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Results for "aim-9x"
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: 2009-2010
18-Nov-2009 18:38 EST |
Related Stories: Alliances, Americas - USA, BAE, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, ECM, Electronics - General, Engines - Aircraft, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Fighters & Attack, Finmeccanica, GE, Issues - International, Issues - Political, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Israel, Northrop-Grumman, Official Reports, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Policy - Procurement, R&D - Contracted, Radars, Rumours, Security & Secrecy, Sensors & Guidance, Testing & Evaluation, Transformation
F-35A: incoming…
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The F-35 Lightning II is a major multinational program which is intended to produce an “affordably stealthy” multi-role strike fighter that will have three variants: the F-35A conventional version for the US Air Force et. al.; the F-35B Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing for the US Marines, British Royal Navy, et. al.; and the F-35C conventional carrier-launched version for the US Navy. The aircraft is named after Lockheed’s famous WW2 P-38 Lightning, and the Mach 2, stacked-engine English Electric (now BAE) Lightning jet. System development partners included The USA & Britain (Tier 1), Italy and the Netherlands (Tier 2), and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (Tier 3), with Singapore and Israel as “Security Cooperation Partners.” Now the challenge is agreeing on production phase membership and arrangements, to be followed by initial purchase commitments around 2008-2009.
This updated article has expanded to feature more detail regarding the $300 billion F-35 program, including other contracts as well as notable events. New material is highlighted by putting it in green type. Recent news include an investigation by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram into JET’s conclusions regarding program delays, Lockheed Martin’s response, and a Rolls Royce contract for production LiftSystem engine modules…
AMRAAM: Deploying & Developing America’s Medium-Range Air-Air Missile (updated)
16-Nov-2009 16:33 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - Central, Asia - Other, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, Europe - France, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Field Reports, Middle East - Israel, Middle East - Other, Missiles - Air-Air, Missiles - Surface-Air, New Systems Tech, Official Reports, Other Corporation, R&D - Contracted, Raytheon, Support & Maintenance, Warfare - Trends
AIM-120C from F-22A
(click for test missile zoom)
Raytheon’s AMRAAM has become the world market leader for medium range air-to-air missiles. It was designed with the lessons of Vietnam in mind, and of local air combat exercises like ACEVAL and Red Flag.
One of the key lessons learned from Vietnam was that a fighter would be likely to encounter multiple enemies, and would need to launch and guide several missiles at once in order to ensure its survival. This had not been possible with the AIM-7 Sparrow, a “semi-active radar homing” missile which required a constant radar lock on one target. To make matters worse, enemy fighters were capable of launching missiles of their own. Pilots who weren’t free to maneuver after launch would often be forced to “break lock,” or be killed – sometimes even by a short-range missile fired during the last phases of their enemy’s approach. Since fighters that could carry radar-guided missiles like the AIM-7 tended to be larger and more expensive, and the Soviets were known to have far more fighters overall, this was not a good trade.
Enter AMRAAM – the AIM-120 Advanced, Medium-Range Air to Air Missile. This DID FOCUS article covers successive generations of AMRAAM missiles, international contracts and key events from 2006 onward, and even some of its emerging competitors. New materials will be highlighted in green type. The most recent additions involve US government approval for 3 Middle East allies to buy AMRAAMs, as well as a request by Chile to buy $145 million worth of AMRAAMs and accessories…
F-18 Hornets: Keeping ‘Em Flying
08-Nov-2009 07:34 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Australia & S. Pacific, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Fighters & Attack, GE, L3 Communications, Northrop-Grumman, Spotlight articles, Support & Maintenance
CF-18: which way?
(click to see clearly)
The Hornet is the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet’s predecessor, and the first models were introduced in the late 1970s as a spinoff of the USAF’s lightweight fighter competition. While the General Dynamics F-16 won, Northrop’s YF-17 eventually evolved into the McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet.
The F/A-18 Hornet is currently flown by the US Marine Corps as their front-line fighter, by the US Navy as a second-tier fighter behind its larger F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, and by 7 international customers: Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland. The USA’s aircraft were expected to have a service life of 20 years, but that was based on 100 carrier landings per year. The US Navy and Marines have been rather busy during the Hornets’ service life, and so the planes are wearing out faster.
This is forcing the USA to take a number of steps and issue a series of contracts in order to keep their Hornets airworthy, replacing center barrel sections, re-opening production lines, and more. Some of these efforts will also be offered to allied air forces, who have their own refurbishment and upgrade programs.
The latest additions involves a Finnish order…
Continue reading…
Morocco’s Air Force Reloads (updated)
29-Oct-2009 17:30 EDT |
Related Stories: Africa, Alliances, Americas - USA, Avionics, Boeing, C4ISR, Contracts - Awards, ECM, Europe - France, Events, Fighters & Attack, Force Structure, GE, General Dynamics, Guns - 20-59 mm direct, Issues - Environmental, L3 Communications, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Protective Systems - Aircraft, Radars, Raytheon, Sensors & Guidance, Signals Radio & Wireless, Specialty Aircraft, Spotlight articles, United Technologies
French Mirage F1s
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Morocco’s combat air force currently flies 2 squadrons of old F-5s, and 2 squadrons of only slightly newer Mirage F1s; T-37 light jets serve as key transitional trainers. Their neighbor and rival Algeria flies MiG-23s of similar vintage, but the Force Aerienne Algerienne also flies SU-24 Fencer and SU-25 Frogfoot strike aircraft, even more modern and capable MiG-29s, and is set to receive multi-role SU-30MKs as part of a multi-billion dollar weapons deal with Russia.
Morocco can’t beat that array. Instead, they’re looking for replacement aircraft that will prevent complete overmatch, and provide a measure of security. Initially, they looked to France. France’s Rafale is part of a set of European 4+ generation fighters that were developed and fielded during the 1990s-early 21st century, with the aim of surpassing existing offerings among America’s “teen series” fighters, as well as Russia’s Mig-29 Fulcrum and SU-27/30 Flanker family. “Dogfight at the Casbah: Rafale vs. F-16” discussed the French sales slip-ups that cost Dassault its first export order for the 4+ generation fighter. That outcome is now official.
Just to make things worse, the final multi-billion dollar deal involves new-build F-16s, at a price comparable to the rumored figures for the Rafale. Not to mention an accompanying American deal to replace Morocco’s T-37 trainer fleet with T-6Cs, and contracts for air-launched weapons, targeting pods, and C-27J short-haul transports. The latest development includes a DSCA request for CH-47D helicopters…
- Contracts and Key Events [updated]
- Why The F-16? DID Analysis – Dec. 2007
- Additional Readings
Continue reading…
JHMCS: Fighter Pilot “Look & Shoot” Helmets’ Upgrade, Ups & Downs
27-Oct-2009 11:28 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Asia - Other, Australia & S. Pacific, Avionics, BAE, Boeing, Contracts - Modifications, Electronics - General, Europe - Other, L3 Communications, Middle East - Israel, New Systems Tech, Official Reports, Policy - Procurement, Procurement Innovations, Project Management, Scandals & Investigations, Simulation & Training, Spotlight articles, Testing & Evaluation, Transformation, Warfare - Lessons
(click to view full)
In the 1970s, fighter aircraft began to appear with Head-Up Displays (HUD) that projected key information, targeting crosshairs etc. onto a seemingly clear piece of glass. HUDs allowed pilots to keep their eyes in the sky, instead of looking down at their instruments. Ever since, we’ve been wondering when we’d see them in our automobiles. In the 1990s, another innovation appeared: helmet-mounted displays (HMDs) put the HUD inside the pilot’s helmet, providing this information even when the pilot wasn’t looking straight ahead. The Israelis were already pioneering a system called DASH when a set of former East German MiG-29s equipped with Soviet HMDs slaughtered USAF F-16s in NATO exercises. Suddenly, helmet-mounted displays became must-haves for modern fighters – and a key partnership positioned Elbit to take DASH to the next level.
This DID Spotlight article offered insights into the rocky past, overall state, and future of a program that has experienced its share of snags and controversy – but went on to become the #1 helmet-mounted sight in the world today. It also details the JHMCS’ game-changing effects on air combat, its production sets and known customers, and all contracts since full-rate production began.
The latest item is a some aditional gear for the US Navy…
$5.1B Proposed in Sales, Upgrades, Weapons for Pakistan’s F-16s
19-Oct-2009 08:43 EDT |
Related Stories: Alliances, Americas - USA, Asia - Central, Asia - India, Avionics, BAE, Boeing, Bombs - General, Bombs - Smart, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Intent, ECM, Fighters & Attack, Issues - International, Issues - Political, Lockheed Martin, Missiles - Air-Air, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Radars, Raytheon, Sensors & Guidance, Spotlight articles, Support & Maintenance, Support Functions - Other, United Technologies
PAF F-16A drops Mk.82s
(click to view full)
On June 28/06, the US DSCA notified Congress via a series of releases of its intention to provide Pakistan with a $5.1 billion Foreign Military Sales package to upgrade the F-16s that serve as the PAF’s top of the line fighters. Some of these items had been put on hold following the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan & Kashmir, but the request for 36 new F-16 Block 50/52s is now going ahead following the required 30-day review period, along with new weapons, engine modifications, 60 F-16 upgrade kits that would cover Pakistan’s older F-16 A/Bs plus other aircraft it might buy second-hand, and related equipment.
These items are detailed below, along with controversies the proposed sales have created, and some of the conditions attached to the sale by the US government. By the end of July 2008, Pakistan was expected to have its first 10 planes. The first new-build F-16, on the other hand, just had its acceptance ceremony this month…
Brazil Embarking Upon F-X2 Fighter Program
06-Oct-2009 10:32 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - Other, BAE, Britain/U.K., Budgets, EADS, Europe - France, Europe - Other, Events, Issues - International, Issues - Political, Official Reports, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Pre-RFP, Russia, Spotlight articles, Transformation
Upgraded F-5BR
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Could the words “Brazilian fighter” begin evoking images unrelated to the Gracies? A proposed 50% boost to Brazil’s defense budget could be on its way to accomplishing that, and more. While the Navy and Army are also in line for funds to replace broken-down equipment, the fighters will be a critical centerpiece of the Forca Aerea Brasileira’s efforts. The 36+ aircraft buys under consideration are mostly the same set of 4+ generation fighters that were considered last time: Boeing’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale, EADS’ Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 60, Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen NG, and Sukhoi’s SU-35. The Gripen, Rafale, and Super Hornet were picked as finalists, and along the way, the Brazilian competition became much more important to at least one of that trio.
This free-to-view DID Spotlight article covers Brazil’s reborn F-X competition, adds its assessment of their offers’ relative strengths and weaknesses, and covers ongoing events. Now, the government has tapped Dassault’s Rafale as its preferred choice, but industry and the FAB are reportedly leaning toward the JAS-39NG Gripen. Whether that’s true or not, it’s defnitely true that Saab and the Swedish government have just upped the ante considerably, as the final offers come in…
- A Stirring Giant?
- F-X2: The Competition
- Analysis: F-X2, The Competitors
- Updates and Key Events [updated]
- Additional Readings
Continue reading…
The 2006 Saudi Shopping Spree: Eurofighter Flies Off With Saudi Contract (updated)
09-Sep-2009 09:32 EDT |
Related Stories: Alliances, BAE, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, Fighters & Attack, Force Structure, Issues - International, Middle East - Other, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Rolls Royce, Rumours, Support & Maintenance
RSAF Eurofighter
(click to view full)
Back in 2005, DID reported that talks were underway for a Saudi purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 2 advanced air superiority and strike aircraft from Britain’s BAE Systems – with an important (albeit denied) set of conditions on the Saudi side.
December 2005 saw confirmation that Saudi Arabia had ordered Eurofighter Typhoons, but the 72-plane deal started sinking into the tar sands shortly thereafter. Investigations from Britain’s Serious Fraud Office swirled around a GBP 43 billion oil-for-planes deal from the 1980s called Al-Yamamah (see Appendix A); in return, the Saudis played some hardball of their own. The investigation was eventually called off at the highest levels of government, and later confirmed by the House of Lords. After a period of uncertainty, a contract was finally signed on Sept 11/07. Ironies aside, the price was a bit lower than many expected; even so, it comes with support arrangements that are likely to push the final value quite a bit higher.
This DID Spotlight article covers the Saudi Eurofighter deal, its associated controversies, and related developments. The latest development is an accompanying missile order for the Saudi fleet – but it’s not Britain’s ASRAAM (seen in the above photo), or the competing AIM-9X Sidewinder ordered for RSAF F-15s…
Eurofighter’s EUR 9B Multinational Tranche 3A Contract
04-Aug-2009 22:55 EDT |
Related Stories: BAE, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, EADS, Europe - Other, Fighters & Attack, Finmeccanica, Issues - International, Issues - Political, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Rolls Royce
Italian Eurofighters
(click to view full)
In November 2008, “EADS, Customers in Showdown Over Eurofighter Tranche 3” looked at some of the issues surrounding multinational negotiations for the planned “Tranche 3” of Eurofighter Typhoon orders. In brief, the Eurofighter contract was designed to protect the fairness of each participants’ agreed manufacturing work shares, by making it very expensive to back out of committed orders. On the other hand, European defense spending continues to decline, even as operational deployments and costs increase. Hence the fractious negotiations, and also the investigation of foreign sell-offs by the member countries.
Eurofighters are very capable aircraft, but serving “Tranche 1” machines have been severely hobbled on the export market by their lack of versatility beyond air superiority missions. Britain has upgraded some of its Tranche 1 machines, and the Tranche 2 fighters that began delivery to member countries in 2008 have added precision ground attack capabilities.
By the end of Tranche 2, however, the 4-nation Eurofighter agreement still had 236 fighters left to go. In June 2009, the partners took a diplomatic way out, splitting Tranche 3 into 2 parts. At the end of July 2009, the 4 partner nations placed a EUR 9 billion Tranche 3A order….
- Eurofighter: Design & Evolution
- Eurofighter: Industrial Structure
- Eurofighter: Plans and Orders
- Eurofighter: What Next?
Continue reading…
Switzerland’s Hornet Upgrade 25 Program
22-Jul-2009 13:38 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Avionics, Boeing, Contracts - Intent, Electronics - General, Europe - Other, Fighters & Attack, IT - Software & Integration, Lockheed Martin, Northrop-Grumman, Protective Systems - Aircraft, Raytheon, Sensors & Guidance
Swiss F/A-18Cs
(click to view full)
“F-18 Hornets: Keeping ‘Em Flying” details the efforts underway in a number of countries to extend the useful lifespans of their F/A-18 A-D Hornet fleets, from major structural replacements to capability upgrades.
Switzerland’s official December 2007 request [PDF] for equipment to extend the useful life of its 33 Swiss Luftwaffe F/A-18C/D fighters (26 F/A-18Cs, 7 F/A-18D 2-seat), via its F/A-18C/D Upgrade 25 Program, falls into this same category. Part of that program even included a successful trip to the USA, which allowed them to use American weapon ranges to test the integration of their new AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles with their existing Hornet fleet
This phase of the “Upgrade 25” Program is worth up to $535 million. The request, subsequent political developments, and follow-on contracts include:
