Last updated: Thursday Nov 21, 2019 - 05:00 UTC ()
LCS: The USA’s Littoral Combat Ships
UAE Buys Saab’s Erieye AEW&C Aircraft
Rapid Fire | Thursday, November 21, 2019, 05:00 UTC ()
Raytheon Tapped For ESSM Block 2 Production | UAE announces Agreement For Two More GlobalEyes | Norway’s F-35 Reach IOC Milestone
Americas
Raytheon won a $84.8 modification to exercise options in support of the fiscal 2020 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 low rate initial production (LRIP) requirements. The deal will procure the remaining materials in support of the ESSM FY20 LRIP Lot 3 all up rounds and spares requirements. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort to design, develop, test and procure ESSM missiles. The ESSM provides enhanced ship defense. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed and manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems. The missile is currently in service with the US Navy and some of the 12 NATO Sea Sparrow consortium nations. The ESSM surface-to-air missile is an upgrade to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missile. The ESSM program is an international cooperative effort supported by the NATO Sea Sparrow consortium nations including the US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Norway, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands. Estimated completion for work under the contract modification is by June 2023.
BAE Systems was tapped with an $11.2 million contract modification to exercise options for the USS Billings (LCS 15) post-shakedown availability. Post-shakedown availabilities (PSA) are accomplished within a period of approximately 10-16 weeks between the time of ship custody transfer to the Navy and the shipbuilding and conversion funding obligation work limiting date. The PSA encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, non-standard equipment and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish the PSA. Work will include correction of government-responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA and incorporation of approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period which are not otherwise the building yard’s responsibility under the ship construction contract. The USS Billings is a Littoral Combat Ship. It is designed to operate close to shore in shallow water. The Navy commissioned the ship in August this year. Work under the modification will take place in Jacksonville, California and estimated completion will be by January 2021.
Middle East & Africa
The US Navy awarded Kellogg Brown and Root Services a $56.3 million modification to exercise the second option period for base operating support services at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Work will provide for all management and administration, public safety, galley, ordnance, air operations, fire and emergency services, bachelor quarters, housing, pest control, integrated solid waste, base support vehicles and equipment, custodial, electrical, water, wastewater, port operations, supply, morale-welfare-recreation, facilities investment and environmental services to provide base operating support services. Work will take place at various installations in Djibouti, Africa, and other areas within Africa. Estimated completion is in November 2020.
At this year’s Dubai Airshow, the UAE surprisingly announced that it will acquire two more GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and three Airbus A330 MRTT tankers. The Dubai Airshow started on November 17 and will continue through November 21. The United Arab Emirates’ Air Force and Air Defense is reportedly in the closing stages of negotiations with Saab for an additional two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, as well as a further three Airbus A330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) aircraft. The procurement for the two GlobalEye aircraft is valued at $1 billion, and comes as Saab is moving ahead with the program for three aircraft on order for the UAEAFAD. The first two aircraft were ordered at the 2015 Dubai Airshow, with an order for a third being placed in early 2017. The first aircraft was rolled out in February 2018, undertaking its first flight in March 2018. Testing and evaluation continued throughout 2018 and 2019. Saab officials told Jane’s that the certification flight testing has been concluded, with the aircraft currently under modification to final status.
Europe
Norway declared initial operational readiness for its F-35 readiness, local media reports. In a ceremony at Rygge Air Defense Base last week, Major General Skinnarland underlined that this declaration represents a milestone in the process of integrating the fifth generation aircraft into the Norwegian Air Force. The Norwegian Defense Minister, Frank Bakke-Jensen, congratulated the country’s Air Force on achieving this important operational capability. In November 2017, the first Norwegian F-35 aircraft landed in Norway. Today the Norwegian Air Force has 15 fighter aircraft in the country and another seven in the United States. All aircraft are undergoing thorough tests, flights and evaluations to ensure they are mission-ready.
Asia-Pacific
During the DSEI Japan defense exhibition this week, Taurus Systems disclosed that is offering its KEPD 350E air-to-surface cruise missiles for Japan’s F-2 and F-15J, Jane’s reports. Japan’s Mid-Term Defense Program has a requirement for an air-launched stand-off missile. A company official told Jane’s at the 18-20 DSEI Japan defense exhibition in Chiba that Taurus is looking to meet a requirement for air-launched stand-off missiles outlined in Japan’s Mid-Term Defense Program, which was approved in December 2018. “We have provided information to officials from the Japanese Ministry of Defense about the KEPD 350E and are waiting to intensify discussions about operational requirements and local industry involvement,” the magazine quotes the official, adding that the acquisition of the KEPD 350E would enhance Japan’s national defense capabilities.
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More In-depth Contract News & Updates
F-35 Lightning: The Joint Strike Fighter Program
| Norway declared initial operational readiness for its F-35 readiness, local media reports. In a ceremony at Rygge Air Defense Base last week, Major General Skinnarland underlined that this declaration represents a milestone in the process of integrating the fifth generation aircraft into the Norwegian Air Force. The Norwegian Defense Minister, Frank Bakke-Jensen, congratulated the country’s Air Force on achieving this important operational capability. In November 2017, the first Norwegian F-35 aircraft landed in Norway. Today the Norwegian Air Force has 15 fighter aircraft in the country and another seven in the United States. All aircraft are undergoing thorough tests, flights and evaluations to ensure they are mission-ready. More »
US Navy on the T-AKE As It Beefs Up Supply Ship Capacity
| Vigor Marine LLC won a $20 million contract for a 75-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry-docking of USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9). T-AKE 9 is a Lewis and Clark Class dry cargo ship. The USNS Lewis and Clark is the first-of-class T-AKE dry cargo and ammunition ship and is part of the more than 40 ships within the US Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force. The ships, which are not armed and are classified as non-combatant ships, are capable of operating independently for extended periods at sea while providing underway replenishment services and contribute to the US Navy’s ability to maintain a forward presence. The deal includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $20,217,869. Work will take place in Portland, Oregon and is scheduled to be complete by March 16, 2020. More »
V-22 Osprey: The Multi-Year Buys, 2008-2017
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Sons of Sa’ar? Israel’s Next Generation Frigates
| Israel Shipyards will design the Israeli Navy's new Reshef Class to replace its aging Saar 4.5 vessels. The class will be based on the S-72, which it described as a "proven design", even though none have been ordered as yet, and would be able to "successfully withstand the new and evolving threats and challenges" facing the Israeli Navy. The vessels will be used to protect Israel's exclusive economic zone, including oil and gas facilities. The news follows a November 6 announcement in which the Israeli Ministry of Defense said it had ordered a floating dock from Israel Shipyards as part of a $25.8 million agreement that also covers the design and construction of future naval vessels that were not identified. More »
$ervice’s Bottom Line: The T56 Engine Example, 2013 – 2019
| Rolls-Royce won a $67.1 million requirements contract for supplies related to the upgrade of the T-56 engine from series 3.0 to series 3.5. The Rolls-Royce T56 is a single-shaft turboprop engine with a 14-stage axial flow compressor driven by a four-stage turbine. The gearbox has two stages of gear reduction and features a propeller brake. The gearbox is connected to the power section by a torque meter assembly. Other engine modules are the can-annular type combustor and the accessory drive housing. The Series 3.5 upgrade, allows T56 engines to operate at greatly reduced temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22 percent. The upgrades also provide improved “hot and high” performance. The Series 3.5 package can be installed on T56 engines on either C-130 or P-3 legacy aircraft. Work will take place in Indiana and performance completion date is September 30, 2024. More »
