MK 41s in action

Systems for new US destroyers. (Jan 10/12)

The naval MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) hides missiles below decks in vertical slots, with key electronics and venting systems built in. A deck and hatch assembly at the top of the module protects the missile canisters from the elements, and from other hazards during storage. Once the firing sequence begins, the hatches open to permit missile launches of various types. It is also being adapted for land use, as part of the USA’s plan to forward-deploy ballistic missile defense in allied countries.

The Mk.41 is the most widely-used naval VLS in the world, in service with the US Navy and with many countries outside the United States. Lockheed Martin is the system’s prime contractor, and BAE Systems Land & Armaments also makes components and canisters for the MK 41 system. In September 2011, however, the US Navy assumed the role of final integrator…

• The MK 41 Family of Systems
• MK 41 VLS Contracts, FY 2006 – 2011 [updated]
• Additional Readings
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Smerch 9K58 firing

In February 2006, IANS reported that India had finally signed a $500 million deal with Russia for SPLAV’s Smerch-M BM 9K58 long-range 300mm multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). SMERCH systems will offer a huge capability boost, relative to India’s older truck-mounted 122mm Grad rocket launchers.

So, what kind of capabilities does this weapon bring to the table? It sounds similar to the Soviet NKVD’s dreaded World War 2 SMERSH (“death to spies”) units, who sometimes acted to stiffen defenders’ resolve by waiting just behind the front lines with machine guns. The Smerch 9K58s may also stiffen resolve on the front lines, and end up being justly feared – albeit for different reasons…

• 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.

• The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awards Lockheed Martin a $13 million contract to continue maintenance of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS). Should NAVAIR exercise the three remaining options, the contract value could rise to $50.2 million.

• A leaked report prepared by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) says that the Royal Navy is ‘woefully unprepared’ for future operations within the Arctic Circle. There is particular concern that cold weather measures have not been built into warships, including the new Type 45 destroyers.

• The proposed merger between Israel Military Industries (IMI) and Rafael appears to have been cancelled by the Israeli Government, who will push instead for the privatization of IMI.

• Russia is to unveil its first strike UAV at next week’s MAKS 2011 air show. Vega will be showing a mock-up of the Lutch, a UAV based on the Sigma 5 piloted aircraft.

• Russia also announces the development of two new air defense systems. This includes the Vityaz [PDF] a further development of the S-300 medium-range air defense system already in service.

• Italian budget austerity looks set to hit its defense modernization hard, even as the country struggles to keep up with the demands of the war in Libya.

• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will unveil its Ghost rotary mini UAV system at next week’s AUVSI Unmanned Air Systems North America 2011 show. The Ghost is designed to provide real-time intelligence to ground forces operating in urban areas.

• China ends months of intrigue and speculation by announcing that its first aircraft carrier has now left port to conduct sea trials.

• With $6,000 and a military surplus FMQ-117B target, you too can build a UAV that hacks phones and intercepts Wi-Fi signals. Bet the paparazzi will love that one. No word from Mr Murdoch yet.

• The Inspector General of the Department of Defense (DoD) releases Contract Management of Joint Logistics Integrator Services in Support of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles Needs Improvement [PDF]. The report criticizes officials for allowing contractors to perform ‘inherently government functions’ such as disciplining DoD staff. Concerns are also raised that contractors worked with the Joint Program Office to prepare for the follow-on contract.

• As part of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s visit to Iraq, a US Forces spokesman reveals to journalists that ‘improvised rocket assisted mortars’ (IRAM) and ‘explosively formed penterators’ (EFP) used by insurgents originate from Iran.

• The AntiSec online hacking movement claims it has broken into a server run by military contractor Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) and stolen military email addresses and passwords. BAH refused to comment.

• Following the recent announcement that the United States is to suspend $800 million worth of military aid to Pakistan, an official claims that increasingly close military ties with China will allow Islamabad to ‘fill the gap’.

• The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) awards Guident Technologies a $20.2 million contract to provide Data Management, Business Intelligence and additional services for the Defense Commissary Agency.

• HDT Global subsidiary Airborne Systems announces that it has been awarded a joint contract with Zodiac International by France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) to provide its Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System (MCADS). The product will be used to airdrop Zodiac’s new multi-purpose commando boat (ECUME) [PDF].

• Harris Corporation receives a $12.2 million order to supply the Department of Defense (DoD) with additional Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack radio systems.

• Canada signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kuwait to provide access to an airport and sea terminal for the transshipment of materiel returning from Afghanistan.

• China may have deployed a communications UAV called Silver Eagle in a recent exercise. The UAV is considered all but identical to the ASN Technology ASN-209 and may be deployed as part of China’s ‘access denial’[PDF] strategy for naval conflict in home waters.

• Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirms that the country has been incorporating anti-aircraft carrier strategies in its annual military drills since 2008. The MND refused to confirm if a Chinese aircraft carrier will form part of computer simulated exercises due to start on July 18th.

• The Dutch Defense Minister, Hans Hillen, replicates outgoing US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and uses a Security and Defence Agenda event to call for a greater pooling of resources among NATO’s European partners.

• President Barack Obama tells a press conference that questions over whether he should have sought congressional approval for operations in Libya are ‘noise about process’. The President is also confident that he has fulfilled his commitment not deploy troops on the ground and that the United States has been supportive of operations led by other NATO members.

• The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, tells the launch of the Fund for Peace’s 2011 Failed States Index that the United States can still provide aid to failed states, providing that Washington strikes the correct fiscal balance.

• UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox announces the commencement of the program to reduce the number of British nuclear warheads. The program will reduce the number of warheads on board each submarine from 48 to 40. The number of operational missiles on a Vanguard Class submarine will be reduced to no more than eight, with the total number of operational missiles reduced from 160 to 120.

• Saab announces a definitive agreement to purchase air traffic management and surveillance technologies provider Sensis Corporation. The acquisition is pending approval from competition authorities and is scheduled for completion during the third quarter of 2011.

• Boeing touts the 1st powered launch of the new MALD-J air-launched decoy and jammer from one of its B-52s.

• New Zealand invites proposals to purchase its surplus Aermacchi MB-399CB trainer aircraft.

•  India and Mozambique agree to work together on security initiatives that will attempt to make the Indian Ocean safer for maritime trade.

• The Aerospace Industries Association voices its concerns about cuts to national security space programs outlined in the 2012 House Defense Appropriations Bill.

• L-3 Communications’ Chief Executive believes the company is well placed to cope with the downturn in defense spending, sees the Middle East and India as its growth markets.

• Harris Corporation receives a $23 million contract to supply the Department of Defense with RF310M-HH handheld tactical radios.

• The Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox, tells Parliament that the cost of UK military operations in Libya could reach £260 million ($416 million). Net estimate costs of military operations for six months is in the region of £120 million ($192 million), with an additional £140 million ($224 million) to replenish munitions.

• The 1st NATO aircraft downed over Libya is… USS Halyburton’s [FFG-40] unmanned MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter drone. The production line will receive a condolence telegram soon.

• Raytheon’s RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow naval air defense missile will follow its larger SM-3 ballistic missile defense weapon onto land, as a medium-range air defense option.

• Italy gives its new M-346/T-346A lead-in fighter trainer jets military type certification, a long but critical step in customer acceptance of a new type.

• DoD Buzz posts its final report from the Paris Air Show. Its verdict is that while the civil and commercial aerospace sector enjoyed the show, their defense counterparts were largely in “survival mode”.

• Danger Room reports on the latest development in “active protection” technology. Artis’ Iron Curtain system fires its countermeasure at the last moment before the munition hits its target.

M270 firing M30 GMLRS

Precision artillery fire offers an alternative to air support. It has a shorter reach, but very considerable throw-weight and repeatable fire, plus 100% persistence and availability in any weather. GMLRS is a highly accurate GPS-guided rocket that can be fired by ground forces 35 miles away and arrive on target, in under a minute, under any conditions, with a 200 pound unitary warhead that will take out a fortified house. That’s very useful. When integrated into a battlefield surveillance/strike setup like Task Force ODIN, their effectiveness is kicked up several more notches. Rocket pods can be carried on M142 HIMARS truck-mounted systems (1 pod, 6 rockets), or tracked M270 MLRS launchers (2 pods, 12 rockets).

In July 2011, Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, TX received a $438.2 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Full Rate Production Lot VI. It includes:

Aiiiirrrrborne!

In early June 2011, Vohne Liche Kennels, Inc. in Denver, IN received an $11.3 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for “multi purpose canine and handler training in support of U.S. Army Special Operations Command.” The contract includes a base year and 4 option years, which would extend it to 2016. U.S. Army Special Operations Command manages the contract (H92239-11-D-0002).

Many military dogs are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, or Belgian Malmois, though other breeds may be used. SOCOM’s dogs became a topic of deep interest, after it was revealed that Osama Bin Laden was done in by 79 Navy SEALs… and one dog. As the humorous poster out there put it: “Man’s Best Friend… because you can’t strap a cat across your waist and parachute into Afghanistan.” The British SAS have reportedly bought American dogs for similar operations, and Austrian special forces jumped with dogs in a recent NATO exercise; they report that the dogs are actually quite calm about it. I guess it’s kind of like the world’s largest, best-ever car window. Vendors like K-9 Storm provide the associated parachute harnesses, camera vests, assault vests, and other gear. The accompanying picture is US special forces dog trainer Mike Forsythe and his working dog Cara, breaking a record by jumping from 31,000 feet, wearing K-9 Storm’s vest.

• As a British Government Minister declares that offensive cyber warfare is an integral part of the UK’s armory, the Ministry of Defence outline their new Materiel Strategy.

• Cassidian win contract to provide the Canadian Navy new technologies to detect and counter laser-based threats against its vessels.

• The US Navy announces that CVN 79, the 2nd Ford Class aircraft carrier, will be named the USS John F. Kennedy. It will continue the namesake legacy of the non-nuclear powered CV 67, retired in 2007.

• The U.S. Navy successfully tested the DDG 1000’s Integrated Power System (IPS) at full power at the Land Based Test Site located in Philadelphia, May 11.

• The U.S. Navy also approves ATK’s Hostile Fire Indication (HFI) capability upgrade for the AAR-47 Missile Warning System.

• Singapore’s ST Engineering announce the formation of a joint venture (JV) company with Nanyang Technological University and DSO National Laboratories. The JV will design, develop and produce advanced earth observation satellites.

• India’s Mahindra and Mahindra report a 6.4% year-on-year rise in fourth quarter net profit.