ALR-56M Components
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BAE Systems Information and Electronics in Totowa, NJ received a task order (#0365) and option on a previously awarded contract worth $60.5 million to supply 62 ALR-56M radar warning receivers and 27 spares for the C-130J. The Defense Supply Center Warner Robins, Robins AFB in GA manages the contract (F09603-03-D-0001).

BAE Systems’ ALR-56M [PDF] radar warning receiver detects a broad range of incoming radar signals and identifies and characterizes their origin as friend or foe, alerting the pilot when it detects threats to the aircraft.

DID has more on BAE Systems’ ALR-56M contract, task order and option…

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DIRCM concept
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In December of 2004, “El Al Deploying Anti-Missile Defense on Civilian Plane” covered early deployment of a system called Flight Guard aboard civilian jet liners, following a November 2002 incident in which shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles (MANPADS) were launched unsuccessfully at an Arkia plane in Mombasa, Kenya. That FlightGuard system is a civilian version of IAI/Elta’s popular ELM 2160, and costs about $1 million per plane for sensors and flares. The flares were the sticking point. Even though they were redesigned to be larger (to divert from larger targets), burn for a shorter time (to minimize ground hazard), and almost invisible to human eyes (to prevent panics), many locations were leery about allowing a flare-dispensing system near civilian airports.

In contrast, Elbit Subsidiary El-Op’s MUSIC (Multi-Spectral Infared Countermeasures) system takes the DIRCM approach – a wise decision given civilian concerns, and key military trends. Now, the firm has its first large civilian order…

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Navy C-130T
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BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services in Rockville, MD received a $9.8 million modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-06-D-0038) for the procurement and installation of 55 electronic flight bags with civil GPS capabilities for the C-130T transport aircraft. Under this modification, BAE Systems will also provide 45 install kits, 23 instrument display systems and 45 engine instrument display systems. BAE Systems will perform the work in Crestview, FL (90 percent) and California, MD (10 percent) and expects to complete it by September 2011. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract.

DID has more on GPS-equipped electronic flight bags and the C-130T…

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FAC Kfir C7
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Colombia’s narco-terrorist FARC army has reportedly lost some of its military shine recently, thanks to years of unswerving pressure from the Colombian army. Much of that pressure has been led by the popular President Uribe, who has apparently ruled out a bid for constitutional amendments and an attempt at a 3rd term of office, but allowed a related referendum proposal to go forward. Delays to that proposal now appear to be solidifying Uribe’s term limit exit. Before that 2010 exit, however, a special tax levied in 2006 is set to finance about $4 billion worth of military hardware, and add stronger backing to those military gains.

Colombia’s El Tiempo newspaper reports that the deals are meant to solidify and modernize the military, and will include a wide variety of equipment from American, French, German, Israeli, and Russian suppliers. Additional research has added more details, and key deliveries have now begun.

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AN-32 over Taj Mahal
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The Antonov AN-32 “Cline” builds on the general design of the widely-used AN-26 light transport plane, but high placement of the engine nacelles above the wing allow bigger propellers, driven by 5,100 hp AI-20 turboprops that almost double the output of the AN-26’s engines. As a result, the AN-32’s 14,750 pound/ 6900 kg load capacity is almost 50% better than its AN-26 cousin’s, and it can take off with much better load fractions in hot and/or high-altitude conditions, whose thin air could be a problem for other aircraft. AN-32s serve with a number of countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and the type was purchased in 2008 by Afghanistan.

India was the plane’s launch customer in the 1980s, and its fleet of up to 105 aircraft are used by the IAF’s Parachute Training School, by its military and humanitarian personnel and supply airdrops, and as an important link in the transport chain to the disputed Siachen glacier area in northern Jammu and Kashmir. That length of service has taken a toll, hence India’s decision to modernize and refurbish its fleet.

A program that appears to have winners now, and a contract…

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Gallium Nitride

DID has reported extensively on research contracts related to Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which offer significantly higher power and performance. Unfortunately, they present manufacturing and cost challenges that have stymied their use in commercial applications.

In May 2005, Compound Semiconductor Magazine offered an excellent overview of the GaN wide-bandgap semiconductors program and DARPA’s goals. Key program objectives include rapid transition of the technology developed into military systems. Other important goals include a “great” improvement in understanding the physical reasons behind device failures and the development of physical models to predict performance, reproducible device and MMIC fabrication processes, and improved thermal management and packaging. Reliability is expected to be a key challenge.

GaN represents an innovation in materials technology. DARPA’s approach adds innovative procurement strategies, via a 3-pronged approach that aims to speed the development of GaN-based microelectronics…

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C-17 over Hawaii
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The USAF is modifying a firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with Boeing Co. This contract modification, worth $144.5 million, is for the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership (GSP) program to incorporate the 2009 Global Reach Improvement Program (GRIP) Non-Block, Block 14-16 and Block 17 follow-on retrofit projects for USAF and RAF aircraft. At this time, $62.1 million has been obligated. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base manages the contract (FA8614-04-C-2004, P00298).

Boeing provides more than spares and repairs on the C-17 through the GSP program. Under the C-17 GSP, Boeing has total system support responsibility for the big transport aircraft. Boeing employees oversee the supply chain, provide technical and engineering support in the field to Air Force maintainers, and assist with upgrades. The goal is total aircraft sustainment support under a single contract, improving logistics support and mission readiness while reducing operating costs.

The GSP is an international program, with all C-17 owners participating. DID provides a list of the GRIP Non-Block, Block 14-16 and Block 17 retrofit projects here.

PC-12NG
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Switzerland’s Pilatus Aircraft Ltd recently announced a EUR 22.5 million contract win against international competition. The firm will deliver 6 PC-12 NG light aircraft to the Finnish Air Force. The planes will be used in will be used as Multi Purpose Liaison Aircraft to transport Finnish air force personnel and cargo, replacing the Ilmavoimat’s existing Piper PA-31-350 Chieftains.

The selection follows more than 12 months of assessment and an extensive flight evaluation phase in Stans, Switzerland and the harsh Arctic Circle conditions of Iqaluit, Canada.

The PC-12 is a popular light aircraft, with the ability to take off and land using short dirt or grass runways. Over 850 are in service around the world, mostly as civilian aircraft. Para-public and military users beyond Switzerland include Canada’s RCMP, US Customs and Immigration, and US Special Operations Command (as the U-28A). The PC-12NG was unveiled in 2007 with an uprated turboprop engine (PW’s PT6-67P) that gives it better climb performance and cruise speed, a Honeywell APEX “glass” (digital) cockpit, and improvements to the cockpit pressurization and navigation systems.

C-27J Spartan
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DID’s coverage of the WALRUS super-heavy cargo airship’s cancellation noted complaints from combat commanders that front-line airfields were often too short for the C-130 Hercules that make up the USAF’s tactical transport fleet. Delays in buying a small cargo aircraft to fill that role were making that problem worse. Starved of useful help due to USAF-sponsored delays, and the lack of appropriate aircraft in the USAF, the Army carried on with its aging C-23 Sherpas, and repurposed aircraft like the unprotected C-12 Hurons, in order to ferry troops, supplies, and/or very small vehicles within its theaters of operations. “The JCA Program: Key West Sabotage?” looked at the different levels of urgency and priority in the US Army and US Air Force, the resulting Congressional SNAFUs, and early-stage developments leading up to the contract award.

JCA could be worth up to $6 billion before all is said and done, and the finalists were a familiar duo. After EADS-CASA’s CN-235 and a shortened version of Lockheed Martin’s C-130J were disqualified for failing to meet requirements, JCA became yet another international competition between EADS-CASA’s C-295M & Alenia’s C-27J. The C-27J team eventually won the delayed decision in June 2007, and prevailed in the subsequent contract protests from their rivals. What’s still unclear is exactly how much they’ve won. If you thought the joint-service decision and contract announcement would end the inter-service and Congressional politicking, think again. The contractor side of the equation has been equally fractious, with Boeing pulling out of the partnership, and on ongoing drama centered around an American final assembly plant.

The latest news involves Year III orders from the program, ongoing developments around the long-rumored Jacksonville, FL final assembly plant… and reports of a secret move to slash the program and transfer what’s left to the Air Force. Which turn out to be true.

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Czech AN-26
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The Czech Republic’s armed forces aren’t large enough to make large foreign commitments, but the country is a frequent participant in NATO missions abroad, and needs airlift capacity for use during domestic emergencies. It currently depends on Soviet-era AN-26 “Curl” aircraft, which are wearing out quickly, and will need to be replaced soon. “Czech L-159s: Cheap to Good Home” explored one possibility, which involved a trade of the Czechs’ fine light trainer and attack aircraft, in exchange for EADS-CASA C-295M light transports to replace the AN-26s.

Polish C-295M
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The possibility has just taken a giant step closer. Under a preliminary agreement with EADS, the Czech government will buy 3 C-295Ms, and exchange 5 L-159s for a 4th aircraft. Flight and ground maintenance training are included in the package, and the deal has been approved by the resigning Czech government. The ministry has reportedly set aside CZK 3.5 billion ($73 million equivalent) for the whole project, with delivery expected between 2009 – 2011. Czech MoD [in Czech] | Ceske Noviny [English] | Reuters | UPI.

Ceske Noviny adds that the Defense Ministry is negotiating with the USA for 4 C-130 Hercules medium tactical transports, with the aim of buying 2 in flyable condition and 2 as a source of spares. This implies that the aircraft would be used C-130E/H models, rather than the new C-130J. The US military recently delivered the first of 5 refurbished C-130Es to Poland.