Chinooks for the Dutch: The CH-47F (NL) Heavy-Lift Helicopter

Dutch CH-47D, Afghanistan

On Sept 27/06, the US DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) notified Congress of the Netherlands’ request for up to 9 of the newest CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters in a country-specific CH-47F (NL) variant, complete with ACMS Block 6 cockpits and 18 T55-L-714A turbine engines. The Dutch were also looking to upgrade their 11 existing CH-47D Chinook Cargo Helicopters to the newer CH-47F configuration. If all options were exercised, the DSCA notification placed the contracts’ values at up to $652 million.

Early procurements are going to be a bit more modest, but at least the helicopters have finally begun to arrive, about 6 years later.

Israel Seeks 10 Year FMF Package with US | Russian DARPA Equivalent to Develop Rotary Winged UAV | BAE, Fincantieri, Navantia Vie to Build Australian Navy Frigates

Americas

• The US Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $181.7 million contract for the manufacture and delivery of F-35 low-rate initial production Lot 9 Alternate Mission Equipment, including armaments, pilot flight equipment, and red gear to a number of clients. Delivery is expected to be completed by September 2019. Recipients of the gear include the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-US Department of Defense (DoD) participants, as well as the governments of Israel and Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program.

• Northrop Grumman has been awarded $87 million as part of a modification contract to provide Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures (LAIRCM) calendar year 2016 base hardware buy and needed LAIRCM support. While the majority of the contract is for the USAF, 5% of the modification contract will be work for the government of Australia. The LAIRCM system will increase crew-warning time, decrease false alarm rates, and automatically counter advanced IR missile systems as well as protecting large aircraft from shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles.

Middle East North Africa

• Attempts by Russian companies to sign co-venture agreements with Israeli UAV manufacturers have been met with opposition by the US administration. Moscow previously had purchased 10 Searcher 2 and 30 BirdEye-450 UAVs from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), with these having been partially assembled in a Russian plant. However, Washington’s opposition to the cooperation would have led to them vetoing any potential export licenses should a more formal agreement go ahead.

• Israel has made a request for a 10-year Foreign Military Financing (FMF) package that will include an annual grant of $4.1 billion. Negotiations over the deal with the Obama administration are still ongoing; however, plans to procure additional F-35 fighters are “already in the pipeline,” according to reports. If the whole FMF package is not realized, Israel will likely continue with the new F-35 order, adding to the 33 already ordered. The IDF aims to have enough of the fighters to equip two squadrons.

Europe

• Irkut Corporation is to provide 30 more Yak-130 advanced jet trainers to the Russian Aerospace Forces. Contracts were signed by Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Borisov and Irkut Corporation President Oleg Demchenko with all aircraft to be delivered by the end of 2018. The Yak-130 is the world’s only training aircraft with the aerodynamic configuration and subsonic flight performance characteristics of modern jet fighters.

• Germany’s Rheinmetall has been selected by Embraer to provide a training system for its new KC-390 transport aircraft. The deal is expected to exceed $112 million, and will see the company provide a full suite of training equipment over a 10-15 year period. Drawing upon its experience in providing the cargo hold simulator for the Airbus A400M, Rheinmetall’s scope will include training for cargo handling, procedures and maintenance, plus flight and mission training.

• DARPA’s Russian equivalent, the Russian Advanced Projects Agency, has announced a program for the development of a rotary-winged unmanned air vehicle (UAV) testbed. The creation a “flying laboratory” UAV will be used by government agencies to assess advanced robotic technologies for the military by exploring “complex, multi-discipline” technologies necessary to advance autonomous flight. The agency is collaborating with the Russian department of scientific research and technological support of advanced technologies as well as the Russian defense ministry.

Asia Pacific

• Proposals submitted by BAE Systems, Fincantieri and Navantia have been shortlisted for the Australian government’s program to build nine new frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. France’s DCNS of and TKMS of Germany’s offering were eliminated from the $27 billion program which will see the ships built in Adelaide, South Australia. The first steel expected to be cut in 2020 and will be fitted with phased array radar systems being developed by Australia’s CEA Technologies. Designs remaining are BAE Systems’ Global Combat Ship, based on the Type 26 frigate; Fincantieri’s anti-submarine warfare FREMM (Fregata Europea Multi-Missione) and a redesigned version of Navantia’s Álvaro de Bazán (F100) class vessel.

Today’s Video

• Iran parading some of its new S-300 air-defense system at an Army Day parade on April 17:

BAE’s Archerfish Takes on Sea Mines | Italy & France Spar Over Qatari Deal | Royal Navy Testing UAVs for Navigating Ice in Antarctic

Americas

• The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $22 million contract to produce Archerfish mine neutralizers. Flown on board the MH-60S, Archerfish is a remotely-controlled underwater vehicle equipped with an explosive warhead to destroy sea mines. Deliveries of the systems are expected to begin in September 2017. The contract also includes further options which, if exercised by the DoD, could bring the total value to over $55.3 million.

• A plan to launch mini-unmanned aerial vehicles out of the AC-130 gunships will commence later this year under the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Under the plan, AC-130 crews will be trained to use the Tactical off-board sensing (TOBS) technology which will allow them to pick up targets in poor weather or other challenging conditions. The key technical challenge to overcome is to have a drone that can fit in the common launch tube that is only six inches in diameter and 48 inches long.

• Northrop Grumman’s AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening targeting and designation pod is to be integrated onto General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system (UAS) by the USAF. A pre-solicitation notice was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website awarding a sole-source contract to GA to carry out the integration work. Inclusion of the pods will give the MQ-9 precision strike and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. At present, the pods are found on USAF Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, Boeing’s B-52H Stratofortress and F-15E Strike Eagle, and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Middle East North Africa

• The sale of a naval defense package to Qatar has caused a spat between Italian and French officials. Last month, Italy’s defense minister believed that a non-binding agreement for three corvettes was about to be signed, only to be postponed after French lobbying, asking for an opportunity to make a new, revised offer. Qatar has been on a defense splurge as of late in the run up to its hosting of the 2022 World Cup, which includes 24 Dassault Rafale fighters and missiles worth over $7 billion.

Europe

• Bulgaria’s government is scouring the open market for 10 RD-33 turbofan engines for its MiG-29 fleet. The engines can be used as long as they guarantee a six year service life, and can be delivered within the year. A NATO member since 2004, Bulgaria’s governments have promised to modernize their Soviet-era air force with modern, NATO friendly technology. While nothing concrete has been decided, Sofia will pick either Saab’s Gripen, the Eurofighter Typhoon or second-hand F-16s.

• The US State Department has approved the sale of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary Rocket Pods and related support to the government of France. Estimated to be worth up to $90 million, the sale includes 21 GMLRS Unitary Rocket Pods as well as a GMLRS Quality Assurance Team (QAT), GMLRS publications, live fire data, software updates, and technical assistance.

• A 3D unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is being tested in tough Antarctic conditions aboard the Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector. Used alongside a quadcopter, both UAVs are helping the ship’s crew navigate through thick ice by beaming back high-quality pictures of the ship’s surrounding environment. The system is controlled from a laptop on board, cruises at nearly 60mph, and is all but noiseless thanks to its tiny engine. Each one costs no more than $10,000; cheaper than an hour’s flying time by a Fleet Air Arm helicopter.

Asia Pacific

• After months of wrangling, India will sign a final agreement for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters within the next three weeks. France had initially wanted over $12 billion for the sale, but negotiations over the last number of months have resulted in a drop to $8.8 billion. The first lot of deliveries will not take place for another 18 months. India’s air force replacement of its older fighters is part of an effort to effectively check the capabilities of Pakistan and China.

Today’s Video

• North Korea tried to launch a BM-25 Musudan road mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile to mark the birthday of the country’s founder, Kim Il Sung. It failed:

Raytheon Gets $1B+ for NGJ Pods | Legal Disruption Delays JLTV Program | Bipartisan Push to Increase Funds for Israel’s Missile Defense Programs

Americas

• Raytheon has won a $1.01 billion contract for the design, manufacture, integration, demonstration, and test of 15 Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) engineering development model pods. The contract is in support of the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the NGJ program, a pod-based tactical jammer that replaces the 40-plus-year ALQ-99 jammer system on the EA-18G aircraft. Raytheon will also manufacture 14 NGJ aero-mechanical test pods, which will be used to verify aircraft flying qualities and pod safe separation from the host aircraft; provide equipment needed for system integration laboratories; and mature manufacturing processes.

• A five-year Navy contract has been awarded to Raytheon to maintain an over-the-horizon radar system. The $20.9 million deal will see the company provide operations and maintenance for the relocatable over-the horizon radar system in support of the US Navy Forces Surveillance Support Center, Chesapeake, Virginia. Initially contracted for one base year, the contract has options to extend for a further four if necessary.

• The Redstone Test Center is playing host to the engineering and development phase of the Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM). So far, the missile completed tests on its guidance section which included captive flight testing, tower testing, and environmental testing. The JAGM will now enter the Product Qualification Test (PQT) phase which will see the weapon carried on the Grey Eagle unmanned aerial system (UAS) and AH-64 Apache helicopter for flight testing.

• Thanks to the legal disruption caused by Lockheed Martin over the US Army’s selection of Oshkosh for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program, it is likely that the vehicle won’t reach its initial operational capability (IOC) on time. Oshkosh came out the victor over Humvee-maker AM General and Lockheed for the $6.7 billion low-rate initial production contract award to build 16,901 vehicles. However, the program had been put on a 97 day halt due to the lawsuit, with work only continuing in December. The Army is now anticipating a six-month delay in reaching its IOC milestone now expected for late 2019.

Middle East North Africa

• A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Turkey’s state-controlled military software company Havelsan and Ukraine’s weapons systems concern Ukroboronprom to jointly develop and build satellites. Both countries are to cooperate by sharing satellite technology with an aim at joint development and production which may also include cooperation to advance aerospace industry work in the future. The move follows a December agreement to build a “strategic” cooperation in the defense industry with a view to co-design, co-develop, and co-produce gear as both Turkey and Ukraine move toward building an anti-Russian block in the region.

• Increased funding it being sought in a bipartisan push by US lawmakers for Israel’s missile defense programs. The president’s request for $150 million may see an increase from Congress resulting in a new total of $600 million. Over the past 10 years, Congress has appropriated $1.9 billion more than was originally requested by successive administrations. Israeli programs developed with US backing include the Iron Dome air defense system, David’s Sling, a medium- and long-range air defense system, and the Arrow family of anti-ballistic missiles. The funding push comes amid concerns from both Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and some on Capitol Hill over Iran’s ballistic missile technologies.

Europe

• Poland is contemplating offers from General Atomics and Elbit Systems for its program to acquire new medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs for the country’s armed forces. Under its Zefir program, the Polish Defense Ministry aims at acquiring 350 UAVs by 2019. MALE UAVs being considered by Warsaw are the he MQ-9 Reaper, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and the Hermes 900, although it is unknown at this time any information regarding the weapons which could be provided on these systems.

Asia Pacific

• New Zealand officially retired its fleet of five Kaman SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite naval helicopters on Thursday. In service in the New Zealand Armed Forces (NZDF) since 2001, they will be replaced by eight newer SH-2G(I) models. Improvements found on the I model include better performance and sensors, as well as the inclusion of AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship missiles, which will replace the AGM-65 Mavericks used on the earlier models.

Today’s Video

• Lockheed Martin’s latest ad showcasing its laser weapon capabilities:

USAF’s GSC Issues RFP for Jammin’ Drone Fighters | Pratt & Whitney Wins $1.4B Deal for F-35 Engines | Rafael Unveils New Drone Dome to Neutralize Malicious UAVs

Americas

• A request has been made by the USAF’s Global Strike Command for a small UAV capable of defeating small commercial drones with electric jamming. The winner must weigh not more than 2.72kg and carry an on board jammer that operates on 433MHz, 915MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. It must also be able to disrupt GPS L1 and GLONASS L1 signals. 38 anti-drone systems are being requested, and will be distributed across eight Global Strike Command bases, including Barksdale, Dyess, Ellsworth, FE Warren, Kirtland, Malmstrom, Minot and Whiteman, housing the USAF’s strategic bomber fleet and managing intercontinental ballistic missiles.

• A deal has been reached between the Pentagon and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to provide the ninth low rate production of F135 engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The $1.4 billion deal covers 66 engines, as well as spares, extra parts, and support. Part of the order will include engines for five of the F-35 partners, including Italy, Norway, Israel, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Middle East North Africa

• Israel’s Rafael has unveiled their latest system aimed at countering malicious UAV systems. Dubbed the “Drone Dome” the system is capable of defending critical sites against hostile threats, detecting, tracking and neutralizing UAVs classified as malicious. The system has 360° circular coverage, and uses an electro-optical/infrared sensor and radar to detect a threat. The data is then combined and correlated and alerts the operator of the hostile UAV. It then initiates either an automatic interference operation – as per pre-defined rules – or it is carried out manually by the operator. The threat is neutralized by activation of directional GNSS and a radio frequency inhibitor/jammer.

• A combat engineering version of Israel’s Namer troop carrier is currently undergoing operational testing. Based on the Merkava Mk4 main battle tank, the new Namer is equipped with the Trophy Active Protection System (APS), which defends against anti-tank missiles, mortars, and RPGs. The new version will allow Israeli ground forces to deal with terror tunnels, bridge obstacles and maneuver in high-threat areas.

Europe

• Missile manufacturer Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia has announced that the first Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles were delivered to the USA for integration and testing on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II. The missiles are intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy’s F-35Bs and will provide British Lightning IIs with a “highly capable, passive, within visual range air-to-air capability.” Testing will include captive carry and safe-separation tests that will eventually lead to live shots against representative targets and are a step toward the UK armed forces declaring initial operational capability with the F-35 by end of 2018.

• Bulgaria’s government is to privatize two state-owned defense companies over the next number of years. The privatization will see the country’s leading arms maker VMZ Sopot and arms exporter Kintex put up for sale in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Funds from the sales will go toward the acquisition of new multirole fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force which are due to replace their Soviet-designed Mikoyan MiG-21 jets.

• Marshall Aerospace and Defence has been contracted by special mission system provider Aerodata to convert two ATR 72-500s into maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) for an undisclosed navy. The company will install a radar, camera, self-protection equipment, and stores pylons on the twin-engined turboprops at their Cambridge, UK site, and a team of engineers will travel to Aerodata’s location in Braunschweig, Germany throughout the installation. Potential clients ordering the work include Pakistan, who have two of the aircraft in storage undergoing maritime conversion work, and Turkey who has also operated an ATR 72-600 in the MSA role before converting it into a utility configuration in 2013.

Asia Pacific

• Mitsubishi’s X-2 stealth demonstrator has moved one step closer to its first flight after a series of taxi and runway tests since January. The aircraft has now moved into the Vr stage whereby the aircraft accelerated to rotation speed, and the pilot pulled the nose wheel off the ground. Testing took place at the Nagoya Airfield on April 9, and precedes the plane’s maiden flight, expected by the end of the month.

Today’s Video

• Mitsubishi’s X-2 latest tests:

Next Gen Jammer Under Development | Boeing Optimistic on Early KC-46 Deliveries | Mitsu’s X-2 Stealth Demo Expected by EOM

Americas

• The Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Increment 1 (Inc 1) has been approved to enter the Engineering & Manufacturing Development Phase. The announcement was made after the approval by Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, on April 5. During the EMD phase, the pod will undergo further development prior to a system-level critical design review in early- to mid-2017 and then eventual production. Once produced, the pod will replace the AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system currently integrated on the EA-18G GROWLER aircraft.

• A $93.6 million USAF contract modification has been awarded to Lockheed Martin to add a terrain following radar on the MC-130J. Work is expected to be completed on the special missions aircraft by March 31, 2021. It’s believed that the radar model being used is likely the Silent Knight from Raytheon. Having such a radar will allow the pilots to fly as low as 100 feet above the ground.

• Orbital ATK’s production of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) was ceased for five weeks due to bad resistors supplied by a sub-contractor. The supplier quality issue will likely result in delays to the delivery of the company’s second and third full-production contracts. Developed as an improvement on the HARM missile, the AGM-88E contains a more modern homing receiver and navigation system to detect the radar signals of both stationary and mobile air-defense systems.

• Despite development setbacks and a recent Milestone C demonstration hiccup, Boeing believes that it can deliver 18 operational KC-46 Pegasus tankers within six months instead of the original 14. The plan has been labelled “optimistic” in a new report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). While the GAO notes that most of the issues have been amended successfully, the recent problems seen in the aircraft’s centerline drogue system and wing aerial refueling pods may make this optimistic projection nothing but wishful thinking.

Middle East North Africa

• Talks have reportedly been started between the governments of Jordan and Russia over Jordan’s potential purchase of a small number of Su-32s. Interest in the export version of the Su-34 bomber as well as other Russian made military hardware has increased following Moscow’s military intervention in Syria. Until late, military and technical cooperation between the two have been fairly small, with contracts last year amounting to a refurbishment deal of two Il-76MF transport aircraft and the supply of components for the assembly of RPG-32 grenade launchers. However, a sale of any number of Su-32s would point to a potential reorientation from Jordan, who until now have happily been purchasing American weaponry with American money.

Europe

• Swiss newspaper Neue Luzerner Zeitung has revealed that Jordan has signed an updated agreement to change its order for nine PC-9M turboprop trainers, instead buying eight PC-21s. Delivery of the original deal was expected to begin in January 2017. Jordan’s changed commitment sees it join a growing list of nations acquiring the PC-21 including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

• Russian Helicopters are to integrate a new defensive suite on some of their rotorcraft platforms that apparently will make them invulnerable to attacks by air-to-air and shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles. Developed by ROSTEC sister company Kret, the President-S system includes a laser illumination detector, ultraviolet missile approach warning system, electro-optical electronic warfare system, decoy flares, and control system. Helicopters to get the upgrade include the Mil Mi-171Sh and Mi-17V-5 medium transports, Mi-26T2 heavy helicopter and, from 2017, Mi-28NE and Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopters.

Asia Pacific

• The first flight of Mitsubishi’s X-2 (formally ATD-X) stealth demonstrator is expected to take place toward the end of this month. Initially scheduled for February, the maiden flight was pushed back by the developers out of caution, but the jet has been spotted undertaking runway and taxiing tests over the last number of weeks. The X-2 is being developed to lay the basis for a Japanese made replacement of Mitsubishi’s F-2, due to be retired in 2028.

Today’s Video

• A look inside the MQ-1 Predator’s cockpit:

US Army’s Multi-Mission Launcher – Success! | SpaceX Lands on Drone Ship After Delivery to ISS | Turkey Plans Summer 2016 Space Agency Launch

Americas

• AIM-9X missiles fired from the US Army’s new Multi-Mission Launcher has defeated a cruise missile and an unmanned aerial system (UAS). The tests conducted on April 1 and March 29 respectively were part of an engineering demonstration of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept (IFPC Inc 2-I). Other missiles capable of being fired from the system include the Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) missile, Raytheon’s Stinger, and Lockheed Martin’s Longbow Hellfire missiles, although the last two have yet to been tested rigorously. The IFPC Inc. 2-I is intended to defeat UAS, cruise missiles, rockets, artillery, and mortars, and so far $119 million has been spent on developing prototypes for the system, a figure believed to be three times higher if developed outside the Army.

• Last Friday saw SpaceX successfully land a first-stage Falcon 9 rocket on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the second time SpaceX has successfully landed a rocket back on earth after putting a payload in space, but the first such landing on an ocean-going barge. An earlier attempt at a similar landing failed last December when the first stage rocket tipped over and exploded. Friday’s flight saw the Falcon 9 deliver cargo to the International Space Station.

• The Royal Canadian Navy has fired its Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile at a shore-based target for the first time. The launches were a part of a Joint Littoral Training Exercise (JoLTEX) recently completed by the RCN at a United States Navy missile firing range off the coast of California. Adding the Harpoon capabilities to its frigates symbolizes a significant step toward reinstituting a crucial RCN capability that will support the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) and its allies’ combat operations ashore.

• On April 6, Venezuela inducted nine of its new Hongdu K-8W into service, and was followed three days later by the delivery of three more of the Chinese made jet trainers. The ceremony was overseen by Minister for Defense Vladimir Padrino López. Air Force Commander Major General Edgar Valentín Cruz Arteaga said that the aircraft have sophisticated systems that allow the Aviacion Militar Bolivariana (AMB) to perform advanced training for pilots as well as operations against organized crime and drug trafficking, which will contribute to the protection of native skies.

Middle East North Africa

• Turkey is to launch its own space agency within the next three months based in the Kazan township near Ankara. The agency will be tasked with coordinating all of Turkey’s space and aerospace programs, including satellite technology, satellite launching systems, space stations, and deep space research. Ankara is also working on plans to build a satellite-launching station with Datca on Turkey’s southwestern coast and the breakaway Turkish part of northern Cyprus as potential locations.

Europe

• e2v has been awarded a contract by Saab to supply Microwave Power Modules (MPM), a lightweight transmitter designed for use by fighter jets and other airborne platforms. Each MPM system is comprised of a helix traveling-wave tube (TWT), an electronic power conditioner (EPC) and a solid state amplifier (SSA) in a single package, and can deliver medium output power up to Ku-band. They are designed to provide both pulsed and continuous-wave modes of operation in an ultra-compact miniature size, with a weight minimised for airborne applications. Internally, the use of integrated high frequency magnetics, with integral isolation and multilayer flexi-rigid printed board construction, minimizes interconnects, reduces size, and increases reliability.

• As Norway continues its search for a cooperation partner for its submarine procurement, it has narrowed down the manufacturers who will carry out the task. The yards shortlisted by Oslo are France’s DCNS and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Both companies have worked with and supplied systems to the Norwegian Navy over the last number of decades. While several other submarine yards, including Saab’s Kockums yard in Sweden had also applied, they lost out to Western Europe’s two largest submarine manufacturers.

Asia Pacific

• Newspaper The Indian Express has reported that a K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was secretly launched by the Indian Navy’s SSBN INS Arihant on March 31. The maiden test of the undersea missile was conducted at an undisclosed location in the Bay of Bengal, and follows a test earlier in March of the missile from a submerged pontoon. Once the K-4 is inducted into service, it will the arm another Arihant class submarine, INS Aridhaman, currently under construction along with two others. Each submarine will have eight launch tubes.

Today’s Video

• SpaceX’s Falcon 9 ocean landing:

US Navy Launching ACTUV Test Program | New Attack Aircraft Plans Up for Review by USAF | Mi-28NE Helo Orders Increase

Americas

• Boeing will provide another 117 AH-64E re-manufactured Apache helicopters to the US Army. The contract will earn the company $922.6 million with work estimated to be completed by May 31, 2018. It follows the announcement in March by the DoD that the Army had awarded a contract of nearly $185 million for an undisclosed number of the heavily armored attack helicopters.

• The US Navy is about to launch a test program for an unmanned sub hunter vessel, the Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV). Pronounced “Active,” the non-nuclear 132-foot long vessel intends to be able to search for submarines at sea as long as three months at a time. The ACTUV vessel, known as Sea Hunter, has recently completed trials in the Portland area and will now move to San Diego where a two-year-long trial period will begin to test the concept and various sensors that can be installed on the 145-ton full load displacement vessel. It is expected to be competed by September 2018.

• A sources-sought notice has been filed by the US Army for software capable of allowing UAVs to scout ahead for ground vehicles. The Autonomous UAS Navigation system requires the software to be clever enough to allow the UAV to venture just 60 meters ahead of the vehicle, and match speed with the ground vehicle once the distance has been achieved. Other requirements include the ability for manual mode override in order to facilitate operator investigation of target areas of interest, as well as being able to follow roads in advance of a vehicle moving over complex routes.

• Concrete strategic plans and requirements for a new attack aircraft to provide close-air support will be reviewed by the USAF chief this Spring. This will entail either a brand new A-X platform or non-development options that will eventually replace the soon to be retired A-10 “Warthog.” At present, the F-35A will replace the role filled by the A-10; however, the 5th gen fighter is considered too costly for regular air cover missions in uncontested air space. Weapons tests in close-air support missions are currently being planned for the F-35, and a flyoff between the fighter and the A-10 is expected for fiscal year 2018-2019.

Middle East North Africa

• Algeria has upped its orders of Mi-28NE helicopters from the eight initially reported in January to 42, according to a Russian newspaper. A further 19 of the “Night-Hunter” helicopters will also make their way to Iraq. The helicopters have recently seen action in Syria battling Islamic State militants, and it has been said that the radio-electronic jamming systems on board easily suppressed man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) deployed against them by the insurgents. With interest being expressed from over half a dozen nations spanning from Latin America to South East Asia, the helicopter is certainly selling itself well during its recent military activity.

Europe

• A decision on the replacement of Portugal’s C-130 fleet is expected to be made soon, with Embraer’s latest KC-390 a likely option. The comments were made by defense minister, Azeredo Lopes, after a visit to the Brazilian company’s two Portuguese plants in Evora, where parts for the heavy-lifter are manufactured. Lopes added that despite recent NATO standard modernizations to the C-130 fleet, the planes only had about ten years left before retirement. If Embraer get the go ahead, they will provide up to six KC-390s to Portugal.

Asia Pacific

• Pakistan wants to upgrade its air force further, which may include Thales’ Damocles targeting pod for its latest JF-17 fighters. The request comes as it continues to battle Taliban militants in its northern regions, while also engaging in fighting against a separatist uprising on its border with Iran. At present, Islamabad is set to retire its older Dassault Mirage C-7 fighters, while its newer F-16s are only capable of precision targeting. Incorporating the third generation targeting pod on the JF-17 will allow the PAF greater flexibility in counter-terrorism operations, while not breaking the bank economically.

• Talks are to get under way between Indian military officials and US Defense Secretary Ash Carter over the purchase of Predator XP and Avenger UAVs, according to an executive from General Dynamics. Carter landed in New Delhi on Sunday, April 10, for talks over military cooperation prior to the end of President Obama’s administration. It is expected that India will seek to procure 40 Predators for its navy, as well as 100 Avenger UCAVs, which have been used to target Islamic militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Today’s Video

• The Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) speed and maneuvrability:

Algerian Arms Deal Brings Russia $7.5 billion, Gas Market Leverage

Yak-130

A February 2006 report noted that a $4 billion arms sale was brewing between Algeria and Russia involving fighter aircraft, tanks, and air defense systems, with the possibility of additional equipment. Those options came through the following month, as a high-level Russian delegation in Algeria closed up to $7.5 billion worth of arms contracts. The Algerian package remains post-Soviet Russia’s largest single arms deal. As an instructive comparison, annual Russian weapons export orders from all customers were just $5-6 billion per year in 2004 and 2005.

Reuters South Africa quoted Rosoboronexport chief Sergei Chemezov as saying that “Practically all types of arms which we have are included, anti-missile systems, aviation, sea and land technology.” The actual contents of that deal were murky, though DID offers triangulation among several sources to help sort out the confusion. A number of these deals have evolved over time, and other public-source information has helped to sharpen the picture a bit. The subsequent crash of Algeria’s MiG-29 deal, and its ripple effects, are also discussed.

Australia Cleared for FMS of $386M in GBU-39s | Kuwait Confirmed as Launch Customer for Typhoon Captor-E | Gearbox Issues Not Delaying A400M Delivery

Americas

• Winners of the contract to participate in the US Army’s $10 billion Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) may also be selected to to provide more engines for either a single- or twin-engined Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Light (next-generation light attack/reconnaissance helicopter). The ITEP acquisition seeks 68 engines during development, and 6,215 through procurement to re-engine the Boeing AH-64E and Sikorsky UH-60M in the late 2020s. However, if selected for the FVL procurement, this order will rise significantly. At present, the leading contenders for the contract are GE Aviation with their single-spool GE3000, and a joint venture by Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, Advanced Turbine Engine Company, who are offering a dual-spool HPW3000 engine.

• Australia has been cleared to purchase up to 2,950 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs by the US State Department. The $386 million sale will include the provision of up to 50 Guided Test Vehicles (GTV) with GBU-39 (T-1)/B (Inert Fuze) as well as containers, weapons system support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey, transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training, and training equipment. Included additionally are US Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

Middle East North Africa

• Kuwait is to become the launch customer of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s Captor-E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The country will be the first to flight test the new technology upon delivery of its long awaited order for 28 of the multi-role fighters. Finmeccanica, who has taken the lead on the Kuwait sale has said that the Typhoons that will be delivered to Kuwait will be the most advanced configuration of the type, and will include the company’s Praetorian defensive aids suite and Pirate infrared search and track system.

Europe

• Glitches surrounding the production of the turboprop TP400 engine gearboxes on the A400M may take several months to rectify. The comments were made by Philippe Petitcolin, CEO of Safran, one of the companies behind manufacturer Europrop. “There is no problem in the short term, but it affects reliability in the long term. It is being fixed,” he said, indicating that while it may take time to fix, it will not affect delivery schedules of the aircraft. The A400M is powered by two pairs of turboprop engines whose propellors rotate in opposite directions, requiring two different versions of the gearbox.

• The United Aircraft Corporation announced that it has delivered another Tu-95MS strategic bomber back to the Russian Air Force. A number of the bombers have been undergoing a series of upgrades in order to boost combat capabilities. The modernization includes the installation of advanced radio-radar equipment as well as a target-acquiring/navigation system based on GLONASS. The aircraft can carry up to eight Kh-101 strategic cruise missiles or Kh-102 nuclear-tipped missiles on the wing’s external mountings.

• A joint submarine procurement between Norway and Poland is not imminent despite ongoing talks on the matter. While Oslo is looking to proceed with a joint procurement of a submarine fleet, the final shape of the program, the number of vessels it plans to acquire, and with whom to cooperate still needs to be decided. Poland, in the midst of a nationalist fervor removing any military equipment stemming from the Cold War-era, is looking to acquire three new submarines to replace its aging Kobben-class subs, due to be decommissioned in 2021.

Asia Pacific

• The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has taken delivery of the first of two ordered C-130 cargo aircraft acquired through the excess defense articles (EDA) program. It is expected that the second C-130 will be delivered in the third of forth quarter of this year. Originally configured for tanker missions, the two aircraft have been converted for transport missions, and will significantly boost the PAF’s heavy lift capabilities. At present, the air force operates three Airbus Military C-295 medium, and three Fokker F-27 transports for its logistics and lift missions.

• Indian Army officials have called for the purchase of a quick reaction surface-to-air missile system (QRSAM) for use in the forward tactical battlefield area. The calls have been made as the indigenous Akash system has been deemed too slow to react, and inefficient on the move, lacking a 360 degree radar coverage. Instead, the Akash has been recommended to be used for static defense, guarding areas and assets deeper in the country. This shooting down of an indigenous system in favor of importing one seemingly better suited may cause some ruffled feathers for proponents of the “Make in India” initiative. The policy’s goal is to reduce weapon imports from 70% of acquisitions to about 50% in the next 10 years.

Today’s Video

• The Eurofighter’s Captor-E AESA radar: