France receives first A400M with mid-air refueling pod | Naval Group, Fincantieri, offer FREEM frigate to CSC program | Norway and Germany to cooperate on Naval Strike Missile

Americas

• Naval Group of France and Italian partner Fincantieri have submitted a vessel based on their jointly-developed FREEM multi-missions frigate as part of its tender in the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program—Ottawa’s planned procurement of up to 15 warships to replace their Iroquois and Halifax-class vessels. The offer comes as Fincantieri initially opposed a requirement by the Canadian government that a large amount of technical data about the frigate be handed over to the prime contractor, Canadian firm Irving Shipbuilding, before a winner is chosen. However, in a joint statement released by Naval Group and Fincantieri, the firms included a carefully worded statement saying that a “transfer of technology” would go ahead “should the offer be accepted.” “Should the offer be accepted, the future frigates would be built in Canada at Irving Shipbuilding in a very short time, maximizing Canadian industrial participation and job creation locally through a dedicated and comprehensive transfer of technology, as well as integrating Canadian suppliers into the two companies’ global supply chains,” the two companies said in the statement.

• Norway’s Kongsberg has been selected by the US Army to deliver additional enhancements and upgrades on the service’s M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank. The $3.9 million award, which dates back to an earlier August 2012 contract between the firm and the US Department of Defense (DoD), calls for additional deliveries of the Protector Low Profile Common Remote Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) System, as well as spare parts for sustainment. The Protector RWS allows for greater protector of US military troops and commanders by allowing them to fire and engage enemy targets from inside the Abrams tank, as opposed to exposing themselves while operating small- to medium-caliber weapon systems mounted on the outside of the vehicle.

• The DoD announced Friday the $353.2 million award to United Technologies Corp (UTC) subsidiary, Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, for performance based logistics and sustainment support of the F-135 propulsion system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. US Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, non-US Department of Defense (DoD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers are covered in the deal. Under the terms of the deal, P&W will provide maintenance of support equipment, common program activities, unique and common base recurring sustainment, repair of repairable, field service representatives, common replenishment spares, conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant F-135 unique maintenance services, and short take-off and landing F-135 unique services. Work will primarily take place at East Hartford, Connecticut (73 percent); but also Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (18 percent); Camari, Italy (3 percent); Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (2 percent); Edwards Air Force Base, California (1 percent); Hill Air Force Base, Utah (1 percent); Luke Air Force Base, Arizona (1 percent); and Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, South Carolina (1 percent). Work will be completed by November 2018.

Middle East & Africa

• Saab has received a contract through Armscor, South Africa’s procurement agency, for weapons support services on Republic of South Africa Air Force JAS-39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft. Valued at $24.6 million, the contract will run until February 2020 and includes airworthiness management, engineering support, maintenance, repair and overhaul, spares replenishment and updates of technical publications. No further details on the contract were disclosed.

Europe

• France has received its first A400M Atlas transporter fitted with pods that will allow for midair refueling of fighter jets. The aircraft was handed over to the French Air Force (FAF) on November 22, and the eleven Atlas units already delivered and in service with Paris will undergo a later retrofit to have the fuel pod added. Manufacturer Airbus is set to deliver a further three A400Ms to the FAF by 2019, and is also working to deliver two key capabilities sought by France, namely in-flight refueling of helicopters and the ability to drop paratroopers from doors on both sides of the aircraft’s fuselage. British firm Cobham has been tasked by Airbus to deliver a hose for helicopter refueling—with a test flight expected toward the end of 2018—while Airbus have built test parachute jumps out the fuselage doors, backed by detailed computer modeling on the aerodynamics, and continue to work on increasing weight and various pallets for cargo airdrops from the rear ramp.

• A drop in the Euro to US Dollar exchange rate may render the Netherlands unable to pay for their final three F-35A fighter aircraft. The revelation was made in a letter by State Secretary for Defense, Barbara Visser, to the lower house of the Dutch parliament, where Visser mentioned that there was “not enough projected budget” for the final three planes, but a final decision on the matter would be made in 2019. The Court of Audit had warned last year that fluctuating exchange rates may result in higher procurement costs.

• Reuters reports that the Norwegian Defense Ministry announced Friday, an agreement with Germany to develop a common missile system for their navies. The system will be based on Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which is already used on board Oslo’s fleet of Skjold-class corvettes and Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates. While the ministry did not give any further details on the program or its timeframe, the development will meet the joint long-term anti-surface warfare needs of the Germany Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN), with the aim of securing and creating high-tech jobs in both nations.

Asia-Pacific

• Japan will conclude its Mitsubishi X-2 technology demonstrator aircraft program in March 2018. First flown in April 2016, the first two flights were conducted by manufacturer Mitsubishi before being handed over to the Future Fighter Program (FFP) at Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). Manger at the FFP, Hirofumi Doi, confirmed that 34 sorties have so far been conducted, and all issues regarding propulsion, the fuel system, and integration had been ironed out prior to the maiden flight. Doi did not confirm if the demonstrator aircraft will complete the 50 test flights originally scheduled, or what will happen to the aircraft once the program concludes. Tokyo will then assess the merits of its future fighter acquisition strategy. Options included developing a new fighter called the F-3 on its own, or developing a fighter with a foreign partner.

Today’s Video

• Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen takes off from 800 metre road:

FMS: HIMARS for Poland, Patriot for Romania | PAC-3 MSE cleared for FRP | Manilla orders Super Tucanos for CAS, COIN, and Intel mission

Americas

• Lockheed Martin heralded the successful neutralisation by five Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors of four tactical ballistic missile targets during a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Four PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) interceptors and one PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) were used during the test, with the successful PAC-3 MSE intercept part of a requirement that “supports” a full-rate production decision for the variant. The MSE variant uses a larger, dual-pulse solid-rocket motor and larger control fins that double the missile’s reach and improve performance against evolving ballistic and cruise missiles. It was fired for the first time by the US Army during a successful intercept test last summer.

• Canada’s government has received a proposal from a team led by Lockheed Martin to build vessels for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program. Partnered with BAE Systems, CAE, L3 Technologies, MDA and Ultra Electronics, the effort is offering the Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS), and will utilise high-tech platform innovations from prominent Canadian companies, including a Canadian-developed combat management system, CMS 330. No other details on the proposal were given. Designed by BAE Systems, eight Type 26 frigates are already planned for the British Royal Navy.

Middle East & Africa

• Five local firms have responded to the Turkish government’s procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries’ (SSM) request for proposals to develop an indigenous power pack for the Altay main battle tank (MBT). This is the second attempt at developing a national diesel engine, after an initial award granted to Tumosan was rescinded after the company was unable to secure another foreign partner after Austrian firm AVL List GmbH was restricted by its government to participate in the program. Other supplier governments were also reluctant to supply transfer-of-technology and, in some cases, also requiring export licenses on subcomponents available commercially-off-the-shelf. Tumosan are among the five entries into the new award alongside BMC Automotive, Istanbul Marine Shipbuilding Industry and Trade, Figes Physics and Geometry Computer Simulation Trade, and TUSAS Motor. The renewed power plant program will see the Turkish industry develop critical components, such as the hydrostatic steering unit, turbocharger, cooling package, alternator, and transmission pump, and will be free of external intellectual property and regulatory restrictions.

Europe

• The US State Department has approved Poland to proceed with the possible foreign military sale (FMS) of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). As with all sales cleared by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), it still requires congressional approval. Valued at an estimated $250 million, the package requested includes 16 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) M31A1 Unitary, nine Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) M30A1 alternative warheads, 61 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) M57 Unitary. Also included are eight Universal Position Navigation Units (UPNU), 34 Low Cost Reduced Range (LCRR) practice rockets, 1,642 Guidance and Control Section Assemblies for GMLRS, Missile Common Test Sets and Devices, testing Precision, Lightweight GPS Receivers (PLGR), support equipment, US Government and contractor services, training, and other related elements of logistics and program support. Lockheed Martin out of Grand Prairie, TX, will act as lead contractor, and the sale will involve cooperation with the state-owned Polska Grupa Zbrojenjowa (PGZ).

• December will see the Finnish government release a request for information for the procurement of a new medium-range air defense missile system that has twice the range of its NASAMS. The purchase is meant to fill a capability gap left by the retirement of the 9K37 Buk M1 system previously operated by Helsinki. Speaking on the procurement plans, Colonel Ari Gronroos refuted speculation that they would purchase the Extended Range version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM(-ER), adding that a cheaper option would be to continue using the same base AIM-120 interceptor used by its NASAMS. Gronroos went on to say that the requirement is unlikely to need an anti-ballistic missile capability.

• Romania has officially signed a letter of offer and acceptance for the purchase of Raytheon’s Patriot air defense system from the US Army. The accord paves the way for Romania’s Patriot force to rapidly reach Initial Operational Capability by allowing for negotiations between the US government and Raytheon. As part of the sale, Bucharest will the receive Patriot Configuration 3+, the most advanced configuration available, as well as an undisclosed quantity of GEM-T and PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles.

Asia-Pacific

• Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft has been selected by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), joining Indonesia as the second operator of the aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. Six units will be delivered from 2019 and will perform several missions for Manilla including close air support, air-to-air intercept, light attack, COIN, and surveillance operations. The importance of close air support for the PAF was brought to the fore earlier this year during the government’s effort to oust Islamic State-supporting militants from city of Marawi, located on the southern island of Mindanao. Philippine assets used in the campaign included KAI’s FA-50 fighter, which delivered precision strikes against militants holed up in buildings.

• A follow-on support package for Singapore’s Peace Carvin V F-15SG pilot proficiency training program with the US Air Force has been cleared by the DSCA. Covered in the package are 40 GBU-10 Paveway II Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) units, consisting of: MXU-651B/B Air Foil Groups (AFG), MAU-209C/B or MAU-169L/B Computer Control Groups (CCG), MK-84 or BLU-117B/B bomb bodies; 84 GBU-12 Paveway II LGB units, consisting of: MXU-650C/B AFG, MAU-209C/B or MAU-168L/B CCGs, MK-82 or BLU-111B/B bomb bodies; and 60 FMU-152 or FMU-139D/B fuzes. Also included are AIM-120 Telemetry Kits; target drones; High-Bandwidth Compact Telemetry Module kits; exercise participation support; weapons, Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP), and systems support; medical support; vehicle and ferry support; airlift and aerial refueling; individual equipment; maintenance, spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; US Government and contractor, logistics, and technical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The entire package is estimated at $415 million, but will not require a prime contractor, with manpower support to be decided through competition and defense articles to come from US stocks.

Today’s Video

• Roll out of the first Il78M-90A aerial tanker:

After two month lull, North Korea launches new ICBM | Raytheon contests DoD’s JSTARS decision | Qatar’s Eurofighter deal concluded, say BAE |

Americas

• Lockheed Martin has landed a $37.7 million modification to a previously awarded contract worth $10.7 billion, to exercise an option for software conversions for structure and systems datasets in support of Lot 10 production for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Work will take place at Lockheed’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility and at Samlebury, England, where program partner BAE Systems operate a 180 acre facility at the disused Samlebury Aerodrome. Contract completion is scheduled for June 2020. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

• The US Navy has exercised a second year option with IAP Worldwide Services for logistics support services on E-6B Mercury aircraft. Worth over $58.9 million, the contract tasks IAP with maintaining and supporting the E-6B Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) and Airborne Command Post aircraft, support equipment, aircraft weapon system, associated support sites, and supporting organizations, up until November 2018. Work will take place at several US locations including: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (70 percent); Patuxent River, Maryland (10 percent); Bellevue, Nebraska (10 percent); and Fairfield, California (10 percent). News of the contract comes as rising tensions over the possible threat of nuclear war with North Korea remain high, with Pyongyang testing yet another nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday. The Pentagon’s E-6 fleet, based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is tasked with relaying instructions from the National Command Authority to its fleet of ballistic missile submarines in the event of nuclear war. E-6B model Mercury aircraft are also capable of remotely controlling Minutemen ICBMs.

• Raytheon is contesting a US Air Force (USAF) decision to reject its Archimedes radar—a derivative of the APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor found on the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft—from the service’s E-8C JSTARS replacement program. While the USAF has yet to officially announce rival Northrop Grumman as the winner, the flying branch did notify Raytheon that Archimedes was no longer under consideration, prompting the firm to file a protest with the US Government Accountability Office on 20 November. Both Raytheon and Northrop are still under contact from an award last year to carry out radar risk reduction work and Raytheon has maintained that it will continue its work on the JSTARS radar risk reduction effort. Speaking to Flight Global, a Raytheon spokesperson said its “radar solution for the JSTARS program offers the air force the most mature and capable technology available to meet this urgent need,” adding that “the evaluation process had significant flaws, and we have filed a protest accordingly.”

Middle East & Africa

• In what may be some kind of record, a senior BAE Systems official has told the UK Parliament’s Defence Select Committee that a deal to sell Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and Hawk jet trainers to Qatar is complete—just six weeks after the signing of a statement of intent. Chris Boardman, the managing director of BAE Systems’ military air and information business, said all that is needed to be decided is an appropriate date to sign contracts, but would not speculate on what that date would be. Boardman also urged the British government to provide clarity on its vision for combat air requirements in a post-Typhoon era. Qatar’s purchase of 24 Eurofighter Typhoons is the first major arms contract to be signed between the UK and the Gulf state, and is the first Typhoon sale by the British since the Ministry of Defence took over responsibility for leading the government’s Typhoon export sales effort from the Defence and Security Organisation, the department responsible for most overseas sales in the sector.

Europe

• Poland’s defense ministry has launched the analysis/market survey phase of its “Harpia” acquisition. The effort covers the replacement the Polish Air Force”s current fleet of 31 MiG-29 fighters and 18 Sukhoi Su-22 ground-attack aircraft and Warsaw wants to program to increase the service’s “capability to perform offensive and defensive counter-air missions, and to support land, sea, and special operations”. The fighter procurement calls for approximately 32 units—enough for two fighter squadrons—with deliveries to start in 2024. Manufacturers are required to submit responses including a general description of their proposed equipment by 18 December, with selected parties to then be issues with an official request for information. Potential candidates include the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS-39 Gripen and a US government-backed proposal with the Lockheed Martin F-16V. Also in the works is an electronic warfare capability, however, it has not been decided whether these aircraft will be the same as the new fighters or a separate platform.

• NH Industries announced the successful maiden flight of its second NH90 Sea Lion platform, a naval variant of the medium-size multi-role helicopter being developed for the German Navy. The November 24 test comes roughly one year on from when model one took off from the Donauwörth facility of NHI consortium member Airbus Helicopters. Next up, NHI will undertake a several-month period of development testing that will focus on avionics and software, followed by further modifications to the aircraft throughout 2018. The initial serial production aircraft is now in final assembly, ahead of first delivery scheduled for late 2019. Berlin will acquire 18 Sea Lions to replace its navy’s fleet of aged Westland Sea King 41s.

• The US State Department has notified Congress that it has cleared the possible sale of AIM-120C-7 air-to-air missiles in support of Poland’s F-16 fighter program. Announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the package includes 150 missiles, as well as missile containers, weapon system support, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. Raytheon will act as prime contractor with the total package estimated at $250 million.

Asia-Pacific

• Following a two month lull, North Korea successfully tested another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the early hours of Wednesday morning. State media hailed the Hwasong-15 missile as its “most powerful”, adding that it reached an altitude of around 4,475 km (2,780 miles)—more than 10 times the height of the International Space Station—and flew 950 km (590 miles) during its 53-minute flight, before landing in Japanese waters (although it did not cross Japan unlike some previous tests). South Korea responded by carrying out live-fire drills, launching one of its own ballistic missiles, while the international community reiterated their opposition and condemnation of Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions ahead of an emergency session of the UN Security Council. An analysis by the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists concludes that the missile could have travelled more than 13,000km on a standard trajectory, thus reaching “any part of the continental United States”.

Today’s Video

• Report on North Korea’s latest ICBM test:

Drag chute tests underway in Alaska for RNAF F-35s | CRLs allowing B-52 smart bombs go for combat overseas | C-Dome declared operational by Israel

Americas

• Over the next several weeks, USAF test pilots and Lockheed Martin will conduct a series of tests as part of the certification process for a drag chute designed to allow Norwegian and Dutch F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to stop on icy runways near the Arctic circle. The modification has been spearheaded by the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNAF) with the Netherlands government also contributing $11.4 million towards the chute’s development. The first phase of testing, which will take place out of Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, will examine how the F-35A operates in extreme, icy conditions, while a second phase, scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2018, will test the drag chute’s landing capabilities.

• Conventional Rotary Launchers (CRL) for B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft have been flown out of Barksdale Air Force Base, LA., by a C-5M Super Galaxy on November 6, to be used for combat overseas. The CRLs allow the long-range strategic bombers to carry GPS guided conventional smart weapons inside its bomb bay, thus increasing the number of weapons it can carry in combat by eight. Speaking on the Milestone, Master Sgt. Adam Levandowski, Air Forces Strategic (AFSTRAT) Armament Systems manager, called the inclusion of the CRLs as “a big game changer for current and future warfare.”

• Lockheed Martin has announced six contracts totalling almost $200 million, to improve training for C-130 airmen and operators around the world. The contracts are for: Five new C-130J weapon system trainers for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC); A new, reconfigurable C-130J weapon system trainer for the Air National Guard at Quonset Point Reserve Base in Rhode Island; Four new KC-130J observer trainers for the US Marine Corps based at Cherry Point, North Carolina; Miramar, Florida; Ft. Worth, Texas and Iwakuni, Japan, and obtained through the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR); Upgrades the two AMC C-130J fuselage trainers at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, as well as two visual systems on the flight simulators located at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas and Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany. Awarded under Air Mobility Command (AMC) Obsolescence Phase-3; Upgrades 13 existing AMC trainers at Air Force Bases throughout the US and Europe under Air Mobility Command (AMC) Obsolescence Phase-4; and a one-year technical support contract to assist the USAF with conducting analyses for common architectures across various simulator elements. Completion of contracts, will be completed up until mid-2020 at the latest.

Middle East & Africa

• A naval version of Rafael’s Iron Dome air defense system has been declared operational by the Israeli military, bringing to an end an extensive 18-month development and testing program. Integrated with the Elta Systems ELM-2248 Adir surveillance, track and guidance radar onboard the INS Lahav, a Sa’ar-5 corvette-class surface ship, the system had undergone extensive live-fire testing on November 27, where it successfully intercepted and destroyed multiple incoming targets at sea. The variant will be marketed for export as the C-Dome.

Europe

• Israel plans to offer a mixed fleet of F-16C/D model aircraft as a possible solution to Croatia’s 12-unit MiG-21 replacement competition. Initially, Tel Aviv had proposed selling its already retired A/B model F-16s, however, with incoming deliveries of F-35I Adir aircraft, some of the 78 single-seat F-16Cs and 48 D-model trainers in the IAF’s inventory will become surplus to requirement and available for resale. To boost surplus A/B model exports, Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries have previously designed an upgrade package for the retired “Netz” fleet. In the Croatian competition, the Israel’s F-16s will face off against Saab JAS-39 Gripen from Sweden.

Asia-Pacific

• Despite announcing a multi-year pause on developing its own next-generation stealth fighter—or possibly pitching in with a new European fighter project—a Japanese defense official has told Aviation Week that its X-2 stealth demonstrator has collected more data than required during 34 flights since its first flight in April 2016. 50 flights had been planned but were not needed. While further details on the testing remains scant, the official mentioned that radar signature was one area of outperformance, while its IHI XF5 engines also did better than expected under the adverse conditions of high angles of attack.

• A Chinese student is being held in Japan over the illegal export of a Star Safire III Forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera system to China. Developed by Oregon-based FLIR Systems Inc., the camera was initially used on a disaster response helicopter used by Tokyo before being replaced by an upgraded version in September 2015. A recycling company had been tasked with disposing the sensitive equipment, however, the FLIR ended up on an internet auction site before being purchased by the student for $5,000, who in turn sold it to a Chinese company for $22,000. The Star Safire III, which retails in excess of $450k for a new model, requires an export license for shipping outside Japan and the recycling company is facing charges for failing to dispose it properly. The student maintains that the money he earned was used to cover his living expenses and university fees.

Today’s Video

• C-Dome declared operational after testing.

Norway Reiterates Commitment to F-35s

Back in 2006 Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Lightning II team were facing difficulties and controversies in Norway. Since then, there have been some successes. The next milestone MoU was signed on Jan 31/06, amidst industrial and missile deals designed to bring Norway on board – but even that signing came with express statements that the country was keeping its options open.

Norway had threatened to back out of its Tier 3 partnership in the JSF program, but a Kongsberg JSM/NSM missile deal helped, and a subsequent conditional composite structures deal shored up support. Norway’s JSF production MoU was signed on December 31/07. On June 17/11, Parliamentary opposition caved and endorsed an initial buy of 4 F-35As. Now, Norway is moving into the full procurement phase.

Jordan air base to get multi-million USAF facelift | Nexter wins again in French Scorpion program | Croatia to choose between Gripen and Israeli F-16s

Americas

• Huntington Ingalls Industries launched last Wednesday, its eighth National Security Cutter vessel, Midgett, for the US Coast Guard. A Legend-class cutter, the vessel was launch at Pascagoula, Miss., ahead of its christening on December 9. It is named after John Allen Midgett, who was awarded the Silver Cup by the UK Board of Trade in 1918. Midgett received the award for rescuing 42 British sailors aboard the British tanker Mirlo after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of North Carolina. The Legend-class is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter and are being procured to replace the service’s legacy Hamilton-class cutters, which have been in service since the 1960s.

Middle East & Africa

• Turkey will receive its first delivery of the S-400 Triumf air defense system in 2019, Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli told parliament’s Planning and Budget Committee. He added that Ankara’s agreement with Russia includedan order for one S-400 system with a second one remaining optional. Turkey is also gearing up to work with the Franco-Italian Eurosam consortium on developing its own missile defense system, which is likely to be a more advanced version of the consortium’s SAMP-T system. A deal with Eurosam is expected to be finalized by the end of 2017 at the latest.

• $143 million has been made available by US Congress for upgrade work at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The base, which has been used by US, Belgian, and Dutch air force fighter-bombers due to its proximity to the border with Syria and Iraq, and has been an important strategic asset in the air campaign against the Islamic State. US Air Force documents reveal that the base has been overwhelmed by the pace of operations, with limited ramp space to launch combat sorties, has “zero dedicated space to support cargo and personnel recovery operations” and is operating at “four to five times what the space was originally intended to support.” But since the USAF’s initial budget request, there has been a drop in combat activity in Iraq and Syria as IS territory evaporates amid offensives from both Syria’s government and allies on one side and Iraqi security forces on the other. That said, however, the inclusion of the Jordan project in the $700 billion National Defense Authorization Act highlights the Pentagon’s long-term needs in the region.

Europe

• In its competition to select a replacement fighter for its ageing fleet of MiG-21 fighter aircraft, Croatia has identified both the Saab Jas-39 Gripen and second-hand F-16s from Israel as the front runners for selection, Croatian media reports. Two other offers of F-16s from United States and Greece have already been considered and rejected onthe grounds that they were too expensive and required modernization respectively. In addition to being the most cost effective, Croatia is looking to become a strategic defense partner with Israel, which may give the F-16 package the edge, while Saab have already dropped its Gripen package by some 300 million euro ($358 million) in order to become a more competitive bid. A decision is expected on November 30.

• Russia has successfully conducted an interceptor test with its A-135 anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system. Conducted at the Sary-Shagan range in Kazakhstan, the modernized interceptor missile successfully hit a simulated target. Development of the A-135 began in 1971 and the first launch took place in 1979. Development of a successor system—the A-235—began in 2014, with Moscow expecting to have the test of a new interceptor missile within the next two to three years, however, it was not disclosed what type of interceptor was used during the recent test. The A-135 is tasked primarily with protecting Moscow from nuclear attacks. It includes the Don-2N radio-radar station, located in Sofrino, near Moscow and can detect warheads in flight, at a distance of up to 3,700 km.

• French government-owned weapons manufacturer Nexter has won out against a unit of Swedish-owned Volvo—Renault Trucks Defense (RTD)—in a tender to design and produce a light multirole reconnaissance vehicle, dubbed “Light VBMR,” for the French Army. The winning firm was informed unofficially last week ahead of the eventual official announcement by the Armed Forces Ministry. The vehicle is being procured as part of the French Army’s Scorpion program, where Nexter are already involved as joint prime contractor for the Jaguar combat reconnaissance vehicle and Griffon multirole troop carrier. Despite having earlier highlighted the strategic importance of winning the competition, an RTD exec said that losing the Light VBMR deal “is a pity, but not catastrophic.” The Light VBMR will complement the Griffon VBMR, with a first delivery of the latter next year in a planned total 1,722 units. The two vehicles will replace some 3,000 aging VAB troop carriers.

• A Leonardo Helicopters AW-101 search and rescue (SAR) helicopter recently delivered to Norway overturned during a ground run on 24 October. No injuries were sustained to the two crew onboard at the time of the accident, but the helicopter itself was spotted on its side, sans its main rotor blades. The AW101 was scheduled to enter service in Norway in 2018 so the incident is a setback to Oslo’s replacement of its ageing SAR fleet.

Asia-Pacific

• The Philippines has commissioned into service its first of five TC-90 aircraft. Donated by Japan to help Manilla conduct maritime patrol missions over the archipelago, Naval Vessel (NV) 390 underwent an activation and blessing ceremony in Sangley Point, Cavite City on November 21. The aircraft along with a second unit arrived in the Philippines back in March while the three remaining King Airs are expected to arrive in the country in the first quarter of 2018.

Today’s Video

• Russia tests its upgraded ABM interceptor.

AW101 Flies off With Norway’s SAR Helicopter Competition

In September 2001, the NH90 medium helicopter was chosen as the common helicopter for the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme, serving the navies of Norway, Sweden and Finland. Norway’s share was up to 24 machines: 14 NFH naval variants (6 for Norwegian ships and 8 for the coastguard), with an option for 10 more Search & Rescue machines. The follow-on SAR contract would replace Norway’s aging Sea King helicopter fleet.

That plan triggered warnings from people in the rescue service that the mid-range NH90 lacked the range and capacity required. Some Norwegians also pointed to Denmark’s departure from the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme, precisely because the Danes needed the larger EH101 for the SAR role. Norway certainly has a lot of territory to cover. Its own long and deep maritime economic zone over the treacherous North Sea includes shipping, fishing, and abundant oil; and the American withdrawal from Keflavik AFB Iceland is stretching Norway’s patrol zones toward that country. Sikorsky’s Norwegian agent “Aircontactgruppen” has even taken the Norwegian government to court twice, demanding an open competition for the SAR helicopter contract. In 2007, they received their wish, and in 2013, Norway revealed their pick… not the S-92, and not its NH90 competitor.

USMC rolls out modernized LAV-AT to troops | DSCA approves Javelins for Georgia | UK and Japan to cooperate on Meteor BVRAAM upgrade

Americas

• Having successfully completed its initial operational goals during field tests in September, the US Marine Corps (USMC) has started rolling out its upgraded Light Armored Vehicle Anti-Tank (LAV-AT) weapons system to troops. Developed under the USMC’s LAV-AT Modernization program established in 2012, the upgraded ATWS includes a new turret that is unmanned, fires both wire-guided and radio frequency TOW missiles, and can acquire targets while on-the-move with an improved thermal sight. It also has a Far Target Location system, new commander/gunner video sight displays, and an electric elevation and azimuth drive system, which helps rotate the weapon system onto the target. Fielding will be completed by the end of 2019.

• BAE Systems has been awarded a $8.7 million US Navy contract modification to complete the fitting out availability process for the USS Portland (LPD-27) and for continued efforts associated with the post shakedown availability for the USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26). Work on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships will take place at BAE’s San Diego facility in California with work on the USS John P. Murtha scheduled to be completed by February 2018, followed by the USS Portland in October 2018.

Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia is believed to have ordered approximately $7 billion worth of precision guided munitions from Boeing and Raytheon. While the US State Department has yet to formally notify Congress of the deal, sources close to the sale said it was agreed as part of a $110 billion weapons package that coincided with President Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf kingdom in May. A State Department official maintained that the department does “not comment to confirm or deny sales untilthey are formally notified to Congress,” and both Raytheon and Boeing have declined to comment. The sale of munitions and missiles to Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly contentious issue for many US lawmakers opposed to the Saudi Royal Air Force’s conduct in the Yemen civil war, where Iran-allied Houthi rebels fight against the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. The UN estimates that nearly 4,800 civilians have been killed since March 2015, and Saudi Arabia has either denied attacks or cited the presence of fighters in the targeted areas, adding that it has tried to reduce civilian casualties.

• Azerbaijan is expected to sign a deal with Turkish munitions firm Roketsan for the delivery of the SOM stand-off air-to-surface missile initially developed by TUBITAK SAGE. Three variants—the SOM-A, SOM-B and SOM-B1—come with varying warheads and guidance/communication packages, while a forth version, the SOM-J is being developed by Roketsan and Lockheed Martin for use in the internal carriages of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The missile boasts a range of 250KM and can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms. Also ordered from Turkey are Roketsan’s Kasirga rocket launchers (MLRS), which allow for the operator to strike at targets deep in the enemy’s defense, including military bases, concentration sites, rocket launcher launchers, airports and transport hubs, administrative and industrial centers. Costs and number of units for both purchases have yet to be revealed.

Europe

• The government of Georgia has been approved by the US State Department for the possible foreign military sale of Javelin missiles and Command Launch Units. Announced by the Department of Defense’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) last Monday, the sale, if approved by US Congress, will include 410 Javelin Missiles, 72 Javelin Command Launch Units (CLUs)—includes two Javelin Block 1 CLUs to be used as spares—as well as training equipment, and US Government and contractor technical assistance. The value of the sale is estimated at $75 million, and while the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture has been listed by the DSCA as prime contractors, the missiles will be provided from US Army stock and the CLUs will be obtained from on-hand Special Defense Acquisition Fund (SDAF)-purchased stock.

• Finland’s Defense Ministry has decided that its F/A-18 fighter replacement program will require a one-to-one acquisition of 64 fighter jets. The defence report, which was approved by the Finnish Parliament in February, says that the readiness of the current fleet must be fully maintained after the procurement, and between 7-10 billion euros ($8.3-12 billion) has been made available for the purchase. A tender is planned to start in 2018, with a newly elected government to pick a winner in 2019. In August, US President Donald Trump claimed during a White House press conference with his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, that Helsinki was already buying fighter aircraft from Boeing, much to Niinisto’s confusion. Niinisto later told Finnish media, “It seems that on the sale side, past decisions and hopes about future decisions have mixed … The purchase is just starting, and that is very clear here.”

Asia-Pacific

• In what will be its first non-US defense partnership, Japan is expected to announce, alongside the UK, a new joint development effort on the Meteor air-to-air missile. Developed by the European missile consortium MBDA, the upgraded missile will incorporate a powerful radar system developed by Mitsubishi Electric and a prototype will be built at an MBDA plant starting in fiscal 2018. Live-fire testing will take place in the UK in 2023 at which point Tokyo and London will decide whether to put the weapon into mass production. Japan is likely to select the missile for its fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. A joint statement giving further details on the joint program is likely to take place after a meeting of their top diplomatic and defense officials December 14 in London.

• India’s Ministry of Defense has hailed the successful test-firing of its long-delayed air-;aunched variant of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile. Launched on November 22 from an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI, the 2.5 ton nuclear-capable missile successfully hit a ship target off of India’s Eastern Coast. A derivative of the Russian P-800 Oniks over-the-horizon supersonic anti-ship cruise missile,Ge the BrahMos is a joint venture between India’s Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) and Russian rocket design bureau NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Ground- and naval-launched variants are already in operation with the Indian Army and Navy respectively, and the IAF plan to modify 50 Su-30MKIs to carry the air-launched weapon. Modifications include electrical and software upgrades, as well as reinforcement of the jet’s undercarriage in order to properly support such heavy-weight ordinance. First deliveries are expected to commence in January 2018.

Today’s Video

• Indian news report on the IAF’s Brahmos test:

LAV-AT: Modernizing the USMC’s Wheeled Tank-Killers

General Dynamics’ wheeled LAV A2 family is the US Marine Corps’ backbone armored personnel carrier, and the LAV-AT (anti-tank) is one of the most interesting sub-types. A pop-up M901 Emerson turret rises out of the vehicle like the head of a robot, tracks opponents using visual and thermal imaging, and fires up to 2 BGM-71 TOW(Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire guided) anti-armor missiles, before dropping back inside to re-load under armored protection. The result is a more mobile tank-killer that can strike from long-range, and remains effective even under heavy artillery shelling. It’s also handy for fire support against enemy strongpoints, serving in the same role as an assault gun.

Unfortunately for the Marines, their LAV-ATs are facing 2 separate threats to their long-term viability. Hence the USMC’s ACAT-III Light Armored Vehicle Anti-Tank Modernization Program.

Thanksgiving 2017

Wishing all our readers a very happy Thanksgiving in what has been quite a memorable and busy year. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy the leftovers. DID offers thanks to all of our readers, and to all American and allied soldiers in uniform. We will resume publishing on Monday.

Today’s Thanksgiving Videos

• President Trump pardons his first turkey:

• A daring escape: North Korean soldier defects across the DMZ: