Rolls-Royce Wins Super Hercules Propulsion Sustainment Modification | Morocco Gets Three Harfangs | Spain Signs For PC-21s

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $57.4 million delivery order modification for C-130J propulsion long term sustainment. The Super Hercules features a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. The C-130J is crewed by two pilots and a loadmaster. The new glass cockpit features four L-3 systems with multifunction liquid crystal displays for flight control and navigation systems. The aircraft is equipped with four Allison AE2100D3 turboprop engines, each rated at 4,591 shaft horsepower. The all-composite six-blade R391 propeller system was developed by Dowty Aerospace. The order provides funding for Option Three and Power By The Hour flying hours. Estimated completion date is February 1, 2021.

Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions won a $20.3 million modification, which procures updates to the Delta Software System Configuration #3 software baseline to include the visual system and cyber security on tactics and flight trainer devices. Additionally, this modification provides technology refresh and aircraft concurrency updates on tactics devices, aircraft concurrency and aerial refueling updates on the flight devices, tactics and flight device training and associated technical data in support of the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training System. The Hawkeye is a Northrop Grumman-manufactured surveillance aircraft designed to provide information operations for battle management, theater air and missile defense, and multiple sensor fusion capabilities. The training systems, which Rockwell Collins has been delivering to the Navy and allied militaries that use the surveillance platform for several years, include simulators, interactive computer media, as well as other shore-based training. Work will take place in Point Mugu, California and expected completion will be in June 2022.

Middle East & Africa

France’s Intelligence Online has reported that three EADS Harfang Unmanned Air Vehicles previously operated by the French Air Force have been transferred to Morocco. The transfer reportedly took place on January 26. The sale was worth around $48 million. The Israeli drones, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, were transferred to Morocco via French defense company Dassault, The report said that an agreement on the deal was made between Israel and Morocco as far back as 2013, with the drones delivered in recent weeks. The drones are to be used to monitor terror groups in the southern part of the country and the Western Sahara area.The report said Morocco bought the drones after they were decommissioned from the French military, which used them for surveillance operations in Afghanistan.

Europe

Spain contracted Pilatus to deliver 24 PC-21 turboprop trainer aircraft to replace the Air Force’s aging Casa 101s. The contract, announced by the Swiss manufacturer on January 31, will see the twin-seat single-engined aircraft replace the Ejército del Aire’s C-101 jets that have been in service since 1980. According to Pilatus, the deal is worth in excess of $221 million and includes simulators, spares, and logistical support. Deliveries are expected to commence in the coming months, with pilot training set to begin in 2021. The PC-21 expanded envelope trainer aircraft is designed to fulfil the requirements for basic, advanced and fighter lead-in training for pilots and, if required, weapon systems officers.

The UK Ministry of Defense awarded Maritime Tactical Systems (MARTAC), a Florida-based developer of modular Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), a $2.4 million contract to deliver five Man-Portable Tactical Autonomous Systems (MANTAS) T12 USVs to the Royal Navy and Joint Forces Command (JFC, now Strategic Command) for further experimentation. The contract includes the provision of integrated sensors, spares and ancillary equipment, training, and technical support. According to the MoD, the MARTAC T12 was selected following a study on commercial off-the-shelf products that would validate the use of low observable USVs for distributed maritime operations. The study – which began in February 2019 and utilized two leased MANTAS T12 USVs – was led by jHUB, the London-based innovation centre for JFC.

Asia-Pacific

According to Jane’s, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding launched the third Hibiki Class ocean surveillance ship on order for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Named Aki, the small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) vessel entered the water on January 15 in a ceremony held at the company’s facilities in the Japanese city of Tamano, Okayama Prefecture. The ship has a full-load displacement of 3,048 tonnes. It is expected to be commissioned in March 2021. It will feature a more advanced Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) than that fitted onto the first two ships of the class, the JS Hibiki and JS Harima, which entered service in 1991 and 1992, respectively.

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