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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…
Carrier UCAVs: The Return of UCAS
04-Nov-2009 09:04 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, GE, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, R&D - Contracted, Transformation, UAVs
UCAS-D concept
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In January 2006, DID noted the uncertain future of the J-UCAS program, which aimed to create Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) for the USAF and Navy that could approach the capabilities of an F-117 stealth fighter. Boeing’s X-45C was set to face off against Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Pegasus, the program had demonstrated successful tests that included dropping bombs, and aerial refueling tests were envisioned.
J-UCAS was eventually canceled, but the technologies have survived, and the US Navy remains interested. In May 2007, “CSBA on Future US Naval Aviation: Unmanned, Too?” highlighted a non-partisan report that discussed at the lengthening reach of ship-killers. Meanwhile, the US Navy’s carrier fleet sees its strike range shrinking to 1950s distances, and prepares for a future with 11 operational carriers – but just 10 carrier air wings. Could UCAV/UCAS vehicles with longer ranges, and indefinite flight time limits via aerial refueling, solve these problems?
Some people in the Navy seem to think that they might. Hence UCAS-D, whose aerial refueling and carrier landing programs are picking up steam. Recent additions include remarks by CNO Adm. Gary Roughead, and full carrier landing gear delivery…
- The UCAS-D Program [updated]
- The X-47B
- Contracts and Key Events [updated]
- Additional Readings
Continue reading…
JDAM: A GPS-INS Add-on Adds Accuracy to Airstrikes
28-Oct-2009 15:45 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - Central, Boeing, Bombs - Smart, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Issues - International, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Israel, New Systems Tech, Official Reports, Other Corporation, Project Successes, R&D - Contracted, Support & Maintenance, Transformation, Warfare - Lessons
B-2 drops JDAM
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DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. The DID FOCUS Article looks at the transformational history of the JDAM GPS-guided bomb program, the ongoing efforts to bring its capabilities up to the level of weapons like Israel’s Spice and Raytheon’s Enhanced Paveway, and the contracts issued under the JDAM program and its derivatives.
Precision bombing has been a significant military goal since the invention of the Norden bomb sight in the 1920s, but its application remained elusive. Over 30 years later, in Vietnam, the destruction of a single target could require 300 bombs, which meant sending an appropriate number of fighters or bombers into harm’s way to deliver them. Even the 1991 Desert Storm war with Iraq featured unguided munitions for the most part; the US Air Force did use some laser and TV-guided weapons like Paveway bombs and Maverick missiles, but they were very expensive and only effective in good weather. If precision bombing was finally to become a reality throughout the Air Force, a new approach would be needed.
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) became that alternative, an engine of military transformation that was also a model of procurement transformation. The latest news involves FY 2009-2010 budget updates, plus a $72 million contract for 2,925 JDAM kits…
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…
Korea’s T-50 Spreads Its Wings
24-Sep-2009 18:20 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - Other, Budgets, Contracts - Awards, Design Innovations, Europe - Other, Fighters & Attack, Industry & Trends, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Other, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Project Successes, Public Partnering, Radars, Rumours, Specialty Aircraft, Testing & Evaluation, Training & Exercises
T-50 Golden Eagle
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Korea’s defense industry is advancing on all fronts these days. On the armored vehicle front, vehicles like the XK2 tank and K9/K10 self propelled howitzer are beginning to win export orders, and its XK-21/KNIFV amphibious infantry fighting vehicle may not be too far behind. All fill key market niches, promising performance at a comparatively inexpensive price. Its shipbuilding industry, one of the world’s busiest, is beginning to turn out LHDs, and December 2008 saw its first-of-class KDX-III AEGIS destroyer accepted into service on time and on budget. Now its aerospace industry is in flight abroad with the already-exported KT-1 trainer. Not to mention a clever entry into an incipient market.
Enter the T-50 Golden Eagle family, which offers a supersonic high-end trainer and light fighter aircraft at an attractive price. The aircraft is hitting the international market just as many of the world’s jet training fleets are reaching ages of 30 years or more, and high-end fighters are pricing themselves out of reach for many countries. The TA-50 LIFT variant and F/A-50 lightweight fighter are especially attractive as lightweight export fighters, and the ROKAF’s own F-5E/F Tiger II and F-4 Phantom fighters are more than due for replacement.
Weapons export and corporate issues have now been resolved, and a contract to produce the F/A-50 is underway. So, too, is a major new radar contract to equip them…
Ships Ahoy! The Harpoon Missile Family
22-Sep-2009 09:21 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - Central, Asia - Japan, Asia - Other, Boeing, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Modifications, FOCUS Articles, Middle East - Israel, Middle East - Other, Missiles - Anti-Ship, Missiles - Precision Attack, New Systems Tech, Sensors & Guidance
Harpoon in flight
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The sub-sonic, wave-skimming *GM-84 Harpoon is the US Navy’s sole anti-shipping missile, with the minor exception of small AGM-119B Penguin missiles and anti-tank Hellfires carried on some H-60 helicopters. The Harpoon has been adapted into several variants, and exported to a wide variety of world navies. Its best known competitor is the French/MBDA *M39/40 Exocet, but recent years have witnessed a growing competitive roster at both the subsonic (Israel’s Gabriel family, Russia’s SS-N-27 Klub family, Saab’s RBS15, Kongsberg’s stealthy NSM, China’s YJ-82/C-802 used recently in Lebanon) and supersonic (Russia’s SS-N-22 Sunburn/Moskit and some SS-N-27 Klub variants, India’s PJ-10 BrahMos derived from Russia’s SS-N-26) levels.
At present, the Harpoon family includes air, sea/land, and submarine-launched versions of the GM-84 missile. Variants such as the land attack SLAM variant and the modern AGM-84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) will also be covered in this DID FOCUS Article, which describes the missiles themselves and covers global contracts involving this family since Oct 1/06.
The most recent additions involve the reported cancellation of the US Navy’s Harpoon Block III program, and land target tests for SLAM-ER and Harpoon Block II…
South Africa’s Denel Forced Into Strategic Shift
23-Jul-2009 15:06 EDT |
Related Stories: Africa, Ammunition, Boeing, C4ISR, Conferences & Events, Design Innovations, EADS, Electronics - General, Guns - Personal Weapons, Guns - under 20mm direct, Helicopters & Rotary, Industry & Trends, Issues - Political, Missiles - Air-Air, Missiles - Anti-Armor, Missiles - Precision Attack, Missiles - Surface-Air, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Protective Systems - Aircraft, UAVs
Base, Bleeding Out?
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Back in July 2005, DID informed its readers that India’s sanctions against Denel and possible disqualification from a $2 billion artillery contract could have a major effect on the South African defense firm as a whole. In August 2005, those sanctions came to pass, barring Denel from a contract it was likely to win and accelerating efforts already underway to radically restructure the firm.
CEO Shaun Liebenberg launched that shift in late 2005 with some frank discussion of the global defense market, and the position of small-medium players like Denel in it. At DSEI 2005 in London, UK, the outline of this new strategy was already apparent. Many of the products Denel is known for will no longer define the firm. But could it find a way to stanch the bleeding and survive in a globalized market?
And how has it done since?
- Denel’s Position
- Denel’s New Strategy
- Updates and Key Events [updated]
Continue reading…
Australia Buying 24 Super Hornets As Interim Gap-Fillers
13-Jul-2009 08:17 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Australia & S. Pacific, Avionics, Boeing, Contracts - Intent, ECM, Engines - Aircraft, Fighters & Attack, Force Structure, Issues - Political, Missiles - Air-Air, Missiles - Precision Attack, Radars, Sensors & Guidance, Signals Radio & Wireless, Spotlight articles
RAAF F/A-18F rollout
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DID has covered the recent controversies over Australia’s involvement in the F-35 Lightning II program, amid criticisms that the F-35A will be unable to compete with proliferating SU-30 family aircraft in the region, lacks the required range or response time, and will either be extremely expensive at $100+ million per aircraft in early (2013-2016) production, or will not be available until 2018 or later. The accelerated retirement of Australia’s 22 long-range F-111s in 2010 sharpened the timing debate, with a recently retired Air Vice-Marshal and the opposition (now governing) Labor Party both weighing in with criticisms and alternative force proposals.
In December 2006, The Australian reported that Defence Minister Brendan Nelson was discussing an A$ 3 billion (about $2.36 billion) purchase of 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet aircraft around 2009-2010. A move that came as “a surprise to senior defence officials on Russell Hill”; but is now an official purchase as requests and contracts work their way through. Australia’s new Labor government’s later decided to keep the Super Hornet purchase, cementing the deal. Recent ministerial statements now place the program’s final figure at A$ 6.6 billion, which includes basing, training, and other ancillary costs.
This DID Spotlight article that describes the model chosen, links to coverage of the key controversies, and offers a history of contracts and key event’s from the program’s first official DSCA requests to the present day. The latest addition involves delivery of the 3rd aircraft, ahead of schedule…
2009: AGM-158 JASSM Faces Cancellation - Again
21-May-2009 18:37 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Budgets, Issues - Political, Lockheed Martin, Missiles - Precision Attack, New Systems Tech, Raytheon, Testing & Evaluation
AGM-158 JASSM
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Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) was intended as a stealthy, inexpensive cruise missile that would let American aircraft attack well-defended targets – without putting themselves in the crosshairs of new long-range surface to air missile systems. The missile has been produced in quantity, and chosen by Australia.
It has also enjoyed a very rocky development history. In October 2005, “JASSM/ No Ma’am – Which Will It Be?” covered threatened cancellation of the program, following a series of poor test results. In November 2007, “UPI & The JASSM Debate” covered the program’s ongoing roller coaster of ups and downs, as it reported on sharp media criticism and Lockheed Martin’s substantive reply to it. Now Reuters reports that the program is facing cancellation once again, in the wake of FY 2010 budget cuts that left only $82.2 million in funding to address reliability issues.
JSOW-ER, rear
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While the JASSM program was continued on the basis of military necessity, an alternative has emerged. Raytheon’s AGM-154 JSOW precision glide bomb has become a big success, adding new capabilities and new variants over time. A new AGM-154C-1-ER version adds a flush inlet to preserve its radar signature, and a small turbojet taken from their MALD decoy, in order to extend its range to 300 nautical miles/ 575 km. The JSOW-ER is considered to be less stealthy than JASSM, but it has definitely positioned itself as a reliable low-budget competitor, and a “good enough” alternative if JASSM fails.
Singapore’s RSAF Decides to Fly Like An Eagle
10-May-2009 09:48 EDT |
Related Stories: Alliances, Americas - USA, Ammunition, Asia - Other, BAE, Boeing, Bombs - Smart, Contracts - Intent, Contracts - Modifications, EADS, Events, Fighters & Attack, Forces - Air, Industry & Trends, Issues - International, Missiles - Precision Attack, Other Corporation, Power Projection, Spotlight articles, Support & Maintenance, Support Functions - Other
F-15E firing flares:
“Splash Two in Singapore!”
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At the dawn of the 21st Century, Singapore decided that it needed a new aircraft to replace its often-upgraded A-4SU Super Skyhawks. This was hardly surprising; John McCain had been flying an older model A-4 Skyhawk when he was shot down during the Vietnam War. The decision to require a twin-engine aircraft eliminated the JAS-39 Gripen and F-16 E/F Block 60 from the competition, and the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and Sukhoi Su-30 family were also scratched. That left just 3 finalists: Boeing’s F-15 Strike Eagle, France’s Rafale, and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Limited air-ground capabilities and a slow upgrade schedule splashed the Eurofighter, leaving just 2 contenders still flying. September 2005 releases tapped Boeing as the winner, and the deal was done in December 2005. The 12-plane, $1+ billion order (est. $1.4-1.8 billion) was good news for Boeing: Singapore’s F-15SGs, and South Korea’s 40-60 plane F-15K order, are keeping the assembly line open for this 2-seat, multi-role fighter.
The F-15SG will be an advanced version of the U.S. Air Force’s F-15E Strike Eagle, with minor customization to Singapore’s specifications and the most up-to-date avionics available. The higher-thrust GE F110 engine will be used in place of the Pratt & Whitney F100 engines that power some F-16s and most F-15s. AN/APG-63v3 AESA radars will be included, and there are rumors that a number of Israeli electronics and self-defense systems will be part of the F-15SG as well. Sniper XR surveillance & ground targeting pods, and IRST systems built in for air-air engagements, will also be added to Singapore’s standard equipment list.
With all of these features built into its fighters, Singapore has legitimate grounds to argue that it will be flying the world’s most advanced version of the F-15 Strike Eagle. A follow-on order increased the numbers bought, and now the first planes have been delivered…
- Contracts and Key Events
- Appendix A: The F-15SG and the Global Fighter Market
- Appendix B: Additional Readings & Sources – Equipment
- Appendix C: Additional Readings & Sources – Other News & Developments
- Appendix D: Additional Readings & Sources – Market Analysis and Background
Continue reading…
