Raytheon Tapped For Super Hornet Support | Oshkosh Defense To Produce FMTV For Israel | Bangladesh Interested In AH-64

Americas

Raytheon won a $17.9 million order that procures Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared special test equipment updates to the Windows 10 operating system in support of the F/A-18E/F Super Horner aircraft. The Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared is a multi-sensor, electro-optical targeting pod incorporating thermographic camera, low-light television camera, target laser rangefinder/laser designator, and laser sport tracker developed and manufactured by Raytheon. It is now in full-rate production, fully integrated and flight tested on all F/A-18 models. Word under the new deal will take place in McKinney, Texas and estimated completion will be in February 2022.

Collins Aerospace won a $21.3 million contract modification that exercises an option to provide non-recurring engineering support to modernize the High Power Transmit System installed on the E-6B aircraft. This effort modernizes weapons replaceable assemblies and subsystems of the HPTS to avoid obsolescence. The Boeing E-6 Mercury is a command post and communications relay aircraft manufactured by Boeing for the US Navy. The aircraft relays communications for ballistic missile submarine forces and provides airborne command and control for strategic forces. The Navy introduced the E-6 to replace its EC-130Q aircraft. The E-6B features battle staff positions and an airborne launch control system equipped with land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. Work under the contract modification will take place in Texas and Iowa and estimated completion will be in May 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Oshkosh Defense won a $159.2 million Foreign Military Sales to Israel for production of Israel modified variant of family of medium tactical vehicles, including initial parts provisioning and training support. In 2017, Israel’s Ministry of Defense purchased the first six trucks to ensure the firm’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) meets Israeli requirements. The Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles stands alone as the get-things-done resource for military operations, according to Oshkosh. Crew-protecting armor and advanced technologies work in concert to provide the capability, versatility, mobility and protection to move troops and supplies, recover vehicles and weapon systems or haul equipment wherever the mission requires. Oshkosh Defense will perform work until October 17, 2024.

Europe

During exercise Nickel Strike last month, USAF F-16s from the 555th Fighter Squadron practiced flying mixed formation defensive combat air patrols with Polish F-16s. According to Commander of the 555th Fighter Squadron, Lt. Col. Beau E. Diers, his fighters came under command and control of the Polish AOC while connected to a common datalink network. Demonstrations of combat ability, readiness, and interoperability between American and Polish forces, such as the ones during Nickel Strike, allow for thorough tactical training and strengthening of regional partnerships.

Asia-Pacific

The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to South Korea for 120 AIM-120C-7/C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). The estimated cost is around $253 million. The missiles will arm South Korea’s F-15, F-16 and F-35 aircraft. The proposed sale also includes containers; weapon support and support equipment; spare and repair parts; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The principal contractor is Raytheon, and there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with the potential sale. The AIM-120 AMRAAM missile is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile capable of all-weather day-and-night operation. The fire-and-forget weapon employs active radar guidance and incorporates a datalink to guide the missile to a point where its active radar turns on to intercept the target.

Bangladesh is said to be interested in acquiring the AH-64 attack helicopter, local media reports. Anonymous US officials say two helicopters were proposed to Bangladesh and the Apache was chosen. They added that the Bangladesh government will have to decide whether to approve the request put up by the Bangladesh Air Force. Both countries are currently negotiating two agreements that are required by the US law for the purchase to go ahead that will expand the military cooperation between the countries.

Today’s Video

Watch: AUSA 2019: Debut of Compound Coaxial Helicopter mock-up

Super Hornet Fighter Family MYP-III: 2010-2018 Contracts

The US Navy flies the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighters, and has begun operating the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare & strike aircraft. Many of these buys have been managed out of common multi-year procurement (MYP) contracts, which aim to reduce overall costs by offering longer-term production commitments, so contractors can negotiate better deals with their suppliers.

The MYP-II contract ran from 2005-2009, and was not renewed because the Pentagon intended to focus on the F-35 fighter program. When it became clear that the F-35 program was going to be late, and had serious program and budgetary issues, pressure built to abandon year-by-year contracting, and negotiate another multi-year deal for the current Super Hornet family. That deal is now final. This entry covers the program as a whole, with a focus on 2010-2015 Super Hornet family purchases. It has been updated to include all announced contracts and events connected with MYP-III, including engines and other separate “government-furnished equipment” that figures prominently in the final price.

AMRAAM: Deploying & Developing America’s Medium-Range Air-Air Missile

Raytheon’s AIM-120 Advanced, Medium-Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) has become the world market leader for medium range air-to-air missiles, and is also beginning to make inroads within land-based defense systems. It was designed with the lessons of Vietnam in mind, and of local air combat exercises like ACEVAL and Red Flag. This DID FOCUS article covers successive generations of AMRAAM missiles, international contracts and key events from 2006 onward, and even some of its emerging competitors.

One of the key lessons learned from Vietnam was that a fighter would be likely to encounter multiple enemies, and would need to launch and guide several missiles at once in order to ensure its survival. This had not been possible with the AIM-7 Sparrow, a “semi-active radar homing” missile that required a constant radar lock on one target. To make matters worse, enemy fighters were capable of launching missiles of their own. Pilots who weren’t free to maneuver after launch would often be forced to “break lock,” or be killed – sometimes even by a short-range missile fired during the last phases of their enemy’s approach. Since fighters that could carry radar-guided missiles like the AIM-7 tended to be larger and more expensive, and the Soviets were known to have far more fighters overall, this was not a good trade.

AH-64E Apache Block III: Evolving Battlefield Roles

The AH-64 Apache will remain the US Army’s primary armed helicopter for several more decades, thanks to the collapse of the RAH-66 Comanche program, and the retirement sans replacement of the US Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). Apaches also serve with a number of American allies, some of whom have already expressed interest in upgrading or expanding their fleets.

The AH-64E Guardian Block III (AB3) is the helicopter’s next big step forward. It incorporates 26 key new-technology insertions that cover flight performance, maintenance costs, sensors & electronics, and even the ability to control UAVs as part of manned-unmanned teaming (MUT). In July 2006, Boeing and U.S. Army officials signed the initial development contract for Block III upgrades to the current and future Apache fleet, via a virtual signing ceremony. By November 2011, the 1st production helicopter had been delivered. So… how many helicopters will be modified under the AH-64 Block III program, what do these modifications include, how is the program structured, and what has been happening since that 2006 award? The short answer is: a lot, including export interest and sales.