Lease and Learn: L-3’s EW Training Aircraft

L-3 Learjet, EW-Equipped

L-3 Flight International’s modified Learjets include uprated on-board power systems, internal electronics, and the ability to carry a range of external pods to help them simulate enemy radar and communications jammers in Navy training exercises. The modified business jets can also tow targets for gunnery training, and perform related tasks.

L-3 has performed this role for many years now, and chartered aircraft of various kinds play a significant role in US Navy exercises, within the commercial air services (CAS) program.

Rapid Fire October 22, 2012: Of Unintended Consequences

• The USAF issued a solicitation for their 300-plane T-X trainer program, but don’t get excited yet. It isn’t even an RFI, just advance clarification re: Military Airworthiness Certification requirements. If Boeing really wants to invest in a new design, that will be just one of their challenges. IAI/ATG’s Javelin could give them a running start, but… this is a very high wall to climb without a proven design, no matter how you go about it.

• The US Navy christens their new escort carrier America [LHA 6] in a ceremony at HII’s Pascagoula, MS shipyard. Technically, she’s still “Pre-Commissioning Unit America”.

• Todd Harrison at the CSBA think tank published a paper on the effects of competition on defense acquisitions. “In some instances, the structure of the competition can actually incentivize contractors to bid higher and drive up costs.”