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CH-47Fs take off
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Trying to make sense of government releases and contracts is challenging at the best of times. Trying to make sense of defense-related contracts takes the challenge to a whole new level. Research quickly revealed that the scattered CH-47F contracts we’ve been seeing were part of a much larger effort to recapitalize America’s CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet. The USA expects to be operating Chinooks in their heavy-lift role past 2030, and the history and structure of that effort is detailed below thanks to some help from Boeing.

This is DID’s FOCUS Article for the CH-47F/MH-47G helicopter programs, in the USA and abroad. While the forced re-compete of the HH-47’s $10-15 billion CSAR-X program win goes on, Boeing has completed operational testing of the CH-47F, and delivery orders are in for CH-47Fs and MH-47G Special Forces configuration helicopters.

The latest news involves a 5-year, multi-billion dollar deal…

• 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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AN/ALR-67 V3
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DID has covered Australia’s ALR 2002 attempt to develop its own radar warning receiver & protection suite for its aircraft, including the RAAF’s F/A-18 Hornets. That failed, forcing Australia to turn to the global standard for Hornets and Super Hornets: Raytheon’s AN/ALR-67(v)3. Canada also has a CF-18 Hornet upgrade program underway, as the current CF-18 fleet is expected to serve until at least 2017. As attacks from Pakistan rise, the government is also looking hard at sending its Hornets into harm’s way in Afghanistan.

Raytheon’s AN/ALR-67v3 is a radar warning receiver that provides visual and audio alerts to F/A-18 aircrew when it detects ground-based, ship-based, or airborne radar emitters. It’s designed to provide accurate identification, azimuth displays, and threat levels for hostile and friendly emitters. It has become the modern standard for F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft, and has been incorporated into a number of earlier model Hornets flown around the world.

Canada has now added itself to that list…

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CH-53E Super Stallion
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Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems’ Defensive Systems Division in Rolling Meadows, IL received a $5.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-08-G-0012) for Group-A and Group–B testing support on the Navy CH-53E Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Ultra Violet Engineering Change Proposal (ECP).

Readers who follow DID know that LAIRCM systems protect large aircraft against infared-guided missiles by detecting the incoming missile, then firing pulsed lasers at its guidance head to confuse it. Using infared and ultraviolet together in the detection process helps improve results, just as it does on the other end for missiles like the FIM-92B+ Stinger. A number of advanced aircraft defensive systems currently use this combination, and refinements are an ongoing process.

This particular ECP contract includes the development, operational and ECP validation and verification, support for personnel in the Safety of Flight Clearance process, and the installation of a Flight Instrumentation package. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, IL and is expected to be complete in May 2009. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.

LAIRCM Concept
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On May 21/08, the US DSCA announced Australia’s formal request for AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems to be installed on their C-130J Hercules transport aircraft. LAIRCM systems detect incoming inared guided missiles, and use specific sets of laser pulses to divert them from their targets. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $100 million.

The request includes 12 Line Replaceable Units (LRUs): 12 Control Interface Units (CIU),12 System Processors (SP), 12 AN/AAR-54(V) Missile Warning Systems (MWS), 12 Small Laser Transmitter Assemblies (SLTA), Operational Flight Program (OFP) software, and spares (6 CIUs, 6 Sps, 7 individual MWS sensors, and 12 SLTAs). Installation support, engineering change proposals, minor modifications, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documents, repair and return, depot maintenance, and other related elements of logistics and program support are also included.

The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman Corporation in Rolling Meadows, IL. Implementation will require about 5 contractor representatives in Australia for 12 weeks after delivery. U.S. Government and contractor representatives will also participate in program management and technical reviews for two-week intervals annually.

Dutch CH-47D, Afghanistan
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On September 27, 2006, the US DSCA notified Congress of the Netherlands’ request for up to 9 of the newest CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters along with 18 T55-L-714A turbine engines and ACMS Block 6 cockpits. Holland is also looking to upgrade 11 of its existing CH-47D Chinook Cargo Helicopters to the newer CH-47F configuration. If all options are exercised, the DSCA notification places the total value at up to $652 million.

Early procurements are going to be a bit more modest, however. Now, a contract for missile warning systems has been announced…

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AIM-9X test
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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 Dec 18/07 request to the USA [PDF] to extend the useful life of 33 Swiss Air Force (SAF) F/A-18C/D aircraft via its F/A-18C/D Upgrade 25 Program falls into this same category. The SAF have also recently returned from 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 will be worth up to $535 million, and is expected to include:

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Norwegian C-130H by
Torbjorn Kjosvold
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Back in February 2007, the Norwegian Forsvarsnett said:

“The Armed Forces have six C-130H Hercules transport aircrafts today [DID: 335 skv, out of Oslo-Gardermoen]. These were bought in 1969 and are outdated. Recent updates have made them able to be operational until 2012-15, but it is now known that the planes need further work done to them still. Therefore the Norwegian government has started investigating the possibility of either renting or buying up to four new planes of the type Hercules C-130J.”

Faced with the prospect of further C-130H refurbishment work on one hand, and entreaties by the A400M consortium on the other, Norway needed to decide what to do. They did, and the decision promptly came under political attack – but a deal is done now for 4 C-130Js, at a maximum of $304 million…

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LAIRCM Concept
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Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation of Rolling Meadows, IL received a firm-fixed price contract modification for $15 million, pursuant to a letter contract for foreign military sales case number MO-D-QAD for one Moroccan Head of State Aircraft Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system. LAIRCM has become a popular way to protect large transport aircraft; it uses sensors to detect incoming infared-guided missiles, then throws it off course using targeted laser pulses. The exact aircraft was not specified, but based on the Alkowat al malakiya al jawiya’s order of battle, our bet is on the transcontinental Falcon 50 business jet based at Rabat Sale.

The contract will include hardware, support equipment and services to include but not limited to: systems engineering, program management, logistics, spares as well as installation, installation support, and field service support. This effort support foreign military sales to Morocco. At this time, $3 million has been obligated. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH will issue the contract (FA8625-08-C-6479).

DIRCM concept
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In December of 2004, “El Al Deploying Anti-Missile Defense on Civilian Plane” covered early deployment of a system called Flight Guard aboard civilian jet liners, following a November 2002 incident in which shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles (MANPADS) were launched unsuccessfully at an Arkia plane in Mombasa, Kenya. That FlightGuard system is a civilian version of IAI/Elta’s popular ELM 2160, and costs about $1 million per plane for sensors and flares. The flares were the sticking point. Even though they were redesigned to be larger (to divert from larger targets), burn for a shorter time (to minimize ground hazard), and almost invisible to human eyes (to prevent panics), many locations were leery about allowing a flare-dispensing system near civilian airports.

In contrast, Elbit Subsidiary El-Op’s 25kg MUSIC (Multi-Spectral Infared Countermeasures) system takes the DIRCM approach – a wise decision given civilian concerns, and key military trends….

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SOAR w. AVR-2B
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Fortune 500 firm Goodrich Corporation’s ISR Systems team in Danbury, CT recently announced a 5-year, $187 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract by the U.S. Army for up to 855 AN/AVR-2B(V) Laser Warning Systems. An initial delivery order has was placed when the contract was issued, with more to follow up to the contracted maximum. The firm has supplied production threat detection and laser warning systems for use on aviation, naval and ground platforms for over 20 years. To date, Goodrich has delivered over 8,500 aviation and ground laser warning systems to the U.S. and other armed forces around the world.

The AN/AVR-2B(V) detects laser rangefinders, target designators and beamrider laser-aided systems targeting an aircraft or vehicle, and is capable of multiple aircraft signal interfaces. As their site put it: “With clear audible and visual warnings on your display, you know that you have been targeted, what’s coming first, and which direction the threat is coming from. Most importantly, you know you have to take evasive action NOW.” The AVR-2B is smaller and lighter than the AVR-2A, uses less power, and demonstrates enhanced performance, reliability, and maintainability. In addition, the system can interface with the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, Air-to-Ground Engagement System II (MILES-AGES II) training system to provide pilots with combat tactical training that closely simulates weapon engagements.