Pentagon to sell Super Tucanos to Nigeria after Obama ban | Lockheed to join Northrop in Grey Wolf development | USAF pilots to test Taiwanese F-16Vs

Americas

• The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded General Atomics a $328.8 million contract for MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft support and services. Under the terms of the agreement, GA will be tasked with “core management, logistics support, configuration management, technical manual and software maintenance, contractor field service representative support, inventory control point management, flight operations support, depot repair, and depot field maintenance,” according to the notice published on December 22. Work will take place at Poway, Calif., and is expected to be completed by December 2018.

• BAE Systems was awarded Tuesday, three US Navy contracts totalling $101 million in support of two of the service’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship. The Arleigh Burkes—USS Howard and USS Oscar Austin—will receive maintenance, repair, and servicing work, with work on the USS Howard to occur in San Diego, Calif., while work on the USS Oscar Austin will be performed in Norfolk, Va. Work is scheduled to finish in May 2019 and February 2019 respectively. Meanwhile, USS Champion MCM-4 is scheduled for dry-docking at its homeport in San Diego, Calif., with the contract covering the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modifications that will update and improve the ship’s military and technical capabilities. Work will be completed on the vessel by August 2018.

• Lockheed Martin announced Wednesday, the receipt of a $110 million US Air Force Research Laboratory contract as part of the Gray Wolf initiative—a program seeking the development of a new low-cost cruise missile—joining Northrop Grumman in the first phase of a four phase program. Under the agreement, Lockheed will develop and demonstrate a low-cost subsonic missile that uses open architectures and modular design to allow for rapid prototyping and spiral growth capabilities. The first phase will run until 2019, with demonstrations to first take place from an F-16, and will be designed for compatibility with F-35, F-15, F-18, B-1, B-2 and B-52 aircraft.

Middle East-North Africa

• Nigeria has received letters of offer and acceptance from the USAmbassador to proceed with the purchase of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft. The sale had been previously put on hold by the Obama administration over human rights concerns following the bombing by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of a refugee camp in January. The Nigerian government have until February 20, 2018 to accept the $593 million package—which includes 12 Super Tucanos alongside weapons, support services and hundreds of rockets and bombs—and it is expected that Pentagon and NAF officials will meet in early January to discuss the early delivery of the aircraft once payment has been made. Once delivered, the aircraft will assist the Nigerian military in conducting surveillance, reconnaissance and counter insurgency operations against threats such as piracy in the Niger Delta as well as the ongoing insurgency by the jihadists of Boko Haram.

• Turkish and Russian sources confirmed Wednesday that Ankara’s purchase of the S-400 Triumf air defense system has been finalized. Sergei Chemezov, head of Russian state conglomerate Rostec, told Russian daily Kommersant that two systems comprising four batteries will be delivered from March 2020 at a cost of $2.5 billion. Financing the deal, Russian will supply Turkey with a loan that will cover 55 percent of the system’s cost, while Turkey will cover the rest upfront. The agreement to purchase the latest Russian surface-to-air missile defense batteries is Turkey’s most significant deal with a non-NATO military supplier, and comes amid strained relations between Ankara and several Western countries.

Europe

• Five applications have been submitted to the Polish Ministry of Defense as part of Warsaw’s Harpy program—its procurement effort for new fighter jets. Leonardo will lead the charge for the Eurofighter consortium on behalf of program partners BAE Systems and Airbus, offering the Typhoon combat jet, while fellow European firm Saab is submitting its JAS-39 Gripen for consideration. US entrants include Boeing—with its F/A-18 Super Hornet—and Lockheed Martin, who are expected to offer the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and possibly upgraded F-16s. Warsaw-based Fights On Logistics, a company that provided services in relation to Poland’s acquisition of 48 F-16C/D Block 52 Plus fighters, also applied to take part in the market analysis phase that precedes the planned tender. While technical details of the program have yet to be disclosed, the ministry aims to acquire the jets by 2025.

Asia-Pacific

• USAF test pilots are in Taiwan as part of ground testing of Republic of China Air Force (RCAF) F-16V Viper fighter aircraft modernized by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC). Four models have currently been upgraded to the V standard from their original A/B configuration, with improvements to include new mission computers, navigation equipment, large color multifunction displays, Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) transponders, updated electronic warfare suite, and the Link-16 tactical data link, as well as an AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR). Flight testing is to take place in 2018. Also expected next year, are deliveries of AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, which have an improved seeker head capable of high off-boresight cueing via a helmet mounted display, and are more maneuverable and have more range than existing air-to-air missiles currently in Taipei’s arsenal.

Today’s Video

• How the F-35 got its name:

MDA orders THAAD Lot 9 & 10 interceptors | More Abrams slated for SEPv3 upgrades | Chinese mega seaplane makes maiden flight

Americas

• The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has almost tripled its production orders for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors from the system’s manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. Valued at $553.1 million, the contract modification has increased the total value of the contract from $273.4 million to $826.6 million, and calls for the production and delivery of Lot 9 and Lot 10 interceptors, one-shot devices, and provide associated production support efforts under fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract line item numbers. Through “synergy” lot buying, the award also includes an option for the following fiscal year, which the office states will “achieve savings in material costs in multiple fiscal years,” resulting in higher Interceptor quantity purchases at a lower average unit price. Work will take place at several locations throughout the USA, with the performance period running from March 31, 2017 through December 24, 2020.

• Oskosh Defense will produce 258 joint light tactical vehicles (JLTV) and 1,727 kits under a $100.1 million US Army contract. Work will take place at the firm’s base in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion time for May 31, 2019. Funding will be appropriated from fiscal 2017 and 2018 US Army other procurement funds, coupled with funds from the US Marine Corps (USMC) and the Office of Chief Army Reserves.

• Up to 786 M1A1 configured Abrams vehicles are set to be upgraded to the newly configured M1A2 System Enhancement Package Version 3 (SEPv3), under a $2.6 billion US Army fixed-price-incentive contract awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems unit. The deal also entitles the company to upgrade M1A1 vehicles to M1A12S and M1A2-K vehicles. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of December 21, 2020. The SEPv3 package includes upgrades in the areas of survivability, maintainability, full efficiency and network capability.

Middle East-North Africa

• Boeing is to carry out repair and support services for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) following the award of a US Air Force contract last Thursday. The $480.4 million fixed-price-incentive-firm contract comes as a 100 percent foreign military sale (FMS) to the Gulf kingdom, and includes a 24-month base period, with five 12-month option periods and one six-month option period to continue repair services and support between Boeing and the Royal Saudi Air Force. The deal includes the logistical in-Kingdom repair and return of parts for F-15C/D/S/SA fleets and repair of aerospace ground equipment, hush house/open air test cell equipment for the RSAF F-15 program. Work will take place up until June 25, 2025 at various locations across the US and in Saudi Arabia.

Europe

• Noway’s Defense Material Agency, Forsvarsmateriell, has placed a $217 million order with South Korea’s Hanwha Land Systems for the delivery of 24 155mm K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer systems and designated ammunition resupply vehicles. Valued at $215 million, the agreement also includes an option for an additional two dozen systems, and an accompanying agreement signed at the same time will provide for logistic support, during the useful life of the materiel, together with a contract for the establishment of a Center of Excellence at Bjerkvik Technical Workshop. A pre-series of the artillery system will be delivered for initial trials in 2019, followed by main deliveries in 2020, with the system’s being operational by 2021. The K9 Thunder has experienced a lot of Baltic love in recent months, with both Finland and Estonia expecting deliveries of the system in 2017 and 2021 respectively, and Poland choosing the K9 chassis for its AHS Krab howitzer program.

• Russia’s TASS news agency reports that testing of the Pantsyr-ME naval air defense system will commence in 2018. Speaking on the program, Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau CEO Alexander Shlyakhtenko said land-based testing will take first prior to sea trials onboard a Project 1241 Molniya missile corvette. Sea testing will take place in the Black Sea over the next “year or two,”according to TASS. The Pantsyr-ME—based on the land-based Pantyr-S air defense system—can be outfitted with missiles from either the land-based variant and also with the Germes-K missile, which can be guided by a drone. The system will replace the existing Kashtan Close In Weapons System (CIWS), first introduced in the late 1980s.

Asia-Pacific

• The world’s largest amphibious aircraft—the AG600—has made its maiden flight in a successful sortie out of Zhuhai airport in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. Flying off the coast on the South China Sea, the Xinhua news agency said the aircraft was the “protector spirit of the sea, islands and reefs,” and follows eight years of development by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC). Designed to carry out marine rescues and battle forest fires, the AG600 is powered by four turboprop engines, can carry 50 people during maritime search-and-rescue missions, and can scoop up 12 metric tons of water within 20 seconds for fire fighting trips. So far, Beijing has ordered eighteen models of the aircraft.

• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has received a request for proposals (RFP) for 83 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft (LCA)for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The RFP comes following the November 2016 clearance for funds for the program by India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), with production orders expected to be placed in late 2018. The Mk-1A variant offers a significantly modified version of the initial Tejas Mk-1 LCA, and will come equipped with the Israeli Elta 2052 AESA radar, podded Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and Cobham in-flight refuelling probe. Also in the mix are the addition of new air-to-air missiles and precision munitions, in addition to the R-73 and Rafael Derby BVRAAM, already integrated on Tejas Mk-1.

Today’s Video

• Maiden flight of the AG600 amphibious aircraft:

Lockheed lands $7bn Raptor sustainment contract | Boeing receives first contracts for Qatar’s F-15QA, Japan’s KC-46 | More F-35s heading to north east Asia?

Americas

• Lockheed Martin landed a $7 billion contract to provide F-22 Raptor sustainment services. The agreement has a five-year base ordering period calling for comprehensive F-22 air vehicle sustainment—to be completed by December 31 2027—with work to be carried out at five operational US Air Force (USAF) and joint service bases and five US military installation support bases across the USA, as well as some undisclosed overseas locations. The deal follows last week’s $6.7 billion award to United Technologies for sustainment activities on the Raptor’s Pratt and Whitney F-119 engine.

• The BRU-56 ejector—originally designed to carry nuclear weapons onboard the B-1B Lancer bomber—is getting an upgrade that will allow the supersonic aircraft to carry more smart munitions. At present, the ejector comes with a 30-inch lug spacing that currently allows the Lancer to carry only 15 GBU-38s but can take in 24 GBU-31s. Alongside the spacing issue, the ejector rack had been experiencing a failure rate that the service deemed required fixing. A solicitation issued by the USAF calls for a “modification and upgrade to the BRU-56 ejector rack on the Multi-Purpose Rotary Launcher (MPRL), to include 14-inch lug spacing capability, would contribute to increased safety, quicker sortie generation rates, lower maintenance time, increased reliability, and lower maintenance personnel requirements.” Don’t expect the fix to come quickly though. It’s going to take roughly three years time to design, develop and manufacture the upgrade.

Middle East-North Africa

• The UAE has expressed an interest in purchasing India’s indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) to arm its fleet of Mirage 2000-9 fight aircraft. India has already integrated the missile on its fleet of Su-30MKI aircraft and work will now take place on integrating the Astra on Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighters. The prospective sale is one of several defense deals New Delhi is chasing in the region, with meetings ongoing to manufacture arms and equipment in a joint venture with Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, who are also looking an Indian-developed defense equipment.

• Boeing was awarded last Friday, a $6.1 billion USAF contract as part of Qatar’s F-15 program. The deal provides for the foreign military sales (FMS) requirement to procure 36 new F-15QA aircraft for the Qatar Emiri Air Force as is part of a sole-source acquisition. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, with deliveries of the aircraft to the Gulf state scheduled to be completed by December 30, 2022. The announcement covers half of Qatar’s order for 72 F-15QAs, and follows a $1.1 billion award last month for F-15QA support services, as well as an $8 billion agreement with the UK for 24 Eurofighter Typhhon jets. The contracts comes as Qatar finds itself under blockade by Saudi Arabia and its neighboring allies, who accuse Doha for supporting and financing terrorism, stemming from its support for the Muslim Brotherhood.

Europe

• On December 21, Airbus announced that its A400M tactical airlifter conducted the successful refueling of six Spanish Air Force F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters during a single flight. The mission was undertaken on December 13 as part of an air-to-air refuelling (AAR) human factors certification flight, and involved a complex series of AAR scenarios such as changes of area, receivers with unknown priorities, and unexpected increases in numbers of receivers. The six fighters that participated in the flight came from the Spanish Air Force Test Centre (CLAEX) and the 12th Operational Wing based at Torrejón, and simulated a fleet of eight. A total of 11.4 tonnes of fuel was dispensed using both the underwing pods and the centre hose refuelling unit, and certification authorities on board confirmed good results and the flight validated the A400M two-crew cockpit concept for tanker missions.

Asia-Pacific

• Malaysia has narrowed down to four, the number of competing platforms it is looking at to fulfil its Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) requirements. The selection was revealed during a presentation at a maritime security conference in Singapore, where the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Head of Staff for Air Region 1 Headquarters, Brigadier General Yazid Bin Arshad showed a title slide with images of four MPA aircraft, and identified by IHS Jane’s as the Airbus CN295, the Leonardo ATR 72MP, the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, and the CN-235—the last of which could possibly be supplied by the neighboring Indonesian, firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia. “Those are the four shortlisted, however the door is not closed yet,” General Yazid said, adding that while the competition was still open to aircraft that fill the RMAF’s requirements, a special team had already been formed to evaluate the four options. Funding for the acquisition has been earmarked in the government’s 2018 budget, and the aircraft will replace Kuala Lumpur’s 23-year old Beechcraft 200 aircraft.

• Amid fresh UN-imposed sanctions on North Korea, and further bellicose threats made by Pyongyang, Japanese and South Korean media have reported that their respective governments are considering additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighter orders. South Korea’s Joongang Ilbo newspaper, citing several government sources, reported that Seoul’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has established a process for procuring 20 additional F-35A fighters, adding to the 40 already ordered in 2014. Meanwhile, Tokyo may order the Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STVL) variant of the next-generation fighters—the F-35B—which would allow the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to operate the aircraft from shorter runways as well as on board its Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, which could be retrofitted with ski-jumps and upgraded aviation fuel storage facilities to allow the aircraft operate off its deck. However, such a plan by Tokyo is likely to face controversy due to the offensive capabilities the platforms would add to Japan’s arsenal, prevented under its pacifist constitution.

• Work is to begin on producing Japan’s first KC-46 tanker aircraft, following the $289 million USAF firm-fixed-price contract awarded to Boeing to deliver one unit to Tokyo. The contract provides for non-recurring engineering, integrated logistics support and one KC-46A aircraft and is a 100 percent foreign military sale (FMS) to the Japanese government. Work will take place in Seattle, Washington with delivery to the JASDF to take place by February 28, 2021. Once delivered, the KC-46 will add a significant boost to Japan’s aerial refueling capabilities, adding to the current fleet of four KC-767J tankers.

Today’s Video

• A400M refuels six Spanish F/A-18s in single flight:

DID Seasons Greetings 2017

We would like to wish all of our subscribers, readers, and advertisers a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season.

For those of you with little ones in the house, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) have been tracking the movements of a certain Mr. S. Claus on his way west throughout the night. You can check his progress here.

In the mean time, we’re sticking another log on the fire and getting stuck into the Christmas hamper early so will not resume publishing until the 27th, with Early Edition subscribers getting their mailshot on the 26th.

Today’s Video

• Cristmas wishes from Krusty the Clown:

USN may consider Ford-class block-buy | Sea Ceptor scores at firing trials | Lockheed Martin scores $1bn Sniper ATP upgrade award from USAF

Americas

• Lockheed Martin has been awarded a US Air Force (USAF) contract nearing $1 billion in value, for the sustainment and upgrade of the service’s fleet of 683 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP). Work on the five-year deal will take place at locations in Florida and Georgia, with work expected to wrap up by December 17 2022. Capable of being integrated on a wide variety of air platforms including the F-2, F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1, B-52 and Typhoon aircraft, the Sniper ATP detects, identifies, automatically tracks and laser-designates small tactical targets at long ranges. It also supports employment of all laser- and GPS-guided weapons against multiple fixed and moving targets. Paul Lemmo, vice president of Fire Control/Special Operations Forces Contractor Logistics Support Services at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said the award represented the “availability, reliability and performance” of the Sniper ATP to USAF warfighters worldwide, adding the firm was proud to “deliver our most advanced targeting technology and support ongoing operations.”

• Two Ford-class aircraft carriers may be block-bought by the US Navy, according to Vice Adm. Tom Moore, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command. Speaking to USNI News, Moore said such a dual-purchase would allow the service “to get (CVN) 81 [The future USS Enterprise] quicker” as materials can be ordered for both ships at the same time, while also cutting costs. The procurement program is one of six selected—the others being the MDA’s Standard Missile program, the USAF’s C-130-J retrofit kits, the Japanese Global Hawk FMS program, and two classified programs—under a new DoD pilot program aimed at slashing acquisition timelines to help improve lethality and readiness in the military. Each program will look to have a contract signed within 210 days of the request for proposal being issued, with an ultimate goal of getting major programs on contract within 180 days of the RFP’s release.

• Embraer’s KC-390 multi-mission transport aircraft has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) from the Brazillian Air Force (BAF). The Milestone, announced by the firm on Wednesday, was achieved following the successful completion of a certification campaign that saw two prototypes accumulate over 1,500 flight hours and more than 40,000 hours of laboratory testing of the aircraft’s various systems. Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC)—who awarded the tanker its IOC—is expected to issue final Type Certification in 2018, and the aircraft will undergo additional in-flight tests of various military functionalities including the remaining aerial refueling and cargo dropping tests, to fulfill the requirements to receive the final military certification of the aircraft with the achievement of the Final Operational Capability (FOC), followed by deliveries to the BAF.

Europe

• The US State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has cleared a foreign military sale (FMS) package for follow-on support and sustainment services for Poland’s F-16 fighter fleet. Estimated to cost $200 million, contracts for the program will be awarded when necessary and the DSCA have listed Harris Corp., Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, BAE Systems, L-3 Communications, Northrop Grumman, UTC Aerospace, Exelis Electronic, Honeywell, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Boeing as all potential prime contractors in the sale. Services to be carried out on the F-16 fleetinclude: aircraft maintenance; system and overhauls and upgrades; engine support; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support; and other related elements of program support.

• Missile consortium MBDA announced Wednesday, the successful completion by the British Royal Navy of the final First of Class firing trials of the new Sea Ceptor air defence system. Testing was conducted onboard the HMS Argyll where the system was tested against more complex scenarios, including rapidly engaging multiple simultaneous threats. Sea Ceptor will now be rolled out on other Type 23 Frigates, and the first of a series of installation test firings have already been completed on HMS Westminster. The system will take over from the legacy Sea Wolf system, and will allow for frigates installed with the platform to protect other vessels in conjunction with itself. It utilizes the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM), which doubles the range of Sea Wolf, and its active radar-seeker allows the missile to engage targets without the need for complex and costly target illuminators.

• Finland’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has approved a $264.6 million upgrade program that will fit its four Hamina-class fast attack crafts (FAC) with Saab’s Tp 4 lightweight torpedo. Helsinki plans to use the upgunned vessels as a bridge before the retirement of the Rauma-class FAC and the induction of the Squadron 2020 corvettes, and are expected to remain in service until 2035. Other weapons system integrated onboard the vessels include a Bofors 57 mm main cannon, four Saab RBS-15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles (AShM) and eight Denel Dynamics Umkhonto IR surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

Asia-Pacific

• It’s been reported that the Indian MoD is seeking second-hand Mi-35 helicopters to donate to the Afghan Air Force. A delegation from the ministry is expected to visit and eastern European country, believed to be either Serbia or Ukraine, and this will be followed up by and Afghan delegation to New Dehli for follow up discussions. The move was requested by Kabul, who are in the process of replacing its ageing Soviet-era fleet with Western-made platforms, however, require parts to keep the Russian-made equipment in operation before the process is complete. As US sanctions on Russian exports prevent Washington or Kabul from sourcing these required parts directly from Moscow, they are free to receive the equipment as donations from allies. India, who is looking to boost its influence and partnership with Afghanistan, is likely to cooperate with Russia on military support for Afghanistan, with the US on development support, and with Iran on trade cooperation for goods to Afghanistan.

Today’s Video

• Double-firing of the Sea Ceptor air defence system onboard HMS Argyll:

Boeing reveals MQ-25 prototype | Ukrainian protest puts brakes on Bulgaria’s MiG modernization | F-35 completes Weapons Delivery Accuracy (WDA) flight tests

Americas

• After a week of teasing its release, Boeing’s Phantom Works unit revealed Tuesday its prototype that will be entered into the US Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial tanker program. A photograph of the aircraft facing the camera released by the firm shows that Boeing have incorporated a wing-body-tail design, diverting from the original flying wing design it considered putting forward to the precursor of the MQ-25 program—when the Navy prioritized strike and ISR capabilities over mission-tanking for its first carrier-based drone. Engine runs will be conducted before the end of the year, with deck handling demonstrations to follow in the new year. During the demo, prototype operators will taxi the aircraft via remote control and move it within the confines of the deck, as well as validating that the aircraft will engage the launch bar of a catapult. Boeing said first flight will take place when the engineering and manufacturing development contract is awarded.

• Testers from the US Air Force’s (USAF) 461st Flight Test Squadron and F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) have concluded Weapons Delivery Accuracy (WDA) flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base, marking a major milestone in getting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s Block 3F software ready for combat. All three variants of the next-generation fighter were used during the tests—which began in 2013—with the ITF delivering 55 weapons during the testing, and included air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-120s, the AIM-9X and the UK’s Advanced Short Range AAM, as well as the Paveway IV laser-guided bomb, GBU-39 small diameter bomb, GBU-12, GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition and the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon. Each weapon test required multiple missions including software development, “dry runs” and then the actual weapon release. The F-35 Integrated Test Force, operating at both Edwards AFB and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, continues to conduct developmental flight test for the DoD’s F-35 Joint Program Office. Ongoing testing at Edwards AFB includes mission effectiveness testing, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime interdiction, and offensive and defensive air-to-air combat testing.

• Lockheed Martin was awarded Monday a $110,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract as part of the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) Gray Wolf Cruise Missile Science and Technology Demonstration Program. The award calls for Lockheed to undergo design, development, manufacture, and testing work of prototype-affordable cruise missiles to advance networked collaborative operations technologies for defeat of enemy integrated air defense systems. The program is a spiral development effort, using open architectures and a modular design to enable testing of multiple variant full-scale prototypes. Work will be carried out in Dallas, Texas, with an estimated completion time scheduled for December 17, 2021.

Europe

• Paul Kehoe, Minister of State at the Irish Department of Defence has signed a $38 million deal with Pilatus for three PC-12 NG aircraft. The Swiss-made aircraft will go towards replacing the Irish Air Corps’ five Cessna 172H Skyhawk aircraft (first purchased in 1972), marking a significant increase in capabilities for the service. “This will provide us with a huge generational jump forward from the days of the Cessna and allow us to fulfil the roles that are are envisaged for the Air Corps”, one senior military officer said. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2019 and 2020 and once operational, will be used for a range of missions, including medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), logistical support, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The purchase is being funded from the defence capital funding budget of $494 million for 2018-2021 and this will alsoallow for the replacement of both of the Air Corps CASA maritime patrol craft and other major equipment projects during that timeframe.

• Bulgaria has had to put the brakes on its $50 million MiG-29 fighter jet modernization, less than two months after parliament approved funding for the upgrades to fifteen aircraft. Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG had been tapped to take on the work, but an appeal filed with the Bulgarian competition regulator by Ukrainian arms company Ukrinmash has temporarily kiboshed the four-year program. Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member, considered the MiG maker as the only company capable of providing reliable support for the aircraft and did not invite other bidders for the deal. The move has outraged the Bulgarian Minister of Defense, Krasimir Karakachanov, who called the appeal a “a sabotage attempt” against the ministry’s plans for a direct contract with the Russian company. “The Ukrainian company does not have a license, it does not have capability to carry out such overhauls”, he told a news conference.

• Elbit Systems has announced the receipt of a $46 million follow-on contract to supply additional J-Music Direct Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) self-protection systems to NATO’s A330 Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) Program. Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway have so far signed up to procure seven aircraft that will be operated on a pooled basis under NATO command, with scope for adding four additional aircraft if additional NATO members joined the initiative. The contract will be completed over a four-year period.

Asia-Pacific

• The Bangladeshi government has released a request-for-proposals (RFP) for an ISR and ground attack-capable Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The request states that the Bangladeshi Air Force (BAF) requires a package consisted of a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), ground control station (GCS), sensor subsystems and air-to-surface munitions. Its minimum cruise speed must be at least 140 km/h and a loiter speed capped at 140 km/h (or lower). The UAV must have a maximum speed of 200 km/h or more and a flight ceiling of approximately 20,000 ft, if not higher. Three hardpoints and a minimum payload of 120kg have also been requested, alongside a range of 1,000 km and endurance of 15 hours. Taking these specifications into account, potential options for Dhaka’s include several options from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)—the CH-4 and the Wing Loong II—and Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) Anka UAV.

Today’s Video

• Footage of recent testing of Indonesia’s indigenous P-250 bomb:

V-280 Valor makes flying debut | Japanese cabinet approves $2 billion Ageis Ashore plan, missiles and radar to cost extra | IAF receives first AH-64E

Americas

• Bell Helicopter’s V-280 Valor tilt-rotor aircraft flew for the first time on December 18, at a Bell facility in Amarillo, Texas. Monday’s test saw the helicopter perform a low hover for up to 20 minutes, and follows a series of ground trials conducted since the the completion of the prototype build in September. The Valor prototype has been developed as one of two different demonstrator aircraft—the other being the Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant coaxial helicopter—as part of the US Army’s Joint Multi-Role demonstrator program, and will pave the way for informing and shaping the design of a Future Vertical Lift helicopter fleet expected to hit the skies in the 2030s. The Defiant, which has experienced manufacturing issues with the complex rotor blades that make up the helicopter’s coaxial design, is expected to fly in the fist half of 2018.

• The Pentagon has awarded Huntington Ingalls a $63 million modified contract for emergency repair and restoration on the US Navy’s USS Fitzgerald. Under the terms of the agreement, Huntington will provide for the initial collision ripout phase of an availability which will include a combination of maintenance, modernization, and collision repair on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer—which suffered severe damage following a collision with a cargo ship in June, claiming the lives of seven US sailors. Work on the contract will occur in Pascagoula, Miss., and is expected to be completed by September 2018.

• BAE Systems will design and build bomber armament tester (BAT) systems that will help test the effectiveness of the weapons systems of the US bomber fleets, following the award of a $64 million US Air Force (USAF) contract. The BAT system will test the operational readiness of the bomb ejector racks, rotary launchers, and pylon assemblies on board B-1B, B-2A, and B-52H aircraft. A total of 90 BAT systems will be delivered to the USAF in three increments over the next nine years, with work to be performed primarily at BAE Systems’ facilities in San Diego, California, and Fort Worth, Texas.

Middle East & Africa

• A Saudi royal family member has confirmed that the kingdom’s air defense systems downed another ballistic missile fired by Houthi forces in Yemen on Tuesday. No injuries have been reported from the attack, but a spokesman for the Houthi movement said that the missile targeted the royal court at al-Yamama palace, where a meeting of Saudi leaders was under way. “Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile targeting (the) south of Riyadh. There are no reported casualties at this time,” the government-run Center for International Communication wrote on its Twitter account. The attack follows the November 4 intercept of a missile fired on Riyadh’s King Khaled Airport airport.

Europe

• Having recently returned from sea trails, the British Royal Navy’s $4.2 billion HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will undergo repairs for a leak found on the vessel, caused by a shaft seal issue. British tabloid the Sun reported that the leak was letting in 200 litres of water every hour and the fix would cost millions of pounds. However, a defence source said the navy was aware the ship had an issue when it was handed over by manufacturers and the Sun said the builders would have to foot the repair bill. BAE Systems—who built the vessel as part of a consortium including Babcock, and the UK division of France’s Thales—said it was “normal practice for a volume of work and defect resolution to continue following vessel acceptance,” adding that the fix will be “completed prior to the nation’s flagship re-commencing her programme at sea in 2018.” BAE said the work would be carried out early next year and the issue would take just a couple of days to fix with no need for it to be taken into a dry dock.

Asia-Pacific

• Indonesia has received the first of eight ordered AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, with the rotorcraft touching down in Semarang on the island of Java in a USAF C-17A Globemaster III airlifter on Monday. The $1.42 billion sale also includes associated equipment and spares that included the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar and 140 Lockheed Martin AGM-114R3 anti-tank missiles, and will help Jakarta “defend its borders, conduct counterterrorism and counter-piracy operations, and control the free flow of shipping through the strategic Straits of Malacca,” according to the 2012 foreign military sales (FMS) request. The Apache’s manufacturer Boeing is also continuing to market its CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter to Indonesia, with meetings conducted last week between Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Boeing Defence and Space’s regional director and vice president for Indonesia and Malaysia, Yeong Tae Pak over future defense procurement cooperation. As well as discussing an offset program that will boost Indonesia’s domestic defense industry,Pak extolled the virtues of the Chinook as a multi-mission platform capable of roles ranging from special forces support to disaster relief.

• An indigenously developed munition—the P-250 general purpose bomb—has undergone a successful live-fire test by the Indonesian Air Force. The Jakarta Post reports that four bombs were dropped on designated targets from two Su-30MKs at the Pandanwangi air weapon range (AWR) in Lumajang regency, East Java, on Friday. Weighing 250 kilograms, the P-250 is a joint development effort between the Air Force’s research and development agency—Dislitbang—and local weapon manufacturer Sari Bahari, and is integrated with the Sukhoi’s computerized system so that whenthey were dropped from a height level of 2,000 meters, they would fall precisely on the targeted points.

• The Japanese cabinet has approved a procurement plan for two Aegis Ashore batteries, to be tasked with intercepting potential ballistic missiles over its airspace. Initial funding for the project will be ring-fenced in the next defense budget beginning in April, but no decision has been made on the radar, or the overall cost, or schedule, of the deployment, according to the MoD. The batteries—without missiles—are expected to cost $2 billion, with SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missiles costing approximately $30 million each. The inclusion of the US’s new Spy-6 radar—due to be in operation on US vessels by 2022—also needs to be negotiated, but is likely to prove a costly proposition for Japan as outlays on new equipment squeeze its military budget.

Today’s Video

• First flight of Bell’s V-280 Valor:

Lockheed meets 2017’s F-35 delivery schedule | CRL-equipped B-52 drops record JDAMS in one sortie | Leonardo tests Sidewinder AAM from M-346

Americas

• Lockheed Martin announced Monday that is has met the US government’s target for the year of delivering 66 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to the US military and allied partners. The deliveries account for a 40 percent increase on ones made in 2016, and the firm is ready to ramp up production volume year-over-year to hit full rate of approximately 160 aircraft in 2023—Lockheed has already began preparing for this, having hired more than 1,300 employees at its facility at Fort Worth, Texas, since January of this year, with approximately 500 more positions expected to be filled. Lockheed hopes the production increase will bring down the cost of the F-35A to $80 million by 2020.

• Boeing has been awarded an $18.1 million US Air Force (USAF) contract modification in support of the service’s AC-130U gunships. The agreement calls for “integrated sustainment support” of the AC-130U gunships, and includes a clause for the continuation of services for the development, modification, sustainment and maintenance of the aircraft. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to just over $55 million. Work will be carried out at Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Hurlburt Field, Florida; Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan; and Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2018. Armed with 40mm and 105mm cannons and a 25mm Gatling gun, the AC-130U is used for close air support missions, along with air interdiction and armed reconnaissance.

• The USAF’s B-52 Stratofortress stealth bomber has used its conventional rotary launcher in combat operations for the first time. The conventional rotary launcher, designed to allow the B-52 to carry more smart bombs, was first used during an operation on November 18 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve—the USA’s campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants operating in Iraq and Syria. Following this, its first use in a deliberately planned combat mission saw a B-52 target Taliban narcotics and IED facilities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, as part of a new offensive to target the group’s revenue streams. During the sortie, the aircraft released 19 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMS)—a new record for the most amount of smart bombs dropped by the platform. The offensive also saw the F-22 Raptor employed against Taliban targets for the first time.

Middle East & Africa

• Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has released the official specifications of its upcoming TFX fighter. Officially known as the Milli Muharebe Uçagi (National Combat Aircraft), the jet will have a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 27,215 kg, length of 19 m and wingspan of 12 m. Powered by two turbofan engines—likely to be developed by a joint venture involving Rolls Royce and private Turkish company Kale Group—each with 9072 kgf in thrust output, it will have an operational radius of over 1,111 km and a flight ceiling of over 16,764 m (i.e. 55,000 ft). Its maximum speed is Mach 2. TAI stated that the TFX “is envisaged … [to] work with F-35A planes planned to enter the inventory of the Turkish Air Force,” adding that TFX production will run until 2070.

Europe

• Sweden’s procurement agency, the Defence and Material Administration (FMV), has signed a multi-million dollar order with Saab for equipment for existing and new E-model JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft. The contract is supplemental to an earlier 2013 agreement for the development and modernization of the Gripen and is worth more than $46.9 million. While specific equipment requested was not disclosed, Saab did say that the order is a first step in changing the structure of the Gripen E production for the Swedish air force. “Saab, FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces have agreed on the terms of the contract based on the relevant needs and deliveries,” says Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Aeronautics. “This joint approach is intended to secure availability so that the Swedish Armed Forces can keep the Gripen C/D fleet in operational service while Gripen E is being delivered and put into operational service in the Swedish Air Force.”

• Italy’s Leonardo has successfully test-fired a Raytheon AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missile from its M-346 trainer aircraft, as part of continued development work on the platform. Testing took place off the island of Sardinia at Italy’s Salto del Quirra test range, with the firm confirming that the initial analysis of the flight-test data showed that all systems performed as predicted. The missile was released from an underwing pylon at an altitude of 5,000ft and a speed of Mach 0.8, and adds to previous qualification efforts for other weapons–such as guided bombs and a gun pod, on the M-346. Leonardo’s M-346FA (Fighter-Attack) is being marketed as a light attack aircraft that can be deployed in ground support roles, including air-to-ground attack, tactical, close air support (CAS), counter-insurgency (COIN), and interdiction with precision guided munitions. It is also suited for pilot training, air-to-air combat, air policing, airborne tactical reconnaissance, and airspace control missions. Other variants in the M-346 family include the include the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) and multi-role M-346FT (Fighter Trainer).

Asia-Pacific

• Following the successful test-firing of a BrahMos cruise missile from a Su-30MKI combat jet in November, work has begun on modifying additional Su-30MKI aircraft so they too can carry the air-launched variant of the weapon. A total of 40 Su-30s have been slated for the upgrades, which require structural modifications to safely carry the 2.5-ton missile—the heaviest weapon the Sukhoi’s can carry—as well as other mechanical, electrical and software modifications. The project expects to wrap up in 2020.

• The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a US Navy contract calling for new construction in support of Japan’s AEGIS program. Valued in excess of $135.8 million, the agreement calls for new construction and integration of a DDG AEGIS weapons system J7 baseline—a joint research program conducted by the US and Japan, Lockheed is developing an Aegis Baseline 9.C2 (BMD 5.1) variant computer program, referred to as J7, for deployment on Japan’s Aegis destroyers—which is a centralized, automated, command-and-control weapon system used to rapidly detect and track more than 100 targets at once. Work on the foreign military sale (FMS) will take place across several US and Japanese locations, ending in December 2018. Japan operates six destroyers equipped with the Aegis combat system, and plans to have two Aegis Ashore platforms operational by 2023 to help boost its theatre defense from potential North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Today’s Video

• Swedish Air Force Gripens fly in Christmas Tree formation

Pentagon announces arms packages for Lebanon | Germany kicks off heavy-lift helo comp | Myanmar inducts Yaks into service

Americas

• United Technologies Corp. will perform sustainment services on Pratt and Whitney F-119 engines used on Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor. The $6.7 billion agreement falls under the terms of an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract between the firm and the US Air Force (USAF), with work to be carried out at UTC’s East Hartford Connecticut office, as well as at multiple USAF bases across the USA. Contract completion is expected by December 2025.

• Raytheon won Thursday, a $22.5 million US Navy modified contract for support services on the Rolling Airframe Missile Mark-31 Guided Missile Weapon System. The agreement covers design agent and engineering support services for the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) upgraded MK-31 Guided Missile Weapon System Improvement program—a joint effort conducted by both Washington and Germany. Work will take place mostly in Tucson, Arizona, with some work taking place in Louisville, Kentucky. The contract is expected to be completed by September 2019.

Middle East & Africa

• The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) continues to receive US military support, with US Gen. Joseph Votel announcing new arms packages for Beirut under the Pentagon’s “Building Partner Capacity” program. Three procurements are being financed through the BPC scheme, totalling $120 million, and aim to build the LAF’s capability to conduct border security and counterterrorism operations. The first program will see six new MD 530G light attack helicopters and associated equipment and training, valued at more $94 million. The second program, costing $11 million, will boost C4ISR capabilities with six ScanEagle UAVs, while the third will provide the LAF additional capabilities to employ joint fire support and close air support through the delivery of communications equipment, electronics equipment, night vision devices, and training, valued at more than $16 million.

Europe

• Gen. Volker Wieker, the German Armed Forces highest in command, signed a document Thursday, kicking off the military’s $6.72 billion heavy-lift helicopter competition. Between 45 and 60 new helicopters will be acquired under the program, and will see Lockheed Martin’s massive CH-53K helicopter face off against fellow American rival Boeing’s smaller twin-rotor CH-47. The defence ministry expects to issue a request for information in the second half of 2018 after completing a fleet capability study, with a contract award seen in mid-2020. If all goes to plan, initial deliveries would begin in 2023, replacing Germany’s existing fleet of CH-53G aircraft.

• Anonymous US military officials have claimed that the Pentagon still believes that it can sell American-made fighter jets to Germany despite the fact that the German Defense Ministry has thrown its weight behind the Eurofighter Typhoon. The ministry made the announcement last week, in part to distance itself from comments made by Air Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Karl Muellner last month, who at the time had said he preferred the Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, given the next-generation warplane’s ability to fulfil the military’s stealth and long-distance strike requirements. The ministry is looking first at the European option, and secondarily at three US fighter jets. But it made clear that no decisions would be made until after a comprehensive assessment of all options. Washington must respond by March 31 to the Berlin’s formal request for information about the F-35 and Boeing’s F-15 and the F/A-18E/F. Information on the Typhoon has also been sought from the Eurofighter consortium.

• Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been left with a shock, after the US government costed the upgrade program requested for the Hellenic Air Force’s (HAF) F-16 fighter jets higher than Tsipras has previously announced. Tsipras, who has governed austerity-stricken Greece since 2015, originally costed the plan at $1.1 billion, for 85 F-16s to be upgraded to the Block 70 standard. However, negotiations finalizing the sale have upped this cost significantly to $1.5 billion, with Athens having only until January 31, 2018, to conclude the deal before the letter of offer and acceptance sent by the US expires. While this deadline is not binding, both sides are eager to conclude the deal within this time frame. According to reports, payments in 2018 will be covered by the air force budget, but there will be difficulties in 2019 when Greece will have to purchase the parts and equipment needed to complete the upgrade.

Asia-Pacific

• The Indonesian Air Force has released a wish list of additional aircraft it needs as part of its plan to improve the strength of the service. Three additional squadrons of combat aircraft are being sought, adding to the F-16s, Su-27s, and Su-30s it currently operates. Also requested have been four airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems, four tankers, new radar, helicopters for anti-terror missions, as well as multi-purpose amphibious aircraft.

• Myanmar has commissioned into service ten new aircraft as part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Myanmar Air Force. The December 15 ceremony was overseen by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Khin Aung Myint, former commanders-in-chief (Navy and Air). Among the inductees were six new Yak-130 advanced trainers—used for both pilot training and light attack operations—as well as two Fokker-70s and two ATR 42-320s, medium-range jetliners and twin-turboprop aircrafts respectively. The Yak-130s were delivered in two batches of three in 2016 and 2017, and more deliveries are expected in 2018.

Today’s Video

• Released footage of a F/A-18F encountering an unidentified flying object (UFO) in November 2004

Equipping Lebanon’s… Government?

The Lebanese Army’s own web site is blunt: “The assistance received from Syria, the USA, and other friendly countries has played a basic role in bridging the gap between needs and available means.”

A number of countries are stepping up to fill those gaps, left in a military ravaged by foreign occupation, a long and losing civil war, and the presence of Hizb’Allah – a foreign-backed private army in Lebanon, with superior firepower. The battle for influence in that country is multi-polar, with countries including the USA, France, and Saudi Arabia moving to counter Syria and Iran’s proxies, and countries like Russia working with independent agendas. The USA has been supplying a wide range of equipment from ammunition to armored vehicles, and is adding tanks, mini-UAVs, and even patrol boats to that list. Belgium has worked to sell some of its own tanks and APCs, France has offered help with Lebanon’s existing French equipment; and in April 2009, Russia went so far as to offer MiG-29 fighters, for free, from its own stocks.

What capabilities would these systems bring? How are those sales going? And how is Lebanon itself changing, in the wake of both Hezbollah’s takeover and Syria’s civil war?