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Sauer to Repair Hangar at Naval Station Mayport, FL
18-Nov-2009 08:25 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Bases & Infrastructure, Delivery & Task Orders, Other Corporation, Support & Maintenance
Sauer in Jacksonville, FL received a $14.7 million firm-fixed price task order #0004 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-09-D-1274) for Hangar 1552 repairs at Naval Station Mayport in Florida.
Under the task order, Sauer will reconfigure administrative spaces; replace the hangar heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; upgrade foundations and cladding; renovate bathroom/shower spaces; replace hangar doors; repair or replace the 400 hertz flight-line distribution system; and replace aqueous film-forming foam system and seismic retrofit.
Located on the St. Johns River, Naval Station Mayport occupies 3,400 acres where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
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Dead Aim, Or Dead End? The USA’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class Program
15-Nov-2009 15:31 EST |
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67% of the fleet
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The prime missions of the new DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class destroyer are to provide naval gunfire support and next-generation air defense in near-shore areas where other large ships hesitate to tread, possibly even as the anchor for an action group of stealthy Littoral Combat Ships and submarines. The estimated 14,500t (cruiser sized) Zumwalt Class will be fully multi-role, however, with undersea warfare, anti-ship, and long-range surface attack roles.
That makes the DDG-1000 suitable or another role – as a “hidden ace card,” using its overall stealth to create uncertainty for enemy forces. At over $3 billion per ship for construction alone, however, the program faced significant obstacles if it wanted to avoid fulfilling former Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter’s fears for the fleet.
True, or False?
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DID’s FOCUS Article for the DDG-1000 program covers the new ships’ capabilities and technologies, key controversies, associated contracts and costs, and related background resources. From the outset, DID has noted that the Zumwalt Class might face the same fate as the ultra-sophisticated, ultra-expensive SSN-21 Seawolf Class submarines. That appears to have come true, with news of the program’s cancellation at 3 ships. Or will it be 2?
The latest news involves more funds to finish the ship’s computing backbone, which has been identified as a concern in recent GAO reports…
Fly and Listen: The AN/AQS-22 ALFS Sonar System
28-Oct-2009 15:15 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Modifications, Helicopters & Rotary, Raytheon, Sensors - Aquatic, Spotlight articles
MH-60R & ALFS,
Bermuda
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The AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) will equip the US Nay’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, and will serve as their primary anti-submarine sensor system. The new FLASH sonar operates at lower frequency and higher power waveforms than existing dipping sonars, which will increase the opportunities for long-range detections; indeed, the AQS-22 dipping sonar claims 4x area coverage compared to current systems and includes both active or passive sonar modes. Submarine tracking, localization, classification are all covered. A winching system with up to 2,500 feet of cable raises and lowers the sonar.
The complete system also includes active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability via processing improvements, and even underwater communication and environmental data collection capabilities.
This Spotlight article highlights ALFS-related contracts since 2002. The latest addition involves a contract to increase the USA’s stock of ALFS systems by 40%...
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The USA’s New Littoral Combat Ships (updated)
26-Oct-2009 11:36 EDT |
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General Dynamics Team
Trimaran LCS Design
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Exploit simplicity, numbers, the pace of technology development in electronics and robotics, and fast reconfiguration. That was the US Navy’s idea for the low-end backbone of its future surface combatant fleet. Inspired by successful experiments like Denmark’s Standard Flex ships, the US Navy’s $30+ billion “Littoral Combat Ship” program was intended to create a new generation of affordable surface combatants that could operate in dangerous shallow and near-shore environments, while remaining affordable and capable throughout their lifetimes.
It hasn’t worked that way. In practice, what the Navy wanted, the capabilities needed to perform primary naval missions, and what could be delivered for the sums available, have proven nearly irreconcilable. The LCS program has changed its fundamental acquisition plan several times since 2005, and canceled contracts with both competing teams, without escaping any of its fundamental issues.
The latest additions include completion of LCS-2 builder tests, and plans to deploy LCS-1 ahead of schedule…
NH90: Europe’s Medium Helicopter Contender
22-Oct-2009 10:11 EDT |
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NH90: TTH & NFH
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The NH90 emerged from a requirement that created a NATO helicopter development and procurement agency in 1992 and, at almost the same time, established NHIndustries (62.5% EADS Eurocopter, 32.5% AugustaWestland, and 5% Stork Fokker) to build the hardware. The NATO Frigate Helicopter was originally developed to fit between light naval helicopters like AW’s Lynx or Eurocopter’s Panther, and medium-heavy naval helicopters like the European EH101. A quick look at the NFH design showed definite possibilities as a troop transport helicopter, however, and soon the NH90 project had branched into 2 versions, with more to follow. The nearest equivalent would be Sikorsky’s popular H-60 Seahawk/ Black Hawk family, but the NH90 includes a set of innovative features that give it some distinguishing selling points.
While battlefield damage to composite airframes can be more difficult to repair in the field, the combination of corrosion-proofing, lower maintenance, greater troop or load capacity, and the flexibility offered by that rear ramp have made the NH90 a popular global competitor. As many business people discover the hard way, however, success can be almost as dangerous as failure. NH Industries has had great difficulty ramping up production fast enough to meet promised deliveries, which has left several buyers upset. Orders currently stand at 507 machines, on behalf of 14 nations.
This is DID’s FOCUS Article, offering an in-depth look at the multi-national NH90 program, its customers, and its chronology from 1995 to the present day. The most recent additions cover developments, timelines, and controversies in Australia, the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany since January 2009…
MH-60R/S: The USA’s New Naval Workhorse Helicopters
06-Oct-2009 12:40 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Avionics, Budgets, Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, FOCUS Articles, Force Structure, Helicopters & Rotary, IT - Software & Integration, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Raytheon, Sensors & Guidance, United Technologies
USN Heli Plan
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The US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawks have always had a naval counterpart. SH-60B/F Seahawk/ LAMPS helicopters were outfitted with maritime radar, sonobuoys, and other specialized equipment that let them perform a wide variety of roles, from supply and transport, to anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and even surface attack with their Penguin missiles. Like their land-based counterparts, however, the Seahawks are getting older. The Reagan defense build-up is receding into history, and its products are wearing out.
European countries chose to build new designs like the medium-heavy EH101 and the smaller NH90: larger helicopters built with corrosion-proof composites, and new features like rear ramps. The USA, in contrast, decided to upgrade existing H-60 designs for the Army and Navy. Hence the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter (aka. “Romeo”) and MH-60S (aka. “Sierra”) Seahawks. MH-60Rs and MH-60Ss will eventually replace all SH-60B/F & HH-60H Seahawks, HH-1N Hueys, UH-3H Sea Kings, and CH-46D Sea Knight helicopters currently in the US Navy’s inventory.
Both programs are underway, and will be covered in this DID FOCUS Article. The latest additions include a number of minor contracts for associated equipment, and reports of growing export interest in the MH-60R…
Australia’s 2009 Defense White Paper
23-Sep-2009 07:30 EDT |
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(click to download)
Defense was an issue in the last Australian election. The center-left Labor Party attacked the center-right Liberal Party by citing mismanaged projects, and accusing the Howard government of making poor choices on key defense platforms like the F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-35A Joint Strike fighters. That sniping continued even after Labor won the election, and has been evident in more than a few Defence Ministry releases.
The new government made some program changes, such as canceling the SH-2G Seasprite contract. Yet it has been more notable for the programs it has not changed: problematic upgrades of Australia’s Oliver Hazard Perry frigates were continued, the late purchase of F/A-18F Super Hornets was ratified rather than canceled, and observers waited for the real shoe to drop: the government’s promised 2009 Defence White Paper, which would lay out Australia’s long-term strategic assessments, and procurement plans.
On May 2/09, Australia’s government released “Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030.” DID has reviewed that document, and the reaction to date… including a new ASPI roundup of reactions from around Asia.
- Fast Incoming
- The Highlight Reel
- Additional Readings & Assessments [updated]
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Sikorsky’s $7.4-11.6B “Multi-Year VII” H-60 Helicopter Contract
20-Sep-2009 13:32 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Helicopters & Rotary, Middle East - Other, Other Corporation, Spotlight articles, United Technologies
UH-60M: torch passed
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Back in April 2005, “UH-60M Black Hawk Replacements Get Fast Track” noted that “A full-rate production decision to authorize more than 1,200 UH-60M aircraft is scheduled for 2007.” They made it.
On Dec 12/07, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. signed a 5-year, multi-service contract in Huntsville, AL for a minimum of 537 helicopters to be delivered to the U.S. Army and Navy. The “Multi-Year VII” contract covers UH-60M Black Hawk troop transport and light cargo helicopters, and HH-60M SAR / MEDEVAC helicopters. These 2 platforms will replace the Army’s current UH-60 Black Hawk fleet, while the US Navy’s MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk aircraft will replace the Navy’s existing SH-60B/F Seahawks, HH-60 CSAR, UH-3H Sea Kings, CH-46D Sea Knights, and HH-1N Huey SAR helicopters.
Now, substantial orders are being placed – and DID has updated total order breakdowns. The latest additions involve a production ramp-up in Poland, 4 UH-60Ms for US border patrol, 3 extra H-60Ms with engineering changes, and 2 MH-60S…
- Structure & Totals [updated]
- Contracts & Key Events: Dec 2007 – Present [updated]
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Raytheon’s New AQS-20 Mine Detection Sonar
07-Sep-2009 09:05 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Helicopters & Rotary, New Systems Tech, Raytheon, Sensors - Aquatic, Spotlight articles, Support & Maintenance, Surface Ships - Combat, Transformation, UUVs & USVs
MH-60S w. AQS-20
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In 2005, “Lockheed Receives $76.6M for MH-60S’ New Airborne Anti-Mine Systems” covered several recent advances in US mine detection technologies, including a new AQS-20A mine detecting sonar array, and airborne laser systems mounted to MH-60S helicopters. All of this is in the service of the USA’s new naval emphasis on littoral warfare and accompanying doctrinal changes. So, what’s the AN/AQS-20? And how is it also related to a new US ship class, not to mention a new undersea robot?
The latest news involves its official delivery to the US Navy, in conjunction with its companion AMNS mine neutralizing system…
- The AN/AQS-20, AMCM, and Future Fleet Capabilities
- AQS-20 Contracts & Key Events [updated]
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India’s Navy Picks Its Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft
16-Aug-2009 12:44 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - India, BAE, Boeing, Britain/U.K., Coastal & Littoral, EADS, Europe - Other, Finmeccanica, Helicopters & Rotary, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Israel, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, RFPs, Radars, Russia, Sensors - Aquatic, Specialty Aircraft, United Technologies
TU-142: headed out
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In a November 2005 article, DID covered India’s $133 million deal for 2 P-3C Orion maritime-optimized patrol and surveillance planes. As it happens, that deal fell through on grounds of expense, support costs, and timing. Apparently, it would have taken 18-24 months for the US Navy to retrofit the aircraft to the Indian Navy’s specifications, once the lease had been finalized.
In December 2005, therefore, India’s navy floated an RFP for at least 8 new maritime aircraft. Subsequent statements by India’s Admiral Prakash suggested that they could be looking for as many as 30 aircraft by 2020. Lockheed was invited to bid again, and this time, they werre not alone. The bids were submitted in April 2007. The plan was for price negotiations to be completed in 2007, with first deliveries to commence within 48 months.
India’s Ministry of Defence has extreme problems with announced schedules, but their existing fleet was wearing out, international requests for India’s maritime patrol help are rising, and some action is necessary. DID discusses the geopolitical drivers, the current fleet, and the known competitors. As of August 2009, the competition has a winner, and a deal that’s adding the final pieces…
- With Growing Naval Power Comes Growing Naval Responsibility
- The Competitors
- Listed, But Not Submitted
- Contracts and Key Events [updated]
- Additional Readings
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