Spanish M109A5,
Brite Star 2001

Clarity from BAE. (Oct 4/11)

In June 2009, Chile’s formal request to buy a variety of artillery-related systems and equip a new mechanized artillery battalion was cleared by the US state Department, and allowed to go forward. The request centered on BAE’s M109 tracked self-propelled howitzer, but it also includes necessities like shells, tracking radars, and accompanying personnel carriers. Chile already operates the M109 self-propelled howitzer, and this order could double its available fleet, to a total of 48.

Chile’s current stock of 24 M109s are the KAWEST version, which were upgraded by Switzerland’s RUAG and sold to Chile at the end of 2004 (Cooperativa.cl, in Spanish). The Swiss upgrades included an L47 gun with 27 km/ 36 km assisted range and 3-round burst capability over 15 seconds, 6 crew members instead of 8, carriage of 40 rounds and 64 charges, improved electrical systems, an integrated inertial navigation and positioning system, day and night capability, and added protection against fire, nuclear EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse radiation), and NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) threats…

• The US Army released the complete draft RFP for the HMMWV Modernized Expanded Capacity Vehicle (HMMWV MECV) Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDTE) phase. This recap program intends to modernize M1151 and M1152 Humvees. The Industry Daily for source selection is scheduled on October 7 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base (SANG), MI. Up to 3 RDTE contracts will be rewarded out of that 1st phase with a finalized RFP due on Nov. 10. The Production Phase RFP is tentatively scheduled to be released 1QFY13 (i.e. less that 15 months from now) and source from a single producer, with an aim of capping unit manufacturing cost at $180K. According to Defense News, so far the 4 following teams have lined up: Granite Tactical Vehicles/Textron Systems, AM General, BAE Systems and Oshkosh.

• The San Diego Union-Tribune says the US Marines’ aviation is facing a period of turbulence.

• Lockheed Martin is still pushing for the sale of new F-16 C/Ds to Taiwan, according to Reuters, based on a memo they have seen that the manufacturer sent to US lawmakers. The firm doesn’t seem to believe F-35s to be a credible option.
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Keshef fires Cardom

In September 2011, Elbit Systems announced a 4-year, $40 million Israeli contract for its Soltam Systems Ltd. subsidiary’s “Cardom” (Eng. “Hatchet”) 120mm mortar systems. Built around Soltam’s 120mm recoil mortar system, Cardom can be fitted to any medium armored vehicle, offering advanced fire control, navigation, and automatic aiming/pointing capabilities. The USA uses it in wheeled M1129 Stryker MC APCs, for instance, though many elements can also be found in M1064 variants of the tracked M113.

Israel has used Keshet (Eng. “Bow”) M113 tracked APC variants as their Cardom platform, since the system was deployed with the Nahal Infantry Brigade in 2007. The recent arrival of precision 120mm mortar shells, such as IAI’s Fireball, or ATK’s APMI, adds precision to the 120mm mortar’s traditional virtues of simplicity and low cost. That’s especially important for armies who want to use mortar fire in urban combat, but wish to limit civilian casualties.

• Leadership. At last. As USMC Sgt. (then Cpl.) Dakota Meyer receives the Medal of Honor, a follow-up report affirms that his compatriot, Army Capt. William Swenson, has now been submitted as a Medal of Honor candidate for his own actions at the Ganjigal engagement. Thanks to Afghan theater commander Gen. John Allen (USMC!). In fairness, we should also note that 2 of the officers who refused Swenson’s fire support calls are looking for new lines of work now. Video embedded below.

• Britain’s GBP 30 million upgrade of its CVR-T light tracked combat vehicles has been fielded in Afghanistan.

• America’s Office of Naval Research has a new conflict of interest policy in place for contractors.

• Good news for Britain’s Type 26 frigates: their short-range CAMM air defense missile is coming along nicely. The rest of the ship is still being defined.

• Saab announces that they have delivered their 10,000th NLAW portable anti-armor missile; introduces the RBS-70 NG upgrade of its popular man-potable anti-aircraft missile. Most of the improvements are in the controller and operator sensors, but the company says the missile can also be used against ground targets like APCs.

• A year ago Ashton Carter published his “Better Buying Power” [PDF] memo. In its wake, a number of changes have been initiated in acquisition policy and documents. The latest is Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition Technology & Logistics Frank Kendall’s streamlining of the Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP), a document focused on product support and the cost drivers that impact long-term affordability. This makes sense given the fact total ownership costs over the life of a program go way beyond initial procurement. Every acquisition program is now expected to have its LCSP.

• USAF has completed its 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program.

• The Washington Times reports that President Obama has ruled out F-16 C/D sales to Taiwan, in line with reports surfacing up last month. There’s been no official confirmation yet but that should happen today (Friday). Earlier this week Reuters reported that for the 1st time in years the US State Department won’t have a representative to a forthcoming industry conference with Taiwan.

• The Senate Committee on Appropriations confirms its Defense Subcommittee’s markup for the FY12 bill. Highlights: JSF slower ramp-up, DWSS and JLTV cancellations, reductions to GCV, THAAD, JTRS components. There’s still ways to go to wrap up FY12 appropriations legislation. The House bill is $17B or 3.3% above the Senate’s.

• The House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security had a hearing on corruption related to trucking contracts in Afghanistan: video, POGO summary.
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Saudi ASTROS-II

At the end of August 2011, Brazil’s Ministerio da Defesa announced the beginning of a BRL 1.09 billion (about $685 million) project to update Avibras’ ASTROS (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System) multiple rocket launcher system to ASTROS 2020 configuration. It will also develop an AV-TM missile option, giving the new system a 300 km strike range that’s similar to the USA’s MLRS/ATACMS combination.

The initial BRL 45 million (about $28 million) in funding belies the importance of this contract, on 2 levels. One is industrial. The other is the future spread of advanced precision strike technologies.

• 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.

• 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.

Drivers wanted…

Germany has always been known for producing excellent armored vehicles. A combination of features that arguably make it the world’s best tank, and fire sale prices stemming from Germany’s rapid disarmament, have made the Leopard 2 the standard main battle tank in Europe and beyond. The same level of innovation and execution was shown in the late 1960s, when Germany’s Marder became the west’s first Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). Designs like the American M2/M3 Bradley, Sweden’s CV90 family and new SEP, Singapore’s Bionix-II, and Korea’s new XK-21 have stepped far beyond that legacy, however, and even the Russian region has continued to update their BMP designs. Meanwhile, the nature of military operations has changed to emphasize modularity, out of country missions, advanced electronic communications, and strong protection against threats like land mines.

The Marders need to be replaced, and this became a priority even within Germany’s limited defense budget. In response, German armored vehicle leaders Rheinmetall & KMW formed a 50/50 joint venture to design and produce a solution that would address these issues, and return Germany to a leadership position in the tracked IFV field. Enter the new Puma IFV – which has just received a EUR 3 billion production order from Germany:

• Puma IFV: Platform & Features
• Puma IFV: Project and Industrial Organization
• Puma IFV: Contracts & Key Events
• Additional Readings & Sources, incl. Peer Competitor links
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M88 & M1: Need a tow?

Original Pentagon release was in error, omitted key points. (Aug 2/11)

The M88 HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Life Evacuation System) tracked armored recovery vehicle is built on a unique chassis modified from the previous-generation M60 Patton tank, and can tow or winch any American vehicle out of trouble, up to and including the 70-ton M1 Abrams battle tank. They also carry a hoist and boom with up to 35 ton capacity, for operations like engine changes in the field.

Production of the much-improved M88A2 variant began in 1994, and has continued steadily. HERCULES ARVs serve in a number of countries. Iraq is the latest addition to the type’s operating roster, via refurbishment of former US Army vehicles. In July 2011, the US military ordered more…

• The Government Accountability Office (GAO) publishes Defense Department Cyber Efforts [PDF]. The report raises concerns about the DoD’s initial responses to cyber threats.

• A senior Israel Air Force Officer (IAF) tells an Israel Technology Group conference that the successful deployment of Rafael’s Iron Dome missile interception system in April prevented an escalation of conflict with the Gaza Strip.

• The US Army awards Hamilton Sundstrand a contract with a maximum potential value of almost $38 million for miscellaneous and unspecified communications equipment.

• Rheinmetall announces that the first basic version of its Acoustic Shooting Locating System (ASLS) is ready for the marketplace.

• Terrabon announces that it has been awarded a $9.6 million contract [PDF] to design a renewable jet fuel production solution for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The Houston-based company’s MixAlco bio-refining technology will likely underpin research and development.

• The Center for Nonproliferation Studies’ (CNS) current Nonproliferation Review includes an article [PDF] stating that between 1997 and 2009 North Korea accounted for more than 40% of the 1,200 ballistic missile systems exports to the developing world.

• Australia’s Ministry of Defence signs a AUD25 million ($28 million) contract with Thales Australia for nine additional training simulators for army crews operating the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV).

• Boeing is working on a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft using jets called Pulse Ejector Thrust Augmentors (PETA), based on technology originally developed by Nazi Germany.

• The revival of the state-owned Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) continues following the recent announcement of the company’s upgrades for the IA-58 Pucara counterinsurgency aircraft.