Elbit’s Light Spear Directs Threats Away from UAVs | $$ Constraints Plague Israel; Britain | Piaggio’s P.1HH UAV Suffers Setback After Crash

Jul 18, 2016 00:55 UTC

The Argentine Air Force has converted its Learjet 35A into an electronic attack platform to replace its Boeing 707 VR-2. Modifications were undertaken by Avcon Industries, who installed a Thales Vigile 200 electronic support system on board. Other visible changes can be spotted on the aircraft’s wingtips and fuselage to provide for additional antennas.
Providing tech transfers and domestic production work are the new keys to securing big military hardware contracts according to US industry execs. Prospective purchasing nations are increasingly getting bolder in gaining greater offsets from US and European manufacturing giants in order to boost their own employment at home or indigenous defense industry. Poland, Japan and Turkey have already seen such deals bear fruit, with Saudi Arabia looking to follow.

Elbit Systems has unveiled their new jamming system capable of directing threats such as surface-to-air missiles away from UAVs. Dubbed Light Spear, the system caters to a growing demand from customers to be able to operate UAVs in anti-access area denial environments. Based on the company’s electronic warfare defense system, Elisra, the compact design and size of Light Spear has been done with UAVs in mind and allows the operator to field the technology on several platforms.
Israel may have to forget its plan for a US military aid package to hit $40 billion and allow for funds to go towards domestic R&D and procurement. The ten year plan, to begin in October 2017, is more likely to be around $38 billion and have a US only clause requiring all military hardware purchased with the funds to come from US companies. Exceptions to the rule include funds for missile defense and pre-agreed upon programs.

Russia’s MoD is to continue funding and support for the SR-10 forward-swept-wing jet trainer, with state trials expected to take place next year. The prototype trainer conducted its first two flights in December last year. Initially offered to the Russian Air Force as part of the service’s 2014 basic trainer requirement, it eventually lost out to the Yak-152. It’s now being offered as an intermediate trainer between the Yak-152 and Yak-130 advanced trainer as well as for export.
Maritime surveillance capabilities of the British Royal Navy are to experience a setback in 2017 due to budget constraints. It’s been reported that the service will lose its ScanEagle capability and Type 23 warships will not have any UAVs on board. It had been hoped that UAVs could have been procured under the Flexible Deployable Unmanned Air System (FDUAS) program but failed to secure funding in this year’s budget cycle.
Deliveries of P.1HH Hammerhead UAVs to the Italian Air Force have experienced a two month delay following May’s crash in the Mediterranean. Manufacturer Piaggio disclosed the ommission at this week’s Farnborough Air Show, adding that they were awaiting the go-ahead from Italian authorities before resuming test flights. The P.1HH is an unmanned version of the company’s Aero P-180 business jet, and the company has a $350 million deal signed with the UAE to deliver eight systems.

While protests over the US bringing a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery to South Korea were to be expected from China and North Korea, domestic disturbances south of the DMZ have sprung up from the residents of Seonju. Those living in the famous melon farming region are up in arms over not being consulted about the THAAD system’s placement. Footage showed protesters throwing eggs and plastic water bottles at Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn as he spoke on the steps of the county office to apologize for not briefing residents earlier.