Raytheon Tapped For AMOD | First Somali Battalion Trained By British Army Graduated | Saab Shifts Focus in Gripen E/F Testing

Americas

Raytheon won a $9.9 million modification for fiscal 2020 production of Aegis modernization (AMOD) requirements. The contract modification covers the production of spy transmitter ordnance alteration kits for the multi-mission signal processor, radio frequency coherent combiner, sidewall capacitor and travelling wave tubes. The AMOD program fields combat system upgrades will enhance the anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense capabilities of Aegis equipped DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers and CG 47 Ticonderoga-class cruisers. The Aegis Modernization program effectively extends the life of in-service Aegis ships as they age. Work will take place in Massachusetts. Expected completion will be by December 2021.

Allison Transmission won a $68.5 million contract for new X1100 Abrams transmissions, transmission upgrades, transmission sustainment kits and service support.  Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. The X1100 series of transmission systems houses two reverse ranges, four forward ranges and a cross-drive design that consolidates braking and steering features into a compact rugged device. Work locations will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is March 23, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

The first Somali National Army battalion to be trained by the British Army graduated on March 18. “Over 400 SNA soldiers have been trained over 12 months forming the first battalion,” the UK Embassy in Somalia announced the following day. At the graduation ceremony the UK handed over a military barrack that will house up to 450 Somali troops and act as the military headquarters for the 8th Brigade in South West State.”South West State is one of Somalia’s six federal states. The new barrack is located in Baidoa, the capital of Bay region. Training began in January 2019, with the new Baidoa Security Training Centre being completed in the following month.

Europe

According to Jane’s, Saab has shifted the focus of its Gripen E/F testing away from basic flight trials towards the aircraft’s tactical and sensor suites as the program ramps up ahead of the first upcoming deliveries to Sweden and Brazil. Speaking at Saab’s annual Gripen Seminar on March 26, the company’s head of the programme, Eddy de la Motte, said that, with flight-characteristic tests having proceeded to plan, the focus is now on validating the aircraft’s mission systems. The Gripen E/F is fitted with the Selex ES-05 Raven active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the Selex ES 60 Skyward G-IRST. The company also announced on March 26, that it has performed the first metal cut for the two-seater fighter aircraft Gripen F, marking an important milestone in the program. Gripen F is under development for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and shares the same advanced design and features as Gripen E, but with seat, displays and controls for a second crew member.

British Army personnel have been delivering vital supplies to the staff of the National Health Service. Fifty British Army personnel have begun delivering supplies to frontline NHS staff battling the coronavirus pandemic. The soldiers are distributing kits known as personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, safety glasses, gloves, aprons and protective suits. Recently, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that they plan to put an additional 10,000 military personnel at a higher readiness and place Reserves on standby to support public services as part of a new ‘COVID Support Force’, the Defense Secretary has announced.

Asia-Pacific

Valiant Global Defense Services won a $16.3 million modification for Korea Battle Simulation Center operations and wide area networking support services for US Forces Korea. Valiant Integrated Services provides security services. The 411th Contracting Support Brigade of the US Forces Korea is the contracting activity and the project will be via the FY2020 Army operations and maintenance budget. Work will take place in South Korea. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2025.

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The JAS-39 Gripen: Sweden’s 4+ Generation Wild Card

As a neutral country with a long history of providing for its own defense against all comers, Sweden also has a long tradition of building excellent high-performance fighters with a distinctive look. From the long-serving Saab-35 Draken (“Dragon,” 1955-2005) to the Mach 2, canard-winged Saab-37 Viggen (“Thunderbolt,” 1971-2005), Swedish fighters have stressed short-field launch from dispersed/improvised air fields, world-class performance, and leading-edge design. This record of consistent project success is nothing short of amazing, especially for a country whose population over this period has ranged from 7-9 million people.

This is DID’s FOCUS Article for background, news, and contract awards related to the JAS-39 Gripen (“Griffon”), a canard-winged successor to the Viggen and one of the world’s first 4+ generation fighters. Gripen remains the only lightweight 4+ generation fighter type in service, its performance and operational economics are both world-class, and it has become one of the most recognized fighter aircraft on the planet. Unfortunately for its builders, that recognition has come from its appearance in Saab and Volvo TV commercials, rather than from hoped-for levels of military export success. With its 4+ generation competitors clustered in the $60-120+ million range vs. the Gripen’s claimed $40-60 million, is there a light at the end of the tunnel for Sweden’s lightweight fighter? In 2013 a win in Brazil started to answer that question.