Jan 09, 2017 00:58 UTCAmericas
- Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has dismissed an idea posed by the upcoming Trump administration to supplant the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with greater procurements of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. President-elect Donald Trump called the two fighters “comparable” in a tweet following a pow wow with Lockheed Martin and Boeing in December as part of an early effort to get a better deal for government defense spending. However James called the jets not interchangeable and that both fighters had been developed to fulfill different requirements. She added that any attempt by the Trump team to implement such a plan would be met with resistance from the Air Force.
- DARPA has moved forward with their plan for future warfighters to communicate freely in contested environments by using an undersea optical fiber backbone in lieu of traditional tactical networks. Known as the Tactical Undersea Network Architecture (TUNA) program, it recently completed phase one testing successfully and during phase two, researchers will attempt to recreate a Link 16 network out at sea. The system will see buoys deployed from aircraft and ships, with each buoy linked to one another using thin fiber-optic cables that can survive rough ocean conditions for up to 30 days. Each buoy will temporarily restore radio frequency (RF) tactical data networks in its area of coverage.
Africa
- Budget details proposed by the Nigerian government have revealed that their acquisition of three JF-17 fighters from Pakistan cost $15 million. A total of $68.76 million has been earmarked for various “platform acquisitions … for counter air, counter surface, air ops for strategic effect and air support operations.” Out of the remaining funds, the Nigerian Air Force is building a fleet of 12 Mil Mi-35 air assault helicopters, and are interested in adding the EMB-314 Super Tucano to bolster close air support capabilities.
Europe
- The French government has placed an order with Thales for their Spy’Ranger mini-UAVs. Up to 70 of the mini-UAV reconnaissance systems will be delivered, with each system consisting of three mini-UAVs, a ground segment and the associated technical support. Spy’Ranger’s can be launched within minutes by a two-person team, are capable of transmitting high-resolution video in real time, and will replace frontline reconnaissance UAVs currently in service with the French army from 2018.
- Airbus landed a $504 million contract to support the British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) A400M Atlas transport aircraft fleet. The deal will see the company provide maintenance, upgrade and repair support of the planned 22-strong fleet of Airbus-built aircraft through 2026. Based at the RAF’s air transport hub at Brize Norton, work will be carried out in a soon-to-be-complete $76 million hanger, capable of housing three Atlas aircraft at one go. Until now, the maintenance of the RAF aircraft had been conducted under an industry-led initial support contract involving Airbus subcontracting scheduled maintenance work to the engineering arm of Flybe, the British regional airline.
Asia Pacific
- Foreign operators of the Sukhoi-made fighters may soon be able to purchase general-purpose muntions made in Indonesia, as Jakarta ponders green lighting an export initiative to boost domestic production. Based in Malang, manufacturer PT Sari Bahari has been approached by a number of countries for their weapons, including: P-100 and P-250 bombs, which are for practice and to carry live warheads, the P-500 live bomb, 70 and 80 mm warheads for both smoke bombs and real explosives, the Petir missile target drone and the Rocketpod 7 tube launcher. The firm previously exported hundreds of 70 mm smoke warheads to the Chilean Air Force.
- A laser weapon system capable of shooting down North Korean UAVs will be developed from next year, as Seoul looks to counter their neighbor’s wanton drones. Several small UAVs have been captured by South Korean forces along their border with the North, and Pyongyang is believed to be building larger drones with greater range and with the capability to be operated remotely by flight controllers. It is estimated that ten North Korean machines are capable of attacking with weapons.
- The Indian Air Force will induct their first indigenous airborne early warning aircraft later this month. Developed by Bengaluru’s Centre for Airborne Systems and integrated on Brazilian-made Embraer-145 aircraft, the system includes 240-degree coverage radars as well as multiple communication and data links that can alert and direct fighters against threats. Three such systems will eventually be released into service following successful certification. At present, New Delhi operates three Phalcon AWACS systems placed on top of IL-76 aircraft. Phalcons provide a 360-degree view over a 400-km range.
Today’s Video
Tactical Undersea Network Architecture (TUNA):
Jan 04, 2017 00:58 UTCAmericas
- The USMC has issued a $60 million contract to Raytheon for TOW missiles. Delivery of the missiles is expected to be completed by December 28, 2018. The weapons are designed to help ground forces engage armored targets like tanks and can also be mounted to land platforms such as the Styker and Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
- Further orders for Oshkosh’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) have been made by the US Army. 409 of the vehicles will be produced in a $179 million contract, with work expected to be completed by this December. Initial low-rate production of the JLTV began last year, as the US Army and USMC look to replace their Humvees.
Middle East & North Africa
- Turkey’s Aselsan and Saudi Arabia’s Taqnia have formed a joint venture focusing on military electronics. Known as SADEC, the venture will include the building of a factory in Saudi Arabia on the idea of “creating the most advanced available technology.” Radars, electronic warfare suites and electro-optical technology will be developed and manufactured with a view to selling them to the Saudi and Gulf markets.
- Qatar is looking at the Turkish armor industry for the provision of 1,000 armored vehicles, as Turkish industry aggressively pursues markets in various parts of Asia. A joint venture including Turkish manufacturer BMC, Germany’s Rheinmetall and Malaysia’s Etika Strategi are involved in the negotiations for various armor platform configurations, although specifics on models sought by the Gulf kingdom remain undisclosed.
Europe
- The Russian Navy has stated that the Ka-52K is slated to replace all current fleets of Ka-29 assault transport helicopters as well as inducting ship-based UAVs as part of long-term naval plans. Russian naval aviation chief, Maj. Gen. Igor Kozhin, made the announcement on Monday, adding that “carrier-based fighter aviation units will get MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighter jets in 2017-2020.” The 4++ generation fighters can destroy targets at sea and ground with high-precision guided weapons day and night, in any weather conditions.
Asia Pacific
- Japan is looking to sell Kawasaki P-1 and C-2 maritime patrol aircraft to New Zealand in what could be Tokyo’s first major arms sale. Classified data on both platforms was provided in September, as Wellington gathers information on other potential acquisitions from US and European competitors. Any deal will involve maintenance of the aircraft and New Zealand might get a chance to produce certain components for the planes under a technology transfer.
- During his New Year’s speech, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un announced that his country will test an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads this year. Reuters reported a senior US military official as saying that although Pyongyang appears able to put a miniaturized nuclear warhead on a missile, the missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes is still a serious obstacle to their weapons development. Needless to say, the international community has condemned it.
- Korea Aircraft Industries (KAI) has secured a $523 million contract to provide KUH-1 Surion transport helicopters to South Korea’s marines. The deal covers the production and delivery of 30 helicopters, expected between 2017-2023. Modifications found on the marine variant include foldable blades, emergency floats that can deploy with the press of a button, optional long-range fuel tanks, as well as the ability to carrying nine fully equipped marines in addition to four crew members.
Today’s Video
2016 naval aviation year-in-review:
Jan 03, 2017 00:58 UTCAmericas
- And we’re off! The USAF has released the final request for proposals (RFP) for their T-X trainer competition. Not deviating much from the draft RFP released in July, the request encompasses a total of 350 aircraft, including delivery of the initial five test aircraft, contract options for LRIP lots 1 and 2, and full-rate production of lots 3 through 11. A decision on the $16.3 billion program is expected later this year.
- Boeing will provide Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) integration services for the US Navy’s EA-18G aircraft in a deal worth $308 million. Work ordered in the contract includes the program’s engineering phase, as well as the design and manufacturing tasks for 12 ECP 6472 kits, NGJ pod testing, and additional supporting equipment. The NGJ is a Raytheon-led effort to improve airborne electronic warfare capabilities while replacing the existing AN/ALQ-99 pods used by EA-18G Growler aircraft. Industry partners are aiming to reach initial operating capability for the new pods in 2021.
Middle East & North Africa
- The Turkish military is expected to receive satellite-communication (SATCOM)-equipped Anka-S medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVS in 2017. Ten ground systems will be delivered to the armed forces, with deliveries set to be completed by 2018. Manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), the Anka’s development commenced in 2004, making its maiden test flight in December 2010.
Europe
- Leonardo-Finmeccanica finished out 2016 by announcing the first successful flight of their Aermacchi M-345 High Efficiency Trainer. The December 29 flight lasted 30 minutes; more tests of avionics, engine, and flight envelope expansion projects to enhance the plane’s speed, altitude, and maneuverability will continue throughout 2017. The company has also followed through on their planned name change, being referred to simply as “Leonardo” from January 1.
- State trials of the new MiG-35 fighter will commence next month. Based on further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB, trials had been planned to commence during the summer but did not occur. It’s also believed that a batch of the prototype fighters ere expected to be delivered to the Russian Defense Ministry by the end of 2016.
Asia Pacific
- A new tender for close-air support (CAS) aircraft for the Philippines has been released following Manila’s failure to select a winner last year. Interested parties have until January 27 to apply for the tender to supply six aircraft, destined to either replace or compliment the Philippine Air Force’s fleet of Rockwell OV-10 Bronchos. Embraer’s A-10 Super Tucano is an early main contender with other offerings expected to come from Beechcraft’s T-6 Texan II, the L-39 from Elbit Systems, and KT-1 Woongbi from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
- Taiwan has announced the successful test of their ship-based variant of the Tien Kung (Sky Bow) III ballistic missile defense interceptor. Earlier plans to test the missile had been postponed due to both bad weather and the presence of Chinese and US reconnaissance aircraft in the area. Developers at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) are also waiting on the granting of export licenses from the US for vertical lift launchers, to help aid them in their research and development.
- Lockheed Martin has been contracted $450 million to perform additional Lot 10 F-35 Lightning II Air System integration work for South Korea. The deal will include non-recurring engineering work. Seoul plans to procure 40 of the next-generation aircraft, and expects deliveries to begin in 2018 and conclude in 2021.
Today’s Video
Cockpit footage of the Boeing T-X’s maiden flight:
