Documental Estimates European Defense Electronics Market from 2007-2013

Analyst firm Documental Solutions has published its analysis of the European defense electronics/ C4ISR marketplace after 5 years of building a bottom-up database. They peg the European Defence Electronics market (excluding all platforms and weapon systems) to be worth $13.5 billion in 2007, rising to over $15 billion in 2008 due to a variety of factors. Documental forecasts relatively a relatively flat spending trajectory from 2008-1012, followed by a slight decline in 2013.

Market & firms
(click for full release)

Electro-optics continues to be a hot sector, and other examples of high growth areas are: vehicle protection systems, SATCOM on the move, tactical battle management, software-defined radios, wide band network radios, UAV datalinks, airborne fixed-wing radars, and naval electro-optics. Areas of expected decline include space-based and ground radars, military satellites, and naval platform markets. According to Documental, Thales, Finmeccanica, and EADS were the top 3 players in 2007; opportunities to increase market share are sparse in the short term, but the 2009-2011 period is expected to feature increased opportunities.

Much more detail, plus related graphs, can be found in Documental’s release on their site; the firm specializes in developing comprehensive bottom-up databases for the defense and aerospace industry, coupled with interactive on-line analysis software.

Rattlesnake – Missiles and C4ISR Meet on Iraq’s Front Lines

(c) Michael Yon
(click to read article)

The Javelin man-portable anti-armor missile has seen successes in the field and unexpected uses on the front lines. Michael Yon has become one of the best military correspondents of this generation. His military background, and long embedding periods to gain perspective on operations, offer an unusual glimpse into the areas he frequents. His photo-rich, in-depth (but within approved OPSEC) descriptions of operations his units undertake have few parallels.

One recent account describes a trap laid by British units near Basra, which featured Javelin missiles as a key surveillance and fires component. His account of the battle explains without editorializing, or getting in the way of the event he covers. The result is a rare depth of view into combined arms operations on the modern battlefield, and the challenges electronic communications gear, net-centric warfare doctrines, and military training all face on the front lines of combat. Read “Rattlesnake” and see its photos to gain a better understanding of the requirements, events, and experiences behind the contracts DID covers.

$71M for AIM-9X Sidewinders to Turkey

F-16 launches AIM-9X
(click for AIM-9X zoom)

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of Turkey’s request for 105 All-Up-Round AIM-9X Sidewinder short range air-air missiles, 78 LAU-129 launchers, 22 captive air training missiles with seekers but no motors or warheads, missile containers, missile modifications, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, and other related support. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $71 million. Turkey has placed AIM-9X requests before, and is currently in the middle of modernizing and expanding its F-16 fleet.

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Systems Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected, but they will be defined in negotiations. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Turkey. DSCA release [PDF format]

$59M for 4 more MQ-9 Reaper UAVs

MQ-9 w. Paveways
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General Atomics in San Diego, CA received a $59 million firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture, test and delivery of 4 Predator B/ Reaper MQ-9 hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicles and associated equipment, including initial spares, ground support equipment, and 30-day pack-up kits. Solicitations began January 2006, negotiations were complete April 2007, and work will be complete December 2009. At this time, all funds have been obligated. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8620-05-G-3028-0007).