Raytheon Won Air Force ESSM Contract | Morocco Gets MBDA VL MICA | Rafale To Undergo Suitability Trials In India

Americas

The Air Force awarded Canadian Commercial a $70 million deal for the Wescam Aggregate Services Plan. This contract provides for the continuation of contractor logistics support for the three configurations of L-3 Communications/Wescam MX Electro/Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor System line replaceable units installed on the AC-130U/W/J. The AC-130U Spooky is the third generation of C-130 gunships. All gunships evolved from the first operational gunship, the AC-47, to the AC-119, and then the AC-130A which was the basis for the modern C-130 Hercules gunship. Work under the contract will take place in Florida and New Mexico. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2028.

Raytheon won a $55 million contract modification for engineering and technical services in support of the Evolved Seasparrow Missile and NATO Seasparrow Missile Systems programs. The deal combines purchases for the US government and the governments of Japan and United Arab Emirates under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) or RIM-162 is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile. The missile is currently in service with the US Navy and some of the 12 Nato Sea Sparrow consortium nations. Work will take place in Arizona, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Spain, Australia and Greece. Estimated completion date will be in December 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Spanish news Larazon reports that Morocco will soon be taking delivery of the MBDA VL MICA ground based air defense missile system. The new system will complement the Chinese-made FD-2000 air defense system protecting Morocco.

Europe

First of Russia’s new S-550 air defense systems have entered combat service after clearing state trials. “The S-550 air defense system has successfully completed state trials. The first S-550 brigade has entered combat duty,” a source close to the Russian defense ministry was quoted as saying by government-owned TASS.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing won a $471.3 million contract action for the F-15 Japan Super Interceptor Program. The contract action provides for the design and development of an integrated suite of aircraft systems to support modification of the Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15MJ aircraft and the development, test, and delivery of four Weapon System Trainers. Work will take place in Missouri. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2028.

Hindustan Times reports that French Navy Rafale M fighter will be at INS Hansa to carry out suitability trials with the ski jump there. The trials, which begins on January 6, is to determine whether the French fighter is a good fit for Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Testing will last 12 days. The same article says India might lease up to five Rafale Ms when INS Vikrant is commissioned later this year.

Today’s Video

Watch: URafale M to be tested in India for STOBAR take off | Will it fit the Vikrant’s hanger?

RIM-162 ESSM Missile: Naval Anti-Air in a Quad Pack

The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft, and is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles. Compared to the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, ESSM is effectively a new missile with a larger, more powerful rocket motor for increased range, a different aerodynamic layout for improved agility, and the latest missile guidance technology. Testing has even shown the ESSM to be effective against fast surface craft, an option that greatly expands the missile’s utility. As a further bonus, the RIM-162 ESSM has the ability to be “quad-packed” in the Mk 41 vertical launching system, allowing 4 missiles to be carried per launch cell instead of loading one larger SM-2 Standard missile or similar equipment.

This is DID’s FOCUS article for the program, containing details about the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile family, and contracts placed under this program since 1999. The Sea Sparrow was widely used aboard NATO warships, so it isn’t surprising that the ESSM is an international program. The NATO Sea Sparrow Consortium includes Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the USA – as well as non-NATO Australia. Foreign Military Sales ESSM customers outside this consortium include Japan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.