TRIDENT II to be integrated in Columbia Class | Germany released Tender for Heavy-Lift Helos | Singapore plans to buy F-35 Jets
Americas
Strategic Systems Programs contracted Lockheed Martin with a $28.6 million modification in support of the integration of the TRIDENT II (D5) Missile and Reentry Subsystems into the Common Missile Compartment for the Columbia Class and United Kingdom Dreadnought programs. The modification exercises options for engineering efforts. The TRIDENT II D5 fleet ballistic missile is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided missile that can carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360 kilometers. The Trident II D5 guidance system directs the missile on a rectified trajectory counterbalancing for submarine’s awkward position, in-flight effects and internal guidance calibratable parameters, upon launch of the missile. The guidance system works as the reference for maintaining missile stability and activating the reentry body separation for a ballistic trajectory. The Columbia Class submarine is an upcoming class of submarines aimed to replace Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines, whose remaining boats will be decommissioned, one per year, beginning in 2027. The Columbia-class will take over the role of submarine presence in the United States’ strategic nuclear force. The first submarine is scheduled to begin construction in 2021 and enter service in 2031. A total of 12 submarines are planned. Each submarine will have 16 missile tubes, each carrying one Trident II D5LE missile. The UK Dreadnought Class is the replacement for the TRIDENT II D5 Royal Navy’s missile carrying Vanguard Class submarines. Work under the modification will take place in California, Florida, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and is expected to be finished by March 31, 2021.
The Navy awarded L-3 Communications a $21.4 million contract modification to support the Navy T-45 aircraft, aircraft system and related support equipment. The T-45A/C Goshawk is the US Navy’s two-seat advanced jet trainer that was selected to meet the US Navy requirement for an undergraduate jet pilot trainer to replace the TA-4J Skyhawk and T-2C Buckeye. The aircraft is a navalized version of the BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer, selected by the Royal Air Force and flown by the Red Arrows acrobatic display team. It has a single pylon installed under each wing for carrying bomb racks, rocket pods or auxiliary fuel tanks. The Goshawk is powered by a single Rolls-Royce navalized Adour mk871 twin-spool non-afterburn turbofan engine. The contract modification exercises an option for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering support. Support includes services, equipment, tool, direct material, and indirect material required to support and maintain flight, test and evaluation operations. Work will take place in Texas, Mississippi, and Florida and is scheduled to be completed in September this year.
The US Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control with a $13.3 million modification for SNIPER Comprehensive Advanced Targeting Pod. This Targeting Pod provides positive target identification, autonomous tracking, GPS coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges. It is a single, lightweight targeting pod with much lower aerodynamic drag than its predecessors. Due to its image processing that allows aircrew to detect, identify and engage tactical-size targets outside the range of most enemy air defenses, it holds a crucial role in the destruction of enemy air defense missions. The current modification provides for the software enhancements and data for the development of the E4.X Operational Flight Program. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida among other places within the USA and is expected to be finished by February 28, 2021.
Middle East & Africa
The Egyptian satellite EgyptSat-A, which is owned by Egypt’s National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences and built by RSC Energia, a Moscow-based aerospace contractor, was launched from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. EgyptSat-A is Egypt’s third Earth observation satellite. The country decided to join the world space club, and the decision to build and launch the EgyptSat-A satellite is a significant step to achieve this strategic goal. The Egyptian satellite program has both scientific and military implications. The development and launch of EgyptSat-A boost Egyptian-Russian relations which have been growing closer in many fields. RSC Energia produced the vast majority of components for EgyptSat-A, compared to EgyptSat-2 where 60 percent of the components were manufactured in Egypt. The satellite is prized at about $100 million and weighs more than a ton when fully fueled. A Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat rocket lifted off the EgyptSat-A on February 21, 2019. The Soyuz-2 rockets are modernized vehicles based on the Soyuz-U and its predecessors, with digital flight controls and upgraded engines.
Europe
Germany released tender documents for the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift helicopter (Schwerer Transporthubschrauber, STH). The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support issued the documents on February 28, which set out the performance and programmatic details for the STH requirement to procure 44-60 helicopter for the German Luftwaffe. Back in November, the German government announced, that a newly developed helicopter to replace the 70 incumbent Sikorsky CH-53G/GS/GA/GEs would not be an option. However, the Boeing CH-47E and Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion would be an appropriate purchase for Germany. According to the released tender, parties have until May 14 to respond to the release. A request for proposal will then be issued shortly after.
Asia-Pacific
The US Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Division a $10 million contract modification for engineering and design support services for the Aegis Ashore (AA) Japan Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Technical Assistance Case. The modification prepares for the AA Japan Main Case. The Aegis Ashore is a land-based component of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, that provides missile defense against short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. On December 19, 2017, the Cabinet of Japan approved a plan to purchase two Aegis Ashore systems equipped with the Gallium Nitride AESA radar to increase the country’s self-defense capability against North Korea, using SM-3 Block IIA missiles. Work under the modification will take place in New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by October 31 this year.
The US Naval Air Systems Command awarded Boeing a $428.9 million modification for long-lead material and activities in support of 16 P-8A Poseidons. The award includes the complete orders for South Korea and New Zealand. The US government approved the sale of four P-8As to New Zealand in May 2017. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is procuring the aircraft to replace its aging Lockheed Martin P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. South Korea’s procurement was approved in September 2018, with the Republic of South Korea Air Force (RoKAF) also looking to replace its fleet of aging P-3 Orions. The modification covers long-lead material and activities in support of four aircraft for New Zealand and six for South Korea. It also covers six further aircraft for the US Navy. The P-8 Poseidon is a militarized version of the 737-800ERX that conducts anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and shipping interdiction. The aircraft is the U.S. Navy’s next-generation maritime surveillance aircraft. Work under the contract modification will take place within the continental US and is scheduled to be completed in June next year.
Singapore plans to buy an initial four F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. The country is looking to replace its F-16 fleet. Its fleet of around 60 F-16 jets, which first entered service in 1998, will be retired soon after 2030. Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Friday, the Ministry will issue a Letter of Request (LOR) to the US regarding the purchase. The LOR will request an initial acquisition of four F-35s, with the option of a subsequent eight. With Southeast Asia’s largest defense budget, the wealthy city-state is a key prize for global arms companies as it looks to invest in new technology and upgrade its equipment.
Today’s Video
Watch: ROYAL Navy frigate HMS Kent will be flashing off her new weapons
