Gen-3 Helmet for F-35 Expected for 2017 Rollout | Qatar Signs Deal with France for 24 Rafales | Several Middle East Countries Express Interest in Russia’s Su-34

Americas

• The Pentagon’s joint program office (JPO) is expecting a slimmed down Gen-3 helmet by November for rollout in 2017. The announcement makes the Rockwell Collins design’s introduction sooner than initially expected. Earlier versions of the helmet were revised due to a potential for causing neck injury. Problems with the F-35’s ejector system had resulted in potential injuries for lightweight pilots, however fixes have been made including a switch on the Martin Baker US16E (MK16) ejection seat that delays the parachute’s opening “by milliseconds” when occupied by a lightweight pilot, plus a head support panel sewn between the parachute risers. However, a weight reduction for the third-generation helmet from 2.3kg (5.1lb) to 2.1kg (4.6lb) has also been required.

• Negotiations between Venezuela and Russia over a deal for 12 Su-30 have come to conclusion. Moscow has sent an offer for the sale, and an answer is expected shortly according to Anatoly Punchuk, deputy head of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had announced his intention to purchase the aircraft last November. The fighters will fill a multitude of roles, including anti-drug trafficking missions, particularly against those coming from neighboring Colombia.

Middle East North Africa

• A $7.5 billion deal between Qatar and France has concluded, with Qatar to purchase 24 Rafale fighters alongside MBDA missiles, and training for 36 pilots and some 100 mechanics.The deal had been initially estimated to be $6.9 billion, but extra cruise missile orders pushed up the price. The contracts were signed by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Khalid Al-Attiah, on the opening day of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference. Despite this, the UK’s defence minister stated that a deal with Qatar to sell them Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes was “definitely still on the table” when speaking in Doha on Tuesday.

Europe

• Russian military action in Syria seems to have been a good advertisement for the Su-34, as a number of Middle East countries have expressed interest in acquiring the fighter. The news was broken by Rosoboronexport official Sergey Goreslavsk on Tuesday at the Defexpo India-2016. As well as countries from the Middle East, potential negotiations have started with a number of countries from Latin America and Africa, although he refused to name any of the buyers. While Goreslavsk is keeping mum on who is interested, the next few weeks may bring out some of the usual suspects of regular buyers of Russian weaponry.

Africa

• A weakening Rand, and a 10% defense budget cut may see the South African Air Force retire some of its current Gripen or Hawk jet aircraft. The defense cut coupled with the decrease in currency value has come as a double blow; affecting replacement parts for military jets as they are paid in either dollars, or in the case of the British built Hawks, in pound sterling. SAAF efforts to cut down on costs have seen five Hawk jets scrapped for parts, three of which were grounded after accidents. Furthermore, of the 24 Hawks initially acquired, there are only seven qualified pilots, while of the 26 Gripens in use (half of which are in storage), there are only five qualified pilots to operate the aircraft.

Asia Pacific

• This week, it’s been all about India! Thales and BEL-Thales Systems Limited (BTSL), the joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Thales, have signed a partnership agreement for the joint development of the PHAROS fire control radar. The deal was finalized at this year’s Defexpo India. PHAROS is a tracking radar for gun and missile control which provides defense against small, fast moving and highly maneuverable air and surface targets.

• Vladimir Drozhzhov, deputy director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) has told reporters flocking to Defexpo that they are awaiting a response from India on their potential purchase of the S-400 air-defense system. The contract could potentially cost $6 billion, according to local media sources, after New Delhi initially approved the purchase at the end of 2015.

• Saab and India’s Tata Power SED have joined forces to manufacture the Land Electronic Defense System (LEDS). The agreement marks the first time that the system will be produced in India, but more significantly, the first time it has been produced outside of South Africa. Before now, the system was produced by Saab’s South African subsidiary, Saab Grintek Defence, but now will have the Indian LEDS 50 units initially manufactured at Tata Power SED’s eleven-acre manufacturing facility in Bangalore.

  Today’s Video

  • Russian Army training in the Arctic:

Venezuela Buying Su-30s, Helicopters, etc. From Russia

Su-30, armed

There have been a series of reports from a number of sources that Venezuela has finalized a deal with Russian arms manufacturers. Those reports have now shifted the total from $1 billion to around $3 billion, and expand its focus beyond Su-30MK2 (Mnogofunktzionniy Komercheskiy 2-seat) long-range multi-role fighters and various Russian helicopters to include other equipment as well. The final deal is reportedly still being negotiated.

Russian deals are extremely non-transparent, and often there are conflicting reports with no official confirmation of announced reports or additional details released. Based on news reports from various sources, however, here’s what DID can tell you about the likely shape of the deal and the nature of the equipment in question, aside from the USA’s predictably futile requests that Russia not go through with the sale.

DID’s coverage today includes updated information regarding the deal, and adds sources that have emerged sicce this article was first published on July 24, 2006. The latest news is the claimed crash of a Mi-35 – but DID explains why that story may be problematic…

• Venezuela-Russia 2006: Deal, Updated
  
• The Fighters: Sukhoi’s Su-30MK2s
  
• The Helicopters: Plans for 33 Coming to Fruition?
  
• Venezuela-Russia 2006: Follow-on Events & Milestones [NEW]
  
• Appendix A: DID Analysis & Op/Ed (July 31/06)
  

GAO Report on UCLASS Sees Progress on CBARS | French Navy Seizes Somalia Bound Weapons Cache | 490 Participants, 47 Countries Attend Defexpo India 2016

Americas

• Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC and Chemring Military Products were awarded a $750 million firm-fixed-price contract for non-standard ammunition and non-standard mortar weapon systems. The contract was awarded by the US Army on Monday, with an estimated completion time of March 27, 2021 with the potential for foreign military sales. Other munition contracts awarded include a $30.3 million contract for Olin Corp to provide 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and .50-caliber ammunition. The ammunition is expected to be delivered by September 30, 2017.

• The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published its annual report on the the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program, as authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. By analyzing the DOD budget for FY 2017 and speaking to program officials, the GAO found that the U.S. Navy has begun to develop modifications to existing shipboard systems to support the UCLASS’ latest iteration – Carrier Based Aerial Refueling System (CBARS). As with the UCLASS program, CBARS will include an air system segment, an aircraft carrier segment, and a control system and connectivity segment.

Middle East North Africa

• A resolution has been agreed upon by a number of Arab and African governments to bolster counter-terrorism cooperation. 27 states agreed to the measures at a meeting of defense ministers in Egypt. The resolution, which will be presented to presidents of the members of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), emphasized intelligence sharing and joint border patrols. A number of the bloc’s members have been battling Islamist militants, while some territories have been taken control of by the Islamic State.

• Vectrus Systems Corp. has been awarded a $329.4 million contract to provide Kuwait base operations and security support. Work will be performed in Kuwait, and will reach its completion on December 28, 2016. The US Army currently operates four military installations in Kuwait including Camp Arifjan, located south of the capital, Kuwait City.

Africa

• Angola has received four Mi-17Sh helicopters. The helicopters were delivered by Russian Helicopters using an An-124 Russian transport aircraft. The new Mi-17Shs add to four already in use by Angola in their armed services, and have been equipped with modern flight controls and navigation equipment, weather radar, recuse hoists, and internal fuel tanks that increase their range to 1,065 km.

• The French Navy has seized a large weapons cache on board a dhow in the northern Indian Ocean. Discovery of the weapons was made by the navy’s helicopter during a routine maritime security and counter terrorism surveillance in the area. Personnel on board the French destroyer FS Provence boarded the dhow on seeing that the dhow had no indicators of nationality. Among the weapons found were several hundred AK47 assault rifles, machine guns, and anti-tank weapons. It’s believed that the weapons were bound for Islamist militants in Somalia.

Asia Pacific

• A record number of companies are participating in this week’s Defexpo India 2016, the ninth in the series of biennial Land, Naval and Internal Homeland Security Systems Exhibitions. Over 1,000 domestic and foreign defense companies are attending the exhibition which runs until Thursday, March 31. US-based companies will be the largest participant at Defexpo, with 93 participants, followed by Russia, with 71. Additionally, companies based in France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, South Korea and the UK will join the 490 foreign participants from 47 countries.

• A report published by the Jamestown Foundation has investigated China’s recent deployment of an HQ-9 air defense unit on Woody Island in the South China Sea. The deployment is part of a larger effort to consolidate the country’s position in the South China Sea, furthering the “tactical significance [of the deployment] increases when deployed in combination with other anti-access, area denial (A2/AD) weapons.” Similar to the Russian S-300, the HQ-9s have been on the island since February, and are seen as threatening “the safety of U.S. surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft that may pass by the islands, such as the U.S. Navy’s P-3 or P-8 patrol planes.”

Today’s Video

• Spanish Eurofighter and Russian Su-27 escort Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s plan over the Baltic:

JLTV Costs Drop Significantly | F-35 On Publicity Tour This Summer | NATO Cmdr Suggests U-2 Surveillance on Russia

Americas

• The US Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program (JLTV) will cost significantly less than initially expected, according to a a recent Pentagon Selected Acquisition Report (SAR). The program’s cost is to drop about $6 billion, over 19 percent, from $30.6 billion to $24.7 billion. Breaking down the savings, $3.7 billion goes in realized savings, $1.3 billion in adjustments due to a stretched out procurement, and $550 million due to a changed methodology in estimating technical data package costs, among a few other factors.

• Orbital ATK is to keep producing AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) multi-mode seekers until 2023. The extended orders were made by the US Navy, which requires 556 additional units. The addition, among some other changes, has caused a bump in the program’s cost by $484.8 million to over $2 billion. Jointly developed by the USA and Italy, the missile modification aims to improve the effectiveness of legacy Raytheon AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) variants against fixed and relocatable enemy radar and communications sites, particularly those that shut down to throw off incoming anti-radiation missiles.

• USAF stockpiles of smart munitions and bombs are being “loaned” to coalition partners currently taking part in air sorties against Islamic State territories in Iraq and Syria. The coalition, which includes Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, have been taking from the stockpiles as needed, and have been “using those weapons well” according to Lt. Gen. John Raymond, deputy chief of staff for operations at Headquarters Air Force. Raymond said the U.S. gets reimbursed for the “leasing” of its bombs, but did not specify if the reimbursement was monetary, or if partners and allies in the fight against ISIS have a trade agreement of some sort.

• Despite the delays, spiraling costs, and cynics, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has gone on a global publicity tour to win over hearts and minds for the fifth-generation stealth aircraft. Two planes due for the Netherlands are expected in June, so that they “can tell their story.” This is followed by American and UK planes performing at UK’s Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough Airshow in July. The program has been questioned by several nations, including Australia where their Senate is leading an inquiry into the planned acquisition of up to 72 conventional A-models. The inquiry will report its findings on 29 June.

Middle East North Africa

• Turkey is expecting delivery of its ordered CH-47F heavy transport helicopters as the platform has made its maiden flight recently at Boeing’s Philadelphia facilities. The first five deliveries will go to the army, and the sixth to the Turkish General Staff command. Others, including one VIP modification for the presidential office, will be used by the Turkish Special Forces. Developed in the 1960s, the CH-47 has been exported to Australia, Britain, Canada, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.

Europe

• General Philip Breedlove, the head of US forces in Europe, and Nato’s supreme allied commander, has recommended the deployment of a U-2 spy plane in order to keep Russia in check. Breedlove’s comments came as he stressed the need for “additional intelligence collection platforms” to effectively counter an increased threat posed by Moscow, after decades of downgrading of American military assets in the region. Intelligence gathering capabilities needed by America’s European Command, EUCOM, to bolster their surveillance platforms, are seen as vital to assist the increased collection requirements on the continent. The plane’s ability to use its powerful cameras and sensor arrays would allow NATO to “peer” into hostile territory from an operating altitude of 70,000ft.

• Allegations of corruption surrounding Croatia’s repair of seven and purchase of five MiG-21 jets has resulted in Ukraine offering to buy back the aircraft if any wrong doing is proven. Ukraine’s ambassador in Zagreb, Oleksandr Levchenko made the offer, saying that his country was prepared to buy back the 12 jets as it is “defending its independence,” while “in a war, any weapon is welcome.” The 12 plane deal is said to be in the region of $15.6 million.

Asia Pacific

• India is to start a new procurement policy, Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016, in an initiative geared toward the theme of partnership with Indian defense companies and not mere purchase of weapons. The new policy was announced at this years Defexpo India exhibition in Goa. Under the new DPP, top priority will be given to a new category of procurement known as Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacturing (IDDM) followed by Buy (Indian), Buy and Make (Indian), and Buy and Make (Global) with the last priority Buy (Global) category. The last priority category, Buy (Global) will require foreign companies to transfer technology for providing maintenance infrastructure to India as New Delhi continues to gear its procurement of weapons systems to eventual indigenization.

Today’s Video

• Final flight of the British Royal Navy’s Sea King Mk 4 helicopter:

F-35 Service Life Extended to 2070 | $33B in Weapons Sales to GCC Over 11 Months | US State Dept Approves Sale of P-A8’s to UK

Americas

• F-35s are going to be in the sky longer than expected with their service life now extended to 2070. After military branches made tweaks to the number of flight hours their fleets should log before retirement, it was announced that the program may be extended for an additional six years. Between all military branches operating the aircraft, a total of 1.6 million flight hours have been added, which will boost the operating and support (O&S) costs by $45 billion over the 2015 estimate (hiding the 2-4% drop in real 0&S costs over the life of the program).

• Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have been awarded “not-to-exceed” contracts by the USAF for $60 and $70 million respectively. The award is for both companies to further develop their competing long-range, wide-area surveillance radars systems as part of the Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) program. One supplier will then be selected in either late 2017 or early 2018 to supply 17 units, to be attached to 17 yet-to-be-determined business jets built by one of three competing suppliers – Gulfstream, Bombardier or Boeing.

Middle East North Africa

• In the last 11 months, the US State Department has facilitated more than $33 billion in weapon sales to the six Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC). Armaments and weapon systems received since May 2015 include ballistic missile defense capabilities, attack helicopters, advanced frigates, and anti-armor missiles. This also included the delivery of 4500 precision-guided munitions, 1500 of which came out of US military stocks as the Gulf nations continue military intervention in Yemen and Syria. However, delays in approval of sales of 40 F/A-18 Super Hornets and 72 F-15 Silent Eagles to Qatar and Kuwait have cause some friction. It’s believed that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lodged concerns about the weapons sales to Arab Gulf countries, although those concerns are more heavily focused on denying Qatar the F-15s than on Kuwait.

Europe

• The UK’s planned purchase of 9 P-8A Poseidon aircraft has been approved by the US State Department. The $3.2 billion sale was a top priority for the British government with the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) saying the aircraft “will enhance Britain’s capabilities to provide national defense and contribute to NATO and coalition operations.” The UK’s intention to purchase the aircraft was made last November in order to help the UK protect its nuclear deterrent and fill a gap left by a much-criticized decision to scrap the Nimrod spy-plane program in 2010.

• Ilyushin Aviation Complex has announced that the IL-78M-90A aerial refueling tanker will be released and conduct flight tests this year. In a departure from previous models in the IL-78 series, the latest IL-78M-90A will be constructed in the Russian city of Ulyanovsk rather than in Uzbekistan. According to Ilyushin Aviation Complex Chief Designer Nikolai Talikov, this will make the plane the first aerial tanker to be built in Russia.

• The Czech Republic is considering developing a joint squadron of Saab Gripen fighters with Hungary after an initial plan to operate such a squadron with Slovakia has been postponed. Slovakia had planned on leasing the Swedish fighter; however, they decided to extend their current service deal with the Russian-made Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft instead. The scuppered plans have resulted in the Czechs looking elsewhere to boost regional defense cooperation and may result in their combining their 14 leased Gripens with the Hungarians 12 operable ones.

Africa

• One of the Nigerian Air Force’s recently acquired Alpha jets had an incident where one of its planes veered off the runway while landing. Both pilots were uninjured; however, an investigation is under way as to what caused the incident. The NAF purchased four second hand Alpha aircraft from the US last year for use as jet trainers and as light attack aircraft. Notably, the Nigerians independently weaponized two of the jets in order to conduct attacks on Boko Haram militants. It’s unclear whether it was an armed or unarmed plane that was involved in the incident.

Asia Pacific

• Taiwan is to receive an upgrade to the ALR-56M Line Replaceable Unit 5 Analysis Processor to a new configuration as part of its F-16 mid-life modernization program. Approval was given by the US State Department, and an $8 million contract to carry out the work was awarded to BAE Systems with work expected to be completed by March 20, 2021. The upgrade to Taiwan’s F-16 systems follows a $9.32 million contract for a software and hardware upgrade for the ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers back in 2006, which was completed in January 2008.

Today’s Video

• Saab’s Sea Giraffe 1X AESA Naval Radar:

F-35 Acquisition Cost Estimates Drop by $12.1B | German Defense Budget Up 6.8% to $36.61B for 2017 | French Sending Paramilitary Forces to Burkina Faso

Americas

• The US Navy has begun its “light-off” testing of an AN/SPQ-9B horizon search radar upgraded with a Periscope Detection and Discrimination (PDD) capability. Testing took place March 13 on board the CG 47 Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Champlain. The upgraded PDD capability represents a noteworthy improvement in submarine detection, in support of the Navy’s overall anti-surface warfare efforts, and represents the culmination of almost a decade of Navy investment in developing a periscope detection mode for the AN/SPQ-9B Radar and the collaborative efforts of NAVSEA agencies, Office of Naval Research, the Naval Research Laboratory, and Naval Surface and Expeditionary Warfare Command.

• Software troubles on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program may cause a key milestone for initial operational capability (IOC) to be delayed by up to four months, although that is an improvement over the Joint Program Offices’s projection a year ago. The schedule delay is primarily due to software “stability” issues, seen in both Blocks 3i and 3F, with Block 3F capabilities estimated not be ready for IOT&E until 2018 at the earliest.

• Despite potential delays to the F-35 IOC, the Pentagon has dropped the estimated price of its acquisition of 2,457 fighters by $12.1 billion. The drop marks a 3% decrease on the expected costs declared a year ago. This could potentially dissuade the program’s nay-sayers who have often derided the program’s soaring costs, potentially persuading Denmark and Canada who are currently on the fence, to perhaps continue with their participation in the Joint Strike Fighter Program.

• The US Army has awarded over $65 million in orders for tank ordinance. General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems Inc. will provide 120mm M1002 new production cartridges, and 120mm M865 recapitalized cartridges, for 120mm tank training ammunition. The $35.7 million order will be completed by November 30, 2017. Meanwhile, Orbital Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC has been awarded $30.8 million to provide the same types of munitions for the same purposes, and will be completed by February 22, 2018.

Europe

• Rosoboronexport will be showcasing the 9K333 Verba man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) at DEFEXPO India next week. The announcement was reported via Russian media outlets meaning that the system has been cleared for export by Russian authorities. Compared to its predecessors, the Verba has been noted for its increased combat capabilities, including the ability to detect and engage small targets such as cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

• Federal budgets for German defense spending in 2017 have shown a 6.8% rise on planned spending for the current year, reversing a trend of trimming its defense spending. The hike will give an additional $1.9 billion in funds, bringing total planned spending in 2017 to $36.61 billion. A portion of these funds will go toward additional weapons procurement and modernization. While it still remains unlikely that Germany will reach the recommended NATO target of having 2% of GDP going to defense spending, the additional money coming from Berlin points to the ongoing trend of European NATO powers upping their militarization game after consecutive years of defense budget shrinking.

Africa

• Burkina Faso is to say bienvenue to a French paramilitary police special forces battalion soon to be deployed in the country. The French government is sending the battalion to provide a rapid-response capability in the event of a terrorist attack within the West African sub-region. A spate of attacks by Islamic fundamentalist militants in several neighboring countries has prompted the move, increasing France’s ongoing military assistance across the continent. Two weeks ago a gun attack on a beach resort by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb in Ivory Coast left 18 people dead, following earlier attacks in both Burkina Faso and Mali.

Asia Pacific

• Jane’s has reported that the Philippines have decided on the purchase of two AW159 Lynx Wildcat naval helicopters for their navy. At $114 million, the helicopters will give the Philippine Navy a long sought after anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, carrying active dipping sonar (ADS), sonobuoys, and torpedoes, while for the anti-surface warfare role it can be armed with anti-ship missiles, rockets, and guns. Manilla had been searching for a helicopter to fill an ASW hole since 2014, with Augusta Westland beating off offers from Airbus, Bell, Sikorsky and NHIndustries.

Today’s Video

• The Verba MANPAD:

DCMA Doubts Delivery Date for KC-46A’s | Saab Offering Sea Giraffe AESA Radar to US Mkt | Japanese Turns to US Mfrs for Help with F-3 Fighter Jets

Americas

• The Defense Contract Management Agency has expressed its “low confidence” in Boeing’s ability to deliver the KC-46A on time. Delivery of the tanker to the USAF is expected by August 2017 and is currently in the process of undergoing its Milestone C Demonstrations. Despite this, the agency now believes Boeing can only deliver the 18 KC-46As by March 2018, and there is a possibility that the new date might not be achievable either.

• Oshkosh Defense havs been awarded a further $243.7 million modification contract to provide 657 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, 25 trailers, 2,977 kits; 12 months of system engineering and program management, test support, 175-test hardware, and one technical data package. Estimated completion of the contract is expected for December 1, 2024. The contract marks the US Army’s first lot of JLTVs from Oshkosh following a brief stoppage to the program, while Lockheed Martin protested the Army’s award to Oshkosh to build the vehicles. Tuesday’s contract comes a day after the company received three separate contracts totaling over $530 million for recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks and various palletized load systems for the US Army.

• US Congressman Brett Guthrie visited and toured the Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems operation in Danville, Ky. last Friday, March 18. The Republican representative for Kentucky’s 2nd district observed final quality inspections on a brake assembly, and was updated on an expansion of the Danville operation later this year that is expected to add some 50 jobs as part of a wider expansion planned over the next three to five years. Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems is one of the leading aircraft wheels and brakes suppliers in the world, with facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia.

• Raytheon has been awarded a $4.8 million contract to repackage two air-launched cruise missiles as high-power microwave weapons. The contract will see the use of pulsing electronic kits produced by the directed energy firm Ktech, a company Raytheon acquired in 2011. The contract is the first award as part of the Counter-electronics High-power microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) since a demonstration in 2012, where rival Boeing proved that the technology could knock out banks of computers. Under pressure to untilize the technology from Congress, the USAF is pursuing integration with Lockheed Martin’s extended-range AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and reusable unmanned aircraft.

Europe

• Swedish defense giant Saab is to offer its Sea Giraffe 1X 3D, active electronically scanned array (AESA) naval radar to the US market, showcasing it at the Maritime Security East Conference in Norfolk, Virginia this week. At 650 pounds, the radar is suitable for small patrol boats, giving them the ability to detect unmanned aerial vehicles for the first time. With no forced cooling requirements, and a minimal number of line-replaceable units (LRUs), it requires little power or upkeep. All maintenance, including LRU repair, can be performed by low-level trained engineers.

• Airbus Group has sold its Defence Electronics Unit to a New York-based investment firm – KKR – for $1.24 billion. The sale comes as part of the company’s efforts to reshape its Defense & Space division, but will maintain a minority stake in the company to ensure a smooth transition. Defence Electronics has 4,000 employees worldwide, and annual revenues of around $1.13 billion.

Asia Pacific

• The Japanese government has opened talks with western fighter manufacturers such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, over their participation in helping to build the country’s next F-3 series of fighter jets. Talks come as the Mitsubishi developed ATD-X experimental stealth aircraft prepares for its first test flights within the next few days. The indigenous ATD-X would be part of any attempt by Japan to develop their own F-3 fighter, with analysts expecting such a program to cost at least $40 billion. While this may prove too costly, Japan is anxious to continue developing its stealth technologies as it tries not to fall behind regional rival China.

• India has received a tender from French state-owned weapons manufacturer Nexter to supply its army with 1,400 155mm towed cannons. Nexter’s participation in the $1.1 billion bid was made when its chairman, Stéphane Mayer, informed the National Assembly defense committee that it would be “the contract of the century for artillery.” The company has teamed with local partner Larsen & Toubro to offer its Trajan 155mm/52 caliber gun and faces competition from Elbit Systems, partnered with Bharat Forge.

Today’s Video

• Air-to-air video of CH-53K during flight testing:

Saab and Selex to Work on M-AESA Radar

Active electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars offer a number of important benefits. By focusing individual elements very quickly and precisely without having to move them physically, and with little signal “leakage” outside of its focused beam, AESA radars gain improved reliability, power, and the ability to “timeshare” by switching from mode to mode fast enough to operate different modes at once. They also have potential applications in electronic warfare, and recent research indicates significant potential for secure, high-bandwidth communications. At present, the USA is the only country that has AESA radars operating on fighter aircraft, though projects are underway in Britain, and in other areas, European battlefield surveillance radars and NATO’s AGS project aim to field such radars shortly.

European countries continue to work to close the gap…

Saltwater Capable UAV; Beware Johns Hopkins CRACUNS | Oshkosh Awarded $433M in Recap Work for Army | UK Extends BAE Contract for Anti-Sub Frigates

Americas

• Researchers from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have developed a 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Tests carried out on the Corrosion Resistant Aerial Covert Unmanned Nautical System (CRACUNS) have proven that it can remained submerged in saltwater for two months, and then be launched into the air to carry out its mission. CRACUNS enables new capabilities not possible with existing UAV or UUV platforms. Its ability to operate in the harsh littoral (shore) environment, as well as its payload flexibility, enables a wide array of potential missions.

• The operational capability of the T-X advanced jet trainer program will be two years late as the USAF decided to delay the release of the request for proposals until late December. According to an Air Force spokesman, refining the planned industry solicitation has taken longer than anticipated, and the delay takes into account the desire to reduce “any potential misinterpretations, which will result in offers better-positioned to meet training requirements.” At present, at least four teams are shaping up to offer submissions with Raytheon, Finmeccanica, and CAE offering the T-100 and Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries have teamed up for the T-50A. Meanwhile a pair of clean-sheet designs is being put forth by a Boeing/Saab team and a Northrop Grumman-led coalition that includes BAE Systems and L2.

• Lockheed Martin is to go ahead with its Net Dragon upgrade planned for the USAF’s U-2S fleet. The system will equip the fleet with a beyond-line-of-sight communications relay capability for forward-deployed forces on the ground or in the air. At present, the aircraft uses a Dragon Fly modem that will allow a soldier on the ground to relay full-motion video to another soldier miles away. The new upgrade increases the difficulty for competitors to get ahead of Lockheed, with a planned L-3 Communications upgrade due on the plan within the next few months. An L-3 Communication satellite modem will allow the same forces on the ground to call up imagery and other information from intelligence databases, such as the distributed common ground system.

• Oshkosh has been awarded over $433 million in several contracts for recapitalization work on vehicles for the US Army. A $197.8 million deal will see the delivery of recapitalized Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT). Another will see $135.6 million for recapitalized palletized load systems, while the final $100.4 million contract will see conversion work on M1074A0 to M1075A1 for heavy tactical vehicles. All contracts will be completed by November 30, 2017.

Middle East & North Africa

• Lebanon and Kenya are to receive Huey II helicopters through the US Army. Last week, Bell Helicopters received a $19 million contract to furnish three Huey IIs for the Lebanese government, with delivery due to be completed in 2017. Meanwhile the Army’s non-standard rotary wing aircraft office began seeking potential sources to produce another five Huey IIs for the Republic of Kenya. Bell’s Huey II modernization program rebuilds old aircraft with commercial Bell 212 dynamic components and the Honeywell T53-703 powerplant.

Europe

• Nine additional Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers have been ordered by the Italian government, doubling the initial order by the air force. The Honeywell F124-powered aircraft come at a cost of $336 million, with delivery to commence this year and last until 2018. In addition to the trainers, the contract also includes logistics support and a further, unspecified development effort for a wider integrated training system.

• BAE Systems and the UK government have signed a contract extending the company’s development of a new class of Type 26 anti-submarine frigate. The $670 million deal will run from this April for 15 months, and follows a previous 12 month extension of demonstration phase which comes to an end next month. Work will now be carried out to further maturing the frigates design, and manufacturing of equipment for the first three of eight ships scheduled to be built by BAE. However, neither BAE or the MoD commented on whether a full scale production will follow the end of the latest contract.

Asia Pacific

• India’s defense ministry has received two detailed project reports from companies looking to develop the Indian Army’s new battlefield management system. Tata Power SED with Larsen & Toubro, and state-owned Bharat Electronics with Rolta India submitted the two bids for the $6 billion system, with the winner being chosen to make prototypes within six months. The $300 million prototype development has four variants: for the infantry battalion group, combat group (armor), combat group (mechanized infantry), and special forces group. Technologies to be included in each prototype include a geographical information system, multi-sensor data fusion system, rugged computing devices, and a software defined radio-based communication system for soldiers.

Today’s Video

• The 3D printed Corrosion Resistant Aerial Covert Unmanned Nautical System:

LM: Robust Modernizations Favored Over New Investments | Qatar Buys Rafales with Help of Japanese Financiers | Algeria First Foreign Customer to Order Night Hunters

Americas

• Delaying investment into a 6th generation fighter has been recommended by Lockheed Martin, who is instead favoring a “robust” modernization program to keep fifth-generation F-22s and F-35s capable against new counter-air threats. The comments were made by the company’s Skunk Works chief Rob Weiss, who claims such a modernization will achieve the air dominance that America desires for the next 30 to 40 years. Lockheed currently holds dominance in the fifth generation market, and looks to push block upgrades of existing aircraft as the USAF and Navy assess their fighter requirements over the oncoming decades. Meanwhile, competitors Boeing and Northrop Grumman would like to break back into the high-end combat jet market after losing the winner takes all Joint Strike Fighter competition.

• AH-64 Apache helicopters are likely to receive a turret upgrade next year, which could save the Army up to $500 million in operations and life-cycle costs. Lockheed Martin began developing a High Reliability Turret for the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) as part of a contract awarded in 2014, and currently expects to receive an engineering change proposal approval around the fourth quarter of 2017 that will allow them to start low-rate procurement. The new turrets will allow for increased slew rates as well as smaller, more affordable line-replaceable modules.

• The USAF and Honeywell are investigating a still-undetermined problem with the starter-generator on the MQ-9 Reaper Block 1 version’s Honeywell turboprop engine. Seventeen MQ-9 crashes have been avoided since last April, however, thanks to a backup electrical system that has been installed as a safeguard, which allows for the aircraft to fly for another ten hours. Since the UAV’s first flight, the USAF have lost dozens during missions, at a cost of $20-25 million per aircraft. This has intensified in 2015, as the steeping up of anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Africa saw 10 MQ-9 and 10 MQ-1 crashes in that last year alone.

Middle East & North Africa

• Qatar’s purchase of Dassault Rafale fighters has been financed with the help of Japanese banks. The Gulf state recently paid a 15% down payment on its order, which in total amounts to $6.8 billion. The loan highlights a growing relationship with Japan through Japanese business interests in areas of construction and finance. Investments and projects involving Japanese companies include construction for the 2022 World Cup, and the building of a subway system in Doha, while Qatar supplies liquefied gas to Japan. The participation of Japanese money in the deal comes as tighter EU financial regulations to European banks bring lending under greater scrutiny, while a US loan to buy French technology may have upset Boeing, a competitor to Dassault in the fighter market.

• Algeria has become the first foreign customer of the Russian made Mi-28NE “Night Hunters.” Contracts between the two countries specify an order of forty of the attack helicopters that have been fitted with dual flight control capabilities. Unlike earlier models, the presence of a double piloting system allows control of the machine from both the cockpit and the cabin of the pilot-operator, allowing for greater flexibility, higher fire-power, and increased survivability.

Europe

• MBDA has announced the successful trial of firing two Mistral surface-to-air missiles from the SIMBAD-RC short range anti-air self-defense system. The system has been designed to provide a primary self defense capability on all warships, or to complement the main air defenses of first rank warships by firing two fire and forget missiles, and is capable of engaging a wide variety of threats from fighter jets to UAVs. Successful testing of the SIMBAD-RC’s capability comes before customer sales commence.

Asia Pacific

• The Indian defense forces have outlined blueprints to procure more than 5,000 UAVs over the next ten years. The $3 billion plan will be restricted to domestic companies that can “tie up with” foreign manufacturers, since domestic efforts to meet UAV needs have been stifled over the years by lack of technical experience, delays, and cost overruns. A wide spectrum of UAVs will be purchased with the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy expected to buy tactical UAVs, high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAVs, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs, and medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs.

• Australia is to announce its short list for the $15.2 billion Sea 5000 Future Frigate Program later this month. The tender aims to procure nine frigates to replace its eight Anzac frigates, with offers from French manufacturer DCNS, Spain’s Navantia, Italy’s Fincantieri, and BAE Systems. This comes as a number of countries look to modernize their navies, with New Zealand looking to buy two frigates, and Canada seeking to to acquire 15 frigates with a mix of multi-purpose and air-defense capabilities.

Today’s Video

• One of the two Nodong road mobile medium range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea on March 18 fails after take off: