Britain’s Tide Class: Supplies are From MARS

RFA Bayleaf, 1982-2011

Britain’s Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) program was begun in 2002, and aimed to buy up to 11 supply ships for the Royal Navy’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Unfortunately, all the project could produce was studies, MoD planning delays, and slow progress. In 2007, MARS was broken up into a series of smaller buys, with an initial focus on the critical state of the RFA’s fuel carriers. Even that effort ran into delays, but the last 3 years have seen Britain’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary retire 3 of its 4 Leaf Class replenishment oilers. Another 3 of its remaining 5 oilers were commissioned in 1984 or earlier, and their single-hull design no longer complies with MARPOL regulations for fuel-carrying ships.

Replacements are urgently needed, in order to keep the Royal Navy supplied around the world. In February 2012, Britain finally placed a MARS order for 4 oilers, which will measure over 200m long and around 37,000t apiece. It has been expected for some time that these ships would be built outside of Britain, and that has held true.

Raytheon Snags $59M from MDA for MOKV Research | F-35’s Ejection Seat Test Complete | $418M FMS to Kenya Up in Air; IOMAX Challenges L-3

Americas

• Saab has announced that they are developing the first Gripen fighter for the Brazilian Air Force. The two-seat version of the Gripen NG is being developed in the Brazilian state of Säo Paulo in conjunction with 56 engineers and with participation from several local firms. Saab made the announcement during a recent discussion of the Gripen NG program at the recent LAAD International Defence & Security Exhibition.

• After a 13-year production hiatus, the Czech Republic’s Aero Vodochody is reported to be in early negotiations to produce and deliver the L-159 light attack fighter to Argentina. One twin-seat L-159 was delivered to Iraq in 2016, and the firm is now looking to sell more units to both Baghdad and Buenos Ares. Argentina has been looking to purchase a cost-effective replacement for retired Dassault Mirage fighters and currently operates 22 Douglas A-4 Skyhawks and 32 FMA IA-58 Pucaras in combat roles, with 22 FMA IA-63 Pampas on order as an interim solution. Recent elections and financial constraints, however, have stalled attempts to purchase second-hand Kfir Block 60 warplanes.

• The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Raytheon a $59 million contract to conduct further Multi-Object Kill Vehicle research. Under the agreement, the firm will support the Kill Vehicle technology risk reduction effort, which seeks to improve performance and reduce risks. Raytheon began research on the MOKV platform in 2015 and it is being designed to counter the threat of long-range ballistic missiles.

• Testing of the F-35’s Martin-Baker US16E (MKk16) ejection seat has been completed. The last test involved electromagnetic environmental effects (EEE) testing which saw the seat’s electronic controls were hit with electricity to test their functionality. The data from the EEE, helmet and dummy testing on the ejection seat will help the USAF decide whether to remove restrictions on pilots weighing less than 62kg (136lb). Lt Gen Chris Bogdan, head of the F-35 program, said that the “weight restriction could be removed anywhere from April and beyond,” and that the USAF will “start modifying airplanes in April to the new seat configurations with the new helmets, so as soon as the USAF gives it the OK, that’s up to them.”

Africa

• A sale of 12 armed Air Tractor aircraft to Kenya has yet to be approved by the US Congress, as Iomax and a US congressman continue to dispute the proposed deal. The $418 million contract was sent to Congress for approval in January, which tasked L-3 Communications with providing 12 Air Tractor AT-802L and two AT-504 trainer aircraft, weapons, and technical support to Kenya to help combat the activities of the Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab. US Congressman Ted Budd, however, has argued that the deal was massively inflated, and that the firm Iomax could instead provide Kenya with “superior” aircraft, weapons, technical support and program management at a cost of $237 million, which is $181 million lower than the contract ceiling of L-3 Technologies.

Europe

• Norway and Denmark have contracted Saab to provide both government’s with static and mobile camouflage systems. The framework agreement comes under a joint procurement deal between Saab and the two countries, where the countries will be able to order the systems over a four-year period. The armed forces of Denmark and Norway have used the company’s Barracuda advanced camouflage systems for many years, and Saab has sold the systems to more than 60 countries around the world.

Asia Pacific

• The Donald Trump administration could approve a new fighter jet deal with Taiwan as early as next summer, according to Japanese media. A decision on any sale will be made following a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. While Taipei may find the next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter too costly for acquisition, it is likely that they will look to purchase upgraded F-16s. China has hit back at such arms sales, though, adding that they will not get in the way of unification with the mainland.

• North Korea has ramped up ballistic missile testing, with the latest launch occurring on the eve of a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The missile flew about 60 km (40 miles) from its launch site at Sinpo, a port city on North Korea’s east coast and home of its submarine fleet. But experts and officials in Seoul and Washington believe Pyongyang is still some time away from mastering all the technology needed for an operational ICBM system, such as re-entry into the atmosphere and subsequent missile guidance.

Today’s Video

• Saab’s Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System:

Elbit’s US Subsidiary Gets 1st Production Order for HDTS | Raytheon Awarded $199M for AIM-9X Missiles | RSAF Pilots to Receive Up to 60% Increase in Pay

Americas

• The US subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems received their first production order for the Helmet Display and Tracker System (HDTS) with the Continuously Computed Impact Point (CCIP) algorithm for the US Navy’s fleet of MH-60S helicopters. Valued at $50 million, work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas and completed by June 2021. The advanced technology of the helmet and processor provides pilots and crews with line-of-sight tracking to improve interaction with the flight navigation system, enhance pilot and co-pilot situational awareness, and increase the accuracy of weapons delivery.

• Raytheon has been awarded a $199 million contract to supply various missiles to the US Navy and allied partner nations. The deal includes orders for 317 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles in addition to 199 Block II captive air training missiles to be used during military exercises. Raytheon will also deliver spares and supporting equipment to several foreign military sales customers including Indonesia, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Romania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Turkey, Switzerland, South Korea, Norway, Morocco, Japan, Denmark, Finland, Israel and Singapore; work will be completed by March 2020. The munitions have been integrated on F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 aircraft.

• Lockheed Martin and the US Navy have tested the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) for the first time. The missile was launched from a Super Hornet aircraft during a jettison test that aimed to validate its air-to-ground capabilities. Developed to replace the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), the company added that the weapon will provide the Navy with more effective combat capabilities in maritime battlefields, noting the missile is ideal for tactical operations.

• Boeing received a $41 million contract modification to provide services for F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft operated by US foreign military sales customers. The deal will see the company undertake supplying engineering services, provisioning, information systems, training, and technical data updates. The contract supports planes operated by the governments of Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Switzerland, Canada and Spain. Work is expected to be completed by December 2017.

Middle East & North Africa

• Royal Saudi Air Force pilots are to receive pay increases of up to 60% as the kingdom’s military intervention into neigboring Yemen enters its third year. The cabinet amended laws pertaining to military officers, allowing air force pilots and weapons operators to receive a 35% rise on basic salary and an increase for officers flying fighter jets and operating their weapons systems will be 60%. No reason was given for the move, but it does run contrary to a spate of recent austerity measures that were enforced to curb once benevolent Saudi public spending amid weak oil prices.

Europe

• The Ukrainian aerospace industry reached an important milestone after the first aircraft built without Russian parts made its flying debut. Antonov’s AN-132D transport aircraft was first rolled out last December and was built in conjunction with several Western industrial partners from the UK, Germany, France, Canada, and the US with Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS, and Dowty Propellers. Between 260 and 290 aircraft will be built for Ukraine by 2025 and will also be license built in Saudi Arabia as the Tanqnia An-132.

• London’s Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation examining allegations of war crimes conducted by Saudi Arabia in Yemen as UK Prime Minister Teresa May goes on a state visit to the Gulf kingdom. The force’s SO15 counter-terrorism unit revealed to a London human rights lawyer that it had launched a “scoping exercise” into the claims before Maj Gen Ahmed al-Asiri’s visit to the capital last week. The UK, which along with the US supports the Saudis against the Houthis, has been urged to reconsider its arms exports to Saudi Arabia in light of the bloody air campaign.

Asia Pacific

• Thailand has approved the purchase of ten Chinese tanks in a deal worth $58 million. The purchase is the second of a planned three acquisitions of 49 tanks from China and will go toward replacing older US-made M41 light tanks. Relations have been strengthening between China and the US’ oldest ally in Southeast Asia, particularly since ties with the US cooled after a 2014 coup. In January, Bangkok gave the green light to the $380 million purchase of a submarine from China, and are contemplating adding three more.

Today’s Video

• The Yemeni Qaher M2:

GD & US Ordnance to Share $221M For M2’s | David’s Sling Achieves IOC | SK Donates a Third Aid Package of 200+ Mil Vehicles to Cambodia

Americas

• General Dynamics and US Ordnance will share a $221 million US Army contract to provide the service with M2 machine guns. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will produce and deliver M2 flexible, M2 fixed and M2A1 machine guns by the end of March, 2023. The M2A1 was developed by GD as an upgrade for the existing M2 and M2HB weapons that aimed at simplifying warfighter training by providing fixed headspace and timing, easier barrel changing and decreased muzzle flash.

• Latin American governments may soon be operating the Stryker combat vehicle as the US contemplates selling the vehicle to several modernization efforts. Brazil, Colombia, and Peru are all looking to upgrade their armored fleets and the Stryker is seen as an attractive capability that will help with countering threats from “illicit networks” within their borders. If an agreement is secured, it will be the first foreign military sale of the vehicle. Typically armed with either an M2 .50 caliber machine gun or an MK19 40mm grenade launcher mounted in a Protector remote weapon station, the Army has been investing in upgunning and improving the Stryker vehicle by giving it an optional 30mm cannon for anti-air missions and a v-shaped hull to increase protection from explosives.

Middle East & North Africa

• The Israeli Navy is altering the design of the Sa’ar-6 corvette in order to fit additional Iron Dome interceptors onboard the vessels. By adding a second launcher, each corvette will be able to carry as many as forty Tamir interceptor missiles, allowing vessels to engage an increasing number of disruptive, possibly deadly and inexpensive shore-launched rockets launched by groups such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Four Sa’ar-6 ships are currently on order with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS); however, the sale is source of a scandal in Israel and are part of an investigation into potential conflicts of interest among those close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• Another Israeli missile defense system, David’s Sling, has had its initial operating capability (IOC) declared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a ceremony on April 2. Deliveries of the system’s major components by Israel’s Missile Defense Organization and state-owned Rafael began in early March, followed by integration testing of all system components prior to gaining its IOC. The system was also put through multiple operational simulations as part of the US-Israel Juniper Cobra exercise, a biennial air defense drill aimed at honing interoperability between the two nations.

• Yemeni Houthi rebels fighting a Saudi-backed coalition have unveiled another surface-to-surface ballistic missile derived from the SA-2 missile. Several missiles of the type were used in an attack against Saudi Arabia on March 28 in an attempt to saturate the Patriot air defense systems protecting the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushayt. Dubbed the Qaher-M2, improvements on its previous M1 incarnation include a larger 350kg warhead, a range of 300km, and improved accuracy capable of landing within 5-10 m of its aim point. The latest attack brought the number of Yemeni ballistic missiles that Saudi’s have reportedly shot down with their air force since June 2015 to at least 28.

Europe

• Northrop Grumman will upgrade navigation systems for E-2C Hawkeye aircraft operated by the government of France. Valued at $11 million, the US Navy awarded foreign military sale will see the company service cockpit systems and displays for three French navy-owned aircraft in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards by July 2019. Work on the planes will take place in Melbourne, Fla.; Cuers, France and several additional locations.

Asia Pacific

• South Korea has donated over 200 military vehicles to the Cambodian armed forces as part of an effort to bolster the country’s homeland security assets. 208 trucks and 14 engineering vehicles were handed over at an official ceremony at the Techno Hun Sen Military Technical Institute in the southern province of Kampong Speu. In attendance were several high-ranking officials, including Defense Minister Tea Banh, who said the equipment would be used to crackdown on homegrown threats. This is the third aid package sent by Seoul to Cambodia since 2010 and a fourth package is expected to arrive in July.

• An unnamed Asian customer has ordered targeting and surveillance pods for military aircraft from Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) subsidiary, Elbit Systems. The $200 million contract is a follow-up order for the newest variant of targeting and surveillance pods already used by the country’s air force. Under a separate $82m contract, Elbit will provide their Electro-optic airborne solution, Condor 2, to an Asian country for use in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

Today’s Video

• ELTA-ELM-2060P SAR Pod:

Boeing to Produce Poseidon’s for US Navy in $2.1B Deal | US Army Hands $1.5B to LM for AN/TPQ-53 Radar Sys | Poland Plans Patriot Procurement Purchase of $7.6B

Americas

• Boeing has been awarded a $2.1 billion US Navy contract to produce 17 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Under the agreement, the company will deliver 11 units to the Navy, and five for cooperative partners and as foreign military sales, with completion expected for December 2020. The sale also includes manufacturing orders for long lead parts, obsolescence monitoring, and integrated baseline program management reviews. While the destination of the foreign orders were not included, India and Australia are both primary operators of the aircraft.

• The US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.5 billion contract to produce and deploy the AN/TPQ-53 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System. Developed as a replacement for existing AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar systems, the new radar is designed to detect, classify, track and determine the location of enemy artillery assets such as mortars, cannons and rockets. The service claims that once in place, the radars will provide increased mobility, reliability and performance.

• Leonardo has selected a site in Alabama as the destination for producing the T-100 jet trainer if chosen by the USAF as the winner of the T-X competition. Last Thursday’s announcement said that the company will work on the pending contract at their Alabama facility, adding that the move will help create jobs in the country in addition to providing the Air Force with a next-generation trainer. The trainer was initially intended to be built in partnership at one of Raytheon’s facilities, however that pairing was terminated in January, requiring a new location for final assembly.

Middle East & North Africa

• It’s been reported that the Trump administration has cleared the sale of F-16 fighters to Bahrain, having already notified Congress of the decision. The sale, for 16 units, does not include preconditions laid out by the previous Obama administration for Bahrain to improve their human rights issues, which have deteriorated sharply in the Gulf kingdom since the latter half of 2010. Valued at $2.7 billion, the notice also came the same day that the commander of US forces in the Middle East, Army General Joseph Votel, told a House committee that foreign arms sales to allies shouldn’t be burdened with preconditions tied to human rights because they could damage military-to-military ties. Votel, who heads the US Central Command, singled out Bahrain as an example. Read more here.

Europe

• Poland plans to proceed with the procurement of eight Patriot missile defense systems as contracts with manufacturer are expected to be signed by the end of the year. Valued at $7.6 billion, the purchase will go toward fulfilling the Wisla program — Warsaw’s plan for a multi-tiered defense shield — and is considered central to a thorough modernization of their armed forces by 2023. While approval still needs to be given by the US Congress, Raytheon’s head of Europe Bill Schmieder remains optimistic, saying that “It’s premature to say that it is all done, but we have very high hopes that the process will proceed normally.”

• Sweden’s procurement agency, the Defence Material Administration (FMV), has contracted Saab to develop and deliver the next generation of the RBS-15 anti-ship missile for use on both the JAS-39 Gripen E fighter and Visby corvette. Total orders for the new missile currently value nearly $357 million and include both air-launched and ship-launched configurations, with delivery expected to be completed by 2026. Features of the new missile include improved combat range, an upgraded target seeker, an all-weather capability, lower mass, as well as a design that allows for future growth.

Asia Pacific

• French officials have told media that the Malaysian government is in exclusive negotiations with Dassault for their MiG-29 replacement program, indicating that the company’s Rafale fighter has won out against BAE’s offering of the Eurofighter Typhoon. Malaysia is looking to purchase 18 new combat aircraft — likely to be in the region of $2 billion — to replace the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s squadron of Russian MiG-29 combat planes, nearly half of which are grounded. The decision to move forward with Dassault follows last week’s visit by French President Francois Hollande.

• Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has urged the government to look into acquiring a long-range strike capability capable of hitting North Korean ballistic missile sites to prevent repetitive attacks. While often considered controversial in Japan due to their pacifist constitution, LDP lawmaker and former defense minister Itsunori Onodera said that “the first (missile) attack can be met with our missile defense. But as for repetitive attacks, it is important to put under control the opponent’s launch sites and prevent second and further firing.” The LDP proposal also called on Tokyo to swiftly start examining the possible introduction of such advanced missile defense systems as Aegis Ashore and THAAD, the latter of which is currently being deployed in neighboring South Korea.

Today’s Video

• Saab’s RBS-15 Mk. 3 anti-ship missile: