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3BCT-101st, Iraq-
no Chavis turrets?
(click to view full)

Navistar subsidiary International Military and Government LLC (IMG) in, Warrenville, IL has now won over $3.5 billion in contracts to date under the MRAP program. The Category I MRUV vehicle’s role is similar to a Hummer’s, albeit with more carrying capacity and much more protection. That has become a staple for IMG’s entry, dubbed the “MaxxPro” by its manufacturer. Their collaboration with an Israeli firm who provides up-armored vehicles for the Marines successfully overcame lukewarm initial interest, but even successful survivors of Aberdeen’s tests may not offer enough protection against the ERP class of land mines that bagen to appear in Iraq. Nevertheless, the MRAP program has become a production race – and Navistar has done very well under those competitive terms. A July 2007 order vaulted them into 1st place for MRAP vehicles ordered, and they have kept that position ever since.

That big July 2007 order came hot on the heels of US Secretary of Defense Gates’ request to Congress for an extra $1.2 billion in FY 2007 to fund an additional 2,650 MRAP vehicles, on the grounds that manufacturers were ramping up production more quickly than original forecasts. Meanwhile, key inputs such as steel and tires which might have become production bottlenecks are expedited under a DX rating that gives the MRAP program priority over almost all other military programs. Sen. Biden [D-DE], who often heard responses re: lack of industrial capacity when he began asking why more MRAP vehicles weren’t in theater, is probably feeling almost as happy as Navistar’s Board now that his “put the money together, issue the contracts, and let’s find out” speech [MS Word], embodied in Amendment #739 to the FY 2007 military budget, became the US military’s go-forward plan.

In the end, however, the military’s desire for standardization of its fleets exerted something of a gravitation pull on the competition. The latest item is one more major contract for Navistar for a new MaxxPro variant, without a corresponding contract to any of its competitors. This appears to be the last contract under the original MRAP program, leaving Navistar on top at the end of the day…

• MaxxPro: A Collaborative Success (i.e. Continue reading…)
• MaxxPro Contracts [updated]
• MPV or APC to Face EFPs? (June 2007)
• Additional Readings & Sources
  
  Continue Reading… »

CF-18: which way?
(click to see clearly)

The Hornet is the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet’s predecessor, and the first models were introduced in the late 1970s as a spinoff of the USAF’s lightweight fighter competition. While the General Dynamics F-16 won, Northrop’s YF-17 eventually evolved into the McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet.

The F/A-18 Hornet is currently flown by the US Marine Corps as their front-line fighter, by the US Navy as a second-tier fighter behind its F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, and by 7 international customers: Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland. The USA’s aircraft were expected to have a service life of 20 years, but that was based on 100 carrier landings per year. The US Navy and Marines have been rather busy during the Hornets’ service life, and so the planes are wearing out faster.

This is forcing the USA to take a number of steps and issue a series of contracts in order to keep their Hornets airworthy, replacing center barrel sections, re-opening production lines, and more. Some of these efforts will also be offered to allied air forces, who have their own programs and services to call upon. The latest additions involves a move from Australia that will reduce the scope of its HUG program…

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RC-7B “Crazy Hawk”

The US military has planes like F-22A stealth fighters that make a lot of news. It also has planes that make very little news, even though they play key roles in a number of conflicts around the world. One example is the RC-7B/EO-5B “Crazy Hawk”/ Airborne Reconnaissance Low aircraft, who use their short-field takeoff capabilities and array of imaging, signals collection, and radar sensors to monitor developments on the ground. The RC-7B made the news briefly in 1999 when one went down in Colombia, and again when the US military had to cancel the $8 billion ACS (Aerial Common Sensor) replacement program in 2006 and start over in 2008. Meanwhile, the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq is well suited to planes like the Dash-7 derived RC-7Bs.

ACS’ cancellation, delay, and restructuring have left the Navy pursuing its own independent program. The US Army’s RC-12N Guardrail electronic intelligence aircraft are being refurbished to keep them current and in service until the ACS arrives. And the RC-7B fleet continues to receive additional help, via a parallel program called MARSS…

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I-View, landing
(click to view full)

On Nov. 11, 2005, DID relayed a report from the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz, which noted that Australia had purchased 18 Heron UAV systems. It was at about the right time for the JP129 program’s announcement, but a couple of our readers emailed us to wonder. DID attempted to check this out, and eventually an official announcement re: the JP129 program has debunked the Ha’aretz report. Australia will have a new tactical UAV to go with the Israeli Skylark mini-UAV – and the new UAV was Israeli as well: the short-range IAI I-View (see also Defense Update profile).

Australian Minister of Defence Senator Hill said the Government had agreed to the A$ 145 million (USD $109 million) UAV project to provide the Army with a high precision day and night surveillance and targeting capability with accompanying ground systems. Details regarding the winning UAV, and the other members of the competition, follow – including additional details re: the competitors.

DID’s extra efforts to reveal the JP129 Program competitors have just become very relevant. The contract has been canceled…

• The I-View UAV
• The Competitors
• Australia’s UAV Plans
• Updates & Outcomes [updated]
  
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AEHF concept
(click to view full)

Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites will support twice as many tactical networks, while providing 10-12 times the capacity and 6 times higher data rate transfer than that of the current Milstar II satellites. They will form the secure backbone of the Pentagon’s intermediate term Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) architecture, until the larger capacity Transformational Communications Satellite System or its equivalent enters service. Its companion Family of Advanced Beyond-line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program, meanwhile, will give the US military modern capabilities and more flexibility on the receiving end.

Like a number of current US satellite development programs, the AEHF program has been cited for cost overruns and schedule slips, in part as a result of failures by the US National Security Agency to furnish key cryptography requirements and specifications in the most timely manner.

In this focus article, DID offers an updated timeline covering over $5 billion worth of AEHF-related contracts, as well as contracts for its FAB-T transmit/receive terminals. Reading it clearly shows many of the issues the program has faced and their financial impacts, as well as some of the new system’s capabilities. The latest news involves another contract to modify the system – this time, it’s the FAB-T receiver terminals…

• The AEHF Program (i.e. “Continue reading…”)
• FAB-T Terminals and Ground Control
• FAB-T: Contracts [updated]
• The AEHF Satellites
• The AEHF Satellites: Contracts & Key Events
• Additional Readings
  
  Continue Reading… »

AP-3C over Darwin
(click to view full)

In November 2005, the Australian Government, Tenix Defence and Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace (AA) have signed the P3 Accord Master Agreement to provide capability upgrades and Through Life Support (TLS) for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The three parties have established a Joint Management Office (JMO) to supervise all Accord activities under a unique risk-sharing contractual arrangement. The JMO will develop and implement all RAAF AP-3C capability upgrades and TLS solutions through to the aircraft’s planned withdrawal date – at which point it will likely be replaced by the 737-based AP-8A MMA.

The combined value of the TLS and block upgrades to the aircraft is expected to be more than A$ 1 billion, and the project is moving on to a new phase – even as some of the efforts that led to the most recent announcement win Australian awards…

• Australia’s AP-3C Programs [updated]
• The AP-3 Accord
• AP-3 Accord Updates [updated]
  
  Continue Reading… »

LPD-17 cutaway
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LPD-17 San Antonio Class amphibious assault support vessels are a new class of ship which is just entering service with the US Navy. Much like their predecessors, their mission is to embark, transport, land, and support elements of a US Marine Corps Landing Force. What changes are the capabilities and technologies incorporated to perform that mission. This new ship class includes significant internal technology and design upgrades, and is designed to operate accompanying platforms like the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle amphibious armored personnel carrier.

Navy sources note that the 9 scheduled ships of this class (reduced from 12) are slated to assume the functional duties of up to 41 previous ships. Ships to be replaced include the USA’s older LSD-36 USS Anchorage Class dock landing ships (all decommissioned as of 2004, LSD-36 and LSD-38 transferred to Taiwan) and its LPD-4 USS Austin Class ships (12 built and serving, LPD 14 Trenton now India’s INS Jalashva). The San Antonio Class ships may also replace 2 classes of ships currently mothballed and held in reserve status under the Amphibious Lift Enhancement Program (ALEP): the LST-1179 Newport Class tank landing ships, and LKA-113 Charleston Class amphibious cargo ships.

Welcome to Norfolk…
(click to view full)

Replacing that many existing ships is already a very tall order. While its design incorporates notable advances, the San Antonio Class has also had its share of teething problems. So, too, has the New Orleans shipyard to which most of this contract has been assigned. Teething issues are not uncommon in new ship classes, but the number of serious issues encountered in this ship class have been higher than usual. The initial ships have been criticized for sub-standard workmanship, and costs are almost twice the originally promised amounts at over $1.5 billion per ship.

This is DID’s FOCUS Article for the San Antonio Class, detailing the ships’ unique features and capabilities as well as its program innovations and issues. We’ll also include an updated list of related contracts awarded throughout the program’s history. As has become DID custom, the most recent additions are highlighted in green type. Now, over 2 1/2 years after the initial ship of class was delivered and accepted, the San Antonio Class has reached Initial Operational Capability, LPD 20 just passed its INSURV trials, and the first ship of class has finally been deployed on a mission…

• LPD-17 San Antonio Class: Capabilities and Features
• LPD-17 San Antonio Class: Project & Timelines [updated]
• LPD-17 San Antonio Class: Process & Issues
• LPD-17 San Antonio Class: Contracts and Events (1996-Present) [updated]
• Appendix A: Additional Readings & Sources – LPD-17 Ship Class [updated]
• Appendix B: Additional Readings & Sources – News and Views [updated]
  
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SPYDER Mobile Firing Unit
(click to view full)

The SPYDER system was first detailed as part of DID’s AMRAAM article, in the “international competitors” section. This truck-mounted system mixes any combination of short-medium-range Derby 4 and ultra-agile short-range 5th generation Python 5 air to air missiles, to create a versatile system adapted for use against a wider range of threats. The system can launch missiles in two modes of operation: lock on after launch (LOAL), and also lock on before launch (LOBL) using optical as well as radar/ IR and imaging sensors. Earlier versions had 360 degree quick engagement capability and 60-target tracking via IAI’s Elta EL/M 2106 ATAR 3D surveillance radar, a kill range of over 15 km, and openly advertised effectiveness from 20 – 9,000 meters (65 – 30,000 feet). A new SPYDER 6×6 truck version was unveiled at Eurosatory 2006 that offers 8 missiles in any mix, and puts boosters on all missiles to improve their range and performance.

In October 2006, India Defence quoted Air Chief SP Tyagi as saying India is close to wrapping up a deal to purchase quick reaction surface-to-air missiles from Israel as a mobile air defense system. Under the deal, India proposed to buy 18 SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) missile systems and accompanying missiles in a deal worth more than Rs 1,800 crores (18 billion Indian rupees, or about $395.4 million at the time). A typical squadron consists of 1 Mobile Command and Control Unit, plus 4 Mobile Firing Units with with their own built-in power supplies and missile sets of 4-8 missiles. SPYDER will reportedly replace India’s Russian-made OSA-AKM [SA-8 Gecko] and ZRK-BD Strela-10M [SA-13 Gopher] SAM systems. RAFAEL would be the prime contractor, and Israel Aircraft Industries the major subcontractor.

The contract was delayed for almost 2 years by political accusations, but those have apparently been put to rest now. Defense News reports that a $260 million contract was signed with Rafael on Sept 1/08. The Indian Air Force will receive 18 Spyder systems, with deliveries beginning in early 2011 and finishing by August 2012. Unusually, the contract will not include any mandatory industrial offsets.

• Israeli Weapons – SPYDER

• Army Technology – SPYDER Surface-to-Air Python 5 and Derby Air Defence Missile System, Israel

USMC live firings
(click to view full)

Confronting tanks can be a terrifying experience for dismounted infantry, and armies around the world have looked for ways to equalize the odds ever since tanks were invented during World War I. The trick is making that equalizer light enough to carry, while giving it enough punch to stop a tank. In Vietnam, the disastrous inability of Talley’s 66mm M72 LAW rockets to deal with even old Soviet tanks forced the US military back to a more sensible set of design decisions. One of the offshoots was the Mk 153 SMAW, which was based on the Israeli B-300 design.

LAW rockets went out of production for a while, but the disposable rocket launchers are back in production now. The lightweight, disposable LAWs will be used against fixed strongpoints and lightly armored vehicles. The SMAW has carved out its own niche in the mean time, but the most frequent victims haven’t been enemy tanks. In the urban fight, reinforced enemy position in buildings can be at least as dangerous – and equally difficult to defeat. The 29-30 pound SMAW system’s combination of portability and penetrating power, and the SMAW-NE thermobaric warhead, offer a devastating combination that proved its worth during the Second battle of Fallujah in November 2004.

Now the US military is looking to develop the next generation SMAW-II Launcher…

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VAMTAC, Congo
(click to view full)

Western militaries are quickly coming to the realization that the light Land Rover, G-Wagen, and HMMWV type flat bottom vehicles deployed as light troop transports are no longer adequate on a non-linear battlefield with no defined front lines, in a world where the technology for making improvised and professional land mines is proliferating globally. Spain has been late to this realization, and the Ministerio de Defensa has been the target of criticism for that lateness. Spanish soldiers have also been targets: 4 successful land mine attacks in the 16 months leading up to Spain’s MRAP decision had killed 10 soldiers and a translator (6 in Lebanon, 5 in Afghanistan).

In November 2007, with 4 months to go before elections, the situation in Spain shifted. The Spanish Council of Ministers announcement amounted to a major MRAP Class I and Class II program for Spain. The program will replace/supplement its VAMTAC and recently-acquired Anibal (Land Rover derivative) vehicles by 2009. Over the longer term, Spain will also replace its 6×6 BMR Armored Personnel Carriers. The 575+ vehicle acquisition program is sketched out, the finalists are lined up, and a program to buy wheeled APCs will follow.

While the winners for the first 2 phases are clear, purchase and delivery are taking a long time. The winning vehicles have yet to be deployed to the front lines, and the issue has become a political controversy in Spain. Meanwhile, the government has signed a contract now for RG-51 Mk5E stretched vehicles. The good news: they paid less than they had set aside. The bad news: no manufacturing in Spain for Phase 1…

• Spain’s MRAP Plan & Programs
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
  
  Continue Reading… »