Lockheed Martin Wins JASSM ORCA Deal | Israel Produced Its First 3D-UAV | Belarus Introduced Rosa-RB Radars Into Service

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $7.3 million deal for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) Operational Realtime Combat Analysis (ORCA) Increment Two. The deal provides for enhancements to the software package known as the JASSM ORCA Increment Two. The JASSM is an autonomous, long-range missile developed and produced by Lockheed Martin. This conventional, air-to-ground and precision standoff missile was designed primarily for the US Air Force (USAF). The 2,000lb class weapon offers high capability and precision in destroying stationary as well as relocatable targets. Work will take place in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Expected completion date will be by June 14, 2021.

Honeywell International won a $27.3 million deal for aircraft generator auxiliary power units in support of the Blackhawk helicopter platform. This was a limited acquisition as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1 (a)(2). The Blackhawk, developed by Sikorsky, has been operational in the US Army since 1978. The helicopter is qualified as a launch platform for the laser-guided Hellfire anti-armor missile. The Black Hawk can carry 16 Hellfire missiles using the external stores support system (ESSS). The ESSS has the capability of carrying a 10,000lb payload of missiles, rockets, cannons and electronic countermeasures pods. The helicopter can also accommodate additional missiles, supplies or personnel inside the cabin. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is June 15.

Middle East & Africa

South Korea will be dispatching its KC-330 for its first overseas mission this month when one aircraft will be used to rotate the 707th Special Mission Group contingent in United Arab Emirates. The 707th Special Mission Group is an elite counter-terrorism unit of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command. Since 2011, the 707th Special Mission Group has maintained a 170-strong Akh unit in the UAE to help train local troops. This upcoming deployment is to bring the 17th batch there. South Korea bought 4 A330s Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) in 2015 and induct the first into service in January 2019.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently produced the country’s first 3D-printed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The joint program by the MoD’s Flight Technologies Department, part of the Directorate for Defense Research and Development, and IAI has seen the production of the SkysPrinter UAV and a successful test flight in December 2019. The UAV is electrically powered. It was made from 26 parts printed using metal, nylon, carbon, and complex materials. These were assembled together with glue and fasteners without the need for specialized tools. SkysPrinter’s body is 1.65 m-long, has a wingspan of 1.5 m, and a take-off weight of 7 kg, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Europe

The Belarus Ministry of Defense has inducted two Rosa-RB active phased array radars into service. The unit is able to function even if the enemy active and passive jamming. Military experts from the defense Ministry of Belarus explained that precision missiles are considered a serious striking force among the armies of the world. These shells capable of hitting a target, avoiding obstacles created by the natural terrain. Developer “Rosa-RB-M” made “KB Radar”.

Asia-Pacific

Japan abruptly suspended plans to deploy its US-developed Aegis Ashore missile defense system on Monday, citing technical issues and mounting costs. “In view of the cost and time for the deployment, we will halt the process,” Defense Minister Taro Kono said to reporters. The system uses the Lockheed Martin Aegis Weapon System and the Raytheon Standard Missile for tracking and defending against incoming threats. Japan intended to deploy it to counter threats from North Korean missiles, but increasing problems raised the $2.15 billion estimated cost to over $4 billion, including purchase cost and an expected 30-year use.

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AGM-158 JASSM: Lockheed’s Family of Stealthy Cruise Missiles

The 2,000 pound AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is intended to be a stealthy, inexpensive GPS/IIR (Global Positioning system/ Imaging InfraRed) guided cruise missile. It’s designed to attack well-defended targets without putting its carrier aircraft in the crosshairs of new long-range surface to air missile systems. JASSM has experienced a rocky development history, due to long-standing reliability issues. In 2005 it was threatened with cancellation following a series of poor test results. The program went through 2007 on an ongoing roller coaster of ups and downs, and by May 2009 it appeared the program was facing cancellation once again.

A production hiatus did take place between Lot 7 and FY 2010’s Lot 8 in FY 2010, but test results allowed the USAF to move forward, and the missile is beginning to win export orders.