Americas
Austal USA won a cost-plus fixed-fee task order in support of the post shakedown availability (PSA) of the Littoral Combat Ship USS Tulsa or LCS 16. The deal provides for accomplishment of advance planning, material procurement and accomplishment of work. It includes 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 also 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 Tulsa is part of the Independence Class Littoral Combat Ships. The ship was commissioned in February. The Tulsa is assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1. The PSA is an industrial activity availability assigned to correct deficiencies found during the shakedown cruise or to accomplish other authorized improvements. Austal will perform work in Seattle, Washington and is expecting to finish work by April next year.
The US Army has signed a contract to buy two sets of Iron Dome missile intercepting units. Defense News reports that the deal for the Iron Dome systems, which will be part of the US Army’s interim cruise missile defense capability, is set in stone. The service had an urgent capability gap for cruise missile defense on an interim basis. The Army will now figure out delivery schedules and details in terms of taking receipt of the systems. The Iron Dome is the world’s most-used system, intercepting more than 1,900 incoming targets with a success rate exceeding 90 percent since being fielded in 2011. Iron Dome detects, assesses and intercepts a variety of shorter-range targets such as rockets, artillery and mortars. It is effective day or night and in all weather conditions including low clouds, rain, dust storms and fog. It features a first-of-its-kind multi-mission launcher designed to fire a variety of interceptor missiles.
Middle East & Africa
Israel Defense reports that Israel asked the US Navy for the price and availability of the V-22 Osprey. An article by Aviation Week says Israel has a requirement for 12 to 14 tilt-rotors. Israel’s Defense Ministry has issued a price and availability request to the US Navy’s international programs office. The Osprey takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter and flies horizontally like a fixed-wing aircraft, and is intended primarily for special operations and forces. The helicopter is self-deployable worldwide, with a ferry range over 2,100nm. Normal operating range is up to 1,100nm. The tilt-rotor aircraft is available in three configurations: the Combat Assault and Assault Support MV-22 for the USMC and the US Army; the long-range special operations CV-22 for US Special Operations Command; and the US Navy HV-22, for combat search and rescue, special warfare and fleet logistic support.
Europe
German defense contractors Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland will build a high-energy laser for installation aboard a German Navy Ship. This marks the first time the German military has entered the arena of laser weapon development. Rheinmetall said in a press release: „Now, for the first time ever, this capability is to be investigated under quasi-operational conditions using a demonstrator installed onboard a German corvette“. The United States first began development of non-lethal lasers for military use in 2014. Rheinmetall also stated that lasers are capable of engaging targets at the speed of light with extreme precision and minimal collateral damage. The two companies agreed to build, integrate, and test a laser demonstrator for the German Navy’s K130 corvette. Rheinmetall and MBDA said they are awaiting the release of the performance specifications by Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-service Support, before determining the details and division of labor.
Jane’s reports that Great Britain awarded Industry teams led by Blue Bear Systems Research, Boeing Defence UK, and Callen-Lenz to complete the preliminary design of a low-cost unmanned combat aircraft that can operate alongside manned fast jets as part of future air power mix. The UK’s Project Mosquito is a Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Air technology demonstrator initiative. It is intended to generate evidence in order to inform a potential future ‘Loyal Wingman’ requirement. The Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Air (LANCA) merged from the 2015 studies undertaken by the UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory to understand how innovative combat air technologies and operating concepts might offer radical reductions in system cost and development time. According to Jane’s, the acquisition strategy for Project Mosquito is split into two phases: Phase I, which lasts for 12 months and covers preliminary system design, and Phase II, which will see a downselect to one or two teams to further mature their designs, complete manufacturing of the technology demonstrator, and complete a limited flight-test program.
Asia-Pacific
Indian media reports that Intelligence Agencies have spotted at least three Pakistan Air Force transport aircraft C-130 bringing equipment to Skardu Air Base. Pakistan is expected to deploy JF-17 fighter aircraft at Skardu Air Base. The Intelligence Agencies are keeping a close watch on the activity at the Base. In the past, Pakistan has used the Air Base to support its Army operations on the border with India. It has been one week since the Narendra Modi government made moves to end special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories and the situation between India and Pakistan is tense.
Today’s Video
Watch: New Russian submarine Piranha P-750B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7nuAU8_hg4
