense budget and pressing need to refurbish its existing fleet, modernize its fighters via the MRCA competition, and bring the Tejas LCA on line to replace its MiG-21s. Not to mention adding new platforms to patrol India’s vital sea lanes, fulfill naval fighter needs, upgrade its transport aircraft fleet, and extend the IAF’s reach. Meanwhile, India’s SU-30MKIs remain one of the best 4th generation aircraft in the world, with a comfortable edge over regional rivals, good growth prospects, and superiority over most current and planned US aircraft as well.

SU-30MK2s, China
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Then there’s pressure in future, as the strategic agreement lays the foundations for something of a dilemma down the road. There are no real guarantees when dealing with Russia, only its interests of the moment and the logic of cash. Any fighter whose R&D is partly underwritten by India can easily be sold to China later on if relations turn sour, or if India does not buy enough aircraft to make exclusivity worthwhile from Russia’s point of view. One might think that this would be counterbalanced somewhat by Russian wariness about giving a potential rival its best technology, but past experience shows that even this will be for sale. China’s real military budget is about 4-5 times India’s according to most credible estimates, and is likely to remain so.

Given the amount of Russian equipment in India’s military, and the limitations of defense budgets in a democracy that prevent a massive “throw-out and re-equip” exercise, India’s options for retaliation would be very limited.

India faces high hurdles to retaining future exclusivity – and is handing a potent lever to Russia for future “negotiations” involving Russian armaments.

Additional Readings Background: PAK-FA

• Global Security – PAK FA [Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi].

• Air Power Australia (Feb 15/10) – Assessing the Sukhoi PAK-FA. “While the failure to account for the imminent arrival of this design in United States TACAIR force structure planning qualifies the PAK-FA as a “known capability surprise”, the important advances in PAK-FA aerodynamic, kinematic and low observables design also qualify it as a “surprising capability surprise”.

• Wikipedia – Sukhoi PAK FA. Wikipedia is a useful source for concept aircraft, because it tends to aggregate the various sources. This article is a good example. Note that all articles concerning this aircraft must be regarded as very provisional.

• Warfare.RU, via WayBack – PAK-FA Sukhoi T-50. As of 2011. The “T-50” is an internal designation; the operational aircraft will be SU-##.

• RIA Novosti, via WayBack – FACTBOX: Russia’s fifth-generation fighter T-50 (PAK FA). As of 2012.

• NPO Saturn – 117S. The engine that equips the Su-35, and early T50 models. For its successor, see Aircraft Engines of the 5th Generation [in Russian].

News and Views

• Air Power Australia – Sukhoi Flankers: The Shifting Balance of Regional Air Power. The SU-30 family has its own growth potential. Includes program history, details, regional procurement notes, and analysis of current capabilities and likely future upgrades.

• China Air and Naval Power (Jan 29/14) – Some thoughts on 5th gen projects. Less than sanguine about Russia’s ability to pull off a good AESA radar, and suggests that software will become a bigger issue as the PAK-FA/SU-50 jets get closer to deployment.

• The Aviationist (Oct 18/13) – Russia’s most advanced fighter jet’s troublesome childhood.

• Flight Global, via WayBack (April 20/13) – Flying the Flanker. Tactical Air Support COO Gerry Gallop talks about supercruising in a clean, demilitarized SU-27. The SU-50 will be heavier and bulkier, but it will also be clean with basic weapons loaded. Can the engines provide enough thrust : weight?

• Airpower Australia (Nov 12/12) – A Preliminary Assessment of Specular Radar Cross Section Performance in the Sukhoi T-50 Prototype. Uses public-domain photos coupled with the Physical Optics (PO) method to predict the RCS of complex targets, using VisCam View software to produce a PolyChromatic Spherical Representation (PCSR). Conclusion: it could match the F-35, with some changes and coatings added. Without flight test data, it’s still a guess, but it’s a kind of guess that Moore’s Law has made available outside of large intelligence agencies.

• Heritage Foundation, via WayBack (Nov 30/10) – What Russia’s Stealth Fighter Developments Mean for America.

• Defense Technology International, via WayBack (Feb 8/10) – Major Work Ahead on Russian Stealth Fighter.

• Plane Talking (Feb 6/10) – How long has the PAK-FA or T-50 been flying?

• Flight Global (April 24/07) – Picture: Russian Sukhoi T-50 fighter images emerge. From the NPO Saturn web site. See above for the rendering, and see also this Russian page re: the engine.

• DID (Jan 26/07) – January 2007 India-Russia Cooperation Agreements.

• DID – The F-22 Raptor: Procurement & Events.

Americas

The US Air Force contracted Boeing with a $24.1 million modification for F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) engineering and manufacturing development. The EPAWSS is a program that upgrades F-15 aircraft electronic warfare capabilities to detect and identify air and ground threats, employ counter-measures, and jam enemy radar signals. It has fully integrated radar warning, geo-location, situational awareness, and self-protection solutions to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats in signal-dense contested and highly contested environments. The F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, tactical fighter aircraft with speed capability of 1,875 miles per hour. The aircraft has an all-metal semimonocoque fuselage with a large-cantilever, shoulder-mounted wing. The contract modification also includes operational test and evaluation and provides for the procurement of hardware and systems engineering program management for the F-15E Operational Test and Evaluation jets. Work will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be finished by June 1, 2021.

The US Army Contracting Command awarded Longbow LLC a $10.5 million contract modification for Laser and Longbow Hellfire engineering services. Hellfire missiles are the USA’s preferred aerial anti-armor missile, and are widely deployed with America’s allies. The AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-surface missile. It is a combat proven tactical missile system using multiple launch platforms. The Hellfire can be fired from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, waterborne vessels and land-based systems against a variety of targets. Longbow LLC produces equipment for the aerospace and defense industry including electrical components for helicopters and other vehicles. Work under the modification will take place in Orlando, Florida and is scheduled to be completed by the end of February next year.

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin a $33.4 million contract modification in support of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The modification includes redesign, integration and test of radio frequency sensors as part of a cost reduction initiative. Lockheed secured a potential $322 million contract in 2016 to support the integration and testing of LRASM, which is designed to be launched from guided-missile destroyers and cruisers. The LRASM is a long-range precision guided missile designed to autonomously detect and engage enemy warships based on their image recognition, infrared, radar and other sensor profiles. The LRASM is expected to be integrated with the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet this year. Work under the modification will take place in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Florida and is expected to be completed by February 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s Aeronautics confirmed that it signed a deal to be acquired by defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense and businessman Avihai Stolero. Aeronautics, which manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for military surveillance and defense purposes as well as for the commercial sector, will become private and its shares delisted from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Rafael and Stolero will pay $235 million for full ownership. The deal is still subject to approval from Aeronautics’ shareholders. In August 2017 the Israeli Ministry of Defense halted the company’s license to export a loiter munition UAV system to an unnamed client, leading to the launch of an investigation by Israeli Police and the Israel Securities Authority for suspected violations of the Israeli defense export controls law. This resulted in the company’s stock taking a big hit. According to Aeronautics the merger with Rafael will be completed within four to six months.

Europe

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) tested the Texan T1 training aircraft on Friday for the first time. The Beechcraft Texan T MK1 will take over the basic fast jet training role currently fulfilled by the Tucano. The aircraft, also known as the T-6A Texan II, is also used by the US Air Force, the US Navy and US Marine Corps for training. Continuing the precedent set by the Tucano for employing a tandem-seat turboprop basic trainer, the Texan II replaces the analogue cockpit of the earlier machine with a digital glass cockpit featuring modern avionics. The aircraft’s mission system is capable of generating simulated air-to-air targets and scoring against the release of simulated air-to-ground ordnance. The T1 can simulate missions in fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning and Typhoon. Britain is investing $1.6 billion in fixed-wing aircraft training under the Military Flight Training System to train and prepare junior pilots for the frontline.

Asia-Pacific

The Royal Australian Air Force along with Western Sydney University developed a camera that can track objects in space in real time. The so called Astrosite could help prevent satellites located beyond the Earth’s atmosphere smashing into each other. With the Astrosite, which is modelled off the human eye, it will be possible to see into space during the day, and during low observable periods.The camera could be mounted onto a plane, train or a ship. The technology’s development is part of the Plan Jericho, which is a strategy to transform the Royal Australian Air Force by capitalizing on future high technology systems.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is developing a trainer aircraft that can be used to train Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots before they start flying the Rafale. The Supersonic Omni Role Trainer Aircraft (SPORT) is based on Light Combat Aircraft frame and engine. SPORT will carry HMDS, LDP, cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs, anti-shipping missiles, smart weapons and drones. It can also be used as a combat aircraft during war. In the IAF training module, the first level of training is basic training, followed by intermediate and advanced. After this, the pilots go on to fly high performance aircraft Rafale or Mirage 2000. HAL has completed preliminary design and is about to get into actual development of the aircraft.

Today’s Video

Watch: For the first time: Britain tests next generation training aircraft

Americas

The US Navy plans to test its new electronic warfare (EW) drone this fall. The drones are part of the „Remedy“ program by the Navy and Northrop Grumman that sees a small Class II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) packed into a cluster munition canister that would then eject from a mothership and fly a programmed route ahead of stand-off jammers and strike aircraft. This could mean that electronic EW platforms like the EA-18G Growler could soon release swarms of drones from the aircraft, allowing the smaller vehicles to fly ahead to scout out for radar and other battlefield emitters. The drones could even take part in electronic attack missions themselves by jamming enemy sensor networks. During the trials in fall, Northrop Grumman plans to link the drone with an actual Growler as part of Fleet Tactical Grid 2019.

The US Naval Sea Systems Command issued a request for information for the proposed Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA). In 2018, the Unmanned Maritime Program Office chartered a cross-organizational team to develop the Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture with the goal of standardizing autonomy interfaces across its growing portfolio of unmanned vehicles. The intent of UMAA is to provide overarching standards that various unmanned undersea vehicles and unmanned service vehicles can be built to in order to avoid creating multiple conflicting systems in the future.The Naval Sea Systems Command’s Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants, Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office is looking for government organizations and industry to participate in the development of the UMAA.

Middle East & Africa

Iran unveiled an indigenous submarine that reportedly is capable of firing cruise missiles several hundred miles and staying more than 650 feet underwater for five weeks. The vessel includes 412,000 pieces, utilizing 76 state-of-the-art technologies. 4.2 million working hours utilized 120 industrial centers, 80 knowledge-based companies, 57 universities and 195 research centers. The submarine includes surface-to-surface systems, a torpedo launcher, advanced sonar, electrically powered propulsion, battle management systems, integrated electronic security and communications technology.

Europe

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard Group AS ordered the 9LV Fire Control System (FCS) including the Ceros 200 fire control director from Saab for the Norwegian Coast Guard’s new Jan Mayen-class-vessels. The 9LV FCS is used to detect, monitor and combat threats with high accuracy. It provides rapid, reliable defense against any threat in any environment, including advanced sea-skimming missiles and asymmetric surface threats. Ceros 200 is one of its core components and is based on radar and optronic technology, which gives the system very high precision in all weather conditions. Vard Group is building the Jan Mayen class vessels with the first delivery planned for 2022. Saab will undertake the work in Järfälla, Sweden.

ZALA Aero, a subsidiary of Rostec’s Kalashnikov Group unveiled its new KYB-UAV loitering munition at the IDEX in Abu Dhabi. The drone, that could target enemy air defenses, is 1,210 mm long with a 950 mm wingspan. The new system precisely hits ground targets, delivering a specific payload to target coordinates. The target coordinates are specified manually or acquired from payload targeting image. Powered by an electric motor, it can carry a 3-kg payload, has a speed of 80-130 km/h, and an endurance of 30 minutes. The so called KYB-BLA is a small, slow and presumably inexpensive cruise missile.

Asia-Pacific

The Australian Army contracted Saab to update the Wireless Audio Visual Emergency System (WAVES) for the counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) sense-and-warn systems. C-RAM is a set of systems used to detect or destroy rockets, artillery, and mortar round in the air before they hit their ground targets, or provide early warning. Australia’s C-RAM solution is built around the Saab Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam (AMB) radar which is part of a family of ground-based radars that can detect a range of incoming threats, from mortar and artillery rounds and rockets to small drones and fast moving aircraft. The WAVES equipment provides early warning audible and visual alerts when the C-RAM sensors detect and identify an incoming threat within an exclusion zone.

Japanese vehicle manufacturer Komatsu stopped developing new models of its Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JG SDF). This highlights the struggle the Japanese private sector faces in supporting the country’s armed forces, even though it is government policy to maintain the country’s defense industry. Komatsu supplies the SDF with armored personnel carriers, light armored vehicles, reconnaissance vehicles and high explosives. The company will continue producing its nuclear, biological, and chemical reconnaissance vehicles for the JGSDF.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is delivering 16 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas to the Indian Air Force (IAF) operational fleet by the end of the year. HAL has already delivered 16 Tejas in the Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) configuration to the IAF. The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-engine, multirole light fighter. It features a tailless, compound delta wing and is able to guide air-to-surface and anti-shipping weapons to be integrated for multirole and multimission capabilities. The IAF has conveyed to HAL that it would require 83 more LCAs Mark 1 for its frontline bases. However, the government is yet to clear their cost for production.

Today’s Video

Watch: Is the U.S. Air Force’s F-15X Buy a Mistake?

Americas

The US Air Force contracted United Launch Services with $441.8 million for launch services to deliver the Silent Barker, BIRS GEO-5, and SBIRS GEO-6 missions to their intended orbits. United Launch Services is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing that provides launch services for aircrafts and missiles. Silent Barker is a classified space situational awareness program by the Air Force Space Command and the National Reconnaissance Office. SBIRS (Space Based Infra Red Sensor) GEO is the geostationary component of the SBIRS-High program. The SBIRS-High satellite program is a key component of the USA’s future missile alert system, designed to give maximum warning and monitoring of ballistic missile launches anywhere in the world. The current contract will include launch vehicle production, mission integration, mission launch operations/spaceflight worthiness, and mission unique activities for Silent Barker and SBIRS GEO-5, with an option for an additional SBIRS GEO-6 launch service. Work will be performed at Centennial, Colorado; and Cape Canaveral, Florida. Silent Barker is expected to be completed by March 2022, and SBIRS GEO-5 is expected to be completed by March 2021. The Air Force divided $739 million in launch contracts between United Launch Services and SpaceX for six national security missions slated for 2021-2022.

The Navy tapped Lockheed Martin with $8.2 million to exercise options for ship integration and test of the Aegis Weapon System (AWS). The deal is a cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to a previously awarded contract and includes AWS Baselines through Advanced Capability Build 16. The Aegis Combat System 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. The AWS is the heart of Aegis and comprises the AN/SPY-1 Radar, MK 99 Fire Control System, WCS, the Command and Decision Suite, and the SM-2 Standard Missile family of weapons. Work under the modification will take place in New Jersey, Mississippi, Virginia, Washington, California and Washington DC, and is scheduled to be finished by September 2024.

The US destroyer Donald Cook re-entered the Black Sea on Tuesday to conduct exercises with the Ukraine and other allies. It is the ship’s second visit to the Black Sea this year and comes amid escalating tensions and violence between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces. The USS Donald Cook or DDG-75 is an Alreigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer made a port stop last month in Batumi, Georgia, and conducted an exercise with two of that country’s coast guard vessels while the Russian navy watched. The destroyer’s last visit to the Black Sea was in late January. The ship will augment maritime security, help to ensure regional stability and boost the readiness and capability of its Black Sea partners through a multi-national exercise.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems developed a new air-to-surface long-range missile called „Rocks“. The new missile is equipped with a penetration or blast fragmentation warhead that is capable of destroying targets above the surface or deep underground in heavily surface-to-air defended areas. The new missile uses its INS/GPS for midcourse navigation. It can be used against quality targets, whether stationary or mobile, and even in areas where the enemy uses countermeasures against GPS systems. „Rocks“ performs a high velocity trajectory toward the target, reducing the exposure of the aircraft as well as improving the chances of successfully hitting targets. Rafael will present the missile at the Aero India Air Show in Bengaluru, India this week.

Europe

Britain will deploy the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the Arctic next year in order of tackling the growing threat from Russian submarines. The proposed deployment is part of the so called Defence Arctic Strategy, which was launched in September to address the increasing opportunities and threats present in the region. As part of the Defence Arctic Strategy, British Royal Marines carry out cold weather training in collaboration with Norway. Nine Poseidon aircraft will be delivered to Royal Air Force Lossiemouth next year for reconnaissance patrols over a wide range including the High North and North Atlantic. The Poseidon is a military aircraft that conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and shipping interdiction.

The Royal Danish Navy Frigate HDMS Niels Juel is en route to the Mediterranean Sea port of Toulon where it will join French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle for two months of training and operations. The Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate will operate with France’s sole aircraft from March 4 to April 27, providing air defense for the carrier and other ships from the task group. HDMS Niels Juel is deploying with a complement of 160 sailors and an embarked EH101 medium-lift helicopter. The Iver Huitfeldt class is a three-ship class of frigates that entered service with the Royal Danish Navy in 2012 and 2013. Charles de Gaulle is the flagship of the French Navy and the first French nuclear-powered surface vessel. The Danish frigate will carry out air control tasks around the French Carrier Strike Group, including control of air traffic to and from the aircraft carrier. The vessel will operate in the eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the northern Indian Ocean down to the Seychelles and the Persian Gulf.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin unveiled the F-21 fighter jet, which is a proposed tailor-made version of the F-16, at the Aero India show in Bengaluru. The company is pitching the new jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The US defense firm previously offered its F-16 fighter for the Indian Air Force’s ongoing competition for 114 planes to be made in India. Lockheed is competing with Boeing’s F/A-18, Saab’s Gripen, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and a Russian aircraft for the IAF order. The proposed F-21 plane has a retractable probe, similar to the kind used by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, that allowing them to take on fuel in flight via a hose-and-drogue system used by the Indian Air Force. Lockheed Martin’s illustrations show the place with a heavy weapon load and a Sniper targeting pod.

Today’s Video

Watch: UK 19/2/19: RAF Tornado jets make final ’emotional’ aerial flypast before being retired.

Americas

The US Navy contracted Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems $20 million to design and support the AN/BLQ-10 Electronic Warfare (EW) system for new-construction and in-service submarines. The deal includes engineering and technical services for the design, development, testing, integration, technology insertion/refreshment and system support of the EW. The AN/BLQ-10 submarine EW provides automatic detection, classification, localization, as well as identification of potentially hostile radar and communications signals at sea. The program is adopting an open-architecture, incremental development process that fields hardware and software technology insertions every two years. The system is for Virginia-, Los Angeles-, and Seawolf-class fast-attack submarines, Ohio-class conventional guided-missile submarines, and future Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines. Work under the contract will take place in New York and Virginia and is scheduled to be completed by February next year.

The Navy awarded Boeing a $17.8 million contract modification to procure two additional F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, modified to extend the service life of the aircraft. The Super Hornet is a twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft that is able to carry air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. The E model of the aircraft is a single seater, and the F model is a two-seater. The F/A-18E/F s operational in 10 U.S. Navy Carrier Air Wings. Work under the modification will be performed in Missouri and California and is expected to be finished by October next year.

Two Australian F/A-18A Hornets arrived in Canada on Saturday. The two Hornets are the first of up to 25 aircraft that will be sold to Canada along with spares and support equipment. The Canadian government acquired the 30-year old jets in order of filling a capability gap affecting the Royal Canadian Airforce’s ability to simultaneously meet NORAD and NATO obligations. Originally, Canada had intended to supplement its fleet of 85 Boeing CF(F/A)-18 A/B fighters with 18 new Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets. This plan was cancelled in favor of the Australian Hornets when Boeing accused Canada’s Bombardier of receiving unfair subsidies from Ottawa. Before the aircraft can be integrated into the Canadian fleet of CF-188 Hornets, they will undergo several modifications in Mirabel, Quebec. They have to be brought to the same operational configuration as the Canadian CF-188 Hornets. This means cockpit and communications upgrades, a night vision imaging system, a sniper targeting pod, landing gear modifications, a new ejection seat as well as the Air Force paint scheme.

Middle East & Africa

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are reportedly developing their first light attack aircraft. The defense company Calidus is manufacturing the so called B250, which is currently being tested. The aircraft has multi-role capabilities for modern and asymmetrical warfare, including close air support, counter-insurgency, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It can also serve as a basic and advanced trainer. The plane, which is built out of carbon fiber, is on show at the ongoing International Defence Exhibition (Idex) in Abu Dhabi. Calidus is a relatively new but fast-growing Abu Dhabi based defense-technology company currently working on strengthening the capabilities of the UAE defense industry.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled a new loitering munition. The so called Mini Harpy is a tactical system that can be launched from land-, marine- as well as helicopter-borne platforms. The munition is electrically powered and can loiter in ranges of up to 100 km for up to two hours. IAI designed the system to provide operators with maximum control, including abort and re-attack capabilities. It also offers detection of broadcast radiation with electro-optical capabilities. It weighs 45 kg and is able to carry a shaped charge of approximately 8 kg. The Mini Harpy will be displayed for the first time at the Aero India Exhibition in Bangalore this week.

Europe

Pilatus delivered a PC-24 to the Swiss government, which it had ordered in 2014. The brand-new PC-24 Super Versatile Jet replaces a business jet supplied by a North American manufacturer and previously used for government flights. The Swiss Air Force will operate the aircraft for the Swiss government. The government jet sports a modern, white-grey livery with striking Swiss cross on the tail fin plus the words “Swiss Air Force”. Pilatus is a Swiss aerospace manufacturer producing STOL aircraft and military training aircraft. The PC-24 business jet is a low-wing cantilever cabin monoplane powered by two Williams FJ44-4A turbofans, each mounted in a nacelle on the side of the rear fuselage. The aircraft will be used primarily for travel within Europe. The PC-24 has a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometers) and flies at a speed of 440 knots (815 kilometers per hour).

Asia-Pacific

India requested for an urgent shipment of 21 MiG-29 „Fulcrum“ fighters from Russia. The Fulcrum is a twin-engine fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter in the 70s. The MiG-29 aircraft are commonly outfitted to use a range of air-to-surface armaments and precision munitions. India was the first international customer of the MiG-29. The Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for more than 50 MiG-29s in 1980 while the aircraft was still in its initial development phase. In January 2010, India and Russia signed a $1.2 billion deal under which the Indian Navy would acquire 29 additional MiG-29Ks. Acquiring MiGs is considered the cheapest way to quickly replenish the diminishing strength of the IAF, which used to have 38 fighter squadrons but now struggles to keep that number above 30, far below the government-approved figure of 42. Delivery terms of the 21 MiG-29s are currently under negotiation.

Today’s Video

Watch: Finally!! The first serial Su-57 will be delivered to the Russian Aerospace Force in 2019