Airbus prepares for London showdown with A400M program members | Iraq receives first six T-50IQs | BAE unveil CV90 Mk IV ahead of Czech competition

Americas

• General Atomics has been awarded a USAF contract for software development on the MQ-9 Reaper UAV. Valued at $49.3 million, the agreement provides for software development, in addition to sustaining the current MQ-9 Reaper force operated by the Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command units. Work to take place at Poway, California, and is expected to be complete by January 31, 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research and development funds in the amount of $9,864,489 are being obligated at the time of the award.

• Lockheed Martin has been granted a $150 million US Navy contract to develop, manufacture and deliver two test units for the Surface Navy Laser Weapon System. Due in fiscal 2020, one unit will go to guided-missile destroyer, USS Arleigh Burke, while the other will be used for land-based testing. Work will be performed in Bothell, Washington, Moorestown, New Jersey, and half a dozen other locations across the US, and includes options that would bring the overall value of the deal to more than $942.8 million. First deployed on the now-decommissioned amphibious transport ship, USS Ponce, the Surface Navy Laser Weapon System onboard will be installed on the USS Portland later this year.

Middle East-North Africa

• Pictures have surfaced of six FA-50 aircraft—the fighter attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer—recently delivered to the Iraq Air Force. Designated the T-50IQ, Baghdad looks to add a further 18 units to make up two squadrons over the coming years, as part of a 2013 order with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The aircraft can be armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, machine guns and precision-guided bombs.

• Israel could opt to acquire an additional squadron of F-15I fighters over a third F-35I Adir squadron in a procurement decision this May, according to a report in Haaretz. Although an older aircraft, Boeing’s F-15 is cheaper, offers a longer flight range and the ability to carry larger bombs than the F-35—which sacrifices its stealth advantage if additional bombs are carried outside of its belly. However, as the F-15 is currently being upgraded by Boeing, the cost of newer models could increase, although whether this will match the F-35’s current price—whose per unit price dipped below $100 million per plane last year—remains to be seen. But the argument within the within the air force apparently isn’t over whether a third F-35 squadron is needed, but over how soon it is needed. Proponents of the F-15 prefer to postpone buying the third F-35 squadron until near the end of the next decade. Either way, funding for the purchase will come from the new 10-year US military aid package that will come into effect next year.

Europe

• The British Royal Air Force (RAF) plans to retire 16 two-seat Eurofighter Typhoons, as the service looks to trim $1.13 billion in operating costs. Following their retirement, the aircraft will then be cannibalized for spare parts under the Reduce to Produce (RTP) project, which aims to generate over $70 million worth of parts from each airframe “back into the supply chain”, according to RAF Air Command at High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, UK, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request submitted by Jane’s. News of the cost-saving measures comes less than a week after chief of the general staff, General Sir Nicholas Carter, told the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) that an increase in defense spending was required to fill a $28 billion funding shortfall to stave off cuts to key capabilities and personnel numbers.

• Airbus will meet with several NATO members in London on February 5, to discuss a potential write down on fines imposed on the firm over the A400M Atlas military transport program. During the meeting, originally scheduled for November, Airbus will try to convince officials from Belgium, France, Germany Luxemborg, Spain, Turkey and the UK, as well as Europe’s procurement agency OCCAR, that a cap on financial penalties is required, otherwise the whole program could be at risk. A series of technical problems in manufacturing, specifically with the cracking of the engine’s gearbox, has seen program costs skyrocket and deliveries fall years behind schedule. In 2010, the seven nations gave Airbus a $4.3 billion bailout, and the firm took a $1.5 billion writedown last year, warning of “significant risks ahead.”

• BAE Systems unveiled on January 24, the latest version in its CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)—the CV90 Mk IV. Taking place at International Armoured Vehicles Conference in London, the fifth generation of the vehicle features an increased drive train capabilities and active damping technology to improve battlefield speeds and handling, as well as the latest NATO-standard Electronic Architecture to meet customer demands for sensor integration and the implementation of autonomous systems. The vehicle is expected to be offered to the Czech Republic as part of a competition to replace the Czech Army´s legacy fleet of BMP-II IFVs. BAE have already boosted relationships with Czech firms ahead of the competition—In December, the firm announced an agreement with Czech sheet metal fabrication firm Laser Centrum to support work on the Mjölner (Hammer of Thor) self-propelled mortar system, which is being integrated onto the Swedish Army’s fleet of CV90s, while optical specialist Meopta reached an agreement with CV90 subcontractor Saab, to cover potential local production of key components for the CV90’s fire control system.

Asia-Pacific

• Taiwan is preparing to test the naval variant of its indigenous Tien Kung (Sky Bow) III air defense missile system from a LST-542-class tank landing ship later this year. The test follows earlier land-based testing of the naval variant interceptor in 2016, and will eventually be equipped on three Air Defense Catamaran corvettes, ordered in March 2016. The system will eventually be integrated with the US-built Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, however, since the VLS will not be available until 2019, the upcoming test will be conducted on a local launch system.

Today’s Video

• The CV90 Mk IV Infantry Fighting Vehicle:

Canada hosts industry day for CF-18 replacement | UAE revealed to be first Wing Loong II export customer | Lockheed scores THAAD interceptor order

Americas

• Parties interested in replacing the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 fighter aircraft were told at a recent industry day that the service plans to keep flying the jets until 2032—seven years from its initial replacement date of 2025 and fifty years on from when the first jets entered service. According to federal government documents distributed at the January 22 meeting, the first of 88 planned replacement fighters would not begin deliveries until 2025 and would not be completed until 2030. While Ottawa said upgrades and structural improvements to the CF-18s would keep them in the air until 2025, it remains to be seen whether they will receive additional upgrade work to keep them serviceable and flying for another seven years, or if the capability gap will be filled by a much talked about interim procurement of second-hand F/A-18 Super Hornets from Australia. As much as USD$15.3 billion has been set aside for the replacement program, while Ottawa has earmarked USD$404 million for the interim fighters.

• General Dynamics Mission Systems received last Thursday an $8.3 million US Navy contract modification for services in support of US Navy and British Royal Navy fire control and weapon control systems on ballistic and guided missile submarines. The agreement also includes missile fire control for the Columbia-class and UK Vanguard-class Common Missile Compartment Program development—the integration of the UGM-133 Trident II nuclear missile with the common missile compartment program—through first unit UK production, and the delivery of a strategic weapon interface simulator. Work will take place mainly at Pittsfield Massachusetts, as well as other locations across the US and in the UK, with a scheduled completion date set for September 2023. Anticipating further work on submarines for the Navy, General Dynamics plans to invest some $2 billion into its shipyards over the coming years, with $1.7 billion going into its Electric Boat yard in Connecticut—where 12 Columbia subs will be produced. Employment at the firm is also at its highest in 25 years, with 16,200 currently employed at its Electric Boat operation.

Middle East-North Africa

• Jane’s reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first export customer for China’s Wing Loong II UAV. According to satellite photos taken at the remote Qusahwirah Air Base near the UAE’s border with Oman and Saudi Arabia, three UAVs matching the Wing Loong’s specifications were spotted last October. Marketed as a more cost-effective alternative to the US-built MQ-9 Reaper, Chinese media announced in February 2017 that manufacturer AVIC had secured its first major export order for the platform, even before it had made its maiden flight. The UAE have never acknowledged the existence of Qusahwirah Air Base and has only come into the public sphere through Google Earth.

• Airbus has signed a long-term, multibillion-dollar cooperation deal with Turkey’s defense procurement agency, SSM, that aims to expand existing industrial partnerships and cooperation with the Turkish industry. The accord will see the European defense giant commit to $5 billion worth of acquisitions from the Turkish industry between 2020 and 2030, with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) set to be the main beneficiary in the agreement. However, the agreement comes as Turkey comes under criticism from European governments and NATO allies for its heavy hand in dealing with opponents to President Erdogan, and a recent military incursion into northern Syria, which has seen Turkish troops and Turkish-backed militants target US-backed Kurdish militants, whom Ankara claim are terrorists.

• Jordan has received its last batch of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the United States, as Washington looks to help bolster Jordan’s border defenses and to assist in cross-border operations against Islamist militants in Syria. In a handover ceremony attended by US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel and Jordan’s Chief of Staff General Mahmoud Freihat, the helicopters landed in a mock hostage rescue by special forces. Henry Wooster, Charge d‘Affaires of the US Embassy in Jordan, said the helicopters were part of a $470 million package approved in 2017 that included 12 Black Hawks as well as pilot training, spare parts, weapons and hangers, adding that the US “remains committed to supporting the Jordanian air force efforts to protect Jordan’s borders and deter counter acts of terror and contribute to defeat ISIS coalition operations.”

Europe

• The British Royal Navy has received its first River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS Forth, from manufacturer BAE Systems. In attendance at the handing over ceremony at the firm’s Clyde shipyard in Scotland was the recently appointed Under-secretary of State for Defence Procurement at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Guto Bebb MP. HMS Forth will remain at the Scotstoun yard in Glasgow for a short period to complete some additional work requested by the MoD and on departure will be the first complex warship to leave Glasgow since HMS Duncan in 2013. She will be commissioned into service later this year in Portsmouth. During his visit, Bebb also oversaw the progress in the production of the first vessel to be produced under the Type 26/City Class frigate program, the future HMS Glasgow.

Asia-Pacific

• Lockheed Martin announced Friday, the receipt of a $459 million contract modification for the production and delivery of interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Awarded to help support growing US Army operational requirements, the modification brings the total contract value to $1.28 billion with funding provided in 2017 and 2018. Work will take place at Lockheed Martin facilities in Texas, California, Alabama and Arkansas and is expected to be completed by June 25, 2021. Deployed on the US Pacific coast, Turkey and the UAE, THAAD’s most controversial deployment is in South Korea, where the stationing of the system—to counter ballistic missile threats from North Korea—has received damnation from residents living where it is deployed, anti-war activists, and of course North Korea. China also opposes THAAD on the Korean peninsula, claiming its radar is capable of penetrating Chinese territory.

Today’s Video

• Maiden flight of the Tu-160M2

UK OPVs: Bridge Over the River Class

The UK’s forthcoming Ocean Class 90m+ Offshore Patrol Vessels stem from a shipbuilding sector agreement that the UK MoD signed with BAE in November 2013. Britain needed to find an affordable bridge-buy that kept its naval shipyards running in-between completion of existing ships, and delayed construction of the new Type 26 frigates. Rather than paying termination and industrial costs to keep the shipyard idle, the UK government decided to buy 3 OPVs, for delivery by 2017. This would also allow the Royal Navy to retire or gift out the existing River Class OPVs HMS Tyne, HMS Severn and HMS Mersey.

As of August 2014, the contract for these new open-ocean patrol vessels is complete…

Is it third time’s a charm for India’s MRTT comp? | Russia to ignore US over Myanmar fighter plea | Saab assured by Brazil over Embraer-Boeing deal

Americas

• Harper Construction received last Wednesday, a $127.9 million US Navy contract to build a F-35 aircraft maintenance hangar and flight lines at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. Under the terms of the contract agreement, Harper will construct an aircraft maintenance hangar, an aircraft parking apron, and aircraft parking apron expansion for the first wave of incoming F-35 aircrafts, along with additional buildings that are designed to maintain classified information and other construction services. Eight additional work options included could bring the total value to $131.5 million. Work will take place in San Diego, California, with a scheduled completion date of 2020. Meanwhile, Watterson Construction will build a F-35A aircraft weather shelter at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The US Air Force contract, awarded Thursday, is valued at just over $58 million and will be completed at the air base by November 2019.

• The Brazilian Defense Ministry has assured Saab that any defense tie-up between local airframer Embraer and Boeing is not going to happen. Speaking to the Swedish firm’s CEO on January 25, Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said any such deal with Boeing was off the table, adding that they had also ruled out a spin-off or sale of Embraer’s defense or commercial units. Saab and Embraer are partners in the development of the Gripen NG fighter, and Saab had feared that a partnership between Embraer and Boeing could could result in the leak of sensitive data from the Gripen project. Jungmann has subsequently asked the Brazilian Air Force as well as the Defense and Finance Ministries to keep Saab executives informed of any progress in talks between the companies, adding that any deal would mean building safeguards for Saab with its input.

• Raytheon has been awarded a $92 million US Army contract to provide engineering and technical services in support of the FIM-92 Stinger Weapon System. The order includes support for domestic use as well as including foreign military sales (FMS) for Poland and Taiwan. Work locations will depend on each order request with contract completion expected for December 2022. Earlier this month, it was reported that the US Army is undergoing its most significant Stinger training operation in 15 years, as Washington looks to increase proficiency with the platform as part of increasing its short-range air defense systems (SHORAD) capabilities, particularly in Europe. This effort has also seen a number of Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoons upgunned with 30mm cannons.

Middle East-North Africa

• Qatar’s ambassador to Russia, Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, told reporters Thursday that his government is in advanced negotiations to buy the S-400 Triumf air defense system. The deal follows the signing of a military and technical cooperation agreement last October—which includes “supplies of military hardware, military training of officers and soldiers, equipment and, indeed, cooperation on the level of special services” from Russia—with Al-Attiyah adding that both countries would also have military attaches posted in its respective embassies. The latest country in the region to enter advanced negotiations for the S-400, following Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Qatar is also an operator of the US-made THAAD and Patriot air defense systems.

• Kuwait is to finally go ahead with the purchase of 40 F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft from Boeing, after the foreign military sale was initially approved by the Obama administration back in November 2016. 32 E- and 8 F-model Super Hornets equipped with F414-GE-400 engines, as well as training, support, and other associated equipment are included in the package, estimated to be worth $10.1 billion. However, Kuwait is expected to set up specialized military committees to follow up on the details of the purchase, as well as their maintenance, training and spare parts.

Europe

• Flight Global reports that the first F-35B to be assembled outside of Lockheed Martin’s Forth Worth, Texas plant has rolled out of Leonardo’s final assembly and check out (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy. The aircraft is the tenth Joint Strike Fighter to be assembled at the Leonardo-ran operation, following the nine conventional A-model F-35s already delivered, and as the F-35B features a short take-off and vertical landing propulsion system, the delivery is particularly significant, says Doug Wilhelm, Lockheed’s vice-president for F-35 programme management. In additional to Italy’s F-35 orders, 29 F-35As will be produced for the Royal Dutch Air Force at the Cameri plant.

Asia-Pacific

• Russia is likely to ignore a plea from the United States to cancel the sale of six Su-30 fighter planes to Myanmar. Commenting on the proposed sale, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that if reports on the sale were confirmed, it would “serve as another reminder of Russia’s continued efforts to arm militaries that flagrantly violate human rights,” a reference to the ongoing persecution by Myanmar military’s of minority Rohingya Muslims in the country’s Rakhine State, which had prompted the flight of 680,000 to Bangladesh. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the call the next day, telling reporters that “Russia has invariably observed the norms, rules and principles of international law [in the field of military-technical cooperation] and it will continue doing so in the future.” Washington had previously urged countries to suspend arms sales to Myanmar following the start of a military crackdown in August following a series of attacks on Myanmar’s armed forces by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.

• For the third time in seven years, India has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the purchase of six aerial refueling tankers. Issued on January 25, the new procurement hopes to overcome pricing issues which have befallen the previous acquisition attempts, and will include necessary training and associated equipment. Previous entrants into the competition include the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) and Ilyushin’s Il-78. At present, India operates six IL-78 tankers that were purchased in the 2003-2004 Fiscal Year, however, improper storage and maintenance over the years has adversely effected their serviceability and life, and the aircraft continue to fly with vintage 1985 avionics.

Today’s Video

• First flight of the Il-78M-90A tanker:

For the Third Time, India Restarts Aerial Tanker Competition

By the early 2000s, India’s Air Force was expressing interest in buying modern aerial tankers, AWACS radar planes, maritime patrol aircraft, and other long-range, high-value aircraft. Things always take a longer time than they should in India, but the IAF is moving ahead on all fronts. IL-76TD based A-50EI Phalcon AWACS radar aircraft are arriving from Israel, as are has ordered Lockheed Martin’s C-130J-30 Hercules transports for its special forces and Boeing’s 737-derived P-8i Neptune for maritime patrol. A project is underway to develop a mid-size AWACS aircraft, and a competition will select a similar-sized maritime patrol plane to complement the new P-8is.

Aerial tankers enhance the capability of nearly every aircraft in this set, along with India’s fighter fleet. The IAF already operates Russian IL-76 transports, and 6 or 7 related IL-78MK “Midas” aerial tankers, but that won’t be enough. As the Indian Air Force inducts new high-value aircraft, the need for aerial refueling tankers grows along with them. In response, the IAF plans to buy another 6 aerial tankers. In order to add to its fleet, however, the IAF must first overcome India’s bureaucracy.

Leonardo’s Lakota appeal licked, Army, Airbus, laughing | India un-triumf-ant in securing cheaper S-400 batteries | Orbital scores AARGM-ER development contract

Americas

• EFW—a subsidiary of Israeli defense electronics specialist, Elbit Systems—has received a $12.6 million Department of Defense (DoD) firm, fixed-price contract to provide Apache Aviator Integrated Helmets (AAIH) and associated spare parts for the US Army. Worn by pilots of AH-64 Apache helicopters, the helmet boasts a heads-up display that delivers targeting information and infrared imaging to the helmet display. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of January 31, 2022. In July 2017, it was announced that Gentex Corp. would upgrade the AAIH, with contract completion expected for June 2022.

• Orbital ATK announced on January 24, the receipt of a US Navy development contract for the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) upgrade. Based on the AGM-88E currently in full-rate production, the AARGM-ER will take the electronics and sensors from the AGM-88E and package it with an upgraded rocket motor and tail control system. Work on the AARGM-ER contract will be performed at Orbital ATK’s facilities in Northridge and Ridgecrest, California, and will result in a preliminary design prior to entry into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. The value of the contract was not revealed.

• The US Army has awarded Leidos a $75.1 million contract in support of the Night Eagle airborne intelligence system. Under the terms of the agreement, the firm will continue deployed contingency operations for the platform, with work to take place at Reston, Virginia and Bagram, Afghanistan, running until April 25, 2020. Night Eagle is a contractor-owned/contractor-operated system, consisting of a Beechcraft King Air A-200T integrated with an L-3 Sonoma electro-optical/infra-red camera system. It gives commanders the day or night capability to gather measurement and signature intelligence, which collects information to describe and identify distinctive characteristics of a target within a given battle space. Since 2010, it has been deployed by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) as a quick reaction capability niche system in its area of operations.

• Happy days for the US Army, after a lawsuit brought forward by—and initially ruled in favor of—Italian aerospace and defense manufacturer Leonardo was thrown out on appeal, freeing up the service to continue a long-stalled procurement of 16 Airbus Lakota helicopters for its training fleet. In 2016, the serviced appealed a decision made by the US Court of Federal Claims, which ruled the service must stop its procurement of Lakotas, arguing that the judge misinterpreted government procurement terms and requirements and improperly supplemented the record with outside information irrelevant to making a decision. Leonardo, alongside Bell helicopters and other manufacturers had complained that the Army was circumventing procurement practices as it implemented its Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI), which sought to replace retired OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter and the Army’s single-engine TH-67 basic rotary wing training helicopter with Lakota’s already in its inventory. In the end, the Army were required to purchase additional Lakotas from Airbus, prompting rival firms to complain that fair practices were not adhered to. A relieved Airbus said that had Leonardo succeeded, “it would have been a massively expensive step backward from the Army’s cost-saving Aviation Restructure Initiative.”

Middle East-North Africa

• Turkey’s Anselsan announced that the firm started serial production of its ‘Intelligent Particulate Ammunition (ATOM)’—a 35-mm airburst round—and other subsystems for its Korkut self-propelled anti-air gun (SPAAG) system on January 15. Built for the Turkish Armed Forces, the Korkut is designed to counter incoming air-to-ground missiles and low-flying aircraft such as UAVs. The system uses twin-barrel 35-mm cannon design by Rheinmetall Air Defence and built under license in Turkey by the Mechanical and Chemical Industries Corporation (MKEK). Its guidance suite comprises of a 3D search radar and electro-optical (EO) pod mounted on a command-and-control (C2) vehicle, while its C2 suite, radar, EO and fire-control system are manufactured by Aselsan.

Europe

• The TASS news agency reports that Russia’s upgraded Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bomber commenced flight trials last week. Built at the Kazan Aircraft Enterprise, it is believed that the upgrades to the aircraft that flew are not as widespread as initially expected, with the aircraft keeping its original engines and airframe, an unconfirmed source said. In 2015, it was decided to resume serial production of the Tu-160 in its upgraded M2 configuration, with plans to build no more than fifty units from 2023. The full upgrade envisages fully replacing the bomber’s onboard avionics.

Asia-Pacific

• The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Russian negotiators have reached further deadlocks in their discussions over the procurement of the S-400 Triumf air defense system. Reasons for the latest stall in the haggling include opposition to the system’s $5.5 billion price tag, the high cost of associated training and support services, and Moscow’s unwillingness to transfer technology on three types of missiles used in the system, an MoD official told Defense News. Another Indian official said New Delhi wouldn’t exceed $4.5 billion for five batteries and that they expected any deal would incorporate a “Make in India” economic policy in regard to the manufacturing of spares, the guided missiles and a life-time service support package. India and Russia signed an intergovernmental agreement on the sale of the S-400 systems during a bilateral summit in October 2016 in Goa, India, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

• Indonesia is in the market for new Western-made fighters, with some multiple of 16 (the usual size of an Indonesian fighter squadron) expected to be ordered. According to sources close to the military, potential candidates include the Eurofigher Typhoon, as well as the Dassult Rafale and Saab JAS-39 Gripen—the final two have company offices open in Jakarta. However, the favorite, according to the mentioned sources, is Lockheed Martin, as the air force already operates 23 newly refurbished F-16C/Ds and nine F-16A/Bs—both of which could be either upgraded to the latest V-standard configuration, or complimented with new F-16Vs powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. The current engines used on the F-16C/D is the similar F100-PW-200 series, which would result in lower training and logistics costs, while missiles, bombs and targeting pods purchased for current F-16 fleet also would be compatible with the newer variant, again reducing procurement costs, the company has told Indonesian officials.

Today’s Video

• The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile:

AGM-88E AARGM Missile: No Place To Hide Down There

The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) is a medium range, supersonic, air-launched tactical missile whose primary job is to attack and kill enemy radars. AARGM is a US Navy major acquisition program, with around 1,750 expected orders from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Italian Air Force is expected to buy up to 250 of these successors to the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile, and Germany may also join.

So, why is AARGM a big deal? Perhaps the story of how a Serbian unit using an antiquated SA-3 battery managed to survive the 1999 NATO air campaign – and shoot down an F-117 Nighthawk stealth plane – will help put things into perspective. DID recounts those events, explains the new weapon, and offers updates on contracts and key milestones.

German arms sales under fire after Turkish offensive into Syria | Saab warns Brazil over Boeing-Embraer talks | The Warthog to return to Afghan skies

Americas

• Brazilian daily Folha De San Paulo reports that CEO of Saab, Hakan Buskhe will warn Brazil’s Defense Minister Raul Jungmann on January 25, that the Swedish firm may cancel its $4.9 billion contract to supply 36 JAS-39 Gripen fighters to the Brazilian Air Force (BAF) if there is a partnership between Boeing and Embraer. News of a potential tie-up between Boeing and Embraer—the “golden share” owned by the Brazilian government—surfaced in December 2017, and the Brazilian airframer is considered by Boeing as a strategic part of its positioning against European giant Airbus, which purchased Canadian company Bombardier’s regional aircraft line last October. Saab’s opposition to the deal comes from promises made during the Gripen negotiations for the mandatory provision of technology transfer to the BAF and national companies such as Embraer, as well as the joint building of a portion of the ordered aircraft. The Swedish objection comes as it is worried that its technological secrets will be at risk if such a move occurs as Embraer is participating in the development of the Gripen F, however, this may result in only increasing Brazilian negotiating power in any such deal with Boeing—although any interruption of the contract already being delivered with Saab is highly unlikely.

• A new US Air Force team led by Brig. Gen. Bobbi Jo Doorenbos is being set up to investigate and record instances of oxygen deprivation and other physiological incidents found in pilots. The Unexplained Physiologic Events (UPE) Integration Team was announced in a USAF statement on Monday, and Doorenbos said the service is “providing more resources to understand UPEs, standardize response actions to such events and assess options for more robust aircrew training to recognize and respond to these events,” adding that the “ultimate goal is to prevent UPEs.” In 2017, a number of high profile incidents caused flights to be grounded due to UPEs. Last June, F-35 flights at Yuma Air Station, Arizona, were temporarily suspended after five pilots suffered incidents, while US Navy T-45C Goshawk flights were suspended in October, after a hypoxia-related crash caused the deaths of two pilots.

• Boeing seems unlikely to enter a bid in Canada’s CF-18 successor competition, having already missed a one-day information session for potential bidders on 22 January hosted by the Future Fighter Capability acquisition program. The firm was originally a shoe-in to supply its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as a temporary solution to the ageing CF-18s, after the Liberal Party government of Justin Trudeau vowed to ditch the F-35 during its 2015 election campaign. However, Boeing’s filing of a trade dispute in May 2017 against Canadian airframer Bombardier has subsequently spiralled and put Boeing at odds with the ruling Liberal government. Instead, the Royal Canadian Air Force plans to buy retired F/A-18s from the Royal Australian Air Force as an interim CF-18 replacement while its new successor competition is launched.

Middle East-North Africa

• The Royal Bahrain Naval Forces welcomed Monday, its first upgraded Al Manama naval ship during a ceremony at Mina Salman, the port in Manama, Bahrain. Undertaken by Italian defense giant Leonardo, six vessels were tapped for modernization in 2015 at a cost of $61.4 million. Upgrades installed include a newly minted weapons control system, along with training services and logistics, and the final vessel is set for delivery in 2020. First commissioned in 1987, the Al Manamas are capable of conducting anti-surface and electronic warfare operations, in addition to maritime patrol and surveillance missions.

• Germany has come under pressure to cancel a contract with Turkey to upgrade its German-built Leopard II tanks, following the commencement of an offensive by Turkey into northern Syria against the Kurdish YPG. Dubbed Operation Olive Branch, the offensive into Syria comes as Ankara seeks to establish a buffer zone along its southwestern border with Syria by clearing the area of US-backed Kurdish militants under claims that they contain elements of the PKK—a Turkish-based Kurdish group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU. Now, under fire from both opposition lawmakers and even members of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives for failing to speak up earlier, and for moving toward approving Ankara’s request to have German arms maker Rheinmetall upgrade its German-built tanks, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called his Turkish counterpart on Monday to discuss the issue, citing concerns about the humanitarian consequences of an escalation in Syria. A German defense ministry spokesman on Monday confirmed that Turkey had purchased over 750 tanks from Germany in the 1980s, 1990s and late 2000s, but said he had no direct knowledge aside from photographs circulating in the media that the tanks were being used in Syria.

Europe

• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered its second Gulfstream G550 conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) aircraft to the Italian Air Force, fulfilling a $750 million deal signed in 2012 that also includes ground support equipment and a logistics support package. Developed by IAI’s Elta Systems subsidiary, the CAEW adaptation of the G550 also features electronic support measures and electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities, while a dedicated ELINT variant of the G550 is also in Israeli service. The CAEW platform has been in use with the Israeli Air Force for the last 12 years and is also in use by Singapore.

Asia-Pacific

• The Australian government announced Wednesday, the award of a AUS$100 million (USD$80.38 million) contract to supply 155 millimetre Lightweight Towed Howitzer ammunition to the Army. NIOA of Queensland, the country’s largest privately-owned supplier of small arms to the commercial, law enforcement and military markets, will act as supplier in the contract, and the firm is also looking at additional opportunities for domestic manufacture of other types of 155mm ammunition. In May 2017, NIOA was selected by German defense giant Rheinmetall as its key supplier of ammunition and armament services for its Land 400 Phase 2 offer to the Commonwealth of Australia.

• After a six-year absence, the A-10 Warthog is making a return to Afghanistan. 12 of the ground-attack aircraft are expected to operate from Kandahar air base as the US military continues to intensify its air activities against militants fighting the Washington-backed government in Kabul, and the Warthogs will work providing close air support in a campaign targeting Taliban revenue sources including drug-producing facilities and in counter-terrorism operations. News of the deployment comes following a Taliban attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul at the weekend, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people.

Today’s Video

• The 62d Fighter Squadron presents its first F-35 B-Course Graduates, class 17-BBL:

USS Little Rock littorally stuck in the ice | Senior UK officer warns of spending cuts, Russian threats | Russia and Myanmar agree Su-30SME fighter deal

Americas

• BAE Systems announced Monday, the receipt of a $46.8 million US Navy contract modification to upgrade four additional Mk 45 naval guns to the Mod 4 configuration for the service. The order adds to an original ten gun contract, with the modification bringing the total contract value to more than $176.6 million. BAE’s Mod 4 configuration increases the firepower and range of the weapon system, while decreasing its overall weight, as well as featuring a fully digitized control system that provides for better computing power through a touch-screen user interface. Work on the conversions will occur in Louisville, Ky., with support from the company’s supplier base, and a scheduled completion time set for 2021. Mk 45 guns are installed on the Navy’s Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.

• The US Navy’s latest Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS), USS Little Rock, has found itself caught in the ice in Montreal, Canada. Recent cold fronts from the Arctic has caused record cold temperatures throughout December and January, with ice forming faster than normal in the Seaway. Little Rock, which was commissioned in Buffalo, New York on December 16, with significant snowfall already falling, and the plan was to then transit the Seaway to reach the Atlantic Ocean, before continuing on to Mayport, Florida. Now, its is likely the vessel will be stuck in Montreal until the ice thaws in March, with the crew to continue to focus on training, readiness and certifications.

Middle East-North Africa

• A US State Department statement through its Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), has approved the continuation of missile system support services for Saudi Arabia’s Patriot air defense system. Valued at an estimated $500 million, the package contains continued participation, technical assistance, and support in the Patriot Legacy Field Surveillance Program (FSP); the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) FSP; and the Patriot Engineering Services Program (ESP). Also included are Patriot and HAWK Missile System spare parts and repair and return management services and component repairs, and other related elements of logistics and program support. Once approved by Congress, principal contractors that will work on the deal are Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Maryland for the FSP and Raytheon of Andover, Massachusetts for the ESP.

Europe

• The Greek Army is set to acquire as many as 70 Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters through an Excess Defense Articles (EDA) transfer from the US government. Athens has allocated $54 million through its council for foreign affairs and defense for the package, which covers training of crew and maintenance personnel, 36 fully equipped helicopters—armed with AGM-114K Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, Hydra-70 70mm unguided rockets and .50cal machine guns—, plus a further 24 restored to a state that just facilitates training. The remaining 10 airframes will becannibalized for spare parts. Greece is the third US partner nation to introduce former US Army Kiowa’s, with deliveries of 16 units to Croatia commencing in 2016, while Tunisia is in the process of fielding 24 models.

• General Sir Nick Carter, a senior British Army officer, warned the government Monday that a decrease in defense spending would seriously hamper its effectiveness in countering military threats. The speech, which was pre-approved by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and given at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, highlighted the growing threat of Russian military aggression, who Carter said was building an increasingly aggressive expeditionary force and already boasted an “eye-watering quantity of capability” that the UK would struggle to match in the event of armed conflict. This is the first time a serving officer has made just a plea in public. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Teresa May and French President Emanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to the continued strengthening of defense cooperation, announcing a range of measures at a summit at Sandhurst last week. Included were a French commitment to increase its support for the NATO Forward Presence battle group in Estonia—a British initiative—while London will deploy helicopters to Mali to provide logistical support for French troops operating a counterterrorism mission.

Asia-Pacific

• Russian daily Kommersant reports that the Russian Defense Ministry has reached an agreement with Myanmar for the sale of six Su-30SME fighter aircraft. While many details of the sale—including a financial package to help cover the purchase—have yet to be decided, the order is valued at $400 million with deliveries to commence in 2019. The sale has been noted as an important order for manufacturer Rosoboronexport’s Irkutsk plant, as it needs to keep its production line open till early 2020s before the MS-21 airliner starts production. Myanmar, which had its first election since 1990—which itself was the first since 1960—in 2015, still falls under significant influence of the previous ruling armed forces. The military-drafted constitution guarantees that unelected military representatives take up 25 percent of seats in Myanmar’s parliament, have a veto over constitutional change, and certain important ministries such as defence, home affairs and border security are selected by the head of the army rather than the president. Russia, along with China have repeatedly used their veto in UN Security Council resolutions and statements condemning the Myanmar army, which since August 2017, have been conducting military operations in the western province of Rakhine, which borders Bangladesh, with evidence mounting of ethnic cleansing against the region’s Rohingya people—a Muslim-majority ethnic group in a Buddhist-majority nation whom the army have long persecuted and denied citizenship.

• Delivery of Singapore’s first A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from Airbus will take place later this year ahead of the air force’s 50th anniversary in September. According to a government statement, the aircraft will make its first public appearance at a parade on September 1, the service’s foundation day, and further details on the aircraft’s arrival will be announced closer to the event. Six A330s have been ordered by Singapore and will come in the MRTT Enhanced configuration, which features a package of aerodynamic improvements, structural modifications and avionics updates over the previous baseline military variant. The aircraft will replace its existing midair refueling fleet of four Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers.

• India plans to test an extended-range variant of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile by the end of this year. New Delhi has already tested a 400km variant of the missile, but since joining the Missile Technology Control Regime in June 2016, have been working on producing a variant with a range of 800km. Coming in land-, naval-, and air-launched variants, India successfully tested the missile from a configured Su-30 fighter for the first time against a target in the Bay of Bengal in November 2017.

Today’s Video

• Littorally stuck. USS Little Rock to spend the winter in Montreal:

Martin-Baker pleads guilty to negligence in RAF death | F-35 sustainment to get deep dive, says Roper | Anselan begins “Missile Hunter” production

Americas

• BAE System San Diego Ship Repair has been awarded a US Navy contract nearing $35 million to upgrade the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George. The vessel will be homeported at San Diego, California, where it will receive depot-level maintenance, alterations and modifications to enhance its capabilities, with work expected to be completed by January 2019. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $28,036,784; and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,749,774 will be obligated at time of award and $28,036,784 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

• The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded PeopleTec Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama, a $33 million contract to provide engineering and support services to the agency’s ballistic missile defense programs. Under the agreement, international programs and the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) will be covered—with the aim of defending regional interests, allies, and deployed forces against ballistic missile threats—with work to take place at Huntsville, Alabama, Fort Belvior, Virginia (where the HQ of the MDA is located), and in Tel Aviv, Israel. The contract will run until January 2023. Short- and intermediate BMDS platforms used by the US and allies include the Patriot, THAAD, Arrow-3 and Aegis systems.

• Will Roper, the current nominee to head the Air Force Acquisition Office, has warned of serious cost overruns if F-35 sustainment costs are not properly tackled. Roper, an Obama administration appointment who has headed the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) since its foundation in 2012, told lawmakers of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing last Thursday, that he intends to embark on a F-35 deep dive that will focus on how emerging technologies can help decrease sustainment costs over the life of the program. “I am deeply concerned about the sustainment issues of the F-35. If I get confirmed, one of the first things I want to look at is the sustainment plan to make sure that there are not optimistic assumptions for this confluence of events that all happen together to get the price down,” Roper told the committee while acknowledging that sustainment and maintenance are not the “sexiest thing to talk about in the world of technology,” and are the “ugly sister” compared to technologies meant to greatly enhance the performance of a platform, like stealth or supersonic speed.

Middle East-North Africa

• Turkish defense electronics firm Anselsan has signed a contract with the Turkish government to begin the serial production of an indigenously designed and developed towed air-defense gun system that has been given “missile hunter” status by Ankara. Designed to perform low-altitude air-defense missions against air-to-ground missiles, cruise missiles, UAVs, and fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, production of the platform’s air-defense fire-control center, modernized 35mm towed guns and air-defense systems, and 35mm airburst ammunition, will all be handled by Anselsan prior to delivery to the Turkish Army and Air Force. In other news, it was also announced that production of Anselsan’s KORKUT Self Propelled Air Defense Gun System has been going well since serial production began in 2016.

Europe

• The French Navy will lease helicopters from a private firm as high operational and maintenance costs has caused the service to ditch its Alouette III fleet prior to the delivery of its replacement—the Airbus H160, which is due to enter service in 2028. According to La Tribune, the cost of operating the Alouette III—average age, 40 years old—has tripled since 2010 and its availability rate is only 33.9 percent of 20 rotorcraft. Thanks to months of pleading by naval chief, Admiral Christophe Prazuck, the Alouette III will be swapped out with leased AS365 Dauphins, which will give the service more cost-effective, modern, and safer helicopters.

• Ejector seat manufacturer Martin-Baker has pleaded guilty to breaching UK health and safety law over the death of an RAF Red Arrows pilot. Flt Lt Sean Cunningham died during an incident at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire in November 2011, after his ejector seat initiated during the pre-flight checks of his Hawk T1 jet while on the ground and stationary. A 2014 inquest into the death found that while 19 checks were carried out on the jet, the ejector seat firing handle had been left in an unsafe position, meaning it could accidentally activate the seat, with coroner Stuart Fisher adding that while the firm had been aware since 1990 of issues with the over-tightening of crucial nuts and bolts in the mechanism of the seat that would cause the main parachute not to deploy properly, it had failed to pass on the warnings to the Ministry of Defence. The next hearing will be held on 12 February.

Asia-Pacific

• An Indian Navy officer has confidently said that India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier will be ready for induction by 2020, defying the assessment of a report from India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that the future INS Vikrant won’t be ready for service until 2023. “That was CAG’s version, as far as Navy is concerned, we are confident (of the 2020 deadline),” Commodore J. Chaudhary, Principal Director Naval Design, was quoted saying by India’s Business Standard, adding that the vessel will be ready for harbor trials by the end of 2018, which will then be followed up by sea trials and aviation trails. The vessel will feature at as part of the Navy’s Republic Day celebrations on Friday, January 26.

• Following a series of rigorous operational testing and evaluation, the Taiwanese Army’s 601st Brigade is expected to enter its second AH-64E Apache unit into service later this year, an anonymous officer has told local media. Based on the island’s north-western Taoyuan district, the command’s 601st Brigade has been training personnel and upgrading its equipment since 2013, with the first Apache unit formally commissioned in June 2017 under the Second Apache Combat Squadron. 30 E-model Apaches were delivered to the 601st Brigade between November 2013 and October 2014, however, one was lost in a crash during a training flight in April 2014.

Today’s Video

• USMC F-35B on sloped surfaces: