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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. The good news? It offers excellent range, ample carrying capacity, and efficient subsonic performance. The bad news? This comes at the expense of poor self-defense against aerial opponents, and difficulty keeping up with friendly aircraft traveling at high subsonic cruise 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 and has 90% commonality with its counterpart, just as its predecessor the EA-6B was based on Grumman’s robust A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. At present, the EA-18G 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, it would become the sole source of tactical jamming support for NATO air forces as a whole.

DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This article describes 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 additions include a major spares contract, and a potential new competitor in the electronic attack space…

• EA-18G: The Platform
• EA-18G: The Program [updated]
• 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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Adm. Gorshkov: Before.
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This free-to-view DID Spotlight article offers an in-depth look at India’s troubled attempt to convert and field a full-size aircraft carrier – before time and wear force it to retire its existing naval aviation platforms.

On January 20, 2004 India and Russia signed a deal to refurbish and convert the 40,000t Soviet/Russian Admiral Gorshkov into a full carrier by removing the guns, anti-shipping and anti-air missile launchers on the front deck, replacing them with a full runway and ski jump, changing the boilers to diesel fuel, enlarging and strengthening the rear aircraft elevator, and many other modifications. The announced delivery date for INS Vikramaditya was August 2008 – an ambitious schedule, but one that would allow the carrier to enter service in 2009, around the time as their 29,000t light carrier/LHA INS Viraat (formerly HMS Hermes, last of the Centaur class) was scheduled to retire. The new ship will berth at the new Indian Navy facility in Karwar, on India’s west coast.

Initial reports of delays sparked controversy in India, but even the Ministry has now admitted their truth. The INS Viraat’s retirement is now set for 2010-2012 – but even that may not be late enough, as slow negotiations and steadily-lengthening delivery times will push delivery of the Gorshkov back to 2010 at the earliest. Reports of delivery in 2012 or later have surfaced, and the continued absence of a contract that Russia will honor is likely to create further delays. Even as the delivery date for India’s locally-built 37,500 ton escort carrier appears to be slipping well beyond 2013.

Right now, there are 2 major concerns in India. One is that slipping timelines could easily leave India without a serviceable aircraft carrier. The other is the extent of the cost increases, especially if more increases are added once India has paid for most of the budgeted work and is deep into the commitment trap. The carrier purchase has now become the subject of high level diplomacy, involving a shipyard that can’t even execute on commercial contracts, and an agreement in principle that has yet to be finalized into a contract. That hasn’t stopped India from approving further MiG-29K purchases, however – even as the contract impasse appears to be deepening rather than resolving, and Russian sources begin rumbling that perhaps they might just finish and field the Gorshkov themselves…

• Waiting for Gorshkov…
• Gorshkov-Vikramaditya: Aerial Complement
• INS Vikramaditya: Updates & Contracts [updated]
• Appendix A: Additional Readings – Equipment Profiles
• Appendix B: Additional Readings – Related Developments
  
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“Need a tow?”
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In March 2005, “Cost Overruns, Budget Uncertainties Hurting USN and Contractors” noted:

“With the help of a $50 million grant from the state of Louisiana, Northrop Grumman has modernized production at Avondale, and the company is now projecting completion of future amphibious ships at a much faster pace than in the past. Nevertheless, scathing Navy inspector general reviews that detailed shoddy construction and basic workmanship problems at Avondale are cause for legitimate concern in areas that will not be fixed by modernization alone.”

While some teething problems are not uncommon for first ships of a new class, LPD-17 San Antonio stands out for their number and severity. All in a ship whose costs rose from about $700 million when the program was sold to over $1.7 billion – and have stayed at that drastically elevated level through subsequent vessels. Worse, the nitial ship of class failed to complete a series of sea trials in late March 2007, and could not be sea-tested during a 5-day inspection period because one of its two steering systems completely failed. Navy inspectors found major defects in 3 of 17 categories, and the ship required millions more in repairs.

In August 2008, after 2 failed INSURV inspections and 2.5 years after the Navy officially accepted LPD 17 from the contractor, the first San Antonio Class ship was deployed on an operational mission. Whereupon it sprung oil leaks, and had to dock in Bahrain while a large team examines its problems and searches for a fix…

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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 MiG-29SMTs and/or multi-role SU-30MKs as part of a multi-billion dollar weapons deal with Russia.

Morocco can’t beat that array. Instead, it is looking for replacement aircraft that will prevent complete overmatch, and provide it with 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 request to replace Morocco’s T-37 trainer fleet, and subsequent contracts for air-launched weapons and for C-27J short-haul transports.

The latest development includes a contract for Raytheon’s newest electronic protection suite…

• Contracts and Key Events [updated]
• Why The F-16? DID Analysis – Dec. 2007
  
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F-35A AA-1
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The F-35 Lightning II is a major multinational program which is intended to produce an “affordably stealthy” multi-role strike fighter that will have three variants: the F-35A conventional version for the US Air Force et. al.; the F-35B Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing for the US Marines, British Royal Navy, et. al.; and the F-35C conventional carrier-launched version for the US Navy. The aircraft is named after Lockheed’s famous WW2 P-38 Lightning, and the Mach 2, stacked-engine English Electric (now BAE) Lightning jet. System development partners included The USA & Britain (Tier 1), Italy and the Netherlands (Tier 2), and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (Tier 3). Now the challenge is agreeing on production phase buys, with initial purchase commitments expected around 2008-2009. Export interest is also beginning to stir in a number of quarters, even though full testing will not be complete until 2014.

DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This updated article has expanded to feature more detail regarding the $300 billion F-35 program, including details regarding the different F-35 variants, associated contracts for the aircraft, and notable events on the bumpy road toward stable production. New material is in green type. Recent additions include a Dutch postponement and associated costs, Australia shopping around, issues in Israel, an engine contract, and minor contracts in Norway to go with a big win…

• The F-35 Family of Aircraft (i.e. “Continue reading…”)
• F-35 Program: Production Timelines & Structure
• F-35 Program: Events & Developments, 2007-08 [updated]
• F-35 Program: System Development & Production Contracts, 2007-08 [updated]
• F-35 Program: Ancillary and Sub-contracts, 2007-08 [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources
  
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VH-71 Concept
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In June 2005, the U.S. Navy selected the US101 for a new fleet of “Marine One” helicopters for the President of the United States. The US101 is an American variant of AgustaWestland’s successful EH101 multimission medium helicopter; it beat out Sikorsky’s S-92 Superhawk, which is already in use as a VIP state transport in countries like South Korea. Lockheed Martin, which leads Team US101 as prime contractor, received a $1.7 billion contract from the Navy for the Marine One program’s systems development and demonstration phase.

Based on the current contract schedule, the first US101 ready to transport the President is expected to be available in 2009, with the entire fleet of 28 US101s scheduled for delivered to the Marine One squadron by late 2015.

This is DID’s FOCUS Article for the program. Amidst questions surrounding the program, and rumors of cutbacks or cancellation amidst delivery schedule slippage for the key Increment 2 helicopters, the Navy has reached an agreement to proceed with the VH-71 – despite a cost per aircraft that now approaches the President’s Air Force One 747s. The latest additions include over $500 million to pay for system development…

• VH-71: The New Marine One Helicopter Program
• VH-71 Marine One: Contracts & Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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LHD 8 construction
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LHD 8 Makin Island is under construction in Pascagoula, MS as the last ship of America’s Wasp Class amphibious assault carriers. While many of its characteristics are similar to its sister ships, there are also differences. For one thing, it will be a no-steam, all electric ship, including electric propulsion, all driven by 2 GE LM2500+ gas turbines and 6 diesel-electric generators. Other features will include central machinery control using fiber optics, upgraded communications systems including tele-medicine, structural modifications required to host and service the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and self-defense improvements including the SSDS Mk 2 Mod 3A unified combat system controlling Phalanx Block 1B guns, RIM-116B RAM short-range missiles, and RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles.

The keel was laid in February 2004, but all these changes meant that about 67% of the previous line drawings, and 75% of the test procedures, needed to be modified for Makin Island. Then Hurricane Katrina hit the in-progress ship hard. The labor pool also took a hit, with up to 1/3 of the Gulf Coast personnel leaving the area and the company. The pool of electrical professionals was especially hard hit, with 55-60% of the LHD 8’s current labor force under the 4-5 year threshold for experienced workers.

Even so, Katrina hit in August 2005. Which is why Northrop Grumman was surprised at the slowness of its integration and testing progress during final construction in 2008, as part of the ship’s preparation for sea trials. That led to a comprehensive review and audit – and a bill of $320-360 million to fix the ship, which will be footed by Northrop Grumman…

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E-737 Wedgetail
over New South Wales
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The island continent of Australia faces a number of unique security challenges that stem from its geography. Separated from its neighbors by large expanses of ocean, the nation nonetheless resides within a potential arc of instability and has a number of important resource sites to protect. Awareness of what is going on around it, and the ability to push that awareness well offshore, are critical requirements.

In 1997, therefore, Australia’s AIR 5077 Project aimed to field a next generation aircraft that could monitor the airspace and even the waters around Australia. Rather than picking the larger E-767 as the Japanese had done, they wanted a smaller and presumably less expensive aircraft. The “Project Wedgetail” winner from among the 3 finalists was a new variant of Boeing’s 737-700, fitted with an MESA radar from Northrop Grumman. That radar exchanges the traditional AWACS rotating dome for the E-737’s stable antenna and its “top hat” look.

The ride has not been a smooth one for all concerned. The real turbulence began in 2006, when a project that was held up as a model of acquisition reform, and reported as on time and on budget, suddenly found itself way behind schedule and over cost. The first 2 E-737 aircraft were supposed to be delivered in November 2006, and enter service in 2007. They will now be at least 4 years late for their in-service date. Boeing is also unhappy, as the A$ 3.45 billion contracts were structured in a way that shifted risk to them. That has forced the firm to take hundreds of million of dollars in write-offs.

DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. Project Wedgetail qualifies, and this article will soon become DII subscription content. In recent developments, Boeing’s write-off total may grow in the wake of reports that ongoing problems are causing more schedule delays. According to some reports, they may even imperil the aircraft program, which has been ordered by Australia, Turkey, and South Korea…

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C-17 vs. AN-124
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The long-range C-17 Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft remains the backbone of US Air Mobility Command inter-theater transport around the world, and its ability to operate from shorter and rougher runways has made it especially useful during the Global War on Terror. Recent buys by Australia, Britain, and Canada have broadened the plane’s its global use. Now NATO, who has relied on the SALIS arrangement and its leased super-giant AN-124s from Russia, is looking to buy and own 3 C-17s as NATO pooled assets with multinational crews. Participating countries will receive allocated flight hours relative to their participation (a Dutch MvD release says they expect 500 flight hours per year for EUR 10-15 million per year over 30 years), and thus far they include 12 nations: Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United States.

This order will not materially change the coming shut-down of C-17 production, but it does look like the inauguration of a pool that will fill a gaping hole in Europe’s defense capabilities – its complete lack of heavy airlift. This article will cover NATO C-17 acquisition program, including its structure and ongoing announcements.

Program is now an adequate name, as NATO SAC has signed a contract; this article will soon become DII subscription-only content. Notable by its absence: Italy – as well as a number of other European countries, who are moving ahead with a parallel EU pool of Airbus A400Ms…

• The NATO C-17 Pool
• Contracts, Notifications & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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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, production has resumed, and the US Navy has announced its initial basing plans for 72 aircraft…

• 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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