CAMM-M/ Sea Ceptor

Britain’s Royal Navy currently uses Seawolf missiles as the primary air defense system for its Type 23 frigates. They’re updated versions of a missile that was used during the 1981 Falklands War, but modern threats demand more. Britain also needs to equip its Type 26/27 Global Combat Ship frigate replacements, and could use an option that raises the number of air defense missiles carried by its Type 45 air defense destroyers.

The answer to all of these problems is being developed as one component of Britain’s GBP 4 billion, 10-year “Team Complex Weapons” partnership with MBDA. It’s a quad-packable, intermediate-range air defense missile with its own active radar guidance, which re-uses a number of features and technologies from British fighter jets’ AIM-132 ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missile. Not only will it serve on British ships, but it’s set to field as an Army air defense missile, and may even fly on future British fighters.

NSM test launch

Polish contract finalized. (Dec 28/11)

Kongsberg’s stealthy new Naval Strike Missile (Nytt SjomalsMissil), which continues its development and testing program, has already shown potential in the crowded market for long-range ship attack and shore defense weapons. NSM’s Joint Strike Missile counterpart may have even more potential, as a longer-range air-launched naval and land strike complement to Kongsberg’s popular Penguin short-range anti-ship missile.

The market for anti-ship missiles is a crowded one, and the distinction between anti-ship and precision land strike weapons is blurring fast. Aside from a bevy of Russian subsonic and supersonic offerings, naval buyers can choose Boeing’s GM-84 Harpoon, China’s YJ-82/C-802 Saccade, MBDA’s Exocet, Otomat, or Marte; IAI of Israel’s Gabriel/ANAM, Saab’s RBS15, and more. Despite an ongoing shift toward supersonic missiles, Kongsberg chose not to go that route. So, how do they expect to be competitive in a crowded market? The F-35 Lightning II may hold the key…

• Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile/ Joint Strike Missile
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
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Pakistani P-3

Schedule extension contract. (Dec 27/11)

Pakistan’s location on the Indian Ocean next to the Persian Gulf, and its rivalry with India, ensure that its maritime patrol and strike capabilities will need to operate across a wide expanse of ocean. Maritime patrol aircraft are critical to that effort, because of the surveillance area that a single plane can cover. Like India, Pakistan relies on a mix. In its case, that mix includes converted Fokker F27 twin-turboprops, a couple of early-model Dassault Atlantiques, and a high-end force of 2 P-3C Orion aircraft, reactivated in 2006. The 4-engine Orions have much better range than Pakistan’s other maritime patrol aircraft, which widens that country’s sphere of naval influence.

Subsequent orders have served to detail the modernization work for Pakistan’s Orion fleet, via a deal for 8 more P-3 aircraft, refurbishment orders, and the accompanying orders for AGM-84 Harpoon missiles that can attack naval or land targets…

Kilo Class cutaway

2 More Gepard class corvettes. (Dec 7/11)

In April 2009, reports surfaced that Vietnam had agreed in principle to a deal with Russia for 6 of its diesel-electric Kilo/ Project 636 Class fast attack submarines. There have been rumors that Vietnam owns 2 ex-Yugoslav mini-submarines for use in commando operations, but the Vietnamese People’s Navy doesn’t own any full size submarines that can take on enemy subs and ships. That’s about to change, thanks to a December 2009 contract.

Nor is that the only change in Vietnam’s military capabilities these days. China’s April 2009 display of naval might is only part of the mosaic influencing Vietnam’s decisions in these matters, as contracts for submarines – and far more – are being signed with its long-time Russian ally…

• Vietnam’s New Military Buys: Considerations
• Contracts and Key Events (2009 – Present) [updated]
• Additional Readings
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• Syria gets its shore batteries of 72 supersonic P-800/SS-N-26 Yakhont missiles, in the midst of a growing civil war with demonstrators and a Turkish-supported Free Syrian Army. Maybe introducing the missiles wasn’t the best idea right now? And maybe supporting the Kurdish PKK wasn’t Syria’s best idea ever?

• Norway takes delivery of their 1st NH90 NFH naval helicopter – after placing the order in November 2001.

• Bangladesh inaugurates its new Chinese HQ-7/FM90 short range air defense missiles at Kurmitola Air Base. The MBDA Crotale knockoff is a first for Bangladesh. Not the first Chinese weapons, the 1st surface-to-air missiles.

• The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) signed a contract to purchase 450,000 gallons of biofuel made from used cooking oil and algae. The fuel will be used by the US Navy. next summer during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC). The biofuel is “drop in”, which means engines can use it without modifications, and it will be mixed with aviation gas or marine diesel fuel.

• Fuel is expensive not just to consume, but also to deliver. Up to $400 a gallon in Afghanistan says the WSJ, once you factor in airdrops and parachutes that don’t open.

• Speaking of which, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) think tank released a policy brief [PDF] advocating a change of mission in Afghanistan.

• Cambridge Design Partnership and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (DSTL) Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) won this year’s Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards in the UK for an oxygen concentrator powered by a micro-diesel engine rather than a heavy battery. The idea is to produce a lighter device so that oxygen can more readily be administered to soldiers wounded in the field.

• Lockheed Martin signs a mentor-protege agreement with Chicago’s Sciacky, in partnership with Morehouse College and the University of Texas at El Paso. Sciacky has a unique “Electron Beam Direct Manufacturing” (material printing) technology. Direct/Additive manufacturing can make parts to any configuration, with near-zero waste and little finishing; Lockheed thinks it may have a future for the F-35’s hard-to-make titanium parts. See the video after the jump:
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Harpoon in flight

Multinational Harpoon/ SLAM-ER support contract; Korean test fail. (Dec 1/11)

The sub-sonic, wave-skimming *GM-84 Harpoon is the US Navy’s sole anti-shipping missile, with the minor exception of small AGM-119B Penguin missiles and anti-tank Hellfires carried on some H-60 helicopters. The Harpoon has been adapted into several variants, and exported to many navies around the world. At present, the Harpoon family includes air, sea/land, and submarine-launched versions of the GM-84. Variants such as the land attack SLAM variant and the modern AGM-84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) will also be covered in this DID FOCUS Article, which describes the missiles themselves, and covers global contracts involving this family.

The Harpoon family’s best known competitor is the French/MBDA *M38/39/40 Exocet, but recent years have witnessed a growing competitive roster at both the subsonic (Israel’s Gabriel family, Russia’s SS-N-27 Klub family, Saab’s RBS15, Kongsberg’s stealthy NSM, China’s YJ-82/C-802 used by Hezbollah in Lebanon), and supersonic (Russia’s SS-N-22 Sunburn/Moskit, SS-N-26 Yakhont, and some SS-N-27 Klub variants, India’s SS-N-26 derived PJ-10 BrahMos) tiers.

• GM-84 Harpoon Family: The Missiles
• GM-84 Harpoon Family: Contracts & Key Events, FY 2007 – Present [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources
  Continue Reading… »

Talwar class

Teg sea trials. (Sept 1/11)

In July 2006, the Indian government announced that Russia would build 3 “stealth warships” for India under a Rs 5114 crore (INR 51.14 billion, then about $1.1 billion) contract signed in New Delhi. The contract actually covers 3 modified Krivak III/ Talwar Class frigates, as a follow-on to an earlier $900 million purchase in 1997.

The Krivak III/ Talwar Class ships like INS Tabar are not really stealth warships, esp. by comparison to more modern designs like Singapore’s new Formidable Class frigates from France (a Lafayette Class derivative). They’re best described as mid-range multi-role frigates, with some stealth features and a potential emphasis on anti-submarine work…

• 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.

• A senior Russian defense official claims that the Sukhoi T-50/PAK-FA stealth fighter will be the ‘principal plane’ of the Russian and Indian Air Forces.

• A new Pike Research report predicts that the military fuel cell market will reach $1.2 billion by 2017, an increase from $9 million in 2011.

• Moscow’s MAKS 2011 air show has prompted a number of developments concerning Russia’s military and defense industry. Russia’s Air Force is expected to receive 450 helicopters this year, including the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator. The state-run United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) plans to provide the Air Force with 20 new aircraft a year. UAC is also keen on securing a contract to supply the military with 10 Antonov AN-124 freighters.

• Western aerospace contractors keep at low profile at Taiwan Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2011. Boeing and General Electric miss the show altogether.

• Elbit Systems’ Second Quarter 2011 Results show revenues at $691.6 million, as compared with $603.3 million for last year’s corresponding quarter. C4I and airborne systems were leading contributors to the increase.

• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is considering aerial refueling options for the upgraded version of its Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

• The US Army awards an Omnibus III $497 million indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the provision of support to the US Navy Medicine Research and Development (R&D) programs.

• Meanwhile, the General Services Administration (GSA) awards N~Ask Inc., BIT Systems and CACI Technologies an IDIQ contract worth up to $40 million for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Engineering Support Services (SESS II).

• Ukraine’s Arsenal Design Bureau claims to have developed a ‘world class’ infrared seeker for use on anti-ship missiles.

• The DoD Inspector General’s internal audit of DARPA contract awards will likely pay close attention to business conducted with RedXDefense, a bomb detection company co-founded by the current director of DARPA.

• Speaking at his monthly press briefing, NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed the idea of joint NATO-Russian centers for cooperation on missile defense. The comments follow his recent meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Sochi.

• Medvedev has told Defense Secretary Anatoly Serdyukov to report on the implementation of state defense orders for 2011 within the next three days. The move comes after reports that the Defense Ministry has delayed the signing of defense contracts, particularly for strategic nuclear armaments.

• Prime Minister David Cameron announces that the UK will be able to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 9,500 to 9,000 personnel by the end of 2012. The decision was made on the advice of the National Security Council and reflects recent comments made by Barack Obama that the Afghan mission was moving from ‘combat to support’. The UK’s decision comes as Italy announces that the country’s financial crisis is forcing it to scale back its overseas operations.

• MBDA France and DCI-Cofras sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide training for MBDA’s anti-tank, artillery and air-defense products.

• As Canada’s Great Western Minerals Group nears completion of a rare earth mineral mine in South Africa, an article considers other countries as alternative sources to China’s dominance of the global market.

• Indonesia’s President calls for better relations with Malaysia to ward off conflict and resolve maritime border disputes.

• Research and Markets adds The Chilean Defense Industry – Market Opportunities and Entry Strategies Analyses and Forecasts to 2015 to its list of publications.

• Speculation mounts that China’s new unmanned aerial vehicle may be used to provide targeting information for its anti-ship ballistic missiles.

• The internet also continues to provide plenty of intrigue regarding China’s J-20 stealth fighter. Pictures have now emerged showing the J-20’s weapons bay doors open.