Latest update (Feb 2/12)

Galileo concept

The USA’s Global Positioning System service remains free, but the European Union is spending billions to create an alternative under their own control. In addition to civilian GPS (the Open Service), services to be offered include a Safety of Life Service (SoL) for civil aviation and search and rescue, a paid Commercial Service with accuracy greater than 1 meter, plus a Public Regulated Service (PRS) for use by security authorities and governments. PRS/SoL aims to offer Open Service quality, with added robustness against jamming and the reliable detection of problems within 10 seconds.

Organizational issues and shortfalls in expected progress pushed the “Galileo” project back from its originally intended operational date of 2007 to 2014/15. After a public-private partnership model failed, the EU gained initial-stage approval for its plan to finance the program with tax dollars instead of the expected private investments. Political issues were overcome in 2007 by raiding other EU accounts for the billions required, but by 2011, it became clear that requests for billions more in public funds were on the way. Meanwhile, doubts persist in several quarters about Galileo’s touted economic model. Security concerns regarding China’s involvement, and its Beidou-2/Compass project overlap, have been equally persistent. On a European political level, however, Galileo is now irreversible.

This article offers background, players, developments, contracts, and in-depth research links for Galileo, as well as linked EU programs like GIOVE and EGNOS:

• The Galileo Program
  • Galileo: The System [updated]
  • Galileo Elements [updated]
  • Galileo Structure & Costs [updated]
  • Galileo Timeline [NEW]
• Contracts and Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings [updated]
  • PNT alternatives
  • News & Views
  • The Security Dimension
    Continue Reading… »

NH90: TTH & NFH

French NH90 NFH “Caiman” operational; 1st Fremch Army NH90 TTH delivered. (Dec 9/11)

The NH90 emerged from a requirement that created a NATO helicopter development and procurement agency in 1992 and, at almost the same time, established NHIndustries (62.5% EADS Eurocopter, 32.5% AgustaWestland, and 5% Stork Fokker) to build the hardware. The NATO Frigate Helicopter was originally developed to fit between light naval helicopters like AW’s Lynx or Eurocopter’s Panther, and medium-heavy naval helicopters like the European EH101. A quick look at the NFH design showed definite possibilities as a troop transport helicopter, however, and soon the NH90 project had branched into 2 versions, with more to follow. The nearest equivalent would be Sikorsky’s popular H-60 Seahawk/ Black Hawk family, but the NH90 includes a set of innovative features that give it some distinguishing selling points.

While battlefield damage to composite airframes can be more difficult to repair in the field, the combination of corrosion-proofing, lower maintenance, greater troop or load capacity, and the flexibility offered by that rear ramp have made the NH90 a popular global competitor. As many business people discover the hard way, however, success can be almost as dangerous as failure. NH Industries has had great difficulty ramping up production fast enough to meet promised deliveries, which has left several buyers upset. Orders currently stand at 507 machines, on behalf of 14 nations.

• The NH90 Platform(s)
• The NH90 Production Program [updated]
• Contracts & Key Events, 1995-present [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources
  Continue Reading… »

E-2C Hawkeye

Link-16 network. (Sept 22/11)

On Dec 4/07, the US DSCA announced the United Arab Emirates’ official request for 3 used, refurbished E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft with radar and antennae. When combined with the UAE’s $9 billion request for Patriot missiles, and other recent initiatives, it would appear that the UAE is taking strong steps to beef up its defensive and surveillance capabilities.

Making that happen requires more than just planes. It requires extensive back-end systems that help turn information from platforms like the Hawkeye into a coherent whole, and allow command staff to direct battles based on that information. DID explains what happened to that Hawkeye sale, how it fits into a larger picture, and where things stand now, as the UAE continues its strong Command, Control, Computing, & Communications (C4) push…

• The UAE’s Quest for Hawkeyes
• Contracts & Key Events, 2002 – Present [updated]
• Additional Sources [updated]
  Continue Reading… »

• The Commission on Wartime Contracting (CWC) formally submits Transforming Wartime Contracting – Controlling costs reducing risks [PDF] to Congress. The report says that at least $31 billion has been lost to contract waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan, and offers 15 recommendations for contracting reform.

• General David Petraeus uses his retirement speech (see video at the bottom of this entry) to pay tribute to those who steered the US military through its ‘hollow force’ era. Petraeus also emphasized the importance of safeguarding gains made in Iraq and Afghanistan against a backdrop of change in the Middle East and reduced defense expenditure.

• Indian defence sources have outlined the ministry’s ‘flagrant violation’ of offset rules for a number of high-profile contracts. RAC MiG’s $964 million deal to upgrade India’s MiG-29 fighters and the purchase of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft are among the contracts under the spotlight.

• With reports that the sea trials for its first aircraft carrier proceeded ‘as expected’, China declares that the modernization of its armed forces will not alter the nation’s defensive security policies. China also continues to refute the Department of Defense’s (DoD) recent report [PDF], this time citing improved defense ties with India and Vietnam.

• As the UK Ministry of Defence formally announces the first tranche of the Armed Forces Redundancy Programme, Defence Secretary Liam Fox says the redundancies are the result of financial mismanagement by the previous Labour Government.

• The US Navy awards Sotera Defense Solutions a contract potentially worth up to $34 million for laboratory and sea based acoustic technique studies. The Navy also awards Canadian Commercial Corporation a contract with a potential value of $73.5 million for MX-15DHi and MX-15Di camera turrets. A $52 million contract was also awarded to FLIR Systems for a range of SAFIRE HD imaging systems.

• Australia releases a Request for Tender for the sale of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) remaining Sea King helicopters. Closing date for tenders is the 1st November 2011, with the helicopters withdrawn from service the following month.

• Interest in China’s J-20 stealth fighter continues, with a video of the aircraft’s canopy and weapons bay opening prompting comparison to the F-22 Raptor.
  Continue Reading… »

• The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awards Teledyne Brown Engineering an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $595 million for the development, deployment and sustainment of an Objective Simulation Framework (OSF).

• AeroVironment unveils its lightweight man-portable Shrike VTOL UAV. Shrike is the result of a contract from DARPA to develop a persistent perch and stare (SP2S) UAV.

• BAE Systems announces a successful testing of its Mk 38 MOD 2 Tactical Laser System (TLS) at Eglin Air Force base, Eglin FLA. The test system fired against air and surface maritime targets.

• The UK Ministry of Defence is preparing to announce its latest round of redundancies in line with the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) [PDF]. It is rumored that Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel supporting Libyan operations may be among the 1,000 troops to go.

• South Africa’s Defense Minister unveils the committee tasked with undertaking the country’s first defense review in thirteen years. The committee is in broad agreement that the 1998 review [PDF] no longer reflects the strategic environment of the African continent.

• Filippino media reacts favorably to comments made by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation that the acquisition of the cutter Gregorio del Pilar demonstrates Manila’s commitment to safeguarding territorial integrity, and should result in the transfer of further excess defense articles from the United States.

• The President of South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development tells local media that the production of materiel like the K21 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) demonstrates that Seoul has come ‘a long way’ over the past decade in the development of cutting-edge weapons to counter North Korea.

• Bulgaria’s Defense Ministry is reportedly preparing to issue a tender for new handguns and sniper rifles.

• Zacks Investment Research’s Aerospace & Defense Stock Overview – Aug. 2011 maintains a ‘neutral’ stance on the US defense sector, while suggesting that international markets may help contractors to counter reduced Government spending.

• Two members of the Commission on Wartime Contracting say that $30 billion-worth of expenditure on contracts and grants in Afghanistan and Iraq have been wasted through poor planning, shifting requirements and negligence. As a result, federal agencies and contractors must do better.

• Flight Global/PricewaterhouseCooper’s (PwC) Top 100 Special Report: 2010 a year of rebound says that while the aerospace sector enjoyed a 2% growth in revenue, defense spending remains flat. The list of the 20 largest aerospace companies by revenues [PDF] remains relatively unchanged, with Boeing and EADS maintaining their top positions.

• China continues to refute the findings of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) annual report on its military and security policies. The deputy secretary of the China Society of Military Science labels the report as ‘groundless’ and a product of Cold War thinking.

• BAE Australia has delivered the 1st Hobart Class Destroyer ship block to project lead, ASC, but only after some very high profile problems at their shipyard.

• Dragon, Britain’s 4th Type 45 Air Defense Destroyer, is sailing to Portsmouth for acceptance by the Royal Navy.

• Indian media say that the freed ship MV Nafis-1 contained evidence that Pakistan is supporting some Somali pirates.

• Chile is set to receive its final batch of F-16 fighters from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF).

• A French Mirage fighter and Lithuanian L-39 Albatross trainer collide midair during exercises.

• The first photographs emerge of Chinese aircraft on display at the Changchun First Aviation Open Day. The pictures come days after photographs suggesting that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) J-11B heavy fighter is operational.

• Opinions vary as to the make and role of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that crashed over southwest Pakistan last week.

• Debate regarding the shape of operations after Libya shifts from a NATO-centric perspective to budget concerns, as the case is made for cutting back on the Army and continued emphasis upon combined Special Operations-Air Power Teams.

• A senior official from India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation says the country will be able to deploy an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system in 2014. Meanwhile, an Indian perspective emerges on the reasons behind the fifth-generation T-50 fighter’s aborted take off at MAKS 2011 air show and prospects for further Indian-Russian cooperation.

• A dispute between Rafael and Israeli Military Industries (IMI) regarding Defense Ministry proposals to merge their respective Trophy and Iron Fist missile defense systems has resulted in the deployment of new Namer (Tiger) armored personnel carriers without either system.

• The Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General Norton Schwartz, says there are no plans to follow-up on proposals made by a set of retired generals and merge the Air National Guard and Reserve.

• South Korean media speculates that North Korea’s Air Force Commander accompanied Kim Jong-il on his recent visit to Russia and China to seek help to modernize the country’s armed forces in general, and air force in particular.

• The M-90 Eurotorp lightweight torpedo buy remains on Australia’s Projects of Concern list, but recent media reports were misleading.

• Some interesting comparative data emerges on the operational cost per flight hour (CPFH) of several US military aircraft, including Lockheed Martin’s F-22, Bell Boeing CV-22 and WC-135 Constant Phoenix.

• Iran has reportedly inaugurated its first carbon fiber production line at the Defense Ministry’s aerospace department.

• Following the release of its annual assessment of China’s military power, a US Department of Defense official suggests that Beijing has also developed a ‘workable design’ of its DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile. Meanwhile, China has continued its condemnation by saying the report indulged in exaggeration and ‘groundless suspicion’.

• Successful test of the CONECT upgrade to USAF B-52H heavy bombers; program on track to finish ground and flight tests in October 2011.

• EADS passes a half way point, delivers the 180th UH-72A light utility helicopter to the US military.

• The US Navy confirms the successful test-flight of a T-45 Goshawk trainer using biofuel.

• Following Hugo Chavez’s recent gratitude for Russian assistance in re-equipping Venezuela’s armed forces, diplomatic sources reveal that Moscow is preparing to loan Caracas an additional $4 billion for military purchases.

• The US Air Force awards Vision Systems International a $36 million contract for electrical and electronic equipment components.

• Rosoboronexport delivers 6 Mi-17 helicopters to Indonesia. A $56 million contract was signed by Jakarta and the state-owned corporation for the helicopters.

• The US military continues to reallocate hundreds of millions toward surveillance, mostly for Special Operations. But are they looking for ISR in all the wrong places?

• With the end of the Libyan conflict seemingly in sight, a number of interesting stories are beginning to emerge. France confirms the deployment of its EADS/IAI Harfang unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over Libyan airspace. Qatar also punched above its weight by providing military training and special forces.

• The Department of Defense releases Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2011 [PDF]. While the report acknowledges China’s growing importance to peacekeeping and an array of international security operations, Taiwan remains the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) ‘main strategic direction’. State media reiterated that China’s defense policy is defensive in nature and criticized US interference over Taiwan.

• Boeing delivers three more F-15K Slam Eagles to South Korea.

• The Iranian Ambassador to Moscow hopes that the International Court of Arbitration will rule in favor of Tehran over the legality of Russia’s $800 million contract to supply Iran with S-300 air defense systems.

• Meanwhile, sources claim that Russia will next test-launch its Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on the 27th August. The launch will be from the Borey Class Yuri Dolgoruky strategic nuclear submarine.

• Research and Markets adds Defense and Security in India 2011 Report to its list of publications. The report says India spent $39 billion on defense and security in 2010, and continues to look towards self-sufficiency. Publication also comes at a time when Robert Sher, Deputy Assistant of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, called US-Indian defense ties a ‘natural partnership’.

• Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Richard Shelby (R-AL) release a statement saying that the failure of the Russian Progress resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) underscores the need for American leadership in space and the development of the Space Launch System (SLS).

• As the Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases a report [PDF] on US initiatives to safeguard maritime energy security, analysts line up to argue that the US Navy should increase its focus on irregular warfare challenges.

• Interest in China’s J-20 stealth fighter continues at a relentless pace. A new set of photographs reveal the aircraft’s weapons bay. Photos have also emerged of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) North Sea Fleet’s nuclear submarine base.

• The UK Minister for International Security Strategy says that the findings of the 2015 defence review may allow the Royal Navy to operate both Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

• Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) sends a letter to the Secretaries of Defense and State, as well as the National Security Advisor, requesting publication of the Annual Report to Congress on the Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China.

• As conflict in Libya reaches the endgame, defense officials and think tank analysts line up to give their opinions on the NATO campaign and its implications for future operations.

• A Turkish defense procurement official claims that Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is in talks with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Saab regarding the development of fighter aircraft.

• Lockheed Martin enters into a definitive agreement to acquire QTC Holdings, a medical services provider to the Department of Defense.

• Germany’s economic ministry reportedly rules out the purchase of Daimler’s stake in EADS.

• The US Army awards Canadian Commercial Corporation a $20.5 million contract for miscellaneous military vehicular components. A US Army contract potentially worth up to $9 million is also awarded to Materials Sciences Corporation for engineering services.

• Interest and intrigue regarding China’s J-20 stealth fighter maintains momentum with the publication of pictures showing the aircraft doing a roll.