The Defense Industry Daily team wishes you all a Happy New Year. We’ll be enjoying time with our families and will be back to you on Tuesday, 1/3.
Americas
* A request for proposals (RFP) has been released by the USAF for the replacement of the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS). $6.9 billion has been earmarked for development and production of the new aircraft, with interested parties required not to offer used, reconditioned or remanufactured platforms. The radar system for the new platform will be a separate competition involving offers from Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.
* Raytheon has been awarded a number of contracts to provide various missiles to the US and foreign governments. A $303.7 million contract will see the company provide 214 Tomahawk Block IV vertical launch missiles and spares for the US Navy and spares for the UK. Another $207.9 million foreign military sale requests the production and delivery of Stinger FIM-92H Block 1 missiles, FIM-92F Block 1 missiles, spares, captive flight trainers, and other training devices to the governments of Qatar, India, and Italy.
* An unknown customer has contracted Raytheon to provide a $600 million modernization of its Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense System. The upgrade will advance the country’s Patriot system to the most advanced configuration available, the Configuration 3+ with Post Deployment Build 8 software and hardware. Configuration 3+ enables the Patriot to use the PAC-3 missile Segment Enhancement interceptor, which provides greater range and mobility in destroying tactical ballistic missiles.
Middle East & North Africa
* Saab will provide maintenance and support services for the Erieye early warning and control radar system it has sold to the UAE. Valued at $17.3 million, the two-year contract will cover support of Saab’s airborne 340 Erieye radar, Saab 340 aircraft and ground equipment. Speaking on the deal, Saab official Jonas Hjelm said the “agreement is a confirmation of our ability to deliver a comprehensive support solution over the product’s entire life cycle, during which we are able to guarantee availability for the customer.”
Africa
* The Senegalese Air Force is to receive a CN-235-220M multipurpose aircraft from PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Capable of operating with limited runway space, the aircraft will be primarily used for general logistics and transport duties, but can also be deployed for insertion of paratroopers, medical evacuation, and VIP transport, due to its quick-change configuration. A.D.-Trade Belgium brokered the deal.
Europe
* An advisory panel working on Croatia’s planned fighter acquisition has recommended Zagreb procure either the Saab Gripen or KAI FA-50. Two other options eventually ruled out were second-hand F-16s from Israel and the Dassault Rafale. Sweden has apparently offered generous loan terms if the Gripen is selected; Croatia can take up to 15 years to repay the loan with a three-year grace period; while the Swedish Air Force is willing to loan four jets to Croatia while it waits for Saab to manufacture the aircraft. An earlier attempt to sell Gripens to Croatia in a $1.1 billion deal back in 207 fell through due to the effects of the 2008 financial crash.
* The German subsidiary of MBDA has submitted its proposal for the development of TLVS, the planned follow-up to the MEADS air defense system, to the German government. Based on MEADS technology, MBDA plans to use the system for both civilian and military defense applications. TLVS will provide operators with 360-degree coverage, open system architecture, and a “plug and fight” capability for attaching and detaching additional sensors and effectors, all while cutting operational costs and personnel required.
Asia Pacific
* Chinese defense media have published photographs and footage of the maiden flight of the second AVIC FC-31 Gyrfalcon fighter. Produced by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the FC-31 features a cropped tail, whereas the first prototype designated J-31, had nearly triangular tails with a horizontal top. The status of the fighter remains close to the chest of the manufacturers, with AVIC officials declining to discuss the aircraft at this year’s Airshow China.
Today’s Video
Need something cheap and cheerful to occupy yourself this January? The Gripen Fighter Challenge app is available to download for Android and Apple:
