• How Israel speeds up its counterstrikes using UAVs – and spycraft, and back-end IT. Also serves as an overview of their entire aerospace ISR set.

• Elbit Systems’ UT-30 unmanned 30mm turret has completed acceptance testing on Brazil’s new VBTP Guarani wheeled armored vehicle.

• Patria will make protective armor plates for Finnish NH90-TTH utility helicopters.

• Raytheon’s MALD-J jammer missiles have finished a simulated electronic attack test, clearing the way for a USAF decision on production.

• The Senate Appropriations Committee recommends keeping the FY12 DoD base budget at the same $513B level enacted for FY11, coming $26B below the President’s $539B request and $17B below the $530B in the H.R. 2219 appropriations bill passed in the House last July. These numbers exclude $115+B in overseas contingency operations. Most other budgets in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s proposal remain about flat save the Department of State which would see a base cut of about 7% to $44.6B. Given 12 working days are left in Congress before the end of FY11, most observers agree Congress will have to resort to a Continuing Resolution for several weeks. House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) concurs.

• Speaking of which, armed with an emotional video, McKeon wants the Super Committee to “leave us alone.” Congressmen Dave Loebsack (D-IA and HASC member), Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Jim Renacci (R-OH) introduced legislation to guarantee the Deficit Committee’s independence and transparency. Probably too late to be made into law, but might weight on how things unfold.

• Meanwhile, the Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI), the American Enterprise Institute (AIE), and the Heritage Foundation – a rather conservative bunch – are hosting today (Thursday) a “Defending Defense” conference that Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) plans to attend. But deputy assistant secretary of defense Brett Lambert said that, industrial base or not, contractors will have to deal with budget cuts.

• French MinDef still looking for 230 million euros (~$325M) or about 2/3rds of France’s over-budget costs occurred in Libya. Zone Militaire (in French).

• In the 1st video below, Military & Aerospace Electronics likes the fact Tactical High Energy Lasers (THEL) could fit on ships where machine guns are currently located, without littering the deck with bullet casings. The 2nd video below released by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) back in April shows laser effectiveness still requires a fair amount of cooperation from the target:
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Hawk LIFT

Back in October 2006, an $840 million contract for BAE’s Hawk LIFT trainers aimed to provide advanced jet training for both Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots, as part of the consolidated UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS). In November 2006, the Ascent team of VT Group plc and Lockheed Martin announced their status as Preferred Bidder to provide military flying training to the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps for the next 25 years.

In June 2008, they secured the contract. That began a combination of infrastructure build-out, aircraft modification, and managed competition, aimed at fulfilling a contract that was estimated at up to GBP 6 billion (about $11.7 billion) when it was signed…

• UKMFTS and its Components: Fixed Wing & Helicopters [NEW]
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
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• A new Electronics.Ca Publications report predicts that the global machine vision and vision guided robotics market will be worth $15.3 billion by 2015. The Asia Pacific region is expected to continue its dominance over this time period.

• MDA, Ltd. and IAI’s Stark Aerospace announce the availability of Persist-INT, a turnkey unmanned airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) service, for NATO ISAF forces in Afghanistan. MDA already operates Heron UAVs for Canada and Australia in theater.

• The French government and Thales agree to pay EUR 630 million in compensation for bribes related to a contract to supply 6 frigates to Taiwan.

• Oshkosh Defense is to deliver more than 730 trucks for the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV), including new and recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4s and new Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) A1s, following orders from TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC).

• QinetiQ North America wins a $36.5 million Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide scientific, engineering and analytical services to the Air Force Technical Application Center’s (AFTAC) Expert Scientific & Analytical Support (ESAS) program at Patrick AFB, FL. The ESAS contract will support AFTAC’s provision of advanced proliferation monitoring technologies and nuclear treaty compliance monitoring.

• DCS Corporation receives a contract award for Missile Defense Agency Engineering and Support Service (MiDAESS). The company will provide advisory and assistance services to the MDA’s Directorates of Engineering, Test, Advanced Technology, and Information Management and Technology Operations.

• Flight International reports that Elbit Systems is in talks with Honeywell and Rockwell Collins regarding cooperation on next-generation avionics for fighter, transport and rotorcraft platforms. Elbit is currently seeking investors for the development of its CockpitNG system unveiled at last year’s Farnborough Air Show.

• Poland issues a request for proposals to the manufacturers interested in competing for its 16 aircraft lead-in fighter trainer contract. The firms have until July 29th to submit their final offers, with Warsaw expected to sign off on the deal by late 2011 or early 2012.

• The Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organisation reports that Denmark’s forces operating in Libya are running out of bombs for their F-16 fighters. The Netherlands have been asked to replenish Danish stocks.

• The internet continues to provide plenty of speculation regarding recently released pictures of China’s supposedly new fifth-generation fighter. One blog adds to the JH-7B debate by overlaying pictures of the aircraft.

• Elbit Systems wins contract to supply an unnamed Latin American country with its Hermes 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The contract also includes complementing ground control stations, payload systems and radars. Previous reports peg Chile as the customer for the type’s 1st export order.

• Poor management practices and a lack of procurement staff blamed for Canada’s Department of National Defence’s inability to spend more than $1.5 billion of its $21 billion budget for FY2010-2011.

• Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry signs an agreement with NP Aerospace Jordan to jointly manufacture body armor and helmets.

• MCR LLC acquires JB&A, Inc., a company that provides strategic planning, programming and budgeting, manpower analytical support and other services to U.S. government agencies.

• Hampson Industries to continue with the disposal of its Hampson Precision Automotive Limited subsidiary to a private consortium in spite of a high court ruling that called for the sale to be abandoned amid claims of fraudulent misrepresentation.

• MBDA says that the recent launch of a naval configured Marte MK2 missile sought to qualify the new munition by checking canister behavior and ensuring that the missile and canister separated correctly.

• Second Line of Defense reports that Russian defense industries remain optimistic that China will remain a lucrative source of contracts despite its own industrial advancement.

• As operations over Libya drain European stockpiles of smart bombs, Defense Update’s “The High Cost of Precision Attack” looks at progress, pricing, and options.

• The world military helicopter market reached $12.6 billion in 2010, and demand is predicted to remain strong over the next decade, says ASDReports.com.

• Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter is encouraged by Wall Street’s view of the defense industry. Wall Street once liked the housing sector, too…

• Emerging markets to invest billions of dollars in missile programs over the next 10 years, according to ASDReports.com.

• Lockheed Martin and TAI unveil the 1st of 30 new Turkish F-16 Block 50s, a couple months ahead of schedule. TAI has built and modified a number of F-16s under license, and operates a finishing and check-out line in Turkey.

• Force Protection adds Lockheed Martin (C4ISR) & Elbit (RWS) to its Cougar bid for Canada’s TAPV MRAP program.

• First SBIRS GEO missile detection satellite reaches geosynchronous orbit – passing the impaired but rising AEHF-1 secure broadband communications satellite.

• Raytheon gets $20.7 million USAF contract to provide 1,900 KIV-77 Mode 4/5 cryptographic units that provide secure IFF communications to reduce friendly fire.

• The outgoing Chief of the U.S. Navy says it is ‘not moving fast enough’ in developing Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. But he sees lasers as the biggest game changer.

• Elbit wins Israeli contract with its “Flying Elephant” resupply UAV – a parafoil, GPS guidance, and a 1 tonne wheeled cargo pallet. It was picked in part for its simplicity and speed of deployment… unusual criteria in places like the USA, which is looking at a much more expensive approach.

• Die Welt reports that Iran & Venezuela are collaborating on a hardened underground silo complex for Shebab-3 medium range ballistic missiles, on the Paraguana peninsula above Coro, Venezuela.

• A leaked UN report says Iran and North Korea are exchanging ballistic missile technology, with help from China. Al-Jazeera Inside Story (incl. video).

• GAO faults DoD’s efforts to include combatant commands in weapons system development.

• Chile has reportedly picked Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 as its next high-end UAV. While the Hermes 450 has been a popular export, this would be the larger Hermes 900 MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance) UAV’s 1st export order.

• India conducts 2 successful tests of its indigenously developed Astra medium range air-to-air missile.

• Spain fails to reach NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defense in 2010. Just like most other NATO countries.

• DoD publishes open-source technology guide for military software, in an effort to encourage contractors to implement open technology development, rather than proprietary technology, for defense systems.

• Russia wants assurance from NATO that a European missile defense system is not be directed at their country. As long as they don’t launch missiles against NATO members, it won’t be.

• These are not you parents’ sea mines.

• US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warns against sharp cuts in the size and reach of US forces.

• Economic events will be driving more and more military budget decisions over the next few years. Writing in Caixin Weekly, Andy Xie pens “Chimerica’s Slippery Slope to Stagflation.”

• State-controlled Russian Helicopters indefinitely suspends $500 million IPO due to lack of interest; company announces delivery of 3 Mi-171Sh helicopters to Peru defense ministry.

• Boeing delivers UAE’s 1st C-17A heavy airlifter. The UAE ordered 6: they will take delivery of 3 more C-17s in 2011, and 2 in 2012.

• The Royal Netherlands Navy takes delivery of mission planning and analysis systems from Finmeccanica’s AgustaWestland for its fleet of NH90 NFH medium twin naval helicopters.

• Alexander could have used this: Elbit Systems snags EUR 43 million contract to build a helicopter pilot training center for Macedonia’s defense and security forces. Macedonian airpower is mostly helicopters.

• UK’s new Defense Infrastructure Organisation plans to save GBP 1 billion over the next 4 years through sale of surplus land and buildings.

• Lockheed Martin gets $24 million USMC contract to upgrade 36 gunnery trainers for the M1A1 main battle tank and LAV-25 light armored vehicle.

• General Dynamics NASSCO lays keel for T-AKE 14, a US Navy Lewis and Clark class dry cargo/ammunition ship. They also tout considerable manufacturing improvements over the class’ lifetime.

• Col. Tom Lynch, USAR (ret.) discusses policy & perils in Pakistan. Now that Pakistan has basically been caught harboring Osama Bin Laden, many aspects of the US-Pakistan relationship, and its associated military aid, are in question. Read the contrasting viewpoints as food for thought.

• Defense spending would total $513 billion under the compromise FY 2011 continuing resolution (CR) unveiled [PDF] by the House Appropriations Committee, a reduction of $18.1 billion from what the Obama administration wanted but $5 billion more than last year. Still, the use of the CR to fund the federal government for the rest of FY 2011 will leave many defense programs in limbo.

• Show me the money: Russian Helicopters plans to raise $500 million in an initial public offering on the London and Russian exchanges.

• Boeing could lose out on Joint Tactical Radio System’s Ground Mobile Radios (JTRS GMR), as the US Army balks at potential $300,000 costs. US Army networks division chief Col. Jim Carpenter says they’ll publish requirements instead, and ask companies to conduct their own R&D to meet the service’s needs. That could be good news for firms like Harris, Thales, and General Dynamics.

• Faced with delays of 3 years and more to its Scorpene program, and questions about industrial structure for the follow-on Project 75i, India turns to HDW to upgrade its existing U209-1500 “Shishumar” boats for longer service life.

• Embraer and Elbit deepen their relationship by creating a joint venture to market unmanned air systems in Brazil. Elbit’s Hermes 450 UAV is already in limited use there with the FAB.

• Blame it on Rio: The Russian defense industry sees great potential for arms exports to Brazil and other Latin American countries.

• Major US Coast Guard acquisition programs are at cost, schedule, or program acquisition risk due to flawed acquisition management and unrealistic budget planning, warns GAO.

• Teal Group worldwide mission model identifies 2,315 space payloads over the 2011-2030 time frame, an increase of 4% over last year’s count – 20% of those are for military missions.

• Lockheed Martin gets $176 million contract extension to provide depot maintenance products and support at USAF Air Logistics Centers in Ogden, UT; Oklahoma City, OK; and Warner Robins, GA.

• Raytheon delivered 366 of its popular RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles in 2010, which are used by customers around the world for medium range naval air defense. That’s more than double 2009’s total, while using an international manufacturing base.

• Lockheed Martin completes delivery of the 2nd production C-5M Super Galaxy ultra-heavy air transport at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Marietta, GA.

• Fuel cells usually don’t do well with standard military fuels like JP-8, because of the chemicals inside. Lockheed Martin is working to create a fuel cell that can handle JP-8.

• Note to soldiers: the metal detectors they give you for land mines aren’t foolproof. USMC Cpl. Matt Garst found that out the hard way – then walked away from the blast.

FAB F-5

April 11/11: Elbit Systems’ Brazilian subsidiary, AEL Sistemas S.A, announces a follow-on sub-contract from Embraer Defense and Security to upgrade another 11 F-5 fighters under the F-5BR program. This order would take the FAB’s upgraded F-5EM fleet to 57 aircraft, including 11 (8 F-5Es, 3 F-5Fs) bought from the Jordanian Air Force.

The current contract is valued at $85 million, and will be performed through 2013 as a follow-on to earlier 2001 and 2007 contracts. It will include engineering services and the delivery of all system equipment, including the mission computer, display systems, radar, EW(Electronic Warfare/countermeasures) system, ammunition management system and other avionics products. AEL will also supply a flight simulator, spares and ground support equipment. Elbit AEL | Embraer.

AEL avionics equip many of Brazil’s fighters and military aircraft. Elbit’s May 2008 investor filing with the SEC had this to say about their program history with Brazil’s F-5s:

• Israel’s Iron Dome rocket/artillery defense system in action.

• Israel’s Elbit Systems sues government of Georgia in UK court for $100 million in connection with military contracts signed in 2007.

• RAF Tornado takes out a Libyan tank.

• Still cutting: UK Foreign Secretary William Hague says news reports that Libyan operations are prompting a rethink of defense budget cuts are wrong.

• RAF MQ-9 Reaper UAV notches 20,000 operational flying hours in Afghanistan.

• Russia’s Almaz-Antei design bureau expects to complete development of the next-generation S-500 air defense system by 2015-2016.

• Georgia expects to meet technical requirements for NATO membership in 2-3 years.