Army Looking Skyward on Rotorcraft FVL Project | Poles & Czechs to Collaborate on APCs | Lockheed Expecting Uptick in Orders From Asia Pacific

Americas

• A new start project listed for Fiscal Year 2017 will see the US Army look for rotor-craft designs to fund the next-generation of Future Vertical Lift (FVL) helicopters. If approved by Congress, FVL could initially produce mid-weight replacements for the long-serving Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and Boeing AH-64 Apache types. The news comes as both Boeing-Sikorsky and Bell Helicopters are developing their own next-gen FVL contributions which aim to have their first flights by the end of 2017. The Boeing-Sikorsky offering, the SB-1 Defiant compound coaxial helicopter has been developed as a precursor FLV under the Army’s Joint MultiRole (JMR) technology demonstration, while Bell is offering its V-280 Valor tiltrotor.

• Despite a well publicized ongoing lawsuit, Oshkosh is to continue the production of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) after the US Court of Federal Claims denied Lockheed Martin’s request to stop the work on the case pending. The JLTV program, potentially worth up to $30 billion, was temporarily paused after Lockheed filed a complaint to the Government Accountability Office against the contract award to Oshkosh. This was dismissed by the GAO and a case was then taken by Lockheed to the federal court in December. The court’s decision to allow Oshkosh to continue manufacturing of the vehicles is a strong indicator that any appeals by Lockheed will be dismissed.

Middle East North Africa

• Israel’s tanker procurement plan, and whether it will acquire more F-35s, will depend on how much assistance it will get from the US Foreign Military Funding package over the next ten years. Sources commenting on ongoing negotiations say that the Pentagon is likely to increase funding by up to $1 billion, which will set funds at $4.1 billion annually. The increase would see Israel commit to selecting the Boeing KC-45A tanker which is currently undergoing advanced testing under its Milestone C demonstration. The increase in funding could also see further purchases of the F-35I, adding to the current order of 33, the first of which are due this year.

Europe

• Charles Woodburn is to replace Ian King at the head of BAE Systems when the CEO retires in 18 months time. Having worked in the oil and gas industry for 20 years, Woodburn will leave as CEO of UK oil services firm Expro Group to take a position as chief operating officer and eventually CEO of BAE, the country’s largest defense manufacturer. While an industry outsider, his experience in large oil and gas projects is said to have him well placed to lead upcoming large-scale BAE engineering projects which could include the Royal Navy’s Trident nuclear deterrent system. The announcement saw share prices for BAE take a 3% bump to 82.18p as investors welcomed the appointment.

• British arms sales to Saudi Arabia have come under fresh scrutiny and an increased pressure to be ceased as UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon accused the Saudi forces of indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Yemen. Arms export licenses from the UK to the Kingdom in the last year have amounted to nearly $4.3 billion, making the Saudis their biggest customer for arms and munitions. Moon stated that permanent members of the UN Security Council such as the UK had a responsibility to secure peace in intractable conflicts such as Yemen. Further condemnation for the UK over the trade came from the European parliament, with a vote planned for February 25 potentially seeing member states adopting an EU-wide embargo on arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

• Poland is to collaborate with the Czech Republic in the procurement and production of armored personnel carriers (APCs). The Defense Ministry has said that Poland will take a leading role in the project with the Czechs providing technical assistance for the vehicles. Further details are to be released over the next number of months, along with a series of other procurement projects, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and cruise missiles. A main priority of the Warsaw’s ring-wing government, formed last November, has been an increase Poland’s deterrence and defensive capabilities, while insisting on increasing domestic production of new equipment and technical knowledge transfers to local companies and subsidiaries.

Asia Pacific

• South African defense firm Denel is set to expand into the Asia Pacific market as it sets up a military factory in Hong Kong. Rising defense budgets by governments, amid a scramble for influence and security over territorial waters, has Denel hoping to increase exports of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, artillery systems, armored personnel carriers, and advanced missile systems. To help with the expansion, the Hong Kong operation is being started in conjunction with local defense equipment manufacturer VR Laser. The partnership is set to increase the company’s knowledge of the region’s markets, as well as to expand on existing multi-million dollar contracts, which include the supply of missile systems and turrets for APCs of the Malaysian army.

• The executive vice-president of the aeronautics business at Lockheed Martin, Orlando Carvalho, has indicated the Asia Pacific market may see another 100 orders of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter over the coming years. With three regional allies; Japan, South Korea, and Australia so far ordering 154 of the aircraft across its three models, further additions could be added to these fleets, although no mention has been made about potential new customers. With Australia indicating that it may bring up its fleet from 74 to 100 and Japan potentially seeking to build more of their own under license, that number may be possible. Another potential purchase may be from Singapore, who is considering the F-35, although there has been no indication of the size of the order under consideration.

Today’s Video

• Flying display preview of this week’s Singapore Air Show:

KC-46 Keeps Meeting Goals | JLENS to Resume Testing After Runaway Balloon Hiatus | US State Dept Approves $154.9M FMS to Saudi Arabia

Americas

• A month after it was reported to have accidentally been sent to Cuba, the US has regained possession of its Hellfire air-to-ground missile. The inert munition had been used in NATO training exercises in Spain during 2014, however, shipping errors had it mistakenly sent from Paris to Havana instead of Miami. Further comment on specific defense trade licensing cases by the US State Department is restricted by federal law, but a team from Lockheed Martin were dispatched to retrieve the missile and take it home.

• Testing of the refueling capabilities of the KC-46 tanker has hit another target with the successful refueling of an F/A-18 fighter. This follows its first ever refueling flight on January 24, where it successfully refueled an F-16. While the first test utilized the tanker’s refueling “boom,” a rigid, telescoping tube that an operator on the aircraft extends and inserts into a receptacle on the receiving aircraft for fuel transfer, the F/A-18 test was the program’s first usage of the KC-46’s hose and drogue system. Located on both the plane’s wing and centerline, the hose and drogue system enables the KC-46 to refuel smaller aircraft such as the F/A-18 with up to 400 gallons of fuel per minute. All tests are part of the program’s Milestone C demonstration before a low-rate initial production decision is made later this year.

• After four months of being grounded, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has allowed for testing to resume on the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS). The unmanned radar ballons haven’t been used since October, after one of them broke free from its moorings at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, and drifted 160 miles north over central Pennsylvania. An investigation into the incident reported that a number of errors were responsible including design issues, as well as human and procedural error. Funding for the program was recently slashed by three quarters by Congress to reflect “test schedule delay.”

• Unique mission requirements over the next few decades may see separate sixth-generation fighters for the USAF and US Navy. The departure runs contrary to the current joint development effort of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program which will eventually replace F-16s, F/A-18s, A-10s and AV-8Bs in service across all services. The sixth-generation fighters will replace the Air Force’s F-22 and the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet variant in the 2030s. The comments were made by Lt. Gen. James “Mike” Holmes, Air Force deputy chief of staff for plans and requirements, who added that while some common technologies and other common elements would be found in both aircraft, they would be different enough that they would not be the same aircraft.

Middle East North Africa

• The US State Department has approved a $154.9 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Saudi Arabia. The deal includes the provision of five MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 Kits, equipment, training, and logistics support. The systems will be installed on Patrol Chaser Missile (PCG) Ships operated by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Eastern Fleet, as well as one going to the Naval Forces School. The Phalanx CIWS will give the ships greater defense capabilities against enemy anti-ship missiles.

• The delivery of 24 Pantsir-S1 air defense systems and missiles to Iraq from Russia has been completed. The systems were part of a wider defense package estimated to have been worth $4.2 billion with between 42-50 of the units on order. It remains unclear whether more will be delivered in future as part of the same or future deals, after Russian officials and businessmen met with top Iraqi officials last week in Baghdad to discuss oil, gas, and defense cooperation. The previous sale was met with some controversy as former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki almost cancelled the deal over allegations of corruption.

Europe

• A new project is underway to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) into asteroid busters. Russian scientists believe they can upgrade the missiles to be capable of destroying near-Earth asteroids 20-50 meters in size. They even have a potential target in the asteroid Apophis which is expected to come dangerously close to Earth in 2036. While exact funding, if any, has not yet been approved for the project, design works for the modernization have begun. One of the first issues revolves around fueling rockets which ordinarily begins ten days prior to their launch. Any ICBM needed to destroy such an asteroid would be required at much shorter notice.

Asia Pacific

• Analysts have recommended that Japan retain and upgrade its F-15J fleet in order for it to efficiently work alongside its newer F-35As. With its expensive F-2 program still a long way off, and budget constraints limiting the amount of F-35s Japan can procure per annum, alternative options need to be looked at. Citing its range, payload, and interoperability with the F-35s; investing scarce resources into increasing the life of the F-15 fleet and equipping them with AESA radars to counter threats from low flying cruise and ballistic missiles seems a prudent move. These missile threats are seen as a much more worrying threat to Japan’s safety than Chinese fighters.

Today’s Video

• North Korea announces its new KN-08 mobile ICBM unit:

Army Plans to Upcycle Their Strykers | Navy to Release RFP For CBARS Program FY2017 |F-16 FMS Sale to Pakistan up For Debate

Americas

• The US Army plans to upgun their 8×8 Stryker armored vehicles. The vehicles will be fitted with a 30mm automatic cannon, that comes with air-burst shells, for use in air defense activities. The gun would allow the vehicles to act as a mobile anti-aircraft gun, as the Army looks to increase capabilities of existing systems, while funds for any major programs are non-existent. The upgunning with the 30mm cannon was initially intended to destroy light-armored vehicles such as the Russian BMP, with the inclusion of the air-burst shells allowing for greater capabilities.

• Boeing is to decide whether or not they are to go ahead and self-fund the building of F/A-18 fighters, as production of the planes at their St. Louis plant has slowed from three planes a month to two. Delays in approval of the sale of 28 F/A-18s to Kuwait by the US Government has forced Boeing to consider investing hundreds of millions in order to maintain production rates for future sales of the fighter. The investment comes as the company faces job cuts, particularly in the commercial division, in addition to a federal investigation into whether it properly accounted for two jetliners, the 747 and 787. The deal with Kuwait is said to be worth approximately $3 billion to the company.

• A draft Request for Proposal (RFP) by the US Navy will be released this year for the Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS) program. A final RFP will be released in Fiscal Year 2017. Development of the CBARS program came out of the earlier Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program, with focus shifting from developing an aircraft from a lightly armed, information, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) unmanned aerial vehicle (that would orbit around the carrier strike group) into primarily an aerial refueling tanker. The CBARS will retain a limited strike capability in addition to an ISR role for the carrier with the Navy expecting to field the aircraft by the 2020s.

Middle East North Africa

• Iraq and Russia have commenced talks over increased cooperation in the gas, oil, and energy sectors as well as continuing military-technical. The Baghdad meetings included Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin alongside more than 100 Russian officials and businessmen. The talks may also see the Iraqi government discuss the procurement of a small batch of MiG-29M fighters, however, any specific numbers have been undisclosed. Back in 2012, both countries agreed on a $4.2 billion arms package for air-defense systems, helicopters and other various armaments.

• Following the delays in finalizing Kuwait’s Eurofighter fighter deal, Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah has said that contracts will be signed this week. Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti will visit Kuwait after both ministers discussed issues surrounding the deal during wider NATO talks over tackling the Islamic State in Brussels. With the deal originally planned to be finalized by the end of January, procedural delays over cost and training had put in doubt a deal being concluded any time soon.

Europe

• Belgium will issue a request for proposals (RFP) this summer for a replacement of its F-16A/B fleet. A decision on the new fighters is to be made in 2018, but an election due in 2019 will need to be taken into account. The new fighters will be brought into service by 2025 with competition expected from the usual offerings of the big five; Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed’s F-35 and the Saab Gripen. 36 new fighters are to be procured with $4 billion to be set aside for the purchases.

• Lockheed Martin is to perform mid-life upgrades to Greece’s P-3 Orion fleet. The US Navy awarded the $141 million modernization contract, which will provide an extension of service life by 15,000 flight hours. Four P-3Bs will undergo the structural mid-life upgrade, while Lockheed Martin also will reactivate one aircraft. Lockheed Martin will also provide for the inclusion of a Greek indigenous mission integration and management system, new avionics, and other ancillary hardware and services. The upgrades are to be completed by July 2019.

Asia Pacific

• Pakistan is to receive eight F-16s as the State Department approved the sale on Friday. The $699 million subsidized sale will see Islamabad get two C models and six D models of the fighter alongside 14 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS), eight AN/APG-68(V)9 radars, and eight ALQ-211(V)9 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS). But the sale has come under scrutiny from lawmakers. Republican Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker expressed his concern in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry. Corker stated that the Pakistani government’s provision of safety to militant groups such as the Haqqani Network, who operate extensively in destabilizing Afghanistan, did not warrant US taxpayers subsidizing arms sales to the country. However, he would not be opposed to the sale if Pakistan paid for the fighters themselves.

Today’s Video

• Russian Su-34 jets serving in Syria carrying Kh-35 anti-ship missiles:

Iraqi L-159 Pilots Complete Training in Czech Republic | Dreadnought 2050 to be Future of Naval Warfare | Army Taps AMEC to Support Aegis in Poland

Americas

• The head of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has played down reductions to the F-35A annual procurement quota to 48. Lt. Gen Christopher Bogden said that this would be upped to 60 units annually from fiscal 2018-2020. When adjusted for increased orders for the F-35B & F-35C procurement, the program will see 36 less F-35 aircraft procured overall between 2017-2021. Bogden has claimed however that the overall price per unit to the program will only increase fractionally by 1%. While warnings have been given that the forces aren’t modernizing quickly enough to counter Russia and China, the deferrals in production may come as a financial positive in the long run. With 20% of development testing yet to go in the program, reducing procurement at this stage will save on costly modernization of models produced in the next two years.

• A carpenter from West Virginia has managed to produce a 95% 3D printed submachine gun, the Shuty MP1. While the most important parts, such as the springs and firing pins, are either handmade or repurposed (the barrel comes from a glock), the stock, magazine, and upper and lower receivers are printed on a Fusion F306 3D printer using PLA material. What’s impressive is that the gun is a much more refined version of earlier incarnations with a rather successful firing capability. Shuty’s creator, who goes by the name of Derwood, has no plans to register the creation, citing the more do-it-yourself, off the grid type attitude.

Middle East North Africa

• The first group of Iraq’s L-159 fighter pilots have completed training in the Czech Republic. The training follows the sale of 15 of the combat aircraft by the Czech government to Baghdad last March as part of attempts by Prague to sell surplus stock and to showcase their export potential. Two were delivered in 2015 with three more expected to be delivered in the first half of this year. The $29.89 million sale came after an initial pitch to sell 28 of the aircraft fell through. The L-159s will be used by Iraq to increase attack capabilities in future missions against the Islamic State.

Europe

• The UK Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence have released plans for their future stealth warship dubbed the Dreadnought 2050. Named after the revolutionary Dreadnought warship launched in 1906 which represented a highpoint of British naval dominance during the era, the Dreadnought 2050 looks to become the future of naval warfare. Technological highlights of the program include a moon pool located at the stern, which is flooded to launch underwater rovers or divers, a drone launcher to launch 3D-printed and possibly on-demand unmanned aerial vehicles, and a permanently running quadcopter which provides the ship with 360-degree visibility. Furthermore, a silent propulsion system and a ballast system that lowers parts of the ship underwater will make the vessel harder to detect by radar.

• The US Army has awarded AMEC a $182.7 million contract with option to support the Aegis Ashore missile defense system in Poland. The contract comes as part of Phase III of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) program, which aims to boost land based missile defense systems for NATO allies against ballistic missile threats. The Polish installations will be placed to protect nations in northern Europe and follows the installation of an interceptor site in Romania during Phase II. The deployment of the Aegis systems will act as part of NATO’s forward deterrence policy in Europe in ally nations that border Russia.

Asia Pacific

• The Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Lakomov has said that his country may cooperate with Pakistan in its defense sector with a potential collaboration in joint-producing the Antonov An-225. This may lead to further cooperation in other areas, although in what capacity remains unknown. With orders of the cargo plane going to Iran and Egypt as well as a host of other potential clients, Ukraine may work with Pakistan as a regional partner for the plane’s renovation/modernization process to production. The increase in bilateral trade and development for Pakistan would add to the ongoing development being experienced via the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

• Iran looks to be negotiating a deal with Russia to license produce the Su-30 Super Flanker. The announcement was made by Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan during a recent television interview during which he also added that Tehran had rejected the idea of procuring the J-10 from China. Rumors of Iranian interest for purchasing 150 of the Chinese fighter surfaced in August, but were denied by Beijing. If a successful deal over the Su-30 can be made, Iran will be the first foreign nation to produce the latest Russian fighter locally.

• The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin was recently photographed while out for its first taxi test at Nagoya airport. After its unveiling to the public just last month, a maiden flight for the stealth demonstrator, formally known as the ATD-X, is just weeks away, bar any upcoming technical problems. The Shinshin, which means “spirit of the heart,” is Japan’s first foray into developing experimental stealth technologies and will form the basis for its fifth generation F-3 fighters planned for 2027.

Today’s Video

• Footage of the X-2 taxi test:

Nuke Modernization to Continue | US Clears Sale of Pegasus to Israel | India Planning $500M Buy with Rafael

Americas

• All nuclear modernization programs are to be kept on track in Fiscal Year 2017, with the Pentagon to spend roughly $3.2 billion on programs to modernize and recapitalize the service’s nuclear submarines, bombers, Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), and nuclear equipped cruise missiles. A small portion of this will also be kept for the development of nuclear capabilities of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), who are in charge of the development of nuclear warheads, have also requested $12.9 billion in funding. Those in favor of maintaining US nuclear deterrence capabilities will be happy with the news, however, the Arms Control Association has called the continuation of the nuclear spending trajectory as “divorced from reality.”

• The US Army’s fiscal budget for 2017 will see $148 billion made available, $23 billion of that going toward overseas contingency operations. As the force looks to increase its presence in Europe along with bolstering vehicle spending, cuts are being made to some modernization efforts and aviation procurement. The plan also sees continued reductions in active soldier, Nation Guard, and Army Reserve personnel, with this to continue in 2018. There will also be a greater troop presence in the US European Command as the 34,000 troops stationed there will be kept to aid European allies as part of a forward troop deterrence to Russia.

Middle East North Africa

• An Israeli news source has reported that the US government has cleared the sale for two of Boeing’s newest KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers to Israel via the security assistance package. The Pentagon had originally put a pause on selling new aircraft to Israel, initially offering them older models. However, Israel has been insisting on the latest multi-mission tanker with the deal only approved upon the completion of the nuclear deal with Iran. The tanker sale could have become a point of contention for Tehran as its specs allow for a range of 7,350 miles with in-flight refueling. With an average price tag of $188 million each, the addition of Israeli system modifications will see each aircraft cost a quarter of a billion dollars.

• The Emir of Qatar will witness a display of the PAF JF-17 fighters as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visits the country this week. A contingent from the Pakistan Air Force are in Doha preparing for the display, as Sharif, along with a high-level delegation, visits to commence a series of diplomatic talks. Areas where both Qatar and Pakistan may improve bilateral relations include energy cooperation, trade and investment, employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar, and in various defense related fields. While a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, an order for the JF-17 may be a bit premature as Qatar awaits the long delayed deal of Rafale fighters from Dassault.

Europe

• As NATO Ministerial meetings kicked off yesterday, the UK is sending five extra ships to the Baltic as part of a wider NATO build-up against Russia. The news comes as NATO members are moving to implement a deterrence strategy involving an increased forward presence of multi-national forces in countries that are deemed potentially vulnerable to future Russian aggression. While an agreement with Russia prevents NATO from deploying its troops along Russia’s borders, it is getting around this by having troops train in eastern Europe on a rotational basis, which in effect is almost the same thing. The US has also pledged $3.4 billion to the European Reassurance Initiative with half of that going to be spent on pre-positioning of tanks, artillery, and other equipment on a 24/7 rotational basis.

• Saab has announced a 15% growth in sales for 2015 alongside a record order backlog. Production requests from Brazil for 36 Gripen fighters and from the UAE for new-generation airborne early warning (AEW) systems resulted in $3.2 billion being added to the Swedish manufacturers coffers. The UAE deal to provide two Bombardier Global 6000s equipped for AEW, ground, and maritime surveillance capabilities was deemed especially important, as the company hopes it will lead to more sales of their AEW systems to other countries. However, all this good news may be soured, as Brazilian prosecutors plan to reopen the corruption case involving Brazil’s acquisition of the Gripen fighters amid new evidence.

Asia Pacific

• A deal to buy Su-35S Super Flankers will be signed by Indonesia’s defense minister next month when he visits Moscow. General Ryamizard Ryacudu said they would buy ten of the aircraft after it was initially reported that Jakarta would look to buy 16 to replace their fleet of fleet of Northrop F-5Es. His visit to Russia will also include discussions over pilot training and knowledge transfers as well as talks on increasing cooperation in defense, drug trafficking and counter terrorism.

• India looks set to agree to a large defense systems deal with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems worth $500 million. New Delhi is expected to give approval to the deal with Israel within the month, which will include Rafael’s next generation Litening 5 targeting pods and Spice 250 precision-guided bombs. The Litening 5 can detect targets from long range, and support intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance activities. Unlike its predecessors, the light-weight Spice 250 munitions is supplied as a complete system, enabling fighters to carry an increased payload rather than as a kit to be attached to “dumb” munitions. The equipment will most likely to be used on India’s Su-30 fighters.

Today’s Video

• The Yak-130 firing two R-73 air-to-air missiles:

Finmeccanica’s “Falcon Shield” Takes on Errant Drones | Elbit Unveils “Seagull” Anti-Submarine System | Philippines to Increase Surveillance Capabilities

Americas

• Mini-UAVs causing a nuisance? Well Finmeccanica may have found a solution that has the ability to find, fix, track, identify, and defeat threats from small UAVs that end up where they shouldn’t. Dubbed “Falcon Shield”, the system combines radar, infrared search and track, a high-performance electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera, and acoustic sensors to identify and track a mini drone. The Falcon Shield operator can then take control of the drone and either destroy or capture it by using a non-kinetic electronic attack capability. The system is currently being pitched to customers within the US Department of Defense, and may come as a potential alternative to the use of actual eagles recently trialed in the Netherlands.

• A drive to speed up the development of electronic warfare capabilities has been brought about by two US senators. The Electronic Warfare Enhancement Act is being brought to the floor by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and comes a year after the Pentagon announced a group called the Electronic Warfare Executive Committee, which is focused on innovations and strategies in electronic warfare across the entire Defense Department. The bill aims to cut through the red tape at the DoD, as it will require the committee to supply Congress with a strategic plan for enhancing its electronic warfare capabilities, through cross-service cooperation, streamlining acquisitions, and improving training and advancing offensive capabilities.

• US Navy baseline funding is to drop by 3.5% for Fiscal Year 2017 to $152.9 billion from $159.9 last year. The dip in funding is expected to last only one year, with funding expected to increase again in FY 2018 to $159.7 billion. Fiscal pressures have resulted in budget readjustments that will see fewer vessels bought, and uniformed personnel decreased. The Navy will also see the permanent elimination of a tenth carrier air wing and four aviation squadrons, and a new request to take seven cruisers out of service in 2017 to undergo modernization. The change in congressional directives and fiscal planning is aimed at making substantial savings for new long term modernization goals.

• Last week, NASA astronaut Richard Arnold visited the families and staff of the Meggitt Sensing Systems at their facility in Irvine, Calif. Arnold’s visit was in recognition of the efforts made by both Meggit and Boeing in their contributions towards supplying mission-critical technologies for NASA‘s new heavy-lift rocket for deep space exploration. Boeing is responsible for the design, development, test, and production of NASA’s Space Launch System’s (SLS) core stages and chose Meggit to supply sensors for the system. Their IEPE sensors will be used to ensure the accuracy and reliability necessary in this and future space missions.

Middle East North Africa

• Elbit Systems has unveiled a prototype for an unmanned system to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions known as the “Seagull”. Developed with input from both the Israeli Navy and Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the vessel is apparently capable of complementing or even replacing expensive, manpower-intensive frigates or aircraft currently used to hunt submarines at sea. As well as anti-submarine capablilties, the Seagull is equipped with a modular mine countermeasures (MCM) suite, which includes dipping sonars and robotics to identify and neutralize undersea threats without risking manpower.

Europe

• MBDA has started deliveries of a number of Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air missiles (ASRAAM) to the US for integration on the UK’s F-35B fighters. The ASRAAMs will be the first British built missiles to be used on the jet, and will be used during test flights and air launches later this year. The missile can be seen in use on the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoons and Panavia Tornados. The British contribution to the manufacture of the F-35 program stands at about 15% of every fighter, with BAE Systems responsible for the production of the aircraft’s horizontal and vertical tails, aft fuselage, and wing tips. 138 F-35Bs will be bought for use by the RAF and Royal Navy.

• Finland has approved the purchase of missiles for its 22 recently upgraded Lockheed Martin M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs). 90 M31A1 Unitary Missiles and 150 M30A1 Alternative Warhead Missiles are expected to be delivered at a cost of $78.4 million. The Finnish Ministry of Defense had initially set a maximum budget of $150 million for the acquisition when their procurement intentions were made known last November. Deliveries of the warheads are expected to be completed by 2018. Finland, along with other Baltic and Nordic allies, are in the midst of major missile defense and equipment acquisitions, as fears regarding Russia’s military capabilities continue to be reported. NATO recently announced that the Russian air force had successfully simulated a mock nuclear attack of Swedish installations during war games in 2013.

Asia Pacific

• The Philippines have announced the purchase of three ELM-2288 radar defense and air traffic control radars from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) subsidiary Elta Systems. The $56 million deal had initially been agreed upon in December 2015, but is only being announced now. A rapidly deployed medium range and fixed site extended range variant of the system are available; with the Philippine Air Force most likely to be gaining the latter. The radars will go toward increasing surveillance capabilities of territory in the South China Sea, and to compliment the capabilities of the recently acquired KAI FA-50PH light fighters. The Korean made planes are equipped with Elta Systems ELM-2032 multi-mode airborne fire control radar.

Today’s Video

• Elbit System’s unmanned ASW Seagull system:

Long Reach: Finland’s Long-Range Rocket Launchers

ATACMS firing

Finland is busy modernizing its forces within its limited budgets, from air defense upgrades to new stealthy cruise missiles and upgrades for its F/A-18 Hornet fighters. In June 2012, the Finns convinced the US State Department to issue its formal request to buy long-range ATACMS missiles, which are able to work with Finland’s newly-upgraded M270 tracked MLRS rocket launchers.

American 227mm MLRS systems offer shorter reach than Russia’s 300mm SMERCH-M rocket launchers, for now. By replacing a box of 6 MLRS rockets with a single Army TACMS missile, however, the equation changes dramatically.

USAF Launches Final GPS IIF | Italian Made F-35A First to Complete Transatlantic Xing | S. Korea to Talk THAAD System With US

Americas

• The final block of the USAF’s Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite has been launched, finally paving the way for the start of the next generation’s long overdue GPS III. The GPS IIF-12 satellite will join dozens of other satellites launched over the last 27 years as part of the GPS Block II program. News of the launch follows days after Lockheed Martin was awarded a $94 million contract modification, providing contingency operations for GPS III satellites, ahead of the USAF’s Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) program being put in place. With no announced schedule to have GPS III satellites launched in the near future, air force officials have said the GPS IIF-12 is expected to bridge gaps and improve on existing capabilities. Back in December, Air Force Space Commander Gen. John Hyten called the OCX program “a disaster” after reports of cyber-security concerns, ballooning costs and constant delays.

• Testing of the Q-53 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System in June 2015 has shown the radar is having difficulty detecting volley-fired mortars. While the second initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) found the system effective against single-fired rockets, artillery, and mortar munitions, it was unable to handle the detection of more than one munition fired at the same time, according to Michael Gilmore’s annual Operational Test & Evaluation report. The radar also struggled to identify the difference between a mortar, a rocket, and artillery. The Army, however, has stated that the radars have been working well in operational environments, and plans are to increase performance in high clutter environments with development and integration of software upgrades in 2019, with more testing planned for 240 mm and 122 mm munitions not assessed in previous tests.

Middle East North Africa

• Turkish officials have announced the maiden flight of its Anka medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV. The UAV has been in development by Tusas Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) since 2013 and is their first indigenous design in aerospace. The drone took part in a four-hour exploration and observation flight over Turkey’s eastern Elazig province. The choice of flying over Turkey’s east is said to be strategic, as the Turkish military takes on the forces of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PPK) in the eastern and southeastern border regions. Violence restarted in July after the break down of peace talks, and most recently has seen Turkish military operations around the Kurdish majority town of Cizre.

Europe

• Polish media outlets have fueled rumors that the government has seemingly scrapped the $3 billion to purchase 50 Caracel EC725 from Airbus. Rzeczpospolita daily reported that the government’s right-wing Euro-sceptic Law & Justice (PiS) party would only buy a handful of EC725s. Instead, they would look towards buying the bulk of the new procurement from the preferred choice of either Black Hawks from Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky or AugustaWestland’s AW149. Both Sikorsky and AugustaWestland have Polish subsidiaries capable of manufacturing their subsequent helicopters. Airbus Helicopters have denied the claims, however, stating “The only true information is that talks with the Economy Ministry continue and that we are ready to support our Polish partners”.

• The first Italian-made, flown and supported F-35A has become the first in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program to complete a transatlantic crossing. The AL-1 took off from Portugal’s Azores islands and reached Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River in Maryland seven hours later after flying 2,000nm. The fighter was flown by former Panavia Tornado pilot, Maj Gianmarco who has accumulated over 80 hours of flight time in the aircraft since graduating to fly the F-35A type in November. Refueling of the jet also took place supported by an Italian crew manning a KC-767 tanker with Gianmarco noting a 100% success rate on all occasions.

Asia Pacific

• Following some initial reservations over the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, South Korea is to begin talks with the US over installing the system. Fears held by some in Seoul that a THAAD system on the Korean peninsula would anger China seem to have been alleviated by Sunday’s rocket launch by North Korea. The rocket was apparently launched to send a satellite into orbit and follows last month’s nuclear test which has garnered condemnation from the international community. This combination of testing has increased fears of Pyongyang’s development of inter-continental ballistic missile technology. Any THAAD system would be paid for by the US, with one battery costing around $1.3 billion.

• China’s $2 billion deal with Russia to purchase 24 of the latest Su-35 Super-Flankers have apparently been bought to compare with their own J-11. The Carnegie Moscow Center says the purchase, which will help the Chinese drive for more power in the Taiwan Strait, will also be looked at to assess the progress and development of J-11. China’s J-11 fighter program has hit some problems affecting potential exports. It is likely the Su-35 will act as a guide, showing the Russian approach to problem solving in stealth technology, making it easier to further enhance the capabilities of Chinese aviation. While fears of reverse engineering and theft of intellectual property by China was a potential roadblock to the deal, it’s believed the sale will improve exports to foreign markets with Indonesia expected to be the next buyer.

• Another milestone was made last Friday for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter. The Indian jet successfully test fired a Derby Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) for the first time in a non-intercept mode, as part of a series of weapons trials needed to gain Final Operational Clearance (FOC). The trials will also see the Close Combat Missile (CCM) Python-5 missile tested. The Tejas’ weapons system will also include Paveway and Griffin Laser Guided Bombs (LBGs), the Russian made R-73 missile and Gsh-23 gun.

Today’s Video

• The AL-1 arrival at NAS Patuxent River Naval Air Station:

Brazil’s Gripen Acquisition Still Under Contention | Belarus Plans to Replace Mig-29s with Su-30s | Japanese Observers Saw NK Missile Break in Pieces

Americas

• The US Department of Defense will acquire 404 F-35 fighters over the next five years. That number is a decrease of 5-7% on last year’s plan. The order will see $40 billion in revenue going to manufacturer Lockheed Martin and engine maker Pratt & Whitney. The deviation from last year’s plan comes as the Pentagon is shifting orders away from models ordered for the Air Force instead giving preference to the Navy & Marine Corps models. The coming years will see a total of 2,457 F-35s spread around all three military branches.

• The case involving alleged corruption over Brazil’s acquisition of 36 Saab Gripen fighters is to be reopened by prosecutors. The $5.4 billion purchase had been subject to an investigation by authorities last April, but collapsed due to lack of evidence in September. Federal authorities, however, have said that they will reopen the investigation into the deal since new evidence came to light during an investigation into tax fraud. The first of the jets are scheduled to be delivered in early 2018.

Middle East North Africa

• Kuwait’s delayed signing of a deal to buy 28 Eurofighters was caused by the country’s State Audit Bureau. The Bureau’s approval is needed for any sale to go through with auditors requesting information from Finmeccanica and Eurofighter on technical support, training, spare parts and the construction of support facilities. The $8.9 billion deal was supposed to be signed on January 31 with visiting Italian officials, but further delays to any deal seem likely. Discussions between parliament and the Bureau are still ongoing, with disagreements also over the price of the deal, most of which will go to Finmeccania. While Boeing’s F/A Super Hornets were the initial choice by the Air Force, US delays in approval have increasingly become a bone of contention for Gulf nations awaiting military hardware.

• A North African country is to receive 50 MiG-29M/M2 with deputy director general of Rosoboronexport, Alexey Beskibalov, calling it the largest contract in the history of military-technical cooperation. While not mentioning the country involved, he did say the contract was signed in April 2015. This would coincide with reports of Egypt agreeing to buy 46 of the fighters in a deal worth around $2 billion. The first two of the 4th generation fighters are set to be shipped later this year.

• Egyptian Navy crews have arrived in France to prepare for the delivery of two Mistral helicopter carriers due in June and September. Training will continue until the end of March. The French built vessels, which had been originally destined for Russia, have subsequently had their communications equipment replaced with Egyptian systems. In a separate deal, Egypt will purchase navalized versions of the Ka-52K attack helicopter designed for the Russian purchase. With the initial sale to Moscow billed at around $1.3 billion, Egypt has enjoyed a slight reduction, purchasing the vessels for $1 billion.

Europe

• BAE Systems Striker II helmet-mounted display (HMD) is nearing the end of development after completing a flight-test campaign to validate its integrated night vision capability. The Striker II was developed as an alternative system for the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter, but was subsequently dropped in favour of the original Vision Systems International design. It subsequently has been qualified on the Eurofighter Typhoon but is still awaiting on receiving a production contract. BAE still remains confident in picking up future contracts as it’s adopted by fighters while continuing in to look at incorporating new technologies such as eye tracking, blink control, and medical, sport and neurological technology.

• Belarus has concluded a preliminary deal to purchase Su-30 fighters from Russia’s Irkut Corporation. The new jets will replace the Belarussian Air Force’s aging MiG-29s after reports in October 2015 stating the deal could be done by 2020. Some of the MiG-29s have been in service for nearly 30 years with fleet renewal becoming a more cost effective method than constant maintenance. The Su-30 will also allow for much greater operational capabilities including increased range and targeting abilities. Belarus remains one of Russia’s only allies in eastern Europe as more former Communist-era states are increasing their military capabilities with NATO.

Asia Pacific

• Yesterday’s launching of a long-range rocket on Sunday has drawn condemnation from the international community with the UN Security Council vowing fresh sanctions. Pyongyang claimed that the rocket was for the purpose of placing a satellite in orbit, however critics believe it may have been a ballistic missile test. The launch follows a spate of recent testing, including last month’s nuclear test, and a failed attempt at a Submarine launched ballistic missile in December. Japanese observations of the launch, which saw the rocket fly over their airspace, said that the rocket broke into five parts in various places in the Yellow Sea, west of the Korean peninsula and the East China Sea. No interceptor was fired by Japanese forces.

Today’s Video

• The latest ad from Northrop Grumman introducing the 6th Generation fighter concept:

USAF to Become the Agents of SHiELD | Pentagon: Multi-Billion Investment in Tomahawks and SM-6 | UK MoD Buying Zephyr Solar Planes

Americas

• The USAF is considering defensive lasers for future fighters such as the F-35 and F-22, along with future bombers from 2021. A Request For Information (RFI) notice posted by the US Air Force Research Laboratory is looking for market information for a podded laser weapon system that can destroy missiles directed at stealth fighters and bombers. The search for an advanced laser, referred to as the Self-protect High-Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) program would be significantly more powerful than current-generation self-protection capabilities and potentially burn or otherwise disable infrared and radar-guided missiles at high speeds.

• The Pentagon is to invest in the development of Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles which will be capable of hitting moving vessels. $2 billion has been requested for the purchase of 4,000 Tomahawk missiles with manufacturer Raytheon. Raytheon has invested in a multi-modal seeker that would allow the missiles to hit moving targets so that missiles may be adapted from land missiles into anti-ship missiles. A further $2.9 billion will also be made available for the purchase of 650 SM-6 interceptors as well, to advance them to become anti-ship missiles for the first time. This will allow the SM-6 to operate in an offensive capability instead of operating solely as an anti-ballistic weapon.

• USAF orders of the F-35A jet will drop from forty-eight to forty-three in Fiscal Year 2017. However, the budget will include increased money to purchase ten additional F-35C models for the Navy and three F-35B models for the Marines over what had been planned. It’s unclear whether the total number of total aircraft to be procured under the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program will decrease overall. The move has not been too surprising as analysts and government officials have hinted that changes to JSF procurement could change. The cutting of the F-35As in 2017 is expected to free up millions in savings over the next several years.

Middle East North Africa

• Turkey may look to purchase four more airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft as part of an add-on option to an existing $1.6 billion order. With the original order placed in 2003, the last of four of the aircraft was delivered last December, after initial delivery was planned for 2008. Amid rising security issues along Turkey’s borders, after the eruption of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, and increased tensions with country’s like Russia, it is likely that more of the spy planes may be bought to help with reconnaissance and battle management operations. If the procurement is to go ahead, the planes would be bought under Ankara’s next 10-year procurement plan currently being drafted.

Europe

• The UK plans to buy two unmanned solar-powered aircraft, known as Zephyrs, which are capable of carrying small payloads that might consist of reconnaissance cameras or communications equipment. The Zephyrs hold the absolute endurance record for un-refuelled aeroplanes staying up for 336 hours, 22 minutes and eight seconds. Developed in the UK by QinetiQ, the technology has been recently bought and marketed by Airbus with the MoD’s vote of confidence expected to lead to an increase in sales. High altitude, solar powered planes have often been used for civilian purposes by companies like Google and Facebook to deliver broadband to locations that lack fixed-line connections.

• Former Communist-era jets and helicopters used by the Albanian Air Force are to go under the hammer later this month. The Chinese and Soviet Union built aircraft include 10 Mig-19s, six Mig-21s, six Yak-18s and four Mi-4 helicopters. They will be auctioned off in the capital Tiriana with the total value estimated at $483,000. Albania’s defense ministry has said that they only have historic value, and are for civilian purposes with expressed interest coming from museums and private collectors in Europe and the US. After seeing pictures showing the state of some of them, one would hope no one has ambitions to put them to military use as Albania says goodbye to relics of its past.

• Finland’s former prime minister has given his backing to the Saab Gripen as the jet of choice to replace the Finnish Air Force’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet. Matti Vanhanen stated his support for the Swedish aircraft in a book published this week mentioning the deepening defense cooperation between the two countries. While the government has yet to state any preference between the Gripen, Dassault’s Rafale, Boeing’s Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, Vanhanen acts as a close advisor to current Prime Minister Juha Sipila. With a final decision not to be chosen until the 2020s, the Gripen looks to be gaining the early lead in a procurement that could range between $5-11 billion. While both Sweden and Finland are non-aligned nations, increased cooperation between them, Baltic, and other Nordic states are bringing them into closer cooperation with NATO.

Asia Pacific

• Chief of US Naval Operations, John Richardson, has said talks with India over development of New Delhi’s next aircraft carrier are progressing well. US assistance will mostly come in the form of providing new electromagnetic launch technology that will enable the navy to fly heavier planes from a carrier, and is set to become the biggest military collaboration between the two countries. The vessel, to be India’s third, will be their biggest one yet, and the third to be inducted into the Indian Navy. It will join the Russian made INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously produced INS Vikrant, which will enter service between 2018-2019 and will patrol the waters in the Indian Ocean. Increased naval activity from China in the region has worried both countries, and India has been bulking up their fleet with a dozen new submarines, six of them nuclear-powered and has more than 40 warships which are under construction.

Today’s Video

• The Zephyr UAS to be bought by the UK: