Defense`s Feeds

Americas

The US Air Force has started a search to find a supplier for its Global Precision Attack Weapon, a small, lightweight bomb that fits in the weapons bays of the B-21 and F-35. The weapon is to have “high loadout” and digitally engineered, Air Force magazine reports. „High load“ means many can be carried on a single platform, suggesting a small size—and digitally engineered, with open-systems architecture. It should enable “maximum flexibility to integrate a suite of technologies,” including position, navigation, and timing and guidance, navigation, control; as well as “cockpit-selectable warhead effect,” fuzing, sensors, propulsion, “signature optimization” or stealthiness, “maritime apps, multimode seeker, affordable mass, and autonomy/sensing.” GPAW will have to operate “within the joint, all-domain functional environment against near-peer competitors.” It was suggested the weapon should be able to collaborate autonomously. The announcement modified a previous announcement published by the Air Force and Special Operations Command in the spring.

This year’s Trident Warrior 20 exercise saw the US Marine Corps deploy four oceanographic sensors from its MV-22Bs for the first time. Dropped into the Pacific Ocean by VMM-163, these sensors were previously deployed from the back of C-130s or directly by ships. The data collected would provide the Marines with the best environmental awareness possible prior to conducting amphibious operations. Trident Warrior is an annual large-scale field experiment in operational naval environments.

Middle East & Africa

The United States contracted the sale to Jordan of one Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for royal duties. The Department of Defense announced that Sikorsky had been awarded $13.7 million for a single UH-60M to be delivered by November 30. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Jordan) funds for the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. “The UH-60M will supplement Jordan’s existing Royal Squadron fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and be used to facilitate the movement of the Jordanian royal family in a safe and efficient manner,” the DSCA notification said.

Europe

Leonardo successfully demonstrated unique integrated capabilities between a manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This took place in the UK during Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) trials between a Leonardo AW159 Wildcat helicopter and a semi-autonomous UAV from Callen-Lenz Associates. The demonstration was part of the British Army’s MUMT themed Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) 19, and was planned and executed by Dstl and took place on Salisbury Plain in September.

Asia-Pacific

A notice released Wednesday says the State Department has approved the sales to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of 135 Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missiles and related equipment estimated for more than $1 billion, 11 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 Launchers and related equipment for an estimated $436.1 million and six MS-110 Recce Pods and related equipment for an estimated $367.2 million. “This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement said.

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Watch: Why America’s V-22 Osprey Just Keeps Getting Better – Able to Fly Across the Pacific Ocean

Last week, experts from 12 EDA Member States as well as Norway and Switzerland participated in an online workshop organised by the Agency to identify and discuss research & technology needs as well as potential future applications of hypervelocity systems.

The workshop (12-13 October) took place as part of an ongoing series of EDA Technology Foresight Workshops which aim to assess the potential of emerging technologies which are expected to strongly impact future defence capabilities. Hypervelocity is without doubt among these, given its high potential for application and disruptiveness in the defence domain. 

Against this backdrop, last week’s workshop gathered some 90 European subject matter experts to discuss current and future hypervelocity technologies and associated R&T needs. The topic was approached from different angles, including hypersonic transport, effectors and protection against hypervelocity threats. More detailed discussion took place on propulsion and launching platforms, manoeuvrability, trajectory, questions related to information management as well as guidance and control of such hypervelocity systems. In this way, the workshop comprehensively covered the defence view on hypervelocity from an EU perspective and its required autonomy. Furthermore, potential synergies with the civilian sector were also discussed. 

This workshop was an activity bringing together several EDA Capability & Technology (CapTech) groups on: Missiles and Munitions Systems, Air Systems, Guidance, Navigation and Control, and Materials and Structures.  

The workshop on hypervelocity systems was conducted virtually over a period of two working days, with the support of Ingeniería de Sistemas para la Defensa de Espana (Isdefe), under a specific contract with EDA. At the beginning, participants attended a plenary session during which keynote speakers introduced the topic and set the scene of hypervelocity, the expected advantages, examples of use cases and the current challenges, such as suitable test systems. Afterwards, participants were separated in smaller groups (virtual tables) in which they thoroughly discussed the subject of hypervelocity from different perspectives. In a final plenary session, the results of the virtual tables discussions were presented and summarized. The workshop results will be further analysed in the upcoming weeks and a comprehensive report will be elaborated for EDA participating Member States’ Ministries of Defence. It will include the main conclusions and recommendations for Member States concerning hypervelocity applications for defence, research needs and possible dual-use synergies.
 

Background 

EDA’s Technology Foresight Workshops aim to provide input to the EDA process of technology evaluation, including the identification and classification of technology trends and emerging technologies as well as the prioritisation of important technologies with respect to medium- and long-term capability needs. The output of the workshops is used as background information for relevant defence technologies, to be integrated in EDA Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) and their Technology Building Block (TBB) roadmaps, as well as the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) toolchain, the analyses of Key Strategic Activities (KSA) and in the Strategic Context Cases of the 2018 Capability Development Plan (CDP).
 

More information:

• Missiles and Munitions Systems
• Air Systems
• Guidance, Navigation and Control
• Materials and Structures

 

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $138.8 contract modification, which adds scope to continue the development of pilot training device software to align the F-35 air system with continued capability development. Additionally, this modification provides for testing and continuous re-certification activities for dual capable F-35 aircraft as Block 4 capabilities are developed, matured and fielded in support of the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft. Just recently it was reported, that by the end of 2020, F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martins production will be equipped with a modified lightning protection system that will fix problems discovered earlier this year, the company’s head of production said. Work under the current modification will take place in Texas. Expected completion date will be in June 2024.

The first live fire test of the MK 57 Vertical Launching System on the first-in-class USS Zumwalt, using a Standard Missile-2, was executed successfully on the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division Sea Test Range, Point Mugu, earlier this month. The Zumwalt, delivered to the Navy in April, successfully showed off its ability to detect, track and engage an anti-ship cruise missile with an SM-2, the US Navy announced this week. The test also assessed the ship’s ability to hold up against the shock and vibration of weapon firing, along with any hazards and degradations resulting from the live firing, the Navy said. At 610 feet long and 80 feet wide, which is 100 feet longer and 13 feet wider than the Arleigh Burke Class destroyer, Zumwalt has the space to conduct a wide array of surface, undersea and aviation missions, the Navy has said.

Middle East & Africa

The UN’s Libya envoy said she was “quite optimistic” about the prospects of a ceasefire emerging from talks underway in Geneva between the two warring factions in the troubled north African country. After two days of face-to-face discussions at the United Nations, which are scheduled to last until Saturday, the two sides have agreed to open internal land and air routes. They also agreed to maintain the current calm on the frontlines and to avoid military escalation, and on moves which should ensure the increase of oil production. “The two sides have reached agreement on several important issues which directly impact the lives and welfare of the Libyan people,” Stephanie Williams, the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), told a press conference. “I’m quite optimistic… there is an air of seriousness and commitment,” she said on the prospect of a ceasefire.

Europe

Eurofighter formally submitted to Spain its offer to provide a further 20 Typhoon aircraft under the country’s Project ‘Halcon’ (Falcon). Delivery of the offer, which was disclosed by the consortium on 19 October, came three months after Spain announced that it was seeking to augment its existing Typhoons and to begin the process of replacing its Boeing EF-18 Hornet fleet. “Eurofighter has submitted proposals for the replacement of the Spanish Air Force’s EF-18s which are based on the Canary Islands. Spain is looking to secure 20 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to boost its existing fleet under what is called Project Halcon,” the consortium said.

Asia-Pacific

Bucking the trend, the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) will not be assigning a local nickname for the RQ-4. Instead, the unmanned air vehicle will still be called Global Hawk. The service had given the nickname “Freedom Knight” to the F-35A last year. Separately, Korea Herald reports that the Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) system for the RQ-4 is expected to be delivered to the country next month. The “due to prolonged negotiations between the US government and its manufacturer, along with the COVID-19 situation,” the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) mentioned in a report to the National Assembly.

The US government made requests in July and August this year to Indonesia for its P-8A to land and refuel in the South East Asian country but those requests were rejected. Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo personally rejected those requests, Reuters reports. Representatives for Indonesia’s president and defense minister, the US State Department press office and the US embassy in Jakarta did not respond to requests for comment. Representatives for the US Department of Defence and Indonesia’s foreign minister Retno Marsudi declined to comment. The proposition, which came as the US and China escalated their contest for influence in Southeast Asia, surprised Indonesia’s government, the officials said, because Indonesia has a long-standing policy of foreign policy neutrality. The country has never allowed foreign militaries to operate there.

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Americas

Alabama Shipyard won a $17.9 million deal for a 76-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul and dry-docking of USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11). The T-AKE 11 is a Lewis and Clark Class Dry Cargo Ship. The ship delivers ammunition, provisions, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to US Navy and other navy ships at sea, allowing them to remain underway and combat ready for extended periods of time. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $19,278,302. Work will take place in Mobile, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by March 20, 2021.

The Wake Island Airfield, regarded as among the most isolated installations in the US military, is undergoing an $87 million upgrade, the Air Force said. The infrastructure modernizations include improvements to the deteriorating runway, new lighting, and grounding and pavement markings to support mission readiness and global air mobility, the Air Force Civil Engineering Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, announced. California-based contractor AECOM won the contract for the improvements in 2019, and is expected to complete the project in early 2021. “The remote location of the Wake atoll required extensive logistics planning to ship construction equipment, material, parts and supplies which we successfully accomplished in November 2019,” Capt. David Leonard, AFCEC project manager, said in a press release.

Middle East & Africa

A decade-long UN arms embargo on Iran that barred it from purchasing foreign weapons like tanks and fighter jets expired on October 18, despite objections from the United States, which insists the ban remains in place. While Iran says it plans no “buying spree,” it can now in theory purchase weapons to upgrade military armaments dating back to before its 1979 Islamic Revolution and sell its own locally produced gear abroad. In practice, however, Iran’s economy remains crippled by broad-reaching US sanctions, and other nations may avoid arms deals with Tehran for fear of American financial retaliation. The Trump administration has warned that any sales of weapons to Iran or exports from Iran will be penalized.

Europe

British defense firm BAE Systems unveiled a next-generation cyber-threat detection and mitigation solution for military platforms. The Fox Shield cyber resilience system was developed to provide military platforms with better detection capabilities, attack warning, and mitigation. “Cyber protection was not necessarily a mission-critical capability when some of these platforms were first developed. That’s why we designed the Fox Shield cyber resilience system to be easily integrated into new and legacy platforms,” said Michael Weber, technical manager for FAST Labs’ Cyber Technology group at BAE Systems. According to the company, Fox Shield is the result of a multi-year effort from BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development team. It was developed with ongoing internal investment and builds upon baseline technology that has proven effective on other platforms as previously announced.

Asia-Pacific

Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said in a virtual presser that his service will only make the call to buy more AW-159 naval helicopters when the plan to acquire two additional corvettes are finalized. The two corvettes with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities are scheduled for the procurement of Horizon 2 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

The Myanmar Navy publicly displayed its lone submarine at its ongoing Fleet Exercise 2020, dubbed Bandoola, which kicked off on October 15. The highlight of the exercise, which featured at least 12 naval vessels, was the Project 877 EKM submarine UMS Minye Theinkhathu, which was formerly the Indian submarine INS Sindhuvir. As imagery of the submarine was released by the Tatmadaw, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made an official announcement regarding the submarine transfer.

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Watch: TURKEY TESTS RUSSIAN SUPPLIED S-400 AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM | PUTS U.S & NATO IN MAJOR PROBLEM !

EDA’s 4th Electronic Warfare course (5-16 October) involving more than a dozen participants from Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Ukraine has just been completed at Sintra Air Base, Portugal. It was the first helicopter course held in the Agency’s new training facility set up over the past four months at Sintra Air Base which will also host the future Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) by mid-2023.

The Electronic Warfare course, which is part of EDA’s wide-ranging helicopter training activities, allowed participants to deepen their knowledge and expertise about Electronic Warfare and its application in the current operational theatres. From threat briefings to mathematics classes, an array of topics was touched upon with the goal to increase the know-how of the students who also had the opportunity to share experiences among them despite the strict precautionary Covid-19 measures put in place by the Portuguese Air Force and the country’s health authorities. 
 

 
Sintra ready for high-quality training

After months of intense preparations, the Sintra training centre meets all necessary conditions for delivering high-quality training for the EDA Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), the Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) and the Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC) programmes. The centre includes a large office and classroom building and a hangar built to accommodate an advanced helicopter mission simulator. The state-of-the-art simulator is composed of two full cockpits and rear cabins allowing to provide training to all the crewmembers, both pilots and rear crews. Based on the very latest simulation technology, the training device has VBS4 software integrated in a world data base, a very realistic flight model and a complete EW Defence Suite, all of which will allow crews to improve and extend their tactical skills and knowledge in any type of physical or tactical environment.

The new training facilities will ensure the continuity of the current EDA programmes until mid-2023 when they will be fully handed over to the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC), also to be based at Sintra Air Base, which will take over the management of the three EDA helicopter programmes.
 

More information:

• EDA's helicopter initiatives (EDA project page)
• Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) sets course for Sintra (EDM magazine article, June 2020)

Americas

General Dynamics won a $25.1 million contract modification for additional fiscal 2021 development studies and design efforts for Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia Class new attack submarine is an advanced stealth multimission nuclear-powered submarine for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and littoral (shallow water) operations. The Virginia-Class submarines are being built by a partnership between Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division and General Dynamics Electric Boat. General Dynamics Electric Boat built the first of the class,Virginia (SSN 774), and Northrop Grumman Newport News the second,Texas (SSN 775). Work will take place in North Carolina. Estimated completion will be in September 2021.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has taken delivery of its final F-5M fighter from Embraer. FAB 4810 was handed over to the customer at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto plant last week. A total of 49 aircraft underwent the modernization program. The aircraft delivery on October 14 marked the completion of a 15-year program that saw the company overhaul a total of 49 Northrop Grumman-built light fighters. Embraer was responsible for fitting the aging aircraft with Italian Grifo F multimode radars, electronic countermeasures and the capability to employ a range of modern missiles and laser-guided bombs. The overhaul will allow the aircraft to remain in service into the 2030s. Brazil started operating the aircraft in 1975 after ordering the first 42 units a year before. In 1988, the country bought additional aircraft in the form of used F-5s from the US Air Force and subsequently from Jordan. Northrop Grumman built well over a thousand of F-5 fighters that saw service with close to twenty countries.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey’s military exports to its ally Azerbaijan have risen six-fold before fighting broke out over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to figures by the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly. The figures show Azerbaijan bought $123 million in defense and aviation equipment from Turkey this year. Most of the purchases arrived were after July. The data shows that sales jumped from $278,880 in the month of July to $36 million in the month of August, and $77.1 million in just September. Military sales to Azerbaijan in the first nine months of 2019 totalled $20.7 million. Armenia and Azerbaijan were part of the Soviet Union and have been involved in a territorial conflict since gaining independence within the 1990s. The main issue is the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians. The fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began on September 27. Each side has accused the other of targeting civilians. Both sides have rejected talks and ignored growing international calls for a ceasefire.

Europe

The Netherlands is to retire its aging fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules airlifters earlier than planned. The country’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on October 13 that the four C-130H aircraft operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), the oldest of which date back to 1978, are to be replaced as their readiness rates have become so poor as to hinder simultaneous operations. The RNLAF received two new ‘stretched’ C-130H-30 Hercules in 1992 and two surplus ‘standard’ C-130H Hercules in 2005. The MoD had planned to modernize these aircraft, although it has now decided that such a programme would reduce the already poor availability of the fleet further and so an immediate replacement is the best option.

British engineers have revealed some of the latest concepts under development for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) next generation combat air system.The pioneering technology is being delivered by Team Tempest, a UK technology and defense partnership formed by BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA, Rolls-Royce and the RAF, and involving hundreds of high-tech companies, SMEs and academia across the UK. Tempest is one of the UK’s most ambitious technological endeavors and designed to deliver a highly advanced, adaptable combat air system to come into service from the mid-2030s. This next generation combat aircraft, which forms part of a wider combat air system, will exploit new technologies as they evolve to respond to the changing nature of the battlespace, addressing increasingly high-tech and complex threats and conflict.

Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has launched the first of a new class of diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) equipped with lithium-ion batteries. The new 3,000-tonne submarine, which has been named Taigei (with pennant number SS 513), entered the water on October 14 in a ceremony held at MHI’s facilities in Kobe City. According to the JMSDF, the new boat has a crew complement of about 70, an overall length of 84 m, a beam of 9.1 m, a draught of 10.4 m, and a standard displacement of about 3,000 tonnes, meaning that it is almost the same size as the Soryu Class SSKs, which are 84 m long, 9.1 m wide, 10.3 m depth, and have a standard displacement of 2,950 tonnes.

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Americas

Raytheon Missiles Won a $239.1 million contract modification for StormBreaker (SDBII, GBU-53/B) production Lot 6. Designed to address critical troop needs, the StormBreaker can detect, track, and destroy stationary or moving targets with high-precision and stand-off range during the day and at night in all-weather conditions. The GBU-53/B, originally known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), has a tri-mode guidance system able to find targets using imaging infrared or millimeter-wave radar, or using semi-active laser homing to hit a designated aimpoint. Depending on the altitude of the launching aircraft, the weapon can also glide up to 69 miles on its own using a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system, after which could strike a specific coordinate or begin searching for a target. Just recently it was announced that the Air Force approved the bomb for use on the F-15. This means that the service will now be able to send the weapons downrange for use by F-15E squadrons Work under the modification will take place in Tucson, Arizona. Estimated completion date is November 28, 2023.

AAR Aircraft Services won a $67.3 million modification, which exercises options to procure P-8A Poseidon aircraft depot scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, fulfillment of depot in-service repair/planner and estimator requirements, technical directive incorporation, airframe modifications, aircraft on ground support and removal and replacement of engines in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. The P-8A Poseidon,the US Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft, is capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations, and is also successful at search and rescue. Operating with a smaller crew, yet delivering an extended global reach, greater payload capacity, higher operating altitude, open-systems architecture and significant growth potential, the P-8A provides more combat capability. Work will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana and is expected to be finished by October 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Aegis Defense Services won a $16 million deal to provide US Forces Afghanistan with private security service protection. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received. Aegis Defense Services provides management services on a contract or fee basis. Work will take place in Mazar-e, Afghanistan. Estimated completion date is October 29, 2023.

Israel and the US Air Force carried out their third joint exercise involving their F-35A fighters on October 12. The press release said the exercise involves the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Israel’s 116th Squadron. F-16Is from 115th Squadron played the aggressor role. The IAF’s 116th Squadron, which operates the “Adir” F-35I fighter jet, trained alongside the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. The 340th EARS assigned to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, participated as well. The 421 EFS operates the F-35A Lightning II, while the 908th EARS and 340th EARS provided aerial refueling support with a KC-10 Extender and KC-135 Stratotanker.

Europe

The US State Department approved the potential sale of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense Systems to Romania, in a deal that could be worth about $300 million. The Naval Strike Missile is a sea-skimming, over-the-horizon anti-ship missile that has limited, built-in target recognition capabilities. Romania wants to buy two of the systems, according to an announcement on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Romania will use this long-range, precision strike weapon to enhance mission effectiveness, survivability, and NATO interoperability in current and future missions and operations. Included in the proposed package are up to 10 Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems, two Coastal Defense System Fire Distribution Centers, four Mobile Launch Vehicles, Transport Loading Vehicles and the missiles themselves, as well as other equipment.

Asia-Pacific

Seven K-8W jet trainers were delivered from China to Bangladesk on October 15. The jets landed at Zahurul Haq base. The aircraft was flown by Bangladesh Air Force pilots, with Group Captain AKM Abdur Razzak leading the mission. They departed from Dehong Magshi airport and landed on BAF Base Zahurul Haque, Chattogram. Following the tradition, the aircraft received a water cannon salute after landing. The aircraft also made a flypast over the airbase in the presence of Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat. The government-to-government deal was signed in 2018 under Forces Goal 2030 plan. It is an extension of the first order placed in 2014 in which 8 trainers were purchased. The 2018 contract was signed The Bangladesh Air Force and China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), and it comprises of total 23 units, but the expenditure is yet to be revealed.

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Watch: JAPAN LAUNCHES FIRST OF TAIGEI – BIG WHALE CLASS SUBMARINE – GETS READY TO CONFRONT CHINA !

Americas

US hypersonic missiles can strike within six inches of a target after traveling thousands of miles at Mach 5 or faster, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said. Speaking at a conference of the US Association of the Army on Tuesday, McCarthy referred to a March 19 test of the missile, which was fired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. It flew at hypersonic speed, defined as five or more times the speed of sound, before striking its “designated impact point,” the Army said. The test reportedly demonstrated that the weapon, which consists of a warhead, guidance system and thermal protection, can fly five times the speed of sound, maneuver in varying flight paths and azimuths to avoid detection before striking its target.

The first Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to be upgraded to the UH-60V standard has been released into service by the US Army. The milestone was announced by the service on October 9. It was marked by a release ceremony held at Corpus Christi Army Depot in Texas, and came some six months after the US Army completed its initial operational test and evaluation for the configuration in April. Redstone Defense Systems is the lead contractor for the effort, which involves replacing the analogue avionics of the UH-60L (itself an upgraded UH-60A) with a digital set up provided by Northrop Grumman. The work is done in partnership with the US Army Prototype Integration Facility.

Middle East & Africa

The Senate remains skeptical of the F-35 Sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to „Military Times“, two key democrats accuse President Donald Trump of rushing a deal for political advantage instead of thinking through potentially dire national security implications. The letter Friday to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., is another sign that the sale might be slowing down. The duo questioned whether such a deal with Abu Dhabi, which has security ties to Russia and China, would compromise the F-35, an advanced and sophisticated stealth warplane, and whether such a sale would set off a Middle Eastern arms race in which Iran seeks advanced warplanes from Russia and China. At the end of September, a State Department Official had raised questions over the F-35 sale to the UAE. Asked about reports of the deal, the undersecretary of State for political affairs David Hale told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee there are talks ongoing about the UAE’s “security needs,” adding he was not aware if UAE had submitted a letter of request, a move needed to formally kick off the arms sale process in Washington.

Europe

The third of nine P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft has arrived in Scotland from the United States. Nine Poseidon MRA1 aircraft have been ordered, the first of which landed on British soil for the first time in February 2020. The latest Poseidon touched down October 14 at a hangar facility and runway at Lossiemouth. The hangar facility – a joint investment by Boeing and the MOD – was designed and built by Boeing and its construction partner Robertson, headquartered in nearby Elgin. Over 300 people were employed on site at the project’s peak.

Asia-Pacific

Japan unveiled its newest class of submarine, ceremonially launching the attack submarine Taigei. The diesel-electric-powered vessel is equipped with lithium-ion batteries, currently used only by Japanese submarines, for longer underwater travel. At 275 feet in length and weighing 3,000 tons, Taigei, a name that means Big Whale in Japanese, was built and launched at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe at a cost of $720 million. The vessel, which will carry a crew of 70 and was designed for stealth capability, is scheduled for service in March 2022.

South Korea has taken delivery of its fourth and final RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle last month. This was disclosed by Kim Jin-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. The first UAV was reported to have arrived at Sacheon Air Base in South Gyeongsang Province on December 23, 2019. A few months later, on April 19, Harry Harris, the US ambassador to South Korea, released an image showing the second UAV alongside the first one in a hangar at an undisclosed location. The RoKAF is believed to be operating the platforms from Sacheon Air Base as part of a recently established reconnaissance squadron.

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Watch: USAF WORKING WITH SPACEX TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT 80 TONNES OF CARGO ANYWHERE IN LESS THAN AN HOUR !

Americas

Longbow Ltd. won a $32.2 million contract modification for generic spare parts kits for AH-64E Apache helicopters. The AH-64 Apache is a multirole combat helicopter with integrated avionics and weapons, as well as advanced digital communications to enable real-time, secure transfer of battlefield information to air and ground forces. The E-model Apache Guardian features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding, and reduced operating and support costs, Boeing officials say. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2024.

The US Air Force’s Air Combat Command has approved the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II for F-15E operational flights. The press release from Eglin Air Force Base says the weapon is expected to be field on the F/A-18E/F later this year. The GBU-53B StormBreaker, which entered operational testing in 2018, is a small diameter bomb that features a multimode seeker to guide the weapon with infrared, millimeter-wave radar and semi-active lasers in addition to or with GPS and inertial system guide. The Air Force’s fielding decision means F-15E squadrons can now be equipped with the weapon. The Navy and Marines intend to use it on their versions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Middle East & Africa

According to Israel Defense, Israel’s Phantom Technologies Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of diverse solutions in the field of electronic warfare, introduced a drone detection and blocking system called Phantom Dome 180 that includes radar, thermal cameras, and a system for jamming communications. Phantom Dome is reportedly aimed at protecting forces from hostile drones. The detection is based on radar developed exclusively by Phantom, along with thermal cameras. The system is connected, controlled and monitored by a controller. It combines the elements of detection by radar, detection by electro-optical/infrared camera, jamming of communications, and radio frequency detection.

Europe

Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto will be in Austria on October 20 and he has requested to meet his European counterpart Klaudia Tanner to discuss the sale of 15 Eurofighters. The Jakarta Post had seen a letter dated Oct. 8 which was said to be from Prabowo to Tanner, thanking her for her reply to his first letter that he had sent in July. Tanner had said publicly last month that she had directed the General Staff to prepare for negotiations with Jakarta to sell the Eurofighters.

Jet aircraft embarked on aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth have been undergoing live weapons training in the North Sea. According to the British Royal Navy 617 Squadron, ‘The Dambusters’, and the US Marine Corps’ VMFA-211 jets, spent three days on exercise, dropping 500lb Paveway IV high explosive bombs onto a dedicated range off the coast of the UK. The range was Garvie Island, a barren and rocky outcrop the size of a ship. The island is used as a target for a range of training operations and is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where NATO forces combine land, air and sea capabilities in deploying ordnance up to 1,000-pounds. The training proved HMS Queen Elizabeth’s ability to deliver F-35 strike mission sets from weapon prep through to execution.

Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will be visiting Vietnam next week and he is expected to sign an agreement on the export of defense equipment and technology while there. Japan plans to sign an agreement with Vietnam to allow it to export defense equipment and technology to the country, part of a move to strengthen defense capabilities of Indo-Pacific nations to counter Chinese maritime advances. Japan ended a decades-old ban on overseas arms sales in 2014 to help beef up the nation’s military and lower the unit cost of home-built military equipment but has so far struggled to strike export deals for finished products.

Today’s Video

Watch: CHINA ADMITS U.S NAVY DESTROYER USS JOHN S.MCCAIN ENTERED WATERS CLAIMED BY IT WITHOUT PERMISSION !

Experts from 10 EDA Member States as well as from Norway and Switzerland recently participated in an online workshop organised by the Agency to assess and discuss technological and operational aspects of High-Power Electromagnetic Munitions (HPEM).

This workshop was part of an ongoing EDA study on High Power Electromagnetic Munitions which aims to compile a comprehensive collection of HPEM concepts, working principles and key components. Launched in April of this year and expected to be completed in October 2021, the study will assess the key technology gaps and associated scientific challenges to develop future HPEM, with the aim to defeat electronics onboard systems deployed to future battlefield. Additionally, it will offer an overview of the European supply chain capabilities in this field, including its possible dependencies. It will also make recommendations how military users could best benefit from the opportunities HPEM will offer for future warfare. Finally, the study will also help to better understand the HPEM-related vulnerabilities of military systems equipped with electronics, and identify areas where improvements are needed to toughen up future military equipment when facing HPEM threats.

Modern military equipment heavily relies on advanced electronic systems, which greatly contributes to optimising and, in most cases, enhancing crucial functions such as detection, identification, communication, engagement and protection. However, the widespread usage of electronics in defence equipment can also make the military forces more vulnerable, especially when facing Electromagnetic Pulse threats. 
 

Follow-up workshop planned

The first workshop on 1/2 October gathered no less than 77 subject matter experts from EDA participant Member States plus Switzerland and Norway (which have concluded Administrative Agreements with the Agency) who had lively discussions and brainstorm sessions in the different virtual tables.  Representatives from the various Ministries of Defence but also from academia, research and technology organisations and industry had the opportunity to share their views and positions which will flow into the upcoming EDA study. 

A second workshop is planned for spring 2021. It will be mainly focused on discussing, validating and complementing the concepts of HPEM and scenarios, as well as on the identification of the requirements of HPEM from a user point of view. 

One of the first tangible results of last week’s first workshop was the establishment of a European network of HPEM experts available to MODs and EDA for potential follow-on activities.  
 

Background

The ongoing EDA HPEM study is expected to inform participating Member States’ MODs on innovative High-Power Electromagnetic Munition (HPEM) concepts able to disrupt military equipment on the battlefield by debilitating critical electronics in numerous mission-critical equipment (e.g. communication systems, radars, unmanned vehicles, electric grid, computers, sensors, …). 

Such HPEM should be able to defeat or destroy electronic systems within a large spectrum of operational scenarios. Depending on these scenarios, Electromagnetic Pulse or Electronic Warfare warheads could be integrated in missiles, munitions and submunitions, or even drones to offer opportunities not available with conventional warheads.

To conduct this study, a contract was awarded to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany, represented by its Institutes INT (Fraunhofer-Institute for Technological Trend Analysis, coordinating) and EMI (Fraunhofer-Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institute); the project is expected to run 18 months, from end of April 2020 to end of October 2021.

Americas

The wings and engines of the KC-130J that crash landed on a field in Thermal on September 29 have been removed last week. According to NBC, the wings were removed on October 9 and the engines were taken off a day earlier. The aerial refueling cargo plane had a mid-air collision with a F-35B which forced the crew to make an emergency landing on the field after failing to divert to an airport.

The ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming returned to the fleet after a 27-month overhaul in Norfolk, Virginia, the Naval Sea Systems Command announced. The Ohio Class, nuclear-powered submarine was commissioned in 1996 and is normally homeported at Kings Bay, Ga. It underwent an engineered refueling overhaul, a standard Navy refurbishment program for midlife vessels. The overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard involved the replacement of expended nuclear fuel with new fuel and a general maintenance renovation, including technological improvements and new berthing spaces for enlisted women.

Middle East & Africa

Abu Dhabi has invited Israeli arms and defense companies to take part in the upcoming International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) set to take place in the United Arab Emirate’s capital in February 2021. Less than a month after Israel signed an agreement to establish full diplomatic relations with both the UAE and Bahrain, Israel’s defense sector companies have been invited to openly participate in the upcoming International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) set to take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2021. IDEX is a biennial arms and defense technology sales exhibition and the largest of its kind in the Middle East.

Europe

Lockheed Martin is said to be considering having a new supplier to take over from Hellenic Aerospace Industry to produce parts for the C-130 and F-16. The aerospace company is said to be behind schedule in producing the parts due to a shortage of specialized staff and management issues. Employees have gone on strikes due to reduced benefits and the company does not have an managing director. The upgrade of 84 F-16s from the Greek air force to the V-model could be affected as well.

The delivery of the first modernized Super Lynx Mk 95A helicopter to the Portuguese Navy has been pushed back to early January 2021. Leonardo won a $76.45 million contract in July 2016 to modernize the Portuguese Navy’s five Super Lynx Mk 95 aircraft. Under current scheduling, delivery of all five is expected to be completed in 2021. The first modernized helicopter completed its maiden flight on February 14 at Leonardo Helicopters’ facility in Yeovil, United Kingdom. Evaluation of the helicopter is scheduled for December as part of the certification of the type. Pilots are due to finalize their training in early December.

Asia-Pacific

According to Kyodo News, the Japan Ministry of Defense had considered making the F-X fighter an unmanned aircraft. This was to save cost as having an unmanned aircraft will result in a smaller aircraft without the need to have a human control it. However, the approach was abandoned after the Aegis Ashore program was shelved as the Ministry needs to concentrate on finding a new solution to replace the Aegis Ashore program.

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Americas

A new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from Raytheon that will be installed on the B-52H bomber might allow the US Air Force to reduce the number of people operating the bomber from five to four. Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, director of strategic plans, programs, and requirements for Air Force Global Strike Command, said the decision in not “imminent.” Replacing the AN/APQ-166 radar will also lead to a new radome. And the new one might forgo the AN/ASQ-151 Electro-Optical Viewing System (EVS), which consisted of a low light level television (LLLTV) and a forward looking infrared (FLIR) system mounted in blisters under the nose. Its capability is currently surpass by Litening and Sniper pods carried on the bomber.

The Defense Department announced it has awarded $600 million in contracts to several companies for testing of 5G communications technology at five US military sites. The testing will be performed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Naval Base San Diego, Calif.; Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Ga.; Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the Pentagon said. The Defense Department will include in the testing a pilot of 5G-enabled augmented and virtual reality for mission planning and training, testing 5G-enabled “smart warehouses,” and evaluating 5G technologies to enhanced distributed command and control. 5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks, and the project is designed to explore potential military applications of the system.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey is preparing live-fire exercises in the Aegean Sea, angering Greece, and has transported its Russian-made S-400 air defense system to the Black Sea. Turkey, whose military buildup and claims of sovereignty in the Mediterranean Sea have angered Greece, announced it will stage exercises in the Aegean Sea from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, in Turkish-held and international waters. The announcement was made Friday in navigational telexes from its naval station in Smyrna, Turkey.

Europe

The US State Department approved a $12.5 billion purchase on Friday by Finland for 64 F-35 fighter planes and associated munitions and equipment. The approval, a statutory notification to Congress, follows an April request by the Finnish Defense Ministry to buy the planes through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the US Defense Department agency responsible for foreign military sales. Although Finland is aligned with western military powers and not with its neighbor, Russia, it is not a NATO member.

The DoS not only approved a potential F-35 sale, but also the sale of the F/A-18EF Super Hornet. The Super Hornet package, which is worth an estimated $14.7 billion, includes 50 single-seat F/A-18E jets, eight double-seated F/A-18Fs and 14 EA-18G Growlers, which is the electronic attack variant. The package also includes 166 F414-GE-400 engines for the dual-engine fighter, Sniper targeting pods, AN/APG-79 radars, AN/ALR-67(V)3 electric warfare countermeasures receiving sets, and Next Generation Jammer Midband and advanced electronic attack kits for the EA-18G. The potential sales paved the way for the nation to purchase American jets should either Boeing or Lockheed Martin win its ongoing fighter competition.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea is planning to replace 103 of its UH-60P utility helicopters with the local-made KUH-1 helicopter, a lawmaker disclosed. Rep. Han Ki-ho of the main opposition People Power Party said the government ditched the project to upgrade the UH-60 and will be spending more than five times the amount of money to produce the KUH-1. A retired Maj. General, Han said the KUH-1 has reduced range and carry two fewer troops compared to the Black Hawk.

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Americas

The US Army will suspend use of its new fitness test as a requirement for graduation from training programs because of COVID concerns. A new version of the six-event Army Combat Fitness Test went into effect last week. The Army will encourages taking and passing the strength and fitness test, but the requirement to successfully complete it will be delayed until at least September 2021, the end of the fiscal year. Suspension of the use of the test reportedly comes as the Army acknowledged constraints on training and testing due to the quarantining, social distancing and other protections required during COVID-19 pandemic.

Boeing won a maximum $149.6 million delivery order for the KC-46 Commercial Common Program consumable parts. The KC-46 Pegasus is a military refueling and strategic military transport aircraft. The Air Force intends to procure 179 Pegasus aircraft by 2027. The first four KC-46 aircraft were delivered to McConnell AFB, KS, in January 2019. The KC-46A places the boom operator on the flight deck, viewing receivers through a camera-driven display called the Remote Vision System (RVS). Work will take place in Missouri. Estimated completion date is October 7, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Qatar has submitted a formal request to the United States to buy stealthy F-35 fighter jets, three people familiar with the deal said, in a deal that if pursued could strain US ties with Saudi Arabia and Israel, Reuters reports. The request for the Lockheed Martin Co jets was submitted by the Persian Gulf state in recent weeks, the people said. A US State Department spokesman said, “As a matter of policy, the United States does not confirm or comment on proposed defense sales or transfers until they are formally notified to Congress.” Keen to counter Iran in the region, the US helps to arm allies including Qatar, host to the largest US military facility in the Middle East, and home to 8,000 US service members and Department of Defense civilian employees.

Europe

HMS Queen Elizabeth came under a simulated missile attack as part of a major exercise. Hawk jets and other aircraft, some operated by Cobham, have been simulating air attacks against the Carrier Battle Group. Typically, Hawk jets support Dassault Falcon 20DC aircraft acting as long-range anti-ship bombers. The Falcons are flown by Cobham Aviation Services. HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Strike Group are currently exercising alongside allied nations in the North Sea, as part of NATO’s largest annual exercise, Joint Warrior.

Asia-Pacific

PKL Services won a $13.8 million price modification to continue providing military aircraft F15 SG maintenance and operations training. The contract provides for the Republic of Singapore Air Force training on F15 aircraft, and includes both maintenance and operations on the F15 aircraft. The F-15 has a wingspan of 42 feet 9.75 inches (13.05 m) and a length of 63 feet 9 inches (19.43 m). The single-seat air-superiority version is armed with a 20-millimeter rotary cannon and an array of short-range and medium-range air-to-air missiles. The RSAF’s F-15SG is an all-weather multi-role fighter designed to achieve air superiority over the battlefield. It is one of the most advanced and technologically sophisticated variant of the F-15 aircraft built to date. Work will take place in Idaho and estimated completion date is September 30, 2022.

The Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of cybersecurity between India and Japan. The MoC will enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, which in­clude inter-alia, capacity building in the area of cyberspace; protection of critical infrastructure; cooperation in emerging technologies; sharing information on cybersecurity threats/incidents and malicious cyber activities, as well as best prac­tices to counter them; Developing joint mechanisms for practical cooperation to mitigate cyber threats to the security of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure etc.

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Americas

FlightSafety Services won a $13.9 million contract modification, which exercises an option to provide aircrew training services in support of the TH-57B/C community, including instruction, operation, and curriculum support. The TH-57 Sea Ranger is a derivative of the commercial Bell Jet Ranger 206. Although primarily used for training, these aircraft are also used for photo, chase and utility missions. The JetRanger was initially designed to compete in a US Army light observation helicopter competition. Bell lost that competition but the 206 was commercially successful. The TH-57 Sea Ranger provides advanced instrument flight rules (IFR) training to several hundred aviation students a year at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. TH-57 sundown will begin in fiscal 2022, and concludes in the fiscal 2024 timeframe. It’s replacement is the TH-73A. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is in October 2021.

The crash of an F-35A at Florida’s Eglin Air Force base in May was caused by the pilot trying to land at an excessive speed, and a flight control logic glitch that left its tail unresponsive, according to a new report. According to the report the pilot was also fatigued, causing “cognitive degradation” and was distracted at a critical point in the flight and lacked key understanding of the flight-control logic. The pilot was safely ejected from the aircraft as it landed on the base and did not sustain serious injuries.

Middle East & Africa

The expeditionary sea base ship USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, recently homeported in Greece, conducted exercises with the Nigerian navy as part of its first deployment, the US Navy said. The 784-foot long USS Hershel “Woody” Williams performed maneuvering exercises with the Nigerian frigate NNS Okpabana and three other vessels in the Gulf of Guinea, at the equator off the West African coast, according to the Navy. The ships simulated interceptions and boardings, and worked with Nigeria’s Maritime Operations Center in Lagos. The U.S. ship, which typically carries helicopters, also demonstrated the use of a UAV in exercises which concluded on Oct. 3.

Europe

Ukraine is to sign a memorandum with the UK to secure $1.62 billion in funding to build new military vessels for the Ukrainian Navy, the first two ships will be constructed in the UK and the remaining 6 vessels will be built in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was reported by local media as saying that the memorandum would be signed his state visit to the UK this week. “This is an important strategic document … we will sign this memorandum for the amount of 1.25 billion pounds“, Zelenskiy said. It has also been reported that the funds would be in the form of a 10-year loan.

Asia-Pacific

Saab Australia signed contracts worth up to $20 million to provide the Royal Australian Navy with the latest generation anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training system – the AUV62-AT – and five years’ in-service support. As prime contractor for the project, Saab Australia will deliver the system in 2022 and work with Australian industry, including Newcastle based BlueZone Group, to provide ongoing in-service operational and maintenance support through to 2027.

The Indian government’s Press Information Bureau that the country has successfully flight-tested a land-attack version of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile featuring an indigenously made airframe section and booster. The achievement is a major milestone in the country’s efforts to increase the content of locally made components in defence equipment used by the Indian military. The PIB noted that the missile was launched from the Integrated Test Range in Balasore in the eastern state of Odisha, reaching a cruising speed of Mach 2.8. The test missile also featured “many other ‘Made in India’ sub-systems”, which are expected to eventually enter production to meet the government’s long-standing goal of enhancing defense equipment self-reliance as opposed to foreign imports.

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Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $12.1 million contract modification to exercise an option for post-delivery support for the Littoral Combat Ship USS Cooperstown (LCS 23). The USS Cooperstown is a Freedom Class LCS. The Freedom class is a class of small multi-purpose vessels. The Freedom class has a reconfigurable seaframe, that can be fitted with interchangeable mission modules. Most upgrades can be performed ashore and installed later into the ship. It allows to keep the ship on deployment for the maximum time. Work will take place in Wisconsin, Virginia, New Jersey, California and Washington DC.

Huntington Ingalls won a $9.5 million deal for Engineering Change Proposal 51-2006, replacement of the distributed integrated power node centers with Mark C. Pope ADV 180 on Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer DDG 121. The Arleigh Burke Class of Guided Missile destroyers a class of destroyer built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multifunction passive electronically scanned array radar. Work will take place in Mississippi and is expected to be finished by April 2022. This effort encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, peripheral impacts and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish Engineer Change Proposal 51-2006.

Middle East & Africa

Morocco and the United States, in an alliance dating to 1777, renewed a defense cooperation road map through 2030, the Defense Department announced. US Defense Secretary Dr. Mark Esper and Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita signed the cooperation plan in Rabat, Morocco, on Friday as Esper toured Middle Eastern countries. “Morocco is a country we have been friends with for many, many years, and I am confident that we will remain friends and strategic partners for generations to come,” Esper said. In listing cooperative defense initiatives, he noted a specific military training drill, Exercise African Lion. The annual exercise includes participants from across the African continent.

General Dynamics won an $11.9 million contract modification for Abrams systems technical support. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2022. Abrams M1A2 SEPV3 is a modernized configuration of the Abrams main battle tank (MBT) in service with the US Army.The tank also features various advancements in technology, including improved armor, communications, reliability, sustainment and fuel efficiency. Work will take place in Michigan. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2022. Foreign Military Sales funds to Morocco in the amount of $11,949,962 were obligated at the time of the award.

Europe

RAF Coningsby has hosted US Air Force jet fighters as part of a three-day exercise. The Royal Air Force announced in a press release, that through the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept the USAF is testing new ways of deploying its aircraft during potential crises. “Exercising elements of ACE enables US forces in Europe to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen and aircrews are postured to deliver lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations“, said USAF Colonel Jason Camilletti, Commander of the 48th Fighter Wing.

Asia-Pacific

As the number of F-35As that Japan has acquired increases, the country is looking at alternative bed down locations besides Misawa air base. An anonymous official was quoted as saying that the exact locations have yet to be determined as approval from local communities are still required. Two possible locations are Chitose and Komatsu. The F-15s assigned there are need to be replaced as those airframes could not be upgraded.

Today’s Video

Watch: CHINA BEWARE – INDIA TESTS SHAURYA MISSILE & SUPERSONIC MISSILE ASSISTED RELEASE OF TORPEDO !

Americas

EFW won a $35.8 million deal for repair of live-replaceable units in support of the V-22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. The aircraft operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90° forward once airborne, converting the aircraft into a turboprop aircraft. Work will take place in Texas and Alabama. Estimated completion date will be by October 2025.

Science Applications International won a $22.6 million combination cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, and firm-fixed-price type contract.  The contract is for the First Article testing and production of the All Up Round MK 28 MOD 2 Exercise and MK 29 MOD 0 Warshot fuel tank assemblies for the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo, engineering services with associated other direct costs and contract data requirements list in support of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Undersea Warfare Systems. The Mk 48 and its improved Advanced Capability (ADCAP) variant are American heavyweight submarine-launched torpedoes. The Mk-48 torpedo is designed to be launched from submarine torpedo tubes. Work will take place in Indiana and Rhode Island. Estimated completion will be by March 2022.

Middle East & Africa

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy declared the opening of a new base in the Straits of Hormuz in the city of Sirik near the shore of the Persian Gulf. The base was opened in a large ceremony attended by the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, General Hossein Salami. The base enables the Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy to have better control of the area of the Persian Gulf, a place from which to carry out offensive and defensive operations against US forces in the region, and faster closure of the straits, a global economic choke point that more than 21 million barrels of oil  (about 25% of global oil consumption) pass through a day. The main beneficiaries of the oil passing through the straits are China, India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

The Israeli Air Force’s 117th Squadron flew its F-16C/D fighters for the final time on October 1 before the unit is disestablished. The unit, also known as “First Jet’, was established in 1953 at Ramat David AFB and has since participated in all of Israel’s wars. It will be shut down as part of the IAF’s plans to optimize and prepare for future challenges.

Europe

The second phase of Exercise Joint Warrior 20-2 has kicked off in Scotland. JW 20-2 incorporates surface, subsurface, airborne, and land assets providing joint training in a multi-threat environment for NATO units. Exercise Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe, bringing together the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the British Army, as well as forces from other nations. British forces join 6,000 personnel from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the US for this iteration, which is scheduled to include 28 ships, two submarines and 81 aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) on October 5. SMART is a missile assisted release of lightweight Anti-Submarine Torpedo System for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations for far beyond torpedo range.This launch and demonstration is significant in establishing anti-submarine warfare capabilities, a defense statement said. The flight testing of SMART follows the successful test firing on Saturday of its indigenously developed nuclear capable hypersonic missile ‘Shaurya’ with a strike range of around 1,000 km from the test range.

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Americas

The US Navy awarded a $25-million contract to Saab Inc. on September 25, 2020, for two AN/SPN-50(V)1 Shipboard Air Traffic Radars and one Installation and Checkout kit. The next-generation air traffic radar will replace the AN/SPN-43C on board Nimitz CVNs and LHDs. The first ship to install the radar will be USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and followed by future amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA-8). The new radar is based on the Sea Giraffe Agile Multi-Beam (AMB). The first AN/SPN-50(V)1 is scheduled for delivery in September 2021.

A new software upgrade for the MQ-9 will now allow the unmanned air vehicle to carry up to eight AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Known as the MQ-9 Operational Flight Program 2409, the new upgrade will allow the drone to carry the missiles on the outboard wing stations that were previously reserved for JDAMs and fuel tanks only. Hellfire is an air-to-ground, laser guided, subsonic missile with significant anti-tank capacity. It can also be used as an air-to-air weapon against helicopters or slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

The government of Egypt has requested the purchase of a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system from the United States at a cost of $417 million. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on October 1. According to the DSCA, the MDA system includes multi-site acquisition radars (fixed and mobile) with supporting facilities, electro­optical/infrared sensors (fixed, mobile, airborne), radio communications suites, hybrid power generation systems, closed circuit television, power and data distribution units, automatic identification system, and various other surveillance and communications systems; and other related elements of logistical and programme support.

Europe

Boeing won a $59.1 million contract to provide the US and United Kingdom Trident II (D5) maintenance, rebuilding and technical services in support of the Navigation subsystem. The Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile (FBM) is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile developed by Lockheed Martin. The missile can carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360km. The Trident II D5 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is a successor to Polaris A1, Polaris A2, Polaris A3, Poseidon C3 and Trident I C4 missiles. Work will take place in Washington, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Scotland. Estimated completion dates September 30, 2022. United Kingdom funds in the amount of $893,383 are being obligated on this award.

FLIR Surveillance won a $14.6 million deal with a five-year ordering period for BRITE Star Block II systems, repair actions, data, provision item order, training and engineering services. The deal includes purchases for the Czech Republic under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. FMS Czech Republic funding in the amount of $8,179,077 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of fiscal year. Work will take place in Oregon. Estimated completion will be by September, 2025.

Asia-Pacific

The US Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea of AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder Missiles and other related equipment for an estimated cost of $158.1 million. Seoul has requested to buy 115 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder missiles; 50 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 20 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missile Guidance Units; and 20 AIM 9X Block II CATM Guidance Units, according to Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) statement Oct 1. Also included are containers, weapon system support, and other elements of programme support. Raytheon Corporation will the principal contractor for this programme. According to DSCA, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. The AIM-9X Sidewinder missile one of the most advanced infrared-tracking, short-range, air-to-air and surface-to-air missile in the world. It is configured for easy installation on a wide range of modern aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, E/A-18G, F-22 and F-35 fighters.

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AIM-9X test launch, F-18C
(click for close-up)

Raytheon’s AIM-9X Block II would have made Top Gun a very short movie. It’s the USA’s most advanced short range air-air missile, capable of using its datalink, thrust vectoring maneuverability, and advanced imaging infrared seeker to hit targets behind the launching fighter. Unlike previous AIM-9 models, the AIM-9X can even be used against targets on the ground. The 2-way datalink is the most significant single Block II change, as it allows the missile to fly toward targets its seeker can’t yet see, using target position tracking from its fighter. The Block II also has improved seeker lock-on-after-launch vs. the original AIM-9X, a ‘lofting’ fly-out profile the boosts its range, and better all weather laser fusing against small targets.

These changes will help keep it competitive against foreign missiles like MBDA UK’s AIM-132 ASRAAM, RAFAEL of Israel’s Python 5, the multinational German-led IRIS-T, and Russia’s R73/ AA-11 Archer. The end of September 2011 saw the first significant order from the US military for AIM-9X Block II missiles, shortly after successful live fire tests at China Lake, CA. The Lot 12 order followed very soon after, and is no longer an all-USA order.

AIM-9X Versions

AIM-9X on USAF F-15
(click to view full)

The currently fielded version of the missile is AIM-9X Block I, OFS 8.212, which includes limited lock-on-after-launch, full envelope off-boresight capability without a JHMCS helmet, and improved flare rejection performance. It uses the warhead, fuze, and rocket motor from the previous AIM-9M missile, but adds thrust-vectoring, a new imaging infrared seeker, a new digital processor, and a new autopilot. Because it’s all-digital, among other significant changes, aircraft that want to fire it need integration work. At present, F-15C/D Eagle, F-16C/D Falcon, and F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet family aircraft can carry the AIM-9X. Singapore has bought some for its F-15SG Strike Eagles, and South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagles, and Saudi Arabia’s F-15SA Strike Eagles, will also be integrated in the near future.

Other American aircraft, and foreign aircraft that can fire Sidewinders, are limited to previous-generation AIM-9Ms. Note that this even includes the F-22A Raptor, until its Increment 3.2 upgrade program is implemented.

The AIM-9X-2 missile includes a new processor, a new ignition battery for the rocket motor, an electronic ignition safety/arm device, and the DSU-41/B Active Optical Target Detector (AOTD) fuze/datalink assembly. None of these things radically change performance by themselves, but OFS 8.3 is a software upgrade that adds trajectory management to improve range, datalink with the launching aircraft, improved lock-on-after-launch and target re-acquisition, and improved fuzing. The combination of AIM-9X-2 and OFS 8.3 makes an AIM-9X Block II missile.

Contracts & Key Events

F-15SG, armed
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October 5/20: South Korea The US Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea of AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder Missiles and other related equipment for an estimated cost of $158.1 million. Seoul has requested to buy 115 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder missiles; 50 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 20 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missile Guidance Units; and 20 AIM 9X Block II CATM Guidance Units, according to Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) statement Oct 1. Also included are containers, weapon system support, and other elements of programme support. Raytheon Corporation will the principal contractor for this programme. According to DSCA, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. The AIM-9X Sidewinder missile one of the most advanced infrared-tracking, short-range, air-to-air and surface-to-air missile in the world. It is configured for easy installation on a wide range of modern aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, E/A-18G, F-22 and F-35 fighters.

Aug 31/12: Software. Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ receives a $13.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to update AIM-9X software from version 8.220 to 8.300 for USAF ($9.6M/ 71%) and US Navy ($3.9M/ 29%). $5.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

As noted above, this software update creates the Block II missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ, and is expected to be complete in December 2013. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 by US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD (N00019-12-C-0111).

March 30/12: The Pentagon’s Selected Acquisitions Report ending Dec 31/11 includes the AIM-9X Block I. It’s being canceled, which creates a critical cost breach – but since the cause is program cancellation, it doesn’t matter. See Jan 17/12 entry for why it’s being cancelled.

“AIM-9X Block I – The Program Acquisition Unit Cost (PAUC) increased 49.3% to the current APB and 71.8% to the original APB as a result of an adjustment to the program of record quantities from 10,142 to 3,142 missiles. Based on direction from Navy and Air Force requirements offices, there are no future production contracts for Block I after Lot 10 deliveries are complete. The approval of Block II to enter Low Rate Initial Production ends new production for Block I missiles, and shifts new production to Block II missiles. Since the critical Nunn-McCurdy breach is due to cancellation of the Block I program, no certification determination by the USD AT&L is required pursuant to section 2433 of title 10, United States Code.”

Block I done

March 30/12: ROKAF & RSAF. A $97.1 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification, buying Lot 12 low rate initial production (LRIP-2) equipment for South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

South Korea: $11.8 million, 12.15%. 19 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round tactical missiles in containers; 5 more containers. This is test-size lot.

Saudi Arabia: $85.3 million, 87.85%. 120 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round tactical missiles in containers; 42 more containers; 33 Block II captive air training missiles with no motor or warhead.

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ. (41.40%); Andover, MA (10.12%); various locations in and outside the continental United States (6.56%); Valencia, CA (5.71%); Midland, Ontario, Canada (5.40%); Rocket Center, WVA (5.24%); Vancouver, WA (5.08%); Goleta, CA (2.99%); El Segundo, CA (2.81%); Cheshire, CT (2.30%); Simsbury, CT (1.60%); Cincinnati, Ohio (1.53%); Heilbronn, Germany (1.52%); El Cajon, CA (1.48%); San Jose, CA (1.45%); Anniston, AL (1.16%); San Diego, CA (0.87%); Chatsworth, CA (0.80%); Newbury Park, CA (0.74%); Orlando, Fla. (0.66%); and Montgomery, AL (0.58%). Work is expected to be completed in August 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD acts as the agent for its Foreign Military Sale clients (N00019-11-C-0001).

Singapore & Saudi Arabia

March 27/12: Exports. US NAVAIR discusses the AIM-9X’s “heightened interest in foreign military sales (FMS),” and what that means for the USA:

“The future is bright for the AIM-9X program as robust international sales lower the procurement costs for all purchasers, including the U.S. government,” said Rick Cooley deputy program manager for international programs for the Navy’s Air-to-Air Missile program office (PMA-259) here. In recent years, international sales for the joint Navy and Air Force AIM-9X Sidewinder program have comprised almost half [emphasis DID’s] of the program’s production. The Sidewinder is the most widely used air-to-air missile currently employed by more than 40 nations throughout the world.

In a surge of FMS agreements in late December 2011, Saudi Arabia and South Korea became the first international purchasers of the latest generation of the Sidewinder family, the infrared-guided AIM-9X-2 (Block II) missile system, for employment on their unique F-15 aircraft. “

Jan 31/12: Lot 12 additional. Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ, receives a $39.6 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification to AIM-9X Lot 12 low rate initial production. It adds “special test equipment and various spare components,” plus…

USAF ($35.5 million, 89.57%)

• 42 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles (now 108)
  
• 42 Block II active optical target detectors (now 108)
  
• 51 CATM-9X Block II, with no motor or warhead (now 51)
  
• 27 containers (now 45)

US Navy ($4.1 million, 10.43%)

• 5 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles (now 54)
  
• 5 Block II active optical target detectors (now 54)
  
• 2 containers (now 26)

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ (41.42%); Andover, MA (10.12%); various locations in the continental United States (6.31%); Valencia, CA (5.71%); Ontario, Canada (5.40%); Rocket Center, WVA (5.24%); Vancouver, WA (5.08%); Goleta, CA (2.99%); El Segundo, CA (2.81%); Cheshire, CT (2.30%); Simsbury, CT (1.60%); Cincinnati, OH (1.53%); Heilbronn, Germany (1.52%); El Cajon, CA (1.48%); San Jose, CA (1.45%); Anniston, AL (1.16%); San Diego, CA (0.87%); Chatsworth, CA (0.80%); Newbury Park, CA (0.74%); Orlando, FL (0.66%); Montgomery, AL (0.58%); and various location outside the continental United States (0.23%), and is expected to be complete in January 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0001).

Lot 12

Jan 17/12: Testing results. The Pentagon releases the FY 2011 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). The AIM-9X is included, and the report reveals that the Navy has asked to re-baseline the AIM-9X Block II as a new program entering a pre-Milestone C decision. When it does pass Milestone C, production of the Block I missile will end.

“This decision was primarily driven by a cost per unit increase due to the new DSU-41/B AOTD fuze/datalink assembly, reductions in Service funding, software costs, and schedule delays.”

DOT&E’s one serious concern:

“Recent captive-carry testing has revealed declining missile reliability due to communication problems in 9.303 software and host aircraft compatibility deficiencies. The program office plans to fix these deficiencies, along with software changes in OFS 9.308. Raytheon plans another software build prior to the [Operational Test Readiness Review]… in April 2012. The schedule of live fire events required before the OTRR is aggressive; the Navy and Air Force must execute five more live flight tests prior to the OTRR. Testing delays could result in a delayed OTRR.”

Dec 29/11: Lot 12 Main. Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ, receives a $68.9 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification, for Lot 12 low rate initial production of AIM-9X Sidewinder short range missiles. Customers and ordered items include…

USAF ($36 million, 52.3%)

• 66 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles
  
• 66 Block II active optical target detectors
  
• 18 containers

US Navy ($32.8 million, 47.7%)

• 49 AIM-9X Block II all up round missiles
  
• 49 Block II active optical target detectors
  
• 29 CATM-9X Block II, with no motor or warhead
  
• 24 containers

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ (41.42%); Andover, MA (10.12%); various locations in the continental United States (6.31%); Valencia, CA (5.71%); Ontario, Canada (5.40%); Rocket Center, WVA (5.24%); Vancouver, WA (5.08%); Goleta, CA (2.99%); El Segundo, CA (2.81%); Cheshire, CT (2.30%); Simsbury, CT (1.60%); Cincinnati, OH (1.53%); Heilbronn, Germany (1.52%); El Cajon, CA (1.48%); San Jose, CA (1.45%); Anniston, AL (1.16%); San Diego, CA (0.87%); Chatsworth, CA (0.80%); Newbury Park, CA (0.74%); Orlando, FL (0.66%); Montgomery, AL (0.58%); and various location outside the continental United States (0.23%), and is expected to be complete in January 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract (N00019-11-C-0001).

Lot 12

Americas

General Atomics won a $131.6 million contract modification for Gray Eagle aircraft, satellite communications air data terminals, program management and government-furnished equipment maintenance and repair. MQ-1C Gray Eagle is an extended range / multipurpose (ER/MP) UAS developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the US Army. It performs reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, command and control, communications relay, signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), attack, improvised explosive device (IED) and battle damage assessment missions. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2022.

Boeing won a $32.4 million deal for logistics support for H-47 forward and aft blades and associated containers. The CH-47D Chinook helicopter transports troops, artillery, supplies and equipment to the battlefield with other applications ranging from medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue to disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

According to Saab, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has received its second Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The delivery of the second of the three Bombardier Global 6000 business jet-based platforms that were contracted to the UAE Air Force and Defence (AF&D) under the Swing Role Surveillance System award in late 2015 came some five months after the first aircraft was handed over in late April. The third and final contracted aircraft is due to arrive in the UAE before the end of 2021, while an anticipated contract for two additional platforms is still waiting to be signed. Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform combines a number of advanced sensors with the company’s new Erieye Extended Range active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on board a Bombardier Global 6000 ultra-long range business jet.

Europe

The US State Department has preemptively cleared Switzerland to purchase the F-35A joint strike fighter and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, just days after a public vote narrowly ok’d the Swiss government to move forward with a planned procurement of new fighter aircraft. The F-35 deal comes with an estimated price tag of $6.58 billion, while the F/A-18 package with a price tag of $7.452 billion. The potential FMSs are not a sign that Switzerland has decided the Lockheed Martin F-35 or Boeing produced F/A-18 are their fighter of the future.

The State Department approved the potential sale of five Patriot missile systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. The deal includes Patriot Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units, consisting of: five AN/MPQ-65 Radar Sets; five AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations; 17 M903 Launching Stations; up to 70 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile Tactical (GEM-T) Missiles; seven Antenna Mast Groups; five Electrical Power Plants (EPP) III; and six Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) (11) Block Upgrade Two (BU2).

Asia-Pacific

The US DoS approves a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India for their fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $90 million. India has requested to buy items and services to extend follow-on support for their fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.  These items include aircraft consumables spares and repair/return parts; ground support and equipment; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) fire extinguisher cartridges; flare cartridges; BBU-35/B cartridge impulse squibs; one spare AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receiver shipset; spare AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispenser System shipset; ten Lightweight Night Vision Binocular (F5032); ten AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggle (NVG)(F4949); GPS; Electronic Warfare; instruments and lab equipment support; Joint Mission Planning System; cryptographic device spares and loaders; software and software support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training and training equipment; U.S. and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support; and other related elements of program support. Prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin.

Today’s Video

Watch: Why the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is Still One Dangerous Fighter

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $249.3 million contract for the procurement of sustainment engineering and logistics services for Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar. The agreement includes engineering changes, technical refresh, studies and analyses, and the following support services: contractor logistics, depot lifecycle, software support activity, diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages. G/ATOR is a three-dimensional, expeditionary, short/medium-range multirole radar capable of detecting low-observable, low-radar-cross-section targets such as rockets, artillery, mortars, cruise missiles, and manned and unmanned aerial systems. Expected completion date is September 28, 2025.

Lockheed Martin won a $18 million deal to exercise an option for Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent efforts for the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20. The Aegis Weapon System is a centralized, automated, command-and-control and weapons control system that was designed as a total weapon system, from detection to kill. The heart of the system is the AN/SPY-1, an advanced, automatic detect and track, multi-function phased-array radar. Work will take place in New Jersey. Estimated completion will be by December 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed an agreement to acquire 50% of the equity of BlueBird Aero Systems. Bluebird, a leading UAS developer and integrator in the small tactical arena, has been providing its solutions to Israeli forces and worldwide customers for close to two decades. As part of the transaction, IAI is acquiring the holdings of Piramal Technologies SA from India, as well as additional shares from Fiberless Access and Ronen Nadir. Ronen Nadir will continue to hold 50% of BlueBird shares and continue to serve as the company’s CEO. In recent years, both IAI and BlueBird have focused on vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, a category that provides significant benefits to ground and naval forces. BlueBird has developed several advanced VTOL platforms, including the WanderB-VTOL and ThunderB-VTOL.

Europe

Georgia has unveiled two types of drones that it has purchased from Spain. It was shown to Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili during his visit to Marneuli air base. One is the Alpha 800 VTOL drone and the other is the Atlantic-I. The Ministry of Defense of Georgia reported on September 28 that it purchased Spanish-made unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as renewed existing aircraft, and retrained the personnel.

Germany cancelled its Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) heavy-lift helicopter requirement for the Luftwaffe, citing budgetary concerns with the planned multi-million Euro procurement. In a statement released on 29 September, the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) said that the long-standing STH effort to replace the Luftwaffe’s 70 VFW-Sikorsky CH-53G-series Stallion helicopters with between 40 and 60 Boeing H-47 Chinook or Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion platforms was being halted as the expected capability could not be delivered within the allocated budget.

Asia-Pacific

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) commissioned a new tactical boat handling and firing simulator (TBHFS) to improve the Police Coast Guard’s (PCG’s) training capabilities. The system, which has been described as the first of its kind in the country, has been incorporated with an eye tracker to detect trainees’ visual focus during stressful simulation scenarios. It has been installed at the PCG’s headquarters on Brani Island. The simulator developed by the PCG in collaboration with the country’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX). It can emulate the PCG’s high-speed patrol interdiction boats, and second-generation high-speed PK-class interceptor boats.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S MILITARY DOESN’T NEED F22 or F 35 TO COUNTER RUSSIAN ‘FLANKERS’- THEY ARE SHOOTING EACH OTHER !