More Gripin’ About Alleged Gripen Corrupt Deals | South Korea to Make Tanker Award | Kiwis Replace Mercedes and Unimog with Rheinmetall

Americas

• General Dynamics has completed avionics software upgrades for the USMC’s fleet of AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, to help keep the aging fleet flying and operationally capable until the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter‘s carrier and STOVL variants (the B and C models) enter service. The software package is up to Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) standards, delivered as the result of a $6.1 million contract awarded in September 2013.

• On Monday the Navy awarded Boeing a $14.1 million delivery order for development and definition of system requirements for the P-8A Poseidon Multi Mission Aircraft, to build towards the program’s Increment 3 Capabilities Integration System Requirements Review Systems Engineering Technical Review. The aim of Increment 3 is to enhance the Multi-Static Active Coherent system, provide early delivery of the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability datalink, improve the Tactical Operations Center mission software and introduce the Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) high-resolution AESA radar, as well as other changes to the plane’s sensors and systems as time and money allow.

Europe

• European defense giants Saab and BAE Systems may become embroiled in fresh corruption allegations, with the Swedish press reportedly unearthing fresh UK Serious Fraud Office documents relating to the sale of 26 Gripen fighters to South Africa in 1999, as well as a separate deal for Hawk trainers. The lucrative sale saw allegations up to and including the bribery of former South African President Jacob Zuma, just one of a set of BAE-related bribery allegations. The new documents reportedly show that the company paid out approximately $1.58 billion in bribes to secure the Gripen and Hawk deals, with Saab kept in the loop regarding the illicit payments.

• The Italian Air Force will receive a Predator UAV trainer, to develop its Predator A and Predator B/MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators. The trainer will be provided by General Atomics and CAE and is scheduled to enter service in 2017. Italy requested four of the UAVs back in August 2008, placing an order for an additional pair in November 2009. The Predator B recently passed an internal critical design review, with this inching the aircraft closer to certification for entry into European airspace.

Middle East

• Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $119.2 million contract action to provide contractor logistics support for the Iraqi Air Force’s fleet of F-16 fighters. The majority of work is expected to take place at Balad Air Force Base, the same location where the US Government was supposed to deliver F-16s to the Iraqi Air Force in November last year, with these subsequently delivered to Tucson instead owing to a dire security situation.

Asia

• The South Korean National Defense Acquisition Program Committee will announce the winner of the country’s $1.25 billion aerial tanker competition on Tuesday. The competitors come from Europe, Israel and the US, offering the Airbus A330 MRTT, Israel Aerospace Industries B767 MMTT and Boeing KC-46A respectively. The latter has been touting the KC-46A’s lower lifecycle cost ahead of the decision. The competition to supply four tankers was delayed last year owing to the three firms’ positions on offset arrangements complicating the negotiation process.

• Thailand has reportedly opted to buy Chinese submarines, with the bid for three submarines representing the best value for money offer received. The $1.1 billion contract also saw interest from Russia, France and Sweden, with the proposal set to go to the country’s cabinet in July. Thailand has come close to acquiring subs before, including former German Type 206A diesel-power boats in 2011. The Chinese have also thrown in a significant level of technology transfer, with the deal indicative of deepening political ties between Beijing and Bankok, especially since the coup d’etat in May last year.

• As per previous reports, Myanmar may be looking to buy the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 Thunder fighter, according to Chinese media. These reports after Pakistani media reported last week that Sri Lanka was the fighter’s first undisclosed export customer, with this subsequently played down by the Sri Lankan Air Force. Myanmar has a history of buying Chinese hardware, including MiG-29 fighters and the K-8 jet trainer.

• India will test Beyond Visual Range missiles on the LCA Tejas this July, following a schedule slip from May. The indigenously-developed aircraft has recently seen Israeli Python-5 and Russian R-73 Archer air-to-air missiles integrated, as well as the Russian Gsh-23 cannon. The Derby BVR missile has also been integrated but has yet to be test-fired. With the Tejas’s Final Operating Clearance scheduled for December, the program is still waiting for a refueling probe and nose radome, both provided by foreign suppliers.

• The New Zealnad Defence Force (NZDF) has taken delivery of the final medium heavy operational vehicle contracted for in May 2013. The $113 million deal saw Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia supply the NZDF with 194 of the logistics vehicles to replace an aging fleet of Mercedes and Unimog trucks.

Today’s Video

• An AV-8B flight cam…

Brazil to Refinance Gripen Deal It’s Investigating | Czech Republic Goes Shopping | India Plugs MiG Hole with SU-30s; Eschews Gripens

Americas

• With Naval Air Station Lemoore set to become the backbone of the Navy’s future strike capability, the Navy awarded a contract Friday for the construction of infrastructure to support the base’s fleet of F-35Cs. The $20.2 million task order covers the construction of new buildings to house JSF simulators, as well as classrooms and briefing rooms. NAS Lemoore beat out NAS El Centro last fall to become the Pacific Fleet’s F-35 base, with Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA 101), the F-35C replacement squadron, set to relocate to the base in early 2017.

• The Navy announced on Friday that the US Southern Command is hiring a Maryland-based firm, Airtec Inc. to perform intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance flights for the US Southern Command, using a contractor-owned Bombardier ISR aircraft fitted out with government equipment. The work will principally take place in Colombia, where there has previously been a substantial use of private firms for intelligence-gathering activities, including the suspected targeting of narcotraffickers. The $80.7 million contract modification is scheduled to run to September 2018. The company previously supplied an ISR aircraft to Southern Command to test the FALCON-I foliage-penetrating radar, including the operation of a Forward Operating Location (FOL) in Bogotá, as well as pilots, analysts and operators.

• Brazil is reportedly looking to restructure its financing with Gripen-manufacturer Saab, a result of austerity-driven budget constraints and cuts to the amount of borrowed cash the country is taking from Sweden’s Export Credit Corporation to fund the fighter. Brazilian prosecutors announced their intention in April to investigate the $5.4 billion deal signed with Saab last year, after the Gripen beat out competitors Boeing and Dassault.

• Following the awarding of a development contract to Huntington Ingall in April, the Navy awarded a $13 million contract modification to General Dynamics Friday for preliminary design work on the LX(R) Amphibious Ship Replacement Program.

• Also on Friday, the Navy handed a $72.1 million IDIQ contract for P-8A Poseidon ultra high-frequency antenna interface units and very/ultra high-frequency units and their associated communication tray assemblies for Lots 6, 7 and 8 in support of the Navy and Australia. This follows a contract in May for aircraft direction finders, radio tuner panels and high frequency radio shipsets for the P-8, with this latest contract set to run to 2018.

Europe

• The Royal Navy’s future carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, saw its propulsion system powered up for the first time at the back-end of last week. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Marine 36MW MT30 gas turbine alternators and four diesel engines, the total power reaches approximately 110 megawatts. The carrier will be equipped with F-35B fighters, with a joint US-UK team testing the jet on a replica of the Elizabeth-class carrier’s ski-jump last week.

• The Czech Republic is reportedly planning to spend significantly on defense procurement this year, including armored personnel carriers and personal weapons. The country recently began talks with Israel’s Elta systems regarding a potential $240 million 3D radar system to complement two existing systems and bolster the country’s borders.

Asia

• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) cleared hot weather trials on Friday, following cold weather trials earlier this year. Production is scheduled for the end of this year, on the condition that the helicopter achieves Initial Operating Clearance. The Indian Army and Air Force have placed significant orders for the chopper, 114 and 65 respectively, with its maiden flight taking place in March 2010.

• The Indian Air Force is planning to stand-down three squadrons of MiG-21 and MiG-27s, as the operational gap becomes plugged by a new squadron of more advanced SU-30s. In total, 54 of the Soviet-era aircraft will be phased out, with parts cannibalized to keep other aircraft flying. Sweden’s Saab has previously offered its Gripen single-engine fighter as a replacement for the IAF’s MiG-21s; however this has not been met with much enthusiasm by the Indian Defense Ministry.

• Australia has selected a team of firms as preferred bidder to provide the Australian Defence Force with an improved battlefield communications network under the Defence Ministry’s 2072 Phase 2B program. The $702 million program sees Boeing and Harris’ Australian subsidiaries team with local firm G H Varley as preferred bidder, with deployable computer networks being supplied by Thales. The program has an IOC planned for 2017, with FOC scheduled for three years afterwards.

Today’s Video

• The HAL Light Combat Helicopter…

GAO: Air Force A-10 Abandonment Divorced from Financial Reality | DoD Refiguring Satellite Control | Russia Receiving New SU-34 Fullbacks

Americas

• Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work has announced his intention to stand-up a joint intelligence-military operations center for satellites, allowing all intelligence and military satellites to be controlled from a single location. Work is likely hoping that the co-location will enable the development of joint doctrine and closer operational liaison, with this new station designed as a back-up to the existing Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The center is scheduled to come online within six months, indicating that the announcement has likely been a long time coming.

• The Government Accountability Office slammed the Air Force’s body of evidence and cost projections used to make the case for retiring the A-10. A report published on Thursday claims that the Air Force did not fully quantify the economic argument for favoring more advanced multi-role aircraft over the time-tested A-10. Manufacturer Boeing recently floated the idea of selling refurbished US A-10s to international customers.

• Booz Allen Hamilton has emerged as prime contractor for the Air Force’s $7.9 billion NETCENTS-2 program, following the awarding of an IDIQ contract to twenty-one firms in May. The contract is set to run for a minimum of three years, with four one-year options.

• Huntington Ingalls Industries delivered the submarine John Warner (SSN-785) to the Navy on Thursday, with this marking the twelfth Virginia-class sub to be delivered. The boat’s keel was laid in March 2013 and the sub was christened in September last year; the five-year, $17 billion deal will build ten Virginia-class Block IV fast attack submarines for the US Navy Navy, with production split between HII and General Dynamics Electric Boat, with the latter designated as the design authority. Commanders recently pushed for an increase in firepower for the Virginia-class. Commissioning for the newly-delivered boat is set for August.

• The Air Force awarded a $5 billion IDIQ contract on Thursday for the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program (AFCAP IV), a rapid contingency contracting tool. This contract will see eight firms provide a range of base support and logistical support, running to 2021.

• Also on Thursday, the Navy awarded a $237.8 million delivery order for spares in support of the Lot 9 low rate initial production of the F-35.

Europe

• Polish helicopter manufacturer PZL-widnik is challenging the government’s decision in April to select the Airbus H225M Caracal over its own AW149 and Sikorsky’s S-70i Black Hawk and S-70B Seahawk for the country’s tri-service helicopter requirement. The company – a subsidiary of AgustaWestland since 2010 – is questioning the competition’s evaluation criteria, as well as the infringement of Polish offset law.

• Russian aerospace firm Sukhoi delivered an undisclosed number of SU-34 long range strike fighters to the Russian Air Force this week, according to Russian press reports. The manufacturer delivered thirty-two of the aircraft in December 2013 following a low rate initial production contract, with full rate production announced in 2011. Sukhoi announced a contract in March 2012 for ninety-two SU-34s, scheduled for delivery by 2020.

Asia

• The first of twelve Korean Aerospace Industries FA-50 fighter aircraft sold to the Philippines through a government-to-government deal with South Korea in 2013 has successfully completed its first test flight, with the first deliveries expected by December, when the Philippines will receive its first two FA-50s ahead of schedule. The full dozen should be delivered by 2017, with the Korean fighter/trainers a strategic interim as the Philippines looks ahead to acquiring more capable multi-role aircraft.

• In related news, KAI has signed two contracts totaling $1.4 billion with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) to advance the Light Civil Helicopter/Armed Helicopter (LCH/LAH) requirement. KAI partnered with Airbus in March to sell the helicopters globally.

• Afghanistan has received its fourth C-130 transporter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, to complement the three aircraft delivered between 2013 and 2014. The gifting of the four C-130Js was decided in January 2013 by then-US Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine Fox.

Today’s Video

• A-10 takeoff…

India Finally Receiving Kilo-Class Refit from Recalcitrant Russians | French & Saudis Sign Bevy of Deals | US Gets Lots of Advice on Financing Nukes

Americas

• Modernizing the US’s nuclear arsenal, including delivery systems, would remain affordable despite a thirty-year price tag of around $1 trillion, according to the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. The cost of the improvements would peak in 2027 according to the forecast analysis, at $26 billion, before falling to current levels of $17 billion by 2039; never exceeding 5% of the projected DoD budget. Obama proposed a ten-year nuclear modernization plan back in 2010, with another think tank recently recommending that the US should invest in more small nuclear bombs.

• The Air Force announced a significant investment Wednesday, handing Lockheed Martin a $480 million IDIQ contract to research follow-on options for the C-130J fleet. This capability enhancement contract is set to run to 2030.

• The Air Force also announced a $100 million IDIQ contract Wednesday, awarded to Rolls-Royce American Technologies Inc. for Phase III of the Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) program. The company was selected to proceed with Phase II of the program in October 2009, with GE Aviation awarded an additional $325 million in funds in January 2015 to work on an adaptive cycle engine under Phase II. Rolls-Royce American Technologies beat out thirty-three other competitors for this latest contract, which is scheduled for completion in 2023.

Europe

• A US-UK team have successfully tested the F-35B’s short take-off capabilities from a replica carrier ski-jump, the British Ministry of Defence announced Wednesday. The testing is currently in its first iteration, with these tests designed to reduce risk before the JSF is launched from the deck of an actual carrier. The new Elizabeth-class carriers under construction for the Royal Navy will feature a ski-jump, in contract to the new Gerald Ford-class carriers which will feature electromagnetic catapults.

• On a more depressing note for the UK’s Ministry of Defence, a report entitled Defence Acquisition for the Twenty-First Century authored by a number of high-ranking British officials and analysts has criticized the MoD’s spending priorities, calling them out of line with the country’s defense budget constraints and evolving strategic objectives.

• French and Saudi officials met in Paris on Wednesday, signing ten contracts worth $12 billion. Among broader bilateral talks between French Prime Minister Francois Hollande and a delegation of Saudi officials, including the defense minister Prince Mohamed bin Salman, the topics under discussion included joint work on twenty projects. The Saudis recently funded the transfer of French-manufactured arms to Lebanon, including Milan anti-tank missiles, following the signing of an agreement in November 2014.

• Included in these deals are twenty-three Airbus H145 helicopters in a deal thought to be worth $500 million. Airbus is set to deliver two of the helicopters to the German Army by the end of the year, with other possible deals including patrol vessels for the Gulf state, build by DCNS.

• The French defense procurement agency DGA is reportedly set to receive a heavily modified Fokker 100 airframe intended for use as a systems testbed for the Rafale fighter. The majority of these new systems will transition from flight tests on the Fokker to a Dassault Mirage 2000 before onto the Rafale, with initial flight tests scheduled for early next year.

• Belarus has been supplied with Chinese Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, developed jointly between the two countries following a 2013 agreement. Under this development, the system has been designated as the Polonez system, equipped with Chinese A200 rockets.

Africa

• Egypt will induct two Ambassador-class fast missile vessels into its Navy within coming weeks, after these were delivered last week. The US-mentored program covers four fast attack boats, with two already in service since May 2014. The $1.1 billion program dates from 2005 and was not hindered by international criticism of Egypt’s human rights record, with Lockheed Martin and VT Halter Marine winning subcontracts back in 2005 for design work on the vessels, with the latter constructing the four vessels following a production contract in 2008.

Asia

• The Indian Kilo-class INS Sindhukirti has been cleared for full power trials, following the beginning of sea trials in late May. The hugely-delayed refit program to extend the service life of the sub has been partially blamed on seemingly deliberate Russian errors, general mismanagement and poor project management. Reports from last month indicate that the newly refitted sub has been equipped with Russian cruise missiles.

• China’s new Y-20 cargo aircraft is reportedly set to undergo high-altitude testing above the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The transporter has previously undergone cold weather testing, with China showing off a prototype of the new aircraft at the Zhuhai Airshow last November.

Today’s Video

• A F-35 refuels from a Stratotanker…

The ADVENT of a Better Jet Engine?

PW F119: Power!

The Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT) program aims “to develop and demonstrate inlet, engine, exhaust nozzle, and integrated thermal management technologies that enable optimized propulsion system performance over a broad range of altitude and flight velocity.” That sounds boring, but what if we put it like this:

ADVENT aims to produce a revolution in jet engine design. Imagine the jet equivalent of a car engine that could give you Formula One performance or sub-compact mileage as required. ADVENT-equipped aircraft would have extra-long range, but be able to switch quickly to high-speed power maneuvers and still be comparatively efficient. The new engine design will use adaptive fan blades and engine cores to generate high thrust when needed, and optimize fuel efficiency when cruising or loitering, in order to combine the best characteristics of high-performance and fuel-efficient jet engines.

That certainly sounds much more exciting. Now, ADVENT also sounds very real – because the program is under way, with over $600 million in contracts to 4 different vendors… and 2 big losers.

GE Aviation won up to $325 million in additional funds in January 2015 to work on an adaptive cycle engine under phase three of the Versatile affordable advanced turbine engines (VAATE) program that preceded ADVENT.

In April, the Air Force also awarded a $325 million IDIQ contract to engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for the Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) engine’s Phase III stage.

Work: China Challenging Air Superiority | Germany Getting First Puma Deliveries | Army Invents Term, Then Conducts Manned Unmanned Exercise

Americas

• The Army has successfully conducted Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) involving an AH-64 Apache and a MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAV. The Gray Eagle was used to designate a target for the Apache, with the latter then firing a Hellfire missile using data from the UAV. The test has allowed the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade to certify the Fort Stewart complex for live Hellfire tests, an important tool as access to training ranges in Afghanistan and Iraq has diminished.

• In related news, the Army awarded a $121.4 million contract to General Atomics on Tuesday for nineteen MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAVs, with these set for delivery by 2018. This follows a comparable contract in March, also for nineteen Gray Eagles, with that contract valued at $133 million. The company was also awarded a $84.8 million contract in May for performance-based logistics to support the UAV.

• Boeing has delivered the final C-17 Globemaster III aircrew training simulator to the Air Force, with this the twenty-eighth simulator. L-3 is also a major contributor to the Air Force’s C-17 training, winning a $1 billion service contract in 2010.

• The Air Force has published a draft program schedule and requirements list for a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) and cuing system to fit out the F-22 Raptor, with a provisional entry date given of 2020. A four-year development and testing period has been pencilled-in to start in 2017. Sequestration curtailed previous development on an earlier system, with the HMD a requirement for the Raptor program since 2007.

Europe

• With Germany selecting the transatlantic MEADS air defense system over Raytheon’s Patriot in Germany’s TVLS competition earlier this month, European missile house MBDA has emerged as prime contractor for the program. The MEADS International company is comprised of Lockheed Martin, MBDA Italia and MBDA Deutschland, with the US government funding 58% of the development work for the system and the remainder split between the governments of Germany and Italy (25% and 17% respectively). The precise work share arrangements have not yet been finalized, with other possible customers including the Netherlands and Italy.

• The German Army has received its first production Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) from Projekt System & Management GmbH, with the model passing verification trials earlier this year and approval given in May. The German defense ministry signed a contract for 405 of the IFVs in July 2009, with the first batch used for the verification trials, taking place across a variety of environments.

• Re-branded firm Kalashnikov has unveiled a new Remote Weapon Station (RWS) at the Army 2015 forum in Russia. The RWS – referred to as the Modul Boyevoy Distantsionno Upravlyaemiy – has the option of operating two machine gun variants (7.62mm and 12.7mm) and two grenade launchers (30mm and 40mm) and a marketed target acquisition range of 2.5km. An export customer has been reportedly found in a North African country. Kalashnikov has also marketed a new 9mm pistol at the forum, known as the PL-14.

• Russia is fitting out its MIG-31 interceptors with a special inertial navigation system designed for Arctic conditions, capable of operating independently of satellite feeds and capable of coping with low temperatures. Russia has deployed its MIGs to the region earlier this year, amid increasing competition over control of the resource-rich region. The MIG-31 is reportedly timetabled to remain in Russia service until 2026.

Africa

• South Africa will likely require more Inshore and Offshore Patrol Vessels than it is currently scheduled to field in order to meet operational demands, according to analysis by a former government official. Under the country’s Project Biro acquisition of six new patrol vessels, domestic shipyards would construct three new IPVs and three OPVs; – defense analyst Helmoed Romer Heitman argues however that the South African Navy requires four OPVs, suggesting further that existing vessels should be re-roled to fit the IPV requirement, instead of the procurement of new ships.

• Algeria is reportedly interested [Russian] in acquiring the Russian-manufactured Ka-52 Alligator scout/attack helicopter, with demonstrations planned for this summer. The Ka-52 has reportedly secured an export order to an undisclosed customer, with this announced at the Paris Air Show last week; – whether this is Algeria remains to be seen.

Asia

• China is challenging US air superiority, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work. The Pentagon’s COO, Work’s speech at the China Aerospace Studies Institute earlier this week highlighted how China’s defense technology base is rapidly approaching parity with the US, undermining US conventional deterrence in the process. He called for more rapid innovation, including the leveraging of commercial competition and technologies, citing the Air Force’ Rapid Capabilities Office as a model to build into other services. The launch of a Long Range Research and Development Planning Program, which calls for an updated offset strategy, is one way that the Defense Department is trying to catalyze technological development. Work’s comments come after China reportedly test-launched a hypersonic glide vehicle earlier this month. Chinese and US military officials have however been showing signs of increasing cooperation, signing a dialogue agreement earlier this month.

Today’s Video

• A Rosoboronexport promotional video for the Ka-52, featuring an Abrams MBT as a would-be target…

F-35 Fleet Displacing Older Fighters into Secondary Market | MoD Eager for New Radios | Raytheon Working New Jammer Project

Europe

• The British Ministry of Defence is looking to develop a replacement for the problematic Bowman radio system. The MoD has invited academics and industry to suggest new solutions to land and littoral communications, with the project known as Morpheus. The hope is that innovative solutions will be borne from the open discussion and collaboration, with this likely to form the basis of the MoD’s procurement strategy for the UK Armed Forces’ new communications system over the next three decades.

• Israel has offered upgraded F-16A/Bs to Croatia, as a replacement for the country’s MIG-21s. The fighters would be in the upgraded ACE (Avionics Capability Enhancement) configuration, with the Israeli Air Force planning to drawn down the number of F-16A/Bs it operates as the F-35 comes into service over coming years. Croatia announced in April its intention to replace its Soviet-era MIGs, with the Israeli bid thought to be one of three Western models under consideration. A decision is expected next year, with other possible competitors including Saab’s Gripen and Dassault’s Mirage 2000.

• Russia is reportedly set to begin construction of the Lider-class destroyer in 2019, with this possibly including the use of a Chinese-developed nuclear propulsion system. The new ship has a reported displacement of 17,500 tons and a length of 200 meters. The country is also intending to construct an additional aircraft carrier from 2025, to augment the one carrier already in service with the Russian Navy.

• The Swedish planned procurement of Saab Kockums A26 submarines may be delayed owing to inflating cost forecasts, according to Swedish press reports. The government announced its intention to acquire the boats in March, allocating $1 billion for the acquisition of two A26 submarines, alongside upgrades to the Swedish Navy’s Gotland-class subs.

• In other submarine news, Russia is intending to upgrade ten nuclear subs, bringing in new weapons and ship systems. The Oscar and Akula-class submarines will undergo work at Zvezdochka Shipyard facilities in Severodvinsk and the Primorskiy Krai region.

Americas

• Lockheed Martin received a $870 million modification Monday to support the worldwide operations of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, bringing the value of the contract to $2.1 billion. The modification covers continued engineering, development, test, integration, fielding and on-site operations and sustainment support for the C2, battle management and communications systems that form the BMDS.

• Raytheon was also handed a $13.1 million contract to further develop the Next-Generation Jammer. The contract covers software and hardware security design, with the company receiving a $12.6 million contract for the NGJ’s Technology Development phase in April last year. Initial low rate production is slated for 2018, with fielding expected two years afterwards.

Asia

• Australia has requested AGM-88 Anti-Radiation missiles from the US, with the State Department approving the acquisition at the back-end of last week. The $69 million deal will cover a variety of high-speed anti-radiation, advanced anti-radiation and training/telemetry missiles, as well as auxiliary equipment and engineering, technical and logistic support. Orbital ATK Defense Electronics Systems will be the prime contractor, with the AGM-88E achieving Full Rate Production Lot 3 in April last year.

• Pakistani media has reported that Sri Lanka is the first international customer for the JF-17 fighter, jointly developed by Pakistan and China. At the Paris Air Show last week, the JF-17’s sales and marketing lead PAF Air Commodore Khalid Mahmood told press that a contract had been agreed with an undisclosed Asian customer. These reports have been played-down by the Sri Lankan Air Force, who claim that although the aircraft is under consideration, a decision on whether it will be procured has not yet been taken.

• The Indian Navy is pressing the country’s government to relax the partial blacklisting of Italian firm Finmeccanica in order to access torpedoes from subsidiary Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquel. A corruption scandal barred the company from supplying the Indian defense ministry, as long as the country could meet its requirements from other companies. WASS beat out Atlas Elektronik Gmbh in a competition to supply the Indian Navy with new torpedoes, with this competition taking place before the blacklisting. The new Scorpene submarines coming into service with the Indian Navy require torpedoes as an operational necessity, and as such the service is pressing the defense ministry to suspend the blacklisting in order to access WASS’ Black Shark torpedoes.

• European defense giant Airbus’s Australian subsidiary Airbus Group Australia Pacific has bought Air New Zealand subsidiary Safe Air, a maintenance and repair company with experience servicing Royal New Zealand Air Force assets. Safe Air was awarded a $85 million contract in 2007 to service RNZAF aircraft, with this set to run to next year.

Today’s Video

• JF-17 cockpit view during the Paris Air Show…

Egypt Jumps FREMM Line, Receiving Normandie on Tuesday | Russia’s Ka-52 Gets Export Order | India Wants French Help with BrahMos Guidance

Americas

• Sikorsky delivered six CH-148 helicopters to the Canadian government on Friday, the first of twenty-eight to replace the current fleet of Sea King ASW helicopters, with these scheduled to enter full service by 2021.

• On Friday the Navy handed Northrop Grumman a $60.9 million contract to support the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance – Demonstrator (BAMS-D) UAV, also known as the MQ-4C Triton. The company was awarded a contract last week to improve the air-to-air subsystem design of the Triton. The Navy announced in March that the UAV’s first deployment will be to Guam.

Europe

• A Royal Air Force F-35B successfully dropped a Raytheon-manufactured Paveway IV bomb last week, with this the first successful demonstration of the weapon being separated from the aircraft’s internal weapons bay. The Paveway used in this test was inert, building on F-35 test flights in November last year where separation did not take place, meanwhile the next stage will be testing of guided releases. Raytheon was awarded a GBP 24 million contract in July 2007 to integrate the Paveway IV onto the F-35, with the Pentagon currently mulling what should be included in the aircraft’s Block 4 weapons configuration.

• The Russian state exporter Rosoboronexport has reportedly secured an export order for the Ka-52 Alligator scout/attack helicopter, announcing this at the Paris Air Show at the back-end of last week. The Russian Defense Ministry ordered thirty-two of the Hokum B naval attack variants for its now-defunct Mistral-class LHDs back in August last year.

• Belgium’s fleet of NH90 tactical transport helicopters has achieved Initial Operating Capability, following a procurement contract in 2007. The fourth and final NH90 helicopter was handed to the Belgian military last November. The country has also ordered four naval variants of the helicopter. France announced last week that it intends to modify some of its NH90s for Special Forces use, including installing electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) systems and data links.

• Russia will supply Belarus with transport helicopters, with these scheduled for delivery between 2016 and 2017. The twelve Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters follow other recent transfers of Russian hardware to the country, including the delivery of trainers in April, with the two countries signing a military-technical cooperation agreement in 2009.

Middle East

• Egypt is scheduled to receive its FREMM frigate from France on Tuesday, following a $1.2 billion contract in February this year. The Normandie vessel was intended to be the second FREMM vessel to enter service with the French Navy, with this instead diverted to fulfill the Egyptian contract. France received its second vessel last week, with another FREMM destined for service with Morocco, following a 2007 contract.

• Saudi Arabia has received the last of six A330 Multi Role Tanker Transports, following a July 2009 contract for an additional three aircraft to complement the three ordered in January 2008. Other operators include the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Africa

• Following last week’s announcement of an export order for the Embraer T-29 Super Tucano to Mali, the firm has received another order from an African state – this time, Ghana. The announcement of an order for five Super Tucanos follows reports from February which indicated the government’s intention to throw the T-29 order in with a larger order for Chinese and European hardware. Lebanon has also requested the light attack aircraft, with the model popular with a number of African states.

• Angola is reportedly set to receive a dozen modernized SU-30K from Russia by the end of 2016, following a contract in October 2013. Angola is one of several African states spending considerably on advanced Russian hardware, with the twelve Angolan Flankers revised down from an original eighteen aircraft, all of which come from a batch of former Indian aircraft.

Asia

• India has requested that French firm Sagem provide a guidance system for the BrahMos missile system. The request came through a meeting of the two countries’ defense ministers last week, with BrahMos a Russo-Indian joint venture. The Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of six of the cruise missile systems last month.

Today’s Video

• The Sukhoi SU-30SM…

AF Funds Research Allowing One Pilot to Control Many UAVs | Belarus Mulls S-400s | Russia Willing to Sell SU-35s to China Despite Likelihood of Design Grab

Americas

• Not a single F-35A was downed by “hostile” fire during the Air Force’s recent Green Flag West exercise, the first exercise in which the Joint Strike Fighter has participated. None of the F-35s were shot down, whilst F-16s and A-10s were. The inclusion of the JSF in the exercises has been criticized as a public relations stunt; additionally, the level of operational pressure the F-35s were put under during the exercises compared with other aircraft has not been released. Whether the F-35 genuinely outperformed the other aircraft and as a result received no simulated destruction – or was just exposed to less severe operational testing – is hard to say.

• The Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 program benefited from a $11.5 million contract with Boeing on Thursday, with this to provide sustainment and development work. The SBSS program needs a follow-on to the existing satellites in orbit, with the Air Force arranging an industry day in January in order to present its acquisition strategy. Principally this involves the planned procurement of three new satellites, with a rough schedule of these entering service before 2021.

• Also on Thursday, Oshkosh Defense was awarded a $780.4 million contract to recapitalise over 1,300 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, 435 palletized load systems (PLS) and over 1,000 new palletized load system trailers, as well as other equipment. The contract will run to 2022, with the multi-year contract incrementally funded.

• Wright State University of Dayton, Ohio has been handed Air Force research work to investigate interactions with semi-autonomous UAVs. The $7.5 million, four-year modification will look into how multiple unmanned aerial vehicles could be controlled by a single human operator.

Europe

• Belarus is engaged in negotiations regarding a possible purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, with the country also scheduled to deploy their four existing S-300 systems by the end of this year. Manufacturer Almaz-Antey is currently fighting EU sanctions, with China buying the S-400 system back in January for around $500 million per-unit.

• Russia is reportedly planning to convert MC-21 passenger jets – manufactured by Irkut – to an AWACS platform comparable to the NATO E-3 Sentry, based on the civilian Boeing 707-320B. The details of the project are yet to be set, with Irkut and the Russian Defense Ministry currently engaged in talks. Irkut has also been contracted by the Ministry to convert 45 MC-21 airliners for troop-carrying purposes.

• France is reportedly set to receive its latest A400M transport aircraft, despite the recent grounding of other European fleets and the identification of problems with Airbus’ final assembly line, with this ultimately responsible for the crash in May. France is also scheduled to start parachute testing with the A400M later this month, with the delivery of the next aircraft bringing the French fleet up to seven.

• France has also received an additional NH90 helicopter, to add to the fourteen already in service with the French Army. A contract was struck in 2008 for 34 of the helicopters, with options totalling the same number.

• The Russian state exporter Rosoboronexport has reportedly received bids for 25 to 30 Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A strategic airlifters, according to Russian press. The aircraft is also capable of acting as an AWACS platform and a mid-air refuelling tanker, with the alternative designation of IL-476 used interchangeably. Russia ordered 39 of the aircraft in 2012. In November last year, the first aircraft was delivered for conversion to an AWACS platform.

Middle East

• The United Arab Emirates is reportedly showing interest in procuring V-22 tiltrotor aircraft from Boeing, following the Paris Air Show. The possible sale of the aircraft to Israel is still on hold, with Japan recently requesting seventeen Ospreys in a $3 billion sale. The company has also been chasing the United Kingdom and Singapore as possible future customers. However, the future of the aircraft is uncertain despite optimism from the manufacturers.

Africa

• Following the US State Department approving a possible sale of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Lebanon earlier this week, Mali has agreed a contract with manufacturer Embraer Defense & Security for six of the aircraft. The T-29 has seen substantial export success to other African states, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mauritania and Senegal. Under Mali’s contract Embraer will also provide contractor logistics services to the six Super Tucanos, as well as pilot training.

Asia

• China and Russia appear to be close to signing an agreement on the sale of 24 Sukhoi SU-35 fighters, according to reports in the Russian press. The possible deal was first reported in November, with the Russians sliding back from previous insistence on an order for 48 units to the current 24. China has a history of purchasing Russian aircraft and subsequently reverse-engineering them in order to produce clones and develop a level of maintenance self-sufficiency. The PLA Air Force is most likely purchasing the SU-35 to complement the J-11D fighters already in service, as an interim measure before its more advanced fighters enter service over coming years. North Korea has also previously shown interest in the SU-35.

Today’s Video

• On board a V-22 Osprey…

Space Based Space Surveillance: Follow On Needed

SBSS Constellation
(click to view larger)

In January 2001, a commission headed by then US Defense Secretary-designate Donald Rumsfeld warned about a possible “space Pearl Harbor” in which a potential enemy would launch a surprise attack against US-based military space assets, disabling them. These assets include communications satellites and the GPS system, which is crucial for precision attack missiles and a host of military systems.

“The US is more dependent on space than any other nation. Yet the threat to the US and its allies in and from space does not command the attention it merits,” the commission warned.

One of the systems that grew out of the commission’s report was the Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) project, which is developing a constellation of satellites to provide the US military with space situational awareness using visible sensors. After a slow start, SBSS Block 10 reached a significant milestone in August 2012 with its Initial Operational Capability, followed by full operational capability less than a year later. But lack of funding casts as shadow on whether this capability will be maintained beyond 2017. By 2014/15 the Air Force worked on a stopgap project as well as an effort to obtain proper funding for follow on satellites to be launched at the start of next decade.