USAF Awards MPEC-I & II for Mission Planning Electronics & Support

Latest updates[?]: Northrop Grumman gets $26M order to provide B-1 bomber aircraft mission planning capability.

In some core ways, mission planning hasn’t changed all that much since World War 2. The technology has changed radically, however, and now involves loading computerized data sets into mission planning systems, with data showing up on moving map displays for use and even pre-flight rehearsal. In June 2010, the 951st ELSG/PK at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA handed out a 10-year, $919.6 million multiple-award contract called Mission Planning Enterprise Contract-II (MPEC-II).

The USAF began the original MPEC program in 2004, to shift from existing USAF, Navy and Army systems into a single Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS). The USAF is moving to JMPS from its PC-based PFPS(Portable Flight Planning System) and Unix-based MPS(Mission Planning System), while the Navy will move from its TAMPS(Tactical Aircraft Mission Planning Systems) and the Army from its MPS(Mission Planning System).

MPEC-II extends that effort. Major MPEC I/II awards, and some delivery order examples, include:

Rapid Fire 2011-03-24: F-22s Sit Libya Out

• Why no F-22As over Libya?

• If you have complaints about low-flying RAF aircraft, there’s one country that seems to be missing from the official complaints page.

• Want a Type 42 air defense destroyer? Or just an SAS combat smock? Britain’s Disposal Services Authority may be the place for you.

• Germany upgrades Afghan contingent with more protected vehicles, other supplies – to include Marder 1A5 IFVs.

• Russian naval strike aircraft will be reassigned to Russian Air Force by the end of 2011. Naval strike aircraft include Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bombers, MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors, Su-27 Flanker fighter jets, and Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft.

• ATK snags $49 million US Navy contract to produce 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition for use in the MK16 and MK17 Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR).

• Sikorsky’s X2 compound helicopter wins the 2010 (100th) Collier Trophy for aviation achievement.

• USAF Air Combat Command’s new HC-130J combat search and rescue plane completes developmental testing, will begin deliveries in August 2011 alongside AFSOC’s MC-130J Combat Shadow IIs. Both are part of the C-130J Super Hercules family.

• BAE Systems gets GBP 22.5 million contract to provide training support to the Royal Navy’s submarine and mine warfare command team.

• Philippine commission finds a “staggering amount” of fraud in military procurement (and pretends to be surprised). Department of National Defense finalizes measures to prevent further fraud. Color us skeptical.

• The UAE is increasing pensions for military personnel by 70%, and giving bonuses to ministry of defense and armed forces staff, in a move seen as an effort to shore up loyalty.

Shared ISR: More MAJIIC for NATO

MAJIIC: concept

NATO’s Muli-sensor Aerospace-Ground Joint ISR Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC) project aimed to help participating nations share imaging and radar data from their planes and UAVs, even if their individual platforms were not designed for that kind of compatibility. MAJIIC ran from April 2005 through March 2009, and showed results in exercises and in Afghanistan, where participating countries could share full motion UAV videos. Now, NATO is embarking on a 5-year, EUR 100 million second phase, called MAJIIC 2 (Multi-intelligence All-source Joint ISR Interoperability Coalition).

While the name behind the original acronym suggests a focus on aerospace platforms like UAVs, the project aims to handle any sensor platform on ground, sea, or air. That includes SAR/GMTI radars, day/night cameras, and even sensors like ESM radar finders and artillery locating radars.

Rapid Fire: 2011-03-23

• USAF F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet catches fire and crashes in northeastern Libya due to mechanical failure; crew ejects and landed safely in rebel-held territory, before being picked up by a USMC MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor.

• The UK MOD is proposing to cut 2,000 corporate services jobs and save GBP 73 million per year by consolidating the provision of corporate services under a new Defence Business Services Organisation.

• At the same time, the MOD is increasing the pay for the lowest paid UK armed forces personnel by around GBP 24 million.

• The USAF is seeking industry proposals for a new $250 million reusable booster system for space flight.

• DARPA unveils program to reduce size and weight of advanced optics.

• Telos gets $3 million contract to support the USMC’s Defense Messaging System at 6 area control centers located in the US and overseas.

Rapid Fire 2011-03-22: Huntington Ingalls Industries Spinoff

• One of the best places for an overview of the allied operations in Libya can actually be found on Wikipedia. Hail to the swarm.

• US Navy EA-18G Growler debuts jammer in Libya that goes after ground communications, as well as surface-to-air missiles and radars.

• US House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) wants the White House to define “what the mission in Libya is, better explain what America’s role is in achieving that mission, and make clear how it will be accomplished.” Even as others raise questions of constitutionality.

• The best source of information out there re: Northrop Grumman’s multi-billion dollar shipbuilding spinoff is probably Huntington Ingalls Industries’ own Power Point presentation [PDF] for potential investors.

• If it’s information on Iraq’s Kurdish Peshmerga that floats your boat, however, you’ll want to pick up Dennis P. Chapman’s “Security Forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government.” Dennis has been one of the best sources on that topic for our regular Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle briefings.

• Speaking of which, ISF-OOB briefing publisher DJ Elliott has written a new briefing of his own: “Iraqi Logistics – The Missing Links.” It’s a subject that’s crucial to Iraqi Security Forces’ ability to take and maintain full ground control of their country, as American and allied soldiers leave.

• DoD is asking for $500 million over the FY 2012-2016 FYDP for DARPA to develop cybersecurity technologies in the areas of cloud computing, virtualization, and encryption, Pentagon official says [PDF].

• With the restart of its Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter/ Armed Aerial Scout program uncertain, and front line needs pressing, the US Army is working to create an upgraded OH-58F Kiowa Warrior that might last until 2025. Other proposals for refurbishing the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior fleet are more radical.

• DISA is relocating its headquarters and 4,300 employees from Arlington, VA, to Fort Meade, MD.

• America’s JTRS radio programs, which will be central to its future military communications infrastructure, have a new JPEO executive officer [PDF]: US Army Colonel (Promotable) Michael E. Williamson.

• General Dynamics C4 Systems gets $2.3 million contract to develop a prototype handheld battle command device as part of the Army Battle Command System.

Rapid Fire 2011-03-21: Russia’s 5th Gen Nuclear Subs

• US general says international forces control skies over Libya after weekend Tomahawk cruise missile and US, French and British fighter jet and bomber strikes.

• Russia’s 5th generation nuclear subs will be armed with both ballistic and cruise missiles, say Navy sources.

• Russian Navy plans to order up to 10 Graney-class nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine by 2020, Navy official says.

India’s IGMP Missile Programs: Export contenders?

PJ-10 BrahMos

Back in November 2005, The Hindu newspaper reported that India’s government had given the go-ahead for exporting missiles, and that India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was looking to market several of its products internationally. The missile systems in question included several products from the decades-long Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMP) set of development programs, and one new success that used a very different approach. DRDO has led the long, turbulent development histories of the Trishul (“trident”) short-range surface-air missile (SAM), the Akash (“sky”) medium-range SAM, and the Nag (“cobra”) vehicle-mounted anti-armor missile. In contrast, the Indo-Russian PJ-10 BrahMos medium-range supersonic cruise missile was developed very quickly, and performed as advertised.

As of August 2010, India has not made an export sale, or even formally decided which countries would be eligible to receive these missiles. The programs themselves have also seen changes and developments, with Trishul canceled, Akash finally ordered, BrahMos expanded, and ongoing IGMP work in other areas.

Rapid Fire: 2011-03-18

• Russia expects to have new land-based ICBM system ready by 2013.

• Meanwhile, Russia is preparing another test of its troubled Bulava (SS-NX-30) SLBM in June; check out the missile’s test-launch history.

• Russia is planning to begin construction of a 3rd Graney-class nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine this year.

• Up to $900 million [PDF] to 5 large firms – include BAE Systems and SAIC – and 6 small business qualifiers to provide electronic security systems to the US Army Engineering and Support Center in Huntsville, AL.

• Alion receives $200 million delivery order to provide management support services to the Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems under the $5.3 billion SeaPort-E umbrella contract.

• General Dynamics snags $46 million contract to supply 120mm training tank ammunition – M865 kinetic energy [PDF] and M1002 multipurpose anti-tank training rounds – for the US Army’s M1A1/A2 Abrams main battle tank.

Rapid Fire: 2011-03-17

• On this St. Patrick’s Day, check out Ireland’s Defense Forces Review 2010 [PDF].

• UK Army general to head government’s GBP 650 million cybersecurity effort.

• Former head of Air Force Space Command, Bob Butterworth, questions USAF’s new Evolutionary Acquisition for Space Strategy, as Air Force Under Secretary Erin Conaton faces House grilling on strategy.

• Aerospace and defense counterfeit parts may have “life or death” consequences, warns new AIA report [PDF].

• Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine unit gets subcontract from BAE Systems to upgrade the machinery control, alarm, and surveillance systems on 8 Royal Navy Hunt-class mine hunters.

• General Dynamics receives contract worth up to $260 million to support training programs at the US Army’s Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

• Up to $33 million to DynCorp to provide munitions logistics support to the US Army’s 1st Theater Sustainment Command in Kuwait under an SAIC contract.

UAE Buys Saab’s Erieye AEW&C Aircraft

Arabian/Persian Gulf

In November 2009, Saab announced a 1.5 billion SEK (about $220 million) contract from the United Arab Emirates for 2 of its Saab 340 regional turboprops, equipped with Erieye active-array radars that can scan large airspace volumes, and with related command and control systems. The Saab 340 AEW contract also includes ground equipment, initial spares, and support services.

The UAE is just the latest buyer of Saab’s Erieye system.