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
  
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Raytheon’s ALR-69A(V) RWR
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Raytheon’s Space and Airborne Systems business received a $19.8 million contract for the continued production of ALR-69A(V) radar warning receivers for the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.

The contract calls for fabrication and testing of 34 digital receivers under the ALR-69A(V) low-rate initial production program. Deliveries of the systems are expected to begin in March 2011 and end in June 2012.

The ALR-69A(V) is currently installed on US Air Force C-130 transport, F-16 fighter, and A-10 close air support aircraft…

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Egyptian Air Force F-16D
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The Egyptian government wants to buy 24 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft, associated parts, weapons, and equipment to modernize its air force. The request, made Oct 9/09 through the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to Congress, could be worth as much as $3.2 billion to Lockheed Martin and the other contractors involved.

The Egyptian Air Force is the 4th largest F-16 operator in the world, mustering about 195 aircraft of 220 ordered. Their overall fighter fleet is a mix of high-end F-16s and Mirage 2000s, low-end Chinese F-7s (MiG-21 copy) bought from the Chinese, a few F-4 Phantom II jets, and upgraded but very aged Soviet MiG-21s and French Mirage 5s.

The formal request comes a few months after the Obama administration conveyed to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak its support for Egypt’s long-standing request to buy the Block 50/52 aircraft…

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All they’re ready for?
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On Sept 12/06, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Australia’s A$ 400 million ALR2002 project, aimed at putting radar and infared missile warning systems (RWRs) in Australia’s helicopters, transports and F/A-18s, had ended in at least partial failure with the scrapping of F/A-18 integration under the HUG 2.3 upgrade program. Sticking with the offering from
BAE Systems Australia’s electronic warfare division, they said, would deliver the project at least 2 years late and A$ 200 million over budget.

In response, a decision was formally announced on Nov 13/06. RAAF F/A-18A/B fighters would not use “Project Echidna’s” system, but its helicopters and C-130s would. More than 4 years after the original Phase 2A award, the scope of fielding for “Project Echidna” is about to be reduced again…

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CH-47Fs take off
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DII FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record; this FOCUS Article covers the CH-47F/MH-47G helicopter programs, in the USA and abroad. The CH-47 Chinook’s distinctive “flying banana” twin-rotor design stems from the brilliant work of aviation pioneer Frank Piasecki. It gives Chinooks the ability to adjust their positioning very precisely, while carrying a large airframe whose load capacity has made it the world’s most popular heavy-lift helicopter. The USA expects to be operating Chinooks in their heavy-lift role past 2030, and the history and structure of that effort is detailed here.

The CH-47F looks similar to earlier models, but offers a wide range of improvements in almost every aspect of design and performance. While the related HH-47’s $10-15 billion CSAR-X program win has been nullified by the program’s termination, delivery orders continue for CH-47Fs and for MH-47G Special Forces configuration helicopters. Orders or formal requests have also come in from Australia, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands, with more countries expected to follow.

The latest news involves a minor refurbshment contract for special operations helicopters, delays to Australia’s buy, and rising interest from Turkey…

• The New Chinooks: CH-47F, MH-47G, HH-47 (Continue reading…)
• The US Army’s Acquisition Plan, Plus Global Events & Contracts [updated]
• Appendix A: Reconciling Previous Contracts and Numbers
  
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Raytheon in Goleta, CA received a $19.8 million modified contract to exercise and fund the low-rate initial production option of the ALR-69A radar warning receiver upgrade development contract. 542 CBSG/PKS at Robins Air Force Base manages the contract (F09603-01-C-0330-P00127).

The ALR-69A upgrade is also known as the precision location and identification (PLAID) system, which is being developed for aircraft to counter enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats…

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AC-130U jettisons
IR countermeasure flares
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ATK Launch Systems in Corinne, Utah received a $49 million modified contract for the purchase of MJU-62/B flares that provide an infrared countermeasure to protect aircraft from heat-seeking missiles. 784 CBSG/PK at Hill Air Force Base in Utah manages the contract (FA8213-09-D-0002).

The MJU-62/B flare is a boron-based infrared countermeasure used on USAF cargo aircraft. It consists of a 1×2x8 inch aluminum case, plastic end cap, felt spacer, safe and initiation device, plastic piston, and flare pellet. It is dispensed and ignited in flight by a BBU-36/B impulse cartridge.

The MJU-62/B flare is used on the AN/ALE-40 countermeasure dispenser system…

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IqAF King Air 350
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It has been a long road for the Iraqi Air Force. According to Iraqi figures, the IqAF boasted more than 1,000 aircraft before the 1991 Gulf war – and around 300 after it. More than 6 years after Operation Iraqi Freedom began, and 4 years after the first Iraqi Provisional government was formed, the once-mighty IqAF still operates just a handful of mostly-unarmed propeller aircraft and helicopters.

Unarmed aircraft can still offer value, of course. Surveillance is critically important to Iraq, especially surveillance of national infrastructure like telecommunications lines, pipelines, and other facilities. In addition to its Cessna “Bird Dogs” and handful of other light spotter planes, the IqAF is strengthening its fleet with an unlikely star of the Iraq War: Hawker Beechcraft’s propeller-driven King Air.

87 Squadron has begun all-Iraqi operations with the new equipment, but recent articles and announcements illustrate that there’s a lot more to fielding new equipment than just signing the contract…

• King of the Air: From C-12 to 350ER-ISR
• Contracts and Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
  Continue Reading… »

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]
  
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Swiss F/A-18Cs
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“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:

• Switzerland’s Upgrade 25
• Contracts & Key Events
  
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