Jul 03, 2019 05:00 UTCAmericas
The US Navy tapped Lockheed Martin with a $7 million contract for Combat System Ship Integration and testing on the next generation of Guided Missile Frigate or FFG(X). The work includes integration engineering support and test planning as well as waterfront ship integration and testing, post-delivery engineering support to government test teams, engineering services for ship integration, and test and developing test program documents for FFG(X) ships. The FFG(X) Class of multimission guided-missile frigates for the Navy, are to be contracted from 2020, as a follow-on to the modular Littoral Combat Ship. The Pentagon is in the process of selecting the prime contractor for the new class of ships. Each ship would have at least 32 vertical launching system cells and an AEGIS-based combat system. On June 20, the Navy released a Request for Proposals for companies to bid on the design and construction of FFG(X). Lockheed had already said in May that it would not submit its own bid for the competition. Under the new contract Lockheed will perform at the FFG(X) ship builder location as well as Moorestown, New Jersey. Scheduled completion date is in June, 2025.
Boeing will supply Trailing Edge Flaps for the US Navy’s Super Hornets. The company will provide 48 Trailing Edge Flaps under a $42.9 million contract. A Trailing Edge is the rear edge of an aircraft’s wing flap, where the airflow separated by the Leading Edge rejoins. Trailing Edge Flaps are used for extra lift on takeoff. Flaps also cause an increase in drag during mid-flight, so they are retracted when not needed. The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, flew for the first time on 29 November 1995. Boeing will perform work within the US, and Switzerland. Work will approximately be finished in June 2021.
Middle East & Africa
According to local reports, the Royal Air Force of Oman performed two medical evacuations in Al Batinah and Dhofar. The first evacuation was for a citizen, who died after falling off a cliff in the mountains. The second medevac was for five Yemenis whose vehicle was damaged in Maqash in Dhofar. This comes within the framework of the humanitarian services provided by the Ministry of Defense and the Sultan’s Armed Forces to citizens and residents jointly with other government institutions.
Europe
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has reportedly inked a contract with shipbuilding company Sevmash for two Project 885-M Yasen M-class multipurpose nuclear-powered attack/cruise missile submarines (SSN/SSGN). The MoD signed a contract at the “Army-2019” military and technical forum, which took place last week near Moscow. “Today we have signed a number of large-scale deals. These deals also cover two new Yasen Class submarines. These are substantial volumes and a very significant contract”, Deputy Russian Defense Minister, Alexei Krivoruchko said. The new boat, the second overall Yasen Class SSN launched by Sevmash and the first upgraded Yasen M Class submarine, conducted its first set of factory and underwater sea trials in September 2018. Notably, the sub is not expected to enter service until the end of 2020 or possibly even later due to technical problems that emerged during dockside trials. The improved Yasen M Class SSN is reportedly quieter than the lead Yasen Class boat. It is built with low magnetic steel to reduce its magnetic signature.
Jane’s reports that Portugal received eight AeroVironment RQ-11B Raven Digital Data Link lightweight hand-launched tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The Ravens were delivered on June 27, and will be delivered to Artillery Regiment No 5’s Surveillance Systems Company. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency purchased the drones under a $5.9 million multiyear contract awarded on August 20, 2018. The Raven B is a lightweight and low-altitude, remote-controlled, man-portable UAV system designed and developed for the US Armed Forces. It performs intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance operations. The Raven is hand-launched. It lands safely through auto-piloting without the need for landing gear and prepared landing strips. Portugal’s purchase includes 36 drones, 36 electro-optical/infrared payloads, 12 ground control stations, 36 EO payloads for training purposes, 12 initial spare parts kits, and 18 remote video terminals with radio systems, as well as a comprehensive training package.
Asia-Pacific
The USS Montgomery or LCS-8 arrived in the Philippines last Saturday as part of her deployment to the Pacific. The Navy has resumed overseas deployments of the Littoral Combat Ships after an 18-month long hiatus. Repeated technical problems on both classes, the Freedom and the Independence Class, led the Navy to stand down all LCS crews in August 2016 – the first-ever stand down for a full class of vessels at once. All LCS personnel with a role in engineering were retrained, and the first four ships procured – two from each class, worth a combined $1.6 billion – were permanently restricted to testing duty. The stand down was soon lifted, but it has been more than a year and a half since an LCS deployed. The visit to Davao was the first indicator of the resumption of the LCS deployments. The USS Montgomery is a Independence Class Ship.
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Watch: US Air Force deployed F-22 Raptors Fighter Jets to Middle-East for the first time
Jul 02, 2019 05:00 UTCAmericas
Insitu won $390.4 million to supply Blackjack drones for the US Marine Corps US Navy, as well as Blackjacks and smaller ScanEagle unmanned air vehicles, for three foreign allies. The contract provides for up to 63 RQ-21A Blackjack attrition air vehicles plus six RQ-21A Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and up to 17 RQ-21A air vehicles for FMS customers, including Canada, Poland and Oman. The contractor will also provide up to 93 ScanEagle UASs in various configurations. Insitu developed the RQ-21A Blackjack program together with the Navy in order of filling the requirement for small tactical drones capable of operating from land and sea. With a flight endurance of up to 16 hours and an altitude ceiling of 19,500ft, RQ-21A can carry loads up to 39 pounds. The runway-independent system can be used to support tactical missions on land and at sea. The Marine Corps’ RQ-21A Blackjack UAS achieved initial operational capability in 2016. Under the new contract, Insitu provides for associated services, including training, test and engineering, development of engineering change proposals, operations support, organizational level maintenance, field service representatives, land and ship surveys, hardware site activations, hardware installs, repairs and data. Work will take place in Bingen, Washington as well as other locations inside and outside the continental US. Scheduled completion date is in June 2022.
International Marine and Industrial Applicators LLC was tapped with $8.5 million for the accomplishment of preservation and non-SUBSAFE structural repairs and maintenance on USS Michigan or SSGN 727. The deal will provide preservation, structural repairs, anode removal and safety track repair requirements and include all necessary management, material support services, labor, supplies and equipment deemed necessary to perform this work. Non-SUBSAFE means the structural repairs and maintenance are not part of the Submarine Safety Program, a quality assurance program of the US Navy designed to maintain the safety of the submarine fleet. The USS Michigan is the second sub of the Ohio Class of ballistic missile submarines and guided missile submarines. The Michigan was launched on April 26, 1980. It was built to carry the Navy’s third generation submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the Trident C-4. Work under the contract will take place in Bremerton, Washington and is scheduled to be complete by June next year.
Carelton Life Support Systems won an $8 million contract modification for the Phase II Upgrade and qualification testing of the CGU-25 oxygen concentrator on the T-45 aircraft. The McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk is the Navy’s aircraft-carrier capable trainer. The T-45 is tandem-seat pilot trainer that replaces the TA-4J Skyhawk and T-2C Buckeye. It was modified from the British BAE Systems Hawk land-based training jet aircraft. In 2017, the USN grounded the T-45 fleet for a three-day “safety pause” after more than 100 instructor pilots refused to fly the aircraft. The pilots cited concerns about incidents of hypoxia that they believed to have resulted from faulty onboard oxygen-generation systems. Under the modification, Carelton will perform work in Davenport, Iowa, and work is expected to be finished in July 2021.
Middle East & Africa
Honeywell International won a $16.5 million firm-fixed FMS to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to produce J7 Digital Electronic Control Unit for the Abrams family of vehicles. The M1 Abrams is designed for modern armored ground warfare. It has a 1500 hp AGT1500 multifuel turbine engine, sophisticated Chobham composite armor, a computer fire control system and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment along with NBC protection for crew safety. It weighs nearly 68 short tons, which makes it one of the heaviest Main Battle Tanks in service. After the start of the Saudi Arabian intervention in Yemen during 2015 Yemeni Civil War, Saudi Arabian M1 Main Battle Tanks, were deployed near the Saudi Arabia/Yemen border. In August 2016, the US approved a sale of up to 153 more Abrams tanks to Saudi Arabia, including 20 “battle damage replacements”, suggesting that some Saudi Arabian Abrams had been destroyed or severely damaged in combat in Yemen. The Kuwaiti Army has 218 M1A2s. Work under the current Foreign Military Sale will take place in Tucson, Arizona, and has a scheduled completion date of June 28, 2024.
A stray missile exploded over northern Cyprus on July 1, Reuters reports. The surface-to-air missile (SAM) was reportedly fired from Syria in response to an Israeli attack. Authorities said the missile sparked blazes in surrounding hills after its remnants landed early on Monday, barely 12 miles north-east of the capital Nicosia. Images of the crash showed the burnt-out remains of a missile that had landed in scrubland in the Turkish-occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus. Markings suggested it was a Russian-made S-200 surface-to-air missile, which can have a range of up to 250 miles. Jamming technology could have diverted the missile.
Europe
British company Meggitt PLC signed a 3 year agreement with BAE systems for a new generator system. According to Meggitt, its solution combines two existing generators into a single generator, capable of fitting into a compressed space envelope. It is designed to create space and weight savings and improves efficiency and performance. Together with BAE Systems, Meggitt has worked on developing a reliable, efficient system that reduces the number of critical parts, making assembly and maintenance much easier.
Asia-Pacific
Raytheon Missile Systems won a $36.7 million firm-fixed-price contract to procure Rolling Airframe Missile Guided Missile Launching System requirements. The deal is for the US Navy as well as Japan. The contract, for which 91% of the value is for the USN and 9% for Japan, is to procure material, fabricate parts, assemble, test, and deliver RAM Mk 49 Mod 3 GMLSs. The RAM guided-missile weapon system is co-developed and co-produced under an international cooperative program between the governments of the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. Work is expected to be completed by June 2021.
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Watch: Errant ‘Russian-made Syrian missile’ explodes in Cyprus
Jul 01, 2019 05:00 UTCAmericas
Boeing won a $47.7 million contract modification in support of the Apache Attack Helicopter AH-64E production line and Apache Longbow Crew Trainers. The deal provides Version 6/Improved Drive System enhancement cut-in. The AH-64E is a variant of the twin-turboshaft Apache Attack Helicopter. The AH-64E features improved digital connectivity, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control UAVS, and improved landing gear. The Apache is a multi-role helicopter used by the US Army. Boeing has delivered more than 2,200 Apaches to customers around the world since production started. The Longbow Crew Trainer is the centerpiece of Boeing’s AH-64 Apache training. The high-fidelity flight simulator is used by pilots and other personnel to practice aircraft procedures and rehearse missions. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona, with a scheduled completion date of March 31, 2022.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $22 million modification for support services on the Gray Eagle UAV. The deal calls for procurement of performance based logistics support services for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone. The Gray Eagle is a 3,600-pound, 28-foot-long drone with a 56-foot wingspan. It has a range of 2,500 nautical miles and a ceiling of 25,000 feet. Its mission set includes, but is not limited to, wide-area Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), convoy protection, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection and defeat, close air support, communications relay, and weapons delivery missions. General Atomics will perform work at General Atomics’ facility in Poway, California with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2020.
Middle East & Africa
The US State Department approved a possible FMS to Morocco for continuing sustainment support to its current F-16 fleet for an estimated cost of $250.4 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. Morocco purchased their F-16s in 2011. In late 2014 Morocco sent F-16s into combat in Syria and Iraq. In March 2019, the US State Department has approved the upgrade of 23 Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Block 52+ to the F?16V configuration for an estimated cost of $985.2 million.
Europe
The US Army awarded Lockheed Martin $106.1 million for Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor systems, subcomponent production and technical services for the Apache Attack Helicopters. The deal involves Foreign Military Sales to the Netherlands and United Kingdom. The Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS), also known as Arrowhead, is an electro-optical sensor that provides enhanced situational awareness to Apache’s aircrew with greater performance and survivability. It offers long-range, precision engagement and pilotage solution for missions conducted during the day, night or adverse weather conditions. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2023.
The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Germany, through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency acting as its Agent. The Sale provides for AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles. Berlin had requested up to 91 AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) Tactical Missiles, and up to 8 AGM-88E AARGM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM). Also included are up to six telemetry/flight termination systems, Flight Data Recorders (FDR), US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services and miscellaneous support equipment, and other related elements of logistical and program support.
Asia-Pacific
According to local reports, the Indian Air Force will be participating in its biggest joint air exercise of 2019 with the French Air Force at France from July 1 to 14. The French Embassy in New Delhi said that the Garuda-VI exercise is a tactical Indo-French exercise aimed at enhancing the interoperability level of the French and Indian crews in air defense and ground attack missions as part of the Indo-Pacific cooperation between the two countries. The exercise is alternately held in France and India. The Indian Air Force contingent comprises of 120 air-warriors and four Sukhoi 30 MKI along with an IL-78 flight refueling aircraft.
Today’s Video
Watch: One Dozen F-22 Raptors Sent to Persian Gulf amid Iran Tensions For Stability
