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Results for "arrowhead"
Taiwan’s (Un?)Stalled Force Modernization
18-Oct-2009 14:49 EDT |
Related Stories: Alliances, Americas - USA, Asia - Other, Avionics, Budgets, C4ISR, Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Intent, Force Structure, Issues - International, Issues - Political, L3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Radars, Raytheon, Rumours, Signals Radio & Wireless, Specialty Aircraft, Support & Maintenance
In November 2005, “Taiwan Orders F-16 Training in USA, But Larger Defense Buys Remain in Limbo” described the gridlock that had hampered key weapons sales of P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, Patriot PAC-3 missiles, and diesel-electric submarines to Taiwan – in some cases, since 1997. The opposition KMT party’s flip-flops and determined stalling tactics eventually created a crisis in US-Taiwan relations, which finally soured to the point that the USA refused a Taiwanese request for F-16C/D aircraft.
That seems to have brought things to a head. Most of the budget and political issues were eventually sorted out, and after a long delay, some major elements of Taiwan’s requested modernization program appear to be moving forward: P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, Patriot missile upgrades; and requests for AH-64D attack helicopters, E-2 AWACS planes, and missiles for defense against aircraft, ships, and tanks. These are must-have capabilities when facing a Chinese government that has vowed to take the country by force, and is building an extensive submarine fleet, a large array of ballistic missiles, an upgraded fighter fleet, and a number of amphibious-capable divisions.
Chinese pressure continues to stall some of Taiwan’s important upgrades, including diesel-electric submarines and American fighter jets. Meanwhile, upgrades to its Patriot air and missile defense systems continue…
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Dutch Upgrading Their AH-64Ds
13-Aug-2009 17:21 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, Contracts - Intent, Europe - Other, Helicopters & Rotary, Support Functions - Other
AH-64D Blocks
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In August 2009, the US DSCA announced a request from the Netherlands to buy kits that would upgrade their AH-64D Apache attack helicopter fleet, which is seeing significant use in Afghanistan. Dutch AH-64Ds lack the mast-mounted Longbow millimeter-wave radar common on similar models elsewhere, but the requested “AH-64D Block II” upgrade would otherwise move them to the same configuration as the vast majority of the American fleet. It will also gives them more advanced “Arrowhead” MTADS sensors, color cockpit displays including moving digital maps, updated self-protection suites, and several features designed to improve maintenance and lower operating costs.
That will make coalition operations and maintenance sharing easier in places like Afghanistan. There, the Americans operate their AH-64D fleet with Longbow radars removed, while the British WAH-64Ds have made good use of those radars thanks to their more powerful Rolls Royce engines. All are in high demand thanks to their flexibility, and their 30mm cannon. The question is whether the upgrades will be fielded in time to mater on the ground…
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$142M to Lockheed Martin for AH-64 Apache Helicopter Arrowhead Sensors
28-Jul-2009 16:22 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Helicopters & Rotary, Lockheed Martin, Sensors & Guidance
AH-64 Apache
with Arrowhead sensor
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Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control received a $142 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for 55 Arrowhead kits for U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters and kits for several international customers.
Arrowhead is an advanced electro-optical and fire control system that AH-64 Apache helicopter pilots use for combat targeting of their Hellfire missiles and other weapons, as well as safe flight in day, night, or bad weather missions. Arrowhead’s forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors use advanced image processing techniques to give pilots the best possible resolution to avoid obstacles such as wires and tree limbs during low-level flight.
The 6 Arrowhead contract Lots awarded to Lockheed Martin include…
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Egypt Aims to Add AH-64D Block II Attack Helicopters
28-May-2009 20:35 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, BAE, Boeing, Contracts - Intent, GE, Helicopters & Rotary, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Other, Northrop-Grumman, Sensors & Guidance, Support & Maintenance, Support Functions - Other
AH-64D Blocks
(click to view full)
May 22/09: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Egypt’s formal request for 12 AH-64D Block II Apache Longbow attack helicopters, 27 T700-GE-701D engines, 36 “Arrowhead” Modernized TADS/PVNS sensors, 28 M299 Hellfire Longbow missile launchers, 14 AN/ALQ-144v3 “disco ball” infrared jammers, and 14 AN/APR-39Bv2 radar signal detecting sets. Egypt will also buy composite horizontal stabilizers, Integrated Helmet and Display Sight Systems (IHADSS), helicopter repair and return, transportation, depot maintenance, spare and repair parts, and other related support items and services.
These helicopters would join 35-42 AH-64s already operated by the Egyptian Air Force, which have been upgraded to AH-64D Block I status. The estimated cost for this order is $820 million, but a DSCA request is not the same thing as a formal contract. The exact details are a matter for negotiation, unless Congress blocks the sale within 30 days.
The prime contractors would be Boeing in Mesa, AZ and St. Louis, MO (AH-64); GE in Lynn, MA (engines); and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, FL (Arrowhead, M299). Note that the APR-39B is a Northrop Grumman product, BAE Systems makes the “disco ball”, and IHADDS is a Honeywell product – but they are not prime contractors. Implementation will require the assignment of a U.S. Government representative to Egypt for a period of 6 years to provide intensive coordination, monitoring, and technical assistance, as well as 6 Contractor Field Service Representatives for a period of 5-10 years.
UAE’s 30-Helicopter Apache Upgrade Program Underway
10-May-2009 12:22 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Avionics, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Delivery & Task Orders, Helicopters & Rotary, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Other, Missiles - Anti-Armor, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Protective Systems - Aircraft, Radars
Before: AH-64A
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The United Arab Emirates is best known for its city of Dubai, an ultra-modern port city that has become the trading and commercial hub of the Middle East. As a May 2005 article in National Defense Magazine notes, however, it has also acquired a reputation for a strong and respected military procurement system.
One of their current initiatives involves the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters the country acquired in 1991 and 1994. The plan involves remanufacture and modernization of 30 AH-64A aircraft to the current AH-64D Longbow standard. Deliveries to the UAE are scheduled to begin in May 2008 and continue through November 2009, with support activities continuing through November 2010. The overall program includes integration and aircraft integration laboratory support at Boeing, protection and even stealth enhancements, missiles, training devices, initial spares, depot spares, support activities and integrated logistics support.
Some recent contracts/ announcements illustrate the efforts underway, and DID also presents a timeline that extends back to the original 2002 DSCA announcement…
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Up to $326.5M for 62 M1128 Stryker MGS Vehicles
24-Aug-2008 17:25 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, General Dynamics, Tanks & Mechanized
Stryker M1128, Iraq
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In February 2008, “Stryker MGS: Problems in the Field” discussed some of the issues associated with the M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System since deployment in combat situations began in 2007. The Stryker MGS’ most prominent feature is the a 105mm auto-fed gun mounted on its wheeled LAV-III/ Piranha-III APC chassis. M1128s have anti-tank capabilities, but they are more properly termed assault guns, and are generally intended to provide direct fire support for infantry. They have about 70% commonality with other Stryker family APCs.
Despite the controversies surrounding field performance, the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command recently awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a contract for 62 Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) vehicles, involving initial funding of $145 million and a total potential contract value of $326.5 million. Work will be performed in Anniston, AL; Sterling Heights, MI; Lima, OH; Scranton, PA; Tallahassee, FL, and London, Ontario, Canada, and is expected to be complete by February 2010. GDLS release.
Raven UAVs Winning Gold in Afghanistan’s “Commando Olympics”
03-Aug-2008 13:00 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Asia - Central, Britain/U.K., Field Reports, Forces - Special Ops, Middle East - Other, Other Corporation, UAVs
RQ-11: higher, faster…
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Back on Feb 24, 2005, DID covered the success the RQ-11 Raven mini-UAV was enjoying in Iraq. In November 2005, StrategyPage reported that the RQ-11 Raven was also turning heads in what it calls “the commando Olympics” of Afghanistan:
“In addition to all the cooperation, there’s also a lot comparing notes. One thing everyone has noted is the large number of useful gadgets American Special Forces troops have. The most envied item is the American Raven UAV.”
Or at least, mini-UAVS like the Raven. This Spotlight article looks at Special Forces related mini-UAV buys from a number of countries, spurred by requests from troops in theater. The latest update involves a 3rd order from Australia for Skylark UAVs, and a report from the front lines that suggests progress for Britain’s Desert Hawk systems…
- RQ-11: Drawing Raves
- The Commando Olympics: Other Teams are Competing [updated]
- Additional Readings & Sources
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American AH-64D Apache: War Replacement Contracts
31-Jul-2008 18:55 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Helicopters & Rotary, Policy - Procurement, Spotlight articles, Warfare - Trends
Replacement required
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War takes its toll on equipment, as well as men. In some cases, it wears out. In other cases, enemy fire or accidents destroy equipment. The USA has recognized this fact by funding wartime replacement expenditures as supplemental funding, which is outside the normal budgetary process. The intent is that this money will be spent on replacing equipment that has been worn out, damaged or destroyed, or will be used to provide specialized capabilities like MRAP mine-resistant vehicles that are directly related to the demands on the front lines. Admittedly, this hasn’t always been true. Politicians are what they are, and so are large organizations like the military. One area where this ethic has undoubtedly been honored, however, has been the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter fleet.
AH-64s are in very heavy demand as escorts for other helicopters in the war zones, to the point that the AH-64 fleet had logged more than 2 million flight hours by April 2006 – nearly 1/3 of which had been logged after Sept. 11/01. Apaches have also taken losses in combat. Even armor rated to stop 23mm cannon shells may not survive a missile hit, and helicopters are relatively fragile aircraft that can be seriously damaged if they take enough fire in smaller calibers, or endure an unlucky strike in the wrong place.
This article covers US Army Wartime Replacement Aircraft (WRA) AH-64D Longbow buys, which are the only truly new attack helicopters in the America’s inventory. Travis Williams, Boeing’s AH-64D WRA Program Manager helped to put these purchases in context within the overall Apache program, which is preparing for the new Block III model….
- AH-64D Program: Past and Present
- AH-64D WRAs: Program Contracts
- The AH-64’s Future
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Apache Block III Program: The Once and Future Attack Helicopter
31-Jul-2008 09:33 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Avionics, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Electronics - General, FOCUS Articles, Helicopters & Rotary, IT - Software & Integration, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Radars, Rumours, Signals Radio & Wireless, Support Functions - Other
AH-64 in Afghanistan
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With the collapse of the RAH-66 Comanche program, and rededication of its funding into the ARH-70 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), the UH-145 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), and other programs, the AH-64 Apache will remain the USA’s primary attack helicopter for several more decades.
On July 14, 2006, Boeing and U.S. Army officials signed a $619.3 million contract for Block III upgrades to the current and future Apache fleet via a virtual signing ceremony in Washington, DC, Huntsville, AL, and Mesa, AZ. Overall AH-64D Longbow Block III improvements, slated for 2008 on, incorporate 25 technology insertions as part of the Army’s future force plan. Previously signed and executed contracts for risk reduction engineering work were valued collectively at $66.1 million, and there has been some advance ordering and development of components like radar units.
So… how many helicopters will be modified under the AH-64 Block III program, and what do these modifications include?
$311M for Lot 4 Arrowheads, M-TADS Systems
08-Mar-2007 08:13 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Helicopters & Rotary, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Sensors & Guidance
Apaches need arrowheads
(click to expand)
As an all-weather, day/night attack helicopter, the AH-64 Apache depends on its integrated targeting optronics for both safe flying and maximum battlefield effectiveness. The TADS/PVNS chin turret was fielded in 1983, however, and was lagging behind state of the art. Enter the new Arrowhead system, first delivered to the US Army in 2005. It’s an advanced electro-optical & fire control system that pilots use for safe flight around trees, power lines, et. al. in day, night, or bad weather missions as well as combat targeting of their Hellfire missiles and other weapons. A number of past Arrowhead contracts have been covered here; the Arrowhead is also being fielded with the British Apache fleet.
Lockheed Martin recently announced a Lot 4 follow-on production contract for 158 Arrowhead® systems, as well as wartime replacement Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) systems for new aircraft and spares for both systems. It is valued at $311 million, and the contract was signed on February 28th during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Huntsville, AL. Lockheed Martin will produce Lot 4 in Orlando and Ocala, FL, with final deliveries for Lot 4 production in December 2009. Lockheed Martin release.
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