New Hypersonic Vehicle to Build on X51 | Cyber RFP Redo | Canada Installs Oversight System on >$100 Million Contracts

Americas

• The Air Force is reportedly working on a new hypersonic test vehicle, with the aim of developing the new vehicle by 2023. The Air Force and DARPA are hoping to build on a previous 2013 test, with the X-51A WaveRider intended to be used as a proof of concept.

• On Tuesday Lockheed Martin was awarded a $104.3 million contract modification for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile Accelerated Acquisition program, which saw a successful test firing in February. The LRASM missile is a joint US Navy/DARPA project aiming to develop next-generation anti-ship missiles capable of overcoming sophisticated defenses and travel longer distances to their targets.This latest modification brings the total contract value to just under $306.9 million. The company was also awarded a $31 million contract Tuesday for Aegis Weapons System integration and testing, up to Advanced Capability Build 12.

• Boeing will likely have to transfer some manufacturing to South Korea if the company wants to bag a $1.2 billion tanker contract. South Korea officials are peeved with the quantity of work allocated to Japanese industry as a result of defense and civilian contracts with the US company and are pushing for better offset arrangements in order to develop the country’s growing industry.

• The Pentagon is expected to relaunch a RFP to industry in October in a new $475 million solicitation for cyber capabilities, following the original solicitation being rescinded on 22 May. The USCYBERCOM RFP was originally intended to develop the Cyber National Mission Force, as part of a concerted effort to bring in private expertise to DoD cyber operations.

• Canada is implementing a third party oversight system for defense contracts valued over C$100 million, with an expert panel convening to provide independent evaluation of procurement decisions. The Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition will be made up of five experts and will also provide advice to the Minister of National Defence on acquisition decisions.

Europe

• The Taranis UCAV will undergo a third set of tests toward the end of this year. The Taranis was unveiled in 2010 and is part of the Anglo-French FCAS program, alongside the nEUROn UAV.

• The Czech Republic is looking to buy 3D radar systems from Israeli firm Elta Systems, with the government in talks with the company regarding a potential $240 million deal. The new radar systems are scheduled to come online in 2017, with 40 percent of the workload set to go to local industry under a workshare agreement between Elta and local partner Retia. A subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta Systems produces a variety of radar systems, including the 3D AD-STAR system, in both medium and extended-range configurations.

• The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a $123 million contract for helicopter training. Royal Navy and RAF crews training to fly Chinooks and Merlin helos will now benefit from Synthetic Training Devices and other training services, care of Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestland.

• France has taken delivery of a third Predator B UAV, following a contract for an additional Predator two months ago. This third UAV will join two already in service, with twelve scheduled for delivery by 2019.

Middle East

• The US has delivered an undisclosed number of BGM-71C TOW missiles to Lebanon, following a similar French delivery in April for Milan Anti-Tank Missiles, funded by Saudi Arabia.

Asia

• South Korea is reportedly looking to develop an indigenous air to ground missile to arm its fleet of light helicopters. With a provisional entry date of 2023, the new missiles are intended to replace the US-manufactured TOW missiles currently in service.

• The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to upgrade its fleet of MIG-29N fighters, despite having previously opted to purchase the more advanced SU-30MKM in small numbers. The MIG-29N fleet has been in service for 25 years, with local firm Aerospace Technology Systems Corp. recently offering to provide an upgrade program for the sixteen MIGs.

• The PLA Navy is reportedly developing a lithium-ion battery-powered submarine propulsion system, with the PLAN also recently commissioning three new Type-093G nuclear-powered attack subs.

Today’s Video

• The nEUROn UAV flying in formation with a Rafale and Falcon…

Hypersonic Rocket-Plane Program Inches Along, Stalls, To Restart

FALCON HTVs

The path toward a hypersonic space plane has been a slow one, filled with twists and turns one would expect given the technological leap involved. Speeds of Mach 8+ place tremendous heat and resistance stresses on a craft. Building a vehicle that is both light enough to achieve the speeds desired at reasonable cost, and robust enough to survive those speeds, is no easy task.

Despite the considerable engineering challenges ahead, the potential of a truly hypersonic aircraft for reconnaissance, global strike/ transport, and low-cost access to near-space and space is a compelling goal on both engineering and military grounds. The question, as always, will be balancing the need for funding to prove out new designs and concepts, with risk management that ensures limited exposure if it becomes clear that the challenge is still too great. In October 2008, the US Congress decided that FALCON/Blackswift had reached those limits. That decision led to the program’s cancellation, though some activities will continue.