Boeing won a $9.5 million for C-17 simulator training supporting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partners. This modification increases the ceiling of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from the previously awarded amount of $9,500,000 to $18,000,000. The C-17 Globemaster III is a premier transport aircraft. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft can carry large combat equipment, troops and humanitarian aid across long distances in all weather conditions. Work will take place in the UK and is expected to be finished by December 31, 2021.
A fire broke out in an unoccupied, hanger, which was used for equipment storage, at Minot Air Force Base on December 28. The fire broke out at 5:15 pm in building 733, an unoccupied hangar used for “overflow snow removal equipment and transient alert equipment.„ No other buildings were affected and no one was injured. The hangar did not have any personnel or aircraft inside and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
Middle East & Africa
Governor Henry McMaster joined Lockheed Martin in welcoming Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashed Al Khalifa from the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ambassador Al Khalifa toured the F-16 Block 70’s production line. Lockheed Martin is producing 16 fighter jets for the Bahraini Royal Air Force. The first jets are expected to be shipped out in 2021. McMaster said, “This is just one more example in how our state plays a big role in the prosperity of the country, strength of the country and the world. It’s something to be proud of.” Lockheed Martin originally produced these planes in Fort Worth, Texas. But when demand picked back up worldwide for the F-16, they decided to produce new ones here in South Carolina. Officials said this is bringing hundreds of jobs to the state. In addition to Bahrain, the facility in Greenville will be producing F-16s for Bulgaria and Slovakia. According to Lockheed Martin, there are about 3000 F-16s in service right now worldwide.
The first Instrumented Series Production Aircraft (ISPA 6) configured for the Kuwaiti Air Force has successfully completed its first flight. The aircraft is the first to fly the Captor E-Scan Radar with Phase Enhancement P3Eb, and is a key milestone for the entry into service of Eurofighter with the State of Kuwait. ISPA 6 is the first Eurofighter in the planned export configuration for the Kuwait Air Force, with the second iteration of the Phase 3 Enhancement software (P3EB) and fitted with the new Captor E-Scan radar (known as Radar One Plus, or Captor E Mk0), an active electronically scanned array (AESA) derivative of Typhoon’s highly regarded Captor radar. The capability package for Kuwait includes the integration of Storm Shadow and Brimstone and other air-to-surface weapons.
Europe
HMS Tyne escorted Russian ship Perekop through the English Channel on Christmas Day. The Royal Navy confirmed the HMS Tyne’s two-day operation in a statement. The Royal Navy confirmed that the ship had returned to Portsmouth and remains ready for further operations. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace praised the work of the Royal Navy crews who conducted operations during the Christmas holidays: “I am grateful for the efforts of the crew of HMS Tyne, who has sailed on Christmas Eve, helping to safeguard or seas”, Wallace said. In August, a Royal Navy patrol ship monitored Russian ship Vasily Bykov through UK waters in a similar incident. In October, the HMS Mersey vessel of the UK Royal Navy escorted a group of three ships of Russia’s Baltic Fleet as they headed along the UK coast to the English Channel.
Asia-Pacific
The Indonesian Navy commissioned a shore-based 76 mm naval gun, Jane’s reports. The shore-based 76 mm naval gun has been installed at its newly built weapons range in Paiton, East Java. It is the first of several weapon types that will be featured at the newly constructed range at Paiton. The gun, which was salvaged from the retired Ahmad Yani Class frigate, Slamet Riyadi , was handed over by Indonesia’s state-owned electronic company, PT Len, to the TNI-AL’s Doctrine, Education, and Training Development Command on December 6.
Rolls-Royce won a $20.4 delivery order for C-130J Propulsion Long Term Sustainment. The deal provides funding for Option III. The Lockheed Martin C-130 is the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The C-130J Hercules features a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. The C-130J is equipped with four Allison AE2100D3 turboprop engines, each rated at 4,591 shaft horsepower. The all-composite six-blade R391 propeller system was developed by Dowty Aerospace. Work will take place in Indiana and is expected to be finished by February 1, 2020.
Boeing won a $265.2 million modification to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) development and sustainment contract, under which the contractor will support the GMD Communications Network Modernization, the in-flight interceptor communications system data terminals technology upgrade, and complete the GMD fire control communication ground systems software build 8 early integration. The Ground-based Midscourse Defense is part of the United States’ ballistic missile defense system. It provides commanders with the ability to target and eliminate intermediate and long-range ballistic missile threats in space. It’s the second modification to the contract. The deal was originally awarded in January 2018 and obligated $6.56 billion for upgrades to the GMD system. In March Boeing received a $4.1 billion modification to the contract. Boeing will perform work in Alabama and Florida. Estimated completion will be on December 31, 2022.
Middle East & Africa
Mena Defense reports that Algeria signed contracts for the Su-34 and Su-57. The African nation is buying 14 examples of each type. The contract is allegedly set to be implemented by 2025. By this deadline the Algerian army will deploy two wings of Su-30MKA, one squadron of Su-57, one of Su-35 and one of Mig-29M2 for air domination, two squadrons of upgraded Su-24 and one of Su-34 for the bomber fleet. The decision makes Algeria the first foreign country to receive the Russian Su-57 fighter jets. The decision to obtain Su-57E jets was reportedly made by the Algerian leadership during the MAKS-2019 Air Show. The Su-57 jet is already in serial production for the Russian Aerospace Forces. The Russian military seeks to receive a total of 76 Su-57 fighters by 2028.
Europe
Russian Helicopters disclosed that the Russian Ministry of Defense has started joint state tests of Mi-26T2V heavy-lift military transport helicopter. The tests will take place on four proving grounds, according to a press release. The crew of the helicopter will include representatives of the Russian Aerospace Forces. As part of Russian Helicopters’ program on upgrading the heavy Mi-26 helicopter for the Russian Aerospace Forces, in 2018 Rostvertol produced a prototype of the modernized Mi-26T2V helicopter. The modernized Mi-26T2V helicopter, which can be used at any time of the day, is a heavy-lift military and transport helicopter which can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo. The rotorcraft has the NPK90-2V integrated avionics which ensures piloting during the day and at night, enabling the helicopter to fly the route in an automatic mode, come to a preset point, perform approach and final approach maneuvers, and return to the main or alternate aerodrome.
Asia-Pacific
The Indian Air Force retired its last squadron of upgraded MiG-27ML ‘Flogger’ tactical ground-attack aircraft on 27 December. The move further reduces the service’s overall combat strength. Officials said that the IAF has “number-plated” the No. 29 ‘Scorpions’ Squadron based in Jodhpur, western India, until it is re-operationalized with new aircraft and manpower at a later stage. The move comes after the IAF retired its other MiG-27ML squadron in December 2018. License-built by India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited or HAL, some 165 single-engine, ‘swing-wing’ MiG-27s entered IAF service from 1985.
Raytheon won a $768.3 million deal for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile or AMRAAM Production Lot 33. The deal provides for the production of the AMRAAM missiles, captive air training missiles, guidance sections, AMRAAM telemetry system, spares and other production engineering support hardware. It involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales to Australia as well as Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM is in service with the US Air Force, US Navy, and over 25 US-allied nations. Work will take place in Tucson, Arizona. Expected completion will be on February 28, 2023.
Today’s Video
Watch: WARRIOR UPGRADE: Is This The Future Of The British Army’s Armoured Vehicle? | Forces TV
The US Navy announced that the next two Virginia Class submarines, which are also the first two of Block V of the class will be named for the sailors who during the Pearl Harbor attack. The USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma, currently referred to as SSN-802 and SSN-803, will be named for the USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma that were sunk in the December 7, 1941, attack and the roughly 1,600 sailors who died on them, the Navy said on Tuesday. The decision brings the names back into active-duty service more than 75 years after the two vessels were in use. The new Arizona and Oklahoma will be the first two in Block V of the Virginia-class submarine program, which have been named about a month after the Navy awarded a $22.2 billion contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat for first nine vessels of the block.
The DoD plans to cut the construction of more than 40 percent of its planned Flight III Arleigh Burke Destroyers in fiscal years 2021 through 2025, DefenseNews reports. According to a Memo from the White House Office of Management. The proposal would cut five of the 12 DDGs planned through the future years defense program. This would reportedly cut $9.4 billion of the total shipbuilding budget. The memo also outlined plans to accelerate the decommissioning cruisers, cutting the total number of Ticonderoga Class cruisers in the fleet down to nine by 2025, from a planned 13 in last year’s budget. The Pentagon’s plan would actually shrink the size of the fleet from today’s fleet of 293 ships to 287 ships.
Middle East & Africa
The Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated a new base in Garissa County in the northeast of the country, Jane’s reports. The ceremony was held on December 13. Modika Barracks will be the headquarters of the 6 Infantry Brigade and home to the 17 Kenya Rifles Battalion. The 6 Brigade was established as a fully-fledged formation in 2012. The Ministry of Defense announced back in February that 17 Kenya Rifles had already moved into Modika Barracks.
Europe
The Armenian military has received a batch of Russian-made Tor-M2KM wheeled short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, the country’s prime minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 21. “The Armenian armed forces have been reinforced by modern Russian-made Tor-M2KM air and missile defense systems. These weapons were produced in 2019 and stand among our pivotal defense procurements this year,” said Pashinyan. The Ministry of Defense declined to detail the number of the SAM systems procured, although a photograph released by the Armenian government’s press office depicted at least two Tor-M2KM combat vehicles. Armenia has received a new variant of the Tor-M2KM mounted on the KAMAZ-63501 8×8 all-terrain truck.
The electrooptical sensors for the Forpost-R unmanned aerial vehicle will be supplied by Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant and NPP Aviation and Marine Electronics. Both will replace the MOSP300 made by IAI’s TAMAM division. Back in August its was reported that Russia’s locally-upgraded Forpost-R UAV had made its maiden flight.The Forpost drone is a licensed replica of the Israeli Searcher MkII, assembled at the Urals Civil Aviation Plant since 2010. By 2018 the Russian army had about 30 Forpost systems assembled from imported parts. The first fully Russian-made Forpost-M, upgraded based on the experience of military action in Syria, were to be delivered for the Russian Defense Ministry in 2019.
Asia-Pacific
The first RQ-4B ordered by South Korea has been delivered to Sacheon airbase on December 23. The RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) arrived at an Air Force base in Sacheon on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula earlier in the day. It is the first of a total of four units that South Korea is purchasing from the United States under a 2011 deal. The three others will arrive around the first half of next year, though the schedule is subject to change. The exact timing of their official deployment for operations is not decided, and will not be officially disclosed to the public, an Air Force officer said. As one of the most advanced intelligence-gathering platforms in the world, the long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, manufactured by US defense company Northrop Grumman, is capable of performing reconnaissance missions for around 40 hours at a time at an altitude of roughly 20 kilometers.
Today’s Video
Watch: Indian Defence Updates : India’s New Anti-Aircraft System,114 Rafale-F3R MMRCA,Navy Airfield Upgrade
Boeing won a $4 million contract modification for B-1 and B-52 bomber engineering services. The modification is for recurring and non-recurring engineering services to B-1 and B-52 aircraft. The B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber. It is also called „Bone“. The B-52H is the US Air Force’s long-range, large-payload multirole bomber and is known as the Stratofortress or the Buff (big ugly fat fellow). It is the USAF’s principal strategic nuclear and conventional weapons platform, and supports the US Navy in anti-surface and submarine warfare missions. Work will take place in California, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2020
Flightsafety Services won an $11.8 million contract modification for support of the KC-46 Aircrew Training System. The contract modification provides for the exercise of calendar year 2020 operation and sustainment and cybersecurity efforts. The KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft, based on the KC-767 refueling aircraft. The contract for KC-46 tankers was awarded to Boeing in February 2011. The company announced the major suppliers to be involved in the project in June 2011 and the Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) for the program was completed in August the same year. Last month the Pegasus completed the first flight around the world last month in a seven-leg trip. The Boeing aircraft is undergoing initial operational testing and evaluation to test its capabilities and effectiveness even as the Air Force flagged concerns with certain issues identified during the inspection, including a problem with the cargo locks. Flightsafety will perform work until December 31, 2020.
Middle East & Africa
The Qatar Emiri Air Force showed off its new AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters for the first time during the country’s annual National Day Parade on December 18, Jane’s reports. The US Department of Defense awarded a $667.5 million contract to Boeing in May 2016 to build 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for Qatar. The first one was handed over in May to the QEAF at Boeing’s Mesa plant in Arizona. The same month, the US State Department approved the sale of a second batch of 24 AH-64Es to Qatar at an estimated cost of $3 billion.
Europe
Poland has taken delivery of the four S-70i Black Hawks it ordered for its special forces. The delivery ceremony took place at 1st Transport Aviation Base on December 20. The European country has paid $177 million)for the rotorcraft, which also includes a logistics and training package. Poland has been attempting to modernize its rotorcraft inventory for several years. The controversial process initially saw Warsaw in April 2015 place an order for 50 Airbus Helicopters H225Ms to be operated by all three branches of its armed forces. However, a change of government saw that contract cancelled in October 2016. Instead, Poland has pursued a piecemeal acquisition strategy: in addition to the S-70is it has ordered four Leonardo Helicopters AW101s for anti-submarine warfare operations by its navy.
The 12 remaining airworthy Saab 105 twin-jet trainers operated by the Austrian Air Force have been grounded after cracks were found in the bolts connecting their tail sections to their centre fuselage. Of the dozen 1970s-vintage Saab 105s still flying out of 40 originally delivered, cracks were found in 10 of them. However the Department of Defense expected the aircraft to be able to fly again in March. The Swedish jet trainer are scheduled to retire at the end of 2020. At the end of November it was reported that they has to be grounded, because of cracks in the bolts. Airspace surveillance has since been carried out by the more expensive Eurofighters.
Asia-Pacific
Boeing won a $35.1 million modification, which provides for the production and delivery of ten Advanced Capability Mission Computers (ACMC) in support of F/A-18 E/F production for the Navy, 66 ACMCs for the government of Australia and 10 ACMCs for the government of Kuwait. The Advanced Capability Mission Computer is an integrated information processing system, providing complete hardware and software solutions. It is built on a well-defined open systems architecture allowing for rapid insertion of emerging technologies. The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft was manufactured by Boeing, and flew for the first time on 29 November 1995. The single-seat F/A-18/E and the two-seat F/A-18/F fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, have more powerful engines and provide greater survivability. Work will take place in St. Louis and expected completion will be in August 2023.
Today’s Video
Watch: Race Is On | Royal Tank Regiment | British Army
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics won a $7 billion modification for F-22 air vehicle sustainment. The modification provides for the exercise of an option for additional five year ordering period for comprehensive F-22 air vehicle sustainment. The fifth generation fighter, a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, is designed to project air dominance, quickly and over long distances, and overcome threats that attempt to deny access to the Air Force, Army, Navy and the US Marine Corps UU. The F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. The combination of the F-22 Stealth Raptor, supercube capacity, maneuverability and integrated avionics, together with an improved support capacity, represents an exponential leap in the combat capabilities of previous generations of fighters. The Raptor performs air-to-air and air-to-ground missions allowing the full realization of vital operational concepts for the 21st Century Air Force. The work will be carried out in five operational bases: Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base, Alaska; Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and in six support locations: Edwards AFB, California; Palmdale, California; Hill AFB, Utah; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Warner Robins AFB, Georgia; as well as in other potential locations in the United States and abroad, combat deployment and road support bases, potential locations through deposit association agreements and system program office locations. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2032.
The US State Department approved a $78 million possible sale of equipment, parts, support and services for four P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft previously purchased by Argentina’s government from the United States. Argentina’s government had requested the possible sale to support and maintain its four P-3C aircraft, which it purchased from the US earlier this year. The request also included four turboprop engines for each airframe and four additional engines. The sale approved Wednesday will include communications, radar and optics equipment, as well as aircraft depot maintenance, spare parts and technical and logistical assistance.
Middle East & Africa
Advanced Electronics won a $13.7 million contract modification for the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA Cyber Protection System and related facilities program. The modification provides for Build 2 of the Cyber Protection System. The scope of the deal effort will include the deployment of a Cyber Security Operations Center at Prince Sultan Air Base, the establishment of End Point Security (data-at-rest encryption using MS BitLocker), and additional System Integration Lab Instances. FMS case SR-D-SAO is for the total package of acquisition and fielding of 84 F-15A aircraft; the upgrade of 70 F-15SA aircraft to the F-154SA configuration; the procurement of associated equipment, weapons, and spares; and the construction, refurbishment and infrastructure improvements of support facilities for the F-15SA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first of 152 Boeing F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) Eagle fighters arrived in the Kingdom on December 13, 2016. The F-15SA is equipped 11 wing weapon stations, two more than the F-15S, extending its 13 tonne weapon payload capability. Upgraded avionics include a digital glass cockpit, fly-by-wire controls, a BAE Systems Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS), Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, a Raytheon APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System and AN/AAS-42 Infrared Search and Track Systems. Work under the Foreign Military Sale will take place at Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force Facilities in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion will be on December 31, 2020.
The 106th Brigade of the Libyan National Army received Terrier LT-79 armored vehicles made by The Armored Group. In March 2018, The Armored Group (TAG), a leading worldwide provider of armored vehicles, introduced its newest law enforcement vehicle, the Terrier LT-79. It uses a reinforced and militarized Toyota VDJ79 chassis. The Terrier LT-79 comes standard in a three-door configuration which offers a 2+6 seating arrangement. Additionally variants are available in 5-door configurations as well as light surveillance, remote firing post (with RWS capability) and aircraft assault platforms which can be customized for any operational requirements. Due to it’s highly customizable nature, the Terrier is popular with law enforcement, paramilitary, NGO and military clientele and can support a wide array of uses in many other industries. The company, which also armors civilian cars and makes cash-in-transit vehicles, says it has manufacturing facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, as well as the United States and Germany.
Europe
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $43.7 million contract action for France contractor logistics support MQ-9 Block 5 and Block 1 aircraft. This contract provides logistics support activities including depot repair, life cycle sustainment and software maintenance services for the French Air Force MQ-9 Block 5 and Block 1 aircraft. The French Reaper gained its first weapons capability recently during a firing campaign from Niamey airbase in Niger on December 15 to 17. Four evaluation drops were conducted from Niamey as part of the ‘Barkhane’ operation. In 2014, France’s first MQ-9 flight took off from Niger. The first two Reapers to enter French service are designated Block 1 and use US equipment; further orders are to be modified with European payloads such as sensors and datalinks. Work will take place in Poway, California and expected completion will be on December 31, 2020.
Asia-Pacific
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) recently commissioned the 42nd and 43rd Type 056/056A Jiangdao Class corvettes into service. The two ships have reportedly been named Bazhong and Shuozhou. China’s Ministry of National Defense has not officially acknowledged the commissioning of the latest Type 056A surface combatants.The 41st Type 056/056A corvette, Nanchong, was commissioned at a naval port in Guangdong province in Southern China in the beginning of June. The commissioning of the ship Shandong puts China in a small club of nations with multiple aircraft carriers and the country is reportedly building a third.
Today’s Video
Watch: JF-17 Thunder Myanmar Air Force 2019 | Myanmar JF-17 Thunder Block 2 in Action
United Technologies, Pratt & Whitney, won a $58.4 million task order, which provides non-recurring engineering for early identification, development and qualification of corrections to potential and actual operational issues, including safety, reliability and maintainability problems identified through fleet usage, accelerated mission testing, continues engine maturation and evaluates component life limits based on operational experience in support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Aircraft for the Navy, Air Force; non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. The F-35 combines 5th Generation fighter aircraft characteristics, advanced stealth, integrated avionics, sensor fusion and superior logistics support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history. The F-35’s advanced stealth allows pilots to penetrate areas without being detected by radars that legacy fighters cannot evade. Work will take place in Connecticut, and Indiana. Estimated completion is in December 2024.
Progeny Systems won a $34.8 million deal for the production of MK54 MOD 1 lightweight torpedo kits, proof of manufacturing components, associated production support material, spares and engineering and hardware support services. The modification combines purchases for the Navy as well as the Government of Canada under the Foreign Military Sales program. The MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo integrates existing torpedo hardware and software from the MK 46, MK 50 and MK 48 torpedo programs with state-of-the-art commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) digital signal-processing technology. It incorporates an advanced guidance and control (G&C) section employing COTS processing technologies and tactical software improvements to significantly increase shallow water counter-countermeasure capability at reduced lifecycle costs. These features provide performance improvements in the most challenging littoral scenarios. The MK 54 Mod 1 adds a new sonar array assembly and improved processing capability. Progeny Systems will perform work in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia. Estimated completion will be in November 2022.
Middle East & Africa
The US Army awarded Boeing a $1.5 billion Foreign Military Sale to Israel, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UAE. Th deal provides for support services for the AH-64D/E Apache helicopters. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter. In July, Boeing was awarded $96.9 million to provide support for Apache helicopters and Longbow crew trainers for the United Arab Emirates. The AH-64E Apache Guardian features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding, and reduced operating and support costs, Boeing officials say. The AH-64E Apache, is being delivered to the US Army and has been selected by several international defense forces. Work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2024.
Europe
The US Air Force tapped Rolls-Royce with an $83.7 million deal for MissionCareTM propulsion support on the C-130J Aircraft, as well as the initial task order in support of the French Air Force. This contract and initial task order provides for the program management, in-country field support representatives, replenishment of spares, MissionCare service, travel and per diem, over and above as well as organizational and commercial depot level maintenance of the AE 2100D3 propulsion systems. The C-130J has been produced since 1996 and is currently operated by a number of US allies and partners around the world. The C-130J is updated with digital avionics, facilitating crew operations, and improved turboprop engines. Work is expected to be finished by December 20, 2029.
MBDA says it has received an order to supply more Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles to the German Luftwaffe. The firm says the contract was signed on December 16. Meteor is the world’s most advanced air-to-air missile, and has a unique ramjet propulsion system that allows it to fly further and faster than any other air-to-air missile – allowing it to defeat maneuvering targets even at extreme ranges. The Meteor BVRAAM can be integrated on Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale aircraft.
Asia-Pacific
Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on December 16 that the Philippine Air Force is evaluating two aircraft for its multirole fighter (MRF) program. “One of the aircraft being evaluated is from Sweden the Saab Gripen and the other is the American F-16V,” Lorenzana was quoted by the state-owned Philippine News Agency (PNA) as saying, without providing further details. During the Asian Defence and Security (ADAS) 2018 exhibition in Manila a senior PAF official told Jane’s that the PAF had budgeted $1.1 billion to procure a multirole combat aircraft over the following five years.
Today’s Video
Watch: Indian Defence Updates : 236 N-Capable Howitzers,12 Minesweeper Deal,New GPS Pinaka-ER,6 More Apache
Bell Textron won a $27.6 million modification, which provides engineering and logistics services as well as associated equipment and material. The deal is in support of the AH-1Z aircraft production, and AH-1W, UH-1Y and AH-1Z modifications and sustainment. The Marine Corps’ first attack helicopter was the AH-1W Super Cobra. The Super Cobra is used in close air support for Marines under fire and sometimes for coordinating artillery strikes, with pilots ordering the strikes from the air. But the Super Cobra is being replaced with the AH-1Z Viper and is expected to completely phased out by 2020. The AH-1Z attack helicopter, also known as Viper, provides rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The UH-1Y or Venom is a utility helicopter provides command & control and assault support under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The UH-1Y is the most significant upgrade ever made to the venerable and battle-proven H-1 helicopter. At the heart of the upgrade is a new four-bladed, all-composite and ballistically tolerant rotor system. Bell Textron will perform work under the modification in Texas, North Carolina, California and Maryland. Estimated completion date is in March 2021.
Sikorsky won a $556.2 million contract modification for Black Hawk production, associated services for program system management, engineering, technical data and publications. The Black Hawk, introduced in 1974 and used by the US since 1979, provides combat air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control and special operations support. It’s used by military forces in Japan, Colombia and South Korea as well as the US. In June Sikorsky received $91.2 million for work on all versions of the Black Hawk and $15 million for Black Hawks in Saudi Arabia. Work will take place in Stratford, Connecticut and estimated completion date is June 30, 2021.
Middle East & Africa
Boeing Aerospace Operations won a $92.3 million contract action, which provides engineering technical services in support of Naval Aviation weapon systems and all associated systems and equipment throughout their sustainment life-cycle, to include contractor field services in support of the AV-8B Harrier II, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18 Super Hornet, C-40 Clipper, and P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the US Navy and the government of Kuwait. In March Boeing was awarded $87.5 million to maintain the AV-B8 Harrier trainers for Kuwait. In 2017 the contractor received $41 million for upgrades of the AV-B8 and the F/A-18. Work on the contract will be performed at various locations in the United States as well as Kuwait and Iwakuni, Japan and is expected to complete by December 2024.
Europe
Boeing won a $564.5 million Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and the UK for the remanufacture of Apache AH-64E aircraft. Boeing’s AH-64 Apache is used by the US Army and a growing number of international defense forces. In July, the US Army revealed its plans of granting the company a multiyear contract to remanufacture up to 600 Apache AH-64E helicopters, although no value was disclosed with the news. Boeing’s AH-64 Apache has widely been accepted by several militaries across the world. This company secured major orders for this product from the Netherlands, the UAE and the UK, earlier this year. Boeing will perform work in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion is March 1, 2025.
Asia-Pacific
The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $15.7 million contract modification for program management office and engineering services supporting the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Systems. The deal combines purchases for the Navy and the Commonwealth of Australia under the Foreign Military Sales program. The AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 is an undersea combat system designed to search, detect, classify, localize, and track underwater contacts, and to attack or avoid enemy submarines, floating, tethered, or bottom-attacked mines, and torpedoes. Lockheed will perform work in Syracuse, New York and Manassas, Virginia. Expected completion is in December 2020.
An online auction to sell retired aircraft carrier INS Viraat as scrap on December 17 has failed to find any buyer for the ship. The e-auction followed the Navy’s decision to sell the oldest aircraft carrier as scrap as plans to convert the iconic ship into maritime museum-cum-marine adventure centre didn’t find any takers. Last November, the Maharashtra government cleared a proposal to convert the longest-serving aircraft carrier into a commercial business complex. According to the proposal submitted by the state government to the Union Defence Ministry, the planned Viraat museum would be constructed by laying a concrete foundation in the sea and the location is around seven nautical miles from the shore at Nivti rocks in Sindhudurg district. INS Viraat used to be the flagship of the Indian Army. A new auction will be held again at a later time.
Today’s Video
Watch: Indian Defence Updates : US Offers 172 F/A-18 Block-3,Super-30 Upgrade On Tejas,BrahMos-A Complete
Bell Textron won a $815 million deal for the repair, upgrade or replacement of 35 items used on the UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopter, along with inventory management, warehousing and establishing supply response time metrics. The UH-1Y utility helicopter provides command & control and assault support under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The helicopter is securable for deck movement up to Sea State 5. Missions include airborne command and control, aeromedical evacuation, troop transport, transport of supplies and equipment and search and rescue. Based on the Vietnam War-era AH-1 Cobra, the AH-1Z Viper is the Marine Corps’ primary rotor-wing ground attack aircraft. The AH-1Z attack helicopter provides rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities under day/night and adverse weather conditions. Work will take place in Texas and North Carolina. Estimated completion will be by December 2024.
The Navy awarded Bell Boeing a not-to-exceed $18 million contract modification to continue to provide technical analysis, engineering and integration for the Marine Corps V-22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint service multirole combat aircraft utilizing tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. With its rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, it can convert to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. This combination results in global reach capabilities that allow the V-22 to fill an operational niche unlike any other aircraft. The modification increases the ceiling to continue to provide technical analysis, engineering and integration for the Marine Corps V-22 aircraft. Work will take place in Texas and Pennsylvania and is expected to be complete in December 2022.
Middle East & Africa
Clayton International won a $7.6 million contract to provide depot level maintenance on one AS-61 helicopter for the government of Egypt. Foreign Military Sales funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Clayton International will perform work in November 2021. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
AeroVironment won a $8.6 million Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia. The deal is for the procurement of eight Unmanned Aircraft Systems and initial spares package with operating software. The US Army Contracting Command in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland is the contracting activity. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will take place in Tunisia. Estimated completion date is May 31, 2020.
Europe
The US Army awarded Oshkosh Defense an $803.9 million modification to a Foreign Military Sale to Montenegro. The FMS provides for the procurement of 2,721 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and 16,714 associated packaged or installed kits. The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service’s light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets while closing an existing capability gap. Intended to provide protected, sustained, networked mobility for personnel and payloads across the full range of military operations, the JLTV FoV will restore the fleet’s balance of payload, performance and protection. Work under the modification will take place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and estimated completion date is January 31, 2021.
Asia-Pacific
The Philippines will ink the contract for India’s BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles in the first or second quarter of 2020. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana added that two batteries will be purchased and they are being bought under “government-to-government mode”. The missile, which can be fired from land, submarines, ships and fighter jets, will be acquired for the Philippine Army for coastal defense missions and for Air Force. BrahMos will become the nation’s first weaponry with deterrent capability. The BrahMos is a medium range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft, or land. It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world. India on December 17 successfully conducted separate trials of two variants of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos to check its capability to hit targets with precision and accuracy.
Today’s Video
Watch: Scotland’s Cavalry | Royal Scots Dragoon Guards | British Army
Able Aerospace Services won a $9.4 million deal for the overhaul of the dynamics components on the TH-1H helicopter. The deal provides for the overhaul of the dynamic components associated with the TH-1H helicopter which is used to train and develop pilot skills. The dynamic components provide power-train and aerodynamic functionality to the flight characteristics of the aircraft. The Vietnam-era UH-1H helicopters commonly known as the Huey were modified into a new configuration the TH-1H, back in December 2004 to be used as a new training helicopter for student pilots. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona and expected completion will be by December 2024.
The fiscal 2020 defense budget for the United States is expected to include funds to buy 22 F-5 jets from Switzerland. A spokesperson from Armasuisse confirmed that discussions between the Swiss defense procurement agency and the US Navy took place in July. President Donald Trump is seeking $718 billion in Pentagon funding for 2020, including $39.7 million for the F-5s, an aircraft first delivered to Switzerland in 1978. Today the US uses the F-5 to simulate enemy planes in aerial combat training. Switzerland has been trying to buy new warplanes for years. Voters in 2014 rejected a $3.2 billion order for Saab AB Gripen fighter jets. Switzerland now plans to spend about 6 billion francs on new fighter jets, according to SonntagsZeitung newspaper and previous Swiss media reports.
Middle East & Africa
MD Helicopters intends to upgrade its MD 530G Block II scout attack helicopter with an integrated weapons system made by Elbit Systems that would make the aircraft capable of carrying and firing Hellfire missiles. The addition of the AGM-114 Hellfire semi-active laser-guided missile would give the MD 530G an anti-tank and anti-armor capability it does not currently have. The Elbit Systems upgrade package for the MD 530G is to include a helmet display and tracking system, weapons management system and mission management system, says MD Helicopters. The MD 530G’s current standard configuration includes unguided rocket pods and mini-guns.
Europe
General Dynamics won a $299.9 million contract for fiscal 2020 through 2023 US and United Kingdom Trident II (D-5) Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines Fire Control System, Guided Missile Submarines Attack Weapon Control System, and Support Equipment Rework Facility support. The Trident II D-5 is a three-stage, solid propellant, inertially guided Fleet Ballistic Missile. The missile’s range is increased by the aerospike, a telescoping outward extension that reduces frontal drag by about 50 percent. Trident II is fired by the pressure of expanding gas in the launch tube. When the missile attains sufficient distance from the submarine, the first stage motor ignites, the aerospike extends and the boost stage begins. Work will take place in Massachusetts, Georgia, Washington, Virginia, and Florida. Estimated completion date is December 30, 2024.
Asia-Pacific
India procured the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike LR (long-range) anti-tank guided-missile (ATGM) system to meet Indian Army operational requirements, Jane’s reports. According to Indian Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik the Israeli-made, man-portable, fourth-generation system, which can engage targets in ‘fire-and-forget’ and ‘fire-observe-and-update’ modes, will “enhance operational flexibility and crew survivability”. Developed and designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the missile is equipped with an inbuilt seeker to allow firers to operate the system and engage targets during the day and at night. The ATGMs were purchased under the newly enhanced financial powers of India’s Vice Chiefs of Staff that permit them to acquire goods and materiel worth $70 million without prior Ministry of Defense approval to meet “urgent operational requirements”.
Booz Allen Hamilton won a $9.1 million contract to provide technical security team support services in support of the Pakistan F-16 program. On June 28, 2006, the US DSCA notified Congress via a series of releases of its intention to provide Pakistan with a $5.1 billion Foreign Military Sales package to upgrade the F-16s that serve as the PAF’s top of the line fighters. Pakistan has used the F-16 fighter jets against India, the latest being in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrike inside Pakistan by India. The Pakistan Air Force received its first F-16, in the Block 15 F-16A/B configuration, in 1982. Work under the deal will take place in Pakistan and expected completion is on June 18, 2020.
Latest updates[?]: India procured the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike LR (long-range) anti-tank guided-missile (ATGM) system to meet Indian Army operational requirements, Jane’s reports. According to Indian Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik the Israeli-made, man-portable, fourth-generation system, which can engage targets in ‘fire-and-forget’ and ‘fire-observe-and-update’ modes, will “enhance operational flexibility and crew survivability”. Developed and designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the missile is equipped with an inbuilt seeker to allow firers to operate the system and engage targets during the day and at night. The ATGMs were purchased under the newly enhanced financial powers of India’s Vice Chiefs of Staff that permit them to acquire goods and materiel worth $70 million without prior Ministry of Defense approval to meet “urgent operational requirements”.
Spike firing
India has been looking for a modern anti-tank/ infantry strike missile to take the place of MBDA Milan missiles that have been produced under license by Bharat Dynamics. The finalists in this competition were the American fire-and-forget Javelin, and Israel’s Spike with its combination of wire guided or fire-and-forget modes. As of October 2014, Spike appears to have won, despite offers from the USA to involve India in developing the next version of Javelin.
