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“ROVER” is an unimpressive piece of equipment. Mostly, it looks like a ruggedized laptop with antennas. But SpaceWar.com quotes Lt. Col. Gregory E. Harbin, of the 609th Combat Operations Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, SC, who says ”...the ROVER is bringing a phenomenal capability to our people on the ground.” ROVER is the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver, which receives camera images from nearby aircraft and UAVs (somewhat like Israel’s wrist-mounted V-RAMBO), then integrates them with other US positioning and targeting software.

Staff Sgt. Justin Cry, a Shaw Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC), has a job that’s an art form at the best of times. Describing features from the ground to a pilot looking down while flying at high speed is no easy task. According to a Dec 16/05 USAF article, he used the system in Iraq and in New Orleans, and says simply: “I can circle an area on my screen, drawing arrows for emphasis, and what I’m drawing appears on (the pilots’) screens as well.”

ROVER continues to evolve, and is becoming an unheralded but critical piece of equipment in America’s arsenal. This is DID’s FOCUS Article covering the system and its ongoing developments – the latest of which is a contract for next-generation ROVER III data links.

• From X-Box to ROVER
• ROVER: Contracts and Key Events
• Additional Readings & Sources
  
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Amazon patrol
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After a public bidding process, Embraer and the Chilean Air Force (FACH) signed a contract for 12 EMB 314 Super Tucano advanced turboprop trainers and light attack aircraft. The Embraer proposal chosen by the FACh includes a broad Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) package, and an advanced Training and Operation Support System (TOSS) with 3 sub-systems: navigation and attack Mission Planning Station (MPS), Mission Debriefing Station (MDS), and Flight Simulator (FS).

The aircraft will be used for tactical training in close support and light strike roles. The aircraft can also be adapted to perform those roles themselves, and can accept clip-on pods like LITENING that turn them into surveillance aircraft with precision strike capabilities. The first Super Tucano should be delivered to the FACh in the second half of 2009. Price was not disclosed, and the ILS/TOSS add-ons make calculation difficult. As a point of comparison, however, Colombia paid $235 million for 25 aircraft in 2005.

Chile becomes the Super Tucano’s 3rd customer, after Brazil and Colombia. Its predecessor the EMB 312 Tucano has been ordered by 13 countries, and a UK-built S.312 variant is in service with 3 more.

EA-6B Prowler
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With the retirement of the US Air Force’s long-range EF-111 Raven “Spark ‘Vark,” the aging 4-seat EA-6B Prowlers are now the USA’s sole remaining tactical aircraft type for radar jamming, communications jamming and information operations like signals interception. They’ve been predictably busy as a result. In Iraq, they’ve been used for everything from escorting strike aircraft against heavily defended targets during the opening days of the war, to disrupting enemy IED attacks by jamming all radio signals in an area.

All airframes have lifespan limits, however, and the EA-6B is no exception. The aircraft’s 50 year old airframe design is also something of a mixed blessing. It offers excellent range, carrying capacity, and efficient subsonic performance – at the expense of poor self-defense capabilities, and difficulty keeping up with friendly aircraft traveling at high subsonic speeds.

EA-18G at Pax
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By 2009, therefore, a new electronic warfare aircraft is scheduled to make its appearance – one based on a new airframe, with strong self-defense capabilities as well as electronic attack potential. The EA-18G Growler is based on Boeing’s 2-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighter (which traces its history from the Northrop YF-17 and McDonnell Douglas F-18) and has 90% commonality, just as its predecessor the EA-6B was based on Grumman’s robust A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. At present, it is slated to be the only dedicated electronic warfare aircraft in the USA’s future force – and since the USA is the only western country with such aircraft, the EA-18G would be the sole source of tactical jamming support for NATO air forces as a whole.

This is DID’s focus article for the USA’s EA-18G Program, describing the aircraft and key systems, outlining the program, and keeping track of ongoing developments, contracts, et. al. that affect the program. New items will be highlighted via green type. The latest item is a contract that includes EA-18Gs, and the first live weapons shot from the aircraft…

• EA-18G: The Platform
• EA-18G: The Program
• EA-18G: Contracts & Other Key Developments [updated]
• Appendix A: The EA-18G and the Future Force Mix
• Appendix B: Additional Readings and Sources
  
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Old as the hills…
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In January 2007, the big question was whether there would be a competition for the USA’s KC-X proposal, which will cover 175 production aircraft and 4 test platforms. The cost for this first phase alone is likely to reach $35+ billion spread over about 20 years, but the USAF believes that adding new plane types to America’s 40-50 year old aerial tanker fleet is its #1 priority, lest unpredictable age or fatigue issues like the ones its F-15A-D fleet is experiencing ground its aerial tankers – and with them, a substantial slice of the USA’s total airpower. KC-Y and KC-Z contracts will follow in subsequent decades, in order to replace all 530 KC-135s/ Boeing 707s (195 active; ANG 251; Reserve 84) that were delivered until 1965, as well as the USAF’s 59 larger KC-10 tankers delivered from 1979-1987.

“US Debating Aerial Tanker Types, Mix” offers in-depth coverage of the lead-up to the KC-X RFP, explaining many of the military & policy issues in play as the USA contemplates its own choices. Then came the contractor decisions, and responses. What would Boeing propose? The KC-767, the KC-777, or both? Would Northrop and EADS elect to play, bringing their Airbus KC-30/A330 MRTT?

In the end, it was Team Boeing’s KC-767 Advanced (767-200 derivative) vs. the Team Northrop Grumman KC-30B (Airbus A330-200/200F derivative). Each aircraft system has its strengths, and each system also had risk factors as lobbying continued right down to the wire. Boeing claimed lower KC-767 operating costs, and received a union endorsement. EADS promised to open production of A330F civilian jets in the USA if it won. Most observers correctly pointed out that all this lobbying was important, as the financial stakes involved meant there was going to be a huge political fight no matter which side won.

That has proven to be the case. The Airbus A330 MRTT was picked, but an explosive GAO decision brought the competition to a halt. The Pentagon has taken the decision out of the USAF’s hands, and released a revised KC-X RFP… but Aviation Week says that Boeing is strongly considering a response of “no bid.”

• The Contenders and The Cargo Factor (i.e. continue reading…) [updated]
• KC-X: Teams & Locations
• KC-X RFP: Key Developments [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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TU-142: headed out?
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In November 2005 article, DID covered India’s $133 million deal for two 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 two aircraft to the Indian Navy specifications once the lease had been finalized.

In December 2005, India’s navy floated an RFP for 8 new maritime aircraft. Subsequent statements by India’s Admiral Prakash indicate that they could be looking for as many as 30 aircraft by 2020. Lockheed was invited to bid again, and so were several other firms. The bids were submitted in April 2007. The plan was for price negotiations to be completed by 2007, with first deliveries to commence within 48 months.

India’s Ministry of Defence has extreme problems with announced schedules, but their existing fleet is 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.

Now that the bids have been submitted, technical evaluations have taken place, and price negotiations have reportedly wrapped up, we seem to be inching toward a winner…

• With Growing Naval Power Comes Growing Naval Responsibility
• The Competitors
• Listed, But Not Submitted
• UPDATES
  
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Saudi E-3
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The 707-based E-3 aircraft forms the backbone of American, British, French, and NATO airborne early warning and control (AWACS), monitoring large swathes of airspace from an elevated position to detect incursions by enemy fighters, missiles, and even UAVs. When coupled with communications systems that allow it act as an airborne relay and command post for the aerial fight, they become unquiely valuable weapons systems. Many are well over 20 years old, however, and so upgrades have been ongoing to American, British, French, and NATO aircraft. Key upgrades in this area include Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) kits that improve the AWACS radar by boosting its sensitivity, toughening it against jamming, and improving its reliability. The passive listening electronic support measures (ESM) system is another popular enhancement, which helps the plane detect, identify and track electronic transmissions from ground, airborne and maritime sources to determine radar and weapons system types.

Saudi Arabia bought 5 E-3A AWACS planes and 8 KE-3A tankers (similar to KC-135 in that it is also based on a 707, but has more commonality with the E-3) under the “Peace Sentinel” program, which began in 1981 and saw deliveries commence in 1986. Like Boeing’s US, British, French, and NATO customers, they are now seeking upgrades to keep their aircraft up to date in technology terms…

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F/A-18F Super Hornet
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The US Navy flies the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, and has just taken delivery of its first operational EA-18G Growler electronic warfare & strike aircraft. These buys are actually managed out of a common multi-year procurement (MYP) contract, which also manages many of the EA-18G’s support costs since it’s derived from the Super Hornet and many of the required maintenance items are common to both planes. The contract covers 42 aircraft per year, split between Super Hornets and EA-18Gs, with a variation quantity clause permitting up to 6 additional aircraft per year under the same terms. FY 2008 marks year 4 of the 5-year MYP-II contract.

DID already has an EA-18G FOCUS Article; we will be using this entry to cover the Super Hornet MYP program’s budgets, and this article has been updated to include all announced contracts since MYP-II began. The latest entry is a $600+ million contract for 16 F/A-18F and EA-18G airframes…

• Hornet MYP: Aircraft Types & Budgets
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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British E-3 Sentry
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In August 2005, SpaceWar.com covered a GBP 665 million (then $1.2 billion) long-term contract with Northrop Grumman for the Sentry Whole Life Support Program, issued by the UK Ministry of Defence, Defence Logistics Organization. Under the contract, NGC’s team will provide aircraft-maintenance and design-engineering support services through 2025 to improve availability and reduce overall ownership costs for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force fleet of 7 E-3D Sentry Airborne Warning and ControlSystem (AWACS) aircraft. As is typical of recent British contracts, the government has chosen a public-private partnership approach, with availability percentage guarantees for the aircraft.

The Sentry is the UK’s principal early warning and control aircraft and provides vital strategic support to the UK armed forces in operations around the world. Since its introduction into service in 1992, the E-3 Sentry has been used in every major UK military operation, seeing extensive use in campaigns in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Despite the projected savings, however, the RAF apparently needs to cut its fleet costs even further…

• The Contract & Industry Team
• UK E-3D Updates [updated]
  
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P-8A Poseidon
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Many people would contend that the P-3 Orion is the greatest maritime patrol aircraft ever flown. These aircraft entered service in 1959 and will continue to serve past 2011. Modifications to their equipment have sharpened their capabilities, and even given them a land-attack and surveillance role. In service with 15 countries, the Orion is a great success – but it’s a very old success, and a replacement is needed.

The P-8A has emerged from the P-7 LRAACA program that was begun in 1988. That program originally envisaged an improved P-3G design, but program cost overruns and interest in opening the competition to commercial designs led to cancellation in 1990. The successor MMA program was begun in March 2000, and Boeing beat Lockheed’s “Orion 21” for the contract with a design based on the ubiquitous 737 passenger jet.

Filling the P-3 Orion’s shoes will be no easy task. What missions will the new P-8A Poseidon face? What do we know about the platform, the project team, and ongoing developments? Will the P-3’s level of global customer coverage give its successor a comparable level of export opportunities? Australia has already signed on, but has the larger market shifted in the interim?

This is DID’s FOCUS Article concerning the P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft, and it will be updated as events and contracts are announced. In the latest news, India is talking about joining the program, while airframe fatigue problems with the American P-3C Orion fleet are leading to US government to consider a production speedup…

• The Controversy: Turboprop, or Turbofan Jet?
• P-8A Poseidon: Platform & Capabilities
• The P-8’s BAMS Companion: Kicking It Up a Notch
• P-8A Poseidon: Program & History
• P-8A Poseidon: Contracts & Events [updated]
• News & Analysis: India’s Interest, and Broader Export Potential
• Additional Readings & Sources: Platforms & Program Background
• Additional Readings & Sources: News & Updates
  
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PAF F-16A drops Mk.82s
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On June 30/08, “US GAO Criticizes CSF Aid to Pakistan” discussed some of the tensions inherent in US aid to Pakistan, which has totaled several billion dollars since 2001. In addition to accounting and documentation issues, there have also been several instances in which the Pakistani military’s priorities and uses of its funds have diverged from the counter-terror focus intended by the US government.

Pakistan’s current status as a country with a larger and more active insurgency than Iraq’s has two seemingly paradoxical effects. On the one hand, it raises the stakes when “Coalition Support Funding” and other counter-terror aid is used for other military efforts or prestige projects instead. On the other hand, because the stakes are so high given Pakistan’s ownership of nuclear weapons, the USA’s leverage for dealing with questionable appropriations is reduced to some extent. Aid to Pakistan has always been as much about keeping its military and government on side as it has been about dealing with the Al-Qaeda/Taliban networks that currently control significant sections of the country along the Afghan border.

In late July 2008, all of these tensions exploded into view, as Pakistan proposed to redirect 2/3 of its 2008 aid into modernizing its older F-16 fighter fleet. The PAF wants to bring all of its F-16s to a standard that’s comparable to the new F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft it’s about to receive. The US State Department acquiesced; but Congress seems to be of a different mindset…

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