Raytheon to participate in radar sense-off | Turkey signs deal for Attack Helicopter Project | Belarus gives four MiG-29 to Serbia
Americas
The Navy contracted Harris Corp. a $168.8 million modification to build onboard jammer systems for the F/A-18 fighter planes. The modification exercises an option for the procurement of 78 full-rate production 78 AN/ALQ-214 A(V)4/5 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures Onboard Jammers for use on the F/A-18C/D/E/F models. The system is a next-generation radio frequency integrated countermeasure system, replacing the V3 variation. It combines receivers, as well as active countermeasures, to form an electronic shield around combat aircraft. The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The Super Hornet has a new, 25% larger airframe, larger rectangular air intakes, more powerful GE F414 engines based on F/A-18’s F404, and an upgraded avionics suite. The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a Hornet block upgrade in 1987, incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. The countermeasure system responds to threats with a series of measures designed to protect the aircraft from detection, and responds to threats fired at the aircraft. Additionally, the option provides for the procurement of 16 weapon replacement assemblies, 1A(V)4 receiver/processors and 27 WRA2 A(V)4 modulators. Work will take place in New Jersey, California, and other locations in the USA and is expected to be finished in May 2022.
Raytheon will participate in a missile defense radar sense-off to test designs that could be included in the US Army’s integrated Air and Missile Defense System under development. With the sense-off the Army is resetting the approach for the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, or LTAMDS, program that has struggled to bring about a new radar for over a decade. Raytheon revealed that its LTAMDS candidate is a new design, developed from scratch to meet latest defense requirements. Raytheon’s LTAMDS proposal features gallium nitride (GaN) components in its architecture. The GaN design allows for higher power throughput, with greater efficiency than some of the older circuit designs, such as those that used gallium arsenide (GaAs) components. The LTAMDS trial is scheduled to take place in the May or June this year.
Middle East & Africa
Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSB) signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for a Heavy Class Attack Helicopter Project on Friday. The value of the contract was not disclosed. The helicopter, which may be designated T130, will have two engines driving a five-blade main rotor, with a tandem armored cockpit configuration for pilot and gunner. There will be a modular avionics package, which includes a four-axis autopilot and helmet-mounted displays for the crew. The Heavy Class Attack Helicopter Project was launched to meet requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces in this field. It aims to design and produce an effective and advanced attack helicopter capable of carrying a large useful load, resistant to challenging environmental factors and equipped with state-of-the-art technology target tracking and imaging, electronic warfare, navigation, communications and weapon systems. The project will play an important role in reducing external dependency of Turkey’s defense sector.
Europe
The Belarusian Army handed four MiG-29 aircraft to the Serbian Army as part of military technical aid. The MiG-29 is twin-engine jet fighter aircraft. It has hydraulic controls and a SAU-451 three-axis autopilot. Belarus’ Aircraft Repair Plant will undertake repairs and upgrade of the MiGs according to Serbian Air Force needs. Primarily the navigation system will be modernized. The two countries engage in various military and economic projects together and Belarus’ military technical aid is very important to Serbia. This year the countries will perform in the Belarusian-Serbian-Russian exercise „Slavic Brotherhood“ in Serbia.
Germany’s Rheinmetall and Britain’s BAE Systems are creating a joint UK based military vehicle design, manufacturing and support business. The Joint Venture will be located at the BAE System’sTelford facility. Rheinmetall will purchase a 55% stake in the existing BAE Systems UK based combat vehicles business, with BAE Systems retaining 45%. Once approvals have been completed in the first half of 2019, the Joint Venture will be known as Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land. In addition to managing and growing the existing combat vehicle support business, the intent is for the new Joint Venture to play a major role in the delivery of the British Army’s new Mechanized Infantry Vehicle and other strategic combat vehicles programs.
Asia-Pacific
Russia is ready to discuss deliveries of Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets to India. The Su-57 is stealth, single-seat, twin-engine, multirole, jet fighter designed to destroy all types of air targets at long and short distances and hit enemy ground and naval targets, overcoming its air defense capabilities. It combines the functions of an attack plane and a fighter jet. The use of composite materials and innovation technologies and the fighter’s aerodynamic configuration ensure the low level of radar and infrared signature. While India displays interest in the Su-57, Russian company Rostec wants the Indian Air Force to determine how much the plane fits into their general concept and what they want to focus on.
Today’s Video
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