AF Grants $281.7M to Upgrade F-15 Radar | Paladin Continues Travels with $245.3M Award | Lithuania to Make Decision on IFV Competition

Americas

• The Air Force has furthered its F-15 radar upgrade program by awarding a $281.7 million contract to Boeing for the Combined (V)3 and Radar Modernization Program, with this award covering the procurement of 17 (V)3 and 29 Radar Modernization Program radar systems. The Air Force has been looking to modernize its F-15 fleet by adding Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems capable of enhancing the aircraft’s air-to-air capabilities. The Air Force began by upgrading various systems, including radar and other sensors, on older F-15C/D models in March last year.

• Also announced Friday, the Army awarded a $245.3 million contract modification for 30 M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, along with 30 M992A3 Armored Ammunition Resupply Vehicles. This low rate initial production-2 (LRIP-2) modification (Option 2) follows a similar award (Option 1) in October 2014 for 18 of each vehicle, with the two options scheduled for deliveries by February 2017 and June 2018 respectively.

• Peru is looking to buy another 6 to 8 Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan transport aircraft and is currently in talks with the Italian firm, according to a press briefing given by the company’s CEO on Friday. The South American country originally signed for two of the light tactical aircraft in November 2013, adding a further two in May 2014, with the Peruvian Air Force looking to replace their twelve-strong fleet of Soviet-era Antonov AN-32s.

• Venezuela’s Defense Minister has confirmed that the country will purchase a dozen Su-30 fighter-bombers from Russia in a deal worth $480 million, confirming reports in September that the country’s President Nicolas Maduro was planning such an acquisition. The Venezuelan Air Force already operates 23 Su-30MK2s, with Maduro also stating that he intends to replace one of the fighters lost to a crash in September in addition to the twelve new aircraft. Venezuela is a substantial market for Russian hardware, with the Sukhois in service procured as part of a $3 billion arms sale in 2006.

Europe

• The State Department has cleared an FMS request by Turkey for Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tailkits, with these set to equip the Turkish Air Force’s stockpile of BLU-109, Mk82 and Mk84 bombs. The Turkish request for 1,000 kits in a deal potentially worth $70 million follows a much larger request for 14,500 JDAM kits by Israel in May, with that request valued at approximately $1.88 billion.

• Lithuania’s Defense Ministry has announced that it will declare the winner of the country’s 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle competition in late November, with the winner intended to replace an aging fleet of M113s. The MoD reportedly received two proposals from the US and Polish governments, in addition to bids from ten firms, including Patria, Nexter, Otokar and General Dynamics European Lands Systems. An initial acquisition of 60 to 72 vehicles is planned, with a second tranche also planned.

Middle East North Africa

• Egypt has received four more F-16 Block 52 fighters from the United States, following the release of military aid in March by President Obama, which will see a total of twelve F-16s delivered to the country. Eight of the aircraft were delivered in July, with these four completing the package.

• Iraq will receive a first batch of Aero Vodochody L-159 light fighters in early November, according to local press reports [Arabic]. The Czech government signed a contract with Iraq in March 2014 for fifteen of the aircraft, with these coming from surplus Czech stocks.

• US firm Sierra Nevada Corp. was handed a $172.5 million foreign military sales contract for six A-29 Super Tucanos, with these headed for Lebanon. The Lebanese government had its request for the six counterinsurgency aircraft approved in June, with the two governments originally discussing the sale back in 2010. The contract award to Sierra Nevada Corp. is significantly lower than the $462 million estimated in the DSCA request, with June’s request also including 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS), communications and navigation systems and self-protection equipment.

Asia Pacific

• Thailand has been cleared by the State Department to buy RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles. The potential deal is estimated to value $26.9 million, including canisters and other auxiliary equipment. The Royal Thai Navy became the thirteenth ESSM customer in January 2013, with the country signing a letter of acceptance with prime contractor Raytheon following a DSCA request in August 2012.

• India’s government has cleared several high-value defense projects, including engine and avionics upgrades to the Indian Air Force’s Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft. The Defence Acquisition Council has also cleared the procurement of two more Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) regiments and 149 BMP-2 armored personnel carriers. The Indian Navy will receive four new multi-purpose vessels.

Today’s Video

• The M109A7 Paladin:

Radar Refits: F-15s Looking for the AESA Edge

Before: APG-63 MSA

Most F-15C Eagle air superiority fighters use APG-63 radars, passive arrays mounted on a movable swashplate. While upgrades over the years have improved them, a new generation of radar technologies has appeared. With cruise missile defense rising in importance, and longer-range detection desired, upgrades are necessary. That requires new radars, using AESA technologies that dramatically improve range, while reducing maintenance. The USAF has also discussed a retrofit set that would turn the F-15C Eagles into multi-role fighters, and a next-generation AESA radar would be part of that, too. Meanwhile, they’ve started a program to upgrade select F-15C units with AESA radars, as an air-air improvement.

Those F-15C units will now be joined by the USAF’s entire 2-seat, multi-role F-15E Strike Eagle fleet, whose future AESA radar has received some improvements, and a new designation.

Peru’s Alenia C-27J Buy to Renew Light Tactical Airlift Fleet

C-27J

Major purchases that make headline news are few and far between in Peru. How do you top the recent re-opening of the DIFAA UFO investigation department? If you’re the Peruvian Air Force, you buy 2 C-27J light tactical airlifters from Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi, in order to shore up a weak area for the FAP. DID looks at the underlying need, the contract, the larger opportunity thjat is coming into focus, and why Alenia won. We also compare successes to date for Finmeccanica’s C-27J and its main rival, Airbus Military’s C295.

Egypt: F-16s on Hold No More

Egyptian Air Force F-16D

The Egyptian government wants to buy another 24 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft, associated parts, weapons, and equipment to modernize its air force. The October 2009 request, made through the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to Congress, could be worth as much as $3.2 billion to Lockheed Martin and the other contractors involved. The formal request came a few months after the Obama administration conveyed its support for Egypt’s long-standing request to buy the Block 50/52 aircraft, but the request has been a long-standing source of controversy. Eventually, events in Egypt stalled the contract.

The Egyptian Air Force is the 4th largest F-16 operator in the world, mustering about 195 F-16s of 220 ordered. Their overall fighter fleet is a mix of high-end F-16s and Mirage 2000s, low-end Chinese F-7s (MiG-21 copy) bought from the Chinese, a few F-4 Phantom II jets, and upgraded but very aged Soviet MiG-21s and French Mirage 5s.