GD Tapped For Abrams Technical Support | Elbit Introduces Rescue Capability For Hermes 900 MALE UAV | DoS Approves AMRAAM-ER FMS To Hungary

Americas

Rockwell Collins won a $7.6 million contract for small mission computer hardware and executable software for the RQ-7B Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System. The aircraft can see targets up to 125 kilometers away from the brigade tactical operations center, and recognize tactical vehicles up to 8,000 feet above the ground at more than 3.5 kilometers slant range, day or night. The RQ-7 Shadow ground control station transmits imagery and telemetry data directly to the Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System, All Sources Analysis System, and Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System in near real time. Work will take place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Estimated completion date is August 15, 2022.

General Dynamics won a $14.7 million contract modification for Abrams systems technical support. The M1 Abrams is a third-generation american main battle tank.Abrams M1A2 SEPV3 (System Enhanced Package) is a modernized configuration of the Abrams main battle tank (MBT) in service with the US Army. The new version offers enhanced protection and survivability, as well as higher lethality than its predecessors. Work will take place in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Scheduled completion date is September 30, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

MD Helicopters won a $35.8 million modification for logistics support for the Afghanistan Air Force MD-530F aircraft fleet. MD 530F Cayuse Warrior is an armed variant of the OH-6 Cayuse light observation helicopter built by MD Helicopters. It is designed to enhance scout attack, armed escort and close air attack capabilities of the air forces. The multi-purpose armed helicopter can be deployed in tactical, reconnaissance and transport operations. It can also carry out airborne law enforcement, executive and personnel transport, air medical services, search-and-rescue (SAR), firefighting and other public safety missions. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona, and Kabul, Afghanistan. Estimated completion date is November 30, 2020.

Elbit Systems has developed a rescue capability for the maritime patrol-variant of its Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Israeli company announced that its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol now has the ability to carry and drop life rafts for long-range search and rescue (SAR) operations. The Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol can carry up to four, six-person life-rafts that are integrated on its wings. Using an onboard maritime radar, the [Hermes] detects survivor situations. Upon detection its electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload is deployed to provide visual identification, and a rapid calculation of the drop-point is performed, enabling the Hermes to dispatch life rafts from a low altitude of 600 ft to a pin-pointed location at a safe distance from the survivors.

Europe

The DoS approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Hungary of sixty AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM­-ER missiles, and two spare AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM-ER guidance sections and related equipment for an estimated cost of $230 million. The possible sale is in support of Hungary’s acquisition of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) air defense system. NASAMS is a distributed and networked medium to long-range air defense system developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace and USA’s Raytheon.

Asia-Pacific

The head of Australia’s $32.2 billion Sea 1000 program has confirmed that construction of the pressure hull for the first of 12 Attack Class conventionally powered submarines is scheduled to begin in 2024. This will follow the construction in 2023 of a hull qualification section to prove procedures, equipment, and skills at the submarine construction facility now being built at Osborne North near Adelaide by government-owned Australian Naval Infrastructure to the functional requirements of Sea 1000’s French-owned designer and build partner Naval Group.

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Australia’s Submarine Program in the Dock

News reports from Japan indicate that country is suggesting to Australia that they go in together to build a new series of non-nuclear submarines, hoping to finalize a deal before the end of the year. The Australian DOD would confirm only that they are indeed talking to several countries about cooperating on a new series. The previous Australian government (Labor) had promised 12 new keels, but the sitting government put those plans into a study phase, concerned that doing so would result in an availability gap between the new subs and the existing Collins class boats.

The January 2010 failure of a generator aboard HMAS Farncomb was just the latest in a long history of problems faced by its fleet of 6 Collins Class diesel-electric submarines – which have sometimes been reduced to just 1 operational vessel. That readiness issue presents an immediate financial headache for Australia’s government, and adds a longer-term challenge to the centerpiece of Australia’s future naval force.

With just 6 submarines in its fleet, Australia’s current deployment set-up leaves little room for error. Even a normal setup of 2 in maintenance, 2 for training but available if needed, and 2 on operations makes for a thin line, given Australia’s long coastline and sea lanes. Almost 15 years after the first Collins Class boat was delivered, they are still short of this goal. When crewing problems are added to the mechanical issues, the failings of its current fleet are creating sharp questions about the Australia’s 2009 White Paper plan to build 12 new diesel-electric fast attack submarines, as the future centerpiece of the 2030 Australian Navy.